Homes for Good 2006 'The best event yet'

Organised by the Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development, the Homes for Good Exhibition 2006 was heralded the 'best event yet' by exhibitors.

Organised by the Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development (STSD), the Homes for Good Exhibition 2006, which took place from 17-19 February at the Somerset College of Arts and Technology, was heralded the "best event yet" by exhibitors.

With almost 4,000 visitors through the door, companies exhibiting at the event noted a marked increase in genuine interest, both from professionals enquiring about new sustainable building techniques, and from members of the public embarking on self builds or wanting eco-friendly lifestyle advice.

Over 70 exhibitors took part in Homes for Good, travelling from all over the southwest and beyond, to demonstrate the availability and quality of sustainable materials, eco-friendly construction techniques and soft furnishings such as all natural paints, furniture and flooring.

Together with Penney Poyzer, the Queen of Green from BBC 2's No Waste Like Home programme, the exhibitors voiced the need to 'build sustainably' and 'live sustainably', the key message at the event this year.

Corina Reay, Homes for Good Coordinator, comments, "The popularity of the Homes for Good Exhibition is all the incentive that we need as a charity to continue running the show every year".

"The quality and diversity of both exhibitors and visitors has always been excellent and we aim to build on the success of this year's event by having an even greater number of exhibitors, with more demonstrations and presentations, in 2007".

"Homes for Good is really making a difference to our environment in the south west and further a field." The STSD conducted a visitor survey during Homes for Good to gauge response to the event.

74% of people that filled in the questionnaire rated the exhibition as either 'very good' or 'excellent', and over a third of people travelled 50 miles or more to get to the event, illustrating a very keen interest from all over the region.

All contributors to the survey left the exhibition intending to take steps to save energy, install renewable energy devices, or increase home waste recycling.

Major sponsors of the event, James Latham , a specialist national importer and distributor of sustainable timber, was particularly impressed with the diversity of companies exhibiting at the event.

Andy Duffin, Director at James Latham comments, "It was a pleasure to be part of such a big event, promoting sustainable products from all over the country".

"As a company specialising in sustainable timber, it was refreshing to see so many exhibitors with such a range of skills, all working towards the same goal of sustainability".

"It just shows how much easier it is becoming for people to adopt sustainable methods, on any number of levels, so that we leave a smaller footprint on the earth." During Homes for Good 2006, Penney Poyzer launched the Community Choices for Sustainable Living project (CCSL), an initiative funded by DEFRA, that aims to give people and communities in Somerset, Dorset and Devon the support they need to choose a more sustainable way of living.

Penney Poyzer explains, "It's easy to feel isolated when you are trying to save the world single handed, and that's where CCSL can really help you to make your environmental aims a reality".

"I would urge anyone with green aspirations in Devon, Somerset and Dorset to get involved".

"We can achieve so much when we know we are working with other people who have shared ambitions, and CCSL will provide valuable training and support to enable volunteers to be inspired, and to be an inspiring influence in their communities." Somerset's household waste recycling figures at 40 % are already well above the national average of 23%.

The county also gained an award for the best Household Waste Recycling Centre and two awards for an initiative called Sort It, a recycling collection service launched last year.

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