The choice to live “green” can take up a lot of energy. Deciding which methods are the “greenest”, researching which products will save energy and calculating carbon can be confusing. However, for anyone committed to a greener way of living, the Big Green Home Show at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre is a great place to learn about green living.

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon will de-mystify “green living” at the Big Green Home Show sponsored by EDF Energy, from Thursday 15th November to Sunday 18th November. The four-day  Show will examine the reality of living “green”, looking at all aspects of green homebuilding and eco-friendly lifestyles, with the help of the some Big Green Heroes in the shape of the BBC’s Penney Poyzer, TV’s friendliest builder,  Tommy Walsh and the Big Green Giant himself, Dick Strawbridge.

With a host of features and expert advice to help visitors choose how to live their own green lifestyle, including the latest products, design innovation and lifestyle tips, the Big Green Home Show will demonstrate that a green lifestyle isn’t just about putting a giant compost heap in the back yard. As well as eco experts, visitors can hear from people who have built their own eco-homes, tour the Renovation House to discover how to renovate to improve energy efficiency, and check out the latest materials and products to help minimise carbon emissions and reduce energy consumption.

Dick Strawbridge, presenter of the BBC 2 series “It’s Not Easy Being Green”, Penney Poyzer, author and presenter of the BBC’s “No Waste Like Home” and Tommy Walsh, who recently completed an eco-friendly house in Cambridgeshire for his show on the Discovery Real Time channel, will be on hand to share their “green” wisdom with visitors. A packed seminar programme will cover a range of topics, including “how to live a green life”, “eco-building” and “renovating to save energy”, to educate and enthuse those thinking about or already undertaking steps to live a greener lifestyle.

Visitors can also take the opportunity to search for a plot of land or renovation project with PlotSearch, consider financing their eco projects with BuildStore’s unique financial services offering, and take advantage of exclusive discounts on eco products and materials from top merchants and suppliers with a TradeCard. Throw in some top lifestyle tips to help save even more energy, and the Big Green Home Show has everything to help visitors become the environment’s biggest friend!

Tim Doherty, managing director at BuildStore, the company behind the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, explained: “As we move into the second half of the Centre’s first year, we have gained fantastic insight into what our visitors enjoy most and what types of projects they are undertaking to fit their lifestyles. As expected, the sustainability issue is a key feature of many self build and renovation projects, with our visitors looking for the latest energy-saving ideas, eco-friendly materials and products, along with ‘green’ lifestyle advice complement their eco-friendly home.”

Tim added: “Although many people are interested in becoming ‘greener’, there is a lot of confusion about costs, benefits and the payback of eco-friendly products and green living.  The Big Green Home Show will help visitors to decide which products and methods best meet their needs and how to complement these with lifestyle changes to create a truly ‘greener’ way of life.

Our celebrity and expert speakers, product demonstrations and seminars, coupled with the Centre’s permanent educational exhibits and features, means that the Big Green Home Show at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre can provide all the answers to unearth the real story on sustainable house building and living.”

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon is the only centre of its kind, providing a totally unique learning environment, where those interested in the design and construction of their own home can learn everything about the process, from finding land to choosing fixtures and fittings, and more importantly, instilling the confidence in customers so they can make their dream project a reality.

To register for tickets, which cost £8, or £12 per couple, with under 16s free, and for more information, log on to www.biggreenhomeshow.co.uk or call 01506 409 616. Book your tickets by 9th November to take advantage of our 2-for-1 ticket offer - visit the website for details.

Archive index | Front page