National Trust properties using renewable energies

Good news for National Trust members in the Derbyshire andEast Midlandsarea who are keen on supporting the use of renewable energies.  In its latest ?Near You? publication for the area, the National Trust mentions at least 3 of its properties where biomass boilers are being used.  One isSudbury, near Ashbourne, and there is an article in the paper about a volunteer helping to maintain the boiler.  Another is Calke Abbey, where at present all the wood to fuel their biomass boiler is grown within 10 miles of the site, and it is hoped that within a decade, 20% of the woodchip for the boiler will come from the Calke estate itself.  And at Hardwick Hall, nearChesterfield, a complete restoration of disused buildings creating new restaurant and retail facilities has had a biomass boiler installed, as well as wood burning stoves, and in addition there are solar thermal panels to provide hot water in the toilet block.  The National Trust has a wide appeal not just to its members but to day visitors, and its enthusiastic uptake of renewable energies and sustainable resources is definitely worth celebrating.  Well done, National Trust East Midlands!