Mon, 25 May 2026 11:58:02 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202799#Comment_202799 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202799#Comment_202799 Thu, 29 May 2014 17:39:29 +0100 tony
‘Reading Sustainability Centre’ have just embarked on an ambitious project which will produce hydroelectricity from the Thames. They plan to use the power and income generated to help run a Sustainability Centre located near to Caversham weir. The group is in the process of setting up a Community Interest Company, a not for profit organisation that will enable it to raise the funds needed to complete the hydro project.
Initial feasibility studies have been very favourable, and such a scheme with an associated sustainability centre would be very good for Reading, both for local residents who will benefit and in terms of external interest generated. ‘Reading Sustainability Centre’ is working closely with existing environmental groups in Reading, and local experts such as Oxford Low Carbon Hub and e-waterpower. They are an apolitical organisation and as such, are keen to have input from everyone.
There will be a site visit and picnic on Wednesday 4th June and to which all are welcome. Please meet at the footway near Caversham Weir at 5pm. After examining the Weir, Lock Island and View Island there will be a bring and share picnic at 6pm.

See our newly created website which will be improved all the time www.ReadingSustainabilityCentre.co.uk]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202803#Comment_202803 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202803#Comment_202803 Thu, 29 May 2014 19:32:39 +0100 orangemannot And being submersed in this subsidized bullshit most of my working life.
I can only fall about laughing
And crying!
Marcus
ps
The LA I work for has to send paid council staff to cut grass for an award winning "Community action team", who are so very big into sustainable gardening, (with substantial grants and subsidies), but who last autumn, let a tremendous crop of blackberries go to waste, literally in the hedges around their property, this after demonstrating their Applesquasher in June with a crate of bought apples.
It was probably never washed after their June openday.
But all bow down and worship!
Words fail me.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202806#Comment_202806 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202806#Comment_202806 Thu, 29 May 2014 19:53:44 +0100 Nick Parsons
Having run an energy demonstration centre I support ventures which give the public something to look at and understand.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202817#Comment_202817 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202817#Comment_202817 Fri, 30 May 2014 10:45:32 +0100 orangemannot Anyone want to look into the viaibility/sustainability of the "Ecos" Centre at Ballymena?
If these ideas were so fundamentally sound, the money should be queued up waiting, or rather the site would have snapped up/bought up by a private developer, and run at a profit.
Simple Capialism at work.
I dont doubt it will do the local community good by pumping in funding, but will the books ever balance?, or the true capital costs ever be recouped.
regards
and best wishs to Tony in his/their venture.
Marcus]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202820#Comment_202820 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12144&Focus=202820#Comment_202820 Fri, 30 May 2014 11:41:38 +0100 Ed Davies Posted By: orangemannotIf these ideas were so fundamentally sound, the money should be queued up waiting, or rather the site would have snapped up/bought up by a private developer, and run at a profit.
Simple Capialism at work.But the world doesn't work like that; a project like this has to compete for capital against projects which are far from fundamentally sound but which make a profit for their owners by externalizing costs. Whether people trying to do things right in their local area are just pissing into the wind is a separate matter; what you can't conclude from the occasional resulting mess is that it's not a good thing to do.]]>