Information on Loughborough

Bright sparks save energy

Posted on 16/10/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

16 October 2009

Bright sparks save energy

School children are just some of the bright sparks across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who have pulled out all the stops to save energy.

They have been joined by communities, businesses and families across the area by taking part in this year’s Big Switch Off, which is running from October 12-18 2009.

Standby buttons on TVs and computers have been switched off, microwaves clocks unplugged and unused phone chargers put away in a bid to cut carbon emissions and save money.

Thringstone Primary School is just one school which has taken part in the campaign and done its bit to reduce its energy consumption.

Members of the school’s Eco Club, which consists of 36 pupils, have been monitoring classrooms every break and lunch time this week to check monitors, projectors and lights are all turned off.

The energy is being monitored with each class competing to see who can save the most.

Teacher Sam Widdowson said: "The children have really enjoyed taking part in this year’s Big Switch Off, but they have also taken it very seriously.

"They have been working really hard to save energy."

The school is competing with other schools to see who will ultimately save the most energy. Last year The Latimer Primary School in Anstey came top after saving an astounding 69 per cent of its energy during the campaign.

Community groups have also been doing their bit by entering a year-long challenge to see who can save the most energy.

Broughton Astley Village Hall is hoping that by taking part in the campaign, it will be able to do its bit for the environment and cut its bills at the same time.

The parish council, which runs the community hub, is hoping to take measures such as adjusting the settings on its heating and making sure unnecessary lights are switched off to conserve energy.

Parish manager Christine Lord said: "We want to do our bit for the environment and be more economical so we can save a bit of council tax payers’ money."

Chairman of ENABLE (Environmental Action for a Better Leicestershire) Mike Preston said: "It has been good to see so many people taking part in the Big Switch Off and doing their bit for the environment.

"Hopefully the campaign will get people thinking more about conserving energy as they go about their day to day lives."

Central Networks has been monitoring the amount of energy used this week and will compare the area’s consumption to the previous week’s to see how much has been saved.

The Big Switch Off is a partnership lead by ENABLE and local authorities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland together with the Rural Community Council, Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire and Central Networks.

     ENDS

For more information call the press office on 0116 3055712.