Transition Chesterfield

 

Many thanks to everyone who took part in the Open Days this September.

 

We were almost literally overwhelmed by the number of visitors to all the houses, and had lots of positive feedback from people who had found the visits interesting and inspiring, so the weekend was definitely classed as a success!

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Transition Chesterfield's contribution to the national Heritage Open Days scheme!  Eco-renovated buildings around Chesterfield will open to the public for free on this special weekend in September.

 

It's a great opportunity for nosy neighbours and anyone interested in greening their home to get up close to real live working eco-features like solar panels, sheep's wool insulation, green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems. Talk to the people who installed - and live with - all these eco-improvements, and pick up ideas and tips for your own home.

 

Five ordinary houses, all eco-renovated by their owners, will be open at various times over the weekend. The owners will all be offering informal tours of their homes, and will be able to tell you all about how and why they did the work, and how well the technologies are performing in practice. They'll also have displays of 'before and after' photos, samples of materials and labels round the house explaining what's been done.

 

There's also a tour to the Town Hall roof to see the photovoltaic cells (solar electric) up there!

 

For lots more information about the eco-renovated properties, when they are open and what you can expect to see, click here, or go to 'properties' on the menu.

 

We're running this event as part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme. The open days celebrate England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors to the public. Traditionally it's been all about history, but this year the event has been expanded to include eco-buildings.

 

For other properties in Chesterfield taking part in the Heritage Open Days, see the national website and search in the directory.

 

If you're inspired by the open days and want to start eco-renovationg your own property, click here or go to 'where next' on the menu, for some useful links and resources.

 

We are very grateful to all the householders opening their homes to the public; to the Energy Saving Trust advice centre in Nottingham for supporting the event; to Cllr Ray Russell and the Derbyshire County Council Community Leadership fund for supporting us; to Chesterfield Borough Council for printing all our publicity materials; and to the people behind the national Heritage Open Days project.