Schools get energy low-down

11:46am Friday 9th February 2007

REPRESENTATIVES from schools across Chard and Ilminster are attending an energy efficiency seminar in Yeovil today (Friday, February 9).

Somerset County Council has launched a new campaign - Somerset Schools Energy Action - to help cut energy waste and improve energy efficiency in schools across the county.

The schools will receive training and information on how to obtain Government funding for renewable energy initiatives, such as solar or wind power.

Milverton Primary School will explain how it achieved Eco-School Green Flag status for recycling and energy and water saving techniques.

The Somerset Waste Action Partnership will demonstrate how energy efficiency, climate change and recycling can be included in the curriculum.

Chard county councillor Paul Buchanan, portfolio holder for economic development, said: "This campaign will help every school in Somerset save money while they save energy.

"There are 283 schools in the county and making every school as energy efficient as possible will have a big impact on the work that Somerset County Council is doing to reduce carbon emissions in Somerset."

51 schools are attending today's seminar, at Westland Leisure Complex, while another 46 attended a seminar in Bridgwater on Tuesday.

The local schools taking part are: Avishayes Community School, Chard; Neroche Primary School, Broadway; Greenfylde First School, Ilminster; Holyrood Community School, Chard; Redstart Primary School, Chard; South Petherton Infants School; Swanmead Community School, Ilminster and Wadham Community School, Crewkerne.