Haughian House New Windows

We have just been able to send off pictures for Christmas to Mr Haughian of the beautiful new windows. The windows were made and installed by our artist in residence, Marty, and will keep the place snug this winter. We have been searching the special offers on composting toilets and solar lighting ready for the next stage of making the cottage usable for a wider range of people. The new batch of Duke of Edinburgh groups will be setting off soon to start their training there.

My Eco Fairy Lights

They really worked - a very wee solar panel on a stick kept them twinkling (well it might have been flickering) through Christmas. I've been warned by those who know better, that the secret is to make sure I keep them going year after year to make up for the carbon cost of manufacturing them.

Planting Holly for Christmas

As part of our science department project with Wild Watch, lots of new native species trees have been planted out this week, including lots of seasonal holly. We look forward to working with Wild Watch again next term, with more hedge mix plants coming.

Bats and Hedgehogs

On Tuesday, along with invaluable support from the Ulster Wildlife Trust, our batboxes and hedgehog hides were installed. slowly but surely our grounds plan is being rolled out. Jean Forbes made out the detailed and challenging plan, and by bits and pieces, lots of different people are contributing to bringing it ti life. More action soon on the daffodil drift which is planned for along the wall, just inside the main gate. See Derek Baliey if you would like to be involved in carrying out the work.

what I'm not good at

I'm not good at houses, but this weekend I have tried to move a stage more ecofriendly by changing the rest of the light bulbs to low energy ones, and sticking heat reflectors down behind the radiators. Changing bulbs is so simple, it's the centrepiece of jokes, and the radiator panels' only technology is the double sided tape, but you wouldn't believe the mess I made. One disappointing thing is that I ended up sending away for the bulbs and the radiator panels. Does anybody know where to buy them within walking distance? i ordered them all through the Shimna website and Natural Collection, which gives a good percentage to our fundraising.

New Trees for Planting

Two new packs of trees have arrived, and our eco group will be organising the planting. With two batches to plant, any offers of help would be most welcome. Native species bulbs will also be going in soon. In all our work on the grounds, we are following the detailed plan set out by Jean Forbes of the Board of Governors. There is a long way to go, but real progress is also in evidence.

Haughian House Revisited

After rumbling along for several years with our expedition groups and occasional visitors from staff and parents' council members, we are ready to move to a new phase where we undertake the work necessary to make the cottage more accessible to a wider range of users. We are determined to do an eco-friendly job of work. First move has been the new windowframes, individually made in wood by Marty. Next thing is to sort out the power and water situation so that people with other purposes than roughing it will be able to enjoy the place. We have been searching websites for the best composting toilet and and ways to power some lighting. Any help, advice or suggestions eagerly welcomed.