by tresoc | Jun 5, 2025 | News
On Tuesday 3rd June, Energy Local Totnes was featured on The One Show on BBC 1, in a short film exploring our local energy club’s benefits to pocket, community and planet. The feature captures the essence of what Energy Local Totnes is doing and how our pioneering members are all part of something truly ground-breaking.
Watch now at: https://www.tresoc.co.uk/elt
Back in early March, presenter Lucy Siegle and the crew spent the day with us, filming at the Totnes Weir hydro and in the homes of some of our members, as you’ll see in the film.
The day culminated at The Royal Seven Stars Hotel, where a large group of enthusiastic members gathered, each being interviewed by Lucy, who grew up in Totnes. Unfortunately, those latter interviews didn’t make it into the final edit, but we’re extremely grateful to all the loyal club members who were able to offer their support throughout the day – it’s a prime example of a community really coming together for the common good.
From the cutting room floor: Energy Local Totnes members at the Royal Seven Stars Hotel, ready for their close-ups!
More from the cutting room floor: Lucy Siegle prepares to interview Energy Local Totnes Energy Advisor, Jem Friar
Receiving national coverage for our community energy club is extremely valuable as we seek to encourage new members to join. Energy Local Totnes currently has 48 members, and our goal is to sign up a total of 200 founding members by November this year. This short film is an excellent introduction to Energy Local Totnes, and we would appreciate it if you could share the link with your family, friends and neighbours, to demonstrate that with their help we can actively participate in reshaping Britain’s energy future toward one that’s more equitable, sustainable, and community-controlled.
Learn more about Energy Local Totnes or register your interest in joining.
by tresoc | Jul 28, 2021 | Events, Latest TRESOC News
We are hosting three FREE family-friendly moth events in August, in conjunction with Art & Energy Collective’s Moths To A Flame project. The project invites people to think about their relationship with energy, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow later this year, and to record their message of hope to the delegates.
10th August – The Moth’s Whisper Book Reading by Miranda Barlow
2pm @ St John’s Church, Bridgetown, Totnes
There will be a free moth activity pack for every child who attends
Come and join KEVICC alumni writer and illustrator Miranda Barlow at St John’s Church in Bridgetown for a reading of her book The Moth’s Whisper*, followed by an augmented reality moth-making session with a moth colouring sheet. Your drawings will be brought to life using the QuiverVision App and you can record a selfie with your own whisper of hope for the future, then share it online using #MothsToAFlame.
The Moth’s Whisper was specially commissioned for Moths to a Flame. It follows the journey of Marny, a newly emerged Yellow Underwing moth as she emerges from her pupa and discovers the world of humans as she journeys in search of the moon.
*The collective noun for moths is a whisper.
12th August – Family Moth-Making Event for a magnificent Climate Emergency mass-participation art installation for COP26, Glasgow
10am, 11am, 12 noon, 2pm, 3pm @ Totnes Civic Hall
- Moth Making
- Record a message for COP26
17th August – Moth Watching
8.30am @ Totnes Weir Hydro
- Talk from a local moth expert
- Tour of the Hydro Plant
- Record a message for #COP26
- Make observational drawings of moths using handmade oak gall ink
Please pre-register for all events, to register please email charlotte@tresoc.co.uk
Places will be given out on a first come first served basis
by tresoc | Sep 3, 2020 | Latest TRESOC News, News
In August, Ian was interviewed by the hosts of the On The Land And Water Radio Show, a new magazine programme on local station Soundart Radio with an interest in, you guessed it, land and water. He was talking about the Archimedes Screw at the weir on the River Dart, as well as possible new projects. Some of the interview will be broadcast in subsequent shows, but the bulk of the conversation is available to listen to here. Ian starts 55mins in, but the rest of the show is well worth a listen. (There is a scrollbar at the bottom of the screen that can take you straight to Ian.)
by tresoc | Sep 21, 2017 | Events, Latest TRESOC News
The Second Annual Archimedes Screw Fest at Totnes Weir on the River Dart on Saturday October 7th, 11am – 4pm. Free
Turbine tours by Alastair Gets of TRESOC at 12 noon & 3pm
• Meet Archimedes!
• River science all day with Westcountry Rivers Trust – bring the grandkids
• Sign up to become a Riverkeeper – a steward of the River Dart
• Delicious veg-filled arancini to eat, from The Kitchen Table
The Screw Fest is back!
• If you missed the tours last year, join us on the 7th and see your investment at work producing clean electricity for KEVICC & the foundry.
• If you came on a tour last year, please suggest to a friend that they come along this year.
You are part of a success story:
• The turbines have been cranking since they began generating electricity in December 2015. The plant has been performing ahead of expectations.
• The recreational area created near the turbine house was very popular over the summer – local people love it!
• The Renewable Energy Experiential Learning pilot with St Christopher’s school saw a class of students hearing how the turbines work, designing their own water-moving devices and making water wheels from sticks and leaves at the river’s edge – shoes and socks off, feet in the water! If you missed it, here’s the
link to the film – please share it.• The canoe launch platform was also much-used by kayakers and swimmers
• The automatic fish counter has tracked 100’s of fish and the fish pass has been welcomed by Westcountry Rivers Trust as truly “best practice.”
More good news:
• Staverton Hydro….. learn all about this new investment opportunity…..
Looking forward to seeing you on the 7th – rain or shine.
The Screw Fest is part of:
Open Eco-Homes Weekend
Fri 6, Sat 7 and Sun 8 Oct. Free
17 exciting homes and projects open to visit – full details in the programme or get your hard copy from Greenlife, The Mansion, Guildhall or Library, Totnes.
and don’t forget:
Eco & Community Homes Fair
Sat 21 Oct 10.00am to 3.00pm, Totnes Civic Hall. Free
by tresoc | Dec 18, 2016 | Latest TRESOC News
On Saturday, October 15th 2016 the first ever Archimedes Screw Fest took place at the Hydro Power Station on Totnes Weir.
The event marked the Hydro Station’s first birthday and a year of green electricity generation.
There were several family activities running throughout the day providing an opportunity to learn first-hand about the local ecosystem and the amazing renewable energy source right on our doorstep. Tresoc’s Director of Engineering, Alastair Gets, led tours/talks around the site throughout the day, which included a close up inspection inside the plant and of the fish pass.
Jane Brady, as Director of Communications, has been working to deliver an information signage board for the site. Part of the day’s event invited visitors to add their comments and preferences to how that sign could take form. Stories and knowledge of the River Dart were shared, whilst children crafted salmon shapes that then were woven into a hand-made fish net. The inspiration continued, as the net went on to take residence at St John’s primary school for future class lessons of a river focus. Citizen scientists could also sign up to become active members of the community taking care of the health and future of the river ecosystem; with the WestCountry Rivers Trust on hand to respond to queries about the River Dart. The Totnes Rubbish group led a volunteer litter pick along the river walk to the Weir.
Sadly, Archimedes, the man who pioneered the screw technology, was not able to join us on the day; [reported to have had a cold from staying in the bath far too long]. Instead, we sampled his favourite dish, arancini (provided by the Kitchen Table), in his honor.
Tresoc worked in collaboration with Dart Renewables, the Hydrosense consortium and Triodos bank during the development of the weir and launched an exclusive share offer to its members earlier this year, helping to secure local community investment in its local renewable resource.
Tresoc is now developing Staverton Leat Hydro in partnership with Hydrosense, The Dartington Hall Trust and Triodos Bank. There will be more on this at the upcoming AGM on November 30th, when guest speaker, Karen Williams, the Chief Operating Officer of the Trust, joins the evening to talk about working in partnership with Tresoc.
Thanks to Landustrie and Dart Renewables Ltd, who sponsored the Archimedes Screw Fest, and to all those who joined us at the weir and made the day so special. Archimedes Screw Fest was part was part of TTT Open Eco Homes weekend.
