Green conference

One of the entrances to CAT

Last week I attended the NT's first 'Fit for the Future' conference, a chance to meet staff from properties across the UK and hear how they are incorporating 'green' technologies and energy saving working practices in their properties. The conference was held at the Centre of Alternative Technologies (CAT) in Machynlleth and was made up of three days of talks, films, site visits and guest speakers. The Welsh properties have made giant steps in taking the lead on building hydro, solar, and wind power and biomass boilers into their sites. It was fantastic to see what has been done so far and to listen to many of the speakers who were so passionate about their work, and inspiring - we have been looking at alternative technologies at Attingham and hope to be installing a biomass boiler to provide all our heating in the near future. One scary fact has stuck in my mind - last year we (meaning humans across the world) burned one million years worth of biologically sequestered carbon. It's hard to get your head around that, but it does make it starkly obvious that we all need to do something about it, and the Trust wants to be a leading figure in making change. Attingham may not have the capability for hydro or wind power but we will definitely be looking at what else we can do to save energy and provide ourselves with a more sustainable future.

Snow, hail, rain and wind - apparently a visit to the same site one week
before had seen people in shorts and tshirts! Ahh Wales...

Soaking up the sun...

Back at Attingham I was working the Easter weekend (except for Sunday when a virus kept me in bed - thanks to Jess for covering!) and had mixed feelings towards the rain - such a shame for the visitors and all the staff and volunteers who put so much effort into making trails and games for people to enjoy, but fantastic for the ponds, newly planted shrubs and vegetation in general. We desperately need the rain at this time of year but its not all bad news - who doesn't love jumping in puddles?! If anyone put off a visit to Attingham due to the weather, don't forget there are deer park rides on the 11th, 14th and 15th April.

The bluebells are beginning to come out in the park now, although it will be a few weeks before they are out in their full glory. Sarah found some pink and white ones on the wider estate today - very pretty but unfortunately also a hybridisation of our native and Spanish bluebells. We also spotted some badger prints in the soft clay earth near where we were fencing, showing where they had come to some deep puddles to drink. And then the sun came out and I had a happy lunchtime taking lots of pictures of blossom!