REVIEW - The Greener Homes & Building Show 2006

The Greener Homes & Building Show 2006 Dr. Larch Juckes Maxey of Sundance shares his alternative fuel wisdom... May 20 & 21 - Royal Welsh Showground, Bulith Wells, Powys Getting there was half the fun. And quite the adventure. Bulith Wells is in the heart of some gorgeous Welsh countryside, and as the crow flies seemingly not to far from our Ross-on-Wye base. But as the Volvo meanders, it did take some reaching, along with a certain amount of motion-related issues from the kids in the back. For this was a weekend event, and where Dad goes, so must the whole tribe. At first I thought I was in the wrong place (and have the brochure to prove it), because as we entered we found ourselves slap-bang in the middle of a vast and sprawling agricultural show - the 2006 Royal Welsh Smallholder & Garden Festival - of which the one I had come to review was a small part. But everything is relative, and the Green Homes and Building Show occupied a fair sized space in an indoor hall, around which I spent a most worthwhile period whilst the family enjoyed the various flora and fauna elsewhere outside. A window on what's available in the world of greener homes... Set around a central area set aside for seminars and demonstrations there were about 50 stands, in a more freeform arrangement than the more traditional trade show. There was a lot of free space, which in one way was nice, but I could have hoped for more, and perhaps more variety. It certainly left me kicking myself that there was not a Junkk.com stand, as the rates were very reasonable. And remember we're still sore from our outing to the Ideal Home and the recently cancelled MAD* shows. Of course, thanks to its location, there were not as many visitors as at a major London or NEC event, but by golly there were a lot of folk, showing how hungry for such things people are. The exhibitors covered a fairly broad range, from the hi-tech to the crafty. Other than admiring the quality and styles, I must confess to being less than interested in high-cost construction stuff, of which there were a fair number. Where I did get interested was with the alternative energy sources, such as solar and heat pumps. The thing to bear in mind is that these guys are there to sell, and it is always best to get a spread of advice and quotes before rushing in. There were also some fun, and highly topical, stands, with one favourite being 50 Cycles, which is an electric bike. One of these recently won a hill-climb event I blogged on recently, and I was impressed at the endurance and performance figures. As it was a relatively short visit (and frankly the show stands really only could sustain a few hours tops), I sadly missed a few very worthwhile seminars over the two days, but did catch one on Biodiesel which was well worthwhile. Was it worth it? At about an hour plus from us, I'd say very much so. A bit of a trek otherwise. But don't forget that by being part of a bigger family-friendly event it is actually a great day out all round. And professionally I met a few potential gurus for Junkk.com's category sections. And I'm very encouraged by the interest being shown by the general public in such issues and those offering solutions. A showcase that's catching a lot of attention! Review by Peter Martin, Junkk Male

EVENT RE:View - Your Green Future

University showcase events have got a bit grander since my undergraduate days.

Last week Junkk.com was invited to bring along our RE:use ideas stand to this event, spanning two days.

In that time about twenty schools attended, sending pupils ranging from about 10 to 16 years of age, in class batches of about 30.

Amongst a variety of other things (I lost my stand-assistant son the second day as he ended up as a judge on a Dragon's Den feature elsewhere) the classes roamed the exhibition hall tasked with gaining an appreciation of what various 'eco' companies were, what they did, how their products or services contributed to sustainability, etc, plus what was involved career-wise should these be seen as appealing avenues to pursue.

The hall presented an eclectic bunch.

In addition to several University of Worcester (host campus - ironically where 'Chief of Stuff' Emma graduated from and who carried out our RE:tie market research) departments (including Computing and Robotics, with a 3D printer set-up I found most interesting given our RE:tie prototyping adventures and future design ambitions for new product ideas) & council sustainability offerings, there were such as Green Buying, marketing green products, World Aluminium, the Canal & River Trust  and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (who had a Stirling Engine model that has inspired my next Junkk project - watch this space... Already located and ordered from amazon to reverse engineer!).

Plus of course, Junkk.com (son included):

What was nice was the level of interactivity we could all offer the students, which made it very much a 'hands-on' experience'. This stand from actonenergy had a thermal imaging camera and, as you can see, yours truly was hot stuff:

There were sadly few opportunities for distractions, especially when I lost my lovely assistant, but I actually did come up with a new idea whilst there that I'll be adding to the site soon which many of the kids really liked... a totally easy cable labelling system... and also noticed another possible opportunity whilst rummaging under the table. If ever there looked to be a mass volume item that currently needs buying whose function surely could be met free with 'Junkk' materials, this is it:

So how was it all? Was it worth it?

Overall, yes. Kids, like adults, come in all shapes and sizes, so we got the 'get it over with' box-tickers, the 'why bother?' brigade but... also some real sweethearts vowing to go back home to search the site for inspiration. That is always nice.

All the teachers who visited were also very positive. Even got a few guys from various eco NGO/charity outfits swinging by. All very keen for us to come and exhibit at their fayre/expo/whatever.

The trouble is, Junkk.com exhibiting takes a lot of time and often money to get there. I was kindly offered expenses to be at this one but really it doesn't help much on the mortgage. Looking around the hall almost all others there I am pretty sure were getting paid in some form for their time too.

I need to get my head around this better. As clearly there are opportunities to see such contributions getting official support/sponsorship. And though not eco, which at least does carry a raft of benefits educationally, this example of what can get funded (a lot)* made me smile:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2651797/Artists-20k-grapple-concept-thing-ness-Taxpayer-funded-projects-denounced-self-indulgent-waste-money.html

Whatever else, no one can accuse Junkk.com of being a waste:)

I was thinking of attending this, but it is a fair old hike. But maybe turning Junkk.com into a social enterprise or charity is, ironically, a way to actually cover costs if not make some money.

We do serve a pretty useful, as well as re-useful purpose, after all!

*Addendum - 17 June 14

For wry smiles, this also served well:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/06/16/my_reg_hell_lily_cole_sobs_to_the_times/

Especially seeing this: "The FoI requests revealed Cole had been awarded the second £150,000 of her award despite failing to fulfil the criteria. Nesta told us Impossible.com had been released the money for "achieving scale" – despite not actually having launched. That's quite an achievement. When asked if it could define "scale", Nesta failed to respond."

That's quite an amount.

Maybe it's more 'who you know' than 'what you are actually trying to achieve?'

Interestingly. NESTA is getting a lot of profile across normal and social media with its latest largesse.

One hopes the most money goes where it will do the most good, less expenses of course. The results, and numbers (beyond that eye-watering £10M to play with), will be interesting.

We used to submit to such prizes, but given the effort required vs. what seemed to win, we have tended to avoid them now.

EVENT - Your Green Future - Worcester WR2

We've been invited to an event designed to inspire the next generations...

Junkk.com will be on hand to show as many reuse ideas from the site as we can squeeze in the car, and look forward to with luck getting the kids' imaginations fired up.

Small caveat... not too sure, but it looks like it may be invitation based, so call to check before turning up. There's a form to apply on the website.

WHAT: Your Green Future - New Opportunities in a Changing World

WHERE - University of Worcester, Riverside Building, 113 Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JN

WHEN - Thursday 5 June and Friday 6 June 2014

COST - As we always like it... FREE!

Parking: Parking is available. 
  
TIMING: All day

Events/Agenda - From the event PR:

This event is for schools in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. 

The event provides a unique opportunity for 11 to 19 year olds to explore, with business, the growing opportunities in a low carbon, resilient future. 

School students will work with over 30 businesses and education and training providers in professionally developed interactive workshops. They will explore cutting edge innovation, develop business ideas for food and fasion products, negotiate a new climate change agreement, and reduce a settlements energy needs

URL : http://yourgreenfuture.org.uk/events/worcester-2014

It will be a welcome return for Junkk.com to the University, as their Research Department were the ones who conducted a highly valuable, positive market survey on the potential of RE:tie commercially a few years' ago.

An expo a day helps you work, res... no, work is pretty much it

Yesterday's Greenlinks event came and went without incident.

Or much of an audience, sadly. I can't help but feel that few, if anyone, knew it was happening outside a rather select collection of folk. I certainly didn't see any mention in any local media we get.

But as always quality was on hand to compensate for lack of quantity.

Certainly the chats I had with fellow exhibitors and those public who did visit were good fun.

I did notice one thing, and that was the age range, which started at retiree and headed North. Can't see much evidence that 'da yoof' find the environment a pressing concern. However I may be able to play a small part in turning that around, as I was as a consequence of the stand and message(s) invited to present next month at a University of Worcester event.

Really not much else to report as the exhibition mix was the usual grant bodies, solar guys and that was about it.

The talk by Simon Crowfoot of ecotricity about the e-Highway was interesting, if as much for what he cheerfully admitted was unknown as some intriguing facts on electric cars and charging them around the UK.

I had thought Junkk.com's revenue model was doomed by reality, but theirs seems little short of suicidal. Unless all of a sudden everyone does get a Nissan Leaf, in which case I don't give out much hope for the UK's carbon credit status, chances of getting a cuppa during a Bank Holiday travel rush, or out of a motorway service station e-point any time soon if everyone wants their 20min free juice up every 120 miles.

I am thinking maybe life is more defined by Shank's Pony, and the wisdom of ensuring that whatever you exhibit, make sure one item is a stool.

EXPO - Green Business Showcase - Hereford

I'm a sucker for a show.

Despite not having as such, 'a budget', and so far selling little, if anything to cover costs, I still get seduced easily into various schemes that offer the promise of 'selling' Junkk.com further and wider.

And so it is that we shall be standing at (as kindly supplied in a blurb invite from our MP) the following:
--------------------

Hosted by Herefordshire Greenlinks, H&W Chamber of Commerce and Herefordshire Council

When: Monday 2nd April 2012 @ 7pm

Venue: The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JR.
This is a public event where the Secretary of State for Business will answer our questions about economy, business, jobs, prosperity, and environment in Herefordshire. Individual tickets can be booked through The Courtyard on 01432 340 555

There will be a Green Business showcase of innovative local enterprises in the foyer;  anyone who would like a stand in the showcase contact H&W Chamber of Commerce 0845 641 1641 xt 235.  To post your question to Dr Cable, emailinfo@herefordshiregreenlinks.info 2 weeks in advance

Timetable:
                                   
6.00 pm                   Exhibition Opens
7.00 pm                   Main House Theatre; Introductions and outline of the event; 
                               Herefordshire Greenlinks, H&W Chamber, Jesse Norman MP
7.15 pm                   Question Time with Vince Cable starts
8.20 pm                   Question Time finishes
8.20-9.00 pm            Exhibition re-opens

Cost: This is a public event -tickets are £5. 
----

Do come along and say hi.

Not quiet sure what I will be presenting, as they are still vague on what the space will be, or can handle. I am working on a 2m x 1m footprint and not much else. So nothing fancy. RE:tie for sure, plus maybe a few of the best Junkk.com ideas made up.

I also have been prevailed upon to pose a question to the guest of honour, and it may be viewed, with others from fellow exhibitors, here. Though I have been given a version of it that has been supplied back, editted for me to intone.

On that, we shall see.

I am hoping, for the investment, at least a cheery wave from a government big-wig (and, who knows, a helpful answer to my question), plus a bit of support from the media who will doubtless be follwing in his wake.

Not promising so far, as the only ones to call to ask what we are doing are the ad sales guys trying to flog a slot in the supplements they are all producing. I did ask if editorial may be interested, but they seemed less than keen to transfer the call.

With luck, bells and whistles on the day may see some coverage.