MORE than 80,000 students at 33 universities across England have been gaining top marks for energy-efficiency as part of a national campaign to encourage them to reduce energy consumption.

The Student Switch Off campaign, run in partnership with the National Union of Students, has seen halls of residence within universities competing against each other to save energy.

Organisers claim that in the first term of the campaign, electricity usage in the halls reduced by an average of 8%, cumulatively saving over 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere and over �150,000 in electricity expenditure - enough to make 55 million cups of tea, one for almost everyone in the UK!

Neil Jennings, the campaign’s national co-ordinator, said: “I’ve been really impressed by the enthusiasm that students across the country have shown in getting involved.

“It provides a heartening example of the responsible attitude the next generation of young adults have towards our environment”.

Wonderful and weird wood

OUR trees provide us with timber of many textures, patterns and colours.

Much is burned on our fires but many individual pieces are turned into beautiful objects – for practical use or display.

Tarby Davenport, who lives at Wetherden, is once again helping to organise the Weird and Wonderful Wood event again this year.

It will offer displays of wood working expertise and the chance for people to have a go themselves.

The event is being presented at Haughley Park, Wetherden by the Stow Hundreds group on May 15 and 16.

Admission per day: Adults �5, Concessions �3, Children under 12 �2, and under three’s free.

Further details from Tarby on 01359 240724 or email: tarby@tarbydavenport.com

Call for new wave cash

THE COUNTRY’s leading renewable energy trade association called at its annual wave and tidal energy conference for the Government to invest a further �150-�200 million in the two technologies, with a view of solidifying the UK’s lead in the sector and creating world class wave and tidal industries.

The call, by RenewableUK, followed the release by the Government of a new Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for offshore energy.

Over the last decade the Government has invested around �60 million in wave and tidal research and development. RenewableUK’s ‘State of the Wave and Tidal Industry’ report forecasts that enough wave and tidal energy could be installed in the UK by 2020 to power 1.4 million homes.