Reducing our carbon footprint
at Eastgate Barn

Energy
We pay a green tariff to our energy supplier. This ensures an amount of electricity equivalent to our electricity consumption is generated from clean, renewable sources.
Insulation - There is a double layer of insulation in the loft.
Light bulbs - Some of the light bulbs are Energy Efficient (EE), we have yet to find EE bulbs for the dimmable lights – but dimming them does help save electricity!

Heating
Woodburning stove - Wood for the stove is from our own hedgerow maintenance and harvested from our own woodland.
The night-storage wall heaters may be adjusted to suit your needs, and turned off when summer arrives!
Hot water - The water tank is well insulated, and the temperature is set at 50ºC.

Water
We have a borehole that provides our water, we use a water butt for the garden.

Waste
Recycling - Through our local council recycling scheme we recycle paper, plastic bottles, tins, cardboard and glass. We ask our guests to put these into the appropriate recycling bags/box/crate.
Composting - All raw vegetable waste can be composted and the compost will be used on our vegetable garden. Please put raw, but not cooked, vegetable waste and ash from the woodburning stove into the black compost bin.

Cleaning materials
We purchase low-impact chemical free cleaners – for example we use Ecover products, micro-fibre cloths and vinegar! This is important for the septic tank.

Community
We are members of Cornwall Wildlife Trust and our Parish Wildlife Group. We are partners in the North Hill Community Litter-Free Project www.litterfree.co.uk  Eastgate Barn is a member of ‘Future Footprints’ for sustainable tourism in the Southwest www.futurefootprints.org.uk  and the ‘Tiny Differences’ project for local businesses protecting the environment in the Lynher Valley www.tinydifferences.co.uk

Wildlife
In 2000 we planted our farm woodland. This habitat attracts numerous birds, butterflies and other wildlife, and we hope that you will find time to follow the paths on our ‘wildlife walk’.  We regularly record the wildlife that we observe for the Parish Wildlife Project. The meadow and woodland are in the Environmental Stewardship Scheme (DEFRA).

Local Economy
We support local businesses and hope that you will also – Warren’s Butcher at Launceston is excellent, also the bakery and greengrocer. The village shops and post offices at Lewannick and Upton Cross are very good for newspapers, groceries and postcards.

Local Walks
Please try a day without using your car …
In the folder of walk-guides I provide a selection of walks from short and gentle to a challenging day out. A walk in the countryside will bring you closer to nature and give a different perspective on our beautiful part of Cornwall.

We welcome your suggestions!