We met Robert Key, from Key Solar, all the way up from Newport, South Wales. We have a wind generator that he supplied us a few years ago, and he was able to give it a routine service.

It was also useful to be able to compare all the different solar water heating systems on display, from self- build to ready-made, as we intend to refurbish the water system on another of our catering units for next season.

We've been looking into the use of e-diesel (refined from recycled cooking oil) for our minibus, and more members of our vehicle-sharing collective had the opportunity to talk through the options with Nick from Alt-Tech. What a shame that we didn't have the first 1000 litres delivered before the fuel 'crisis'. (Crisis, what crisis? If drivers want to spend less on fuel, buy less petrol! Let's hope that some may have learned to use their vehicles more efficiently).

Our only concern at the event was that despite having such well thought out and comprehensive environmental policies, there were a number of caterers selling meat. Meat production is a major contributor to environmental destruction, including methane emissions (a greenhouse gas), water pollution from slurry and intensive land use for animal feed production. Further info on this subject is available from PETA and the Vegan Society.

Overall though we enjoyed the whole event, and look forward to another.