NEARLY 450 people picked up skills and ideas for low-energy homes and living at the 12th Cumbria Green Build Festival.

The week-long event gave people the chance to learn about insulating buildings and making them more airtight; renewable energy; the latest heating systems; and designing energy-efficient homes and work spaces.

"There’s been something for everyone, whether people were looking to draught-proof their house or build a brand new one,” said Green Build manager Frankie O’Keeffe, of Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), the festival organiser.

"It’s fantastic that so many people have benefited from all the workshops, visits and tours on offer. Our aim with the festival is to show them what’s possible and give them the knowledge to save energy in their homes and reduce their carbon footprint."

A full-day lime workshop kicked off the festival, showing people the benefits of using this natural material, ideal for older buildings. Under the expert eye of Tim Wells from Eden Hot Lime Mortar at Great Musgrave near Appleby, festival-goers tried their hand at repointing using lime mortar, lime plastering and lime washing.

One homeowner who came to Green Build events two years ago was so inspired, he is now building his own low-energy home, and opened it up to visitors at this year’s festival.

"I was especially interested in what I heard about the Passivhaus standard for building homes with almost no heating bills,” said Alex Burn, from Milnthorpe. “I’m now just a few months away from finishing my own new house, following the Passivhaus principles of getting it really well insulated and airtight, and then using a mechanical heat recovery and ventilation system to manage moisture and for heating.”

Meanwhile, CAfS is running three courses at Kendal College for professionals and well-informed householders on improving flood resilience and managing moisture, heating and ventilation. To book, visit cafs.org.uk/events or call 01768-210276.