---

UPDATED 2nd MAY 2008

---

Time & Leisure Magazine Report & Photo Credits:  CLICK HERE

Quite a crowd gathered to see inventor Trevor Baylis turn on the new Wind Turbine at Merton Abbey Mills. It is a landmark return to using natural energy for the site, Liberty used water from the river Wandle to power the fabric mills in 1900s, now in 2008 the new wind turbine will generate enough electricity to power the Colour House Theatre.

 

John Hawks, manager of Merton Abbey Mills introduced Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio amongst many other things. Trevor displayed his natural enthusiasm for eco friendly products as he showed the school children from Merton Abbey School some of his inventions. As he turned on the wind turbine with the Mayor he said " What we are starting here today is fantastic. I hope it will be replicated all over these isles and carried on into the future by the next generation of children here today".

 

The wind turbine has been made possible by the natural energy iniative of Terry Buckland who since taking over the site a couple of years ago has been dedicated to bringing the market back to its former glory. Mike Willis from EDF who helped sponsor said they were very pleased to see intiatives such as this happening.

 

 

---

UPDATED 29th MARCH 2008

---

Turbine arrives at Merton Abbey Mills

Once erected the turbine will power the entire Colour House Theatre making it the country's first stage run entirely on renewable energy.

"This is going to have a tremendous impact and if nothing else will save us an enormous amount of money," said Peter Walder from the theatre.

Engineers had been unable to dismantle the vertical-axis turbine as it underwent final tests at a Pembrokeshire factory two weeks ago.

“We won’t have to pay an electricity bill ever again which is incredible news.” Peter Walder

Wind of Change at Theatre

A Theatre is believed to be the first in the world to be powered solely by green electricity.

A 20fm-tall wind turbine was installed outside the Colour House Theatre on Tuesday of last week.

As well as wiping out the theatre’s electricity bill, the turbine will also generate enough energy to power the surrounding complex of shops in Merton Abbey Mills.

The theatre’s director, Peter Wallder said: “We did want to put the turbine up the previous week but, ironically, it was too windy.”

The £40,000 project was mostly funded by London & Argyll – landlord or Merton Abbey Mills – with grants from Merton Council and Hertfordshire-based company Green Energy UK.

A London & Argyll spokeswoman said “The turbine can be used as an educational tool for visitors but particularly for children who attend the theatre for workshops as well as raising awareness in understanding the importance of embracing new technology in the renewable energy sector.”

The Wind Turbine has been designed specifically for an urban environment by energy source specialists Quiet Revolution and makes almost no noise or vibration as it works.

Merton council granted planning permission in 2006 for it to be built.

---

UPDATED 17th MARCH 2008

---

Installation Day:
 
Tuesday 18th March 2008
 
Launch Date: To be advised - The installation of the Quiet Revolution Wind Turbine will be formally unveiled at a little launch party where refreshments will be provided along with some light entertainment in The Children’s Colour House Theatre, throughout the afternoon - Date to be advised.
 
Main Facts:
 
1st Wind Turbine in London to be ground based
1st Children’s Theatre in the country, if not in the world to be powered by a Wind Turbine
 
Confirmed Sponsors:
 
Green Energy - Electricity suppliers to Merton Abbey Mills
London Borough of Merton
 
Name & Address of organisation:
 
Office Estates Limited
RE: Merton Abbey Mills
5th Floor 4 Golden Square London W1F 9HT
Tel: 0207 287 1766
Terry Buckland/Stephanie Gulvin
www.mertonabbeymills.com
 
Name & Address of Designer/Installer:
 
Quiet Revolution Limited
1.12 Clerkenwell Workshops,
31 Clerkenwell Close, London, EC1R 0AU Tel: 0207 014 3399
Julia Groves / Lyndsey John
www.quietrevolution.co.uk
 
Scheme Description:
 
Installation of a ground mounted QR5 6kW vertical axis wind turbine on a roundabout at Merton Abbey Mills to answer the 10% requirement of renewable energy.
 
Description of process taken to establish the choice of technology:
 
We were looking to create a piece of modern art at the main entrance to our public site that also served a useful purpose and with the proposed qr5 we are able to achieve a landmark object whilst supplying sustainable energy to the nearby children’s theatre, The Children’s Colour House Theatre, who are eagerly awaiting their charity status.
 
Community Benefit:
 
The main beneficiary will be The Children’s Colour House Theatre, which is a specialist children’s theatre based in the nearby listed building formerly occupied by Liberty for their printworks and in addition, any surplus power will be directed towards Surrey Strings an organisation that runs the largest musical instrument recycling charity in the world known as “Replay” – please see website link
www.re-playmusic.com/
 
In addition the operator of the Theatre annually promotes “Abbeyfest” which is a free music and live theatre festival throughout the months of July and August which is attended by tens of thousands of local supporters at no charge. The link for Abbeyfest is as follows - www.thecolourhouse.net/abbeyfest/
 
How they will benefit:
 
The wind turbine will generate enough energy to power The Children’s Colour House Theatre with any surplus power directed towards Surrey Strings and perhaps a range of the shops and the café. This is part of a project to regenerate the area and bring the community together. The turbine can be used as an educational tool for visitors but particularly for children who attend the theatre for workshops as well as raising awareness in understanding the importance of embracing new technology in the renewable energy sector.

< Prev		Next >