What Next? Forum - Going Through the Roof

Organised by Green Chorlton, the What Next? Forum traditionally takes place a few days before Chorlton's Big Green Festival. It puts environmental issues and sustainable living centre stage by combining expert talks with Q&As and an open forum in which members of the public can discuss ways to encourage eco-living in south Manchester. Previous speakers have included Andrew Leask of Trafford Eco-House, climate change campaigner Marc Hudson and a resident of Ashton Hayes, a village in Cheshire that is trying to become England's first carbon neutral community.

We want the evening to help us all learn about green issues in a friendly and supportive way. Obviously, this is very much in line with the goals of Chorlton's Big Green Festival. But more than that, it is our hope that the What Next? Forum will offer a unique platform for people to discuss new, creative and interesting ways to make south Manchester a more environmentally friendly neighbourhood.

This free event, organised jointly by Chorlton Big Green Festival and Chorlton Refurb is open to anyone with an interest in the future of Chorlton, who wants to find out more about how to make our homes greener.

Approximately 25% of all the energy used in the UK is used in domestic housing so being green means starting at home. Chorlton has large numbers of old, big and draughty houses but many of us have not even taken basic steps to make our homes warmer, even given the bitter winters in the last 2 years, and instead end up living cold. It can be a daunting and confusing prospect for those that want to try to make their home more energy efficient, knowing where to start, how much to spend, and what will make most difference?

The evening will start with three short presentations followed by plenty of time for questions and discussion.

• Rebecca Frost and Martin Quinton from Energy Savings Trust will identify the ways that energy is lost from houses, the solutions and what difference they can make.
  
  
• Andrew Gill, a graduate of the Centre for Alternative Technology is in the process of eco-refurbing a small terraced house in Moss Side and will describe the progress he has made, his future plans and the problems he's faced.
  
  
• David Hunt, of ECO Environments Ltd, renewable energy specialists, will focus on the main ways that local people can produce renewable energy in their homes.