- Environmental issues and being Green
- Local Events for 2009
- Assess statement link
- Website link
Thursday, 29 January 2009
1. Environmental Issues and being Green
Green Tourism Business Scheme:
This year we were awarded the Silver Level in Green Tourism. The GTBS is an environmental accreditation organisation who independently audit and grade tourism businesses, such as ours, that are committed to reducing their impact on the environment.
Businesses are measured on their performance against a check list of approximately 150 measures which reflect best practice in terms of environmental, economic and social issues. These include good management and communications, efficient use of resources such as electricity, water, etc. recycling, reuse and use of local crafts and suppliers. The following link is supplied for your information http://www.green-business.co.uk/.
What have we done at Exmoor House in an attempt to be Greener:
Were possible we purchase local supplies, such as sausages and bacon from the award winning butcher in the village. Eggs from hens in the village, together with local preserves, milk and butter. Styles Exmoor mineral water is not only local but it helps to sustain local employment through the winter months when the ice cream making side of the Styles business diminishes.
Over 80% of the 100 plus light bulbs have been changed to low energy bulbs with the remainder being on dimmer switches or not in day to day use. We hope that guests will help us by switching off lights and television standby buttons when not in their rooms. Individual thermostats have been fitted to radiators so guests can control the environment in each room and when the weather permits we line dry laundry. The guest lounge has a log fire
and in five years we have supplied the logs from the garden with the exception of two deliveries at the end of last winter. The log store will once again be restocked from the garden this summer. All the guest rooms have showers which are far more water efficient than baths but for those who prefer there is a bath for guests use.
Not surprisingly the washing of bedding and towels is one of our greatest environmental impacts and as part of our environmental policy we give guests the option of helping us by opting for bath towels in preference to bath sheets and extending the time between changes by a day. Obviously as a 5 Star Silver Award winning bed and breakfast the quality of your stay is of up most importance and hence we always do this with the guests consent.
We recycle as much as possible and compost all organic waste. Jam jars are passed onto the Nuns at Lynton for reuse and any soft furnishing materials are given to the Porlock Visitor Centre where it is sewn into reusable shopping bags which they sell.
Although Porlock is not on a main line rail route it can be reached relatively easily by train to Taunton and then bus. The number 39 and 300 busses not only pass right by the house but they will also stop to let you off, just ask them to stop at Old Lane or Exmoor House. You may find the link to http://www.transportdirect.info/ useful when it comes to planning your journey.
Exmoor Hou
se is ideally located to allow our guests to enjoy the local area on foot, bicycle, horse or public transport. Bicycle hire and horse riding can be arranged locally, please see the links on the Things to Do website page. For walkers Exmoor is all around us with the South West Coastal Path and Coleridge Way being two very well known routes. For cyclists the roads are relatively quiet if slightly hilly and have been used in the South West stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race for the last two years. For mountain bikers there are miles of bridle paths.
We are trying our best to be Green and although we have done many things there are many more we would like to do if time and money would allow. Equally we are sure there are many things we have not thought of and hence we would much appreciate any constructive suggestions you may have from your own experiences.
This year we were awarded the Silver Level in Green Tourism. The GTBS is an environmental accreditation organisation who independently audit and grade tourism businesses, such as ours, that are committed to reducing their impact on the environment.
Businesses are measured on their performance against a check list of approximately 150 measures which reflect best practice in terms of environmental, economic and social issues. These include good management and communications, efficient use of resources such as electricity, water, etc. recycling, reuse and use of local crafts and suppliers. The following link is supplied for your information http://www.green-business.co.uk/.
What have we done at Exmoor House in an attempt to be Greener:
Were possible we purchase local supplies, such as sausages and bacon from the award winning butcher in the village. Eggs from hens in the village, together with local preserves, milk and butter. Styles Exmoor mineral water is not only local but it helps to sustain local employment through the winter months when the ice cream making side of the Styles business diminishes.
Over 80% of the 100 plus light bulbs have been changed to low energy bulbs with the remainder being on dimmer switches or not in day to day use. We hope that guests will help us by switching off lights and television standby buttons when not in their rooms. Individual thermostats have been fitted to radiators so guests can control the environment in each room and when the weather permits we line dry laundry. The guest lounge has a log fire
and in five years we have supplied the logs from the garden with the exception of two deliveries at the end of last winter. The log store will once again be restocked from the garden this summer. All the guest rooms have showers which are far more water efficient than baths but for those who prefer there is a bath for guests use.Not surprisingly the washing of bedding and towels is one of our greatest environmental impacts and as part of our environmental policy we give guests the option of helping us by opting for bath towels in preference to bath sheets and extending the time between changes by a day. Obviously as a 5 Star Silver Award winning bed and breakfast the quality of your stay is of up most importance and hence we always do this with the guests consent.
We recycle as much as possible and compost all organic waste. Jam jars are passed onto the Nuns at Lynton for reuse and any soft furnishing materials are given to the Porlock Visitor Centre where it is sewn into reusable shopping bags which they sell.
Although Porlock is not on a main line rail route it can be reached relatively easily by train to Taunton and then bus. The number 39 and 300 busses not only pass right by the house but they will also stop to let you off, just ask them to stop at Old Lane or Exmoor House. You may find the link to http://www.transportdirect.info/ useful when it comes to planning your journey.
Exmoor Hou
se is ideally located to allow our guests to enjoy the local area on foot, bicycle, horse or public transport. Bicycle hire and horse riding can be arranged locally, please see the links on the Things to Do website page. For walkers Exmoor is all around us with the South West Coastal Path and Coleridge Way being two very well known routes. For cyclists the roads are relatively quiet if slightly hilly and have been used in the South West stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race for the last two years. For mountain bikers there are miles of bridle paths.We are trying our best to be Green and although we have done many things there are many more we would like to do if time and money would allow. Equally we are sure there are many things we have not thought of and hence we would much appreciate any constructive suggestions you may have from your own experiences.
Monday, 12 January 2009
2. Local Events for 2009
The following is just the start, events will be added as they are finalised and details are available.
16 October 2009 Exmoor Supper & Jazz
Exmoor Supper & Jazz, with the Tone Valley Jazz Men celebrating 50yrs of playing. Cheese ploughmans and Bar from 7pm
Venue: Porlock Village Hall
Price: TBC
Time: 19:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
31 October 2009 Halloween Family Fun Night
Pumpkin competition; Fancy dress competition; Lucky dip; Raffle. Organised games including: Catch the Ghost & Monster Statues. Children's Disco; Tasty buffet. Adults £3 Children (13 and under) £2
Venue: Porlock Village Hall - Large Hall
Price: £3.00
Time: 18:30-20:30
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
7 November 2009 Porlock Apple Day
Details to follow
Venue: Porlock Visitor Centre
Price: Free
Time: 10:00-12:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
21 November 2009 Porlock Open Skies Event
A day celebrating International Year of Astronomy. Planetarium, talks, meteorite handling, rocket making and naked eye observation. Exmoor lunch and dinner. Very limited places
Venue: Porlock Village Hall
Price: Free
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
11 December 2009 Porlock Weir Late Night Christmas Shopping
Venue: Porlock Weir
Price: Free
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
12 December 2009 Late Night Christmas Shopping
Venue: Porlock High Street
Price: Free
Time: 18:00-21:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
18 July 2009 Summer Show -- Porlock Vale Horticultural and Home Industries Society
Competion open to all. Classes in Flowers, vegetables,fruit, handicrafts and wine. Entry forms should be in by 15th. July 2008. Full details are in the yellow leaflet.
Venue: Porlock Village Hall
Price: £0.50
Time: 14:00-17:00
For more information contact
Mrs. Lorraine Fitzgerald, Hon. Secretary
Competion open to all. Classes in Flowers, vegetables,fruit, handicrafts and wine. Entry forms should be in by 15th. July 2008. Full details are in the yellow leaflet.
Venue: Porlock Village Hall
Price: £0.50
Time: 14:00-17:00
For more information contact
Mrs. Lorraine Fitzgerald, Hon. Secretary
19 July 2009 Porlock Country Fair
A traditional country fair with falconry, ferret racing, games including skittles and the ancient art of welly wanging. Attractions also include Line dancing, local crafts / produce and demonstrations. A real village market. Entry: Adults £1 Children free. Parking at Recreation Ground £1.50
Venue: Porlock Recreation Ground, Parsons Street.
Price: £1.00
Time: 13:00-17:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
5 September 2009 Porlock Carnival
A traditional village carnival with floats, majorettes, bands and lots and lots of fun and laughter
Venue: Porlock Village
Price: Free
Time: 18:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
10-13 September 2009 Porlock Arts Festival
Follow the Arts Festival link for more details. Talks and walks. Short Story and Limerick competition. Price: Various. Tickets from Porlock Visitor Centre.
Venue: Porlock Village
Price: TBC
For more information contact
Porlock Arts Festival01643 863150 Porlock Arts Festival Website
3 October 2009 Porlock Tea Party
A traditional old fashioned tea with sandwiches, scones and cake, show casing some of the best food from Porlock's businesses accompanied by live music. Tickets in advance £5
Venue: Porlock Methodist Hall
Price: £5.00
Time: 15:00-17:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
3-11 October 2009 Exmoor Food Festival
Price: Free
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
11 October 2009 Exmoor Food Fair
Some of the best of Exmoor produce all under one roof.
Venue: Porlock Village Hall
Price: £0.50
Time: 10:30-16:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
Some of the best of Exmoor produce all under one roof.
Venue: Porlock Village Hall
Price: £0.50
Time: 10:30-16:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
16-18 October 2009 Exmoors Rutting Stags Weekend
A wonderful weekend experiencing the red deer rutting in the company of experts - with two nights accommodation, an Exmoor Dinner,a landrover Jeep Safari and a visit to Exmoor Falconry. Places will be very limited for this unique experience so early booking is recommended.
Venue: Porlock Village Hall and Exmoor
Price: £225.00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
A wonderful weekend experiencing the red deer rutting in the company of experts - with two nights accommodation, an Exmoor Dinner,a landrover Jeep Safari and a visit to Exmoor Falconry. Places will be very limited for this unique experience so early booking is recommended.
Venue: Porlock Village Hall and Exmoor
Price: £225.00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
16 October 2009 Exmoor Supper & Jazz
Exmoor Supper & Jazz, with the Tone Valley Jazz Men celebrating 50yrs of playing. Cheese ploughmans and Bar from 7pm
Venue: Porlock Village Hall
Price: TBC
Time: 19:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
31 October 2009 Halloween Family Fun Night
Pumpkin competition; Fancy dress competition; Lucky dip; Raffle. Organised games including: Catch the Ghost & Monster Statues. Children's Disco; Tasty buffet. Adults £3 Children (13 and under) £2
Venue: Porlock Village Hall - Large Hall
Price: £3.00
Time: 18:30-20:30
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
7 November 2009 Porlock Apple Day
Details to follow
Venue: Porlock Visitor Centre
Price: Free
Time: 10:00-12:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
21 November 2009 Porlock Open Skies Event
A day celebrating International Year of Astronomy. Planetarium, talks, meteorite handling, rocket making and naked eye observation. Exmoor lunch and dinner. Very limited places
Venue: Porlock Village Hall
Price: Free
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
11 December 2009 Porlock Weir Late Night Christmas Shopping
Venue: Porlock Weir
Price: Free
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
12 December 2009 Late Night Christmas Shopping
Venue: Porlock High Street
Price: Free
Time: 18:00-21:00
For more information contact
Porlock Visitors Centre 01643 863150
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