The Community Energy Spring Gathering is an open space event hosted by the Devon Community Energy Network, open to any member of a community energy or climate action group – or those interested in getting involved. The one and a half day residential will take place at the beautiful Dartington Estate and will include walks, talks, fantastic food and collaborative discussion themed around community energy.

The event is about supporting each other and building a community of practitioners who want to take practical action to reduce emissions and support their community. By sharing our experiences, learning from each other and building mutual trust and understanding we hope to gain valuable input and perspectives on the issues that matter to us. Due to the recent flourishing of new community groups, this year there will be specific sessions dedicated to them, alongside open-space discussions about contemporary topics that are chosen by all present at the beginning of the day.

In the past few years, we have covered topics such as local supply and distribution, project economics, rooftop PV lease busting, fuel poverty and energy advice services and managing your assets effectively.

We welcome those who have come for many years and those who are just beginning their journey in community energy. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Agenda (subject to change)

Friday 24th March

• 09.30 – Tea and Coffee (Space – the Garden Room)
• 10:00 – Welcome and introductions (Space – Studio 6)
• 10:30 – Brainstorming to define areas of interest for open sessions
• 11:00 – Open Session 1
• 12:30 – Granary Lunch served
• 13:30 – Optional Tour of Solar Array or networking in the Garden Room
• 14:30 – Open Session 2
• 15:30 – Tea and Coffee
• 15:45 – Optional Wood Fuel Boiler Tour or networking in the Garden Room
• 16:15 – Open Session 3
• 17:30 – Conference ends
• 19:00 – Dinner at the Cott Inn, Dartington

Saturday 25th March

• 10:00 – Walk along the Dart to Totnes Weir Hydro for a tour
• 12.00 – End

Tickets

Day Conference ticket – £32 (+ VAT)

-Access to the conference, and site visits – includes refreshments (tea, coffee, pastries, biscuits) and delicious lunch.

Day Conference ticket + Dinner deposit – £42 (+ VAT)

-Includes the same as the Day Conference ticket + deposit for an evening meal at the Cott Inn, Dartington after the conference.

(We give your deposit to the pub to secure your place, and the remaining cost of the meal will be paid to the pub by you on the day)

Book tickets here.

Due to logistics, only 60 tickets are available for this event.

Conference and meal tickets will be on sale until 9 am on 9^th March.

If you’re not able to afford the full ticket price, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

This is a not-for-profit event – we have tried to keep ticket prices as low as possible. If there is any unexpected surplus, it will be donated to local organisations working to address fuel poverty.

Accommodation @ Dartington Hall

If you would like to book overnight accommodation, contact Dartington Guest Services Team on 01803 847150 or reservations@dartingtonhall.com to make a booking. Please mention that you are attending an event at Dartington Hall and wish to book on the corporate rate, see below:

Single en-suite room – £69.00 per room per night (Including breakfast for one)

Cosy Double Ensuite room – £80.50 per night (Including breakfast for one) 

Other room types are also available.