JUST HOW GREEN HAVE YOU BEEN

By Lorraine Dagostino, of the Riverhouse Inn

“WE’VE converted all our bulbs to low energy ones. They were specially ordered and look like curly pigs' tails!

“They don’t come cheap though and I don’t think people realise that low energy bulbs carry an additional government tax as well as VAT – apparently it’s a climate change levy.

“I think though in the long run we do need to put something back for the good of the planet.

“We’ve just applied for planning permission for a new pole outside for a sign and we’re going to put panels on it so the sign light will be solar powered. We have a few solar lights in our landscaped Mediterranean garden as well.

“Even at this time of year there’s enough sunshine to power them. An energy efficiency company came in recently and gave us some advice on how to cut down on our energy.

“As a result we’ve put timers on some appliances so they’re not on all the time.”