15 August 2008

Norton Priory Eco-Building Now Open

Norton Priory’s new eco-building is now available for all to enjoy after being
officially opened by the family of Gwen Walker, the Priory’s late Community & Education Officer to whom the new building is dedicated.

The sustainable straw bale building is fitted with solar panels and much of the building has been constructed from local sources, including timber from nearby Big Wood. A team of volunteers helped to complete the building, employing traditional techniques including clay and lime rendering. The finished building will now be used for community meetings and as an education centre, with bookings now being taken.

With the help of environmental regeneration initiative The Mersey Forest, the
eco-building has received £4000 funding through the Landfill Communities Fund from Runcorn-based chemical manufacturer INEOS ChlorVinyls, in addition to support from Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN).

INEOS ChlorVinyls’ Janet Ward said: “This new building will add to the diversity of educational provision at Norton Priory and will provide an excellent meeting place for community organisations. We are delighted to support such an innovative environmentally friendly project.”

The Mersey Forest’s Jo Sayers said: “The new centre has been built by the
community, for the community, and I’m sure it will prove to be a big success
among groups in the area.”

To find out about using the new education centre, contact Paul Quigley at Norton Priory on 01928 565029 or visit www.nortonpriory.org.aragraph

ENDS

For further information please contact the INEOS ChlorVinyls Press Office:

Janet Ward
Telephone: + 44 (0) 1928 515227
Email: janet.ward@ineoschlor.com