Mary Pryse of Catanger Llamas said: “We have been working towards our dream of building a centre for educational activities for a long time, and the combination of the llamas, the landscape and the log cabin with its zero carbon footprint just make it perfect. Schools will be able to make so much of the visit at all levels of the curriculum and we are delighted at how well all the environmental aspects of the building have come together. Rural Log Cabins really knew how to help us achieve our design and environmental goals.”
“Catanger wanted something which was suitable for school parties visiting the site and they wanted it to be zero carbon,” says Steve Missen. “Our log cabins are made from natural materials sourced from sustainable forests so that is an ideal starting point. We also take great pains to research the best building technologies available to achieve a low carbon footprint.
The result is an attractive building that is entirely in keeping with the eco message of the farm and will be very educational for the young people visiting the site.”
Catanger Llamas is a llama trekking and educational facility which provides school parties with opportunities for cross curriculum learning for key stages 1 and 2 (Primary School children up to age 11) and eventually also Key Stage 3. The Llamas come originally from South America and can be studied for both geography and history. Owner Mary Pryse demonstrates traditional skills in spinning, weaving and felting the Llama fibre, providing education for design/technology and art together with hands-on experience.
For Nature/Biology studies the llamas themselves are, of course, on hand to study, plus 20 acres of native woodland established since the Llama trekking began in the 1990’s. The trees, wild flowers, pond life, birds and wild mammals all provide opportunities to study natural history. The couple also hopes that schools will want to study the alternative technologies they are using as part of the science aspect for the curriculum.
Both the visitor centre and the residential cabin run on renewable energy and are not be connected to national grid electricity. Power is generated by photovoltaic panels on the roof of the residence and stored in batteries with shortcomings topped up by a back-up generator on the are occasions when this is needed (although this is very infrequent).
Solar thermal panels on the roof of the cabin supply ample hot water in the summer months, whilst winter heating, cooking and hot water will all be provided through a wood-burning stove and all waste goes into a biogester.
The combination of all these environmental features has provided a zero carbon rating on the SAP scale, the Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for the Energy Rating of Dwellings. The calculation has been made, even assuming the worst air leakage results, giving an environmental impact estimated at the lowest level for CO2 emissions and energy consumption.
As both buildings are made of timber from sustainable wood sources this will also make a good science topic for study. Secondary school children study renewable energy as part of their science curriculum, bringing in key stage 3.
About Catanger Llamas
Catanger Llamas, established since 1995, is in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside - often referrred to as the county of 'squires & spires' with idyllic villages and beautiful rolling countryside unspoilt and blissfully quiet. Although you can't actually ride them, these lovely pack animals willingly carry rucksacks and equipment whilst trekkers enjoy the stunning scenery. It offers a superb way to 'get away from it all' by leading a gentle Llama along bridleways, farm tracks and country lanes. Run by Mary & David Pryse, Catanger Llamas specialises in personally guided treks all year round and also caters for corporate and large party treks. The company also provides educational facilities for a wide range of curricular ares in various key stages.
For further information please visit the Catanger Llama Trekking Website here...
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