Say No to Nuclear - Peace Launch 11th August

The Powerpod was at the Scottish Covenant for Peace
Launch on Saturday 11 August at Wiston Lodge, nr Biggar.
Scotland's for peace is a new and broad based campaign
with a desire that Scotland should be known for its
contribution to international peace and international justice
rather than for waging war.

As well as the activities of the Powerpod the children's activities at the event were being organised by Woodcraft members Rachel, Chis and Jane from Portobello in Edinburgh.

Heavy rain throughout the day kept visitors to the Powerpod to the dedicated few. We found time to build the new solar car kits and try out the new powerful lamp on them - however the cars proved disappointing especially to the children who had spent most of the morning session putting them together. Of course it didn't help when it was found the motors had been wired up wrongly by the manufacturers. Hopefully they shall work better next time when there is some sun.

The Powerpod was the guest of the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre.

Traquair Fair! 4th and 5th August

"Traquair Fair goes Latin American!" was the theme, so we stuck to it and brought the sun down with us on the Saturday. Handy for the solar workshop... and a lot of youngsters and adults alike were transfixed by the solar-powered motor they managed to make. One group started plans for a comedy solar powered fan-hat, but were disappointed to hear they'd already been made.

Even many of the Fair's characters were introduced to the delights of renewable energy.
(Piccie: "I wish we were renewable...")


Sunday was a lot more drizzly, but the atmosphere was still buzzing with carnival music and parades. And even with the clouds, it was possible to demonstrate solar power working in Scotland (although at least 4 cells had to be connected in series for the motor to move...)

The power from the pod wasn't being used for anything apart from boiling a kettle for a few cups of tea, but the hot water was definitely appreciated on the Sunday.

(Picture 2: unfortunately the drizzle made Zoe shrink...)

Climate Change Camp at Keswick

Northern Region Camp 21st - 25th July

As guests of Stanley District Woodcraft Folk the Powerpod was to supply Village One at the Northern Regional camp with power and hot water. Due to the continuing wet summer the Powerpod got stuck in the camping field several times and it required the Farmer to apear with his tractor to pull the trailer into the correct position. The trailer was eventually fully set up by the Sunday evening and started producing the required power and hot water. The workshops on Monday were brought to an abrupt standstill by a heavy shower. However the pioneers from York and Hebden Bridge were able to come back on the Wednesday morning.

Throughout the time it was there the Powerpod was used extensively by the young people of the village for somewhere to hang out while thier phone was recharging or for that all important hair coiffure session before going visiting their friends in the other villages.

The venturers who attended the workshop on Tuesday afternoon enjoyed it but wanted to build and make more things especially using the power from the bike! We shall need to see what we can do.



Although the field was drier by the Wednesday afternoon the trailer still had to be pushed/pulled out of the field. We all arrived home safely on Wednesday evening with the trailer requiring a good clean and refitting session.

Powerpod goes to Sighthill - 21st July

After a lot of help from Martyn with van-driving and picking up the trailer, we made it to 'All Together in the Park' in Sighthill. There were heaps of circus rides, stalls selling things and people (with and without umbrellas). We were plopped in the middle of the field, which definitely had its advantages - everyone can see us - as well as its disadvantages - people only come across if they're really interested or we shout 'em over!

Harry Potter 7 came out today, so Morag kept taking well-timed breaks to sneak into the Pod for some reading... and Mel and Sara ended up joining her for a bit, running workshops from the hatch when the rain started going in the afternoon.
Twas cold! We were glad of the shelter of the Pod, demonstrating things by leaning out of the window worked pretty well.

A lot of the kids who came past seem to have studied renewable energy in school and knew heaps about the issues and the solutions etc - quite exciting!


By Mel and Morag, 'Pod Kids' extraordinaire...

Party for the Planet ! London, 7th July

C-change arrived at Clapham Common with arts, crafts, drama, music, food and games to encourage people to Think, Talk, Play , Go and Act on climate change.

A demonstration of potential solutions was an important aspect, so C-change were very keen to have the Powerpod down in London.

So... the pod set off on the Friday from Edinburgh and trundled down the M1, to arrive for a full day of workshops, demontsrations and charging of walky-talky batteries.

The day was a great success, ending with the final of the C-Change battle of the bands.

An incredibly exhausting journey, for a very worthwhile event.

West Lothian Schools Science, Enterprise and Health Showcase

The event at Oatridge College, Ecclesmachan on Wednesday 20th june featured every school in West Lothian, as well as Science shows, stalls and performances from various groups.
Crazy rain greeted us in the morning, so the Powerpod took a spot inside the building, rather than outside. This certainly resulted in more visitors, but a definite lack of wind and rain...
A lot of interested individuals and groups stayed for drop-in activities, a few coming back again and again for attempts to make the fastest wind turbine and show their friends the hydrogen cars. Even a cow tried her luck at generating power on the bike!

Big Tent Festival (and the Powerpod's little tent)

Friday brought crowds of schoolchildren from the Fife area, who dropped along to make solar-powered motors, wind turbines and to marvel at the trailer. All groups were keen to test their speed on the bike - attempting to pedal to create the power required for a lightbulb. Although very few were keen on the idea of pedalling continuously if they wanted a light in their classroom... Robyn, Lindsay, Lizzie, Catriona and Ron kept up a crazy pace when the sudden influxes of groups arrived, demonstrating the drop-in activities and taking tours round the trailer.

Even with an overcast day, the panels were charging up the trailer's batteries and were powering the laptop, fan and power tools for a building project next to the Powerpod. In the 4 days prior to the festival, an entire wood house had been built by Duncan Roberts and others from Reforesting Scotland using the power from the pod! (at the left of the piccie of Rosie and Mel)

A Ceilidh finished off the day (and spinning on the Strip the Willow may have finished off Lindsay...)

Saturday was an overcast and drizzly day, so the workshops were huddled into a marquee and 'fake suns' (ie lamps) were used to demonstrate the PV panels (let's pretend there's sunlight...)The number of visitors was therefore lower than expected, and there was a bit of a feeling that a few visitors had been dragged along unwillingly by parents... but Judith and Gill kept the enthusiasm up with those who did arrive and plenty of people trickled in and out by the end of the day. At least there was plenty time to sample delights from the rest of the festival.

The damp day cleared up after the workshops were packed up, for an evening of crazy music and dancing from la Boum! Music continued with folk songs and storytelling round a fire, back at our camp place at the Pillars of Hercules farm.

Sunday brought the sun (hurray!) along with Morag, Rosie, Melanie and Andrew, to join the Saturday trio of Judith, Gill and Emily. The blue skies definately drew more visitors - the solar, wind and hydrogen car activities were busy with children and adults dropping-in. The bike was again a major pull (especially when the battery became further discharged and it was a real challenge to get the ball up the tube...). In between demonstrating workshops and entertaining the visitors, there was a chance to check out the awesome Moishe's Bagel and Orkestra del Sol.

As well as powering the laptop and fans, the powerpod provided essential battery recharging for quite a few distressed camera-owners...

All in all a great fun weekend!