On Weds December 3rd the West Wales ECO Centre in Newport hosted another popular event following the success of their Renewable Energy question time event in October.

This time it was a talk on "roundhouse construction" by local resident Tony Wrench, who recently hit the headlines for finally obtaining planning permission on his own roundhouse near Newport, under Pembrokeshire’s new Low Impact Policy 52.

Tony gave an educational and entertaining talk and slideshow to an audience which filled every last seat. Tony said "The design is based on the Celtic Roundhouse, of which there are reconstructions at Castell Henllys.

It also owes some design aspects to the roundhouses of the Miwok, Pomo and Mandan peoples of North America, and the idea for cordwood and cob walls came from the early Swedish settlers to North America".

His buildings use mainly locally sourced timber, sand, clay and no cement at all. The roof consists of a reciprocal frame, very strong self-supporting structure with very unique features. This is then covered with a rubber liner, straw bales then a turf roof.

For more information about Tony’s roundhouse, see www.thatroundhouse.info The West Wales ECO Centre is hosting a monthly series of talks, workshops and meetings with the newly formed Pembrokeshire Permaculture Group.

For further information Tel: Julie Campbell on 01239 821906 email: Julie@ecocentre.org.uk