Build Scotland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
05/02/2009

Sandwick Triumphant In Renewable Energy Debate

A team of pupils from Sandwick Junior High School have been hailed as the Highlands and Islands' top young renewable energy experts, after the Scottish Parliament played host to the thrilling conclusion to this year's Big Green Challenge debating competition.

The grand final of the competition, which is organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), saw teams from Sandwick Junior High School (Shetland), Arran High School (Isle of Arran), Gairloch High School (Wester Ross) and Portree High School (Isle of Skye) going head-to-head. All four teams had made it through two previous heats to make it to Holyrood.

Pupils Ceidiog Saxelby, Joe Christie and Saibh Finlayson successfully fought off the competition to take the title. They have been supported all the way by their teacher, Donald Murray.

The winners are set to visit the famous Blue Lagoon and the geothermal area of Geysir. The runners-up, Portree High School, won a trip to the Eden Project in Cornwall, whose domes make up the world's largest greenhouse.

-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd

Donald Murray said: "Both teachers and pupils have learned a great deal about energy and power from taking part in these debates. Most of all, however, we learned about the energy and power of young people and how much events like the Big Green Challenge can generate these forces for the benefit al all."

Portree High School were judged runners-up.

William Roe, chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise who also chaired the judging panel, also said: "It's really important that we get everyone in our region involved in the renewables debate. The Big Green Challenge is an important part of our work to raise awareness of the significant role that renewable energy is playing in terms of economic growth and community development across the Highlands and Islands and the rest of Scotland."

The event was hosted by BBC broadcaster Cathy MacDonald and judged by a panel of industry experts, made up of Jason Ormiston of Scottish Renewables, Amanda Bryan of Scottish Natural Heritage, environmental journalist Bruce Whitehead, and William Roe of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Jason Ormiston said: "We were looking for a team that debated well and also had an excellent grasp of the challenges facing our planet and the role that renewable energy can play as part of the solution.

"It was a tough decision, as all of the finalists were exemplary, and it was personally a salutary reminder that we have an obligation to face down the great environmental challenges of our time so that the children and young adults of today do not have to pay for the mistakes of yesterday."

(GK/JM)

Latest Construction News

03/05/2024

The Wheatley Group has been given planning permission from Glasgow City Council to convert the 1930s B-listed Bellgrove Hotel into 14 modern, energy-efficient and affordable flats – eight of which will be wheelchair accessible. Permission has also been granted for a further 56 flats to be built on ...
03/05/2024

Renewable energy leader Drax has announced that it will invest £80 million in a major refurbishment of its iconic 'Hollow Mountain' Cruachan pumped storage hydro power station in Scotland. Global hydropower technology supplier ANDRITZ has been appointed as the main contractor for the Cruachan ...
03/05/2024

Clark Contracts has welcomed the news that the former Dalmarnock Purifier Studios, now branded as EastWorks, has been awarded the Refurbished/Recycled workplace award at the prestigious British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards 2024. The 120-year-old former purifier shed, owned by Clyde Gateway, ...
03/05/2024

Stirling Council has launched a public consultation to shape future developments at the Viewforth and Burghmuir Road areas. The new draft framework and planning brief for Viewforth and Burghmuir covers a key area of the city centre that includes the Viewforth site, existing council buildings, ...
03/05/2024

Morrison Community Care (CCG) Holdco has secured planning permission or its latest project in South Queensferry, marking its third consecutive success. Forming part of a wider 44-hectare masterplan that will include 980 new homes, a primary school and commercial premises on Builyon Road, south of ...
03/05/2024

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have carried out a review of the last two years of the Community Regeneration Funding Programme, ahead of agreeing changes to how the 2024/25 programme will be delivered. Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Following a successful two ...
03/05/2024

Perth and Kinross Council and partners are set to progress community-led projects aimed at revitalising homes and improving rural transport links, following a winning bid for Innovate UK Pathfinder Places funding. Funding of £150,000 has been secured following a successful Phase 1 Pathfinder ...
03/05/2024

SGN engineers working on the H100 Fife project have helped support the Methilhill Community Children's Initiative (MCCI) by building an eco-toilet in the charity's learning garden. MCCI provides a safe and engaging space for local children to participate in various outdoor activities, including ...
03/05/2024

SNIPEF, the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation, has published a draft of its 2024 election manifesto detailing six strategic policy proposals designed to support its members and the broader plumbing and heating profession. Once finalised, the manifesto will be central to ...
03/05/2024

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have published their 2024-25 Annual Operating Plan, detailing how they will protect and improve Scotland's environment over the next 12 months. The publication follows the launch of a new Corporate Plan at the end of March, which set out the ...
Morris & Spottiswood LtdRBT Underfloor LimitedACCON UK LtdMaterials Market LtdToner Damp Proofing SuppliesNo HydroBurnside Plant Hire LtdKattrak International Hidromek SalesScotdeck LtdThe Big Block Co Ltd
Terms and Conditions
2024/05/04 02:55:23