A GREEN gathering is planned this month when organisations will come together to discuss renewable energy in sensitive areas.

Renewables in the Park will look at environmentally-friendly energy options, such as solar, wood fuel, hydro and small-scale wind equipment, for both the Lake District National Park and other designated areas.

Organised by CLAREN Cumbria and Lancashire Renewables in partnership with the Lake District National Park Authority, Renewables Northwest, Sustainability Northwest and the Countryside Agency, the event is expected to highlight future green power opportunities.

According to CLAREN's community renewables manager Elizabeth Bruce, with renewable energy prices coming down, there has never been a better time for introducing small-scale green power into communities even in protected areas.

Admission is free for the gathering to be held at Derwentwater Youth Hostel, Barrow House, Borrowdale, on Tuesday, November 29, from 9.30am to 3pm.

To register, contact June Cummingham at Renewables Northwest on 0161-2379262.

Tree Week has rebirth theme AS NATIONAL Tree Week looms a conservation-friendly caravan park is launching a project to promote regeneration following the damage done by last January's storms.

Fallen wood from the 130-acre Skelwith Fold Caravan Park is to be removed to allow re-growth and given a new lease of life in the form of two major sculptures.

Owner Henry Wild has enlisted the help of school friend Alex Thomas, of APT Countryside Management, to process the damaged woodland and encourage wildlife back to the area.

Mr Thomas, who has helped his friend reintroduce a number of native trees, red-squirrel feeders and hundreds of bird boxes to the park since Mr Wild took over seven years ago, will be using the fallen wood to replace some of those items destroyed by the weather. The remainder will be sold for firewood.

"The processing of the fallen trees will also help to increase the biodiversity of the woodland, an example being the use of the brashings to form eco piles to provide habitats for woodland creatures," said Mr Wild.

National Tree Week runs between November 23 and December 4.