Kelston Roundhill and Roundhill Barn

We celebrated commissioning of the Roundhill Barn renewables 27 June, with special guests. We were very happy to welcome from Zaragoza, Spain Alejandro del Amo, and Isidro Berdascas from Abora Solar. Alejandro is the company founder and inventor of the hybrid photo-voltaic thermal panels used. Paul Brimble who designed and delivered the system showed parties of architects, councillors, engineers and entrepreneurs round the installation.

Abora founder Alejandro del Amo explains the principles and benefits of his patented Spanish-made photo-voltaic thermal panels.

We discussed the technology and the behaviour changes needed to affect demand. It’s good to gather enthusiasts for renewables, retrofitting and net zero to share ideas, progress, insights and challenges. Feels like something we should perhaps do regularly: it’s interesting and fun.

The inspection of the installation (visible through the window) was followed by lengthy Q&A and refreshments.

Photos by Kelston Laureate Jon Hamp

The late May Bank hols saw two back to back celebrations at off-grid Roundhill Barn. This was the first major test of our renewables installation, which combines hybrid photo-voltaic thermal panels with large battery backup.

From a power consumption point of view the long weekend involved live bands, lights, some refrigeration and hot water for showering and washing up. Bath parties planned their events carefully and avoided heavy power consumption: there were no deep fat friers, freezers, electrically heated glass washers, space or water heaters, or hot tungsten lights.

That’s definitely the way to go. Here we are on a grey morning after that long weekend with the on site batteries still two thirds charged.

So if you plan an event at Roundhill Barn tread lightly and you can have solar-powered 240v electricity. That means: silent, no emissions, no checking the generator is full of diesel, no need to turn it off at the end of a long night. If OTOH you plan an energy-intensive event with dishwashers, freezers or industrial coffee machines you might want to bring your own generator or consider alternate venues.

It’s May and it’s beautiful. People are getting engaged on Kelston Roundhill, celebrating marriages in Roundhill Barn, and also remembering bereavement. These are important occasions that should be beautiful and memorable, and need to be appropriately handled.

Can we remind visitors the “leave no trace” policy is not just about litter, but also applies to non-biodegradable notices and memorials. Also that it’s a clear legal requirement to seek permission from the landowner before scattering ashes on private land. It’s not as simple as that: see Why “scattering ashes” is more complicated than it sounds (and what to do about it).

If you have any queries or want to reclaim stone or brass memorials left behind please email clare@roundhillbarn.com for advice.

The levelled camp sites network of paths are looking cosy and fab among the spring wildflowers. This is better than any Chelsea Flower Show: no crowds, no bacon rolls, peace and quiet. The day was warm enough that it was nice to feel the first shade from the row of trees we planted to mark the entrance.

The oak saplings planted two years ago by Ruth seem happy. We need them to grow a bit more for when more ash – inevitably – gets cut down.

Roundhill Barn and Kelston clump, Fri 18 May 2024

Cheerful noises up on the hill today as local schoolchildren from Saltford CofE Primary managed the 2-3 miles and 650 foot climb to hold their assembly on Kelston Roundhill. It’s one of the happiest annual rituals, and must make for a memorable day for them.

Look closely on the skyline: small people from over the river making cheery noises.

Cut up like birthday cake 

The light beneath birds on Spring morning.

Pink light of new dawn holds them up.

Perfect

silhouettes.

All set against a day not fully formed as yet

idly haiku scrawled across by passing jet.

Comet tail,

whale wake,

cuts the sky like birthday cake,

making morning world seem

flat.

being very wrong in that.

An old mistake

Planes above us,

change gear

air rushes.

They cease to be floating

Orange, fish-like toys

and add grinding mechanic to hillside noise.

Wings push away air

like an old mistake.

On distant oceans

bubbles form

and break.

This has been brewing for months: a new renewables installation at Roundhill Barn that opens the way to zero-emissions events and extends a warm welcome to every season.

The beautiful, discreet installation provides electricity and hot water from innovative hybrid photo-voltaic thermal (sic – PVT) panels invented and made by Abora in Zaragoza. Batteries and a hot water store provide 240v power and hot water into an underfloor heating system.

Book your event now, because we will review prices shortly.

We’re just finalising the connections to the barn and borehole, but today we had the satisfaction of our first-ever solar powered mow.

The sit-on mower is now powered by the sun.

By Jon Hamp

Kestrel pinned at still point
to limestone strata sky

Watch the walkers make the crest
and let the old year die.

Corrugated iron Autumn fields.
Flat brown doors of earth
open south.

A tattered cloak of crows pulls fast for the woods to bury evensong.
I mime along to their twilight choir
(but know the words are wrong)

The soft smell of damp light fading
on green water in the steel trough,
safe against the hawthorn hedge
holding the last shape of landscape stolen.

I am drawn back there from this shore.
Back to the woods, hedge and trough.
Just four more fields, through that light, before home.
Four more fields to home.