Talkin Tarn and Sustainability
In October 2007 the City Council was shortlisted for a Public
Servant Sustainability Award for its work at Talkin Tarn Country
Park.
Carlisle City Council was shortlisted
for environmental improvements to Talkin Tarn that included
the use of renewable energy.
Talkin Tarn Country Park near Brampton is well used by local
people and visitors to the area. It comprises a 65 acre
natural tarn, formed about 10,000 years ago, set amid 120 acres of
farmland and woodland home to red squirrels and otters. Amenities
included a café, education cabin, circular tarn path, play area,
toilets, and boat hire.
In March 2006, Carlisle City Council became the owners of Talkin
Tarn and set about a major refurbishment of the site between May
and November 2006.
Within the existing Boathouse Tearoom, a new lift and access
ramp were installed. The interior was also redecorated and disabled
parking provision provided close by to the entrance.
The Alexander and Farlam Boathouse buildings were both
refurbished to improve their stability. Improved access was
provided to Alexander boathouse and an innovative environmentally
friendly water source heat pump recovery system was installed. This
generates heat for the building, using latent energy from the
tarn.
The Farlam boathouse was converted to a new bird hide and
background heating and lighting is provided by a mini-wind
turbine.
New public toilets, including disabled provision and showers,
are contained within a purpose built slate and stone building. A
rainwater harvesting system, uses recycled rainwater for flushing
the toilets. Under floor heating and primary hot water is generated
using an air source heat pump recovery system and sun tubes provide
areas of natural night to the internal toilets. Proximity sensor
flow control units are used for the taps.
A new timber cabin educational facility, has been constructed.
It includes the same kind of environmentally friendly heating,
water and lighting systems as the new public toilets mentioned
above.
Solar PV panels to the new warden's facility and workshop roof
provide electricity.
All the buildings use a combination of the latest insulation
including thermafleece, double glazed sealed units with K glass,
energy saving lighting and infra red motion sensors.
A new NG Bio-disc sewerage treatment plant has been constructed,
designed to lower ammonia nitrogen in the discharge.
Photographs by Mike Ridyard