More records for Archie

Well if Decembers production record wasn't good enough, in January Archie has again produced the highest since being commissioned back in September 2008 - the works that took place following the storm last February have improved the throughput of water through the screw resulting in improved production.

Archies Open days

Following today's Torrs Hydro AGM there will be an 'open day' down at Archie.

Future dates for this years open days are :

Sunday March 25th

Sunday April 22nd

Saturday May 26th

Sunday June 17th

Saturday September 29th (as part of New Mills Festival)

 

All open days are between 1pm and 3pm where you can ask the experts anything you want to about Archie or renewable energy and also take a look behind the scenes.

It would be great to see you there and why not make a day of it and see the Millennium walkway, the Hydro, New Mills Original gallery and the Community Orchard and carvings in High Lea Park New Mills then go and have some great coffee in one of the cafes in New Mills.

Archie breaks all records !

In December Archie had the highest months production ever, over 35,000 kWh - some great efforts by our volunteers to keep producing renewable energy.

Some time in the next month we will pass another production milestone of 500,000 kWh - the equivalent of boiling a kettle continuously for 57 years !

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please email secretary@torrshydro.org

Happy Christmas

As the hydro continues spinning through the Christmas holidays we would like to wish a happy Christmas to everyone from Archie and the Directors of Torrs Hydro.

Christmas tree anyone ?

With Archie spinning like a good 'un and Christmas fast approaching Torrs Hydro has worked with local artist Amanda Whewell and New Mills School Y7 group to add to the display of Christmas Trees in St George's Church.

Official opening of the fantastic display is tonight (8 December) with further details here

The Torrs Hydro tree is a collaborative project which has been designed and created by pupils and staff from New Mills School working with local artist Amanda Whewell and using recycled materials including wood and washers collected from the Torrs Hydro site. Hidden within the tree are messages, thoughts, secrets and prayers. Our tree reminds us of the rich textile heritage of the area and looks forward to a sustainable future.

In search of fish...

If any proof was needed of the amount of fish in the water around the Hydro our little friend here captured on film by David King is seen fishing regularly at the bottom of the weir.

Big thanks to all those who have sent in ideas on how to spend £500 - we will keep 'the lines open' for another week before putting it to the vote.

Unwrapping the railings, Archie playing catchup and we need some ideas !

 

Well the recent rains now means that Archie is producing in excess of 50kWh - regular clearances of the intake are required as this time of year leaves and general river debris gradually block the intake (if anyone would like a collection of traffic cones please shout?!) 

 

So if you see some of our volunteers (always in pairs for safety reasons) donning waders and pulling rubbish out of the river do come and say hello.

 

 

 

 

The time has come for the railings to be unwrapped!

'Hello, I'm Still Here' was a temporary installation as part of the New Mills Festival Woolly Wander which is now over, for this year at least.

Over the next few days Amanda will be unwrapping the railings. Each piece of fabric will be kept and used to create another piece of work. 

The intention is to create a ball of yarn from the fabric, this will involve plaiting, braiding, stitching and knotting. The messages that are hidden within the railings will become hidden within the ball of yarn. 

 

Everything will be kept together and and become the next phase of  'Hello, I'm Still Here'.

 

 

 

...and finally Esther (those old enough will get it...) some more good news, Torrs Hydro have £500 that we would like ideas on how to spend - it has to be something local but other than that anything will be considered so get your thinking caps on and drop an email to sean@torrshydro.org - we will pull together the ideas and have a vote