River Cottage

This week we caught up with Thom, fresh from his five-week adventure across the south west with pals Tim and Trevor, who together form the Three Hungry Boys.

Hugh had laid down the gauntlet to the boys, challenging them to reach Land's End from River Cottage HQ in Axminster inside five weeks. But, of course, there was a twist.

They weren't allowed money, and were handed an electric-powered float with a top speed of 17mph which needed topping up every 40 miles or so. They had to beg, steal and borrow renewable energy for 35 days simply to reach their target. You can find out how that went on Channel 4 in the winter.
 

Update from Plymouth

In the meantime though Thom popped by the new River Cottage Canteen at Royal William Yard in Plymouth to check on its progress.

It doesn't look like much at the moment, but soon the former victualling depot of the Royal Navy, built between 1826 and 1835, will be the latest River Cottage outpost, serving modern-day Plymouth with locally and ethically-sourced supplies.

Grade I listed, it was also a winner at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Conservation Awards five years ago.

Watch Thom, Plymouth born and bred, inspect the progress >
River Cottage Canteen and Deli in Plymouth

Our sustainability

Sustainability has always been at the heart of everything we do at River Cottage.

We were recently named the most sustainable place to eat in the UK by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). Park Farm, home to the River Cottage Cookery School, was also awarded a Gold Award at the Green Apple Awards. Sustainability is as important to us as the food we produce and cook.

Our core principles will be extended at Royal William Yard.

Here's Thom inspecting some reclaimed timber we're using in Plymouth >
Three Hungry Boys

energyshare.com

If you're interested in sustainability and renewable energy, you'll be interested in River Cottage's latest campaign - energyshare.

We want you to join us at energyshare.com to think about, and reduce, the way in which we consume energy, and think about its production through renewable means.

We can all make the difference. We've learned that through past campaigns such as Chicken Out!, Landshare and this year Fish Fight. Small changes make a big difference.

So whether it's solar PV, wind, hydro-electric, biomass - whatever it is - sign up and connect to like-minded individuals, groups and communities and help shape the future of energy in the UK.

Join us and share ideas, experiences and expertise.

Watch Thom talk about energyshare.com >
energyshare.com
 

Triodos share issue

Another way to get involved through our friends at Triodos Renewables. They're giving you the chance to help shape the future of UK energy.

More that 1,200 individuals and institutions have invested in the Triodos Renewables share issue, which is raising money to further expand the company's portfolio of green energy projects.

Offer closes 30 September. Visit www.triodosrenewables.co.uk for more information, and to download a prospectus or call 0870 707 1350 and invest before 30 September, 2011.

That's it for now. Keep an eye on rivercottage.net, or on our Twitter and Facebook pages for the latest updates on the new Three Hungry Boys series on Channel 4, on the developments in Plymouth ahead of its opening and for news from energyshare. It's going to be an exciting Autumn.

Watch Thom talk about Triodos >

LINKS

Three Hungry Boys
River Cottage Canteen and Deli in Plymouth
energyshare.com
Triodos Renewables website