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 reburbishment 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 tiolets. 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 Biodisc sewerage treatment plant has been constructed, designed to lower ammonia nitrogen in the discharge.

Photographs by Mike Ridyard