What an incredible day we had at the Todmorden Tomorrow Festival on Saturday 7th June at Tod College. We were so proud to be part of the event, which was funded through the Council’s Climate Emergency Grants programme. It was such an uplifting, community-powered event focused on something that affects us all, the homes we live in, and how we can make them warmer, healthier, and more energy-efficient.

The whole day felt like a brilliant reminder of just how strong and committed our community is when it comes to tackling climate change from the ground up. Whether people came along to learn about solar panels, retrofitting, heat pumps, or simply how to seal up a draughty window — there was something for everyone. And the energy in the room? It was full of curiosity, shared purpose, and hope.

There was a packed programme of things to get stuck into:

  • Hands-on workshops like the draught-proofing and damp & mould sessions were a big hit. People walked away not just with knowledge, but with free kits and tools they could use at home straight away.
  • Expert advice was on hand all day, thanks to amazing organisations like People Powered Retrofit, the National Energy Foundation, Carbon Coop, Lendology CIC and many others. Their support gave visitors real, practical options for how to start or continue their own retrofit journeys.
  • Tours of Tod College gave us a look behind the scenes at how the building is improving its own energy performance and one of the highlights was definitely the official switch-on of the new solar panels by Todmorden Mayor Susan Press. What a proud moment for Todmorden!
  • The drop-in session on natural insulation materials was also brilliant. People got hands-on with sustainable options and explored traditional methods of making homes cosier while cutting emissions.

As Cllr May Molteno put it so perfectly:

“It was fantastic to learn how we can make our homes warmer and cut bills by improving insulation and getting grants to install new technology like air source heat pumps!”

And beyond all the learning, the day had a real sense of joy. Kids were busy making windmill spinners and joining in with storytelling, neighbours chatted over cake and coffee from 3 Valley Vegans, and the whole place buzzed with warmth, not just from the heating tips, but from the people who came together to make this event so special.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring the festival to life from the brilliant local groups and national organisations to the volunteers, café crew, workshop leaders, and of course, every single person who came along.

Supporting this festival reminded us of the power of community in shaping a greener future. This wasn’t just a day about retrofitting houses, it was about building connections, learning, and hope for what’s possible when we work together.

Let’s carry this energy forward. Here’s to a brighter, more sustainable Todmorden one step (and one warm, well-sealed home) at a time.

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