Free expert energy advice coming to Tavistock this November to help cut bills

The Tamar Energy Fest will return to Butcher’s Hall in Tavistock on Saturday 22 November 2025, running from 10am to 3pm, offering a free and family-friendly day of practical energy advice, hands-on activities, and community inspiration.

Organised by Tamar Energy Community (TEC), the event aims to help residents across Tavistock, West Devon, and the Tamar Valley access free and impartial advice on ways to improve home energy efficiency.

This can include reducing bills, and exploring retrofit options, whether you are just getting started or already making progress.

2025’s theme, “Power to the People,” celebrates local opportunities to take control of energy use, improve comfort at home, and build community-wide resilience to rising energy costs and climate impacts.

“The event is all about giving our community the tools, confidence, and support to make meaningful energy changes,” said a TEC organiser. “We want to make energy advice accessible to everyone, whether you rent, own, or manage a community building.”

Last year’s Tamar Energy Fest attracted over 900 visitors, with more than 100 one-to-one conversations on energy issues. 

Many attendees also booked follow-up home assessments and retrofit advice visits during the event, an option that will return for 2025.

ABOVE: One of a number of stalls at last year's event (Credit: Tamar Energy Fest)

The festival builds on TEC’s wider work in the region, including:

• 427 kW of community-owned solar installations across seven local sites
• Retrofit support and energy management guidance for homes of all types
• The Warmer Bedford Cottages project with Tavistock Town Council, exploring cost-cutting solutions for heritage homes
• Warmer Healthier Homes, a partnership with West Devon CVS tackling fuel poverty and damp, mould, and poor housing conditions across the district

The Moorlander previously reported on another of Tamar Energy Community's events in Okehampton earlier this year.

TEC continues to offer year-round assistance with reducing bills, improving comfort, dealing with damp and mould, upgrading insulation and heating, and identifying grants or funding opportunities.

This year’s exhibitor list features a diverse mix of local experts, national organisations, and community groups, including:

Dartmoor Energy, National Energy Action (NEA), South West Water, Devon Wildlife Trust, Utility Warehouse, Tamar Valley National Landscape, The Fell Partnership, New Generation Energy, Cor Blinds, Mole Energy, Transition Tavistock, Tavy Rail and Dartmoor Photographer, Walkham Valley Project, Studio Skein, and the Future Builders Hub with Business Information Point and information from Learn Devon.

Alongside advice and displays, the festival will feature a wide range of interactive activities, including:

• A family-friendly art area with colouring
• A Climate & Biodiversity Pledge Tree, where visitors can commit to sustainable actions
• An Energy Quiz with answers hidden around the venue
• What Is Watt? - a hands-on challenge matching household items to their power use
• A poster-making competition for all ages

A pop-up café will offer refreshments throughout the day.