This week, running 15-18 November, sees the Big Green Home Show take place at The National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon, Wilts. Special guest Peter Ainsworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, on Thursday 15 November at 12:45pm, will present an award to the overall winner of a new annual competition that challenges young pupils and students to design their ideal green home.

The competition, which was launched in an effort to raise awareness of environmental issues and to encourage the next generation to think differently about how and where they live, has garnered a fantastic response from schools and colleges, with more than 2,000 pupils taking part. The winning school receives a £1,000 prize.

As part of the competition process, BuildStore, the self-build and renovation experts behind the National Self Build & Renovation Centre and the Big Green Home Show, are inviting children and their families to visit the unique Centre. Those attending can learn more about the environment and sustainability, using the educational and product exhibits for inspiration and to discover how homes can be built or renovated to become more energy efficient.

The ‘Green Experts’ from the Centre have also been out and about to visit the participating schools to talk to students about the energy efficiency, cutting carbon and reducing waste. Students learn about latest technology, products and materials that can be used to reduce carbon and save energy around the home to incorporate into their designs, whilst also finding out about the smaller everyday changes that can make a difference.

Mrs Colleen Smith from Nythe Primary School in Swindon, which is aiming for Green Flag school status, commented: “Our School is totally committed to green issues, whether its energy saving, recycling, walking or cycling to school, or planting a school garden to encourage biodiversity.

“We are very keen to deliver a creative curriculum making lessons as much fun as possible and relating to real life experiences. We have a team of highly motivated staff, pupils and parents who are all doing their bit to promote sustainability. This competition has given our school the opportunity to study another dimension of the global footprint in a fun and interesting way.”

The competition will be based on the submission of each school of 20 entries. The Centre’s experts will judge the entries, and select finalists from each of the three categories – infant (5-7 year olds), junior (8-11 year olds) and senior. A representative from Swindon Borough Council Planning & Building Control department will then select three winners from each age category, plus an overall winner on Tuesday 13 November.

The Big Green Home Show, sponsored by EDF Energy, will lift the veil on greener living with the help of the some Big Green Heroes in the shape of the BBC’s Penney Poyzer, TV’s friendliest Builder and star of the Discovery Channel, Tommy Walsh, and the Big Green Giant himself, Dick Strawbridge.

With a host of features and expert advice to help visitors choose how to live a green lifestyle, from the latest products, design innovation and small changes in day-to-day life, tickets, priced £8 for a single ticket, £12 for 2 people – children are free, can be booked at 01506 409616 or online at the Big Green Home Show website.