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Cheap as chips
The train now standing at platform 1 is the Botanic Garden Summer Special – and is powered by recycled chip fat from the Garden’s own restaurant.
The popular land train is back at the National Botanic Garden of Wales for the peak of the summer season and the school holidays.
Head of operations at the Garden Ray Butt said: “The colourful sight of the land train is a signal for the really hard work to begin.
“Once the schools break up, we are run off our feet as visitors pour into the Garden by the thousand.
“The good news is the Garden is looking spectacular, the stunning new Tropical House is a fabulous addition to the range of attractions we have here and the Great Glasshouse is the best it’s ever been.”
The Garden is working with Capel Hendre-based firm Sundance Renewables, who collect the used chip fat from any number of firms in the area and process it into bio-fuel.
The Garden’s head of science Trevor Roach said: “We are proud of our guiding principles – of sustainability, conservation and education – and it is very important that we practise what we preach.
“That’s why the land train is more than just a tourist gimmick. It is all about us going full steam ahead with our ideals and principles, our mission and vision for this Garden.”
Sundance Renewables is a not-for-profit social enterprise, organised as a workers’ co-operative and is committed to increasing renewable energy systems in Wales. They help community regeneration through a sustainable approach and intend for any surplus profits to be used to support other community renewable energy projects.
