News

Norwich’s heritage buildings sign up to Earth Hour

Thursday, 27th March 2008

Some of Norwich's key heritage buildings - collectively called Norwich 12 - are taking part in this year's Earth Hour by ensuring their non-essential lights are switched off between 8pm and 9pm on Saturday, 29^th March.

Norwich 12 is the UK's finest collection of individually outstanding heritage buildings spanning the Norman, medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras and consists of: Norwich Castle, Norwich Cathedral, The Great Hospital, St Andrew's and Blackfriars' Hall, The Guildhall, Dragon Hall, The Assembly House, St James Mill, St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Surrey House, City Hall and The Forum.

The buildings are supporting the initiative to help deliver a strong message about the need for action on global warming.  All lighting, except essential lighting needed for planned activities and that required for health and safety or security reasons will be switched off. 

The switch-off is being supported by Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART), the charitable trust set up to act as an umbrella organisation for all of the heritage on offer in Norwich and organisation behind the Norwich 12 project.

Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of Norwich HEART said: "Earth Hour demonstrates that simple changes by individuals can collectively make a big difference in the fight against global warming.  Earth Hour is a powerful initiative and by taking part we hope we can inspire others to take action on climate change throughout the year."

Earth Hour originated in Sydney last year, when over 2.2 million residents and over 2,100 businesses switched off non-essential lights for an hour on 31^st March 2007, leading to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city.

The initiative, run by the conservation organisation WWF, caught the attention of the world and this year's Earth Hour has become global.  Norwich 12 is part of hundreds of organisations, businesses and individuals taking part across Norfolk this year.

For more information go to www.earthhour.org.

- ends -

Notes to editors

For more information please contact Christina Lundberg, Communications Manager at Norwich HEART on 01603 599570 or email christinalundberg@heritagecity.org

About Norwich HEART

Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) is a private, charitable trust set up to act as an umbrella organisation for all of the heritage on offer in Norwich and to be a best practice exemplar internationally for heritage as a social and economic regeneration vehicle.

About Norwich 12

Norwich 12 is the UK's finest collection of individually outstanding heritage buildings spanning the Norman, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras. Charting an extraordinary journey through the history of one of England's great cities, Norwich 12 offers a unique visitor experience which embraces the legacy of these iconic buildings, the pivotal roles they continue to play today and the remarkable cityscape which weaves them together.

Norwich 12 is an initiative by Norwich HEART, which has secured £1 million from the Treasury's Invest to Save budget for the project.

The project was developed under the working title of The Great and Good and launched as Norwich 12 in March 2008.