PEDAL POWER: From left, Earth Hour event organisers Robin Gunning and Emma Stilts, and ukelele players Margaret Gentle, Ann Lesley and Brooke Schiemer, test out the lighting system that will be powered by Richard Newberry and Graham Davidson and their tandem bike. Photo: Robert Chappel 190313RCB02
THE only electricity at Tamworth’s Earth Hour tomorrow night will all be thanks to pedal power.
Members of the Tamworth Conservatorium of Music’s ukulele group put their hands up to provide entertainment at the event, but faced a problem – how to light up their stands so they can read the music.
In stepped event organiser and ukulele enthusiast Emma Stilts’ brother Grant Davidson, dad Graham Davidson and his friend Richard Newberry have created a sustainable source of electricity in the spirit of the event.
Keen riders, the senior Mr Davidson and Mr Newberry will pedal on their tandem bike, which has been attached to a generator from an old EH Holden.
This will generate four amps of power – enough energy to light up the 10 LED lamps needed by the musicians.
Mrs Stilts said they would have to pedal the entire time the lights were needed but efficient bulbs had been purchased so they would not have to work too hard – and any volunteers who wanted to step in and give them a break would probably be welcomed too.
Earth Hour is a worldwide event during which lights are switched off for one designated hour during the evening of March 23 to raise awareness of climate change.
The Tamworth event will be held tomorrow from 8.30pm in Anzac Park, at the corner of Upper and Fitzroy streets.