UK - Farmer unveils horizontal turbine

The structure at Smeaton Farm, near Saltash, which is about the size of 22 double-decker buses, is a maze which is made from maize. The aim of the turbine is to raise awareness of climate change and to help visitors understand how they can be more environmentally-friendly. The maize turbine will be harvested in October to feed the farm's beef cattle.

The turbine was the brainchild of Richard Jones, who runs the 450-acre organic farm with his wife and three children. Smeaton Farm operates under the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs countryside stewardship scheme, which aims to to protect and extend wildlife habitats, conserve archaeological sites, create new habitats and improve opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside. Each year the farm builds an "Amazing Cornish Maize Maze" which attracts thousands of visitors.

Mr Jones said when he was thinking about a theme for the summer, climate change seemed the most obvious. "It's such an important issue and it's what's on everybody's mind at the moment," he said. The maize was planted in early May and has taken more than two months to cut out the giant turbine. "I have to say it's been two months of hard graft, but it's been worth it - it looks absolutely fantastic," Mr Jones said.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net