Thorn Lighting awarded green rating at the Build Back Better Awards
Over the summer, 25 expert judges from the Build Back Better Awards lighting category assessed and marked each entry individually. In September, the panel gathered for a summit to carefully discuss and rank all the entries – awarding the Cumbria project a green rating.
Thorn Lighting collaborated with Cumbria County Council to install dark-sky friendly lighting at sites across the county, including Glenridding, Kendal, Whitehaven and Workington. The reason? Protecting dark skies and local wildlife, improving people’s perception of safety, encouraging social interaction, and increasing energy efficiency.
The Council’s Lighting Manager Ian Harker, who also sits on the ILP Durham’s Lighting Delivery Centre Committee, researched the innovative solutions on the market and consulted with organisations, including Friends of the Lake District, to decide on the best solutions for their specific needs.
After a series of successful pilot schemes, dark-sky friendly luminaires, including Thorn’s EP 145 and Plurio lanterns were installed.
At Castle Park in Whitehaven, Vulcan Park in Workington and Barraclough Fold in Glenridding, the Plurio lantern with NightTune technology was selected. The NightTune technology automatically adjusts the level of light emitted by the light fitting and the colour temperature to suit the time of night.
The EP 145 luminaire replaced existing lighting, illuminating Kendal’s historic Cliff Terrace. Numerous residents who spoke to Thorn Lighting for a case study explained that the previous luminaires lit areas extending beyond the footpath. The replacements have reversed this, with light now illuminating the pathway but not their gardens and homes. They also reported a return of nocturnal wildlife activity.
Councillor Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, says: “I am delighted that this fantastic project has been recognised for its innovation, collaboration and leadership in protecting our dark skies.
“We live in a world-class environment which we need to protect and preserve. Using this technology not only means we can reduce how lighting impacts the nights environment, but improves people’s perception of safety, encourages social interaction and increases energy efficiency.”
Ray Molony, Head of Content at the Build Back Better Awards, says: “This is a superb achievement – many congratulations to Thorn Lighting! Its support for the aims and values of the programme is vital for us to promote and celebrate achievement in these areas, and we thank Thorn sincerely for its participation. Its entry formed a valuable contribution to creating a landscape of the current best practice in the sector.”
Thorn Lighting’s outdoor portfolio includes 16 product families, along with other technologies and controls solutions, including Variable Light Distribution (VLD) and UrbaSens, to provide end users with the ability to light responsibly.
