Thursday 30th July 2026: We are pleased to invite you to a special Carbon Charter networking event taking place at the beautiful Pilgrims Barn, near Haughley, Suffolk, at 3:00pm on Thursday, 30th July 2026. This gathering will bring together Charter members, sustainability‑minded organisations, and local businesses who are committed to driving forward low‑carbon innovation and collaborative action across our region.
So don’t miss out… Get you FREE tickets HERE
Set in the peaceful rural surroundings of Pilgrims Barn, this event will provide an ideal environment to connect with fellow members, share best practice, and explore new opportunities for partnership. Whether you are looking to exchange ideas, showcase recent achievements, or simply strengthen your network within the Carbon Charter community, the afternoon promises to offer valuable insights and inspiring conversations.
The Itinerary will be as follows…
2.30pm Guests start to arrive
3.00pm Introduction by Peter Frost, Carbon Charter Lead at Suffolk County Council
3.10pm Welcome by our Host, Nick Woolley, MD of Woolley Asset Management and resident of Pilgrim’s Barn.
3.25pm KEYNOTE PRESENTATION by Stuart McHendry – Director of carbon and Circularity at Scotch Partners and a Chartered Environmentalist. Exploring how whole-life carbon and circular thinking can create better-performing, more resilient and resource-efficient buildings, drawing on lessons from Pilgrims Barn.
3.45pm SPECIAL GUEST Simon Tilley, Director of the Hockerton Housing Project.
3.50pm Eleanor Carter of Groundwork UK
3.55pm Wrap up and awarding of new accreditations.
4.15pm End of formal proceedings and start of refreshments. Networking, chatting and electric vehicle / static display viewing as applicable.
5.00pm – 6.00pm starting to close.
(NB: These timings may be modified depending on circumstances).
We are delighted to welcome Stuart McHendry as keynote speaker for this year. Stuart is Director of Sustainability and Circularity at Scotch Partners and a Chartered Environmentalist, with more than 15 years’ experience advancing sustainable design across the built environment. A physicist and sustainable engineer by training, Stuart specialises in whole-life carbon, circular economy and net-zero design, helping clients and design teams translate ambitious environmental goals into practical, deliverable solutions.
He is a co-author of the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment Global Standard and has contributed to the development of CIBSE guidance on embodied carbon in building services. His experience spans residential, commercial, educational, civic and heritage projects across the UK and internationally.
At the Summer Carbon Charter Event, Stuart will explore the value of whole-life carbon and circular thinking in the residential and wider building sector, drawing on lessons from the remarkable transformation of Pilgrims Barn.”
Spotlight on Sustainability: Pilgrims Barn
One of the highlights of this year’s Carbon Charter networking event will be the opportunity to explore around the location of Pilgrims Barn itself. This is an exceptional example of what can be achieved when traditional rural architecture meets cutting‑edge sustainable design. Originally an old farm building, Pilgrims Barn has been meticulously transformed through a self‑build project to far exceed Passivhaus standards (with an amazing EPC rating of A134), while requiring less cost per square meter to build, demonstrating how existing structures can be reimagined to achieve extraordinary levels of energy efficiency and environmental performance.
The building is powered by a large solar array integrated into the roof, generating enough renewable electricity to meet the site’s energy needs throughout the year. This is paired with significant battery storage capacity, enabling the property to not only operate entirely off‑grid electrically (including EV charging) but last year export over 5 Megawatts of energy to the National Grid. Apart from drinking water, Pilgrims Barn functions independently, showcasing a future‑ready model of decentralised, resilient energy design that reduces reliance on traditional utilities.
Sustainable water management is central to the site’s ethos. A comprehensive water reclamation system captures and reuses rainwater across the property, supporting both daily operations and an impressive rainwater‑fed swimming pool – an innovative feature that exemplifies the owner’s commitment to closed‑loop resource use. The result is a home and event venue that minimises environmental impact while maximising comfort and functionality.
For attendees, Pilgrims Barn will serve as a living case study, providing a tangible starting point for discussion about low‑carbon construction, retrofit opportunities, energy independence and the practical realities of achieving near‑off‑grid living. Its blend of heritage, innovation and ecological ambition makes it an ideal setting for this year’s networking event and a source of inspiration for any business exploring the future of sustainable development.
More can be seen about Woolley at https://www.woolley.co.uk/
On the day, alongside informal networking, attendees will hear updates on current Charter initiatives, forthcoming opportunities for support, and examples of businesses making impressive progress on their environmental journeys. Light refreshments will be available, courtesy of the now famous Alison’s Eatery, and there will be plenty of time to ask questions and discuss the challenges and successes shaping our collective efforts.
We very much hope you can join us for what promises to be an engaging and enjoyable event and we look forward to welcoming you at Pilgrims Barn in July. If you would like to find out what last year’s Charter Summer Event was like, click… 2025 Summer Event
Tickets for this year’s event are now live and on a strictly first come, first served basis. So don’t miss out… Get your FREE 2026 tickets HERE
