Let's make no bones about it - we strongly believe that Global Warming is being caused by carbon dioxide released when carbon based fuels are burned by Man. We also believe that we are close to reaching a point of no return where the Earth will become uninhabitable by many of the lifeforms we are familiar with, including ourselves, Mankind.

So the question is, what are we going to do about it? Governments are being incredibly slow to react, being more concerned with keeping themselves in power and promoting economic growth. Individuals, lacking leadership, are slow to react, being more concerned with their day-to-day problems.

Our committment is to promote our beliefs and to carry out our business activities in a manner that demonstrates how use of carbon based fuels can be reduced or eliminated.

Environmental Policy.

Electricity – We endeavour to conserve energy wherever possible via good insulation and use of efficient appliances in all areas. We generate as much renewable power as we can.

Water – We use as little water as possible in the normal areas of cooking, washing, toilets etc. For garden use and flower tubs we only use conserved rain water. Carbonated tap water replaces bottled water in the bars.

Pub Heating – All heating is by the burning of locally grown coppice wood in the wood burners and open fireplace.

Domestic/Pub/shower block hot water – Hot water is generated from solar panels and the wood burner (topped up with an immersion heater only if required).

Food – Our menus focus on seasonal offerings to help keep food miles to a minimum. We grow many of the ingredients ourselves, supplemented by locally grown, and preferably organically certified produce. We buy organic or free-range meat from local producers. Game is used as a plentiful local seasonal offering. Fish is fresh from the Suffolk coast wherever possible and excludes any endangered species Cod, Tuna etc.  All other foodstuffs are organic or fair trade if possible.

Beer – The majority of our beers comes from Mill Green Brewery and guest ales are biased towards locally brewed ones to keep the 'beer miles' to a minimum.

Soft Drinks – Environmental considerations are taken into account with a bias towards local, organic and less processed and home mixed drinks. 

Kitchen waste – Uncooked waste is composted. Cooked waste food is kept to a minimum by appropriate sized portions being served and then local free range hens are fed the remainder.  Landfill is used only as a last resort.

Cleaning products – Are as environmentally benign as possible including washing up liquids, bleach and all cleaning agents used in the pub and cottages. Kitchen & toilet paper is made of recycled paper.

Recycling – As much waste as possible is recycled.  Bins for recycling, composting and landfill are available at all times for both staff and customers.
Glass goes for recycling via the container in the car park which will continue to be available to the public.

Building work – All the reconstruction and remodelling work at the pub has been carried out using methods and materials that have left us with buildings that are much better insulated against heat loss. We have used materials that have 'low embodied energy' - ie. as little energy as possible was used to produce and transport them. Any further development or repair work will be carried out using the same principles.

We have won a Silver Award from Green Tourism for the pub and Bronze Award for the cottages. We will be continuing to work with Green Tourism to improve our performance, aiming for two Gold Awards.

Let's be clear, we are not claiming to be perfect. We live in the same world as everybody else and are subject to the same wants and desires. We are subject to the same commercial pressures as other businesses. We are bombarded by the same advertising.

We often feel guilty about some of our activities, but overall we try to balance the positives and negatives and continue to work towards being Carbon Neutral.

Remember, every tiny amount of carbon based fuel that is not burned helps to limit Global Warming. Please play your part in saving the planet.