Whole House Retrofit Party

The Whole House Retrofit Party comes to Arnold Library on Wednesday 28 October, from 18:30 to 20:00. It's a free entry event, and the name is a bit of a giveaway: it's a community-focused celebration of local home energy upgrades. Rather than a formal presentation, the night works by putting residents in the room with neighbours and industry experts who share their real-life experiences of improving their homes for better performance, comfort and lower running costs. It's a chance to get advice, ask questions and access personalised guidance, all in one go.

The party is part of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) Festival of Retrofit, a programme of more than 20 events across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire running from 26 October to 9 November. The festival showcases energy-efficient improvements like insulation, solar panels and heat pumps through expert talks, open homes, demonstrations and advice sessions. It's coordinated with the support of fuel poverty charities, local authorities, housing providers, businesses, community organisations and education providers.

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward says the festival is about bringing that support closer to people so residents can see what works and get trusted local advice. The Arnold Library event fits right into that — it's about hearing from people who've actually done the work and seeing how it plays out in real homes, rather than just reading a brochure.

It's at Arnold Library, 161 Front Street, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 7EE, and entry is free. One practical detail to keep in mind: attendees enter via the neighbouring leisure centre. The session runs from 18:30 to 20:00 on Wednesday 28 October.