Tor illuminated using wind power

By Liz Lewis
BBC News, Bristol

The light is brighter and pulses in stronger winds

Anyone walking near Glastonbury Tor this week might have spotted strange illuminations at the top of the iconic landmark.

But there is nothing otherworldly about the pulsing pillars of light, they are the result of seven years of work for Somerset inventor Tom Lawton.

The 32-year-old from South Petherton was inspired to create the 100% wind-powered Firewinder light in the despondent atmosphere following the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001.

"There was so much doom and gloom generally," he said. "People I knew were saying they felt as if they were on a downward spiral so I decided to try to lift their spirits by turning that idea on its head."

Firewinder uses a spiral-shaped - or helical - wing to capture the wind, no matter which direction it blows in, to power 14 ultra-bright LED lights.

A gentle breeze produces an upward spiral of light but strong wind turns the device into a pulsing light.

They looked great but unusually there wasn't much wind on top of the Tor Tom Lawton, Firewinder inventor

Mr Lawton traces his fascination with the wind and green energy to his childhood.

"I grew up being very outdoorsy and interested in nature," he said. "I spent hours climbing trees and sitting on branches wondering what the wind was and why it moved things.

"Years later after I'd done my degree I knew I wanted to combine my fascination with the wind with creating something that shows how green energy can be used easily in everyday life."

During the design process Mr Lawton had help from a range of experts including a professor of Aerodynamics from Bristol University.

He also contacted a specialist electronic system design consultant and a leading consultant in environmental management and sustainable product design.

The Firewinders will be back on the Tor on 17 and 18 January

At the end of 2008, after testing various configurations, the final design was settled on.

"The worse the weather got, the better the lights looked so then all we needed was some windy weather," said Mr Lawton.

On Monday, with permission from the National Trust, 12 of the Firewinders were installed on top of Glastonbury Tor.

"They looked great but unusually there wasn't much wind on top of the Tor," said Mr Lawton.

"We will hopefully be putting them back on the Tor on the weekend of 10 and 11 January when we hope the wind will have picked up," he said.

He has big plans for his light and for wind power. On his wish list is the opportunity to use the Firewinder to light up the coast of England.

The green art will also be making appearances at various festivals and events throughout the summer.