TWO exciting and innovative projects will give local young people the chance to build windmills and have them tested for efficiency at the White Horse Soapbox Derby 2024, with prizes given in a number of categories.
This year the organisers are focusing on Wind Power, challenging schools, exhibitors and stakeholders to bring examples of wind power to the Soapbox Derby on Saturday, May 18.
This STEM project is a partnership between Westbury Town Council and Arke Ltd, with the company’s talented engineers developing the design alongside consultant Alexander Ward.
Mr Ward said: “It's so important to think about engineering with an environmental context, not just in a wider climate way but also in the way we design, produce and consume things within society.
“We have challenged primary schools and local stakeholders to come up with their own interpretations of wind power this year. Let's see what they come up with!
“We have around 300 ‘Windmill in a Cup’ kits to give out to primary-aged children across Westbury and the surrounding villages, and a design sheet for older children aged 12 to 15 years old where they can actually build windmills from scratch using recycled materials.”
Both projects are available at whitehorsesoapbox.co.uk, with year four students across the area receiving kits through their schools.
This year’s White Horse Soapbox Derby will take place on top of the White Horse at Bratton Camp.
The course will completely change this year, moving to Port Way which offers a fantastic, steep and challenging course, as well as a far better viewing area for spectators on both sides of the course, with thanks to English Heritage for giving the event team access.
Races will start at 10.30am, 1pm and 3.30pm. Each team will get three runs, with their best time taken for final scores.
The 400-metre course will have an average gradient of 8.4 per cent. One section of the track is steep 18.4 per cent. For some context, the toughest ascents in the Tour de France are around the eight per cent mark.
The event includes live music, vintage funfair, zorbing, RC car racing, food and drink, plus buses running all day from Westbury High Street. Car parking on-site is still to be confirmed.
This year's event is being staged in partnership with Landmarc Solutions, with MJ Church, Arke Ltd, Torn, and English Heritage supporting. Westbury Ford and LitFibre have recently joined the team.
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