Community & Voluntary Sector
Barbara has run her own business in Todmorden since 1989, initially a women’s roofing and building company (Amazon Nails) now Straw Works (Architects) and since 2014 also the School of Natural Building through which she has designed & helped build 2-300 affordable & healthy buildings.
She is the author of ‘Building with Straw Bales’ and is currently working with four other EU countries on an Interreg funded project to increase the number of public buildings made of straw (Up Straw), writing Building Regs for straw buildings, and finalist in Design competition for Homes 2030. She is also working with EcoCocon straw panels as a way of bringing affordable healthy housing to a wider audience.
Founder member of the Alliance of Sustainable Building Products, member of the Building Limes Forum and the Association of Environment Conscious Builders. Woman of Outstanding Achievement Award (UKRC) Lifetime Achievement Award (Women in Construction). Board member of Todmorden Learning Centre. Worked with the Sisterhood & After project with British Library on my work in the Women’s Liberation Movement and promoting lesbian awareness.
“I volunteered for the Todmorden Town Deal Board as I want to focus more on using my skills and experience nearer home. I have a lifetime of experience designing healthy zero carbon buildings and understand the wider connections between people and design, I work with diverse groups of people, teaching and sharing knowledge, and helping projects to come to fruition.
“I am committed to my home town, set up the famous Todmorden women’s disco in 1995, have wide networks and work well in groups. I want to see the Todmorden Town Deal Board bring people together and make positive and lasting change happen for Todmorden.”
