Eurostar has announced
that Norfolk-based car-sharing organisation, liftshare, and the Belgian
city of Ghent's cycling programme have beaten off stiff competition from
over 120 sustainable travel initiatives across the UK, France and
Belgium to win the inaugural Eurostar Ashden Award for Sustainable
Travel.
The winners were selected against four other finalists for the
ground-breaking ways in which they encourage people to think differently
about how they travel. liftshare and Ghent City Council will now share
£30,000 in prize money to further their work to promote sustainable
travel.
liftshare was chosen as a winner for its tireless efforts to fill empty
car seats on the roads, via its online car-sharing network, which offers
a friendlier, greener and cheaper way to travel. liftshare stood out to
the judges because of the breadth of its initiatives to promote
car-sharing including; a free-to-use public car-sharing network for
individuals, and tailor-made paid for schemes for local authorities,
organisations and businesses which they then provide free to their
users. This strategy, combined with creative marketing and innovative
product development, has attracted over 332,000 active liftshare
members, with 1 in every 100 cars in the UK registered on the network.
Liftshare helps remove around 100,000 journeys from the UK's roads each
day, which will cut 113,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, this year alone.
Ghent City Council was selected for its far-reaching mobility plan,
which is designed to get more people cycling. Their approach, which
includes the creation of a car-free city centre, extensive safety
initiatives and investment in creative marketing support, impressed the
judging panel. As a result of these efforts, Ghent has transformed from a
city with high levels of traffic congestion to a clean, tranquil and
safe cycling city, where two wheels take priority over four.
Nicolas Petrovic, Eurostar Chief Executive said: "We were delighted by
the breadth and quality of all the entries into our first sustainable
travel awards, making it a difficult decision to select both the
finalists and the overall winners. liftshare and Ghent City Council
stood out to us as winners for their innovative approach in helping to
transform the way people think about travelling. By celebrating their
achievements we hope to inspire more people to consider the environment
when making their own travel choices."
Sarah Butler-Sloss, Founder Director of Ashden added: "liftshare's
achievements are very impressive: with 1 in every 100 cars in the UK
registered on the liftshare network a huge number of car miles are being
saved, resulting in phenomenal carbon savings.
"The city of Ghent has made cycling safe, easy and pleasurable through
its excellent cycling infrastructure, innovative marketing campaigns and
well thought-through cycling support, from rentals and repairs at
stations through to providing gloves for when it’s cold."
Eurostar, in partnership with Ashden, launched the Sustainable Travel
Award in 2011 to celebrate and support local sustainable travel projects
across the UK, France and Belgium. The Eurostar Ashden Award for
Sustainable Travel forms part of Eurostar's Tread Lightly programme to
reduce the business’s impact on the environment and encourage people to
switch to more sustainable modes of transport.
Thursday 31 May 2012
Monday 28 May 2012
National Trust recognises unsung 'Green Heroes'
A prolific drystone waller, an intrepid volunteer youth worker and famous TV walker were among the green heroes celebrated by the National Trust.
The awards are named after Trust founder and social reformer Octavia Hill who died in 1912. They are being run in partnership with Countryfile Magazine.
Nominated by the public and then put to an online poll that saw nearly seven thousand votes, each winner is keeping the spirit of Octavia alive - standing up for precious natural spaces and places.
The winners of the Octavia Hill Awards were:
Patrick Frew from Country Antrim, Northern Ireland is the 'Growing Hero' - Patrick has turned a one-acre site into a diverse growing space. Young children enjoy visits to the site to reconnect with nature while elderly residents are treated to home deliveries of compost and easy salad plants ready to make their own DIY 'Doorstep Allotments'.
Roger Parkinson from Wakefield, West Yorkshire is a 'Natural Hero' - Roger is an inspirational tree conservation leader, a public speaker and field teacher. As a practitioner, he's helped restore a five-acre arboretum with more than 150 tree species and he's helped individuals and groups with their own woodland creation projects.
Matt Smith from Bootle, Liverpool is the 'Inspirational Hero' - Volunteer youth worker Matt is tackling anti-social behaviour by getting young people into the outdoors. As a volunteer he organises nature hikes, camping and self-sufficiency trips that educate, inspire and sometimes change lives.
Julia Bradbury was voted 'The People’s Campaigner' - Julia picked up the award for someone in the public spotlight who's championed an issue or cause. Her passion for walking began at an early age and she was formerly President of the Ramblers Association. Her public profile as a popular TV presenter gives her the chance to champion and promote the landscape she loves.
The Friends of King Henry's Walk Garden in North London are the 'Green Space Guardians' - A scrap of wasteland in North London is now a tranquil community garden thanks to this group. King Henry's Walk Garden is enjoyed by the many families who don't have outside space and people can rent space to grow their own produce.
Eric Shorrocks of Arnside Knott, Cumbria wins the 'Love Places' Award - A self-taught professional drystone waller, Eric has passed on his skills, training up at least 20 others in the craft and, as a National Trust volunteer, he's been dedicating his free time to everything from litter picking and path clearing to saving precious limestone grassland from scrub invasion.
The Awards attracted more than 160 entries and a final shortlist was selected by a panel of judges with a wide knowledge of green and social issues. Sitting on the panel alongside Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust, were Fergus Collins, Editor of Countryfile Magazine, academic and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts and journalist and writer Candida Lycett Green.
The public then voted, in their thousands, for the shortlisted entries.
Each of the winners will receive a specially commissioned bowl made by Tony Alderman who works at the National Trust's Chartwell in Kent. The bowls have been made using English elm, oak and yew collected from woods near to Crockham in Kent where Octavia Hill lived.
They also win the opportunity to be mentored by a Trust expert and will be profiled in Countryfile Magazine.
About National Trust:
The National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 710 miles of coastline and hundreds of historic places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information, and ideas for a family day out, go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Sunday 27 May 2012
Government announcement on solar subsidy means future stability for all
Many homeowners may be aware of all the commotion that has surrounded
the government funded feed-in-tariffs (FITs) since they launched in
April 2011. This fuss would have undoubtedly put most consumers
confidence at a low, however in a recent announcement made by the
Department of Climate Change (DECC), stability for solar is on the
horizon. We can now reveal that the subsidy is set to receive some security which will at least last for the next three years.
From August 1 2012, the subsidy which currently stands at 21p kWh for 4kW systems introduced into domestic properties will drop to 16p kWh. As the FITs were never set to be an everlasting subsidy, this new inevitable decrease has also been introduced with a range of new modifications set to help rebuild consumer confidence by bringing stability into the market. These modifications include;
• A multi-installation tariff for organizations with over 25 installations. They will receive 90 % of the standard applicable tariff, which is up from 80%
• Export tariff will be increased from 3.2p to 4.5p/kWh for those installations with an eligibility date on or after August 1;
• The FIT lifetime will be reduced from 25 to 20 years for those installations with an eligibility date on or after August 1; and
• Tariffs for installations that do not meet the energy efficiency requirements will mirror the tariffs for standalone installations.
This revision combined with the new rate has now outlined the FITs plans for the next 3 years, unless there is significant uptake. The DECC have announced the new tariff of 16p kWh and have outlined the process in which the tariff will decrease over the next three years. The announcement detailed that the FIT will steadily decrease at a rate of 3.5% every 3 months, beginning October 1st 2012. This means that over the course of a year the subsidy will reduce by around 2.24p which is a welcome and slow decline considering it has dropped a staggering 27.3p since December 2011. This new rate is set to introduce and reaffirm consumer confidence and put back some confidence in the installer that has invested their time and money into solar too.
As the new tariff is set for August 1 2012, consumers still have a 9 week window in which to gain the current higher rate of 21p kWh so as always time is of the essence for those wishing to obtain the higher rate which will be guaranteed for 25 years.
Carl Bennett, Managing Director of Trade Skills 4U, Britain’s premier electrical & renewable energy training company reveals his thoughts on recent announcement. “There have been a lot of gloomy headlines about solar power but the fact is the returns on offer are far better than anything you can get in the bank. The smart money is on solar PV. And by investing in solar power not only do householders protect themselves from rocketing electricity bills; they help local businesses and employment. Our business has enjoyed growth as result of our investment in solar.
"Last year we built a first storey training roof, which is the only one of its kind in the UK, in order to train solar installers and in the environment they will be working in when they qualify. Our dedication to ‘real life’ scenario training as seen a steady rise in business and helped to drive us forward in the recession when many have cut back. Now that government have announced future stability for the Feed-in-Tariff, we can only predict a steady and stable future for solar which is of course great news for everyone.”
Martin Gebbett, Director of DPS Renewable Technologies says: ‘The announcement by the DECC signals an end to the uncertainty that has prevailed in the PV solar industry since September 2011. We believe the new set guidelines allow us to plan move clearly for the future and drive our business forward. We have seen a noticeable increase in enquiries over the last few weeks and see a positive outlook’.
The environmental campaign group Greenpeace is keen to encourage people to invest in solar. Dr Doug Parr, Policy Director at Greenpeace UK explains why: “Local renewable energy remains a valuable contributor to a sustainable economy. We welcome further solar PV systems, taking advantage of genuinely sustainable energy in the drive to protect the planet from climate change.”
Virginia Graham, Chief Executive of the REAL Consumer Code said; “It is true that solar power can still offer attractive returns to householders in the right circumstances. We recommend anyone interested in installing solar power to ensure the supplier is listed on the REAL and MCS websites and to read our guidance for consumers carefully before going ahead: www.realassurance.org.uk/consumers/top-tips .”
There has been over a quarter of a million installations across the UK since the launch of the FIT in April 2010. The industry has blossomed to employ around 25,000 people and it is set to grow rapidly, despite the recession. Thanks to campaigning by the Solar Trade Association the role of solar power is now recognised by Government and the Prime Minister with 22GW anticipated by 2020.
From August 1 2012, the subsidy which currently stands at 21p kWh for 4kW systems introduced into domestic properties will drop to 16p kWh. As the FITs were never set to be an everlasting subsidy, this new inevitable decrease has also been introduced with a range of new modifications set to help rebuild consumer confidence by bringing stability into the market. These modifications include;
• A multi-installation tariff for organizations with over 25 installations. They will receive 90 % of the standard applicable tariff, which is up from 80%
• Export tariff will be increased from 3.2p to 4.5p/kWh for those installations with an eligibility date on or after August 1;
• The FIT lifetime will be reduced from 25 to 20 years for those installations with an eligibility date on or after August 1; and
• Tariffs for installations that do not meet the energy efficiency requirements will mirror the tariffs for standalone installations.
This revision combined with the new rate has now outlined the FITs plans for the next 3 years, unless there is significant uptake. The DECC have announced the new tariff of 16p kWh and have outlined the process in which the tariff will decrease over the next three years. The announcement detailed that the FIT will steadily decrease at a rate of 3.5% every 3 months, beginning October 1st 2012. This means that over the course of a year the subsidy will reduce by around 2.24p which is a welcome and slow decline considering it has dropped a staggering 27.3p since December 2011. This new rate is set to introduce and reaffirm consumer confidence and put back some confidence in the installer that has invested their time and money into solar too.
As the new tariff is set for August 1 2012, consumers still have a 9 week window in which to gain the current higher rate of 21p kWh so as always time is of the essence for those wishing to obtain the higher rate which will be guaranteed for 25 years.
Carl Bennett, Managing Director of Trade Skills 4U, Britain’s premier electrical & renewable energy training company reveals his thoughts on recent announcement. “There have been a lot of gloomy headlines about solar power but the fact is the returns on offer are far better than anything you can get in the bank. The smart money is on solar PV. And by investing in solar power not only do householders protect themselves from rocketing electricity bills; they help local businesses and employment. Our business has enjoyed growth as result of our investment in solar.
"Last year we built a first storey training roof, which is the only one of its kind in the UK, in order to train solar installers and in the environment they will be working in when they qualify. Our dedication to ‘real life’ scenario training as seen a steady rise in business and helped to drive us forward in the recession when many have cut back. Now that government have announced future stability for the Feed-in-Tariff, we can only predict a steady and stable future for solar which is of course great news for everyone.”
Martin Gebbett, Director of DPS Renewable Technologies says: ‘The announcement by the DECC signals an end to the uncertainty that has prevailed in the PV solar industry since September 2011. We believe the new set guidelines allow us to plan move clearly for the future and drive our business forward. We have seen a noticeable increase in enquiries over the last few weeks and see a positive outlook’.
The environmental campaign group Greenpeace is keen to encourage people to invest in solar. Dr Doug Parr, Policy Director at Greenpeace UK explains why: “Local renewable energy remains a valuable contributor to a sustainable economy. We welcome further solar PV systems, taking advantage of genuinely sustainable energy in the drive to protect the planet from climate change.”
Virginia Graham, Chief Executive of the REAL Consumer Code said; “It is true that solar power can still offer attractive returns to householders in the right circumstances. We recommend anyone interested in installing solar power to ensure the supplier is listed on the REAL and MCS websites and to read our guidance for consumers carefully before going ahead: www.realassurance.org.uk/consumers/top-tips .”
There has been over a quarter of a million installations across the UK since the launch of the FIT in April 2010. The industry has blossomed to employ around 25,000 people and it is set to grow rapidly, despite the recession. Thanks to campaigning by the Solar Trade Association the role of solar power is now recognised by Government and the Prime Minister with 22GW anticipated by 2020.
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Kellys earns Green Partner Award
Kellys Printing Solutions (Kellys) has been awarded a prestigious Green Partner Plus Accreditation from KYOCERA Document Solutions
(KYOCERA), one of the world's leading document solutions companies.
Launched in 2011, KYOCERA’s Green Partner programme encourages KYOCERA’s
channel partners in their sustainability efforts and provides customers
with assurance that the environmentally responsible printers they
specify can also be supplied and serviced by a company with strong
environmental credentials.
Tracey Rawling Church, Director of Brand and Reputation at KYOCERA Document Solutions commented: “Kellys is only the fifth KYOCERA partner to achieve this demanding accreditation. We were the first vendor to introduce a green partner programme to educate our partners about how to make their business more sustainable and we offer two levels of accreditation, Green Partner and Green Partner Plus.
"Green Partner Plus rewards those who have invested significantly in greening their business; it’s challenging and to achieve it takes real commitment and dedication in every aspect of sustainability within the business.”
The Green Partner Programme is open only to suppliers of KYOCERA Document Solutions includes an audit across 50 elements of sustainable operations. Ten of these are mandatory and of the remaining 40 minimum scores apply for each of the two standards of accreditation. A fast-track element avoids the need for partners which have already achieved recognised national or global sustainability accreditations to undergo a full audit that would only duplicate work already completed. At the other end of the spectrum, a Green Partner Guide provides support and guidance for those who are at the beginning of the process of making their business more sustainable.
Mr Mark Wilkinson, Operations Director of Kellys said: “We have worked exclusively with KYOCERA thirty years and we put huge value on providing a complete KYOCERA solution to our customers. In our experience, KYOCERA’s ECOSYS sustainable print technology has been paramount for our customers.”
“As a business we are very committed to sustainability and we felt that this was an important and valuable accreditation to achieve. Green Partner Plus is a key selling point for both our existing clients and prospects. We were ahead of the curve with managed print solutions which we’ve been offering for over 10 years now and we believe that sustainability, and the savings it delivers, will be a real driving force for businesses over the next decade. We look forward to growing our business in conjunction with KYOCERA Document Solutions and will continue to deliver the first class customer service we’re known for.”
About Kellys
Formed initially in 1982, Kellys is an established Print Solutions Provider with a network of offices across Scotland. With 30 years experience and expertise in its industry, the company is dedicated to providing its clients with tailored integrated document management solutions backed up by exceptional first class service.
Its business partner KYOCERA Document Solutions is one of the world’s leading office document solutions companies, which manufactures and markets monochrome and colour network printers, multifunctional products (MFPs) and a portfolio of solutions.
KYOCERA is in the unique position of being a company with a heritage in both the printer and copier markets and its exciting and comprehensive product range means that Kellys’ clients can be assured that they will have access to the latest developments in the document solutions marketplace.
For further information visit www.kyoceradocumentsolutions.co.uk
Tracey Rawling Church, Director of Brand and Reputation at KYOCERA Document Solutions commented: “Kellys is only the fifth KYOCERA partner to achieve this demanding accreditation. We were the first vendor to introduce a green partner programme to educate our partners about how to make their business more sustainable and we offer two levels of accreditation, Green Partner and Green Partner Plus.
"Green Partner Plus rewards those who have invested significantly in greening their business; it’s challenging and to achieve it takes real commitment and dedication in every aspect of sustainability within the business.”
The Green Partner Programme is open only to suppliers of KYOCERA Document Solutions includes an audit across 50 elements of sustainable operations. Ten of these are mandatory and of the remaining 40 minimum scores apply for each of the two standards of accreditation. A fast-track element avoids the need for partners which have already achieved recognised national or global sustainability accreditations to undergo a full audit that would only duplicate work already completed. At the other end of the spectrum, a Green Partner Guide provides support and guidance for those who are at the beginning of the process of making their business more sustainable.
Mr Mark Wilkinson, Operations Director of Kellys said: “We have worked exclusively with KYOCERA thirty years and we put huge value on providing a complete KYOCERA solution to our customers. In our experience, KYOCERA’s ECOSYS sustainable print technology has been paramount for our customers.”
“As a business we are very committed to sustainability and we felt that this was an important and valuable accreditation to achieve. Green Partner Plus is a key selling point for both our existing clients and prospects. We were ahead of the curve with managed print solutions which we’ve been offering for over 10 years now and we believe that sustainability, and the savings it delivers, will be a real driving force for businesses over the next decade. We look forward to growing our business in conjunction with KYOCERA Document Solutions and will continue to deliver the first class customer service we’re known for.”
About Kellys
Formed initially in 1982, Kellys is an established Print Solutions Provider with a network of offices across Scotland. With 30 years experience and expertise in its industry, the company is dedicated to providing its clients with tailored integrated document management solutions backed up by exceptional first class service.
Its business partner KYOCERA Document Solutions is one of the world’s leading office document solutions companies, which manufactures and markets monochrome and colour network printers, multifunctional products (MFPs) and a portfolio of solutions.
KYOCERA is in the unique position of being a company with a heritage in both the printer and copier markets and its exciting and comprehensive product range means that Kellys’ clients can be assured that they will have access to the latest developments in the document solutions marketplace.
For further information visit www.kyoceradocumentsolutions.co.uk
That's Travel: Book An Eco Break With Holiday Villas in Lanzarote...
That's Travel: Book An Eco Break With Holiday Villas in Lanzarote...: Lanzarote is usually associated with standard package holidays and conventional hotel breaks. But visitors to the fourth largest of the C...
Tuesday 15 May 2012
Cuffley Eco Home surrounded by SuDS compliant surfacing
RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing
Ronacrete Approved Contractors ARC Surfacing laid approximately 200 square metres of RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing, using a 6mm Maple Harvest aggregate which was chosen from the RonaDeck range of natural aggregate blends, each formulated for strength and appearance. The surfacing will not discolour over time because the specially formulated polyurethane resin does not yellow or darken when exposed to Ultra Violet light.
To create a firm foundation for the resin bound paving ARC Surfacing first laid a sound base of asphalt After allowing this time to harden they mixed the RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing two-component resin together with the supplied blended kiln-dried aggregate and laid it by trowel at 18mm thick.
Within just four hours the surface was hard enough to walk on and was ready for cars after only 1-2 days.
RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing complies with SuDS regulations which requires that rain water can pass through the aggregate and resin surface into the earth below, allowing it to flow into natural water courses or ground drainage systems. Its porous design ensures water can quickly and easily permeate the surface and allow homeowners to do their part to protect the environment.
www.ronacrete.co.uk
tech@ronacrete.co.uk
01279 638700
Monday 14 May 2012
National Trust launches new competition to capture the spirit of Octavia on camera
The National Trust has
launched a new amateur photography competition called 'Your Space' which will celebrate green spaces and the life of the National Trust founder
Octavia Hill.
Run in conjunction with National Trust Magazine, the competition will run from May until August and asks people to capture what green spaces mean to them.
Four internationally-acclaimed photographers, Mary McCartney, Joe Cornish, Arnhel de Serra and Charlie Waite, have helped launch the 'Your Space' competition with a new collection of pictures at National Trust places that capture the relationship between people and green places.
Octavia Hill was a leading environmental campaigner in Victorian Britain. She campaigned to save green spaces in and around London, such as Parliament Hill, and, years ahead of her time, saw the benefit of spending time in the outdoors and closer to nature.
As one of three founders of the National Trust, Octavia Hill, set about acquiring green places and built heritage to be looked after by the charity for the benefit of the nation until she died in August 1912.
The competition is based around her writings on green space: 'We all need space; unless we have it we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us gently [and we need] places to sit in, places to play in, places to stroll in, and places to spend a day in…'
The competition includes all green space in the UK, not just National Trust places, and hopes to capture images of everyday green places.
These could include pictures from the local park, where people play with their kids or walk their dogs, or favourite strolls in the countryside.
What is important is that the images capture what these places mean to the photographer and why they matter.
Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust, said: "This competition is all about using photography to reflect on why green spaces matter to us as a nation. We're looking for powerful and inspiring images that celebrate this special relationship that we have with our parks and countryside."
There are four categories in the competition: ten and under, 11-16 year olds, over 16s and smartphones. Entries need to be submitted by 31 August 2012 and the full terms and conditions can be found on the website.
The prize for the overall winner, worth £1,500, will include a bespoke one-to-one day long workshop with award winning landscape photographer Charlie Waite, a special landscape print and up to two nights stay in a National Trust holiday cottage.
The three runners-up will join Charlie at a National Trust property for day which includes lunch and behind-the-scenes tour.
A panel of judges, including Mary McCartney, Joe Cornish, Arnhel de Serra, Charlie Waite, Sue Herdman (Editor of National Trust Magazine) and Chris Lacey (National Trust Photographic Manager), will decide on the winners for the four categories. One of the category winners will then go on to be the overall winner of the competition.
Entries for the competition can be uploaded at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/yourspace and shared via Facebook and twitter.
Run in conjunction with National Trust Magazine, the competition will run from May until August and asks people to capture what green spaces mean to them.
Four internationally-acclaimed photographers, Mary McCartney, Joe Cornish, Arnhel de Serra and Charlie Waite, have helped launch the 'Your Space' competition with a new collection of pictures at National Trust places that capture the relationship between people and green places.
Octavia Hill was a leading environmental campaigner in Victorian Britain. She campaigned to save green spaces in and around London, such as Parliament Hill, and, years ahead of her time, saw the benefit of spending time in the outdoors and closer to nature.
As one of three founders of the National Trust, Octavia Hill, set about acquiring green places and built heritage to be looked after by the charity for the benefit of the nation until she died in August 1912.
The competition is based around her writings on green space: 'We all need space; unless we have it we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us gently [and we need] places to sit in, places to play in, places to stroll in, and places to spend a day in…'
The competition includes all green space in the UK, not just National Trust places, and hopes to capture images of everyday green places.
These could include pictures from the local park, where people play with their kids or walk their dogs, or favourite strolls in the countryside.
What is important is that the images capture what these places mean to the photographer and why they matter.
Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust, said: "This competition is all about using photography to reflect on why green spaces matter to us as a nation. We're looking for powerful and inspiring images that celebrate this special relationship that we have with our parks and countryside."
There are four categories in the competition: ten and under, 11-16 year olds, over 16s and smartphones. Entries need to be submitted by 31 August 2012 and the full terms and conditions can be found on the website.
The prize for the overall winner, worth £1,500, will include a bespoke one-to-one day long workshop with award winning landscape photographer Charlie Waite, a special landscape print and up to two nights stay in a National Trust holiday cottage.
The three runners-up will join Charlie at a National Trust property for day which includes lunch and behind-the-scenes tour.
A panel of judges, including Mary McCartney, Joe Cornish, Arnhel de Serra, Charlie Waite, Sue Herdman (Editor of National Trust Magazine) and Chris Lacey (National Trust Photographic Manager), will decide on the winners for the four categories. One of the category winners will then go on to be the overall winner of the competition.
Entries for the competition can be uploaded at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/yourspace and shared via Facebook and twitter.
National Trust MyFarm experiment now free to join
The National Trust has
announced that one year on from the launch of its innovative,
award-winning MyFarm project, the charity is dropping the £30 sign-up
fee in a bid to widen its success and inspire even more people to
engage with farming and food.
The experiment - based at the Trust's 1,450 acre Wimpole Home Farm in Cambridgeshire - was launched last May to encourage people to learn about day-to-day farm life and get a better understanding of where their food comes from.
The virtual farmers are able to view day-to-day farm activities via blogs from the farm team, videos and live webcams. Significantly they can also influence what happens on the farm by voting on key decisions usually made by the farmer.
As the project moves into the second year, the team behind the project are seeking to increase the number of people who take part in MyFarm, and cover a wider range of food topics.
Farm Manager Richard Morris said: "We've learnt a lot from our 5,000-strong audience over the last 12 months, especially how interested people are in following and finding out about the day-to-day running of the farm.
"The experiment has helped us deepen people's understanding of the challenges faced by farmers in the wider market place including the European and World markets, and enabled those involved to comment on a wide range of farming issues.
"It's been the animal stories that have really captured the public's hearts - both births and deaths. MyFarmers have also loved getting to know the farm team, the rare breed animals kept at Wimpole and the monthly votes which explore one particular aspect of farming in more depth, with the majority vote then carried out on the farm."
The National Trust is the country's biggest farmer and through MyFarm hopes to help people understand the issues facing farming today, the numerous and daily decisions farmers have to make, as well as the joy and the heartache which is part and parcel of farm life.
As part of the changes the Trust will also now host the experiment on its own website rather than the current microsite. It will also make broader use of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to interact with users and to encourage further discussion on food and farming issues.
Founding Farmers - those who joined in the first year - will be invited to continue as ambassadors on these platforms to encourage more people to join in; sharing the journeys they have been on over the last 12 months.
MyFarm Project Manager Andrew Cock-Starkey added: "Our members come from all over the world as well as from the UK and after a successful first year we believe we’ve established a clear demand for this kind of learning. Now we want to reach even more people and build a broader understanding of farming.
"Waiving the membership fee will, we hope, help us reach a much wider audience, as will ensuring we have appealing content for users of different ages across various platforms."
Deputy President of the National Farmers' Union Meurig Raymond said: "This project is an effective and fun way of engaging people in farming and the hard work and skill that goes into producing food for their table. With more and more people using social media to communicate, share views and influence decisions MyFarm also tackles some of the more serious issues and involves its supporters in the day-to-day running of a real-life farm."
The experiment - based at the Trust's 1,450 acre Wimpole Home Farm in Cambridgeshire - was launched last May to encourage people to learn about day-to-day farm life and get a better understanding of where their food comes from.
The virtual farmers are able to view day-to-day farm activities via blogs from the farm team, videos and live webcams. Significantly they can also influence what happens on the farm by voting on key decisions usually made by the farmer.
As the project moves into the second year, the team behind the project are seeking to increase the number of people who take part in MyFarm, and cover a wider range of food topics.
Farm Manager Richard Morris said: "We've learnt a lot from our 5,000-strong audience over the last 12 months, especially how interested people are in following and finding out about the day-to-day running of the farm.
"The experiment has helped us deepen people's understanding of the challenges faced by farmers in the wider market place including the European and World markets, and enabled those involved to comment on a wide range of farming issues.
"It's been the animal stories that have really captured the public's hearts - both births and deaths. MyFarmers have also loved getting to know the farm team, the rare breed animals kept at Wimpole and the monthly votes which explore one particular aspect of farming in more depth, with the majority vote then carried out on the farm."
The National Trust is the country's biggest farmer and through MyFarm hopes to help people understand the issues facing farming today, the numerous and daily decisions farmers have to make, as well as the joy and the heartache which is part and parcel of farm life.
As part of the changes the Trust will also now host the experiment on its own website rather than the current microsite. It will also make broader use of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to interact with users and to encourage further discussion on food and farming issues.
Founding Farmers - those who joined in the first year - will be invited to continue as ambassadors on these platforms to encourage more people to join in; sharing the journeys they have been on over the last 12 months.
MyFarm Project Manager Andrew Cock-Starkey added: "Our members come from all over the world as well as from the UK and after a successful first year we believe we’ve established a clear demand for this kind of learning. Now we want to reach even more people and build a broader understanding of farming.
"Waiving the membership fee will, we hope, help us reach a much wider audience, as will ensuring we have appealing content for users of different ages across various platforms."
Deputy President of the National Farmers' Union Meurig Raymond said: "This project is an effective and fun way of engaging people in farming and the hard work and skill that goes into producing food for their table. With more and more people using social media to communicate, share views and influence decisions MyFarm also tackles some of the more serious issues and involves its supporters in the day-to-day running of a real-life farm."
Sunday 13 May 2012
National Trust launches legal challenge against landmark wind farm decision
The proposal would see four 126.5m wind turbines built within the setting of the Lyveden New Bield site, a place described by the Planning Inspector who granted approval for the plans as "probably the finest example of an Elizabethan garden [with a] cultural value of national if not international significance".
After planning permission was initially refused by the local Council, the development was given consent on appeal in March 2012. The three organisations started legal proceedings on 23 April under section 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. It is extremely rare for English Heritage and the National Trust to pursue legal action and it is the first time that East Northamptonshire Council has ever taken a case to this level.
Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust explained the decision to take the matter to the Administrative Court: "We fully support renewable energy and have made our own commitment to halve our dependence on fossil fuels by 2020. We have also backed a number of wind proposals where scale and setting have been considered appropriate.
"However, the decision to allow a development of this size so close to one of the country's most treasured historic places is both damaging to Lyveden New Bield and could have serious implications for other heritage sites across the UK."
As a Grade I listed building, registered park and garden and scheduled ancient monument, Lyveden New Bield's unfinished Elizabethan lodge and gardens have the highest heritage designation possible. The wind turbines would be prominent, modern structures in a landscape that still evokes the character of Lyveden New Bield's historic Rockingham Forest surroundings. The turbines would be visible from almost everywhere on the property.
Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: "Our challenge to his decision is not simply about the balance of professional judgement between heritage and renewable energy. The Inspector did not adequately take into account the contribution that Lyveden New Bield's historic and rural surroundings make to its immense significance."
Leader of East Northamptonshire Council, Steven North added: "It is regrettable that it has come to this, but we fully support this legal challenge and will be working closely with the National Trust and English Heritage to protect this heritage site."
Productivity Stifled by Companies Overlooking the Environment
Companies and organisations that don’t take
their environmental responsibilities seriously enough are less likely to
benefit from a productive and motivated workforce, a study has revealed.
Commissioned as part of Green Office Week, which begins today, Monday 14th May, the study of 1,000 office workers demonstrates that over half of the UK’s office workers feel they would be happier and more productive at work if the companies they work for were more supportive of their efforts to be green.
UK workers are twice as likely to be green at home as they are at work and eight out of ten Britons said they were disappointed that their company didn’t lead the way with more green initiatives.
Despite the clear link between being green and being happy, 41% of office workers said they had previously found themselves in an awkward situation with their bosses simply for trying to positively implement green practices at work.
One in ten said they are actively discouraged from recycling at work by their company, meaning that while the nation happily recycles and conserves energy at home, when getting to work these efforts are undermined.
A further 40% say they would avoid suggesting greener working initiatives because they wouldn’t want to be seen as ‘nagging’, which could reflect badly on their career prospects.
And, one in ten office workers go as far as stating they would look for another job if they felt their company’s environmental efforts were not being taken seriously enough.
A staggering 60% of office workers say they are influenced on whether to apply for a job or not by a company’s environmental credentials, meaning companies who don’t take the environment seriously may be missing out on top working talent.
Time for Change
Green Office Week’s Gregg Corbett said: “These findings demonstrate that many UK companies still think that they don’t have the time or finances to implement greener working practices into how they operate. This is despite evidence demonstrating that being green can bring real cost-saving and productivity benefits to companies.”
“We spend a third of our lives at work and more than half of UK workers feel they would be noticeably happier and more positive if it was easier for them to be more environmentally friendly. With this in mind, there’s never been a better time for change.”
Bigger and better than ever before, Green Office Week 2012 features a unique Green League with points and prizes for the greenest UK workers and a special Junk Modelling Challenge that will prove being green can be great fun too.
Full of hints and tips to help you and your business green your workplace, the week’s daily themes will help guide you on some of the most important things you can practically implement. To find out more about Green Office Week 2012, simply register at www.greenofficeweek.eu.
Wednesday 9 May 2012
Celebrities, Politicians and Businesses supporting Save the Bengal Tiger Week
Save the Bengal Tiger Week
is launching 14th May, with over 500 restaurants, renowned
celebrities and politicians backing this vital campaign to help save the
Bengal tiger from extinction.
During Save The Bengal Tiger Week, the British Curry Club has recruited over 500 Indian restaurants nationwide to pledge their support, by providing a 3 course meal for a bargain £20.00. The Royal Bengal Tiger is synonymous with the Indian sub-continent and its culture. The Sundarbans Tiger Project has therefore joined forces with The British Curry Club and its members.
Mike Ahmed of the British Curry Club says;“We are calling on the nations army of curry lovers to support Save the Bengal Tiger Week by visiting restaurants in their local area and beyond. What’s more the special tiger menu that’s on offer, has been especially tailored to cater for the UK taste buds and features the top ten curry dishes as voted by the British public in Chaat magazine”
During the week, events will take place nationwide to help raise awareness of the campaign and the plight of the Bengal tigers.To get involved and buy tickets for the restaurants please visit http://www.savethebengaltiger.co.uk.
Chris Packham – Really Wild Show
"I've been involved in Wildlife for my work both as a presenter and a wildlife photographer for more than two decades now and have a keen interest in what goes on in this area. I'm well aware of the plight of the Bengal tiger and think that projects like Save the Bengal Tiger Week are a great way to help highlight the danger these tigers face of extinction.
Chris Packham – Really Wild Show “I wish the Save the Bengal Tiger Week every success and the Sundarbans Tiger project overall”
Amanda Protheroe Thomas - Presenter
”Saving the Bengal tiger in today’s society is vital with so many beautiful species under threat from extinction. Having worked as a wildlife presenter and seen animals such as these up close you realise how precious they are and how important it is to save them from the threat of poachers. I offer my support to Save the Bengal tiger Week and wish it much success”
During Save The Bengal Tiger Week, the British Curry Club has recruited over 500 Indian restaurants nationwide to pledge their support, by providing a 3 course meal for a bargain £20.00. The Royal Bengal Tiger is synonymous with the Indian sub-continent and its culture. The Sundarbans Tiger Project has therefore joined forces with The British Curry Club and its members.
Mike Ahmed of the British Curry Club says;“We are calling on the nations army of curry lovers to support Save the Bengal Tiger Week by visiting restaurants in their local area and beyond. What’s more the special tiger menu that’s on offer, has been especially tailored to cater for the UK taste buds and features the top ten curry dishes as voted by the British public in Chaat magazine”
During the week, events will take place nationwide to help raise awareness of the campaign and the plight of the Bengal tigers.To get involved and buy tickets for the restaurants please visit http://www.savethebengaltiger.co.uk.
Chris Packham – Really Wild Show
"I've been involved in Wildlife for my work both as a presenter and a wildlife photographer for more than two decades now and have a keen interest in what goes on in this area. I'm well aware of the plight of the Bengal tiger and think that projects like Save the Bengal Tiger Week are a great way to help highlight the danger these tigers face of extinction.
Chris Packham – Really Wild Show “I wish the Save the Bengal Tiger Week every success and the Sundarbans Tiger project overall”
Amanda Protheroe Thomas - Presenter
”Saving the Bengal tiger in today’s society is vital with so many beautiful species under threat from extinction. Having worked as a wildlife presenter and seen animals such as these up close you realise how precious they are and how important it is to save them from the threat of poachers. I offer my support to Save the Bengal tiger Week and wish it much success”
Tuesday 8 May 2012
Version One and Virgin Trains on track for second joint environmental award
Version One, in partnership with Virgin Trains, is a finalist in the
highly acclaimed ‘Green IT Project of the Year’ category in this year’s
prestigious BusinessGreen Leaders Awards. The award winners will be
announced at a ceremony on Wednesday 4 July at the Royal Garden Hotel in
Kensington, London. This news follows the recent announcement about
Virgin Trains and Version One’s joint success in the Green IT Awards
2012.
Now in their second year, the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards bring together businesses and individuals from across the UK's green economy, showcasing how new and innovative IT technologies are being used to create more sustainable ways of doing business.
Document management and imaging software author, Version One, in partnership with Virgin Trains, is one of seven finalists in the ‘Green IT Project of the Year’ category. Using Version One’s document imaging solution, DbArchive, Virgin Trains is eliminating 150,000 A4 sheets of paper per annum, saving approximately half a million A4 sheets of paper since the implementation of DbArchive in 2008.
Andy Cross, Business Support Director for Virgin Trains says, “As a leading service driven company, we recognise that we have a responsibility to the environment. Since the project began in 2008, Version One’s document imaging solution has transformed our back office processes. With less paper, our finance department is now operating as efficiently as possible, further supporting our environmental agenda.”
The ‘Green IT Project of the Year’ category will be judged by an expert panel of 17 leading green business executives, commentators and last year’s winners. The panel includes organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund, Renewable Energy Association and Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Greg Ford, Version One's Managing Director, says, "Becoming a finalist in The BusinessGreen Leaders Awards is a coveted accolade for companies operating in the ever expanding green economy. To be shortlisted amongst such stiff competition is testament to our green initiative as well as the innovative ways in which Version One’s solutions are helping businesses, like Virgin Trains, to improve their effect on the environment."
Version One's portfolio of document management and imaging solutions enable the electronic creation, storage, retrieval, management, delivery and authorisation of business documents. By implementing Version One's systems, businesses significantly reduce their paper consumption, cutting costs and improving process efficiencies while supporting their environmental policies.
http://events.businessgreen.com/leadersawards
Now in their second year, the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards bring together businesses and individuals from across the UK's green economy, showcasing how new and innovative IT technologies are being used to create more sustainable ways of doing business.
Document management and imaging software author, Version One, in partnership with Virgin Trains, is one of seven finalists in the ‘Green IT Project of the Year’ category. Using Version One’s document imaging solution, DbArchive, Virgin Trains is eliminating 150,000 A4 sheets of paper per annum, saving approximately half a million A4 sheets of paper since the implementation of DbArchive in 2008.
Andy Cross, Business Support Director for Virgin Trains says, “As a leading service driven company, we recognise that we have a responsibility to the environment. Since the project began in 2008, Version One’s document imaging solution has transformed our back office processes. With less paper, our finance department is now operating as efficiently as possible, further supporting our environmental agenda.”
The ‘Green IT Project of the Year’ category will be judged by an expert panel of 17 leading green business executives, commentators and last year’s winners. The panel includes organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund, Renewable Energy Association and Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Greg Ford, Version One's Managing Director, says, "Becoming a finalist in The BusinessGreen Leaders Awards is a coveted accolade for companies operating in the ever expanding green economy. To be shortlisted amongst such stiff competition is testament to our green initiative as well as the innovative ways in which Version One’s solutions are helping businesses, like Virgin Trains, to improve their effect on the environment."
Version One's portfolio of document management and imaging solutions enable the electronic creation, storage, retrieval, management, delivery and authorisation of business documents. By implementing Version One's systems, businesses significantly reduce their paper consumption, cutting costs and improving process efficiencies while supporting their environmental policies.
http://events.businessgreen.com/leadersawards
That's Gardening: Swarm season starts: bees just doing what comes na...
That's Gardening: Swarm season starts: bees just doing what comes na...: Come spring-time, honey bee colonies start to build-up their numbers and if they run out of space in their hive, they swarm. The public sho...
Radisson Blu Astrid and the Park Inn Antwerp receive the Green Key
The Green Key is the international label for environmentally friendly lodging and attractions. The Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel and the Park Inn hotel in Antwerp prove with achieving the green key that they want to go the extra mile to work in a sustainable and ecologically responsible way.
Achieving the Green Key is a great recognition of all the hard work done by the environmentally conscious employees of the hotel. "The lower energy bill is a nice consequence but the most important is that due to the Green key the guests of the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel and the Park Inn Antwerp know that they are staying at an environmentally friendly accommodation," said Didier Boehlen, General Manager of the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel and the Park Inn Antwerp.
For the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel this is the second time it has received the Green Key. "The sustainable approach gave so many advantages on all levels that it was an easy choice for the Park Inn Antwerp, the sister hotel of the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel, to also make all the necessary adaptations to achieve the eco-label for the tourism industry," said Boehlen.
"On top of the efforts required for the eco-label, the Park Inn hotel Antwerp also decided to make all their offer strictly non-smoking rooms, an ecological extra that many guests appreciate. By having a sustainable business approach we save money, which we can then invest in providing the best service for our guests," Boehlen concluded.
A few examples of the green approach by the hotel are the energy manager that measures and analyses and advises on the general energy consumption of the hotel, replacing traditional light bulbs with LED-lighting and energy saving bulbs, limiting water usage with water-efficient shower heads and taps with pressure regulators, waste separation and prevention, non-smoking rooms and parking places with charging stations for electrical cars.
Monday 7 May 2012
Painting, but do it with a Conscience!
eicó has launched a brand new paint
range, eicó Zero VOC, that not only offers superior quality to
interior walls, but reassuringly contains no VOCs, whatsoever!
What are
VOCs? They are Volatile Organic Compounds are the harmful toxins most
paints emit when liquid turns to solids, ie. when the paint
dries. These toxins can linger for several weeks after application.
Independent tests conclude the new eicó Zero VOC contains 0%
VOCs.
Why are VOCs harmful? Toxins are not only harmful to the environment but to the chemically sensitive too. Asthma suffers, those with respiratory problems, eye, nose and throat irritations or allergies will all benefit from using eicó Zero VOC paints in their homes. eicó Zero VOC also offers peace of mind for parents too as the perfect choice when decorating children's bedrooms and nurseries.
Other benefits: Despite its green credentials, eicó doesn't compromise on quality and offers an extensive range of hard wearing, stunning colour options to suit the home.
RRP: From £11.95
www.eico.co.uk 0845 073 9432, to learn more about painting, but with a conscience!
Why are VOCs harmful? Toxins are not only harmful to the environment but to the chemically sensitive too. Asthma suffers, those with respiratory problems, eye, nose and throat irritations or allergies will all benefit from using eicó Zero VOC paints in their homes. eicó Zero VOC also offers peace of mind for parents too as the perfect choice when decorating children's bedrooms and nurseries.
Other benefits: Despite its green credentials, eicó doesn't compromise on quality and offers an extensive range of hard wearing, stunning colour options to suit the home.
RRP: From £11.95
www.eico.co.uk 0845 073 9432, to learn more about painting, but with a conscience!
Sunday 6 May 2012
That's Gardening: Workshop; gardening for wildlife with green roofs ...
That's Gardening: Workshop; gardening for wildlife with green roofs ...: Q Lawns' are hosting a wildlife gardening workshop on thursday 12th July 2012. Starting with a light breakfast at Brandon House Hotel on...
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