Greenliving May/June 2010 by Flavour Magazine

greenliving

Your lifestyle guide to all things eco...

! W E N O THE ST

May/June 2010

magazine

T E H WON T U SO lONd &

Kevin McCloud Why driving an Aston Martin could still make you an ecologist

Solar Energy The newest addition to the Glastonbury line-up

Sweeter Dreams

WIN!

A break at an eco-luxe cottage in the Cotswolds!

Going organic between the sheets

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Win a break at an eco-luxe holiday cottage in the Cotswolds Primrose Valley Hotel are giving one lucky greenliving reader the chance to WIN a two night stay throughout March and April. To enter, simply email info@greenlivingmag.co.uk stating your name, address, phone number, and where you got your copy of the magazine - good luck! Terms & conditions apply.

Set in the outstanding Cotswolds area, The Chestnuts is a beautiful eco-luxe holiday cottage run as a Carbon Neutral Business and is a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.Â

he main part of the cottage dates back to the 1850s. It has many original features including a curved stone stairway, beamed ceilings and a large inglenook fireplace with bread oven. The original building has recently been extended and today the property comprises three bedrooms, two lounges, two luxury bathrooms and a separate spa style shower room. All the rooms are designed in soothing neutral colours with original art works and artifacts.

maintain the garden organically, source natural fabrics and buy either organic or fairtrade where possible.

The owners are committed to reducing waste and encouraging sustainability, providing recycling bins, compost bins and reusable shopping bags to their guests. They also

Every care is taken to use and provide for guests products that are kinder to the planet, resulting in a heavenly getaway where luxury and sustainability meet.

The holiday cottage is run as a Carbon Neutral Enterprise and offset any carbon emissions that they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eliminate with the company co2balance, who audit them annually and put a portion of their contribution to the planting of trees on land adjacent to Summercombe Wood in Somerset.

The Chestnuts are giving one lucky greenliving reader the chance to WIN a mid-week stay (Monday-Friday) between September and November. To enter, simply email info@greenlivingmag.co.uk stating your name, address, phone number and where you got your copy of the magazine â&#x20AC;&#x201C; good luck! Terms and Conditions: Not redeemable during bank holidays or school holidays.

May / June 2010

greenliving Editor: Holly Aurelius-Haddock holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk

Welcome...

Assistant Editor: Faye Allen faye@greenlivingmag.co.uk Art Director: Chris Jones designer@greenlivingmag.co.uk

Isn’t it funny what you remember as a child?

Designer: Daniel Wild designer@greenlivingmag.co.uk Advertising: Simon Temme simon@greenlivingmag.co.uk Contributors: Molly Conisbee, Bill Gething, Rebecca Gooch, Richard Spalding, Guy Watson. greenliving Magazine 151-153 Wick Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 4HH Tel: 01179 779188 | Visit: www.greenlivingmagazine.co.uk Please send any comments or suggestions to the publisher at the above address. For general enquiries: Peter Francomb Email: peter@greenlivingmag.co.uk © Copyright 2010 greenliving. All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without permission of greenliving. While we take care to ensure that reports, reviews and features are accurate, greenliving accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from the content of this publication. The opinions expressed or advice given are the views of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of greenliving

greenliving provides effective communication through design. We specialise in brochures, corporate identity, advertising, direct mail, marketing and design for print. We have a reputation for clear, creative solutions to communication problems for a number of corporate, sports, financial, charity and leisure industry clients. We maintain the highest of standards, throughout each individual project and our client relationship. We pride ourselves on delivering distinctive designs and ideas that will get you noticed.

Most of my stand out memories are those you’d expect for someone so hopelessly clumsy: the moment of dread before losing my footing on the stairs (a weekly occurence), the pungent smell of antiseptic and the instant consolation of a Winnie the Pooh plaster. dicing with death aside, the sense of pride in having a gold star sellotaped onto my itchy school jumper is also firmly etched into my memory. This badge of honour, worn until worn out, was a blissful reminder that I’d surpassed someone’s expectations of me. In adult life these tangible rewards for good work are a little thinner on the ground, but not impossible to find. I’ve been overwhelmed by the kind letters, emails and phone calls we’ve received following the launch of greenliving, and it’s been wonderful to hear that people love the magazine as much as we do. Almost as wonderful as those treasured gold stars... Between catching up with household hero Kevin McCloud (page 21), finding out how solar energy is Glastonbury Festival’s newest innovation (page 16) and seeking out our favourite green goodies on the high street (page 12), we’ve rewarded ourselves by discovering the secret to a truly peaceful and well-deserved night’s sleep (page 32). Change starts with us. Holly Aurelius-Haddock. holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk

Competition Terms & Conditions In addition to any specifically stated terms and conditions, the following applies to all competitions. All information forms part of the rules. All entrants are deemed to have accepted the rules and agree to be bound by them. The winner will be the first entry drawn at random from all the correct entries received by the closing date and will be notified by either post, email or telephone. The prizes are as stated; they are non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered. All entrants must be at least 18 years old. Competitions are open to UK residents only. One entry per person. Proof of postage is not proof of entry. greenliving accepts no responsibility for entries lost or damaged in the post. Entrants agree to take part in any publicity material relating to the competition. The name of the winner will be published in the next edition. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Prizes do not include unspecified extras (such as travel). All prizes are subject to availability. Please state if you do not wish to receive any further correspondence from greenliving or competition organisers. You may be required to collect your prize.

May / June 2010

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greenliving

contents

Welcome to greenliving!

you

your home

your planet

WIN! A break at an eco-luxe cottage in the Cotswolds

BRIGHT STARS Ex-Changing Rooms star Oliver Heath makes going green look gorgeous

SOLAR ENERGY The newest addition to the Glastonbury line-up

GREEN GOODIES Planet-friendly treats you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be without

KEVIN MCCLOUD Why driving an Aston Martin could still make you an ecologist

INSPIRING STORIES Church farm seeks to connect people back to the land

GREEN AND CLEAN Our favourite alternatives to synthetic cleaning products

PLANET WORTH SAVING Inspiring photography from around the globe

SWEETER DREAMS Going organic between the sheets

We hope you enjoy this issue of greenliving. We would love to know your thoughts so please get in touch. Email holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk or write to us at 151-153 Wick Road, Bristol BS4 4HH

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March May//April June 2010

May/June 2010 A GREENER TOMORROW...

Meet the team... With every issue we offer the latest eco news and advice from some of the sector’s most prominent figures:

RICHARD SPALDING Richard Spalding teaches Human Geography and Environment Studies at UWE in Bristol. Whilst sitting as the Chair of South Gloucestershire Local Food and Drinks Partnership and Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust, he also finds time to grow a few vegetables of his own too!

BILL GETHING Architect Bill Gething was a long-standing partner of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios before setting up an independent consultancy last year. He has contributed to the practice's international reputation for sustainable design and is currently a member of the Royal Institute of British Architect’s Climate Change Board.

GUY WATSON Having founded Riverford Organic, Guy Watson has always been fired by a passion for good food combined with traditional farming principles. Determined to loosen the supermarkets stranglehold on quality and supply, Guy Watson deals fairly with everybody, which remains an intrinsic value to the businesses operation.

THE SOIL ASSOCIATION With their fingers firmly on the pulse, the UK’s leading organic organisation keeps us informed on the latest campaigns and community programmes promoting planet friendly food and farming methods.

The past 20 years have seen a growing realisation that the current model of development is unsustainable. In other words, we are living beyond our means. From the loss of biodiversity with the felling of rainforests or over fishing to the negative effect our consumption patterns are having on the environment and the climate. Our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet. The increasing stress we put on resources and environmental systems such as water, land and air cannot go on forever. Especially as the world's population continues to increase and we already see a world where over a billion people live on less than a dollar a day. The goal of sustainable development is to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations. Unless we start to make real progress toward reconciling these contradictions we face a future that is less certain and less secure. We need to make a decisive move toward more sustainable development. Not just because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is in our own long-term best interests. It offers the best hope for the future. Whether at school, in the home or at work, we all have a part to play. Our small everyday actions add up to make a big difference. Spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

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News If you have any news or events that you would like to share with us here at greenliving then email info@greenlivingmag.co.uk

Green Party Victory Green Party leader Caroline Lucas has become the first ever candidate in the party to be elected into parliament after winning the seat of Brighton Pavilion in this year’s general election. With Labour coming second and the Conservatives finishing third, The Green Party won with 31.3% of the vote. Commenting just after her victory, she said: “Thank you so much for putting the politics of hope above the politics of fear. This isn’t just a moment when one MP out of more than 600 is elected. It’s where a whole political party takes, for the first time, its rightful place in our parliament.”

Co-op Fortnight

A Wheely Great Invitation! The Electric Transport Shop, Bristol’s first dedicated electric cycle retailer and repair centre would like to invite greenliving readers to the launch of their new shop in Easton.

From June 19 June – 3 July cooperatives nationwide will be taking part in a co-operative fortnight. Whether you are in a co-operative already or new to the whole idea, the two-week campaign aims to promote and introduce people to the benefits of the co-operative sector in several areas including the financial services, public services, housing, agriculture and food. Co-operatives are not just supermarkets and funeral services,

although these are amongst the most successful models found on the high street. There are in fact over 4800 independent co-operatives in the UK owned by more than 11 million people and the numbers keep on growing. Visit the website to find out more information and how you can get involved within your area: www.thereisanalternative.coop

The event promises lots of demonstrator bikes to try, not to mention plenty of refreshments and cake! Saturday 5 June 12-3pm at The Electric Transport Shop, St. Gabriels Business Park, Easton, Bristol BS5 0RT. 0117 955 2271 www.electricbikesales.co.uk

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greenliving_news

greenliving is proud to be working with Green Tomato Cars, the environmentally friendly private hire service who not only use the ecofriendly Toyota Prius to get you from A to B, but offset their carbon emissions too. T: 020 8568 0022 W: www.greentomatocars.com If you’re reading this as a Green Tomato passenger, then send us an email to info@greenlivingmag.co.uk for a chance to win a break in luxury eco accommodation! See page 4 for more information.

Good Hair Day Up to 5,000 barrels of oil a day are gushing into the sea after a BPoperated Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico at the end of April. Analysts say the spill could rival the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster as the worst in US history. Communities across the globe have been pulling together to ‘mop up’ the spill with hair. Hair, fur and sheep’s wool stuffed into nylon tights are the latest tools in the Deepwater Horizon clean up. Hair is adsorbent rather than absorbent so oil clings to the many tiny scales on each follicle. Matter of Trust runs an international Hair for Oil Spills

programme that collects off-cuts from hair salons and pet groomers, sheep farmers and of course, individuals.

BuildStore BuildStore’s self-build courses, hosted at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon are back by popular demand. The course is for first-time self builders to help them learn and understand the principles, skills and key decisions involved in building a home, giving them the insider knowledge, practical skills and confidence they too need to get their projects off the ground. In just five days, delegates can learn everything they need to know to make their home building project a success. Self-build courses run from 4-8 October 2010 or 15-19 November 2010 and the price for all five modules is £300 (plus VAT). Individual modules cost £75 (plus VAT). 0845 2234455 www.buildstore.co.uk/courses

www.matteroftrust.org

Eco Workshops

Quest Quest is in its 15th Year and has become a real focal point of the early summer in the South West. The event is a meeting place for local complementary therapists and green businesses to interact, network, share and support each other. There are informative and inspiring workshops and well over 100 stalls for you to browse, as well as a great line-up of musicians and talks from leaders of the green movement. Don’t miss this local event where you meet people you know, get inspired and feel part of your local community. Grounds open 8am–11pm with free workshops and music. Book your day ticket in advance for £7.50. 3 day tickets £20. Book online at www.questuk.co.uk or call 01803 762674

May / June 2010

Eco workshops, taking place at the same venue, are the ideal solution for those who want to get advice, on a one-to-one basis from an expert or simply want to sit in on a few seminars and simply up the knowledge about heat and energy solutions for the home. You’ll be able to dig deep for information on all the eco technologies on the market and find out what new systems could be available soon. Find out what's new, what works and what is practical for your home: this is your opportunity to get the facts straight from the experts and join in the discussions. Eco Workshops: Sustainable Heat & Energy Solutions is on 12 June 2010 and are free of charge. 0845 2234455 www.mykindofhome.co.uk

A warm welcome and personal attention awaits you $ ZD U P ZH O F R PH D Q G S H U V R Q D O D W W H Q W L R Q D ZD L W V \ R X at the Whipsiderry Hotel. Set within its own grounds D W W K H :K L S V L G H U U \ +R W H O 6H W ZL W K L Q L W V R ZQ J U R X Q G V of over two acres, the Whipsiderry is a peaceful R I R Y H U W ZR D F U H V W K H :K L S V L G H U U \ L V D S H D F H I X O family run hotel, an ideal location for exploring all I D PL O \ U X Q K R W H O D Q L G H D O O R F D W L R Q I R U H [ S O R U L Q J D O O &R U Q ZD O O K D V W R R I I H U Cornwall has to offer. 6X U U R X Q G H G E \ U R O O L Q J F O L I I V E H D X W L I X O E O X H V H D V Surrounded by rolling cliffs, beautiful blue seas, J R O G H Q V D Q G V D Q G D Q D E X Q G D Q F H R I Z L O G O L I H :K L S golden sands and an abundance of wildlife, V L G H U U \ +R W H O K D V D S D Q R D PL F Y L H Z R I 1H Z X D \ Whipsiderry Hotel has aU panoramic view ofT 3R U W K %H D F K D Q G %D \ Zand L W K E U H D W K W D N L Q J V H D D Q G Newquay, Porth Beach Bay with breathtaking F R X Q W U \ V L G H Y L H ZV views. sea and countryside

bright stars

I started by studying architecture at Oxford Brookes for six years before I went on to work as an exhibition designer. I won a competition in 1998 through BBC2 where I was awarded Young Designer of the Year and from this I was offered TV work. I started off in Changing Rooms because I thought there was something missing in their repertoire of designers and haven’t looked back.

My most recent show, Dream Homes follows people building their own home. We visit many inspirational buildings that may have encouraged and influenced the person who is building their home to do something more exciting. This building might be in England or Europe or even America. We meet some amazing architects and visit some astonishing sites.

I always did really enjoy taking part in Changing Rooms. It was a high turnover of ideas and projects and was a very creative time. It was stimulating and challenging. I don’t think people’s view of makeover shows has changed since I took part in the show – they still enjoy seeing transformations happen. We go from what is essentially a wreck of a building or room to something beautiful.

Very contemporary design can be alienating – cold and impersonal. The spaces I create are spaces you feel happy and relaxed in. All those pieces that have knocks and scratches take the harder edge off of contemporary pieces. In a way it’s important to get the balance between form and function.

I was a windsurfing instructor for five or six years growing up in Brighton. When you are teaching windsurfing you are really teaching people to look after themselves in harsh conditions and to respect the environment because it can very easily get the better of them. Equally these are messages that are transferred into my architectural studies. The idea of working with nature makes more sense than trying to constantly keep it out.

I’m currently doing an eco refurb of my own home and I’m very aware of what the costs are. We spent about a year and a half looking for a house in Brighton that was near enough to the centre that we could walk or cycle in. It’s a 1960’s detached house and is a great place to get eco experimenting with. It has a sweet little garden with a veg patch and somewhere for our kids to play. It’s not the obvious beautiful house that you might expect of a designer but I think it’s going to be great once we have finished the work.

I’m really interested in the future of design and where architecture is going to go. It seems to make no sense that architecture affects the environment unnecessarily. It doesn’t need to. There are so many new technologies, new materials and such creativity out there that it’s very easy to adopt a sustainable lifestyle without it impacting too much on our current lifestyle.

May / June 2010

Oliver Heath S

pecialising in environmentally sustainable architecture and eco interiors, Oliver Heath has his finger firmly on the green pulse. He made his debut on Changing Rooms back in 2000 and is currently filming a new series of Dream Homes. discover his inspirational designs in his latest book Urban Eco Chic. 11

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Figs and Rouge Bodycare Figs and Rouge bodycare range combines natural and vintage inspired aromas with organic ingredients. Stylish, elegant and natural enough for everyday use, this gorgeous range nourishes and moisturises from head to toe with no harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances or parabens.

Mud Hut Company With a passion for beautiful interiors, the Mud Hut Company holds at its heart great design and sustainable practice. Like all of the Mud Hut products, these stunning tiles are handmade using ancient techniques and are fired to earthenware. No two items are the same, and glazes and surfaces are often deliberately distressed to have a worn-in and tactile appearance of age-old items.

T: 020 7272 7233 W: www.ecoutlet.co.uk FROM

ÂŁ 3.40

Inspiration for these unique tiles is drawn from medieval tiles in castles and churches, to Kasbahs and Moghul Indian designs. Tiles can be supplied unsealed or pre-sealed with linseed oil for waxing acheiving a warm look. All are stunning designs that capitalise on the natural colours of different clays and natural pigments. T: 01179 616773 W: www.mudhutcompany.com

Woven Bags The woven bamboo handle bag is an elegant woven bag, equally suited to special occasions or trips to the shops. Made using recycled juice packs which have been ingeniously woven around two circular handles of lacquered bamboo, the bags are produced by a co-operative of 500 female workers in the Philippines and traded according to Fairtrade principles.

ÂŁ16.99

T: 020 7272 7233 W: www.ecoutlet.co.uk

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£ 3.99

Catnip Mice

Handmade using vintage fabric, these gorgeously cute little figures are stuffed with felt wadding and organic catnip, perfect for a spot of cat and mouse playtime. The mice are a perfect shape for cats to flip and chase and come with a lovely long cord tail so owners can join in with the fun too. T: 020 7272 7233

W: www.ecoutlet.co.uk

Whitstable Bucket BBQ With summer just around the corner, this Whitstable BBQ offers a goodvalue reusable alternative to disposables. Measuring 30 x 33cm, the Whitstable BBQ is made from galvanised steel and consists of three parts; the bucket, a tray that sits inside the bucket where the charcoal goes and the griddle on top. Portable and sturdy, when the warm weather calls for it, the BBQ bucket can be easily carried from the back garden to the beach, neighbours garden or park for a spontaneous barbecue.

Tree Hugging Squirrel Design is a family business specialising in creating inspirational bespoke wooden structures that encourage a greater appreciation and enjoyment of our outdoor environment. Their tree houses range from smaller, magical hideaway spaces to larger, adventurous schemes including rope walkways, trapdoors, zip wires and more. Their garden retreats on the other hand include beautifully crafted carbon friendly eco-lodges, using materials such as sheep’s wool insulation and timber cut from sustainably managed forests.

T: 020 7272 7233 W: www.ecoutlet.co.uk

£ 21

Each Squirrel Design project is carefully and individually designed, and skilfully built to provide customers with a wonderful space to spend time in – for play, leisure, education and living. T: 01454 238967 W: www.squirreldesign.co.uk

May / June 2010

greenliving_solar energy

A common misconception in the UK is that you have to live in the middle of the Mediterranean to benefit from solar energy, when in fact the British climate offers the ideal conditions for this green energy alternative. With the National Grid buying back your unused energy as well as a whole host of other cash incentives, solar is an increasingly more viable option both environmentally and economically, enabling you to avoid the increasing cost of depleting fossil fuels. In this issue, greenliving finds out about an exciting new project set to change the fields of Glastonbury for the better and also seeks out the best local experts on the subjectâ&#x20AC;Ś

Catch the sun

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Y Solarsense Michael Eavis, founder of the renowned Glastonbury Festival, the largest contemporary music and performing arts festival in the world, will set another record in August this year when work commences on a new Photovoltaic solar system at Worthy Farm in Somerset. The site of the Glastonbury Festival will now be home to a 200kW solar Photovoltaic system, the largest domestic solar system in the UK and over 50 times the size of the standard PV systems normally being installed on households. The project will see over 1100 solar panels cover the roof of one of large cattle barns at Worthy Farm; if these panels were put end to end, they would stretch for 1.5km. Solarsense UK Ltd, an award-winning installer based in Bristol, has been working with Mr. Eavis on this project since early 2007. With 16 years’ of experience in the business, and over 3000 commercial and domestic

installations on their portfolio, Solarsense are in a good position to deliver Mr. Eavis with a system that will cater to his financial and ethical specifications. One of Mr Eavis’s wishes was that all equipment used in the installation should be British-made and to this end Romag, a glass specialist and solar panel manufacturer based in Durham, have been selected as the panel of choice for the project.

or maintenance costs of any PV system, he will continue to reap the financial benefits in years to come. The Clean Energy Cashback Scheme is not limited to large installations however. Any person installing a PV system on their property will be eligible to receive up to 41.3p per unit, tax free, for every kWh their system generates. With the

“The site of the Glastonbury festival

The recent launch of the will now be home to a 200kW solar Clean Energy Cashback Photovoltaic system, the largest Scheme has enabled the project to be not just domestic solar system in the UK... green, but also a sound if these panels were put end to end, financial investment for the Glastonbury founder. they would stretch for 1.5km” With the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme, Mr. Eavis can expect a return on his cool clear conditions in the South West, a investment of up to 12%, which medium-sized domestic system of translates into an annual income of at 2.1kWp would be expected to generate least £60,000. With the minimal running around 2000 such units per year. Maybe that’s why The Financial Times asked its readers, “It makes you wonder why you’d bother with an ISA this year, doesn't it?” Solarsense will be keeping a blog about progress on the Glastonbury project at www.solarsense-uk.com. Also available on the Solarsense home page is the Clean Energy Cashback Calculator, whereby homeowners interested in PV can see in real figures what financial benefits are available for those getting involved in green energy. T: 01275 394139 W: www.solarsense-uk.com

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Y Fair Energy Fair Energy is a community interest company specialising in seamless, full service transitions to renewable heating for domestic and commercial customers. Put simply, they design, install and integrate solar thermal hot water systems as well as wood fuel biomass boilers. As a community interest company they also have social enterprise goals, helping individuals and communities take control of renewable heating to give them energy independence, lower fuel costs and lower CO2 emissions.

Their ultimate aim is to help alleviate global fuel poverty and encourage secure and affordable energy to fuel our future. Also since Fair Energy are MCS certified, it means all their solar thermal and wood fuel installations will be eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive, where the government reimburses participants for using renewable heat energy. T: 0845 12 66 555 W: www.fairenergy.org.uk

Y Plug in to the Sun These guys were the first solar PV installer in Cornwall and offer professional installations for homeowners, business, community groups, housing associations, schools and councils. For those who are thinking of making the switch they offer a free no obligation site survey followed up with a fixed price quote and detailed plan. Based in Penzance and working throughout Cornwall and Devon, Plug Into The Sun pride themselves on top quality installation and professional customer service. T: 0844 800 9512 W: www.plugintothesun.co.uk

Y Ecocetera Ecocetera is a Bristol based renewable energy company who are passionate about helping homeowners reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power. They specialise in solar photovoltaic systems that convert the sun’s energy directly into electricity. The electricity supply feeds the house first of all and any surplus energy is exported to the National Grid, not wasted.

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Because solar systems don’t need direct sunlight to produce electricity but actually operate more efficiently at lower temperatures, they‘re perfect for our British climate –have a look at their website for local success stories! T: 01179 590580 W: www.ecocetera.com

SOAK UP THE SUN

sue darlison designer –– maker of fine furniture

and save money on your bills

Timeless contemporary classics for home, work & public spaces. Made with care & creativity using local, ethically sourced materials.

A seamless transition to renewable heating

Call 0845 12 66 555 or visit www.fairenergy.org.uk for your free quotation

Wild Mary Ellis Natural beauty and well being Organic facials Manicures/Pedicures Male and female waxing Natural Mineral Makeup Organic and chemical free skin care Natural plant wax candles REFLEXOLOGY HYPNOTHERAPY AROMATHERAPY REIKI MASSAGE SOUL READINGS PAST LIFE REGRESSION CRYSTAL WORKSHOPS

www.wildmaryellis.co.uk 5 Market Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LH, 01225 866470

greenliving_eco veggie fayre

Eco veggie fayre The Bristol Eco Veggie Fayre (May 29th and 30th) is one of the world’s biggest gatherings of veggie food and a must visit even if you’re a meat eater!

Some of the UK’s finest veggie food producers gather together at the first ever Bristol Eco Veggie Fayre on Saturday May 29th and Sunday 30th 2010, with the organisers expecting up to eight thousand people through the door to experience the delights of one of the UK’s fastest growing lifestyle choices – the veggie diet. Some choose to be veggie for health reasons, others make the choice because they are concerned about the welfare of animals and others go meat free due to environmental issues. No matter the reason, a growing number of people are going veggie for one reason only – the outstanding food! Veggie food has long since shed the earnest but rather dull hippy image of the ‘70s and with leading UK veggie caterers at the Bristol Eco Veggie Fayre alongside some award-winning food producers, there is a huge choice to be had. “Visitors to the show will be spoilt for choice when it comes to what to eat,” says organiser Tim Barford from Bristol based hemp firm Yaoh. “There is an incredible selection of really tasty food on offer and all of it is 100% plant based. We have over 100 stalls at the event with some amazing products on offer, including bodycare and clothes, plus loads of information – it’s a

May / June 2010

really good way to find out just how good the veggie lifestyle can be.” The weekend will include 48 talks and cookery demos as well as an entertainments arena with three stages. Saturday’s headliners are Roots Manuva and there will be a gypsy music theme with 3 Daft Monkeys on Sunday. You can also find a licensed bar, a kids area, a green homes zone, an eco cinema and an art exhibition. There really is a full line up to suit all tastes and with an advance admission price each day of just £6 for adults and £3 for kids and OAPs, Tim is expecting a full house.

“There’s a real increase of interest in anything eco-friendly and especially in Bristol which has a huge population of veggies already,” adds Tim, “and with such an excellent variety of products, food, experts and information available, it’s going to be a busy and exciting weekend.”

Tickets are now on sale at www.yaoh.co.uk/catalog For more information: www.bristol.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk The show is organised by Yaoh and sponsored by Beanie’s Health Foods, Bute Island, Vitamix, Natural Balance, Activeg, The Spark, Viva!, Cook Vegetarian, Chunkies, Excellart, VeggieVision, and Foods for Life Tel: 01179 239053

greenliving_kevin mccloud

This month household hero and environmentalist Kevin McCloud tells Rebecca Gooch why the recession has been a tonic for sustainability and why being green is purely a state of mind…

If Kevin McCloud weren’t so green, you’d call him prime time gold. The Somersetbased presenter of Grand Designs – the hit show which follows self-builders in pursuit of excellence – has been described as the David Attenborough of the construction site. “Hmph,” he snorts dismissively, unimpressed by the glowing epithets. “All stuff to fill newspapers with.” What admirable modesty. He has even described himself as “a piece of telly fluff”. While the 52-year-old may not have a big head, he certainly has big viewing figures.

Kevin McCloud

Although he predicted back at kick-off in 1998 that Grand Designs would probably only be watched by “a few surveyors”, it’s now the highest-rated programme on Channel 4, watched by around 4 million people per episode, and bought by 127 countries. “It’s the stories that make it popular, the human condition,” he says. “Homebuilding is one of the last big adventures we can all go on, and it’s tangible, something everybody could do. I’ve met people who live in council flats in Sheffield who love the programme. Not because they’ll ever have the money to even buy a house let alone build one, but because they connect to the people who are doing it. They see the difficulties they are going through, and it’s a dream they all have.”

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greenliving_kevin mccloud

“To drive a Toyota Prius 50 miles a day to and from work doesn’t make you an ecologist. If you have an Aston Martin in the garage and you walk or cycle the short journey, that makes you an ecologist.”

Although Kevin puts the show’s appeal down to the human stories involved, his own erudite and enthusiastic input has been just as integral to its huge success. Surprisingly, he’s big on sustainability, recycling, anti-acquisitiveness and ‘retrofurbing’ – the refurbing and upgrading of the old, rather than replacing with the new. And after a filming trip to the Dahravi slums of Mumbai late last year, he’s also bigger than ever in his conviction that our homes, environment and how they contribute to social interaction are absolutely crucial to our happiness. The people he lived with had few possessions, and lived side by side in corrugated shacks, where every inch of space had a multi-function, which engendered natural sociability. “Because women don’t have huge kitchens, they rinse their pots in the street. That has to be the most civilised, sociable way of doing the washing-up – outside in the sun, chatting to your neighbours. It’s all about people sharing things. It’s about making sure people are happy where they are living and content to stay there,

rather than treat their homes as an isolated box that is part of their pension plan or investment portfolio.” Having “things” does not make us happy, he insists. He hates buying new stuff, grows a lot of the food he eats and only really uses the supermarket to buy loo rolls. But he does admit spending “a frightening amount of money” on rare and specialist design books, and is fond of his two highly sustainable bespoke Harris Tweed suits, one green and one blue, which he had especially made for filming – even if they can get a bit whiffy… “Traditionally they would soak the cloth in urine during part of the dyeing process, so when it rains you worry you’ll start smelling like an incontinent Scotsman.” Yet, of all his possessions the one that gives him most pleasure is, perhaps surprisingly, his little diesel Volvo C30. “I love that car – it’s beautiful inside, funky outside and does 70 to the gallon. I don’t have to drive a car like a dodgem!” “It’s interesting that all the people who write about happiness, like

Oxford Professor Avner Offer in his book ‘The Challenge of Affluence’, say that since the war we have immeasurably increased our standard of living in Britain, and we have also increased our happiness. But actually our happiness sort of peaked in the mid-’70s, and frankly we could have got by with a lot less material improvements to maintain the same standards of happiness and self-worth. “The point is that happiness doesn’t come from material benefit – it’s from family and relationships, it’s that simple. What we need to be doing, in all of our social housing schemes and eco towns, is planning for better social interactivity and more social cohesion. And you can do that by giving people shared gardens and shared space and all kinds of shared facilities. Fundamentally, it’s dependent on people talking to each other over the washing line, isn’t it?" He’s putting his money where his mouth is on that one, with a £19 million project to build 200 eco-homes near Swindon. This brave venture only came about when a similar eco-development project in Cornwall that Grand Designs had been due to follow suddenly fell through when the

May / June 2010

greenliving_kevin mccloud

“The point is that happiness doesn’t come from material benefit – it’s from family and relationships… Fundamentally, it’s dependent on people talking to each other over the washing line, isn’t it?” contractor decided he didn’t want to be filmed. “So it just ground to a halt, and slightly in desperation I said, you know what – I’ll become the developer.” In 2007 he set up his own enterprise called HAB (Happiness Architecture Beauty), and on May 27th, after ‘ploddingly slow’ progress, work finally begins on the first project; a 42 ecohome development called The Triangle. “And I’m still putting money where my mouth is!” he laughs. “It’s been painful at times, but no, I don’t regret it.” Both bureaucracy and the recession contributed to the occasional pain, he says. But he believes that one beneficial side effect of the economic crisis is that we’ve all become a little bit more thrifty – recycling and repairing, when once we might have binned and bought new. Without realising it, many of us have unknowingly joined the sustainability movement. Home for him, his interior designer wife Zani and four children, is an ‘unshowy’ 500-year-old farmhouse with 20 acres near Frome, full of retrofurbishments and eco-innovations like loft insulation made from Black Mountain sheep wool – which is one of his hand-picked Green Heroes showcasing at Grand Designs Live in London (May1-9) and Birmingham (October 8-10). He’s not just an avid fan, he’s a user of these “new, exciting, under-represented’ hero products. “I’m ordering some Heat Saver blinds and we use the scourers made from recycled plastic. We’ll be using Hemcrete on our houses in Swindon too.” But products aside, he’s a great believer that our eco-friendliness is not down to what we own, but how we use it.

one car is an eco car. It’s not the object that determines its environmental performance really; it’s how we use it. “So to drive a Toyota Prius 50 miles a day to and from work doesn’t make you an ecologist. If you have an Aston Martin in the garage and you walk or cycle the short journey, in my view that makes you an ecologist. If you run three baths every day, turn the heating up and open the windows,

it doesn’t matter how energy performing your house is…it’s about how we live. “That’s what I’m interested in – how we live.” Grand Designs Live: May 1–9, London ExCel October 8–10, NEC Birmingham www.granddesignslive.com

Kevin’s Green Heroes

Tirex carpet - doormats and carpets made from strips of reused tyres. www.interfaceflor.com

Sting fabric - Upholstery fabric made from recycled wool and fibre from stinging nettles. www.camirafabrics.com

Insulated blinds - Five-layered blinds that offer heat-saving equivalent to 85mm of fibreglass insulation. www.heatsavershades.co.uk

Combined solar panels - divert excess heat into heating water. www.newformenergy.com

EcoForce plastic products - Bath scourers, sponges and cloths made from recycled plastic. www.ecoforce.co.uk

Hemcrete - Building material made from British-grown hemp fibre and lime-based binder. www.limetechnology.co.uk

Giles Miller cardboard king Sustainable, corrugated cardboard furniture. www.gilesmiller.com

Smile plastics sheet material Sheet plastic made from recycled plastic drink bottles, yogurt pots, Cds and factory waste. www.smile-plastics.co.uk

Parans solar lighting system External panels channel sunlight via fibre optic cables into inside rooms. www.limitless.uk.com

Black Mountain sheep’s wool insulation - High performance insulating material made from the fleece of British upland sheep. www.blackmountaininsulation.com

“I give a talk now and again with some slides and I show lots of pictures of houses, and ask which is the eco one? Then I show pictures of cars, and ask the same question. Is it the restored 1972 Sunbeam? Is it the Range Rover? Is it the Smart car? The answer is none of them. No one house is an eco house, just as no

May / June 2010

greenliving_style over speed

Lose the Lycra!

lycra’s a thing of the past – this year it's all about looking chic on your bike.

Make sure you're not wearing anything too baggy that might get caught in your chain.

Consider investing in a helmet if you think it’ll help you feel more confident – or you plan on going really fast!

don’t be a sweaty Betty! Consider loose, breathable fabrics. Wear a few thin layers that you can easily remove rather than a heavy jacket or jumper.

Invest in panniers and you’ll avoid a sweaty back from your backpack.

Style over speed In a bid to get commuters from behind the wheel and onto the saddle, we offer up a few ideas on why cycling needn’t mean anything more than an easy way of getting from A to B.

or many people, the thought of cycling to work is at best a seasonal activity, at worst an impossible undertaking. A lot of this resistance to change our daily commuting routine can be put down to the same reason we criticise city 4x4 drivers: the vehicule just isn’t appropriate for the job. Or so we think. Because with a few small changes in both attitude and attire, peddling your way to the office has never been easier or more enjoyable…

SENSIBLE BIKE If you're lucky you might find one or two bikes in the corner of your average bike shop that fall into a sensible category, but everything else will probably be a mountain bike or a racer, neither of which are particularly practical. In reality, the closest the majority of people get to ‘off-

roading’ or climbing a mountain is carrying your bike up the steps to store it in the front porch! Town bikes such as Raleigh Shoppers are back in vogue again; bikes that encourage an upright position and afford the rider a far better view of the road ahead as well as redistributing your weight so that it isn’t sat on top of the handlebars, making the ride far more smooth and comfortable. Some town bikes also come with chain guards, mud guards and internal gears so you don’t have to tuck your trousers into your sock to avoid the oil or arrive with mud up your back.

SENSIBLE CLOTHING We don’t dress up to walk to the shop for a pint of milk - so why should we if we if we go by bike? Since the Cycling City Project

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greenliving_style over speed

For help and advice on what to wear, where to cycle and the best bike for you, register at www.betterbybike.info/cycletraining or call 01179 222877

was launched, women cyclists are being seen around Bristol more and more, but by no means are they clad head to foot in Day-Glo, Lycra and overshoes! Cycling enthusiasts quite rightly own all the correct kit for mountain and tour biking, but this type of kit is appropriate for the task in hand and not this 3-mile commute. The most important thing is for city cyclists to be comfortable by wearing thin layers and loose clothing – if this advice is heeded then you’re likely to arrive at work with nothing more than flushed cheeks, and the need for the office to have a shower facility becomes an excuse rather than a requirement. Many online cycling retailers and some larger high street cycling shops have a great range of female-friendly cycle clothing on offer and will happily point you in the right direction.

May / June 2010

SENSIBLE SPEED It goes without saying, but be sure to make your daily journey as safe as possible by allowing plenty of time to get there - and cycling a little slower in the process. You don’t need to tear round the city at 30mph in order to feel the benefits of leaving the car in the drive. Travelling at a sensible speed also means a more gentle form of exercise for those who are just getting back in the saddle; you might never forget how to ride a bike, but a gruelling and sweaty re-introduction to two-wheeled transport might make you want to! Cycling need be nothing more than a pleasurable and relaxed mode of transport, so let's get bikes and clothing fit for the purpose.

Switched on? Some people prefer to have a helping hand, especially when it comes to tackling the hills in and around Bristol. Electric bikes can take the strain when you’d rather not. local stockists include: Atmosphere Electric Bikes 01179 087153 Fred Baker Cycles 01179 249610 The Electric Transport Shop 01179 552271

The Electric Transport Shop

0117 955 2271

Gabriels Business Park Easton Bristol (map on website) BS5 0RT

Bristolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first dedicated electric cycle retailer and repair centre - now open in Easton.

www.electricbikesales.co.uk

greenliving_inspiring stories

Inspiring Stories:

Better Food, Better Farming

Never before has a generation been so disconnected from the land and food. The food industry has created an obesity epidemic, costing the UK billions, as well as a dependency on oil and gas to make nitrates and pesticides accounting for around 40% of the fossil fuel inputs into agriculture. This month, greenliving takes a look at a project that provides a beacon of light for the farming network and customers alike.

n 2007, the government brought out a report entitled Food Matters which caused a huge global shake up of the awareness of food production inside and outside of the UK. Food Matters highlighted the need for the government to take a more integrated approach, not only in providing information to consumers, but to our entire food policy. This need to tackle the health, social, environmental and economic challenges in the food system has been the driving force of change in recent years. It’s no secret that a point of crisis is within sight. This developing crisis has caused a resurgence of interest in local produce, farmers’ markets, box schemes, seasonality, community farms and allotments, to name but a few. One such project that sought change was Church Farm in Hertfordshire. The farm’s owner Tim Waygood took over the plot of land after growing tired of seeing tasteless, miserable looking food on supermarket shelves at inflated rates. “I’d been looking into climate change and peak oil, as well as all the other nightmarish side-effects of what gets called ‘conventional agriculture’ – eventually I knew I had to something about it”. The ethos behind the farm is founded on the belief that securing good food for all is about the careful management of the world’s natural resources by tried-andtested methods, not just a reliance on new technologies. Church Farm believes that answers lie in a radical reworking of the

May / June 2010

Tim argues, “It’s a measure of the failure of our present farming methods that the countryside is so depleted of these things.”

“People are realising that they’re surrounded by this kind of debt-fuelled illusion of satisfaction; that they’ve been overspending in a meaningless way and that it’s time to reprioritise” very best traditional methods. The Farm also recognises that not only would we benefit from fine food but also a more stable food agriculture, which would provide clear streams, teeming wildlife and thriving rural communities.

Church Farm is a modern, ecological revival of traditional mixed farming, creating an alternative to corporate supermarket consumerism. Tim asserts: “We reject desert monocultures in favour of a mixed farm that values and improves the land and the wildlife that lives on it, and that means renewing our ancient contract with animals. It also means radically altering our food system from food to fork and finally, it means reconnecting people and communities with their food and where it comes from, making farms the bustling centers of community they once were.” The farm processes and sells the food directly to customers. Tim also offers households the chance to join the farm whether that means playing an active role in the running of the farm or simply visiting and feeding the animals. “It’s all about re-imagining all that a farm can be rather than churning out commodities for mass markets – we want to provide a sustainable lifestyle. Our philosophy is to start with great food. To achieve that you need great farming, and that kind of farming can be part of a great life.” To find out more information about Church Farm call 01438 861447 or visit www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk

Upgrading your home: A whole house approach.

The Government may be planning for all new build housing to be “zero carbon” by 2016, but this month Bill Gething looks at the problem at hand – the vast extent of existing housing that will still be standing by 2050 and demonstrates why change can only begin at home. The Climate Change Act (2008), a legally binding commitment, requires that by 2050, the UK will have reduced its national carbon dioxide emissions by 80% as compared with 1990 levels. This challenging target is achievable but only by a combination of reducing our need to use energy in the first place, using and distributing what energy we do use more efficiently and reducing the emissions associated with producing energy. All aspects of our way of life need to be reassessed in these terms. Over a quarter of our total emissions are produced by our homes; over three quarters of these are from space heating and water heating, with the rest due to lighting, cooking and using all the appliances and gadgetry that appear to be an essential part of modern life. Whilst it is true that these emissions may be reduced by changing the way we produce our energy, that energy is likely to be much more expensive and probably scarcer. We therefore need to look at how to radically reduce the use of energy in the home as well as the possibilities of generating some or all of that energy on or close to our homes. Thermal standards for new homes are becoming increasingly stringent. From

2016, all new homes will be “zero carbon”. But what about all our existing homes? It has been estimated that, given how few homes we demolish, over 80% of the homes that will exist in 2050 have already been built, many of which have very poor energy performance. Almost all of these will need upgrading between now and 2050 to energy performance standards similar to the new homes of today.

buying more efficient appliances and moving towards more efficient light fittings, to more major interventions like replacing boilers, hot water cylinders and heating controls. Nevertheless, these incremental changes should be made in the context of an overall strategy for the whole house so that opportunities are exploited to their maximum potential and the individual steps complement each other.

A surprising difference can be made at no cost simply by being more careful about the way we use energy in our homes. Looking at insulation, ventilation and air tightness as well as possible renewable energy options and a reduction in water use (and hence the need to heat it) are all appropriate measures that consider a whole-house approach to energy efficiency.

Similarly more major interventions, such as improving wall insulation, may inevitably be quite disruptive. These need to be carried out to a high enough standard, similar to that of a new home, that will stand the test of time so that they will not need to be revisited in the building’s lifetime.

There may be occasions when there is an opportunity to undertake a comprehensive refurbishment, perhaps when moving into a new house, but it is more likely that improvements will happen incrementally as part of the normal cycle of maintenance and refurbishment. These will range from

Many interventions are interlinked and will only be possible, or will be better value, when carrying out other work and these offer “trigger” points where it will make sense to include energy efficiency work. For example, if a house needs re-roofing and external wall insulation is being

“The realities of what we need to do to avoid catastrophic climate change are beginning to dawn on us. New financial mechanisms are being developed but we need to make a fundamental change in our attitude to our homes”

May / June 2010

greenliving_upgrading your home

considered, it makes sense at least to extend the roof so that it will cover the external wall insulation even if the insulation work is to be carried out later. The Government recognises the scale of the challenge and also that the straight forward financial payback from some thermal upgrade measures can look pretty unattractive given the length of time people typically stay in a home.

Innovative Pay As You Save (PAYS) financial packages are also being trialled in Stroud, Birmingham, Sunderland and Sutton to test out ways of enabling householders to upgrade their homes at no upfront cost, with a loan that is linked to the property (rather than the householder) where the savings in energy costs pay off the loan over an extended period.

Re-rendering/re-pointing

Replacing boiler

New heating

Re-flooring

Re-wiring

Replacing windows

Re-plastering

Re-roofing

New bathroom

New kitchen

Adding a conservatory

MEASURES TO CONSIdER

loft conversion

possible opportunity

Extending

great opportunity

Moving in or out

OPPORTUNITY

Replacing hot water cylinder

The realities of what we need to do to avoid catastrophic climate change and to deal with diminishing reliable sources of cheap fossil fuel are beginning to dawn on us. New financial mechanisms are being developed to make it possible to finance the work involved but more importantly we need to make a fundamental change in our attitude to our homes; to make sure that we add real long term value to them by upgrading their performance rather than making cosmetic changes that in all likelihood will be ripped out by the next owner.

Their CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target) scheme, which runs until 2011, requires substantial domestic energy suppliers to make savings in the emissions of their customers predominantly by offering discounted cavity wall and loft insulation. A further ÂŁ350 million will be contributed by energy suppliers through the Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP), running until the end of 2012, offering free and discounted central heating and other energy saving measures on a street by street basis, targeting households in most need of improvement.

Wall insulation Roof insulation Floor insulation Heating controls Cylinder/pipe insulation

FURTHER READING:

Airtightness improvements Efficient ventilation Windows low energy lighting Energy efficient appliances

May / June 2010

CE309 Sustainable Refurbishment: Towards an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions, water efficiency, waste reduction and climate change adaptation. Energy Savings Trust, February 2010. Download free from www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/PublicationDownload

greenliving_soil association

A new food campaign launched by the Soil Association ‘Better Nursery Food Now’ has attracted interest from many parents, nurseries, nutritionists, caterers and cooks. Policy manager Pamela Brunton takes a look at the latest supporter to jump on the better nursery food bandwagon: the government.

Thought the Turkey Twizzler had had its chips with the school dinners campaign? Think again. Unclench your toddler’s sweaty palm and you may still uncover the remnants of a reformed meat nugget, high in fat, salt and additives that are now banished from school lunches for older children. Our youngest children are the most vulnerable to the effects of poor diet. Children’s eating habits are formed at a young age so the food they eat at nursery has a far-reaching effect on their food choices and physical health. Almost one in four children start school already overweight or obese, meaning they are more likely to suffer from serious health problems like heart disease and cancer later in life: yet there are no clear rules for the food that nurseries can serve. Last week the government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families announced that they have tasked the School Food Trust with reviewing the rules for nursery food. The SFT were responsible for putting in place the standards for school lunch that have seen such great improvement in the

quality of food served to older children, and evidence is growing of improved pupil wellbeing, better behaviour and increased ability to learn. The Trust must now follow the recommendations of the Soil Association’s Better Nursery Food campaign and put in place compulsory standards for the food served in all nurseries, to make sure every child gets the start in life they deserve. The Soil Association’s 2008 report was the first detailed investigation into the state of food fed to young children attending nurseries in England and Wales. It found wide variety in the quality of food served in early years day care. Despite the lack of authoritative guidance many nurseries do their best to serve good food, but most fall short of serving important food like oily fish, and processed foods high in salt, fat, sugar and artificial additives, that are now banned in schools, are still on offer in nurseries. More than four in every five nurseries in England and Wales are privately run and parents pay on average £35 a day for childcare, yet the report found some nurseries spend as little as 25p on ingredients for a child’s food. And

May / June 2010

greenliving_soil association

there are no rules to stop them. Over a year ago the Soil Association asked DCSF to put the School Food Trust in charge of standards for nursery food, to make sure nutrition and cookery training was available for nurseries’ cooks and care staff, and to improve the inspection of nursery food. Parents agree. In a new survey on a social networking site Mumsnet, 1,000 parents with children at nursery have told us they want strong rules for nursery food: sweets, chocolate

Case Study Abbeywood Tots, Bristol Money spent per day per pupil: 80p Organic ingredients: 100% Local ingredients: Fruit and veg from a local wholesaler. All meat from a local organic farm. Unnecessary processed food: No Parents given information on menu: Yes Parents involved in setting menus: Yes Comply with CWT guidelines: No Menu analysed by a nutritionist: No Mike Williams is the owner of three nurseries in Bristol, which are all certified organic by the Soil Association. They provide an average of 120 meals per day to children spread over three sites, and each day they spend 80p per head. Abbeywood Tots decided to become 100% organic so that they could provide a locally sourced, healthy balanced diet. Mike explains: “It was not an easy process by any means and it did take time to find the suppliers with the right quality products and the right delivery times. We had to make the changes gradually, and not overnight.”

and chips, which are banned or restricted in schools, also banned in nurseries; additives that are linked to behavioural problems banned in nurseries; and compulsory nutrition training for nursery cooks. To parents everywhere: the government is listening. Now is the time to speak up and tell them we need better nursery food, for the lasting health and wellbeing of the next generation.

May / June 2010

In order to pay for the organic meat on the menu, Abbeywood have reduced the number of times they eat meat to two or three times per week. The rest of the time the caterer uses pulses (sourced from Essential Trading Cooperative in Bristol), pasta dishes and fish dishes. To supply a fully organic menu, Abbeywood Tots found that the costs went up by 20% initially. Mike explains that this was off-set by lower wastage and now this difference is down to 15% as a result of reviewing the menus gradually.

Want to help? Thousands of people have signed Better Nursery Food Now’s online petition demanding better nursery food for our children, with thousands more people following the campaign’s progress on Twitter and Facebook. To join the campaign or sign the petition, visit www.nurseryfood.org

greenliving_sweet dreams

The importance of getting a good night’s sleep is invaluable for improving our health and well being. Going one step further, sleeping organically ensures benefits for farmers, traders, retailers and eventually, consumers. In this issue, greenliving puts together a selection of the best eco bedware companies to ensure you sleep as easy as can be...

Sweer dreams

4 living Memory foam mattresses and support pillows are recommended the world over for their pressure relieving comfort and support. However, there

can be some major drawbacks with regular memory foam. It is made from synthetic (petro chemical) foam that can emit up to 61 chemicals. The synthetic foam traps body heat and can be too slow to recover making it difficult to move. 4 Living is one of the UK’s first dealers offering the only all-natural memory foam mattress and support pillows. Their patented memory foam is natural, 80% more breathable and offers up to 72% faster recovery time compared to the best regular memory foam. They come with a 90-night trial with full money back guarantee and an unrivalled 20 year warranty. T: 0800 7565199 W: www.4living.co.uk/natural

The Fine Cotton Company Passionate about quality and with the emphasis on style and luxury, The Fine Cotton Company has introduced a collection of stunning organic cotton bedding for babies, which is soft to the touch, kind on the conscience and great value too. Skin friendly yet beautifully designed ~ everything your baby needs for a good night’s sleep! T: 0845 6029050 W: www.thefinecottoncompany.com

Biome lifestyle The little Green Sheep Launching the latest in cot bed technology, the award-winning Little Green Sheep is proudly presenting the newest addition to the flock – the Ryeland – the most environmentally friendly, all natural cot bed to date. This revolutionary product offers an idyllic environment for babies, toddlers and young ones up to five years. T: 0800 028 1433 W: www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk

Biome Lifestyle offers sumptuously soft organic and fairtrade bedding in a variety of colours and patterns to ensure the perfect look for your room. Each set has been individually selected according to its look and feel plus, importantly, the ethics involved in its production and distribution. With sustainability and assurance at its heart, Biome makes it easier to create a unique personal space to relax and unwind in. T: 020 8809 6188 W: www.biomelifestyle.com

May / June 2010

greenliving_sweet dreams

Fou Furnishings Here’s a few top tips from Fou Furnishings on why opting for organic bedding makes sense and looks gorgeous on your bed too.

• Organic cotton bedding uses long

Bamboo, the new eco-fabric If you’re looking for eco-friendly bedding but demand comfort, style and durability then you should be sleeping between 100% bamboo bedding! Bamboo fabric is made by harvesting organic fast growing bamboo and pulping the stems in a closed system. This releases the cellulose and natural antibacterial properties of the bamboo. The pulp is then refined and spun into a soft yarn and woven into fabric of luxurious quality. Bamboo is free of chemicals and certified organic, in contrast to cotton which is grown with many fertilisers and pesticides.

Bamboo textiles are made of Moso, Ci and Dragon Bamboo– not the type of bamboo that pandas eat. It’s finer and smoother than cotton and has a silk-like drape, the softness is ideal for babies, sensitive skin and for allergy sufferers. Bamboo is softer, stronger, more lustrous, and three times more absorbent than cotton – it keeps away moisture, so it is cool in summer and warm in winter, also ideal for people prone to night sweats as the bamboo allows excellent ventilation.

fibres which allows your bedding to keep its look with every wash as well as feeling soft and comfortable against your skin. • When chosing quality, a good sign is the thread count which can range from 150 to 475 and Egyptian organic cotton is the height of luxury. • For a crisp look choose percale or for silky softness opt for sateen. • Certified organic bed linen gives assurance on provenance and performance. • Linen should be tested for shrinkage, colourfastness and pilling, as well as organic sources and finishes. • If you have sensitive skin, toxin free and soft organic cotton bedding is ideal for you too. • Organic fabrics protect the environment, reduce chemical sprays and toxins for farmers and ensure fair trade, allowing you to rest very well assured that you are doing your bit even when you are asleep. T: 01416 445211 W: www.foufurnishings.com

T: 01380 739234 W: www.bamboobedsheets.co.uk

White Cloud White Cloud specialises in the very best wool bedding products. Used for bedding, wool is a natural choice for the future as it is renewable, sustainable, 100% natural, and biodegradable. Pure wool provides both lightness and comfort all year round, resulting in consistently better quality sleep. It is a good insulator and naturally creates a microclimate keeping warm in winter and cool in summer. Wool uniquely transfers moisture away from your skin, helping maintain an even body temperature throughout the night. It offers relief from allergies and is fire resistant and naturally resistant to dust mites. White Cloud products are made

May / June 2010

using only the best wool in the world from New Zealand; natural wool filled duvets, pillows, natural wool underlays and magnetic underlays, organic and natural blankets and cashmere duvets. The unique Supawool process used in manufacturing separates the wool fibres to maximise the retention of the loft (up to 30% more than conventional methods) making it the warmest and lightest on the market. None of White Cloud’s wool duvets are treated with chemicals to make them washable; they simply need fresh air and sunlight with an occasional dry clean, all of which makes for purer and more eco friendly living.

T: 01989 721010 W: www.whitecloud.co.uk

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PROFESSIONAL TRAINING in HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINE BRITISH SCHOOL OF HOMOEOPATHY has moved to Exeter Natural Health Centre e School is now interviewing for new students for the academic year September 2010 / 2011. e School has been established for 25 years and has full accreditation from the Society of Homoeopaths. • 4 year part time course, 11 weekends per year • Excellent clinical training • Very experienced professional tutors • Well structured syllabus with supported learning

To find out more and to apply for interview please call Mo or Ali Morrish 01392 214074 / 422555 bsh@enhc.org www.homoeopathy.com

Bamboo The eco fabric for the 21st Century Bamboo fabric is ideal for bed linen. It’s a wonderful light and soft fabric, softer than cotton with a silk like drape and a beautiful silky lustre. It’s also a very strong fabric and with care will last many years. What’s more, bamboo has huge advantages over cotton, being softer, stronger, more lustrous, and three times more absorbent – it wicks away moisture, so it’s cool in summer and warm in winter. Make the ethical choice organically grown bamboo bed linen will give you a safe and luxurious sleep night after night.

Tel 01380 739789

www.betweenthesheets.co.uk

greenliving_riverford

down on

Riverford Farm...

pring is here and it’s time to rekindle our affection for rhubarb. Despite being widely used in desserts, rhubarb is actually a vegetable; it’s a member of the ‘polygonaceae’ family and related to sorrel. Rhubarb was popular in Victorian times and through most of the 20th Century, but suffered along with many of Britain’s homegrown, traditional vegetables as supermarkets began to sell out-of-season fruit from around the world.

We love growing organic rhubarb on our farms. It’s an excellent crop to grow in Britain, enjoying cool climates and suffering very few pests. It also packs a flavoursome punch at the table.

Rhubarb makes a comforting, traditional pudding topped with crumble mixture and rolled oats. Later in the season, throw in a few handfuls of strawberries too. Custard essential! Or make the most of its vibrant colour by swirling stewed rhubarb through creamy yoghurt for a quick dessert. Think rhubarb’s only good for pudding? You’re in for a treat. Its sharpness works beautifully with meat and fish. Try serving Jane Baxter’s simple Rhubarb Butter Sauce with an organic salmon fillet. It’s good with other oily fish and pork too.

Guy Watson Founder of Riverford Organic

May / June 2010

greenliving_riverford

Recipe

M o w. r ore sOn riv ecip eas lin er es a ona e fo t l

rd .

co .u k

By Jane Baxter, Riverford Field Kitchen Taken from the Riverford Farm Cook Book

Easy

Serves 6-8

Rhubarb Butter Sauce for Fish Put the rhubarb, sugar, orange juice and zest in a pan and cook gently for about 15 minutes, until the rhubarb has broken down into a purĂŠe. Meanwhile, in a separate pan, boil the fish stock until reduced by half its volume. Stir in the rhubarb, season and cook for 5 minutes, then push through a sieve into a clean pan. Just before serving, heat the sauce and whisk in the pieces of butter a few at a time to give a glossy finish. Season to taste.

Ingredients: 500g rhubarb, cut into batons 2 tsp sugar juice and grated zest of 1 orange 150ml fish stock 40g chilled butter, cut into small pieces sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Special

FREE Offer! vegbox* offer for greenliving readers!

*Place a regular order and the 3rd box we deliver is free. Applies to new customers placing a regular order. The free box will be the same value as the cheapest previous box. Quote GLM10 when ordering.

May / June 2010

Riverford Organic Vegetables Limited Wash Barn Buckfastleigh Devon TQ11 0JU Local Call: 0845 600 2311

greenliving_green & clean

OMOP WOOD FLOOR CARE STARTER KIT, £29.99 From hip eco home-care producers Method, whose fans include Brad Pitt and Stella McCartney, comes this stylish wood floor cleaner which can be used to dust, using the compostable sweeper pads (made from corn); or to clean, using the washable microfibre pad and nontoxic, biodegradable Omop Juice, made from coconut derived cleaning agents.

BENTLEY ORGANIC SHOWER AND BATHROOM CLEANER, £5.95 This lime fresh, scum-busting chemicalfree cleaner is made with 100% naturally derived ingredients, and like all Bentley Organic’s UK Soil Association certified formulations kills 99.9% of all household germs and bacteria such as ecoli, listeria and salmonella – the only natural/organic cleaning range to do so.

MAISON BELLE ECO GLASS CLEANER, £4.50 From the Isabella Smith Apothecary – denmark’s answer to Martha Stewart – comes this prettily (and recyclable PET) bottled, non-toxic, biodegradable glass cleaner, scented with green tea and sage. Just spray and wipe for a smear-free sparkle.

Green & Clean We squirt, scrub and spray – but without careful consideration for the chemicals we use, home cleaning can bring harmful contamination, as Rebecca Gooch reveals…. Everyone wants a nice clean house, and nobody wants to fill it with toxic chemicals, do they? But take a look at what’s lurking under your kitchen sink and you may feel like putting a big orange hazard warning on the door. We’ve been brainwashed into believing that without a truckload of synthetic chemicals, cleanliness is not just next to Godliness – it’s next to impossible. These powerful ingredients do the trick, but at a price. The air inside our homes has 5-10 times as many pesticides as the air outside – why? Because any product that claims to kill germs or bacteria contains a pesticide, which pollutes the air we breath, along with the volatile organic

compounds (VOCs) that evaporate from all the other eco-unfriendly dirt-busters we spray and squirt without considering the health side-effects for our family, pets and environment. You don’t need to swallow these ingredients to be affected by them, inhalation and contact with the skin is enough; and many of the toxins are bioaccumulative, so over time even mild exposures can build to toxic levels. A few of the nasties include: • Chlorine bleach – a highly caustic disinfectant which can irritate the lungs and eyes; once in the drains it can create toxic and possibly carcinogenic organochlorides. • Sodium Hydroxide – found in drain, metal and oven cleaners, this can burn eyes, skin and the respiratory tract.

• Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) – found in detergents, disinfectants and allpurpose cleaners; a suspected hormone disruptor. It’s a myth that only synthetic chemicals can get things super clean, and there is a growing choice of alternatives which won’t harm your health or pollute the planet. We’ve hand-picked some of the best – or you could try some of the DIY tips from Stephanie Zia, author of ‘Done & Dusted – The Organic Home on a Budget’.

May / June 2010

greenliving_green & clean

CITRASOLV MULTI-PURPOSE CLEANER, £6.95 Made from orange peel extract, with no toxic or carcinogenic chemicals, this allpurpose cleaner – winner of the Edison Award for Environmental Achievement – can be used diluted or neat to clean most household areas. At full strength it can remove stains like ink, grease and oil from clothes, carpet and upholstery.

BIO-D GENERAL PURPOSE POLISH, £3.65 Great for cleaning wood, veneer and laminate surfaces, this ready-to-use spray comes from a family-owned, ethicallymotivated company, whose hypoallergenic BUAV and Vegan Society endorsed products are made from natural, largely plant-derived ingredients, supplied wherever possible from renewable sources.

SIMPLEHUMAN MITT KIT, £19.99 A nifty pack of four washable microfibre mitts each designed to clean a particular home surface – glass and mirror; TV and computer screen; stainless steel and general kitchen – without the need for chemicals. Just dampen one side with water to clean, then flip over to buff and polish.

May / June 2010

ECOVER POWER CLEANER, £3.99 After seven years in the lab, Ecover’s men in white coats have developed the world’s first ‘Eco-Surfactant’, using an entirely biochemical process, similar to brewing beer. It’s the power within this degreaser, which they say is as effective as Cillit Bang Power Cleaner degreaser when it comes to ovens, pots and pans.

EARTH FRIENDLY PARSLEY PLUS MULTI-SURFACE CLEANER, £3.50 Proof that not all cleaners have to smell of lemons, this deliciously snifftastic hard surface cleanser uses the power of parsley – yes, parsley – in an all-natural formula which has no harmful chemicals, and like the rest of the plant-based Earth Friendly range works as well as conventional cleaners, smells fabulous and offers good value for money.

May / June 2010

greenliving_the view from the plot

veg of heaven

Reconnecting the people back to the soil...

Since mass production was enforced by a system catering for profit rather than seasonality, our food landscape has had to endure unrecognisable changes. This month, Richard Spalding takes us back to our homegrown soil and shows us how market gardening can make an easier return than expected… set myself the target of making regular visits to the plot before the Easter holiday. I have achieved wonders in sixteen hours (over eight visits) and added to my collection of pottery, glass and clay pipes. No Saxon hoard as yet, but every piece tells a story of people and their endeavours on the allotment.

This skinny strip of red soil where I garden commands views over the north Bristol fringe. When I break for a moment, I can see what I have christened the “Blue Finger”. In fact, the plot sits right on it. This high grade agricultural land running north out of the city used to form the Bristol Market Gardening and Dairying Sub-Region and showed up as a distinctive blue tract some eight miles long and about a quarter of a mile wide on the 1950s map of land use classification. Its glory days are gone, as today it is crisscrossed by pylons carrying electrical energy, motorways carrying lorries full of food energy and yet it holds memories of foodscapes past; a place worked by many of the figures we see staring out at us from the 1897 photo of the Bristol and District Market Gardeners Association. They evoke a powerful sense of control and order over local resources used for feeding

May / June 2010

the city and perhaps offer us some wisdom on local provisioning for the future. Whilst the economics of UK market gardening don’t seem to add up at present, surely neither does the bedlam economics of global food production systems with their seemingly scant regard for seasonality and their focus on corporate control of what we put in our bellies. Back at my feet, the preparation goes on apace and the milky juices pour out of severed dandelion roots as I crack them deep underground with my spade. I think about Charles Dowding’s exhortation to refrain from digging and simply use mulching to build soil structure with the help of earthworm and teeming soil fauna. It is a remarkable and deeply moving idea that this thin crust of soil sustains humanity, even though our treatment of it often lacks a long term sense of stewardship. Plot 67 is in good shape thus far, but I have been here before at this time of year and then gotten overtaken by events; returning to an overgrown plot in September with dreams dashed for another year. It may not be vegetable heaven yet, but my quest is still intact on All Fools Day. I don’t know what your own local

foodscapes are like, but I suspect they are many and varied across the South West and you, like me, will continue to think about and act upon ideas for revitalising them for generations to come. This work will continue to lay out the ground for our collective food culture and will need persistence and insistence on all our parts if we are to convince our policy makers that food and place must once again become a central feature of our moves toward resilient communities. Back to the plot again and those edible utopian dreams!

Richard Spalding

greenliving_directory

Directory TRAVEL

Welcome to the greenliving directory. Updated bi-monthly, this directory is your essential guide to featured businesses, organisations and producers in Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas.

Asheston Eco Barns

Boscrowan Farm

Camper Daze

The Linen Shed

T: 01348 831781 E: ashestonecobarns @googlemail.com

T: 01736 332396 E: elizabeth@boscrowan.co.uk

T: 07540 474987 E: info@camperdaze.co.uk

T: 01227 752271 E: bookings@thelinenshed.com

The Linen Shed

Camilla House

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connors Campers

Rezare Farmhouse

Rosehill Lodges

T: 01736 363771

T: 01837 659599 E: pete@oconnorscampers.co.uk

T: 01579 371241 E: info@rezarefarmhouse.co.uk

T: 01209 891920 E: reception@rosehilllodges.com

Abaca Ltd

Bamboo Textiles

ECOS Organic Paints

Edward Bulmer Limited

T: 01269 598491 E: enquiry@abacaorganic.co.uk

T: 08448 26 25 25 E: info@bamboo-textiles.co.uk

T: 01524 852371 E: mail@ecospaints.com

T: 01544 388 535 E: info@edwardbulmer.co.uk

Fou Furnishings

Gecco Interiors Limited

The Greenshop

T: 0141 644 5211 E: info@foufurnishings.com

T: 01494 565459 E: help@geccointeriors.co.uk

T: 01452 770629 E: enquiries@greenshop.co.uk

Pink Hat T: 029 2021 1418 E: ruth@pinkhat-interiors.co.uk

HOME

May / June 2010

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ADVERTIS E HERE!

CALL GRE ENLIVING NOW TE L: 01179 7 79188

ENERGY Eco-Exmoor

Apollo Renewables Ltd

Capture Energy Ltd

Chris Rudge Renewable Energy

T: 01672 511211 E: info@apollorenewables.co.uk

T: 01209 716 861 E: mail@capture-energy.co.uk

T: 01297 306114 E: enquiries@chrisrudge.co.uk

Ecocetera Ltd

Fair Energy

Solarsense UK Ltd

Southern Solar

T: 01179 590580 E: enquiries@ecocetera.com

T: 0845 12 66 555 E: info@fairenergy.org.uk

T: 01275 394139 E: info@solarsense-uk.com

T: 0117 953 9090 E: bristol@southernsolar.co.uk

Ascension

Monkton Wyld Court

Beyond Skin

Eco Concierge

T: 0845 3881 381 E: help@ascensiononline.com

T: 01297 560342 E: info@monktonwyldcourt.org

T:0845 373 3648 E: info@beyondskin.co.uk.

T: 07505 480903 E: kirsten@ecoconcierge.org

Great Elm Physick Garden T:(0)1373 814607 E:info@greatelmphysickgarden.com

Liv-UK

Izzy Lane T: 07912062141 E: lorraine@izzylane.co.uk

Worn again

T: 8442 412992 E: andyb@eco-exmoor.co.uk

LIFESTYLE

May / June 2010

T: 01386 791055 E: enquiries@liv-uk.com

T: 0207 739 0189 E: info@wornagain.co.uk

greenliving_a planet worth saving

A planet worth saving...

March / April 2010

‘‘The waterfalls at Semuc Champey have to be one of the most beautiful places in Central America, set in the middle of the jungle untouched by civilization. When I was there the only other person was a local woman, she looked so serene against the vivid green water and forest, it was an inspiring and calming moment’’

Semuc Champey, Guatemala Picture taken by Skye Saker from Bath

Have you taken a breathtaking picture you'd like to share with our readers? If so, please email holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk or write to us at 151-153 Wick Road, Bristol, BS4 4HH

March / April 2010

Choose yo Hand made using the finest organic Belgian chocolate and blended with essential oils, these organic treats promise to boost and rejuvenate from within. Each of the 12 irresistible flavours has been created for mood enhancing indulgence - which one will you choose today?

beautiful Organic White Chocolate with Bergamot & Cinnamon

dreamy

Organic Milk Chocolate with Lemon & Geranium Rose

lovely

Organic Milk Chocolate with Peppermint & Cardamom

fantastic

Organic Milk Chocolate with Ginger, Black Pepper & Grapefruit

sensual

Organic Milk Chocolate with Sweet Orange, Nutmeg & Chilli

ur mood... To find your nearest stockist: www.feeding-your-imagination.co.uk 0845 602 6862

yin

Organic Dark Chocolate using natures herbal Ayurveda blend of Ashwagandha, Musta & Shatavari

sexy

Organic Milk Chocolate with Chilli

seductive

Organic Dark Chocolate with Ginger, Jasmin Green Tea & Goji Berries

mistress Organic Dark Chocolate with Chilli, Cocoa Nibs & Acai

gorgeous

Organic Dark Chocolate with Sweet Orange, Mixed Spice & Rose Petal

yang

Organic Milk Chocolate using natures herbal Ayurveda blend of Ashwagandha, Gokshura & Kapikachu

fruity

A moist (plum duff) Milk Chocolate with gentle Spicy Fruit & a dash of booze

Get cycling... everyone's doing it getting Need some help help and star ted? Book a calling advice session by or by visiting 0117 922 2877 e.info/ www.betterbybik cycle-training

cling routes at Discover local cy s e.info/cycle-map www.betterbybik