Green - Autumn 2012

AUTUMN 2012

GReEN a lighter touch

TONY JUNIPER: USING NATURE TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE ALYS FOWLER’S APPLE-GROWING TIPS

Ben Fogle

HUGH FEARNLEYWHITTINGSTALL’S DELICIOUS COLD FISH

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Autumn 2012

CONTENTS UP FRONT

quest to build the most

16 | Rescue Remedy Tony Juniper looks at how nature might help us cope with climate change and why it’s not all doom and gloom

68 | Living: Panel Gains Is the future bright for solar panels?

29 | Who Cares Wins The People and Environment Achievement Awards 32 | Star Performers The ‘Green Oscar’ winners share their secrets for sustainability success

INTELLIGENCE

Cristian Barnett (Chickens); TPMMDI © Jim Naughten WWF-UK (cover)

42 | Gardening: Paradise Found Alys Fowler advises on apple-growing 46 | My Little Green Book National treasure Alan Titchmarsh opens his address book 52 | Food: Best Served Cold

73 | The Green Goddess Josephine Fairley’s natural beauty guide

16 76

76 | Books Autumn reads: from self-

80 | Travel: I Know a Place Ben Fogle reveals his favourite haunts 84 | Travel: Less is More seclusion

AND ALSO 4 | Editorial

46

9 | People & Planet News, faces, places 104 | We’re Back Spoonbills return to Norfolk

Fearnley-Whittingstall 61 | Fish for Compliments Fiona Beckett matches

62 | Homes: House of Steel

On the cover: Ben Fogle, an ambassador for conservation charity WWF, will attempt to swim the Atlantic next summer to raise awareness of the environmental threats up to 12 hours a day

Distributed by the Guardian on behalf of King Lion Media who take sole responsibility for its content. Green Magazine does not accept unsolicited contributions. Editorial opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of King Lion Media nor the Guardian and the companies do not accept responsibility for advertising content. Prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change.

The Publishers cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission. If you have any queries relating to the magazine email: info@kinglionmedia.com

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3

editorial

Some Green Contributors Ben Fogle (I Know a

change is upon us. From devastating droughts in the USA, to unprecedented rainfall in the UK, and from record ice melt in Greenland to unseasonable severe storms, events in the real world are starting to look like a rather good fit with what scientists’ climate change models said we should expect.

While the campaign to reduce climatechanging pollution continues, the question of what to do about unavoidable impacts requires answers. In this issue I look at some of the ways we might respond – and it’s not all bad news. By planning well we can improve life, cut carbon and at the same time be in better shape to deal with droughts, heatwaves and floods.

Elsewhere in this issue, Alan Titchmarsh opens his gardening address book, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall reminds us that fish does not need to be served hot to be delicious and Alys Fowler advises on planting apple trees. We also investigate the future of solar power and meet a family who built their own energy-efficient home.

Tony Juniper, Editor-in-Chief editor@kinglionmedia.com

Alys Fowler (Paradise Found, page 42) trained with the Royal Horticultural Society, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and won a Smithsonian scholarship to study at the New York Botanical Garden. The author of several books, Alys is a gardener who loves food: she has an allotment and an and plenty of fruit and veg. In this issue she explains how even the smallest garden can accommodate an apple tree.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (Best Served Cold, page 52), the River Cottage chef, is widely known for his uncompromising commitment to real food and as a writer, broadcaster and campaigner. His hugely

occurred at the age of six when his dad took him to a stream in Richmond Park and he has been hooked ever since.

EDITORIAL: Editor-in-chief Tony Juniper Consultant editor Deirdre Vine deirdrevine@gmail.com Art and production director Marc Silver Sub-editor Sian Campbell Contributing editors Fiona Beckett, Josephine Fairley, Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall, Alys Fowler, Cherry Maslen Web editor Sue Jueno Editorial assistant Katarina Hjorth PUBLISHING: Publishers Justin King justin.king@kinglionmedia.com, Jarvis Smith jarvis.smith@kinglionmedia.com Production Jo Habgood, Joanna Lynn Sales executives Roger Bailey, John Champion, Roxanne Greff, Denise Horn, Jessica Knight, Steve Rossiter King Lion Media Ltd, Liberty Court, Unit 1, 101-103 Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7JB. Tel: 01737 237900 Website www.green-magazine.co.uk Printed by Please offer this copy to someone else to read, or recycle. Green is published quarterly and is an independent magazine produced by King Lion Media

4 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Michael Birt (Tony Juniper), Nick Stevens (Ben Fogle), Simon Wheeler (Alys Fowler), Tom Beard (Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall)

CLIMATE

Place, page 80), television presenter, adventurer, WWF ambassador and wildlife campaigner, has never been one to take the easy option. His latest challenge may prove his toughest as next summer he will attempt to become the second person in history to swim the Atlantic, in a bid to raise awareness of the environmental threats to oceans. In this issue he writes about places that have meant most to him – and why.

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THE RAINFOREST ALLIANCE – SO PRACTICAL IT’S RADICAL We at the Rainforest Alliance are working to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods. We do this by challenging and changing land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour to make sustainability a part of everyday life.

W

e envision a world where people and the environment prosper together.

We believe that the best way to keep forests standing is by ensuring that it is profitable for businesses and communities to do so. That means helping farmers, forest managers and tourism businesses realise greater economic benefits by ensuring ecosystems within and around their operations are protected, and that their workers are well-trained and enjoy safe conditions, proper sanitation, health care and housing. Once businesses meet certain environmental and social standards, we link them up to the global marketplace where they can bring their sustainable goods and services to you the consumer.

By using the power of markets we arrest the major drivers of deforestation and environmental destruction: timber extraction, agricultural expansion and tourism.

We work to ensure millions of acres of working forests, farms, ranchlands and hotel properties are managed according to rigorous sustainability standards. And by linking those businesses to conscientious consumers through the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal and Rainforest Alliance Verified™ mark, we demonstrate that sustainable practices can help businesses thrive in the modern world.

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n our 25th year we have grown to be one of the most successful conservation organisations in the world. By the end of 2011, over 250,000 producers, covering 1.1 million hectares of farmland, were benefitting from Rainforest Alliance certification. These are farms that have met rigorous environmental, social and economic standards.

Approximately 9.4 per cent of global tea production comes from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

In Kenya, we are working with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), which represents small-

holder tea farmers in Kenya, to roll out Rainforest Alliance certification to all KTDA members. This is the biggest programme in the history of voluntary certification and will reach over 500,000 farmers.

The Rainforest Alliance is the first organisation to introduce a ground breaking climate module to coffee farmers, helping them to reduce their farm’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change by minimising greenhouse gas emissions while increasing carbon sequestration.

With the support of the Global Environment Facility, our ambitious

cocoa project is working to bring 10 per cent of the world’s cocoa – 350,000 tons, farmed on 750,000 hectares by 250,000 farmers – in to more sustainable production to improve biodiversity conservation in cocoa producing countries.

The Rainforest Alliance is the world’s largest certifier to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. Rainforest Alliance’s work with the FSC protects forested areas equivalent to the size of Ecuador.

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PEOPLE & PLANET Juniper’s

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The Harapan Rainforest project aims to restore an area of logged lowland rainforest in Sumatra, home to tigers and forest elephants. If the forest can be protected, it could be a model for other areas. Local indigenous people are strong allies, but challenges include illegal logging and palm oil operations. harapanrainforest.org

The National Federation of Fish Friers, which looks after the interests has adopted a responsible Sourcing Code to help ensure that all chippies

The Supply Chain Sustainability School has been set up by a group of construction companies, led by Skanska.

Instead of ending relationships with suppliers who struggle to keep up with the green agenda, the school aims to increase suppliers’ awareness, skills and knowledge so the construction sector might move in a greener direction. supplychainschool.co.uk

Resurgence, Britain’s journal. Launched 45 years ago and under the editorship of former Jain monk Satish Kumar since 1973, it remains of green thinking. resurgence.org.

The Wildlife Trusts Founded in 1912 by banker Charles Rothschild as the Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves, the network of Trusts which evolved from it during the 20th century is doing more good work than ever. There are ambitious plans to restore large areas of natural habitat across the UK. wildlifetrusts.org

GO WITH THE FLOW… Mother of four Tessa Wardley has enjoyed being in and around rivers all her life, sometimes in her professional capacity as a water ecologist, a passion she has poured into The River Book: 101 Ways to Relax, Play, Watch Wildlife and Have Adventures at the River’s Edge (Bloomsbury, £14.99). It’s beautifully illustrated, packed with brilliant ideas for family entertainment and lots of riverine facts.

FREE The publishers have three copies to give away. For the chance to receive one, visit kinglionmedia.com before 31 October 2012.

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PEOPLE & PLANET

Organic September

ART OF THE POSSIBLE John-Paul Flintoff (right), who has written about transition towns and recycling centres for past issues of this magazine, tackles a biggie in his latest book – how to change the world.

He reminds us that through the generations, society has been transformed by the actions of individuals who understood that if they didn’t like something, they could change it. In his conversational, erudite way he gives a sense of what might be possible, as well as the inspiration and the courage needed to go about improving things.

This is one of a new series (pictured) of thoughtful, well-written guides dealing with life’s great issues, published by Macmillan

with The School of Life at £7.99 each. Based in a small shop in central London, The School of Life offers courses, talks and services concerned with living wisely and well. Flintoff leads a School of Life class, How To Make A Difference, on 25 September. We also like the look of the class on 20 September which questions the role of nature in our increasingly technological, urban and work-focused lives. To book visit

The Soil Association’s month long celebration of all things organic features events countrywide on farms, in shops, schools and restaurants. To inspire us to use fresh, seasonal ingredients, the Association has gathered recipes from renowned chefs and food writers, including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Raymond Blanc, Sophie Grigson, Valentine Warner, and Xanthe Clay.

Jon Holloway (Flintoff)

ELECTRIC BANDWAGON I n 2006 many manufacturers destroyed thousands of their electric vehicles, but public demand for cleaner cars has led to a rethink.

In his documentary Revenge of the Electric Car, director Chris Paine sets out to discover who best electric car to win us over. He goes inside major car makers Nissan and GM, as well as Silicon Valley startup

Tesla Motors, and meets a backyard tinkerer who converts gas-guzzlers into zero-emission cars, in order to follow the development from concept to cial problems, successes and failures. Tim Robbins narrates. revengeofthe electriccar.co.uk

FREE To coincide with the DVD launch, Dogwoof, the UK’s leading independent

copies to give away to Green readers. For the chance to receive one, visit kinglionmedia.com before 31 October 2012

GM’s vice chair Bob Lutz and the Volt feature

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PEOPLE & PLANET

EPIC CINEMA

D

irector Ron Fricke and his team won admiration in 1992 with Baraka, their wordless, sensory day in the life of the planet. Now they deliver a follow-up to that experiential journey – another round of spectacular visuals for armchair travellers in the just-released Samsara. Filmed over four years

From Samsara, which is now in cinemas nationwide, clockwise: Cebu Island Prison Dancers, Philippines; Bali Dancer; 1000 Hands Dance – Beijing, China. See @SamsaraFilmUK for more details

how our life cycle mirrors the rhythm of the planet and takes its name from the Sanskrit word for ‘the ever turning wheel of life’. “Soul-stirring” is how The Hollywood Reporter described it.

Samsara is one of only a handful predecessor Baraka, to be shot in the 70mm format in the last 40 years. Baraka is also being re-released in October to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Must read...

Take a look at the Incredible Edible initiative in Todmorden (and elsewhere), where they are planting food in public places for anyone to eat. incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk

12 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

The Land Grabbers: The New Fight Over Who Owns The Earth (Eden Project Books, £20): Fred Pearce (right) spent the past two years investigating how people worldwide are being dispossessed of their common ancestral lands, exposing murky deals made by oligarchs, sheikhs and agribusiness corporations. “I’m an old-fashioned reporter – I want to go see,” says Fred. “So I’d read about a big land deal in the out what was going on.

I travelled to 10 or so countries where the most egregious grabbing is taking place: the savannah of Brazil, the forests of Indonesia, the inner Niger delta of Mali.”

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She experimented, using natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar and plant-based soaps.

She wanted them to smell good, so she added essential oils, which were also antiseptic and antibacterial.

One day, Lilly’s sinuses began to swell, and they didn’t respond to medication. She sneezed and coughed so hard that her back ached.

Her new products worked so well, she used them for her cleaning business. Very quickly she realised that she was no longer coughing or sneezing, that her sinuses were clear and her back was strong.

When Lilly read the ingredients of her cleaning products – the endless list of unpronounceable words – she realised that her beloved bleach could be what was making her so sick.

She couldn’t find alternative cleaning products anywhere, so she decided to make her own.

She also realised that her customers were all asking what cleaning products she was using.

They noticed a difference. Their homes and businesses weren’t just clean, they were detoxed.

So began Lilly’s Eco Clean. And ten years on, it

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PEOPLE & PLANET

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Follow the Frog Week is 17-23 September – You can Follow the Frog

JOIN IN To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Rainforest Alliance is holding a major event at the Natural History Museum on 22 October 2012 and is offering two pairs of tickets to Green readers. For the chance to win, visit kinglionmedia.com by 30 September 2012

Dish of the day

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15

special report

rescue remedy Britain? Working with nature, rather than Tony Juniper

V

ery few individual weather events can be attributed to longer-term climatic trends, yet there is good reason to believe that climate change is upon us – and that more frequent extreme weather is one result of it. No longer a theoretical future threat, according to various research findings we are in a period of consequences. In late 2011, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published research on how more extreme weather is expected to accompany the ongoing rise in global average temperature, leading to more record-breaking events. Climatologists have attributed recent extreme weather in the UK to longer-term human-induced climate change, saying that this is far less likely to be down to natural variation alone.

Another record was broken in 2011: climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions reached their highest level in history. With little sign that human societies are going to reduce these pollution levels rapidly, it would obviously be prudent to make plans for coping with change, as well as continuing with the job of trying to cut the pollution that is causing it.

This is not least because decisions we are making now about, for example, new infrastructure, buildings and urban design, will be with us for decades, and in some cases centuries. On top of this, it is vital that we make our existing assets, from power stations to railways, and from #

16 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Recent studies using the most advanced climate change modelling, developed by the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, show that droughts will become commonplace in the south-east by 2040

EXTREME WEATHER

2011

holds the record for the UK’s warmest ever recorded October temperature. It was followed by the warmest ever November. This was also a remarkably dry spell, lasting throughout autumn and into winter – the driest period on dropped, and so did groundwater levels.

March was one of the warmest and driest ever, with the record for the highest temperature for Scotland broken on three consecutive days. Hosepipe bans were brought in across southern Britain, but April proved to be the wettest on record. In May, across the Scottish hills that had been so warm two months before, heavy snow fell. June was the wettest on record, with some areas receiving a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours.

2012

special report

houses to nature reserves, as climate-proof as possible.

We should take this challenge very seriously because as time goes by coping with the consequences of climatic change will become more and more challenging. One effect that is expected to become more prevalent is flooding. A paper presented in the journal Science in April 2012 demonstrated how the global water cycle has already speeded up, seen in how more water is evaporating from the oceans compared with a few decades ago. As warmer air can hold more water, flooding may be expected more often. After all, what goes up generally comes down. Not only will more flooding accompany intense heavy rain, it is likely that there will be more inundation from the sea (through a combination of sea level rise and extreme storm surges). All this will lead

dry them out for grazing. Water meadows had been drained, and trees removed. The effect of all this was to damage the natural sponge and to increase the speed with which water travelled off the hills.

Flood defences

With these and many other experiences in mind, conservation groups, water companies and local authorities are beginning to invest in trees and peatland restoration as cost-effective measures to reduce flood risk (and improve water quality). Peat and trees also contain a lot of carbon, so help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. In some cases, Cockermouth for example, the local communities affected by floods are backing such an approach, rather than more traditional concrete walls and river straightening.

PLANTING TREES AND RESTORING PEATLAND ARE COST-EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE FLOOD RISK AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY to major economic costs, as property and crops are damaged and services disrupted.

The risk of flooding in vulnerable areas can be reduced through the building of hard defences, such as sea walls and bigger storm drains, action that might work in the short term, but is sometimes more expensive than alternative approaches that go more with the flow of nature. For example, peat bogs on hills store rainwater and release it slowly into streams and rivers. When the bogs are damaged, heavy rain runs off more quickly and can cause problems below. This is what happened in 2007, when the river Don burst its banks and flooded Sheffield and people had to be rescued from rooftops by RAF helicopters.

Two years later the powerful floods that devastated Lake District towns, including Cockermouth, were similarly attributed not only to heavy rain, but also to the way the hills above the town had changed, making the flooding much worse. Channels had been cut through peat bogs to

18 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

One effect of climatic change that is expected to become more prevalent is Opposite: Flooded river Severn, Bewdley, Worcestershire

There is also growing interest in Sustainable Drainage Systems, or SUDs. These include areas of green spaces set aside to take rainwater so that it soaks into the ground, rather than running straight off hard surfaces into drains where it can lead to flash-floods. Wetland and flood plain restoration can bring similar benefits, by allowing water to spread out and slowing the speed with which it accumulates in watercourses.

Green rooftops – which take their name from the layer of living plants that cover them – can also help to reduce flood risk.

This living sponge soaks up some of the rain as it falls, thus slowing down the speed with which water enters drains. Green rooftops can also be of benefit to wildlife and, by insulating buildings from extremes of hot and cold, can cut down the need for heating and air conditioning. They can also last about twice as long as conventional roofs because the plants protect the waterproofing be# neath from the elements.

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The way land is managed can also help protect against drought. For example, soils can hold a lot more moisture when there is a higher level of organic matter. This is the fraction of the soil comprised of material that was once alive, such as plant remains, and that is gradually decomposing. Increased soil moisture slows the rate of runoff after heavy rains, but plants (including crops) are able to withstand the effects of prolonged drought for longer. The heavy use of artificial fertiliser on most farmed soils during recent decades has led to less emphasis on organic matter (including manures and composts) to improve soil fertility. This in turn can exacerbate vulnerability to drought. One added benefit of measures to increase soil organic matter is to store more carbon in soils, and thus relatively less in the atmosphere.

Rainwater harvesting during wet periods also helps reduce the impact of drought.

By cutting reliance on piped water, by catching and storing rain to use in gardens later on when it is drier, households are not only able to cope better with hosepipe bans, but also reduce emissions. Cleaning and distributing water uses a lot of energy.

The more water we use from the sky rather than taps, the fewer the emissions linked with water consumption.

Hot, hot, hot

When it comes to hotter weather, trees can be part of the solution, especially in towns and cities where it is expected more ‘urban heat islands’ will occur. Concrete and tarmac, vehicles and air conditioning all help to raise the temperature in cities, and during hot weather this can be problematic. In the summer of 2003 the prolonged hot period that affected much of Europe caused up to 30,000 premature deaths, #

Wetlands play a vital role in protecting Sedgemoor Drain, Greylake, Somerset Levels, part of the 2020VISION nature photography project that aims to communicate the link between habitat restoration and our own wellbeing; 2020v.org

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special report

TREES CAN KEEP URBAN TEMPERATURES DOWN BY SEVERAL DEGREES mostly among older people who suffered the effects of heat stroke. By offering shade and through evaporating water from their leaves, trees can keep urban temperatures down by several degrees, making it feel more comfortable and of course saving on air conditioning. If deciduous species are planted, they provide summer shade but allow the winter sun to warm buildings, cutting heating bills. Wetlands can help keep temperatures down too, through evaporation from their surfaces when it warms up.

There are other potential benefits: growing evidence demonstrates how green space, trees and natural areas are beneficial for physical and psychological health. So planning green solutions into our strategy for coping with climate change will also advance public health aims.

Effect on wildlife

Aside from coping with extremes of hot, dry and wet, we also need to anticipate the effects of climate change on wildlife. In a crowded country like Britain, our collection of isolated nature reserves will not be sufficient to conserve our native wildlife.

Species unable to move easily from one place to the next as conditions change will decline, and could become extinct here.

Those species that live on our high mountains can be expected to decline as it gets warmer. Some of those found in southern England will have to move further north if they are to survive. Others may colonise Britain from the continent, at least if the right kinds of habitat are available for # them when they arrive.

Green spaces in urban areas have proven health helping mitigate the effects of climate change

22 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

The Environment Agency and Waterwise UK Water Efficiency Awards 2012, supported by Bosch and Methven, is the most high-profile awards scheme in the UK to recognise the water efficiency achievements of public, private and third sector organisations who ‘Shout’ about water efficiency, ‘Solve’ water demand management challenges and simply ‘Save’ water.

Winners will be announced on 17 September at a ceremony at the House of Lords, hosted by Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, Chairman of the Environment Agency, and Jacob Tompkins, Managing Director of Waterwise.

There are twelve categories: Built Environment, sponsored by Polypipe Business and Industry, sponsored by Business Stream Campaigns and Education, sponsored by Homebase Community-led Initiative, sponsored by Defra and the Love Your River campaign Farming and Horticulture, sponsored by Kettle Crisps Innovation, sponsored by Water Security Knowledge Exchange Programme Landscape and Gardening, sponsored by Hozelock Research and Evaluation, sponsored by Ofwat Exemplar Project in Northern Ireland, backed by Consumer Council for Northern Ireland Exemplar Project in Scotland, backed by Consumer Focus Scotland Exemplar Project in Wales, backed by Welsh Government Environment Agency Chairman’s Award

For more information please visit www.waterwise.org.uk/pages/awards

Advertising feature

Carbon Credits – The Real Cost Companies are increasingly facing up to their social responsibilities, highlighted recently when Microsoft and Marks & Spencer announced plans to become 100% carbon neutral.

Individuals and businesses must recognise that ignoring statistics on climate change and carrying on as usual is unacceptable, and there’s a growing understanding of how offsetting works and how carbon neutrality can be achieved. In the future more companies will reduce emissions through sustainable technology, but we need to cut greenhouse gases now.

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The voluntary market continues to grow, with more companies taking responsibility and offsetting.

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special report

The limited extent to which our present network of nature reserves can deal with this level of fundamental change was highlighted in a 2010 official government review chaired by Professor Sir John Lawton called Making Space for Nature. It concluded that “England’s collection of wildlife sites, diverse as it is, does not comprise a coherent and resilient ecological network even today, let alone one that is capable of coping with the challenge of climate change and other pressures.”

With the UK signed up to various international agreements to conserve its wildlife, alongside the need to meet many national commitments, this conclusion poses a challenge. Planting trees, restoring peat bogs, allowing some coastal areas to change in more natural ways (rather than building more and bigger sea walls) and creating wetlands to moderate the

The Holderness coastline is eroding faster than anywhere in Europe, exacerbated by climate change and rising sea levels.

Below: Skipsea, Yorkshire,

by Neil A White, Highly Commended in the CIWEM 2011 Environmental Photographer Awards

effects of heavy rain, can all be harnessed to also enable wildlife to move through landscapes as the climate warms up.

The Wildlife Trusts’ A Living Landscape programme aims to help wildlife adapt to climate change while also providing benefits for people. The main focus is on largescale habitat restoration, not only to help wildlife, but also to reduce flood risk, protect soils and improve water quality. Paul Wilkinson, who leads A Living Landscape, says: “A framework for restoration of the natural environment is needed, one which recognises the interdependencies of land and water management.” He points to the example of Toll Bar in Doncaster, where homes were flooded in 2007 following unprecedented rainfall. In south Doncaster, however, hundreds of homes that were exposed to the same rainfall didn’t flood because the water ended up at Potteric Carr, #

WWW.GREEN-MAGAZINE.CO.UK |

25

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s flagship wetland nature reserve. “The floodwaters stayed on the reserve for weeks, gradually soaking into the ground and draining into streams and watercourses,” says Wilkinson.

With the impacts of climate change ever more apparent, there are more calls for the development of what many call ‘green infrastructure’ to help us cope. If done in a thoughtful and integrated manner, such a shift of emphasis could help to reduce misery, discomfort and insurance payouts.

Look after nature

Sir Graham Wynne, a former chief executive of the RSPB, is now a member of a UK government committee looking at ways to adapt to climate change. He is among a growing number of experts who believe that looking after nature is one of the best ways of coping with what lies ahead. “A healthy natural environment will be at the core of our ability to limit the damaging impacts of climate disruption. Through

26 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

deterrent: Potteric Carr, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s wetland nature reserve, two miles south-east of Doncaster town centre

looking after nature, we will be making life easier for ourselves. The reverse is just as true – the more we damage the natural environment, the harder the effects of climate change will hit us,” he says.

While climate change poses considerable risks, adopting integrated responses could help us cope far better than if we go forward with business as usual, building bigger concrete walls, digging deeper drains, installing air conditioning or constructing energy-hungry desalination works. Government agencies, companies, those who manage land and local authorities can all contribute, and in so doing save money and achieve a wide range of added benefits, including more wildlife, reduced emissions and better health. Climate change need not be all bad news if we join the dots and plan well. G Tony Juniper’s latest book What Has Nature Ever Done For Us? will be published in January 2013 (Profile Books); tonyjuniper.com

Neil Aldridge

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PEA Awards

WHO CARES WINS...

The second People and Environment Achievement Awards (PEAs), in association with The Co-operative, honoured eco-heroes with the best and brightest green ideas. Chris Shearlock, Sustainable Development Manager for The Co-operative, said, “It’s fantastic to see so many worthy candidates being recognised for their inspirational efforts towards improving sustainability and environmental awareness” !

Polly Higgins, Campaigner of the Year and Overall PEA Champion

Jo Lynn; photographs: Tim Anderson

Above left: David Crackles, cycling to raise money for Friends of the Earth Left: Host Michaela Strachan and rockaoke guitarist Right: Aerial artist, one of the performers on the night

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29

PEA Awards Right: Two of the judges, Awards founder Jarvis Smith and Green magazine’s Tony Juniper Below: A celebratory spirit at the Bankside Vaults, London, with live entertainment, dancing and organic food from Arthur Potts Dawson’s team

“WE ARE NOT GOING TO ACHIEVE A GREENER SOCIETY ONLY BY PASSING LAWS AND SETTING STANDARDS. WE WILL ALSO NEED A LOT OF IMAGINATION, PASSION, COMMITMENT AND INSPIRATION, AND THAT IS WHAT THESE AWARDS ARE ALL ABOUT” Tony Juniper, chair of the judging panel

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

Arts, Fashion & Music Gavin Lawson, Co-founder, THTC (The Hemp Trading Co). Runner-up: Orsola de Castro, Co-founder, From Somewhere Best Earth Saving Idea (organic/ chemical-free initiatives): Jason Drew, Chairman, Agriprotein. Runner-up: Simon Nash, Director, Green Oil Best Energy Saving Idea Katy Duke, Owner, The Thermal Blind Company.

Runners-up: Karen Lynch, CEO, Belu; Ross Lammas, Director, Sust-it Business Person of the Year Karen Lynch, CEO, Belu. Runner-up: Rebecca Grey, Founder, Fresh Cargo Campaigner of the Year Polly Higgins, Eradicating Ecocide. Runner-up: Tracey Smith, National Downshifting Week Community Award Northumbria Students’ Union.

Runners-up: Community Recycling Network; Findhorn Foundation; Freegle Community Interest Company Paul Dixon, The Scottish Seabird Centre.

Runners-up: Trudy Thompson, Founder, Bricks & Bread; Sinclair Eiloart, Director, London Green Fair Entrepreneur of the Year Sven Segal, Founder, Po-Zu. Runners-up: Cathy Debenham, Founder, YouGen; Maddy Harland, CEO, Permanent Publications Public Sector Award Our Greener Borough, Wandsworth Council.

Runner-up: Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group Responsible Travel Car Free Walks Runner-up: Northumbria Students’ Union (Trent Cannon) Schools Award Runners-up: Karen Ford, Founder of the Footprint Friends; Monkton Wyld Court Sustainability in Sport Gordon Foat, Founder, Green Motorsport.

Runner-up: Forest Green Rovers Nominations are open for both the 2013 PEA Awards and the PEA Business Awards. Visit peaawards.com and peabusinessawards.com for details.

Some 2012 PEA Award winners are !

30 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Advertising feature

CAPITAL FUN

LONDON’S GREATEST GREEN FAIR

David L Hone, Richie Soans

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his year was the 20th anniversary of the capital’s largest free green festival, attracting around 25,000 people. Held in Regent’s Park on the first weekend of June, the London Green Fair is a fun, family event but with ecological and social issues firmly at its heart, reflected in the stands and stalls by campaigning organisations, workshops, inspiring talks and live performances from musicians spanning ska, gypsy, roots and Cuban sounds.

The fair is divided into eco-zones such as the Green Village Zone, with folk dancing and games, the Sustainable Fashion Zone, with fashion shows and clothes swapping and Transport Zone where the latest green cars could be seen, visitors could try a new electric bike and check hire and share schemes. This year kids played in a space featuring an edible labyrinth and theatre workshops.

Fairtrade and organic food is found at the market- tagines, crepes, icecream, Caribbean barbecue foods and many other tasty morsels.

Visit the website for details of the 2013 event: londongreenfair.org

grassroots

STAR PERFORMERS

Winners of the 2012 People and Environment Achievement Awards reveal the secrets behind their success POLLY HIGGINS, FOUNDER OF ERADICATING ECOCIDE Overall PEA Champion and Campaigner of the Year Polly Higgins is not afraid to think big. As a London barrister she’s used to standing up and being heard, but these days it’s not just a courtroom she’s addressing, but the whole world. Two years ago she launched a campaign to make ecocide – damage to the planet and its ecosystems – recognised as an international crime alongside genocide, taking her proposal straight to the United Nations. Since then she has made herself heard internationally, staging a mock trial in the UK supreme court, leaders, publishing her book Eradicating Ecocide, which won the People’s Prize for

Andrew Francis Wallace/GetStock.com

Earth Summit in Rio this June.

It is the corporate-driven damage through deliberate activities such as deforestation, mining and pollution, often on a very large

not only damaging the world’s ecosystems but the livelihoods and wellbeing of whole communities and future generations.

“We had a fantastic response at Rio from the international legal community,” says Polly, who has been given the accolade The Planet’s Lawyer and voted one of the World’s Top 10 Visionary Thinkers. “I believe the only way to protect our planet is to look to the legal system to enforce accountability from governments.”

32 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

For ecocide to become international law, a head of state would have to propose an amendment to the Rome Statute (the International Criminal Court Statute), which Polly believes she and her team are making rapid progress towards this goal. “Six months ago it was just me doing this; now we have 12 people, including two volunteers, working together,” she says. “We have achieved a huge amount; we’ve had closed door meetings with the UN ambassador and have fed the campaign message into every single government in the world.”

Polly has been interested in ecological issues since her childhood in Scotland, where she says she learned to appreciate nature and where her meteorologist father would discuss green issues and the environment at the kitchen table.

Leaving a highly paid career as a barrister to launch a campaign which pays her nothing has been a pretty dramatic change. “Luckily we have received some funding, which has meant I’ve been able to take on people to help,” she says. “We are entirely dependent on donations. We had one anonymous cheque for $150,000, which was amazing, but the average donation is £50. We are truly being funded by the people.” eradicatingecocide.com Cherry Maslen

!

Green champion: international lawyer and environmental activist Polly Higgins has made eradicating ecocide her life’s work

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grassroots

KAREN LYNCH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BELU WATER Business Person of the Year Belu mineral water was founded in 2004 with good intentions and strong environmental principles. By 2006 the company was the world’s carbon neutral. Yet its failure to develop a sustainable business model meant its future was far from crystal clear when former Emap and Barclays executive Karen Lynch took over as CEO in 2010.

In came a new business model; she switched distribution methods, embraced new technology, new outlets and re-branding. What environmentally-friendly principles: “Prior to joining Belu I had this huge obsession with waste and Belu’s appeal to me was that we would genuinely take the most ethical position right through every part of the business.

“The best way to prove that being a green and sustainable business works is

looking at the bigger picture by employing professionally and properly as a business and we’re doing it in the most ethical manner possible,” says Karen.

Her determination to turn the business round rapidly has paid off. Belu had always supported clean water projects, and in June 2011 Karen formed an exclusive partnership with the country’s best-known water charity, WaterAid, and from that date pledged to donate £300,000 over the following three years.

Belu gave £199,100 in 2011, almost double its original promise of £100,000.

The PEA judges applauded the fact that areas of the world where it’s most needed.

Says Karen: “Every decision is made on

THE BEST WAY TO PROVE THAT BEING A GREEN BUSINESS WORKS IS TO BE PROFITABLE

Belu’s stylish recycled glass bottles are to be seen in many top restaurants in the UK, and their recycled plastic water bottles are now also in 300 Sainsbury’s stores.

“While striving to be ethical we haven’t compromised on aesthetics, quality or taste,” says Karen. “It is unnecessary to import when we have such excellent water sources in the UK and we would never export. We’re trying to be an example of everything that can be good in our industry.” belu.org Stephanie Stevens-Wade

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Karen, CEO of Belu, which gives all of its the charity WaterAid

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grassroots

GAV LAWSON, CO-FOUNDER, THE HEMP TRADING COMPANY (THTC) Fashion Award Gav Lawson and his brother Dru launched The Hemp Trading Company (THTC) on the cusp of a shiny new millennium. Yet the ethically-driven street-clothing label was ahead of its time. Back in 1999 there was little choice in eco-friendly fashion and even less to attract the design-conscious young. Enter THTC, combining style with substance in its signature skateboard-cool T-shirts that young men actually wanted to wear: “When organic clothing was in its mainstream infancy, THTC was the very

including human rights and environmental degradation,” says Gav. “Activism is at the heart of THTC and

Megastores and TKMaxx,” recalls Gav. Since then there’s been a growing army of people who care about how and where their clothes are made and question what

helps save as much as 2,500 litres of standard cotton T-shirt.”

The PEA award judges were most impressed by the fact that THTC has “reached an audience which is pretty unreachable”, adding that, “The vast majority of Fairtrade and organic products in this country are bought by women and with men. THTC T-shirts are often the very

THTC HAS REACHED AN AUDIENCE WHICH IS PRETTY UNREACHABLE 36 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

made. The brand’s cult following means it can motivate customers to support wider environmental issues.” thtc.co.uk Isobel Jones

!

Gav Lawson (above) uses designs on THTC T-shirts and street artists, such as Mau Mau, whose work is shown on this wall

Light Factory Studio

support from hundreds of urban musicians, poets, actors and activists. “This has helped raise awareness of the important ethical issues within the clothing industry,

Mau has ensured that the label is at the forefront of cutting-edge art and trends.”

Working with graphic and street art designers, THTC produces many of its T-shirt designs with water-based inks, which are kinder to the environment than the traditional plastic-based counterparts. And, explains Gav, “We

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grassroots

CAR FREE WALKS Responsible Travel Award

miles of where everyone lives in this country,” enthuses Gary Shipp. “And you don’t need a car to get to them.” Gary, a keen walker, climber and all-round outdoor enthusiast, and two like-minded friends, Tim Woods and Patrik Germann, wanted others to share their passion for the countryside and reducing their carbon footprint. So they set up a website describing hundreds of walks all over the country and details of how to get to the starting point by train, bus or ferry.

The site has grown massively since it was launched in 2006, with the PEA award announcement generating yet more hits. Gary says the award will also make it easier for them to get sponsorship and prizes such as walking boots, maps and outdoor clothing. The National Trust features some of the walks on its website, and you can also search on carfreewalks. org for routes suitable for families with small children and buggies.

All three were living in Brighton when they launched the site, but now Gary, who works for Sustrans which promotes car-free journeys, lives in Somerset while Tim and Patrik are currently working abroad.

“Keeping the site going is down to me at the moment,” says Gary, “but I still manage to get out walking most weekends. The site we just want people to get out and enjoy the beauty of the landscape without having an impact on the environment.”

Car Free Walks also invites people to send in their own favourite walks which can be added to the site. Gary advises allowing a bit of extra time to get to walks in case there are any delays with public transport.

great for energy and they still taste the same if they get squashed.” G carfreewalks.org Cherry Maslen

WE WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY THE LANDSCAPE WITHOUT HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

From left: Tim, Patrik and Gary set up their website to promote walks which can be reached by public transport

38 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Advertising feature

ETHICAL FORESTRY

AN ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT WITH A PROVEN TRACK RECORD

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n these unprecedented times, when traditional forms of investing are proving unreliable, it’s reassuring to know that some investments are growing well, leaving others in the shade. One investment arena worth serious consideration is sustainable timber.

Forestry investments ultimately produce valuable timber, a commodity constantly used for construction, paper production and latterly for fuel pellets, an eco-friendly fuel source. Demand for timber

is projected to rise in line with the global population explosion, implying a 55% growth by 2050; therefore there has never been a better time to invest in forestry.

As well as the obvious environmental benefits of investing in sustainable timber, such as carbon sequestration (the process of absorbing dangerous CO2 and sealing it within trees) and the indirect protection of the natural rainforests by giving an alternative supply chain, forestry investments offer substantial returns.

Ethical Forestry, regarded as one of the leading UK forestry investment providers, has a proven track record for giving investors their projected returns.

A typical investment of £18,000 offers total returns of £104,189 over 12 years. The investment pays out in regular intervals in years 4, 8, 10 and 12, creating regular income or, in the case of pensions, a lump sum. The investments are proving popular with the new wave of savvy green investors, who are adding forestry to their pension fund.

They can be placed in a SIPP scheme relatively easily as many SIPP trustees have already approved Ethical Forestry.

As the stock market continues to take investors’ money on a roller coaster ride, it is reassuring to know that there are investments providing investors with a real alternative.

For more details contact Ethical Forestry on 0800 075 30 10 or visit ethicalforestry.com

High Return Timber Investments £18,000 invested over 12 years is projected to return £104,189 with the following payouts: Year 4 £5,640

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How a typical investment works Based on £18,000 invested in Melina trees over 12 years Year 1 - Planting & Tree Replacement Guarantee 600 trees are planted close together to encourage them to contend for canopy light making them grow tall and straight.

If a tree perishes within the first 3 years we replace it free of charge from our tree bank.

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The projected proceeds from the sale of the first 300 trees harvested is £5,640.

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After the final harvest the land is protected within our Forestry Easement Trust.

Projected return paid to investor £62,436 Total projected returns £104,189 Ethical Forestry is not regulated by the Financial Services Authority and does not offer any advice about any regulated or unregulated investments, either within this advertisement or elsewhere. Please consult an Independent Financial Advisor prior to making any decision to buy our products. Our products are not regulated investments. Their value may rise or fall and no guarantees of future performance in respect of income or capital growth are given either expressly or by implication, and you may not get back the full amount you pay for them. Ethical Forestry shall not be held liable to anyone for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies within this advertisement under any circumstances or for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of any of the information or detail contained herein. Our projections are based on historical Melina growth data and timber values rising at an average of 7% per annum over the term of the investment.

42 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

intelligence: gardening

Paradise found Every good garden deserves an apple tree, says Alys Fowler ~ PHOTOGRAPH: SIMON WHEELER

A

productive garden without some fruit would truly be a sin.

Traditionally, fruit in walled gardens is trained along the protective walls in complicated fans and espaliers away from winds and frosts.

Many urban gardens have similar set-ups – perhaps not beautiful brick walls, but wooden fences and other buildings are also suitable spots for training fruit.

Once established, fruit trees do not need much work, other than pruning out diseased, damaged or crossing branches in winter. Trained trees need pruning to promote spur growth (where next year’s fruit will appear), but this is simple to do once you’ve been shown how.

Many ornamental crab apples are grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks to produce small, prolific trees that offer spring flowers and autumn colour and fruit. ‘John Downie’ is a larger form, covered with yellow fruit that is considered to be the best for jam and jelly.

Malus x robusta ‘Red Sentinel’ has cherryred fruit that hang on the tree for a long time, right through autumn until Christmas.

Where you are restricted to containers, you can still grow apples on very dwarfing rootstocks, in 25 litre or larger pots.

Gertrude, one of Alys’s chickens, checks out the ripening ‘Discovery’ apples on an escapade outside the run

If you want to train fruit as espaliers or fans against a wall or along a boundary it’s best to get an expert to start you off, but it’s an even better plan, and quite affordable, to buy a two- or three-year-old, pre-trained tree. You can either start with bare-root trees (sold between November and March) or buy container-grown specimens.

Your first task is to establish strong, galvanized, horizontal steel wires to tie the tree to. The wires need to be taut, and at least 5cm away from walls to allow air to circulate. Attach wires to your wall or fence, or firmly installed posts, with vine eyes, roughly 20cm apart, with the lowest about 40cm off the ground. These horizontal wires will give you a framework for your tree.

The way your wall or fence faces will determine what you can grow against it, but apples will be equally happy on a south, west or east-facing wall. You’ll have to make sure that the soil retains moisture so as not to bake the fruit. If you are in a frost-prone area, choose late-flowering varieties, but check which do well locally.

Take advice from specialist fruit growers as to what will grow where and what sort of support to use. % WWW.GREEN-MAGAZINE.CO.UK |

43

intelligence: gardening

AUTUMN IS THE TIME TO ESTABLISH A CONTAINERGROWN APPLE TREE: BUT GET YOUR ORDER IN SOON – THE BEST ONES GO FAST

Apple trees are not self-fertile so you need two or more to pollinate the flowers.

In suburban areas there is usually one fairly nearby in the neighbourhood, but in inner cities this can be more of an issue, especially as you need two varieties that flower at the same time.

For the most popular choices this won’t be a problem, but if you are choosing something rarer you need to find out when it blooms.

It’s almost impossible to recommend types of apples as there are so many and preference is particularly individual. Apple Day is held on 21 October every year and there are celebrations across the country.

It’s a chance to take unidentified apples to experts, eat many different varieties, drink cider and juice and meet nurseries who grow and sell heritage fruit.

If you want to find something special, local to where you live, something that will fruit at a specific time or store well, an apple for cooking, or one for eating immediately off the tree, then go to an

Apple Day, eat loads of fruit and make your choice.

My favourite apples include ‘Blenheim Orange’ (good storer and perfumed flavour), ‘Winter Banana’ (rosy yellow and tastes like its name suggests), ‘Tydeman’s Late Orange’ (a stronger ‘Cox’s Orange’, good for storing) and ‘Egremont Russet’ (a fine, fine apple). G Extracted from The Edible Garden by Alys Fowler, published by BBC Books , ÂŁ19.99.

KNOW YOUR ROOTSTOCKS

r "QQMFT BSF TPME PO B WBSJFUZ PG ASPPUTUPDLT which determine how large a tree will grow. For small gardens, M27 very dwarfing stock is best for fertile soils. This produces the smallest trees that grow 1.5–2 metres tall. Trees suitable for containers are generally grown on this stock. r . EXBSóOH TUPDL JT CFTU GPS PSEJOBSZ soils. Trees will grow 2–3 metres high. r . WFSZ EXBSóOH TUPDL USFFT XJMM BMTP HSPX UP m NFUSFT .Z USFFT BSF PO . dwarf rootstock so I don’t need ladders and they don’t shade the garden. r 0UIFS SPPUTUPDLT BSF POMZ SFBMMZ TVJUBCMF for larger gardens, though you may get BXBZ XJUI .. TFNJ EXBSóOH TUPDL UIBU BMMPXT USFFT UP SFBDI m NFUSFT

Pick up an apple tree at any garden centre; expect to pay around £20-£30 for a three-year-old tree. I buy most of mine mail order from specialist nurseries, which send beautifully packaged heritage varieties for great value (bare-root trees for around £15). I use Keepers Nursery in Maidstone, and Walcot Nursery in Worcestershire – both are organic and their advice over the phone is impeccable. The annual RHS nearest nursery.

44 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Apple Day, on 21 October each year, celebrates apples and orchards

Thinkstock; Š Alys Fowler, 2012

Branch out...

eco profile

Alan Titchmarsh’s

Little Green Book

TV’s best known gardener, the multi-talented Alan Titchmarsh, a long-standing presenter of gardening programmes, including prime-time nature series, hosts his own chat show and has

GREEN FINGERS

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Chandlers End, Mill Road, Stokesby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 3EY, 01493 750061, greengardener.co.uk I’m worried about the effect of slug pellets on hedgehogs

controlling slugs and snails – mechanical rather than garden with two collars a much better

hostas, which are at their

kitchen waste into liquid compost through the

hostas in large pots and put the copper tape around the pots (left

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46 | GREEN

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B&Q Catesby Business Park, White Rose Way, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN4 8DG, 0845-609 6688, diy.com the prices good but it’s a responsible place

reducing the amount of peat in compost and I’m working with them to make sure their staff are well trained in looking after plants and stock so that when people get plants home

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GARDEN ORGANIC Wolston Lane, Coventry, Warwickshire CV8 3LG, 02476 303517, gardenorganic.org.uk

their online catalogue, and organic composts

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bird food on the ground in the middle of a lawn

freeze-dried mealworms which we order on the

ONLINE BARK Mickering Lane, Aughton, Lancashire L39 6SR, 01695 422144, onlinebark.co.uk Another absolute must for the

50 | GREEN

inch mulch of chipped bark onto clean, weed-free soil in the spring, including under shrubs and between emerging perennials, it holds in the moisture to promote plant growth while keeping weeds in

the bark chips come from this coir, which are shipped across

G

Advertising feature

THE AGA COOKER T

he iconic AGA cooker truly is unlike any other household appliance. This is partly due to its renowned longevity (there are thousands still working perfectly after 50 or more years of service) plus you’ll never find one on a landfill site.

That’s because every AGA cooker is almost completely recyclable and as 70% of each one started out as scrap, with end-oflife engine parts, brake drums, tractor parts and unwanted iron used to create it, it is truly green from start to finish.

How reassuring, too, that production happens not overseas somewhere but here in the UK at the famous Coalbrookdale foundry in Shropshire, a UN-recognised World Heritage site.

But the company behind the AGA cooker isn’t resting on its green laurels. Last year saw the launch of the AGA Total Control cooker, the first on-off AGA ever. It has a state-of-the-art touch screen control panel, which allows each oven and hotplate to be operated independently, saving energy and ensuring the cooker is on when you need it and off when you don’t. The brand new AGA iTotal Control – which can be remotely operated using a smartphone, tablet or laptop – takes this a step further.

These models can even be used in conjunction with micro-generation projects and because of the employment of clever room venting technology, all AGA cookers can be sited anywhere in the kitchen.

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AVAILABLE IN 11 COLOURS AND ALL OF THEM GREEN

Best served

cold

Tom Beard

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Photographs: Simon Wheeler

C

– you wouldn’t want to be seated next to one at dinner. But having one in front of you on a plate wouldn’t be quite so

deliberate intention of letting it go cold before you eat it. It’s not really such an eccentric thing to do.

can be very satisfying.

are fabulous this way too, though you should opt

instance – are the most obvious examples. In

or a full-on feast of cold poached sea trout with homemade mayonnaise. quite different from those you get when eating it

will merge as it ripens and, if it’s a good recipe, the combination will have a subtle harmony that often

vegetables, leaves and herbs, the ingredients remain separate, yet together. Every mouthful offers a different combination – salade niçoise is the

eaten at room (or garden) temperature with minimal adornment – a dressing of good oil and lemon juice,

52 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

or even barbecued, then left to cool and served perhaps both – they are outstanding. The same is true of a whole bunch of other less obvious, yet still

rarely be given the chance to display their charms at room temperature, but they will certainly not disappoint when they do.

tend to be better in hot dishes.

!

COLD SEA BASS WITH SALSA VERDE MAYONNAISE

intelligence: food

Cold Fish with Salsa Verde Mayonnaise

lose precious moisture.

it’s better eaten at room/air temperature rather

salt, sugar, pepper, mustard and lemon juice into a food processor or blender and process until

before serving and leave it to settle in a draughty

two oils in a jug. With the processor running (or

SERVES 8–10 1 sea bass, black bream, sea trout, or organic farmed or self-caught wild salmon, weighing about 2.5kg, descaled and gutted FOR THE COURT-BOUILLON:

chopped garlic, capers and parsley on a board and stir them into the mayonnaise. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper or lemon

and place on serving plates. When you’ve

3 litres of water. Bring to a simmer and

into portions. Accompany with the salsa verde that have been tossed with olive oil and plenty of seasoning. Buttered new potatoes and a leaf

FOR THE SALSA VERDE MAYONNAISE: fantastic accompaniments.

Salade Niçoise At its best, this classic dish is a sheer delight, but in the wrong hands it can be a mess. Anyone who’s eaten a few different salades niçoises will have come across an ingredient that has no business being there – fennel, cucumber, green peppers, capers, pine nuts? We wouldn’t be so arrogant as to claim ours as the ultimate version, and there’s no accounting for taste, but we placing it on the trivet. Bring to a simmer, put the

brand that’s line-caught sustainably.

54 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

!

SALADE NIÇOISE

intelligence: food

As with any simple dish, it’s important to get every ingredient absolutely right. The tuna must be tinned in oil, not brine, while the lettuce should only the crisper, inner leaves at that. The eggs soft in the middle, the French beans must be really young and fresh, and the olives should be baby niçoise ones, if you can get them. Once you have gathered these beautiful ingredients, putting the salad together is easy.

together. Rather than tossing everything with the the bottom of the dish, it’s best to build up the salad in layers. Arrange the lettuce leaves over a large, shallow serving dish, then distribute the potatoes over them. dressing over the whole lot. Next come the eggs and the olives, with a little more dressing,

straight away, preferably with a chilled rosé.

Potted Mackerel in oil about 500g. discarded gutted

FOR THE DRESSING:

Juice of 1 lemon

tender, adding the French beans to the pan about 5 minutes before the potatoes are done. Drain and leave to cool.

Meanwhile, bring a small pan of water to the boil, add the eggs and simmer (5 minutes for small eggs, 7 minutes for large). Drain and rinse further. Peel and halve the eggs.

Drain the tuna (reserving a little of the oil for

through. Remove and set aside to cool.

and bay leaves, but retain one clove of garlic.

Add mace, cayenne, parsley and thyme to the Melt the butter in a pan over a gentle heat.

Finely chop the reserved garlic and add to ! |

57

POTTED MACKEREL

the butter. Remove from the heat and leave the butter to settle (there will be a clear layer on top with a whitish layer below). Pour two-thirds of the juice, season well with salt and pepper and gently toss together.

spaces, leaving a little room at the top. Top the butter. When cold, seal the jars (if you’re using

Remove from the fridge about 20 minutes before you want to eat it. Serve with hot brown toast. G Over the page Fiona Beckett suggests wines featured here

| GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Recipes from the new edition of The River Cottage Fish Book

by Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall and Nick Fisher with photography by Simon Wheeler (Bloomsbury, £20). More than just a cookbook, it promotes a total understanding their natural habitats to how to respect their seasonality, in keeping with the River Cottage ethos. Order a copy for £18 from bloomsbury.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Gallery paints a greener landscape

O

ne of Scotland’s leading galleries has commissioned a more sustainable future, thanks to green technology that’s set to cut electricity consumption by over 10 per cent.

The installation of powerPerfector’s voltage optimisation technology at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Edinburgh’s Queen Street, will reduce energy costs by £6,225 and carbon emissions by 38,657kg.

The National Galleries of Scotland look after one of the world’s finest collections of Western art, and every year welcome over a million visitors.

The Portrait Gallery has recently undergone a £17.6 million renovation, the first major refurbishment in its 120-year history. powerPerfector’s VPO® is just one of many forward thinking modernisations the building has undergone to streamline energy efficiency.

The technology deals with the discrepancy between the actual supply voltage you receive (on average 242V) and the optimum voltage your electrical equipment

needs (220V). Uniquely, it also features embedded power conditioning benefits, improving the quality of power the Gallery will receive.

Speaking of the installation, Nicola Kalinsky, Interim Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, said: “One of the Portrait Gallery’s priorities is to reduce its carbon emissions and the newly installed system will ensure energy efficiency throughout the entire building.”

Wayne Muncaster, powerPerfector’s Director of Sales said: “We have now installed our technology in the Scottish National Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art and have achieved excellent savings, so there is no reason to suggest that the Portrait Gallery will be any different.

“Taking steps now will save the National Galleries even more in the future.”

If you would like more information on Voltage Power Optimisation, please contact powerPerfector on: 0845 601 4723 or email: enquiries@powerperfector.com

intelligence: drinks

Fish compliments for

L

eaf through wine guides of the 60s and 70s and you’ll

such as mackerel

to drink white wine with blanc that acts like a squeeze of lemon.

so many different ways you’d be missing out if you limited yourself impact from a creamy sauce in a

writes Fiona Beckett.

So how to decide what to drink with

important as the tuna. What’s key is the Pewter bottle stopper,

you’re familiar with will taste like with it.

G

Men’s Gift Company, mensgift company. co.uk

Wines for Fish Guy Bossard Mus-

Yali Winemaker’s

Maine 2010

Domaine du Jas

Domaine Filliatreau

2010/11

Chateau Fouquet 2011

What better with a salade niçoise than a

Mouthwateringly

Valley Chile

sauvignon, full of

sushi and sashimi – and Hugh’s pot-

from a winery that makes a feature of its work to preserve

work well with any and this is one of the

and bone dry, this

WWW.GREEN-MAGAZINE.CO.UK |

61

intelligence: homes

HOUSE STEEL OF

IF YOU CAN’T FIND THE PERFECT ENERGYEFFICIENT HOME, YOU COULD ALWAYS BUILD YOUR OWN. CHERRY MASLEN FINDS OUT HOW ONE HAMPSHIRE FAMILY DID IT Photograph: Russell Sach

Before laying the lawn, the Steels buried a 3,000 litre tank to collect rainwater to supply the washing machine, toilets and outside tap

E

very day eight-year-old Daniel Steel climbs up on a chair to check the solar panel monitor in the kitchen of his family’s home in the village of Swanmore, Hampshire.

He takes great delight in seeing how much electricity the solar panels on the roof have generated, how much money they have earned the family, and in telling his father.

His parents, David and Hilary, love to sit in the triple-glazed ‘sun space’ overlooking the garden, which traps the winter rays to create a cosy haven in even the coldest months.

The favourite spot for daughter Sophie, 16, is the chill-out zone on the landing above the double-height sun space.

62 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

After 10 years of living in what David describes as the ‘tight spaces’ of a developerbuilt four-bedroom house in a nearby town, the Steel family have finally built their dream home. It’s a spacious house with a large kitchen, four sizeable bedrooms, a double garage with an extensive area above that could be used as a games room, and a garden easily big enough to accommodate a goal for Daniel to kick his football into.

The house has been built to a very high level of sustainability, with both photovoltaic and thermal solar panels; a heat recovery ventilation system which captures warm air from the kitchen and bathroom and recycles it to cooler areas of the house; triple glazing throughout; super-insulation that means #

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intelligence: homes

WE WANTED A FAMILY HOME THAT WAS COMFORTABLE, HAD A LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND WAS CHEAP TO RUN

THE ECO CRED no central heating needed for electricity and hot water system for solar gain

central heating isn’t needed; a log burner, and a rainwater recycling system.

David, a 53-year-old architect with HNW Architects in Chichester, wanted to move to a larger house, but was disappointed in the still high levels of energy use for new homes, as well as the design and build quality. He decided he could do better. “What we wanted was a comfortable family home that had as low an impact on the environment as possible and was cheap to run,” says David.

“As an architect these are the principles we follow when designing buildings, whatever their use. I decided it was time we built our own house, with me supplying the design, drawings and specifications, and the building contractor managing the build.”

Above: Triple-glazed windows and patio doors trap warmth in the ‘sun space’ in winter

First, though, they had to find somewhere in their local area to build their dream home.

“I searched every single week, but it took five years before we found the right place,” says David. “A bungalow came up for sale on a large corner plot with enough space to build a second house. Luckily nobody else had spotted the potential.”

The Steels sold their house in 2007 for £365,000 and bought the bungalow and land for £475,000. The plan was to live in the bungalow while they built the house, then to divide the plot in two, using the proceeds from the sale of the bungalow to pay for the build.

While there are environmental concerns about ‘garden grabbing’ for building because of the erosion of green space, in this case the plot was large enough to provide good sized gardens for both homes.

“The good thing about the corner plot was that we could create a separate access from the other road to keep the two properties separate,” says David. “Unfortunately it took a while for the permission to come through, which held us up.” It also took a long time to sort out funding for the project. David couldn’t get a mortgage for the build from a high street lender, but eventually found one through self-build expert BuildStore, which acts as a broker for specialist lenders.

Obtaining planning permission was straightforward; the Steels found a very good builder who lived in the village and then they were up and running – with David on a steep learning curve. “I researched everything, from solar PV panels, to insulation, to floor construction,” he says. “There was a huge amount to discover about how to self-build a sustainable home.”

The house is timber-framed and of airtight construction, with thick insulation within the walls, roof and floor. The insulation is well beyond the latest building regulations, using mineral wool and foam (PIR) rather than one or the other. A downside, though, was # WWW.GREEN-MAGAZINE.CO.UK |

65

intelligence: homes

THERE’S NO CENTRAL HEATING, BUT A VERY EFFICIENT SWEDISH LOG BURNER FOR THE WINTER that the polystyrene in the floor meant they couldn’t have underfloor heating (which provides a low background warmth that is more efficient than radiators). However, the insulation, triple glazing and solar gain from the large south-facing windows and French doors has meant heating is only needed in very cold weather. There’s no central heating, but a very efficient Swedish log burner for the winter, plus back-up heating if needed in the shape of flat, single-panel heaters in the main living areas. This is the one thing David would do differently next time. “They use these panels in Germany with houses built to the Passivhaus low-energy standard, but I don’t like them because they use electricity,” he says.

What he would recommend unreservedly is the HRV (heat recovery ventilation) system. In an airtight house you need mechanical ventilation, but this system captures the heat leaving the home and returns it with the fresh air coming in, sending the warmth to the coolest parts of the house via a fan unit in the roof space.

“These systems can be expensive to fit into an existing house, but not if they’re installed during a build,” says David. “Ours cost

As well as thermal solar panels, the Steels have installed an to recycle heat leaving the home

between £2,000 and £3,000 and captures and recycles 90-95% of the warm air.”

The huge 3,000-litre rainwater tank under the lawn is another bonus. Rainwater is used for the washing machine, outside tap and lavatory flushing, meaning the family’s mains water use has dropped dramatically and their bills are tiny.

While the construction itself went relatively smoothly, the timing could not have been worse. The build started in September 2009, with that November one of the wettest on record followed by a freezing winter. The house was more or less ready to move into

by June 2010, but a stalling housing market meant they couldn’t find a buyer for the bungalow. “By that stage we were under huge strain financially,” says David.

In the end the Steels accepted a lower offer for the bungalow than they’d hoped for, selling it for £315,000 in spring 2011. It covered the build costs of around £275,000 though. The value of the new house has already been estimated at £500,000, giving the Steels a sustainable home which has also been an excellent investment. But they’ve no plans to cash in on that investment for a very long time. “We’re all very happy here and we’re staying for 20 years,” says David. G

FINANCING GREEN BUILDS AND IMPROVEMENTS builds of non-standard construction so you may need a specialist lender. mortgages for alternative construction methods. Its ‘C-Change’ mortgage has a sliding scale of discounts from 0.5% to 1.25% for new builds with high levels of ecology.co.uk centre, sources eco mortgages to suit your

your current home, the Co-operative Bank’s customers is a good option. It allows you to take up to £20,000 of equity out of your home, re-mortgage at a low rate and improvements.

66 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Keep the

energy in

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Panel Gains 68 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

intelligence: living

Solar panels are becoming cheaper, but where do cuts to the feed-in tariff leave the undecided? Cherry Maslen answers the key questions

I

t has been encouraging to see solar panels appearing on roofs all over the country, but recent announcements about tariff alterations have deterred some homeowners from installing them, and left others confused. As Green’s editor-in-chief Tony Juniper says, “Solar power technologies work and the cost is falling. With the right support from governments they make a very substantial contribution to both our energy security and carbon emissions reductions goals. It seems to me that it is an industry we really should seek to expand.” But do solar panels still make a sound investment for the individual homeowner?

WHAT ’S HAPPENING WITH TARIFFS? The payments offered to householders per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity produced, as an incentive to install solar panels, attracted such a high uptake that the government claimed it could not afford to continue the offer at that level. Anyone who had their panels installed and signed up to the deal before 3 March 2012 will continue to receive the rate of 43.5p/kWh for an average domestic system. Those who installed them between that date and 31 July 2012 will receive the lower rate of 21p/kWh; those who installed after 1 August 2012 will receive the further reduced amount of 16p/kWh.

It’s not just about saving money; having solar panels makes a valuable contribution to reducing the country’s carbon emissions

HOW DO THE TARIFFS WORK? There are two types of payment, one for generating your own electricity (generation tariff ) and another for sending unused electricity to the National Grid (export tariff ).

The generation tariff is now 16p/kWh (as above), while the export tariff has increased to 4.5p/kWh ( from 3.2p/ kWh) for all new solar PV installations. Payments used to be guaranteed for 25 years, but since 1 August they are guaranteed for 20 years.

Your home will only be eligible for these rates, however, if its energy performance certificate (EPC) is D or above.

HOW MUCH DO PANELS COST? The good news is that the cost of solar panels has fallen substantially, making the drop in financial returns with the feed-in tariff rate cut less acute. An average installation is now about £7,000, compared to £12,000 a year $ WWW.GREEN-MAGAZINE.CO.UK |

69

intelligence: living

ago. Prices of panel suppliers and installers will vary so you need to shop around.

HOW MUCH COULD I EARN? It depends how many panels you have, how well-sited they are and how much electricity you generate.

But for an average installation on a standard house (a 4kW setup), independent renewable energy consumer website YouGen (yougen.co.uk) has calculated that at the new 16p rate a household could earn approximately £620 a year, and save around £238 a year on electricity, making them £858 a year better off. That’s around £150 less per year than at the previous rate of 21p/kWh. The Energy Saving Trust also has a feed-in tariff calculator that you can use to estimate income (energysavingtrust.org.uk).

COULD THE TARIFF RATES CHANGE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE? Yes, but if you have signed up at a specific rate that amount will still be paid; only households who sign up after the date of a rate change will receive the new price.

ARE ALL HOMES SUITABLE FOR SOL AR PANELS? Some are more suitable than others. Homes with south-facing roofs will generate the most electricity, followed by south-west and south-east facing roofs and then west and east. Solar panels will not work well on north-facing roofs or those overshadowed by large trees or buildings. In general,

70 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

homes in the warmer parts of southern England (particularly Devon, Somerset and Cornwall) will generate more electricity than those in Scotland and the northern areas of England.

WILL SOL AR PANELS ADD VALUE TO MY HOUSE? Solar panels are no longer seen as an oddity and people are now well aware of their advantages.

With ever-rising energy bills, a house with the means to generate electricity for nothing will become increasingly more attractive than its panelfree neighbours. Recent research from the Federation of Master Builders reports that one in three people (29%) believe that green technology adds value to a home because of the reduction in energy bills. However, if you sell your house soon after installing solar panels there is no certainty that you would get back the amount you spent on the panels.

ARE THERE STILL COMPANIES THAT FIT SOL AR PANELS FOR FREE? When the feed-in tariff was 43p/kWh a raft of businesses sprang up which installed solar panels on people’s homes with the agreement that they would receive the feed-in tariff, while the homeowner benefited from free electricity. This helped families with no savings or low incomes to cut household bills, but they signed away their future rights to any income. Now that the rates have been dramatically reduced, there are likely to be fewer such companies operating. G

If you had to SAVE just one thing,

Money or the Planet?

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intelligence: wellbeing

THE GREEN GODDESS

BEAUTY DILEMMA: Whether to go for body products in (recyclable) glass, or safer-in-thebathroom plastic (also lighter to transport). This repackaged Dr.Hauschka Regenerating Body Moisturiser, £45 for 150ml, is a winner for me: a rose-andorange-scented topto-toe nourisher, with

Eco-smart advice from Josephine Fairley WHO’S NATURALLY WHO: Pukka Herbs

marshmallow and birch.

The trade-off is that the lightweight pumpaction bottle lasts ages. drhauschka.co.uk

WHO: Building on their reputation as a leading name in herbal teas and Ayurvedic-based supplements, Sebastian Pole and Tim Westwell last year launched products. Harnessing the power of highlyconcentrated, traditional Ayurvedic herbs

SOAP BOX The UK needs a branch of the Global Soap Project (globalsoap. org), which takes ‘used’ soap bars from hotels such as Hilton, Wyndham and Marriott, recycles and dispatches them to communities in the developing world with little access to this commodity. While we wait for Global Soap to happen here, you can always travel with your own to avoid wasting soap that can’t be recycled.

tap into avid herb grower Sebastian’s

Alistair Hood

Chinese and Western herbal medicine. The 50ml tubes are made from 85% Post Consumer Recycled

eye, interactive website for facial massage techniques to boost alertness, brighten the complexion, balance emotions or soothe tired eyes.

BESTSELLERS: Radiance Serum, £32 for 50ml, Gentle Cleanser, £11 for 50ml, and Firming Face Oil, £38 for 30ml.

RECENT TRIUMPHS: The Firming Face Oil won the 2012 Natural and Organic Award for the Soil Association.

FIND THEM: pukkaherbs.com

GOOD SPA VIBES There’s a gorgeous new destination on the eco-beauty map: OSKIA’s pretty treatment rooms above the Good Vibes Yoga Glow Studio in London’s Covent Garden. Facials and bodycare using OSKIA’s botanically-powered skincare, and natural waxing are on offer.

Women with too little time, check out The Quick Fix, a cleanse/ exfoliate/radiance-boosting quickie which takes just 20 minutes.

14-16 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BU 020-7240 6111 !

WWW.GREEN-MAGAZINE.CO.UK |

73

Advertising feature

A greener clean

CLEANING YOUR CAR SHOULDN’T COST THE EARTH

2012

W

e all try to be smart motorists, clued up about fuel consumption and carbon emissions but washing your car with a hose (assuming it’s not banned) or driving it to the local car wash can use up to an environmentally un-friendly 400 litres of water. An American wonder product called Eco Touch Waterless Car Wash (£8.99 for 500ml) is a non-toxic, effective answer. Awarded a 5 star Best Buy review by Auto Express, you spray it on to your car, it emulsifies and captures the dirt, so that dirt can be wiped off with a microfibre cloth, it’s that easy! This is the next generation of car care products and provides car users across the UK with an opportunity to contribute to the ‘green’ movement! `Ê ÕÌÊ ÀiÊ>ÌÊiV Ì ÕV °iÕÉÕ ÊÊ> `ÊÌ> iÊ>Ê Ê>ÌÊÌ iÊvÕ ÊiV vÀ i ` ÞÊ «À `ÕVÌÊÀ> }i°Ê Ì>VÌÊ V Ê/ ÕV Ê>ÌÊVÕÃÌ iÀV>ÀiJiV Ì ÕV °L âÊ ÀÊV> ÊÊ ä£Ó{ÈÊÓ Ó Ó °Ê à ]ÊÃiiÊv>ViL °V É V / ÕV 1 ÊÊ ÀÊ/Ü ÌÌiÀÊJ V / ÕV 1

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intelligence: wellbeing

homeopathically friendly

AGELESS YOGA

Beauty full beauty food

loss of bone density and, points out Green Goddess Josephine Fairley, a long-term yoga devotee, you can start at any age.

“Yoga is my ultimate anti-ageing secret,” to experience yoga’s power to boost health and wellbeing.” Jo’s beautifully presented inspires us to do just that.

She explains: “I have a shelfful of yoga

introduce yoga into their lives really want:

Only Nature respects the Nature of your skin

Claire Richardson

Jo has set up her own yoga studio and wellbeing centre in her home town of Hastings where she’s to be found several mornings a thewellingtoncentre.com FREE FOR YOU The publishers have three copies of Yoga for Life to give to Green readers.

For the chance to win one, visit kinglion media.com before 31 October 2012.

www.inlight-online.co.uk WWW.GREEN-MAGAZINE.CO.UK |

75

Back to nature books “SIT STROKING A CHICKEN AND ALL YOUR STRESS JUST DISAPPEARS. THEY’RE MAGIC”

Pecking order

Chicken stewardship is on the rise – and it’s hot. Celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon, Joely Richardson, Sting, Jamie Oliver and Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall all have coops. ‘Henvy’ is a new social phenomenon.

“They’re just so restful to watch,” says Suzie Baldwin, author of Chickens: the Essential Guide to Choosing and Keeping Happy, Healthy Hens (Kyle Books, £14.99), featuring beauty shots of exotic hens, and segments about

Fowl play

Drawing inspiration from her own fowl, artist Celia Lewis has produced The Illustrated Guide to Ducks and Geese (Bloomsbury, £16.99) with practical advice on choosing and keeping 65 breeds, including quail and turkeys. Shown here is a Saxony drake: “a charming all-rounder and friendly to boot”.

76 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Cristian Barnett (Suzie Baldwin)

Joely Richardson has written the foreword to the book.

Suzie also holds courses on chickenkeeping, many of which are for disadvantaged children whose lives, research suggests, are enriched by looking after hens. goldenvalleypoultry.co.uk

intelligence: shelf life

View of Scotland Max Milligan’s glorious collection of photographic essays on his native land features images peppered with quirky details and humour. “My pictures are a bit like paintings,” manipulation or Photoshop. The theme of all my books is variety – I hope no two pictures look alike. I didn’t want this to be like every other photography book on Scotland, because you always see the same places.” The project took the internationally acclaimed

Young stag in the bracken at Duartmore

by Max Millligan, from The Soul of Scotland: Anam Na H-Alba (Quadrille, £40)

Living the Good Life

Hedges are amongst Britain’s most ancient monuments. In Hedge Britannia (Bloomsbury, £16.99), Hugh Barker meets hedge-laying champs and topiary fanatics, observing the lengths to which some people will go to annoy the neighbours. Along the way he relates how a connection between paradise and the garden hedge grew up and why the British army planted a barrier hedge hundreds of miles long in India.

Nick Pope

living Dick and James Strawbridge (below) show how to grow, harvest, preserve and make the most of seasonal produce in their cheery new, can-do ‘Made at Home’ series (Mitchell Beazley, £12.99 each).

Hedge-hunter

WWW.GREEN-MAGAZINE.CO.UK |

77

1of0p0ro% fit

donated

I KNOW A PLACE Ben Fogle is the ambassador for the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project 2012 (beach rescue 2012UK. com). His new Beach Clean campaign now extends beyond Britain’s beaches and to our rivers and canals

An indefatigable writer, TV presenter, environmental campaigner and adventurer, Ben Fogle’s many achievements include running across the Sahara, being a castaway on Taransay island, climbing Redwood trees in California and crossing Antarctica on foot. Next year he’ll tackle his most punishing challenge yet: to raise awareness of the threats to the planet’s oceans, he will attempt to become only the second person to swim the Atlantic. He tells Green where he has left his heart

WILD PLACE THE AZORES The Azores really are extraordinary: a volcanic landscape with rich tropical forest and steaming vents. You can go whale watching in the morning, cook your lunch in a volcanic bore hole and then swim in the bubbling, boiling cauldron of the Atlantic caused by a volcanic vent, which creates a natural ocean spa. The beaches are a dark volcanic maze of black lava in which small pools have been formed. I have a thing about Atlantic Islands and the Azores really is other worldly, yet slightly easier to get to.

80 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

intelligence: travel

PARK HYDE PARK, LONDON I have used London’s Royal Parks all my life. Hyde Park is extra special to me because it’s where I met my wife Marina while walking the dogs. I am using the Serpentine, the lake in Hyde Park, to train for my Atlantic swim. I’m very proud of my role as trustee of the Royal Parks Foundation.

ROCK ROCKALL This tiny outcrop of granite jutting out of the North Atlantic some 250 miles west of the Outer Hebrides is an obsession of mine. Ownership is disputed between Britain, Ireland, Denmark and Iceland. I tried to invade it twice. Once I was caught in a massive storm and the second time I made it, but couldn’t land. I stuck a sticky note with my name on instead.

I still plan to invade it one day and claim it for the Queen.

Spencer Bowman (Luskentyre); Chris Murray (Rockall)

BEACH LUSKENTYRE, HARRIS, OUTER HEBRIDES My idea of heaven: a long sweeping beach of talc white sand leading into a crystal-clear turquoise ocean. It makes the heart sing.

The beach is always spotless. It’s a shame more beaches aren’t as clean. That’s why I have teamed up with the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project in which I join volunteers to clean beaches up and down the country.

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTER

OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

time to make a documentary with the Duke of Cambridge about Tusk and the second time to scuba-dive with wild Nile crocodiles. It was without doubt the scariest experience of my life (the crocs, not Prince William), but it was one I shall never forget, diving down into the murky depths of the river for a ! face-to-face encounter with these prehistoric predators.

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intelligence: travel

SHIP THE NOORDERLICHT, NORWAY Meaning ‘Northern Light’ in Dutch, The Noorderlicht is locked in the ice for several months of the year, anchored close to Tempelfjorden on the island of Spitzbergen, in Norway’s Arctic wilderness of the Svalbard Archipelago. I travelled there by dog sled and it was one of the most magical sights I have ever seen. There is something enchanting about sleeping on a ship frozen in ice, hearing the groan of the wood under pressure at night and the growl of prowling polar bears beyond.

SOUTH ATLANTIC (PART OF THE UK’S OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF ST HELENA, ASCENSION AND TRISTAN DA CUNHA) Very few people get to visit this extraordinary place.

It certainly isn’t easy to get to. It has no airport, no harbour and now no boat service. I was lucky enough to go 10 years ago when the RMS St Helena still plied the waters once a year. It took me nearly 10 days to reach it from Cape Town, South Africa, and I only managed to spend two nights on the island.

As an overseas territory of the UK, it is very British and bills itself as the ‘Remotest Island in the World’. Tristan da Cunha is about 1,750 miles from South Africa, and 1,500 miles from the nearest land mass (Saint Helena).

Just 300 people live there. It’s wild and exciting. I would love to return to this special place one day.

82 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Remy Marion, Oceanwide Expeditions (Noorderlicht); Tourism Dept (Tristan da Cunha)

ISLAND TRISTAN DA CUNHA,

intelligence: travel

JUNGLE PAPUA NEW GUINEA Several years ago I trekked along the infamous Black Cat Trail and fell for this wild country. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like stepping back in time as you leave Australia and land in Port Moresby.

It has a rather fearsome reputation, but I only ever experienced kindness, hospitality andâ&#x20AC;Ś leeches, which to be honest I could have done without.

Everyone chews betel nut and the whole country is covered in what looks like puddles of blood (perhaps this is the reason for its reputation). I tried them once and went slightly doolally.

TRAIN JOURNEY LA PAZ, BOLIVIA TO ARICA, CHILE The train is more like a bus on wheels and goes through the Andes, across the famous salt pans and into the Atacama train route years ago (Michael Palin had been on it shortly before me) and have never forgotten it. Few journeys are surrounded by snowy peaks with condors circling above.

You can probably tell I enjoy surrealism.

Guatemalan Institute of Tourism INGUAT

RUINS TIKAL, GUATEMALA An astonishing place where ancient Mayan temples soar from the dense green jungle below. Steep steps lead to their summits giving breathtaking views of the forest teeming with life below. G

More about Ben: benfogle.com

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eco travel

T

he Walig Hut is the pinnacle of off-grid luxury. This 200-year-old traditional cattle farmer’s summer home is perched 1,700 metres up a Swiss mountain, near Gstaad.

Sympathetic restoration has retained all the rustic features, with the added ecobenefits of charcoal fire heating and electricity (used only for lighting) produced by solar panels.

Who minds drawing water from the spring next to the outside dining area when you’re surrounded by fragrant Alpine aster, mossy saxifrage and campanula? Or that there’s a composting loo complete with its own sawdust? Yet the ‘going back in time’ experience comes with perks. The absence of satellite television and wi-fi connection bring a change of pace and perspective. As the creator of the International Downshifting week, a campaign for a slower pace of life, I approved.

Sumptuous sheepskin throws almost swallowed me whole as I retired to my oversized bed. Never before had I woken up to the sound of cow bells and such exhilarating views. Guests make dinner on a range cooker or, if they crave 100% indulgence, hand over the catering to a private chef from the nearby Gstaad Palace hotel, the extremely posh proprietors of the hut. A chef will obligingly conjure up enticing dishes for an outdoor lunch or for dinner, while everyone laps up the unrivalled views. $ Reached on foot or by horse-drawn carriage, the Walig Hut allows guests to enjoy a Heidi-like experience, drawing water from a mountain spring

84 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Less More is

In search of off-grid seclusion, Tracey Smith spent a night on a magic mountain 85

eco travel

Walig Hut guests fall asleep to the sound of cow bells. Below: The Train du Chocolat climbs through the Alps

The tranquillity of the Walig Hut is arrived at only by an hour of hiking, or a horse-drawn carriage ride, to protect the delicate undulating track and surrounding area.

I was impressed by the importance placed on preserving the region for future generations, but I had several pensive moments as I stood upon the nearby Tsanfleuron glacier, noting the new markers showing how far it had retreated in a season. Perhaps a few more community-driven inclusive initiatives, such as a tree replanting project, could have a significantly positive impact here.

The rustic simplicity of the Walig Hut bears no resemblance to its elegant parent, yet both are perfection.

The Gstaad Palace is the area’s pre-eminent hotel, as glamorous as it was in the days when Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Queen of the Alps, Julie Andrews, partied in the GreenGo Nightclub (‘green’ for ‘go’ rather than an eco reference).

Their photographs gaze from the walls with ‘happy to be here’ expressions.

Behind the scenes, though, there has been a half a million pound refit of the all-important heating system – now powered by locally renewed energy – and countless other sustainable touches, such as non-toxic paints and non-chemical cleaners, plus natural spa treatments all earning more ecological stars for the legendary hotel. There are also batterycharging points should anyone arrive by electric car. The journey here by train from Geneva is a delight in itself with the final stage aboard the Train du Chocolat (below) as it snakes upwards through miles of enchanting pine forests.

You could take the train all the way from London, but as I was pressed for time I took a SWISS flight – faultless service, impressively punctual – from London to Geneva.

Tracey Smith wrote The Book of Rubbish Ideas, bookofrubbishideas .co.uk. More zero carbon places to stay on the next page $

CONTACTS Walig Hut: £1,071 per night for two adults and two children, including a three-course dinner (summer season only).

Gstaad Palace: From £435 per double room per night, half board, during the summer season (17 June–23 September). palace.ch WAY TO GO Tracey Smith travelled with SWISS International Air Lines which operates London Heathrow, London City, Birmingham, Manchester and Dublin to Switzerland. Fares start from £89 return, including airport taxes.

Reservations 0845-601 0956, swiss.com/uk SWISS offers carbon offsetting and is working on many other environmental initiatives; see myclimate.org The Swiss Travel System has a range of travel passes and tickets. Contact Switzerland Travel Centre 0207-420 4934, swisstravelsystem.co.uk CARBON WATCH Heathrow and Geneva release 256.5kg of CO2, with the return rail journey to Gstaad of 112 miles emitting 9.6kg, giving total emissions of 266.1kg of CO2.

The train-only option would generate 96kg.

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More off-grid seclusion ISOBEL JONES FINDS ANOTHER THREE PLACES WHERE YOU CAN UNPLUG AND EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Surrounded by 13 acres of native trees, the 13 stylishly stark, all-concrete loft apartments are the work of Canadian architect John Hix, who opened this hillside retreat to give guests “a direct connection with climate and nature”. Hix designed to collect rainwater, which is heated by the sun and used throughout, has a kitchen stocked with homemade breakfast ingredients, tradewind-facing terraces, outdoor showers but no phone, TV, air con or turn-down service. Guests (no under-16s) loaf around in hammocks or the pool, do yoga or walk in the hills. This year the six-apartment Casa Solaris opens, run entirely off-grid, with solar-powered hot water and electricity, and low-energy lighting and appliances. Lofts from £87 per night. hixislandhouse.com

MILIA MOUNTAIN RETREAT, CHANIA, CRETE, GREECE

“It’s a bit of an adventure getting to us but believe us, it’s worth it, you’ll see,” say the owners of this highly individual retreat. En route is breathtaking landscape, traditional villages, small gorges, then 2.5km of dirt road that leads directly to the 13 guesthouses restored from a derelict 17th century settlement. Candles are the only light at night, spring water spot and there are no TVs. Large double €85. milia.gr

88 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

FEYNAN ECOLODGE, JORDAN

Rising above the rocks like a Star Wars set, the 26-room adobe-coloured property is in the pristine Dana Biosphere Reserve (the largest nature reserve in Jordan), a three-hour drive from Amman. Owned by a non-governmental organisation, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, it links conservation and eco-tourism to help promote the country’s natural heritage as well as provide local employment for the Bedouin. Solar panels generate power, and homemade candles light the rooms at night. In the winter, olive-pit charcoal heat. Guests hike through the wildlife reserve, dine on traditional dishes and get a taste of Bedouin life.

Deluxe double from £86. feynan.com Tribes organise trips 01728 685971, tribes.co.uk G

© Feynan Ecolodge

HIX ISLAND HOUSE, VIEQUES ISLAND, PUERTO RICO

agence-agathe.com

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IN THE HEART OF VALENCE, A 3-STAR ADDRESS OFFERING A WEALTH OF DELIGHTS

A step in the Rhône Valley (Vallée du Rhône)

VALENCE - F R A N C E

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PEA Business Awards promotion

pea business awards

WINNER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – GOOD ENERGY

JULIET DAVENPORT

in association with

CEO & OVERALL

Passionate about tackling climate change, Juliet Davenport set up Good Energy in 1999 because she was determined to put changing to renewable forms of energy in the hands of consumers. She became interested in climate change while studying atmospheric physics at Oxford University and has never looked back. Good Energy was the first supplier to offer purely renewable electricity to UK households and is still the only company dedicated to this.

The organisation has grown consistently and now has over 30,000 customers using renewable electricity. Juliet has succeeded in her mission to ‘turn the energy market upside down’ and is an influential figure in the industry, helping to shape government policy. Her mission now is to demonstrate

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Good Energy, Monkton Reach, Monkton Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1EE; goodenergy.co.uk

how the UK could achieve a 100% renewable future by 2050.

THE JUDGES SAID: “Juliet has played an impressive role in a leadership capacity, within the organisation and the renewable energy sector as a whole. Against all odds – the economic climate and the backlash against the solar industry – Good Energy has still managed to grow year on year.

Juliet deserves to be recognised for her tireless work in the green energy sector.”

THE WINNER SAID: “This award will bring new, brilliant people to us, and potential new customers, but will also give us a lift. It will keep us tight and make sure we carry on being good at what we do. It will give more consumers confidence to change their supplier to Good Energy.”

CEO AND OVERALL WINNER SPONSORED BY

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WINNER

DIRECTOR – FRIEND OF THE SEA

PAOLO BRAY

in association with

FOOD & DRINK

Friend of the Sea is an international, notfor-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO), whose mission is to conserve the marine habitat. The founder is Dr Paolo Bray, European director of the Earth Island Institute’s Dolphin-Safe Project which saved millions of dolphins from dying in the tuna nets and started the sustainable seafood movement more than 20 years ago. Friend of the Sea (FOS) is now a main international certification project for products originating from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

Certified products from all continents include most of the traded species, fishmeal, fishfeed and Omega-3 fish oil.

THE JUDGES SAID: “We are impressed that more than 200 companies from 50 countries have relied on FOS to assess the sustainability of their seafood products. It deserves recognition for achieving what many larger NGOs with much higher funding have not managed to do. A down-toearth, grassroots approach, strong use of

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Friend of the Sea, friendofthesea.org

the internet and online work and limited administrative costs have also allowed Paolo Bray, via the Dolphin-Safe and the FOS project, to involve and promote several smaller scale producers which exploit marine resources in a sustainable way.”

THE WINNER SAID: “This award is so important because it will give the project a further boost in the UK. There are already products carrying the FOS logo in some major supermarkets, sushi chains and wholesalers, so it is developing very well in Britain, but the award increases our credibility, strengthening the resolve of those already involved but also helping attract those who might become involved in the future.

“Consumers should look for the logo, but part of our remit is also to make companies, producers and retailers of seafood or Omega-3 supplements aware of the environmental issues relating to fishing and agriculture.”

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WINNER

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY MD – FREESET BAGS

MARK WAKELING

in association with

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Mark Wakeling set up this high-quality jute bag company in 2006 as a way of finding work for women who had been trafficked into prostitution in Kolkata, India. Freeset now employs 150 women to make the environmentally-friendly bags,which are made from 100% biodegradable jute fibre that can be recycled and composted. The bags are being exported to organisations including large corporations, community groups and schools. Freeset also operates on Fairtrade principles, providing the women with a living wage and healthcare.

It has also committed to sustainable employment, rather than short-term contracts or paying per piece. Freeset measures its success in terms of lives changed rather than profits made.

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Freeset Ltd, The Bunker, 286 Burgess Road, Southampton SO16 3BE 020-8819 5799, freesetbags.co.uk.

Freeset bags available from globalseesaw. co.uk

THE JUDGES SAID: “Wow! Freeset is a truly multi-dimensional company making a great natural and organic product while changing people’s lives.”

THE WINNER SAID: “This award is a privilege and a great opportunity to help us stand out from the crowd. It’s easy to make a lot of green claims, but this really gives us the recognition of being a respectable business and provides an opportunity to tell our story on a wider stage. Going forward we’re looking to develop partnerships with other social enterprises. We’re working with 10 businesses now, but are always looking for those making innovative recycled products that empower women. This award will give us an opportunity to expand that.”

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AWARD SPONSORED BY

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SUPPLY CHAIN

WINNER

business awards

CEO – INCOGNITO

HOWARD CARTER

in association with

A highly effective natural mosquito repellent that contains no toxic chemicals, incognito is even suitable for babies. It’s made from ingredients grown in nitrate-free fertilised soil, the company uses 100% renewable energy and all distribution vehicles are either 100% electric or super-efficient hybrids.

The mosquito repellent products are shipped rather than flown to reduce environmental impact and the company doesn’t use animals for testing.

Howard Carter developed incognito after he became ill with malaria and dengue fever while travelling through Asia. He was determined to create an alternative to the existing anti-mosquito products containing the powerfully toxic chemical Deet, which is known to have caused the deaths of 12 people and destroys aquatic wildlife when it enters our waterways.

Carter and his wife, Patricia, used their entire savings and their pension funds to research and develop the product after banks refused them loans. Now recognised as the best natural insect repellent available, incognito is sold in most pharmacies in the UK, including the Co-op’s, as well as by Amnesty International, Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Waitrose, Ocado, Holland & Barrett and nearly every other health shop.

THE JUDGES SAID: “incognito’s green credentials run right through the company. It has swatted away inefficiency and successfully driven sustainability benefits through its supply chain.”

THE WINNER SAID: “This award will give us more credibility and enable incognito to take on the bigger brands. The green credentials of incognito are very strong and not just for the product itself. We also plant trees with PATT (Plant a Tree Today) and support other organisations. It’s a lot of hard work, but definitely worth it.”

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incognito, Unit 10, Baseline Business Studios, Whitchurch Road, London W11 4AT 020-7792 8687, lessmosquito.com

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WINNER

ALEXIS KEECH

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER – YORKSHIRE AMBULANCE SERVICE

in association with

PUBLIC SECTOR

The first full-time sustainability manager in the ambulance service, Alexis Keech has been the driving force behind reducing the carbon footprint of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS). She is now also working with the other ambulance services across the country, having set up GrEAN (Green Environmental Ambulance Network) to exchange ideas.

The NHS contributes to 5% of the road traffic at any one time in the UK, and the Yorkshire Ambulance Emergency Services help a population of 5 million across the region. Five years ago they committed to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2015, a goal far above the legal requirements of the NHS. By 2009 its emissions were down 8%, a result achieved without funding. YAS has already benefited from a reduction in mileage, fuel use as well as electricity and gas bills. Alexis has also initiated

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huge improvements in recycling, as well as eco-driving programmes and working with Leeds University to redesign the shape of the ambulance to make it a more aerodynamically efficient vehicle.

THE JUDGES SAID: “This not only demonstrates what can be done on a negligible budget, but also what could and should be achieved by those with more to spend.”

THE WINNER SAID: “It is fantastic for a public sector operation to be recognised in such a business-orientated environment. We have been driving our industry forward and pushing others to do the same. Having just managed to get a budget of £20,000, I’m going to try to convert the world! The next round of buying will introduce aerodynamic ambulances and another possibility is stop-start technology for the fleet.”

PUBLIC SECTOR AWARD SPONSORED BY

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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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WINNER

JOHN LEWIS PARTNERSHIP

NIGEL KEEN & THE CSR TEAM

in association with

Making the right decision for the long term is one of the John Lewis Partnership’s founding principles and environmental sustainability is key to this approach.

Nigel Keen chairs the firm’s Environmental Steering Group, which oversees its delivery of environmental strategy and targets.

He brings teams together from across the business to set stretching goals and instigate the necessary plans and initiatives to deliver these.

Nigel has given the business the confidence to make bold decisions around the use of new technologies. Where challenges or tensions between commercial and sustainability agendas have occurred, he has worked tirelessly to ensure the issues are debated at the right level and resolved.

From left: Awards judge, Jo Fairley; Moira Thomas and Gemma Lacey from the CSR team; Friends of the Earth sponsors

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John Lewis Partnership, Partnership House, Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1BX; johnlewis partnership.co.uk

THE JUDGES SAID: “Last year the John Lewis Partnership went great guns with its CSR. It developed a 10-year carbon reduction programme and committed itself to helping customers make more informed and sustainable purchasing decisions. The Partnership has done some great work in the community and continues to impress with its ongoing ‘greening’ process.”

THE WINNER SAID: “Winning this award is all part of helping us to maintain momentum with our CSR programmes; independent recognition helps motivate and inspire our Partners and others to take action and go further. At a Group level we will remain focused on strategic priorities, such as carbon reduction, responsible development, and being at the heart of local communities.”

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD SPONSORED BY

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MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

WINNER

business awards

VICE PRESIDENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES – PATAGONIA

RICK RIDGEWAY

in association with

Pioneering outdoor clothing company Patagonia is well known for its environmental activism and commitment to sustainability. It uses organic cotton, increasingly incorporates recycled materials in its products and since 1985 has given 1% of its sales to environmental groups. Through its The Footprint Chronicles website, Patagonia advocates corporate transparency and publicises the environmental footprint of individual products. Worn out Patagonia goods can be returned to the company for recycling.

In late 2011, it went a step further with the ‘Don’t buy this jacket’ advertising campaign, asking people not to buy things they don’t need and promoting the Common Threads Initiative, advocating recycling and repairing rather than buying new. The exact opposite of any other advertising campaign in fact.

Celestyna Laswowska (inset) collected the award on behalf of Rick Ridgeway

THE JUDGES SAID: “As anti-consume messages go, they don’t get much better than Patagonia’s ad campaign featuring a jacket with the strap line ‘Don’t buy this’.

The company has turned marketing on its head to continue its mission – to make the best products while causing no harm and using business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”

THE WINNER SAID: “This award encourages us to continue on the same path. We’re engaged in environmental actions because we think they’re important, not because there is a ‘request from the market’. With the Common Threads Initiative and the ‘Don’t buy this jacket’ advertising, our message is clear: Patagonia Europe, 23 rue du we must all change our consumption Pré Faucon, 74940 habits. Our goal is to still exist in 100 years, to show that a responsible Annecy-Le-Vieux, company can be competitive and that this France; direction is the right one.” patagonia.com

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MARKETING & PUBIC RELATIONS AWARD SPONSORED BY

GReEN

Advertising feature

LEAD the change

T

wenty years ago, in the runup to the first Rio Earth Summit, LEAD was formed to address the need for leadership in sustainable development.

Now a surge in applicants to its world-class LEAD Europe Fellowship Programme suggests the demand for sustainability leadership skills is stronger than ever.

“With Europe in a state of flux, our emerging leaders are seizing the opportunity to change the course of their careers, adjusting to the changing world we live in and redirecting their talents towards a more sustainable future,” said Edward Kellow, Head of Learning and Leadership at LEAD International. “The LEAD Europe Fellowship Programme, which is geared to professionals who want to become more effective change-makers in their work and personal life, is clearly what they’re looking for.”

In response, LEAD has more than doubled the number of places available on its Europe Fellowship Programme, one of the most dynamic, engaging and innovative leadership and sustainability programmes in Europe.

Working in a team to solve real sustainability problems is what makes the LEAD Programme unique, memorable and inspiring. You could join a group exploring leadership challenges such as food and migration in Portugal, shale

“THE LEAD COURSE IS GEARED TO THOSE WHO WANT TO BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE CHANGEMAKERS”

gas and energy security in Bulgaria or sustainable communities in London. On-location residential sessions are interspersed with collaborative projects and self-study elements.

The Fellowship Programme attracts applicants from all sectors, all ages, across Europe and beyond to form a vibrant, stimulating and creative learning environment. Last year’s group came from 15 different countries.

“My fellow LEAD associates are the most dynamic and inspiring group of people I have ever been around – diverse, intelligent, passionate, and humble,” explained LEAD Fellow, Efrain Quiros from the US. “In some settings I feel like I do not entirely fit in, with my fellow LEAD Europe associates, I feel at home.”

This sense of community extends beyond the end of the Programme when graduates join the LEAD Fellows network. LEAD is the world’s largest international non-profit organisation focused on inspiring leadership and change for a more sustainable world. With 12 offices training sustainability leaders around the globe, there’s an extraordinary wealth of talent and expertise to tap into.

LEAD is now inviting applications to the expanded LEAD Europe Programme 2012/13.

For more information visit: www.lead-europe. org, email: europe@lead.org or telephone: +44 (0)20 79388716.

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102 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

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he spoonbill, one of Europe’s most striking birds, has returned to the UK to breed. Six pairs nested in 2010 and in 2011 they came back, with eight pairs successfully rearing 14 young at the Holkham National Nature Reserve on the north coast of Norfolk. Individuals and small parties are regularly seen around the British coast but it’s about 300 years since spoonbills established a breeding colony. The coloured

Spoonbills at Holkham National Nature Reserve, colony in the UK for more than 300 years. Spoonbills

the Netherlands, Germany and Spain.

The return of spoonbills is especially positive considering how they have suffered long-term Europe-wide decline because of the loss and degradation of their wetland habitats. Europe is believed to have fewer than 9,000 pairs, and this is the bulk of the global population.

Spoonbills are so named because of the broad tips to their bills that They breed on islands, in trees, or within extensive reed beds in wetland areas with plenty of shallow water. G Tony Juniper

104 | GREEN, AUTUMN 2012

Natural England/Michael Rooney

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100â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of companies helping you with green lifestyle choices organic fair trade eco-friendly sustainable natural resource respectful ethical climate adaption technologies recycled ecological green

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Green Lifestyle Directory

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welcome

F

inding eco, ethical products online was very different six years ago when this directory began. Now there is a plethora of a great green companies across the UK with products, services and information all with a genuine sustainable stance.

Contributor: Tracey Smith – Tracey is a passionate advocate for simple green living, author of the best selling Book of Rubbish Ideas, founder of InterNational Downshifting Week, columnist for The Green Parent Magazine and a radio broadcaster too. She believes everyone has the capacity to give a positive embrace to living with less. Tracey also teaches literary and organic bread making workshops, see MagicOxygen.co.uk for details.

Co-published by My Green Directory and King Lion Media My Green Directory, paperback, online, mobile apps. hello@mygreendirectory.info www.mygreendirectory.info King Lion Media Ltd, publishers of GREEN Magazine Liberty Court, Unit 1 101-103 Bell Street Reigate, Surrey RH2 7JB Printed by: Wyndehams on FCS & PEFC certified, chlorine free and recycled paper.

The aim of my green directory is to gently guide those that are beginning to explore the possibilities of new greener consumer choices, and to help those that have already made the switch.

When you think about it, post second world war, none of these issues would have seemed relevant. Nobody wasted food, many grew their own veg, everybody altered/mended their clothing (or upcycled as it’s called now!) and if you did purchase a product you certainly wouldn’t expect to throw it away after a couple of uses. It wouldn’t have been about using resource respecting, synthetic chemical free products and climate adaption technologies either.

But now, as we learn more about the dangers we’re putting ourselves and the planet into, these type of products are becoming increasing needed, and thankfully more available.

So whether its solar panels to create your own electricity, local fruit and veg suppliers, gorgeous recycled glass kitchen worktops, organic face creams, wooden toys made from sustainable sources, garden benches made from old plastic, you’ll find them within these green pages, and there’s plenty more online!

I’m hoping that in the not too distant future all of the above will be common place,that the consumer will demand the greener choice, if not for their own health and wellbeing, for the preservation of the world for future generations.

If everybody made just one small change today, what a difference tomorrow would be.

Sue Jueno Founder & Director my green directory - @mygreendir

Reproduction of part or whole of the My Green Directory without permission is strictly prohibited. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy, however we cannot take responsibility for any losses resulting from publishing errors. My Green Directory does not accept unsolicited contributors, however, the opinions expressed within this publication are not necessarily to be considered those of the publisher, who accepts no liability of any nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of this paperback. If you have any queries relating to this paperback please email hello@mygreendirectory.info Copyright My Green Directory

contents eco builds

17

green lifestyle

31

home and garden

45

“Greener living is less about giving things up and more about improving the quality of our everyday life. Whether it’s thriving local economies, fuel efficient homes, more green jobs or better public transport, many of the changes we need to tackle climate change and protect our natural world are also hugely beneficial for our wellbeing.

As consumers, we have become increasingly conscious of the environmental and social impact of what we buy – and smart producers now recognise that ethical trading is good for business.”

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion and leader of the Green Party of England and Wales www.carolinelucas.com

9

Alternative Energy

37

Electricity suppliers, micro generation, solar, wind and wood energy

13

Clothing & Fashion

Body & skincare, health products, aromatherapy, natural soaps

45

Fairtrade clothing, ethical jewellery, recycled, hand made clothing

17

Eco Builds

51 Graphic design, eco printers, green promotional goods, award ceremonies

55 Organic wines, caterers and cafes, veg box schemes, farmers markets

27

Home & Garden Organic bedding, home composting, sustainable furniture, gift ideas

Eco paints, sustainable building products, architects

21

Health & Beauty

Green Children

Books, campaigns, courses, magazines, conservation, recycling

61

Wooden toys, earth friendly nappies, kids organic clothing

Activity holidays, eco B&B’s, camping and hostels, sustainable tourism

Eco weddings, funerals, dating and green festivals

Your chance to WIN! Pages 14, 26, 30, 33, 39, 40, 43, 46

31

users

search and find green businesses exclusive competitions and offers find events in your area explore new ideas

businesses

raise your profile for free administer your own account run competitions keep us all up to date with your news

consultants and auditors 3 Acorns Eco-audits, Coleman Road, SE5 7TG Parity Projects, Riverside Business Centre, SW18 4UQ ReEnergise Renewables Ltd, Headley Road, GU26 6LB

020 7703 8748 0208 874 6433 01428 608462

energy info Dulas Ltd, Dyfi Eco Park, SY20 8AX Energy Saving Trust, Dartmouth Street, SW1H 9BP The Renewable Energy Centre, Farmer Ward Rd, CV8 2ED

01654 705000 0800 512 012 01926 865835

electricity suppliers Green Energy UK, Baldock Street, SG12 9DH Ecotricity, Russell Street, GL5 3AX Good Energy, Monkton Reach, SN15 1EE

0800 783 8851 01453 756 111 0845 456 1640

geothermal Borders Underfloor Heating, Coopersknowe Crst, TD1 2DS Kensa Engineering Ltd, Bishops Court Gardens, EX5 1DH Nu Heat, Devonshire Road, EX14 1SD

01896 668667 0845 680 4328 0800 731 1976

micro generation Better Generation, City Road, EC1Y 2BJ Big Green Company, Houghton, CA6 4JB Capture Energy, Dudnance Lane, TR15 3QW

020 7608 5225 0845 303 8652 01209 716 861

Smarter Integrated Renewables • Ground & Air Source Heat Pumps • Heat Recovery Ventilation • Solar PV • Solar Thermal • Wood-Burning Stoves • Wind • Wood & Pellet Boilers

Call 0845 301 3121 www.ecolivinguk.com

T4 Sustainability Ltd

Renewable energy consultants and installers with ten years experience of providing quality services.

0845 4561332 www.t4sustainability.co.uk Ecohouse UK Ltd, Sparrow Hall Farm, LU6 2ES Energy Development Co-op Ltd, Lowestoft NR32 3LX Greenearth Energy Ltd, Pontrilas, HR2 0EL Intelligent Energy Solutions, Hamilton, LE5 1TL Invisible Heating Systems, Morefield, IV26 2SR ISO Energy, Meath Green Lane, RH6 8JA Mark Group, Boston Rd, LE4 1AW Ntech Renewables EU, Rectory Road, IP6 9RB Rai Systems Ltd, Dunford Bridge, S36 4TG Riomay, Stephenson Way, RH10 1TN Saxon Eco Energy, London Road, Kent Sundog Energy Ltd, Penrith, CA11 0BT Sustainable Energy Install', Great George St, BS1 5QT Tectonic PV, Springfield Road, KT1 2SA The Eco Experts, Wilkin Street, NW5 3NL Turbine Services Ltd, Lorton, CA13 9TL Windhager UK , Vincients Road, SN14 6BB Winsund International Ltd, Muggleswick, DH8 9DW

0800 917 6234 01502 409407 01981 241 399 0800 7797710 01854 613 161 01293 821345 0800 616 302 01449 760575 01226 764279 0844 257 1759 01892 270520 017684 87220 01172 140 610 0845 881 0845 0207 424 3132 01900 85 616 01249 446616 01207 255365

www.mygreendirectory.info

alternative energy It’s easy to feel somewhat disconnected when it comes to keeping abreast of the developments in this sector.

Stories of disaster-stricken nuclear plants and domestic earthquakes occurring close to fracking sites are still playing out on our news channels. It seems to me the most logical strategy should be to fully embrace the free gifts Mother Nature gives up in abundance; the wind, sunshine and the tides to name but a few.

However, alongside technological advances in safe, sustainable energy solutions, we should make diligent and concerted efforts to reduce our consumption of it and hereto lies a real solution... © Tracey Smith

my green say “The UK is fortunate to have abundant renewable energy resources – wind, water and sunshine.

Good Energy works with a wide range of independent renewable electricity producers, from large-scale community projects to our own wind farm producing clean, green electricity for our customers. Together, we can transform the way we make and consume energy.”

Juliet Davenport - founder and CEO at Good Energy www.goodenergy.co.uk 9

alternative energy

solar Access Renewables Limited, Woodstock Court, TS18 3BL Clear Sky Solar UK Ltd, Edward Park, CO2 8FZ CompareMySolar Ltd, St John Street, EC1V 4PY

01642 606096 0845 47 47 203 0800 6123 303

Style with a conscienceâ&#x20AC;Ś

eosSolar

Introducing The SunPower E20 Series from Eos Solar. SunPower E20 panels are the highest efficiency, green panels available on the market today. SunPower breaks its own record for the planetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most efficient module, the first module in the world with efficiency above 20% and MaxeonTM Technology.

We also offer Matt Black Panels for those with more discerning tastes combining high efficiency and good looks.

Logical Energy

Wholesale suppliers - premium Solar thermal, photovoltaic PV, wind turbine & energy efficient devices.

0845 505 2012 www.LogicalEnergy.co.uk Eco One Ltd, Century Way, LS15 8ZA Ecohouse UK Ltd, Edelsborough, LU6 2ES Electrasolar, 51 Manor Lane, PE28 4EH Equinox Energy, Rosehill Drive, BH23 8NR EvoEnergy, Nottingham, NG9 6DZ

0845 075 6670 0800 917 6234 01480 896 137 01425 673560 0808 159 7564

Eos Solar are a trusted MCS accredited installer in London & The South East please visit www.eossolar.co.uk to get a quote or book a free survey or call us on 01825 880603

EcoSolar.indd 1

30/03/2012 15:11

Invest in the Energy of the Future with Ethical Solar Guaranteed 5-12% return on your investment for the next 25 years Get paid for every unit of electricity you generate

Specialising in high quality, performance tested solar PV systems

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Installing the most sustainable, low carbon installations available

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10

Award winning solar installers

Call us on 0117 314 9040 Or Visit www.ethicalsolar.org

www.mygreendirectory.info

“I enjoy speaking to my energy provider” Good Energy customer Phil Jones

It’s comments like this that helped us top the Which? customer satisfaction survey for the second time in January 2012.

Why? Perhaps it’s because we haven’t raised their electricity prices since April 2009. Or because they know it comes from the sun and the sea, the wind and the water.

Maybe you’ll find your own reason. 0845 456 1640 Image: Eleanor Wratten, Customer Care Advisor

alternative energy Hestia, Taylors Lane, B69 2BN Inergy UK Ltd, Malmesbury Rd, SN15 5PZ JHS Solar Solutions,, Southam Road, OX16 2SP Manor Solar, Station Road, PE6 8RQ Medoria Solar Limited, Station Lane, WF3 3DJ New Dawn Energy Ltd, Kings Acre Road, HR4 0RG Northern Sunlight Limited, Church Bank, HX6 2LP NRG Grid Ltd, Fort Street, BB1 5DP Ploughcroft Renewable Energy, HD6 4AH SAL Solar, Manor Road, CV37 7EA Select Solar Ltd, Ermin Way Barns, SN6 6DN Solar Essence, St Helens Court, IP24 1HG Solar Fusion Ltd, Oxford Road, BH8 8HA SolarUK, Hastings Road, TN31 6HY Southern Solar, Wellingham Lane, BN8 5SN Spirit Solar, Portman Road, RG30 1EA Sunshine Solar Limited, Ashwellthorpe, NR16 1ER Willis Renewables, Dargan Crescent, BT3 9JP

0800 043 2410 01249 654142 0845 3024779 01778 338337 07723 334 791 01432 800018 01422 831841 0800 6785623 01484 723344x 01789 204 497 0845 0031353 01842 845845 0800 87 66 995 08456 890 481 0845 456 9474 0118 951 4490 01508 488188 028 9078 1236

trade associations RenewableUK , Francis Street, SW1P 1DH Renewable Energy Association, Waterloo Road, SE1 8RT Solar Trade Association, Waterloo Road, SE1 8RT

020 7901 3000 020 7925 3570 020 7925 3575

wind energy Gaia-Wind Ltd, High Craighall Road, G4 9UD Locogen Ltd, Constitution Street, EH6 6RS Quiet Revolution Ltd, Blythe Road, W14 0HN

0845 871 4242 0131 5554745 08448 800 226

wood energy Eco Logs, Deriside, NP7 7HT Yorkshire Log Stores, Near Bank, HD8 8LS Organic Energy (UK) Ltd, Severn Road, SY21 7AZ

01873 856682 01484 609900 01938 530 070

Bioenergy Technology Limited

Wood fired boiler specialists, Microgeneration registered, for logs, wood pellets and wood chip.

01825 890140 www.bioenergy.org

Beacon Stoves

Wood Heat from TILE STOVES-Deep Warmth, Simple Efficiency & Surprising Convenience! Sales & Courses.

01559 371058 www.beaconstoves.co.uk

Eco Green Energy

Suppliers and installers of MCS Accredited Biomass boiler systems. Call us for a competitive price. info@ecogreenenergy.co.uk www.ecogreenenergy.co.uk

T

he Renewable Energy Association (REA) - The voice of the renewables industry in the UK.

The REA represents the UK’s renewable energy industry, covering renewable power, heat and transport.

It was established in 2001, a not-for-profit trade association, to represent British renewable energy producers and promote the use of renewable energy in the UK. The REA endeavours to achieve the right regulatory framework for renewables to deliver an increasing contribution to the UK’s electricity, heat and transport needs.

Their membership is active across the whole spectrum of technologies and renewable energy applications - electric power, heat, CHP, transport biofuels and biomethane to grid (“green gas”). They comprise generators, project developers, fuel producers and distributors, equipment manufacturers and distributors and service providers.

Members range in size from major multi-nationals to sole traders.

The Solar Trade Association is affiliated to the REA, and together the two have a combined membership of over 960 members, making them by far the largest renewable energy industry association in the UK. The Association sponsors the Renewable Energy Assurance Scheme. The REAL Assurance Scheme has been set up with the aim of guaranteeing a high quality experience for consumers wishing to buy or lease small generation units for their home, for a community building or for a small business. REAL membership is a sign that the supplier has agreed to abide by the high standards as set out in their Consumer Code. This Code is backed by the Office of Fair Trading as part of its self-regulation initiative, the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. The REAL logo is a symbol of professional excellence.

To find out more, and source your local renewable energy supplier visit www.r-e-a.net

12

www.mygreendirectory.info

clothing & fashion Look good & feel good in what you wear & give.

When it comes to making a personal statement with your trendy threads and funky garb, you would do well to peruse what we have on offer from conscientious companies like the ones listed here.

You’ll find organic cotton gear, fairly traded outfits and more, and some go the extra impressive mile when it comes to transparency of the raw materials and their ethical manufacture as well.

It will be really easy to spot those of you who are so excited by their green messages, you wear the garments inside out so people can read the label and get inspired too... © Tracey Smith

my green say ““When I started THTC almost 13 years ago there was very little organic or ethical fashion on the high street.

A fabulous collection of fashion, jewellery, accessories and gifts carefully sourced from designers who care about the environment and the people who work in it. Look good and feel good in what you wear and what you give

www.responsiblygorgeous.co.uk Find us at One Ethical Boutique, 1 Grape Lane, York, YO1 7HU shop@responsibygorgeous.co.uk | 01904 675 987

www.mygreendirectory.info

It’s exciting to see that people’s attitudes towards sustainability, CSR and Upcycling have evolved so rapidly and I’m excited that THTC has been a part of this process.”

Gav Lawson - Arts Fashion & Music Award Winner, PEA Awards www.thtc.co.uk

13

clothing & fashion

accessories MimosaStyle

Look good & feel good too with Fair Trade fashion accessories, jewellery and gifts from Mimosastyle. enquiries@mimosastyle.co.uk www.mimosastyle.co.uk

Ganesha

Unique hand made + fair trade accessories for you + the home -incl upcycled /vintage /eco.

020 7928 3444 www.ganesha.co.uk

bags Onya Innovations

Onya aims is to develop innovative & practical solutions to reduce social and environmental impacts.

05602 696001 www.onyabags.co.uk

BasketBasket

Fairtrade handmade woven baskets - all made with natural products. Chic and unique!

01420 85112 www.BasketBasket.co.uk

fairtrade & organic Annie Greenabelle, Annie Greenabelle, LE12 7PU Bamboo Clothing Ltd, Sheen Road, TW9 1YS Beaumont Organic, Mayfield Road, SK7 1JU

0800 876 6616 020 8940 3958 0161 448 7204

THTC Organic Clothing

Ecological street wear company specialising in organic,ethical t-shirts, worn by urban musicians.

0208 630 9001 www.thtc.co.uk

Eternal Creation

Eternal Creation is a Fair Trade fashion label making gorgeous items for the whole family! shop@eternalcreation.com www.eternalcreation.com

Purity

Ethical clothing boutique selling womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s & babies fair trade, organic & ethical clothes.

01252 820055 www.purityStyle.com

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clothing & fashion FAIR

A veritable treasure trove of ethical & Fair Trade fashion&gifts between Brighton station & the sea! info@thefairshop.co.uk (01273) 723215 www.thefairshop.co.uk

Charlotte’s Web

Bohemian Clothing, Jewellery, Leather Bags & Accessories designed in the UK & fairly traded in India. info@charlotteswebuk.com www.charlottewebuk.com Bibico, Park Avenue, BA2 4QD 01225 421467 Boutique-Ethique, PO Box 3233, BA15 2WB 01225 309218 Colonel Kilgore Clothing Ltd, Dorchester Road, BH15 3JU 01202 665312 Eco Eco, Castleton Road, S33 6RD 01433 623113 EKO Womenswear, Carrallack Mews, TR19 7UL 0845 8053 917 Epona Clothing, Ferndale Road, SW9 8BJ 020 7095 1724 FabOrganics, Nailsbourne, TA2 8AF 01823 450 414 Gossypium, High Street, BN7 2NL 01273 472211 Mongrel, P.O. Box 44, SY16 2HH 01686 629 298 Natural Clothing, Tomtits Lane, RH18 5AT 0845 3450498 Seasalt Cornwall, High Street, TQ9 5SQ 01803 863636 Terramar Organics, Gordon Road, AB15 7RL 07999 613982 Unicorn, Church Road, Ireland 353-01-2010510

footwear Bourgeois Boheme, Acklam Road, W10 5QZ Freerangers, Derwent Street, NE17 7HZ Green Shoes, Old Totnes Road, TQ11 0NF

020 8045 4338 01207 565957 01364 644036

Beyond Skin

We are a Brighton based cruelty-free fashion label, creating exclusive, designer women’s footwear.

01273 778837 www.beyondskin.co.uk

jewellery Lili Design Ltd

Lili Design creates BioBijoux, a collection of bioplastic jewellery, cooked with food ingredients. contact@lili-design.com www.lili-design.com

Woodland Treasures

Exquisite wooden jewellery lovingly hand carved in Scotland from rescued offcuts of quality timbers. info@woodlandtreasures.co.uk www.woodlandtreasures.co.uk

www.mygreendirectory.info

15

clothing & fashion Tribal Mango

Stunning jewellery for her & him: fair trade, ethical & eco-friendly. Accessories & gifts too.

01768 868507 www.tribalmango.co.uk

Bespoke Fine Jewellery

Recycled platinum and gold Ethically sourced diamonds and gems Please contact us for an appointment 020 3627 4273 www.ingleandrhode.com 35 Bruton Street, London, W1J 6QY

Fifi Bijoux

Luxury Ethical Jewellery made from fair traded gold & gems.

Exquisite Collection and Bespoke Designs. admin@fifibijoux.com www.fifibijoux.com

Just Trade

We specialise in beautifully designed, hand-made fair trade jewellery and colourful accessories. enquiries@justtrade.co.uk www.JustTrade.co.uk Cocoart, Woburn Place, BN1 9GA Ella Georgia, Fishergate, YO51 9AL Fresh Cargo, Park Road, NG6 8TQ Glasswing Jewellery, Leskinnick Terrace, TR18 2HB Jaimgem.com, London Rd, Edinburgh Juzi, Main Road, CM3 4DJ

07949 342109 01423 325623 0115 979 4029 01736 350913 07739 814766 01245 221248

outdoor clothing El Alto Ltd, Cambridge Grove, BN3 3ED Patagonia, Langley Street, WC2H 9JA

01273 746 545 020 31376518

recycled and handmade From Somewhere Ltd, Portobello Road, W1 5SA Who Made Your Pants, Mount Pleasant Road, SO14 0QB

020 8960 9995 023 8022 5536

sportswear Asquith London, Leamington Road Villas, W11 1HS Bambo Ltd, Wilderton Road West, BH13 6EF Colonel Kilgore Clothing Ltd, Dorchester Road, BH15 3JU

0207 792 9414 0844 225 0400 01202 665312

textiles Fabrications, Broadway Market, E8 4PH Ruth Singer, Phoenix Square, LE1 1TG Toft Alpacas, Dunchurch, CV22 6NR

Garthenor Organic Pure Wool

0207 2758043 07740 345062 01788 810626

Pure British wool knitting yarns. Undyed natural colours.

Certified Organic-Soil Association & GOTS. garthenor@organicpurewool.co.uk www.organicpurewool.co.uk

16

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architects ARCH-Angels Architects, Edward Street, BN2 0JL Eco Arc Architects, Kentmere, LA8 9JP Gale & Snowden, Market Place, EX39 2DR

01273 267184 01539 822 822 01237 474952

eco build This is perhaps one of the most exciting and fastest evolving areas and quite likely to directly affect many of our lives.

We live in malleable shells and often enjoy improving them by changing their colour and sometimes extending them.

AB Architects

Glasgow architecture practice specialising in sustainable design. Free initial consultation available.

0141 649 6541 www.ab-architects.co.uk LEDA, Cross Green Lane, LS9 0DG Mass Architecture, The Shambles, YO1 7LD O2i Design ltd, Langport, TA10 9PD

0113 200 9380 01904 289 781 01458 253050

builders and contractors The Green Register, Smeaton Road, BS1 6XN ZEDfactory, Sandmartin Way, SM6 7DF

0117 377 3490 020 8404 2030

The green wrapping and eco-inserts for these shells are becoming kinder for the planet, better for us and far more efficient; in time, I believe they’ll become more affordable too.

If you do nothing more than put a shelf up in the year ahead, it’s an easy choice, simply make it FSC wood and non-toxic paint and you’re a winner... © Tracey Smith

Earthed

Sustainable design / construction / education. Specialising in cob / lime / stone / roundpole timber framing.

07917 361579/80 www.earthedworld.co.uk

my green say

Ecoalex Ltd

“Construction is a world swimming with eco-terminology and green sustainababble which means that, more than ever, the would-be builder needs the guidance of an authoritative hand.

I can cut your bills and make your house warmer, save you water, build green roofs and rain gardens.. alex@ecoalex.com www.ecoalex.com

building products Bauder Limited, Landseer Road, IP3 0DH Earth and Reed Ltd, High Street, IP6 8AP Eco Products Ireland Ltd, Warrenpoin, BT34 3TU

01473 257671 01449 722 255 028 4177 2402

Ty-Mawr Lime

Design, manufacture and distribution of environmentally-friendly building materials and systems. tymawr@lime.org.uk www.lime.org.uk Edward Bulmer Limited, Pembridge, HR6 9HW Green Building Store, Heath House Lane, HD7 4JW Lime Green Products Ltd, Stretton Road, TF13 6DG Lime Technology Limited, Abingdon, OX14 4SA Mike Wye & Associates, Buckland Filleigh, EX21 5RN Salvabuild Limited, Osborne Terrace, NE2 1SQ Sublime Renovations, Tip Hill, EX11 1BE The Energy Saving Screed Co, Heath Road, KT22 0NN Vanessa Cooper, Bridge Street, HR4 9DF

01544 388 535 01484 461705 01952 728 611 0845 603 1143 01409 281644 0845 519 3584 01404 549065 01372 842 102 01432 379632

www.mygreendirectory.info

Here is that helping hand in the shape of the Green Directory. It’s no-nonsense and, I’m reliably informed, greenwash-free.”

Kevin McCloud www.haboakus.co.uk 15 17

eco build

paints

decorators Earthwise, High Hutton, YO60 7HW Eco-Designer.co.uk, Hawkesworth Drive, GU19 5QY

insulation Natural Insulations, Barwick Road, SG11 1PR Sheep Wool Insulation Ltd, Rathdrum, Ireland Thermafleece, Dacre, CA11 0JF

0800 074 1087 Earth Friendly Supplies Ltd, Fern Avenue, NE29 0RN 0800 008 6689 Naturepaint Ltd, Marsh Lane, TR27 5JR Precious Earth, 23 Station Road, LD7 1DT

Auro UK - Natural Paints

01920 821069 353-(0)404-46100 017684 86285

kitchens Bottle Alley Glass, Harewood Rd, LS22 5BZ Chamois Kitchens, Showell Road, WV10 9LN Trunk Reclaimed, Foundry Lane, NE48 2DA

0191 296 4344 0845 3670140 01547 52 80 80

01937 220002 01902 864685 01434 220011

Natural Eco Paints and wood finishes made from 100% sustainable ingredients. Over 30 yrs experience.

01452 772020 www.auro.co.uk

For a Beautiful Home Choose Celtic Sustainables A wide range of Breathable Paints, Natural Wood Finishes and the most Eco-Friendly Decorating Accessories.

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Order online, or call us for a friendly & helpful service.

We offer the best prices delivered quickly, direct to your door.

www.celticsustainables.co.uk

01239 623506 The Green Shop

SFDZDMF UIJT CPPL 18

Supplying eco and sustainable goods for over 20 years and specialists in eco & natural paints.

01452 770629 www.greenshop.co.uk

www.mygreendirectory.info

eco build

project consultants AECB, PO Box 32, SA44 5ZA CSBT, Burngullow Lane, PL26 7TQ NBT, Worminghall Road, HP18 9UL Sustainable Homes, Marina Place, KT1 4BH

0845 4569773 01726 64651 01844 338 338 020 8973 0429

straw bale and hemp Earthship Brighton, Stanmer Park, BN1 9PZ Edwards Eco Buildings, Fleggburgh, NR29 3DF Home Grown Home, Eastrington, DN14 7QN

07974 122 770 01493 369952 01430 410662

sustainable flooring Ecora Limited, Belsize Park, NW3 4TG Panda Flooring Company, Thurnby, LE7 9QQ Reclaimed Ltd, Sewardstone Road, E4 7RH Urbane Living, Power Road, W4 5PY

020 7148 5265 0116 241 4816 0208 5298504 020 7138 3838

timber frame Cullen Timber Design Ltd, Lower Hatfield Road, SG13 8LE Inwood Developments Ltd, Whitesmith, BN8 6JB Timber Engineering Europe, Glossop, SK13 6LQ Westwind Oak Buildings Ltd, Streamcross, BS49 4QA

01992 554753 01825 872 550 01457 890024 01934 877317

water saving Biorock, Foggathorpe, YO8 6PX Combined Harvesters Ltd, Dock Road, CH41 1DF Freerain Ltd, Rio Drive, NG23 7NB Interflush, Calder Road, WF14 8NP

www.mygreendirectory.info

01757 288022 0151 639 0880 01636 894906 01924 500 510

19

Woodland

House

by Ben Law

The

Foreword By

Kevin McCloud

B

en Law is an extraordinary man.

Not exactly a warrior for his cause, more the quiet victor. Ben has proved that it’s possible to make a good living as an underwoodsman – coppicing, hurdle making and charcoal burning, simply by working hard and applying good commercial business sense.

He’s also proved that it’s possible to design and construct an elegant, sophisticated and truly environmentally-friendly home from materials around you, providing you design with diligence and sensitivity.

And he has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that great architecture need not be urban, or glamorous or loud.

I first met Ben when filming the third series of Grand Designs for Channel 4. We followed over a year the steady, measured construction of his house and watched coppiced chestnut being willed into a new form as a dwelling. It was clear then that because of Ben’s highly unusual planning circumstances and the exceptional nature of his job and skills that came with it, we were witnessing something rare; an event in building that doesn’t happen at all often. And in the three years since, we have not been able to find a project with the equivalent integrity of man, material and design.

I suspect we won’t for a long time.

Sustainable is a word that in the last few years has become almost meaningless. It’s now so overworn a word, it’s become so floppy you can take it and stuff it with whatever you like: organic straw; urethane foam insulation or just hot air. Whenever I need to remind myself what the word really means, I think of Ben’s house and how we managed to make a film about sustainable construction whilst mentioning the word just once. Here is a house so ecologically sound, it breathes in time to the trees around it. Nearly every

20

www.mygreendirectory.info

bit of wood in the place (and it is nigh all wood) grew in that forest and was coppiced. The subsequent coppice stumps or stools are now regrowing so fast and gulping in their youth so much carbon dioxide, that within a few years the environmental impact of constructing and living in this building will have been more than outweighed. Putting it into hard environmental language, this, in carbon terms, is an invisible house.

But it mustn’t remain too invisible because it’s also a beautiful house and one that answers eloquently to its setting. Ben has a shrewd eye for design, proportion and the subtleties of colour and materials. The result is a delightful building which appears as rooted as it can possibly be; one, that like all good architecture, responds intelligently to both its context and to human beings. Ben’s home has been made out of its very context, by him. You couldn’t find a house that has a more intimate relationship with people and place.

Saturday 5th May 2012: Ben Law will be interviewed

by Kevin McCloud at Grand Designs Live, London.

article by kind permission of Permaculture Publications.

alcoholic drinks Black Isle Brewery Co., Black Isle IV8 8NZ Butford Organics, Bowley Lane HR1 3LG Neil Palmer, Holdshott Farm RG27 0JZ

01463 811 871 01568 797195 0800 980 4992

Avalon Vineyard

Organic English Wines White/Rose/Sparkling/delicious Fruit wines/Liqueurs/Mead-all natural/unsprayed. pennardorganicwines@gmail.com www.pennardorganicwines.co.uk

baby and toddler Organix Brands Ltd, Commercial Road BH2 5LT So Baby Limited, Newton Lane CH3 9NE JuniOrganic, Valley View GU33 6DD

01202 586100 01829 772 555 01420 473 002

catering eco cuisine

Award winning ethical caterers, using organic, British, non gm, wild, seasonal produce.

020 888 20350 www.eco-cuisine.co.uk

Henry’s Beard Cafe

Britain’s unique destination cafe. Famous for its ethics and fresh fast food oh and a framed beard !

01308 485330 www.henrysbeard.com

confectionary

food and drink If you’re engaging with this most excellent publication hoping to find divine inspiration to green up your act, beware, this is the chapter you’ll struggle to flick through, without dribbling on the pages; good job it’s not scratch-n-sniff!

We all eat, we all drink and even if you consider your general diet to be relatively bland, I guarantee you’ll be tempted to tickle your taste buds with something of a sustainable nature.

And just in case you were wondering, delicious organic fruits covered in velvety Fairtrade chocolate would almost certainly count as two of your essential green Five a Day... © Tracey Smith

my green say ““Organic food production is surely one of the most important factors in the quest for sustainable communities and businesses.

Local Bio diversity, seasonal planting, seed saving and skill sharing all tend to go hand in hand with organic food production, and I think that it will be the organic food sector that more and more people turn to in the future for high quality sustainable food.”

Arthur Potts Dawson Celebrity Chef www.mygreendirectory.info

21 15

food and drink

farmers markets BigBarn CIC, Great Barford, MK44 3JJ Brecknock Farmers Markets, Builth Wells, LD2 3TX Caerphilly Farmers Market, Sycamore Close Bridgend Edinburgh Farmers Markets, George Street, EH2 4JY Essex Farmers Markets Ltd, Norton Mandeville, CM4 0LN Farmers' Markets in Wales, Chepstow, NP16 6QT Fresh-n-Local Farmers Markets, Bath Road, GL5 3TJ London Farmers' Markets, Brunswick Centre, WC1N 1NY Orton Farmers Ltd, Nr Penrith, CA10 3UB Perth Farmers Market, Bleachers Way,PH1 3NY Rochester Farmers Market, High Street, ME1 1LX Tring Farmers Market, Brook Street Tring

Limited Resources

Free delivery service in north Cheshire & Gtr Manchester.

Organic food, household goods & toiletries. shop@limited-resources.co.uk www.limited-resources.co.uk

01480 890970 01982 560240 01656 658963 0131 220 8580 01277 362 414 01600 869037 01453 758060 020 7833 0338 Organic Centre Wales, Ceredigion, SY23 3EB 07969 335598 Organic Food Federation, Swaffham, PE37 7XD 01738 582159 The Biodynamic Association, Stoud, GL5 1QG 01634 338143 Biodynamic Association 01442 842252

food and health shops

food campaigns 01970 622248 01760 720444 01453 759501

Charity promoting the biodynamic approach to farming and gardening. Vital Soil - Vital Food. office@biodynamic.org.uk www.biodynamic.org.uk

organic meat and poultry Askerton Castle Estate

Producers of top quality organic Beef, Lamb, Pork and Chicken. We also produce Alpaca meat.

016977 3332 www.askertoncastle.co.uk Cambrian Organics, Ceredigion, SA44 4JG Copas Turkeys, Grubwood Lane, SL6 9UB Higher Hacknell Ltd, Burrington, EX37 9LX Peradon Organic Farm, Clyst Hydon, EX15 2NG Welsh Farm Organics, Pentre, SY16 4JW

01559 363151 01628 499980 01769 560909 01884 277682 01686 627979

www.planetorganic.com 20% off your first order using discount code GREEN Valid until the end of 2012 The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading organic supermarket, online.

Restaurants & Cafes

Good Food Guide 2012 The Warren St Ives Cornwall TR26 2EA 01736 797272 blasburgerworks.co.uk

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food and drink Ethically Essential, PO Box 309, BS16 0AZ Godminster, Station Road, BA10 0EH Organic Herb Trading Company, Milverton, TA4 1ND Rude Health, Glenville Mews, SW18 4NJ Steenbergs Organic, Hallikeld Close, HG4 5GZ Stevia, PO BOX 313, M45 6WS Suma Wholefoods, Elland, HX5 9DB The Real Organic Foods Co. Ltd, Watlington OX49 5PX The Village Bakery, Penrith, CA10 1BG Whole Earth, Blackwater, GU17 9AB

0117 9430 850 01749 813 733 01823 401205 020 8877 9821 01765 640088 0161 7980671 01422 313843 01491 615280 01768 898437 0845 602 1519

veg box schemes Abbey Farm Organics, Flitcham, PE31 6BT Abel & Cole Limited, Waterside Way, SW17 0HB Arthur St Trading Company, Arthur Street, HU3 6BH Ash Farm Organics, Bintree, NR20 5NA Clun Valley Organics, Newcastle, SY7 8QU Farm Direct Produce, Boreley Lane, WR9 0HZ Four Seasons Food, St Briavels, GL15 6QP Grow Wild, Bathgate, EH48 2RX Growing With Grace, Clapham Nursery, LA2 8ER Guilden Gate, North End, SG8 5PD Helens Bay Organic Gardens, Coastguard Ave, BT19 1JY Leigh Court Farm, Pill Road, BS8 3RA Linscombe Farm Vegetables, Bidwell Barton, EX5 5HY Oxton Organics, Broadway Lane, WR10 2QF Ripple Farm Organics, Crundale, CT4 7EB Riverford Organic, Thornhaugh, PE8 6HJ Rod and Bens, Kenn, EX6 7XL Sandy Lane Farm, Tiddington, OX9 2LA Skylark Organics, Bromyard, HR7 4HS Swillington Organic Farm Ltd, Coach Road, LS26 8QA The Kent Veg Box Scheme, Paynes Lane, ME15 9QT The Local Food Company, Cadleigh Park, PL21 9JL Tuppenny Barn Organics Ltd, Main Road, PO10 8EZ Demuths Restaurant, North Parade Passage, BA1 1NX The Forgotten Feast, Sanford Walk, SE14 6NB The Greenhouse, St Keverne, TR12 6NN The Swann Inn, Craven Road, RG17 9DX The Treehouse, Baker Street, SY23 2BJ Vitao, Wardour Street, W1F 0TE

01634 322153 08452 62 62 62 07949 805 695 01362 683228 01588 640298 01905 622512 01594 531 410 01506 656544 015242 51723 01763 243960 028 9581 0232 01275 375756 01392 851403 01386 860477 01227 730898 01780 789700 01392 833833 01844 279 269 01386 860477 0113 2869129 01622 747888 01752 895533 07977 536684

01225 446059 0117 923 2233 01326 280800 01488 668326 01970 615791 0207 7348986

Gylly Beach Cafe

A beautifully modern, family run beach cafĂŠ sat on Falmouthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stunning Gyllyngvase Beach.

01326 312884 www.gyllybeach.com

soft drinks Belu, 7 Clifford St, W1S 2FT Birt & Ting, Humber Road, NW2 6DW Chegworth Valley Juices, Chegworth, ME17 1DE Eco Coffee, East Grinstead Road, RH7 6NE Grove Organic Fruit, Manton Road, NN17 4JL James White Drinks Ltd, Helmingham Road, IP6 9JS Luscombe Organic Drinks, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0LT Pukka Herbs Ltd, Hawkfield Business Park, BS14 0BY Simply Nectar, Linford Street, SW8 4AB Teapigs, Pump Alley, TW8 0AP

0870 240 6121 020 8830 8050 01622 859272 01342 833723 01536 274022 01473 890111 01364 643 036 0845 375 1744 020 7720 4410 0208 568 1313

Charcoal People

Bamboo charcoal: try our natural eco-friendly water filters. Refreshingly simple & no plastic waste. info@charcoalpeople.co.uk www.charcoalpeople.co.uk

4QSFBE UIF XPSE 8IFO ZPV DBMM UFMM UIF CVTJOFTT XIFSF ZPV HPU UIFJS OVNCFS

store cupboard Alara Wholefoods Ltd, Camley Street, N1C 4PF Daily Bread Co-operative Ltd, Bedford Road, NN4 7AD

020 7387 9303 020 8830 8050

www.mygreendirectory.info

SFDZDMF UIJT CPPL 23

Wild Food Where others see weeds, Alys Fowler sees supper

I’

ve been less than truthful to my husband for the last couple of years about where our dinners have come from. I can see his point – it is a little weird to go out and forage when there’s a supermarket at the bottom of our road. But I gain so much pleasure from foraging: every leaf, seed and berry that I pick somehow seems to connect me both to my past and my future. I think about what my mother has taught me about the outdoors. I think of the many women over millennia who have done this. And I am good at gathering; I can pick fast, note exactly when a bush is ripe with berries. I can climb high into the tree to pick those fat mulberries, and where oth-

Extracted from The Thrifty Forager www. kylebooks.com

ers see weeds or see nothing at all, I can see our supper.

More importantly, I’m not alone. Last year I offered to take some people around my park to show where and how to forage sustainably.

I thought at best 10 or 20 hardy souls would turn up; I never expected 60 to come and take notes so eagerly. There were old people, hipsters, youngsters, mums and dads and dog walkers all interested in looking and participating in their park in a different way.

Foraging is exciting because it offers a sort of freedom with food that many of us have never experienced before. Foraging or wild-food walks are popping up all over the country – all you need to do is surf the web to find like-minded folk who want to get to grips with identifying edible plants and using them.

You do not have to go to the countryside to find these foods, though of course you can, but in some cases you may do better in a car park than a field. The plants are just as likely to have come originally from faraway shores as from home. I stick to plants that taste good enough to want to go back for more, that don’t need difficult or laborious processing to get to the good bits and, most importantly, that are readily available in most places.

The thing I hear most about foraging is that surely it’s unclean and polluted, particularly if you’re foraging in the city (which is pretty much where all my foraged food comes from).

I’m going to hit this one on the head so we can move swiftly on to the more joyous elements. Supermarket food is no cleaner than things that you forage for. It could possibly be more polluted; it is definitely more unknown.

Our current global farming system is in a bit of a mess, it relies on all sorts of less than desirable practices and is less than transparent about what the end product is. If you want to really know about how something is grown, the husbandry practice, about which way the

WHO SHOULD EAT WHAT?

Wild food is good for you but, like all foods, some people should steer clear of certain food groups. It goes without saying that pregnant women should be extra careful with what they eat. If you have kidney stones (or similar ailments) then you should not eat borage, and you may wish to stay away from fat hen, oraches, nettles and sorrels that all contain notable levels of oxalic acid.

WHERE TO FORAGE?

Wilder parks, canal and riverside pathways, those funny bits of urban wasteland that actually look more like the countryside than city, allotments, churchyards – they’ll all throw up something edible. Dense woodlands aren’t very productive as there is little light at ground level for plants to grow. As many of the berries and green plants that you want to eat are most often at or near ground level, head to the margins. Hedgerows are ideal, as are the banks of streams and open areas. Choose the places that are least polluted, the furthest corner from the road and so on. If you are after fruit and are in any way unsure about ground pollution, only pick from trees. I’d stay clear of picking greens in car parks, or along busy roads, and head into parks for them or choose plants protected from heavy pollution by, say, a fence or a dense hedge.

Photograph: Simon Wheeler

Originally published in GREEN Magazine Autumn 2011

IS IT SAFE?

prevailing wind blows (and with it the pollution), you need to ask the growers and see where it is grown. Farmers’ markets and Community Supported Agriculture are great for this, and stuff you grew yourself is even better.

Or you can go and forage. As a competent forager I know about the land management practice of where I can pick (mostly parks).

Fruit, particularly tree fruit such as apples and pears, is perhaps the safest urban food. Fruit trees tend to sequester minerals and toxins into their heartwood or bark, not into the fruit.

This makes sense as the fruit makes the trees of the future. Berries, such as black-berries and raspberries, are shallow-rooted and this means they can take up more pollutants.

baby Beaming Baby, Halwell, TQ9 7LQ Cuddledry, Radlet, TA5 1JA Ethicalbabe, Northfield Avenue, W13 9QT Maison Boo Ltd, Hanford Close, CV6 5TL

0800 0345 672 01823 323363 020 8579 1118 0844 879 3302

The Little Green Sheep

Organic & Natural range of chemical-free baby mattresses, moses baskets, bedding and toiletries.

0800 028 1433 www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk

Earth Baby

BPA-free bottles, Swedish moccasins, Flexibath, Organic Baby Clothes & Toys, Gifts for Mum & more...

07782 192960 www.earthbaby.org.uk

Cosy Lambs

100% British wool baby shawls and cot blankets, and cot duvets filled with British wool.

01572 767258 www.cosylambs.co.uk

earth friendly nappies Babybots, Knowle Park, BS4 2UN BabyKind Ltd, Llanwnda, LL54 5TG Bebeco, High Street, SE13 0EZ Cotton Baby, Thursby, CA5 6PB Crafty 'n' Clothy, Albert Drive, LS27 8SE Eco Nappy, Main Street, NN7 4JB Fill Your Pants Ltd, Illiffe Avenue, LE2 5LH Green Bottoms, Wold Farm Park, NN6 9RH Green Jelly, Kings Granary, CB10 1PE Green Mums, Dunclair Park, PL3 6DJ GreenPomelo, Elderfield Road, E5 0LF Little Green Earthlets, Greenfield Road, MK45 5EU Lizzie’s Real Nappies, Sandileigh, CH2 3QP Nature Babies, Burton on the Wolds, LE12 6UW Nature Botts, Headlands Trading Estate, SN2 7JQ Plush Pants Cloth Nappies, Westfield Road, OX14 4RF Softbots, Stonewood, DA2 8BY

0845 2695472 0845 094 2275 01249 714441 01228 712699 0113 252 3158 01604 770373 020 3372 5270 01933 225 611 0845 269 8521 01752 661835 07909 449 251 0845 0724462 0808 120 1004 01509 889502 0845 226 2186 01865 408040 07914 216438

eco parties Little Cherry Eco Friendly Party Supplies

Unique, stylish party bags and party bag fillers that last. All eco friendly and ethically sourced.

01784 470570 www.littlecherry.co.uk

green children Our children are the leaders of the future and whether you’re nurturing a new born or avidly trying to convert a teenager, the process is pretty much the same.

Lead by example, enter as much dialogue about your choices as possible and simplify their learning process by explaining why you’ve chosen an FSC wooden toy, or a Fairtrade cotton organic tee-shirt.

If we parents work hard at taking the freaky out of eco, it will normalise sustainable lifestyle choices and you’ll win over the hearts and minds of your children; you might even positively influence some of their friends too... © Tracey Smith

my green say “As a Grandfather, Father and Child it is clear to see how important the next cycle of life will be.

If we have got into this mess in just two generations, then it is absolutely possible to rectify this in the same amount of time. It simply requires a little ownership. We are all responsible as the Earth’s guardian’s, and lots of changes to the way we consume.

I can only be directly responsible for my 3 children and granddaughter, but maybe with them as my focus and a clear intent together we can change things.”

Jarvis Smith - Co Founder www.peaawards.com www.green-magazine.co.uk www.mygreendirectory.info

15 27

green children Charlie Moo's, Joys Road, BH21 6SJ Ethical Party Bags, Freer Close, LE7 9HU Horse Play Crafty Parties, Starrs Mead, TN33 0UB NEDay Crafts, Alnwick Place, DL1 2QQ

0844 3579451 07948 343653 01424 777128 01325 241415

eco schools Cotton Roots, Forest Road, MK19 7DE Eco-Schools Scotland, Maxwell Place, FK8 1JU Envired, Upper York St, BS2 8QN Save the World Club, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT Wunz Woz, Hospital Road, DL10 6DT

01908 290482 01786 468234 07791 375983 020 8974 8608 01916 451759

The Urban Meadow

The online store for cool fairtrade and organic kids clothes from 0-11 years. info@theurbanmeadow.co.uk www.theurbanmeadow.co.uk Sadie & Frank, Colvin Gardens, E11 2DD Chatterpants UK Ltd, Skeet Hill Lane, BR5 4HB Green Nippers, Huddersfield Road, S75 5LP Belle & Dean, The Mount, RG1 5HL Su Su Ma Ma World Wear, Saltdean, BN2 8EJ Baby at Sones, Little Achfrish, IV27 4DL Aravore, Park Road, N8 8TE Re-jigged Ltd, Lower Newton Farm, HR4 8QY

0845 269 9916 01689 870 207 0845 862 3322 0118 986 9552 01273 300606 01549 402733 020 8347 5752 01544 318584

mums to be Juno Magazine, Tockington BS32 4LQ Mama Pack, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6GU Sacred Spiral Doula, Rugby, Warwickshire

01454 838 667 01702 416128 01788 576147

NapNap

Widely accepted, NapNap Vouchers are the best way to give a new mum all the nappies a baby needs. contact@napnaphq.com www.napnaphq.com

online stores

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A Fine Choice Hampton Road, TW2 5QB Eco Mum & Baby, Upper Brailes, OX15 5AT Makes A Change Ltd, Hartlepool, TS25 5BZ

07904 959574 01608 638 680 07799 760217

Pretty Special Cards & Gifts!

Fun Illustrated cards and framed prints with the option to personalize! Printed on recycled paper. info@prettyspecialcards.co.uk www.prettyspecialcards.co.uk

Mama Natura

SFDZDMF UIJT CPPL kids clothing Piccalilly, The Sidings, BD24 9RP Globalkids, Weldon Close, GU52 6BG Bamboo Baby Ltd, Camberwell New Road, SE5 0TF

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Choose from a wide range of baby slings and accessories with advice from a babywearing consultant. becky@mamanatura.co.uk www.mamanatura.co.uk

Me Me Mine Ltd, White Horse Road E1 0EN My Funny Bunny, Rochester Way SS14 3QU Natural Baby Shower, Windsor Street KT16 8AY Natural Nursery, Wardrew Road EX4 1HA 01729 822288 Organic Baby Clothes Direct, Dublin Road BT35 8XD 020 8133 8533 Stella James, Main Street NG14 7AG 0845 371 2358 The Organic Baby Company, Staynall Lane FY6 9DT

www.mygreendirectory.info

0208 133 0961 08432 891906 0845 2722386 0845 890 1665 028 3025 7767 0115 9663027 01253 701518

green children

toys

MJLF XIBU ZPV TFF

EcoToyStore, Altofts WF6 2PL Green Board Games, High Wycombe HP12 3RP Holz Toys, Lostwithiel PL22 0HG

0844 826 0348 01494 538999 0845 130 8697

JG ZPV XBOU UP BEWFSUJTF JO QSJOU POMJOF PS NPCJMF ESPQ VT BO FNBJM Paperpod, Grantham NG31 7QH Select Solar Gadgets, Top Road GL7 4EG Sprogs , High Street GL54 5LJ The Organic Toy Co Ltd, Gladstone Road CT10 2HZ Truly Ethical, Houghton on the Hill LE7 9HU Woodland Children Ltd, Pinner Road WD19 4EH

IFMMP!NZHSFFOEJSFDUPSZ JOGP

0845 0710761 0845 0031353 01242 604833 01843 600023 07948 343653 020 3137 5106

recycle this book - or better still, pass it on!

www.mygreendirectory.info

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green children

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green lifestyle green children

ceremony venues Croissant Neuf Solar Powered Venue, BA4 5JH Pines Calyx, St. Margaret’s Bay, CT15 6DZ Trigonos, Nantlle LL54 6BW

01749 343953 01304 851 737 01286 882388

dating Natural Friends, Nairn IV12 5XR

01667 404891

EthicalSingles

Find your perfect match amongst our green, humanitarian, vegetarian & vegan members! Free to join. info@ethicalsingles.com www.EthicalSingles.com

ethical finance Barchester Green Investment Ltd, SP1 2DH Ethical Currency, London, EC4R 2SU Ethical Partnership, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1YL Gaeia, Manchester, M1 3BE Green Accountancy, Old Station Way, OX29 4TL Naturesave Insurance, Fore Street, TQ9 5RU Rathbones, London, W1J 5FB Triodos Bank, Deanery Road BS1 5AS The Co-operative Bank p.l.c, Balloon Street M60 4EP

0800 328 6818 0207 199 3792 0191 2846675 0161 233 4550 0845 478 6346 01803 864390 020 7399 0000 0800 328 2181 08457 212 212

Ecology Building Society

Ethical savings for a sustainable future & mortgages for projects that respect the environment.

0845 674 5566 www.ecology.co.uk

events and festivals Little Cherry Eco Friendly Party Supplies

Huge range of stylish, ethical and fully biodegradable party tableware made from natural materials.

01784 470570 www.littlecherry.co.uk

Quest Festival 12-15 July

Abbot Racecourse Devon. Workshops, world music, alternative therapies, exhibitions & camping. info@questuk.co.uk www.questuk.co.uk

Stromness Heritage Guides

Stromness Spirit of The Sea Sept 13th -15th celebrations of the Seafaring heritage of Stromness Orkney .

01856 841207 www.orkneyattractions.com

Leaning towards a more sustainable existence should be a relatively painless movement, but it is sometimes peppered with obstacles like cynicism within our social circles and self-imposed guilt for not doing enough.

Plot a course for an eco-festival or sustainable living event and rise above these challenges; be the light that others want to aspire to.

If you’re looking for a planet-loving relationship, you might enjoy drawing closer to like minded souls via eco-dating and if things turn out better than you anticipated, this chapter even offers the best in ethical weddings to set you off on the right foot! © Tracey Smith

my green say “Finding the time to explore how your choices impact on others around you and on the planet, is important.

The Forge Music & Arts Venue

Enjoy live classical, jazz, folk & world music set in an intimate, award-winning & sustainable venue. contact@forgevenue.org www.forgevenue.org

recycle this book - or better still, pass it on!

www.mygreendirectory.info

Coming together to celebrate the choices you made, and just how fantastic the planet is, is crucial.”

Sinclair Eiloart - Festival Director www.londongreenfair.org 15 31 33

Advertising feature Ethical Finance Advertising feature

Green with envy With investors, Ethical Forestry protect swaths of forests whilst offering substantial returns

Corporate Sustainability Agenda

Carbon Management

Anaerobic Digestion

Water Treatment

SUSTAINABILITYLIVE! IS THE ONLY EVENT TO ATTEND TO FIND THE ANSWERS...

Energy Efficiency

Want to know how your company can perform better, become more energy efficient and save money?

Procurement

green lifestyle

Land And Bio Remediation

Green Transport

BY VISITING YOU CAN FIND OUT ABOUT > Managing Water Resources > Reducing Energy Costs > How minimising environmental impacts can maximise profits

SUSTAINAB ILITY LIVE!

Effluent Water Treatment

Maximising Water Efficiency Reducing Energy Costs

Electricity y/Gas Supply Energy from Was te

Sustainabilitylive!

Recycling Solutions

Climate Change

22-24 May 2012 NEC Birmingham, UK Leading the way for a sustainable future www.sustainabilitylive.com

22-24 Ma y 2012 NE C Birming ham, UK part of Su stainabil itylive!

Renewables Energy Manageme nt

Flood Management

GET INVOLVED TODAY! Visit www.sustainability live.com

For free entry visit sustainabilitylive.com/register

www.mygreendirectory.info

33

green lifestyle

for new events check

weddings

www.mygreendirectory.info

Bespoke Confetti, Culmstock, Devon, EX15 3HW Confetti Direct, Worcestershire, WR10 3NZ Ethical Weddings, West Sussex, BN14 7DJ

funerals

The Natural Wedding Company

Chiltern Woodland Burial Parks, Liverpool, L1 5JQ Ecopod, East Sussex, BN3 1AF Native Woodland, Monmouth, NP25 3BT

Green Funeral Planning

01494 872158 01273 746 011 01600 716 438

Arranging a green funeral plan guarantees a funeral in line with your environmental beliefs. info@greenfuneralplanning.co.uk www.greenfuneralplanning.co.uk

36

01884 841 561 01386 555045 07903 095 919

Online directory and blog for an eco-friendly, seasonal, vintage and handmade wedding. charlie@thenaturalweddingcompany.co.uk www.thenaturalweddingcompany.co.uk

EcoBunting.co.uk

Colourful bunting made in Oxfordshire from waste material.

Use indoors or outside for all occasions.

01491 824152 www.ecobunting.co.uk

www.mygreendirectory.info

health and beauty

allergy products

You only get one body, you only get one skin which is generously replaced and replenished by the miracle of nature every four weeks; if only the body were that easy to trade in.

aromatherapy Absolute Aromas Ltd, Newman Lane, GU34 2QL Aqua Oleum, London Road, GL5 2AZ Long Barn, Bishops Sutton Road, SO24 9EJ Potions & Possibilities, Market Rasen, LN8 3HA The Essential Oil Co. Ltd, Scrapps Hill Farm, RG23 8PU Tisserand, Newtown Road, BN3 7BA

01420 540400 01453 885 908 01962 732099 01934 386161 01256 332737 01273 325 666

If you’ve not been particularly kind to the vehicle that carries you from A to B, remember it’s never too late to make a better start.

Base Formula Ltd

Once you’ve had a Toxic Epiphany you may feel excitedly drawn to more natural solutions and less chemical options, for your daily ablutions and beautifying.

Natural by Nature Oils Ltd

Enjoy exploring this chapter and start with something you can easily fit into your routine.

Pure essential oils & aromatherapy products for natural health & skincare. Paraben & synthetic free .

01664 501110 www.baseformula.com Manufacturers and suppliers of high quality pure and organic essential oils & aromatherapy products.

01582 840848 www.naturalbynature.co.uk

Sentelle

Sentelle retails 100% soy candles which come in a variety of colours,fragrances and essential oils.

0208 446 6023 , enquiries@sentelle.co.uk www.sentelle.co.uk/soy-candles.asp

body and skincare Balm Balm Ltd, Thames Ditton, KT1 9BB Barefoot Botanicals, Newtown Road, BN3 7BA Beyond Organic Skincare, Bosahan Farm, TR11 5QB

020 8339 0696 01273 325666 0845 500 3550

© Tracey Smith

my green say “It’s always made perfect sense to me that if you care about what you put in your mouth (as I do), the next step is to think about what you’re putting on your skin. (Because your skin is what IT eats, too!) Happily for beautyhounds, innovative, high-quality natural and organic products are booming – but you have to know where to look...”

Jo Fairley - co-author The Green Beauty Bible and Editor, www.beautybible.com www.mygreendirectory.info

15 37 33

health & beauty

body and skincare cont..

Jo Wood Organics, Eastcastle Street, W1W 8DH Love The Planet, Peterculter, AB14 0UB Lulu & Boo Organics Ltd, Llandaff North, CF14 2PX

020 7268 9858 01224 733 955 029 2040 0036

Peachykeen Organics

WE LOVE HAPPY SKIN so we use only natural, organic ingredients to make our skincare range by hand. info@peachykeenorganics.co.uk www.peachykeenorganics.co.uk

Organic Botanics Skincare

Organic Botanics offer a wonderfully unique range of multi award-winning organic skincare products.

01273 573825 www.organicbotanics.com

Premae Skincare

The world’s 1st 100% Allergy-free Health & Beauty for delicate skin including Psoriasis & Eczema 0800 6120928 www.premaeskincare.com

The Natural Works Company

Beautifully natural skincare that doesn’t cost the earth – free of parabens, sls & other nasties. info@naturalworkscompany.co.uk www.naturalworkscompany.co.uk

Essentially Natural

The purest you can buy! 100% organic soaps/skincare.

Organic soy candles. Handmade, Rossendale.

08000 664 916 www.e-nat.co.uk

MiNaturals

Pure potent certified organic skincare & nutritionals. Shortlisted in the Free From Skincare Awards. rob@minaturals.co.uk www.certified-organic-skincare.com

The Natural Shop

Organic, natural, eco-friendly products for the home and body including skincare, gifts and gadgets.

08456 522654 www.thenaturalshop.co.uk

Beauty Naturals

Established family business with a wide selection of natural health & beauty products. Free delivery 0800 9806665

www.beautynaturals.com Niaroma

An Organic & Vegan Award Winning Skincare Range.

(Previously known as The Green Grocery Organics.)

07563 743248 www.niaroma.co.uk

38

Lush Duck, Westbury-sub-Mendip Wells, BA5 1HL Mary Jean Limited, Orton, IV32 7QH Nature's Boutique, Dover Drive, CH65 9BF Nothing Nasty, Monnow Street, NP25 3EQ ONG Natural Bodycare Limited, PO Box 447, HA4 4GY Orchard View naturals, Shepton Beauchamp, TA19 0LE Organic Trevarno, Crowntown, TR13 0RU Saaf Skincare, Aviator Way, M22 5TG Senzim, High Street, OX29 4HE The Natural Skincare Co, Bashurst Copse, RH13 0NZ Thea Skincare Limited, Beck Street, NG1 1EQ

www.mygreendirectory.info

0845 544 1409 01343 880231 0845 621 20 20 0845 450 8982 0845 544 1938 01460 240 234 01326 555 977 0161 266 2112 01865 425 994 01403 790913 0115 9932374

Beauty full beauty food

Inlight’s intense rejuvenating effect stems from our unique, in-house botanical extraction process developed by formulator and skin expert Dr Mariano Spiezia who endows every Inlight product with his personal touch.

Inlight award winning skin care is made in UK... with a splash of Italian style!

100% organic Win a glamorous gift set of Inlight organic skin care worth £180 on www.mygreendirectory.info (‘Competition’ page).

Closing date 23.11.2012. One entry per email address only. By entering the competition all entrants agree to sign up to Inlight and My Green Directory newsletters. Competition prize may be subject to change.

www.inlight-online.co.uk

health & beauty

5 lucky people can win a pack of SUNbeatable newly launched UV defence shampoo and conditioner from Green People worth £20.

They work together to defend against UV damage, protect the hair shaft, gently wash away salt and chlorine and promote shine.

recycle this book - or better still, pass it on!

Spiezia Organics

100% Organic skin care, handmade in beautiful Cornwall.

Original, Ethical, Honest, Effective.

01326 221777 www.spieziaorganics.com

cosmetics BM Beauty, Peterculter AB14 0UB Lucy Rose, Orchard Close HR9 7LE There Must Be a Better Way, Weldale Street RG1 7BX

01224 733 955 01989 750354 0118 9583917

Fresh Therapies Ltd

Eden is a 100% Natural Nail Polish Remover.Not tested on animals is non toxic. Leaves nails healthy.

02380 739595 www.freshtherapies.com

To enter visit www.mygreendirectory.info (‘Competition’ page).

Closing date 31.7.2012.

One entry per email address only. By entering the competition all entrants agree to sign up to Green People and My Green Directory newsletters.

Competition prize may be subject to change.

feminine health Earthwise Girls, Westfield Road OX14 4RF Mooncup Ltd, Arundel Place BN2 1GD Natural Woman, Linlithgow EH49 7S

Organic Cloth Pads, Panty Liners, Moon Sponges & Cups.

Better for your body, your budget & the earth. hello@moontimes.co.uk www.moontimes.co.uk

Our products are not tested on animals and never contain: Sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol) & petrochemicals.

Call 01403 740350 for a FREE catalogue & trial sachet 100% certified products

www.greenpeople.co.uk

40 mygreendirectory_220312.indd 1

Moon Times

01865 408040 01273 673 845 01506 845762

www.mygreendirectory.info 22/03/2012 16:49

health & beauty

intimate health The Yes Yes Company Ltd

Certified Organic Intimate lubricants and moisturisers, created for performance, pleasure and purity. isis@yesyesyes.org www.yesyesyes.org

hair care Daniel Field, PO Box 67 PL21 9ZJ Fushi, Cunnington Street W4 5HB John Masters Organics, Alexandra Road LD3 7PB

01548 830 560 0845 330 1880 01874 610667

health products A.Vogel, Brewster Place KA11 5DD Energise your Life, Belsize Park NW3 4ES G&G Vitamins, Imberhorne Way RH19 1RL Lepicol, Lopen Head TA13 5JH Magnopulse, Emery Road BS4 5PF Nature Complete Ltd, More London Riverside SE1 2RE Organic Burst, Regent Street W1B 3HH Pukka Herbs, Hawkfield Business Park BS14 0BY Pure Health Ltd, Newhaven BN9 9BA Sea Greens, Handford Way RH13 6PD Seventh Wave Supplements, PO Box 438 TN2 9NR Wheatgrass for Life, PO Box 63335 NW4 9GS

My Green Directory, ME5 9BT Mr Smith Clothing and Shoes, SE13 8TY My Eco Business, ME1 5TY

0845 06085858 0207 7948485 01342 312811 01460 243230 0117 9710 710 020 3283 4299 845 375 1744 0845 375 1744 01582 380000 0845 0640040 01892 513782 0800 056 8155

Bio Protective Systems

EMF Protection for Mobile/Smart Phones, Computers, Wi-Fi, Pylons, Masts, Geopathic Stress and More!

0116 2676599 www.SheerPreVention.co.uk

Rio Trading Company (Health) Ltd

Leading supplier of Rainforest botanicals, nutritional supplements, and 100% natural skincare. info@riohealth.co.uk www.riohealth.co.uk

Wholistic Health Direct

Achieve whole health naturally & easily with our unique range of finest healthy lifestyle products.

01763 284910 www.wholisticresearch.com/shop/home/

we all love good news when you get in touch - tell them you found them in my green directory.

www.mygreendirectory.info

41

health & beauty

ecoYoga

practical natural Yoga Mats

plant-based ingredients 100% natural rubber & jute made in the UK biodegradable non-slip/grippy comfortable durable www.ecoyoga.co.uk

steady under hand & foot suitable for yoga & Pilates

42

www.mygreendirectory.info

health & beauty

natural soaps Caurnie Soap, Canal Lane, G66 1QZ Cyril's Soap Shed, Plaitford, SO51 6EE Dream Botanicals, Old Derry Hill, SN11 9PJ Heyland & Whittle, Crompton Way, RH10 9QR Natural Bubbles Handmade Soaps, CM3 3NF Organic Soap, Upper Norwood, SE19 1SS Pure Earth, Whitland, SA34 0QL Pure-Light.co.uk, Parkfield Avenue, UB5 5PR Queen Of Aleppo, Haverthwaite, LA12 8LY The Soap Kitchen, Hatchmoor Road, EX38 7HP Visionary Soap, Princes Street, BN2 1RD Working With Nature, Low Teppermoor, NE46 4DA

0141 776 1218 01794 322369 01249 445446 01293 525825 01245 360297 020 8488 2469 01994 241484 07805 106098 01539 531154 01805 622944 01424 460022 01434 681881

natural therapy Affiliation of Crystal Healing Organisations, RH4 9FG Alliance for Natural Health, Curtis Road, RH4 1XA Association of Reflexologists, Fore Street, TA1 1HX Association of Systematic Kinesiology, TN38 9AZ Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, HA8 7TA Ayurvedic Practitoners Assocation, Green Ridge BN1 5LT Booth VRT, Westbury Hill BS9 3UJ British Chiropratic Association Castle Street, RG1 7SN Federation of Holistic Therapists, SO50 4SR GCRN, Green Lane Avenue BA16 0QS Institute for Complementary Medicine, SE1 0EH International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists Shiatsu Society UK, PO Box 4580 ,CV21 9EL The Alexander Technique College, Church Road, BN3 2DJ The British Reflexology Association, WR6 5RB The National Institute of Medical Herbalists, EX1 1EE The Society of Homeopaths, Duncan Close NN3 6WL The UK Reiki Federation, Tidworth Road SP11 9QD

0758 3087 516 01306 646600 01823 351010 0845 020 0383 020 8951 3030 01273 500 492 01179 626746 0118 950 5950 023 8062 4350 01458 840072 0207 922 7980 01455 637987 0845 130 4560 01273 562595 01886 821207 01392 426022 0845 450 6611 01264 791441

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43

accessories Blossom Candles, P.O. Box 468, RH16 2YF Carhampton Emart, Main Road, TA24 6NQ Gecco Interiors Ltd, Trees Road, HP14 4PW Giv'Organic, Waterlow Road, N19 5NJ Green Aspirations, Hundle House Lane, LN4 4YW Greener Abode, Bathurst Gardens, NW10 5HX Jonathan Leech, Greenspot, CA7 5EH Market Royale, Scotts Grove Close, GU24 8DU Posh Graffiti, Main Road, NG23 5DJ Practical Presents, The Schumacher Centre, CV23 9QZ Pure-Light.co.uk, Parkfield Avenue, UB5 5PR The Organic Towel Company, Staynall Lane, FY6 9DT

01444 487 719 01643 82225 01494 565459 020 7272 0188 01205 280256 0208 960 2338 016973 51746 0845 680 5640 01400 281 563 01926 634400 07805 106098 01253 701518

bedding The Natural Mat Company, Talbot Road, W11 2AT Chandni Chowk Limited, Lapford, EX17 6AE Abaca Ltd, Ammanford, SA18 3RD

020 7985 0474 01363 83893 01269 598491

Laura’s Loom

Luxurious pure wool throws and scarves, sourced, designed and woven in Britain, naturally! ltr@laurasloom.co.uk www.laurasloom.co.uk

fou furnishings

Exclusive range of affordable, luxurious organic bed & bath linens for babies, children and adults. +44 (0)141 644 5211 www.foufurnishings.com

The Fine Cotton Company

The Fine Cotton Company for luxurious organic cotton bed linens, bath linens and home accessories.

0845 6029050 www.thefinecottoncompany.com

home and garden In 1627, Edward Coke famously said, ‘The house of an Englishman is to him as his castle’.

I wonder whether he had much to do with the acquisition of new items of furniture, or the weeding of the irritationals from around vegetable patch; somehow I doubt it.

However humble our living quarters are, it’s the place we often spend more time in than our place of learning or work and a few carefully considered purchases made for it can enhance our enjoyment of being there no end.

And don’t forget there are many responsible disposal options for old items too... © Tracey Smith

my green say

Abaca...wild about sleep

Abaca mattresses are certified organic, free from chemicals, and crammed full of goodness! enquiry@abacaorganic.co.uk www.abacaorganic.co.uk

cleaning products AD Goddard, Ullswater Drive, NR9 3QD Bionetix UK, Stainland Road, HX4 8LR Eco Shop Direct, Tomlinson Road, PR25 2DY Ecover UK, Main Street, RG19 6HN Green Bear UK Limited, Petersham Road, BH17 7DN Home Scents, The Courtyard NE46 1SB

0800 910 1830 01422 363462 07887 499800 08451 302 230 0845 193 0009 01434 607722

www.mygreendirectory.info

‘My philosophy is about respecting our bodies and our Earth. If we work with nature rather than abusing it, then we will all reap the benefits.

I’m passionate about green living throughout the home and in all our day to day lifestyle choices. There are now so many wonderful green living options available from the kitchen to the bathroom, green gardening to eco cleaning, interior design to making a fashion statement; there has never been a better time to go green.’

Jo Wood - lifestyle guru

www.jowoodorganics.com 15 45 33

home & garden The Bio-D Company Limited

UK manufacturer of environmentally friendly,sustainable and biodegradable cleaning products. info@biodegradable.biz www.biodegradable.biz

Living Clean Limited, Vulcan Road North, NR6 6AQ Natural Eco Trading Limited, PO Box 115, TN4 8WJ Summer Naturals, Huddersfield Road, SK15 3DY Ultimatley Eco Scrutton Street, EC2A 4PJ

01603 417738 01892 616871 0161 3382256 020 7739 6702

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another chance to win.

46

www.mygreendirectory.info

home & garden

...where quality comes naturally

disinfectants Bentley Orgainic, PO Box 319, LS19 9ES Enjo, East Barnet Road, EN4 8TD Northern Environmental, Birch Park, LS23 7FG

0113 205 0958 0845 491 8718 0800 808 7887

www.utterlyeco.com Gifts & ideas for your home

SIMPLE STEPS ON THE SUSTAINABLE PATH

REDUCE

eco dept stores Dojo Ecoshop, Mason Street, M3 5EZ Eco Beans, Evegate Business Park, TN25 6SX Eco Eco, Castleton Road, S33 6RD

0161 834 5432 020 8123 6600 01433 623113

Greener by Nature

A stylish range of ethically sourced, eco-friendly products and gifts for the home and whole family. info@greenerbynature.co.uk www.greenerbynature.co.uk Eco World, Rose Farm Rise, WF6 2PL Econatural, Terenure Road West Dublin, 6W Ecotopia, Spring Mill Industrial Estate, GL6 0BS ecoU, Fishpools Farm Barns, CV23 9PB Ethical Superstore, Follingsby Avenue, NE10 8HQ Green and Easy, Bishops Frome, WR6 5AY Greenfibres, High Street, TQ9 5PF Grow and Make, Alberta St, OR 97211 It Must be Green, Fifield Barns, OX10 6EZ My Greener Home, High Street, IP7 5EL Natural Simplicity, Holloway, SN16 9BB Nigels Eco Store, Portland Road, BN3 5AB Rawrocks, Orchard St, SA1 5AS Spirit of Nature, Follingsby Avenue, NE10 8HQ Well Cultivated Ltd, Dorking Road Nottingham www.the-green-apple.co.uk, Chapel Lane, CV8 3EU

0844 826 0348 353 (0)1 4927774 0845 094 2181 01926 633673 0845-0099 016 01885 485900 01803 868001 877 242 9041 01491 836401 020 8133 9002 01666 829163 0800 288 8970 07757 783776 0844 576 0800 0115 7143 143 02476 511056

Chimney balloons Wind up radios Natural paints

REUSE Keepcup Cotton shopping bags Reusable nappies RECYCLE Recycled glass Recycled wool blankets Paper potter

www.karavaneco.co.uk | info@karavan.co.uk

167 LORDSHIP LANE, EAST DULWICH LONDON, SE22 8HX | 020 8299 2524

www.mygreendirectory.info

47

home & garden

energy saving Eco Polar, Pencader SA39 9AD Eco Worrier, Botley Road SO30 2HB Energy Saving Shop, Redgate Street, NG16 6LN Footprints Eco Shop, Sandown Lane, L15 8HY Green Light Store, Berkeley Street, W1J 8EE Green Stamp, The Old Farmhouse, TR8 4AT Green Superstore, Lion Road, TW1 4JH It does the Job, Aylmer Road, E11 3AD Juice Electrical Supplies, Redgate Street, NG16 6LN Tango Group Limited, Zoons Court, GL3 3NE

gardening 01559 369041 056 0115 4742 0333 456789 5 0844 579 0974 0203 174 0900 01637 854717 020 8892 3080 020 8539 4707 0333 456789 5 01452 621888

furniture

Böd Ayre Products,Shetland, ZE2 9QF Chase Organics Ltd,Molesey Road, KT12 4RG Green Gardener,Mill Road,NR29 3EY Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd,Smallhythe Road,TN30 7LT Jekka's Herb Farm,Shellards Lane,BS35 3SY Just Green,Burnham-on-Crouch,CM0 8UA Pro-Grow,Berkley Road,BA11 2ED The Hairy Pot Plant Company, Crawley,SO21 2PJ Nether Wallop Trading Company, New Street, SP10 1DR

01806 577328 01932 266630 01493 750061 01580 765600 01454 418878 01621 785088 0845 6789955 01962 776910 01264 355553

Laura’s Organics

Organic vegetable, herb and flower seeds.

Nature friendly pest control, eco pots and accessories. laura@laurasorganics.co.uk www.laurasorganics.co.uk

Llandovery Forestry Products

Sustainable charcoal, Biochar, timber goods. Produced in Wales whilst restoring an Ancient Woodland. info@forestryproducts.co.uk www.forestryproducts.co.uk

Delfland Nurseries ~ Organic Plants

Over 180 varieties of peat-free organic vegetable plants via mail order. Soil Association certified. info@organicplants.co.uk www.organicplants.co.uk

Bucket of Worms

See our website for tips, advice & products to help you COMPOST WITH WORMS. Quality Worms & Wormeries.

01237 473336 www.bucketofworms.co.uk

Curated

A curated collection of modern furniture and homewares, all designed and made in the UK. hello@curatedonline.com www.curatedonline.com Allan Lake, Spring Grove, HD8 OPN Chest of Drawers, Upper Street, N1 2TZ Chris Nangle Furniture, West Felton, SY11 4HS Dragonfly Creations, Copley Lodge, SA3 3JJ Driftwood Interiors , Shakespeare St, PR8 5AN Feelgood Eco Beds, Haynes Lane, EX6 7ST Hendzel + Hunt, Gowlett Road, SE15 4HX Indigo Furniture, Dale Rd, DE4 3LT Mobius Living Ltd, Aldbourne Road, CV1 4EQ Myakka Ltd, Tythings Comm Ctr, BA9 9EQ OrreyPine, Lombard Street, NG24 1XG Rediscovered Garden, Back Lane, BS21 6XA Warren Evans, Gloucester Road, BN1 4AP

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01484 602395 020 7359 5909 01691 611864 01792 448082 07532 096117 01392 811874 0207 639 2277 01629 581800 0845 299 6331 0845 460 3122 01636 703070 01934 877088 020 7693 8988

love your garden?

we do... www.mygreendirectory.info

www.mygreendirectory.info

home & garden

www.mygreendirectory.info

49

home & garden

gift companies

homeware 01983 840913 Essentia Organic Mattress, Canada, H7P 5Z7 020 7272 0188 Green Gate Bio Packaging, Vaughan Parade, TQ2 5EG 0845 0708087 Vegware, Polwarth Crescent, EH11 1HS

Daisy Daisy, High Street, PO38 3HH Giv’Organic Ltd, Waterlow Road, N19 5NJ My Eco Store, Dukes Road, RH16 2JH

450-688-8111 01803 29 09 71 0131 5165058

Big Green Smile Ltd

The natural place to come for organic lifestyle products.

From natural beauty to natural cleaning. customerservices@biggreensmile.com www.biggreensmile.com

New eco-friendly shop now

www.foeshop.co.uk

Not Mass Produced

Gorgeous gifts made ethically, stylishly and sustainably by talented artisan makers on a small-scale enquiries@notmassproduced.com www.notmassproduced.com

Yours Sustainably

Find stylish and unique sustainably sourced home and fashion accessories. Buy ’Gifts that matter’. contact@yourssustainably.com www.yourssustainably.com

pet stores Ethical Pets, Russell Street, SK16 4TA Lilly's Kitchen, PO Box 59287, NW3 9JR OrganiPets, PO Box 715, OX1 9EG

0161 343 3371 0207 433 1863 0845 3880935

Eco Dog Company

Purveyors of quality eco friendly, sustainable and natural toys, treats and accessories for dogs. info@ecodogcompany.com www.ecodogcompany.com

All natural!

home composting Fertile Fibre Ltd, Withington, HR1 3RJ Smart Soil, Camnant Road, SA10 9LT Wiggly Wigglers, Blakemere Farm, HR2 9PX

01432 853111 01639 701888 01981 500391

HotBin composting

The HOTBIN is designed to help maximise what nature does naturally by making hot composting easy.

0845 621 0095 www.hotbincomposting.com

recycle this book or better still, pass it on!

50

The original, 100% natural antler dog chew Long-lasting Mineral goodness

No mess

Natural teeth cleaner

Buy now at www.puredog.co.uk 0845 272 5992 info@puredog.co.uk

stationery Paper High, Belton Road, BN2 3RE Remarkable (Pencils) Ltd, Midland Road, WR5 1DS The Green Card Company, PO Box 556, OX1 5ZR

The Exotic Paper Company

0845 257 0239 01905 769 999 01865 321 302

100% recycled paper, seeded paper, board, stationery sets and gifts with a difference. UK made.

01823 421805 www.exoticpaper.co.uk

www.mygreendirectory.info

office

advertising Do Good Advertising, Flemington Street, G21 4BX Goodworld Communications, Upper Brook St, W1K 7QJ Ideosync, Chatsworth Avenue, GL4 0SP Re-Sourceful, Gay Street, BA1 2NT

0141 558 9271 07801 515585 01452 54 66 82 01225 787502

business awards International Green Awards, Old Broad Street, EC2N 1HN 020 7877 0631 PEA Business Awards, Reigate, RH2 7JB 01737 237901

consultancy Article 13 Ltd, The Grove W5 5LL Business Eco Consultancy Ltd, High Street, SM1 1EZ Carey Ambrose Ltd, Begbrook Drive, BS16 1HG

020 8840 4450 020 8915 0097 07798 620 173

Being the singular weird greenie at work is much harder to do these days and thank goodness for that! In fact, I’d go as far as to say applying your eco-approach in the office, is positively bang on trend.

Ponder this chapter, packed with companies plying resources and products to help your company fly the green flag, with everything from eco-printers to stapleless staplers.

If you feel completely inspired, consider pushing the boat right out and set up a legacy point by creating anything from a simple fizzy pop can recycling area, to a restful roof top chill out garden. © Tracey Smith

Ethical Partnership, South Gosforth, NE3 1YL Greenstone Carbon Mgmt. Ltd, Vigo Street W1S 3HT Sauce Consultancy, Quality Court, WC2A 1HR The Ecology Consultancy, Cole Street, SE1 4YH Wilbury Stratton, 1 Cornhill, EC3V 3ND

0191 284 6675 020 3031 4000 020 7061 6351 020 7378 1914 0207 947 5500

jobs and home working Environmentjob.co.uk, Exeter EX4 4RN Green Employ Limited, Limekiln Road NP4 6TF Greenjobs Ltd, Merrion Square Dublin 2

01392 491578 01495 775 647 353(0)1678 8590

graphic design Advocate

Brand, print and web design - that helps ethical businesses and organisations succeed.

01453 822338 www.advocatedesign.co.uk

Mary Wright

Creative, independent graphic designer specialising in logo and print design. Eco-friendly printing.

01242 244007 www.marywright.co.uk Design Advantage, Richdore Road CT4 5SJ Designers on the Run, Dalmeny Street Edinburgh Do Good Advertising, Flemington Street, G21 4BX Greenhouse Graphics Limited Cufaude Lane, RG26 5DL IDEOSYNC Creative Marketing Solutions, Tuffley, GL4 0SP

01227 700009 0131 5523524 0141 558 9271 01256 880770 01452 54 66 82

www.mygreendirectory.info

my green say “What we need is a new wave of growth driven not by value transfer but by value creation, delivering solutions to the most pressing social and environmental challenges.”

Leo Johnson PwC | Partner, Sustainability & Climate Change

51 15 33

office

Digitalis Website Design

Web design and marketing, for user-friendly sites your clients will love. Veggie sites a speciality! info@digitalis-designs.co.uk www.digitalis-designs.co.uk Leap Media Ltd, Alexandra Road, PL25 4QJ Lightbeing Creations Ltd, Trowbridge, BA14 7NA Madomat Graphic Design, Acklam Road, W10 5JJ Morse-Brown Design, Vyse Street, B18 6NE Sprout Design Ltd, London, SE1 3UN The Good Folk Limited, Ashwin Street, E8 3DL Total Coverage, Portswood Road, SO17 2NF Zero Above, Alphamstone, CO8 5DT

01726 75551 01225 459385 020 7524 7550 0121 212 9857 020 7645 3790 020 3051 8615 023 8067 8330 01787 267949

MJLF XIBU ZPV TFF

internet and phones Green ISP, Hebden Bridge, HX7 6HJ Green Mobile, Wood Road, GU26 6PT The Phone Co-op, Worcester Road, OX7 5XL

0845 058 0659 08452 333333 0845 458 9000

membership organisations Ethical Junction CIC, Shelley Lane SO51 6AS Organisation for Responsible Bus. Wimborne Rd, SS2 4JR The SEE Scheme, Adler Street, E1 1EE

023 8081 1429 0845 459 9749 020 3372 4504

JG ZPV XBOU UP BEWFSUJTF JO QSJOU POMJOF PS NPCJMF ESPQ VT BO FNBJM

office services [re]design, Summit Way, SE19 2PU AD Goddard, Ullswater Drive, NR9 3QD Green Your Office, High Street, SG7 6BG IMServ Europe Ltd, Linford Wood, MK14 6LY Seventeen, Orchard Place, E14 0JW The Clean Space Partnership, Regent Terrace, SW8 1AW

52

020 840 641 60 800 910 1830 0845 456 4540 01908 696 000 020 7515 5775 0870 42 33 559

IFMMP!NZHSFFOEJSFDUPSZ JOGP

www.mygreendirectory.info

office

printers Calverts.coop, Bethnal Green, E2 9DT Four Corners Print, Millers Road, BN1 5NQ Severnprint Limited, Bristol Road, GL2 5EU

020 7739 1474 01273 508064 01452 416391

A Local Printer Ltd

Bespoke eco printing with huge range of online ordering or bespoke printing. FSC, ISO14001 approved. info@alocalprinter.com www.alocalprinter.com

Manor Creative

Eco-friendly printers in Sussex. ISO 14001, FSC & PEFC certification. Established for over 35 years. sales@manorcreative.com www.manorcreative.com

promotional goods Allwag Promotions Ltd, Braxted Park, CM8 3GA Bag It Don't Bin It Ltd, Rutland Road, S3 9PT Bag People, Bridge Road, SO31 7GB

01621 890290 0114 272 1201 02380 982 829

Canby, Park End Street, OX1 1HU Go Greener Bags, High Street, MK46 4BE Jutexpo Limited, Evesham Road, WR12 7HU Natural Eco Bags, Balds Lane, DY9 8SH Re-Sourceful, Gay Street, BA1 2NT Smartbags Ltd, Cranbrook Lane, N11 1PH Supreme Creations Ltd, Great Central Way, NW10 0UF The Natural Bag Company Ltd, Dundee, DD2 4SS TShirt and Sons, West Wilts Trading Est, BA13 4JP

0845 277 0122 0800 783 2415 01386 834777 01384 424570 01225 787502 020 8242 4468 020 8459 3260 01382 623794 01373 301 645

web hosting offices supplies ONCEnvironmental, Caversham Road, RG1 8AY Stevensons Office Furniture, Harrow Road, NW10 5NG The Green Desk Ltd, Addington Village, CR0 5AN

01189 505707 0208 969 3850 0844 335 6382

Green Stationery Co

Best prices for Recycled Paper. Massive, unique product range for next day national delivery. Est 1989 01225 480556 www.greenstat.co.uk

pr agencies Global Tolerance, Victoria Embankment, EC4Y 0HJ Greenhouse PR, York Way, N1 9AB Life Size Media, Argyll Street, W1F 7TQ

0845 054 0064 01202 881771 0207 287 7080

www.mygreendirectory.info

53

Where Exclusive Central Location TBC (2012 PEA Business Awards were held at The Orangery, Kensington Palace)

People and Environment Achievement Business

AWARDS

When 2013

Why The People and Environment Achievement Business Awards (PEABs) will champion Britain’s ‘greenest’ companies, and encourage other businesses to green initiatives can bring to commerce as well as the planet. The Awards will highlight the individuals within these businesses who understand and respect the planet’s precious resources, and who are prepared to make changes today to improve future wellbeing.

Join us Is there an individual or a team who you think should be awarded for their green initiatives?

Further information on the awarding categories and how to nominate can be found on the Awards website: www. peabusinessawards.com Nominations are now open – www.peabusinessawards.com Charity Partner

Judges Jo Wood (Lifestyle Guru), Leo Johnson (head of sustainability, PWC), Josephine Fairley (founder, Green & Blacks), Tony Juniper (environmental campaigner, author and Green’s editor-in-chief), Deborah Meaden (TV Personality & Entrepreneur)

resources

books Green Books

A great range of books on green issues, including gardening, eco-building, economics and politics.

01803 863260 www.greenbooks.co.uk

If you’re in the market for a new eco-widget, or simply want to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the environmental world, the next chapter is for you.

Have a cuppa and a leisurely peruse to locate informative eco-magazines, events, books, workshops and more.

When it comes to reliable sources of information, you currently have your nose pressed against the best place to start.

There are a great many more ethical companies listed on the website and app and if you run an eco-business, be sure to create your own free listing at www.mygreendirectory.info. © Tracey Smith

my green say

campaigns 38 Degrees, Bowling Green Lane, EC1R 0NE Campaign Protect Rural England, Southwark St, SE1 0SW Sustrans, Cathedral Square, BS1 5DD

0207 970 6023 020 7981 2800 0117 926 8893

“For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand – it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns.

conference / event venues

The next 40 years will see enormous changes. In ten years Britain and Europe could be firmly on the road to a new kind of future – one that isn’t just about conserving the beauty of our fragile planet, but rethinking how we live so we can sustain our only home.”

Andy Atkins - Executive Director

www.foe.co.uk

www.mygreendirectory.info

55

resources

conservation Bat Conservation Trust, Kennington Lane, SE11 5RD 0845 1300 228 British Ecological Society, Roger Street, WC1N 2JU 0207 685 2500 Countryside Learning, Cragg Road, HX7 5RW 01422 885566 David Suzuki Foundation, John Street ON, M5T 1X4 (0416) 348 9885 Earthtrust, Maunawili Road, HI 96734 (0808) 2615 339 Environment Agency, PO Box 544, S60 1BY 03708 506 506 Envision, Gibb Street, B9 4AA 0121 772 7685 Groundwork UK, Scotland Street, B1 2RR 0121 236 8565 IBRA, North Road, CF10 3DY 029 2037 2409 Inforse, Kirkevej, DK-8530 (45) 86 22 70 00 International Dolphin Watch, Melton Road, HU14 3ET 01482 632650 Kent Wildlife Trust, Tyland Barn, ME14 3BD 01622 662012 Marine Conservation Society, Alton Road, HR9 5NB 01989 566017 Natural England, Riverside Exchange, S3 8NH 0845 600 3078 Natural Environment Research Council, SN2 1EU 01793 411500 One World Wildlife, Butterrow Lane, GL5 2LY 01453 840 054 People's Trust for Endangered Species, SW8 4BG 020 7498 4533 Rainforest Concern, Pulteney Street, BA2 4DL 020 7229 2093 Resource Renewal Inst, East Blithedale Ave, CA 94941 04159 283774 Save the World Club, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT 020 8974 8608 Sierra Club, Second Street, CA 94105 04159 775500 The British Naturalists' Ass, P.O. Box 5682, NN17 2ZW 0844 892 1817 The Environment Centre, Pier Street, SA1 1RY 01792 480200 The Rainforest Foundation, Varick Street, NY 10014 02124 319098 The Wildlife Trusts, Mather Road, NG24 1WT 01636 677711 Tibet Foundation, James's Market, SW1Y 4SB 020 7930 6001 Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society, SN15 1LJ 01249 449500 Wild Earth Guardians, Alto Street, NM 87501 (505) 988 9126 Wild Trout Trust, Waterlooville, PO8 0WZ 023 9257 0985 World Environment Organisation, Salem Road, GA 30677 (706) 769 1000 World Vision UK, Opal Drive, MK15 0ZR 01908 84 10 10

courses and workshops

56

www.mygreendirectory.info

resources RESPECTED, TRUSTED PROVIDER OF TRAINING, CONSULTANCY AND EVALUATION

Conflict Management

Facilitation

Training

Evaluation & Research

● Environment ● Natural Resources ● Gender & conflict ● Women & environment ● Industry ● Planning ● Partnerships ● Project Cycle Management ● Participatory Appraisal ● Change

Tel: +44 (0)1543 419777 Email: info@mind-the-gap.net

Dru Yoga_2.pdf

1

01/04/2012

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www.mind-the-gap.net

Media information: My Green Directory 2012 Lower Shaw Farm / 63mm wide x 46mm deep

LOWER SHAW FARM

Yoga & Meditation > > > > >

Weekend breaks for individuals and families

teacher training retreats workshops free tasters try out days & classes Yoga, Music, Singing, Mosaic, Jewellery, Willow, Family Breaks, Circus Skills, Mushroom Forays, Seasonal Celebrations, venue hire – and more!

Friendly atmosphere, home-grown, local food. Gardens & animals organic.

Central London Studio Call 01372 725327

Affordable! Ask us for a programme!

www.drulondon.com greenfinder.pdf

Lower Shaw Farm, Shaw, Swindon, SN5 5PJ. Tel 01793 771080 1

01/04/2012

01:42

directories

www.lowershawfarm.co.uk

education centres The Environment Centre

Green courses and events in South West Wales.

Looking for room hire? Why not try our low cost rooms.

01792 480200 www.environmentcentre.org.uk

Wilderness Foundation UK

Our vision is to preserve the world’s last remaining wild places.

01245 443073 www.wildernessfoundation.org.uk

magazines Environment Times, Chapel Street, PR7 4JL Inspired Times Publications Ltd, Upper York St BS2 8QN Positive Health Mag, Pegwell Road, CT11 0GD

01257 474973 0117 924 0901 01843 855 114

we’ve been missing you... your advert isn’t here? make sure we all see you next time. hello@mygreendirectory.info www.mygreendirectory.info

57

resources The world’s first positive newspaper

Inspiration for a change

In print & online:

PositiveNews.org.uk

0845 458 4758 /positive.news.uk

@PositiveNewsUK

ISSUE 27 £3.95 Spring 2012

a natural approach to family life

Green Cleaning Make your own products

Storytime Yoga The power to heal

use offer code GD212

#OMING OF !GE

Jackie Singer explores rites of passage

BIRTH STORIES

Could caesarean section be more natural?

Spring feast recipes

JUNO is a magazine that aims toKeeping inspirechickens and support families as they journey through the challenges of parenting.

It shares Celebrate a dandelion day fresh perspectives in this fast-paced technological world, 2ICHARD ,OUV s +ATE -AGIC s .AOMI !LDORT s -ARTIN ,ARGE creating a non-judgemental community for those who are keen to follow a more natural approach to family life.

Subscribe online, by post, or by phone Juno Publishing, Elms Farm, Upper Tockington Road, Bristol, BS32 4LQ Tel: 01454 838667

Follow us on facebook and twitter

www.junomagazine.com

Resurgence magazine: a powerful voice for change FREE PDF COPY www.resurgence.org The Resurgence Trust is a charity (no. 1120414)

ENVIRONMENT ( ENGAGED ACTIVISM ( SOCIAL JUSTICE ( PHILOSOPHY ( ARTS ( ETHICAL LIVING

58

www.mygreendirectory.info

resources

www.permaculture.co.uk order the magazine & our books from

www.green-shopping.co.uk or call us on 01730 823 311

postage & packing FREE (UK only) when ordered online Advertise with us in print (over 100,000 readers), online and via our monthly e-newsletter.

For full details email: tony@permaculture.co.uk

My Green Directory readers offer

25% OFF

our Permanent Publications books

JOIN US

Select from over 40 books & DVDs

subscribe to Green

SPRING

2012

GReEN

GREEN

is a quarterly magazine edited by leading MODE WILL TH L VILLAGE: environmentalist Tony PARK WI E OLYMPIC N MEDA LS? ALY Juniper. Launched in COOL GA S FOWLER’S RDEN IDEAS HUGH 2009, Green aims to shed FEARN LEYWHITT ING COMFOR STALL’S light and inspire with tips T FOOD Kevin McClo for smarter living, covering ud’s best addre sses everything from eco-homes to organic gardening, healthy W e anIN TRAVELL scle food choices to responsible tric ING LIT oocte E, ECO HEROES, r travel, as well as bringing views THE GR EEN ECO NOMY on some of the most important environmental questions of our times. Regular contributors include food campaigner and author Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall, organic gardening writer Alys Fowler, Green & Black’s co-founder Josephine Fairley and the Guardian’s wine writer Fiona Beckett. a ligh ter tou ch

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Handmade in Cornwall by award-winning skincare expert and pioneer Dr Mariano Spiezia, Inlight organic skincare products are free from any synthetics and are packed with active ingredients to feed the skin with essential nutrients.

Subscribe to Green and receive a free 30ml bottle of Inlight 100% organic daily face oil (RRP £25) to experience super-smooth and silky skin all day long.

It’s great as an aftershave too! (Offer not applicable to online subscribers.) inlight-online.co.uk

Permaculture Magazine display ads 2011 This PDF layout is CMYK 300dpi

“A doctor’s brand with a difference” Josephine Fairley

If you CALL requireOUR an ad in another format i.e. tiff, please0161 contact Tony TO SUBSCRIBE, HOTLINE ON 0207-199 or email: tony@permaculture.co.uk.

OR VISIT ISUBSCRIBE.CO.UK /GREEN-MAGAZINE-SUBSCRIPTION.CFM www.mygreendirectory.info

59

resources

recycling Green Warehouse, Lamby Way, CF3 2EQ It Green, Block Fen, CB6 2AY. TBC Recycling, East Duck Lees Lane, EN3 7SP

02920 794 888 0870 3000 905 0208443 2323

FREEGLE (Free Giving Locally Easily)

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t throw it away! Give it away!

Free UK online groups for everyone to reuse, upcycle, recycle. info@iLoveFreegle.org www.ilovefreegle.org

Re-Cycle (Bikes to Africa - Charity)

Unused bicycles & parts wanted to ship to Africa to provide a basic & sustainable means of transport. info@re-cycle.org www.re-cycle.org/Donate/Bike

recycle this book - or better still, pass it on!

Do you have a PASSION for the PLANET? Looking for FRESH IDEAS to live a green and ethical life?

Visit

www.passionfortheplanet.com

PASSION for the PLANET is

Radio Podcasts Articles all on demand You choose what you want, when you want it.

social networks

Register for free at

Diana Morgan Social Media Marketing

Using social media to market your business.

Small food producers, events, and the green sector. morgandiana68@gmail.com www.facebook.com/DianaMorganSocialMediaMarketing

tv and radio Environment Films, Queenstown Road, SW8 4LP Green TV, Covent Garden WC2E 9PA

60

www.passionfortheplanet.com

Be inspired and intrigued today!

0207 498 1600 020 7240 0357

www.mygreendirectory.info Passion For The Planet.indd 1

06/05/2010 09:11:15

activity holidays Bicycle Beano Cycling Holidays, Powys, LD2 3PQ Foottrails, George Street, TYF, St. Davids Pembrokeshire, SA62 6SA

01982 560471 01747 820 626 01437 721611

Monkton Wyld Court

Sustainable Lifestyle Learning in Rural Dorset.

Residential Courses and Organic Family Holidays.

01297 560342 www.monktonwyldcourt.co.uk

Andean Trails Limited

Active adventure, cultural and wildlife holidays in South America. All budgets and ages catered for. kathy@andeantrails.co.uk www.andeantrails.co.uk

Orkney Images

Orkney Islands Special Interest Breaks at Via House.Environmental & Heritage,Arts Activities,Tai Chi. peatfire@orkneyatractions.com www.orkneyattractions.com

bed and breakfast Bedknobs B&B, Castle Street, PL31 2DX Botelet, Liskeard, PL14 4RD Bowden Farm, Muddiford, EX31 4HR

01208 77553 01503 220 225 01271 850502

The West Usk Lighthouse

Super B&B in real lighthouse, waterbed,4-poster beds, hot tub on roof garden now also wedding venue.

01633 810126 www.westusklighthouse.co.uk

The Gallery Bed & Breakfast Thirsk

Award winning, eco-friendly B&B in a North Yorkshire market town, using delicious local produce.

01845 523767 www.gallerybedandbreakfast.co.uk

Overcombe House The Gateway to Dartmore Environmentally Led, Ethically Focussed A warm welcome awaits

www.overcombehotel.co.uk 01822 853501 Catsheys, South Molton, EX36 4JW Cumbria House, Ambleside Road, CA12 4DR Great Cummins Farm, Tedburn St Mary, EX6 6BJ Greenacres, Chapelhill, PH1 3TQ Harbour Lodge, Cleveland Road, TQ4 6EN Marlborough House, Marlborough Lane, BA1 2NQ Old Country House, Mathon, WR13 5PS Paskins Town House, Charlotte Street, BN2 1AG Plas Mawr Bed & Breakfast, Eglwysfach, SY20 8SZ Rezare Farmhouse B&B, Rezare, PL15 9NX The Old Kennels, Stentwood, EX14 4RW

01769 550580 017687 73171 01647 61278 01738 880302 01803 556932 01225 318175 01886 880 867 01273 601203 01654 781286 01579 371214 01823 681138

www.mygreendirectory.info

travel and transport The misconception that we should travel great distances in order to get away from it all to have a break, has finally been broken and it is aided by the circumstance of peak oil and the inescapable rising costs of all fuels.

What better time to look at this beautiful country of ours (or perhaps even a neighbouring county) for a spot of rest and recuperation, that can be reached long before the children start tugging your cardigan saying, Mummy, are we there yet?’

Read on and get into the right gear, or maybe even, get on yer bike! © Tracey Smith

my green say “The most significant decision you can take to lessen the carbon footprint of your holiday is to seek low emission forms of transport.

Thankfully it’s now easier than ever to go green… so hop on a train, bus or bike and have a great holiday. Less Carbon, More Fun.”

Richard Hammond - Chief executive, www.mygreendirectory.info greentraveller.co.uk 61

travel and transport

Bryn Bella Guest House The ideal holiday location for exploring snowdonia and north wales

Trelay Farm Holidays

Self-catering cottages, yurts and field camping on a community farm on the north Cornish coast. holidays@trelay.org www.trelay.org/holidays

SWALLOWTAIL HILL

eco camping with style

Where Sustainability 01690 710627 Meets Quality www.bryn-bella.co.uk

NOTE! I HAVE AD A WHITE KEYLINE THE TYPE TO MAKE A BIT MO PUNCHY THE ADV IS SO SM

bikes Greased Lightning Cycles, PO Box 270, TW16 7WE London Cycling Campaign, Newhams Row, SE1 3UZ Powabyke Limited, Temple Cloud, BS39 5AZ Green_Oil_MGD_2011.pdf

1

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08444 145192 020 7234 9310 01761 568085

0845 337 2948 www.swallowtailhill.com

car share Lift Share, online only.

Swallowtailhill_GreenDirectory1112.indd Carplus, Hunslet Road, LS10 1JN 1 Easit, online only

www.liftshare.com 31/10/2011 16:45 0113 234 9299 01306 886677

days out Attenborough Nature Centre, Attenborough, NG9 6DY BeWILDerwood, Hoveton, NR12 8JW Centre for Alternaatic Technol', Machynlleth, SY20 9AZ

0115 972 1777 01692 633033 01654 704954

Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW)

Free exhibitions, events and activities for all ages exploring our place in Nature through the Arts.

01392 832277 www.ccanw.co.uk

hire services

hostels

The Green Man & Van

The Green Man & Van, is a carbon neutral, removals and logistics company. Based in central London.

020 308 69775 www.greenmanandvan.co.uk

A chance to escape and be inspired.

Homely, heart-centred hostel and well-being centre.

hotels

Vegetarian food, cosy wood fire, meditation areas, library.

Battlesteads Hotel & Rest, Wark on Tyne NE48 3LS 01434 230 209 Stobo Castle Health Spa, Peeblesshire, EH45 8NY 01721 725 300/5 Wentbridge House Hotel, The Great North Road, WF8 3JJ 01423 814574

Contact Groups & Individauls welcome Michael or Debbie on 01654 761686 44 beds. or mail@corrishostel.co.uk

camping Broome Retreat, Penygarnedd, SY10 0AN Deepdale Backpackers and Camping, Burnham Deepdale PE31 8DD The Really Green Holiday Company, Freshwater Bay PO40 9QJ

62

01691 860740

Visit to find 100â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more green buinesses

01485 210256 07802 678591

www.mygreendirectory.info

travel and transport

self catering Beechenhill Farm, Ashbourne, DE6 2BD Caerhys, St Davids, SA62 6DX Caldertop Cottage, Higher Landskill Farm, PR3 1SS Clynfyw, Abercych, SA37 0HF CountrySOLE, Almeley, HR3 6LJ Devon Eco Holidays, Luppitt, EX14 4SP Devonretreat, Old Beer Road, EX12 2PZ Eco Cabin, Leintwardine, SY7 0JU Elton Old Hall, Peak District National Park, DE4 2BW Folly Farm, Pensford, BS39 4DW Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, SP7 0JY Highdown Farm, Bradninch, EX5 4LJ Little Marshfoot Farmhouse, Mill Road, BN27 2SJ Little White Alice, Carnmenellis, TR16 6PL Organig Parc, Llithfaen, LL53 6NH Parkamoor, Low Parkamoor Cumbria Shetland Croft, North Hamarsland, ZE2 9SG Stones Cottage, Llandruidion Farm, SA64 0JQ The Chestnuts, Shilton, OX18 4AB The Eco Lodge , Station Road, PE22 9RF Trelowarren, Mawgan, TR12 6AF

01335 310274 01348 831244 01995 603246 01239 841236 01544 327 849 07596 511 355 01297 20307 01547 540630 01629 734 414 01275 331590 01747 811 830 01392 881028 01323 844690 01209 861000 01758 750 000 015394 41050 01595 840345 01348 891286 07860 337763 01205 870062 01326 221224

Awarded Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Self-Catering Holiday of the Year 2011/2012

www.dovecotebarnsyork.co.uk

Asheston Eco Barns

Delightful 5-star Eco Barns, tucked away in an unspoilt corner of Pembrokeshire. ashestonecobarns@googlemail.com www.eco-barns.co.uk

sustainable tourism Baobab Travel Ltd, Old Fallings Lane WV10 8BL 0121 314 6011 Belize Lodge, P. O. Box 1840 Belize 501-223-6324 Black Sheep Inn Eco-Retreats, POBox 05-01-240 Ecuador (593) 3-270-8077

Eco Trails Kerala

Socially Responsible & Eco Friendly Tours in Kerala in India. mail@ecotourskerala.com www.ecotourskerala.com

Mazzard Farm holiday cottages

Award Winning Luxury Cottages just off the Jurassic Coast in Devon. Hugely family friendly. info@mazzardfarm.com www.mazzardfarm.com

Tree Of Life Organics Horsebox Holiday

Something different in Cornwall. Off-the-grid vintage horsebox on registered organic small holding.

01872 552661 www.treeoflifeorganics.co.uk

The Manor House Stables

Cosy, warm and welcoming eco-friendly accommodation with wood-burning stoves and organic hampers.

01526 378717 www.manorhousestables.co.uk

Greta Hall

Former home of Coleridge & Southey. Self catering accommodation for 2,6 or 11+ B & B 4 star.

01768 775 980 www.gretahall.net

Caradamom Club,Kerala India Contour,Pippingford Park, TN22 3HW Go Differently, Third Avenue, BN3 2PD Imaginative Traveller, Debenham, IP14 6LA MamboViewPoint, PO Box 157, Lushoto, Tanzania Tribes Travel, Earl Soham IP13 7S

www.mygreendirectory.info

(91) 9747993220 01825 712286 01273 732236 0845 287 3603 (255) 785 27 21 50 01728 685 971

63

Your carriage awaits

Some of Europe’s finest cities are now within easy reach by train from Britain. Richard Hammond climbs on board

P

assengers who fly between London, Paris and Brussels generate 10 times more carbon dioxide emissions than travellers who go by rail, according to Eurostar.

Fortunately, more and more of us are trying train travel to Europe as an eco-conscious, low-stress alternative to the hassle of flying.

renowned for its fine cuisine and wonderful Rhône wine.

Journey time: 6 hours 20 minutes.

How to get around: The city’s bike hire scheme, ‘Libelo’, provides 20 bike stations throughout the city where you can pick up and drop off a bike. A full day’s bike hire costs about €6.

Departure: Eurostar to Lille, then a change of platform to catch the conveniently-timed high-speed TGV to Valence TGV station just outside the city, from where it’s a short 10-minute journey by local train to the centre of Valence.

In my view, Europe is best appreciated by train: you watch the varied landscapes from the comfort of a carriage, discover vibrant cities and sleepy villages, and stay overnight in authentic, charming hotels.

Here are three underrated cities waiting to be discovered.

Sitting on the Swiss, French and German borders, Basel is one of the most cosmopolitan and laidback cities in Switzerland. With over 40 museums dedicated to history, art and architecture, it is the country’s cultural capital, hosting the huge Art Basel fair every June, which adds some 60,000 visitors – dealers, artists, curators and critics – to a population of only 190,000.

Home to the Netherlands’ top university, Utrecht is a youthful, energetic city packed with canal-side cafes, Journey time: 6 hours 30 minutes. boutique shops, bars and restaurants – it’s like a mini How to get around: All hotels in Basel offer guests Amsterdam but without the crowds. a free ‘Mobility Pass’ that provides unlimited travel within Basel and its suburbs (including the city’s Journey time: 5 hours 9 minutes. extensive tram network) throughout their stay.

How to get around: Bikes can be hired at the central station (rentabike.nl). Another great way to Departure: Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, followed explore Utrecht is by boat along the city’s many by a 10-minute walk to Paris Gare de L’Est to catch ancient waterways. There are a range of boats and the high-speed TGV train to Basel. tours on offer from electric barges and canoes to water bikes. A one-hour boat bike costs €8 per How to buy train tickets to Europe person. A day ticket for the electric boat hop on, hop Eurostar (08432 186186; eurostar.com) allows tickets off service costs €22. Private boats and tours are also to be booked from most British stations to Paris, available. canal.nl Brussels and Lille. Several agencies provide bookings for onward travel throughout Europe, such as Departure: Eurostar to Brussels, then a leisurely RailEurope (08448 484064; raileurope.co.uk) and platform change and one-hour high-speed Thalys Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway which train to Rotterdam and 40-minute local train to now has a UK telesales office (08718 808066; bahn.

Utrecht. de). Tickets to and around Switzerland may be booked through The Swiss Travel System (swisTucked between the French Alps and the Massif stravelsystem.ch). Also see Greentraveller’s Journey Central, in the heart of La Drôme region, Valence Planner: greentraveller.co.uk/plan-your-journey. is France’s largest producer of organic food and is Originally published in GREEN Magazine, Spring 2012 issue.

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