Hallways are one of the most commonly overlooked rooms in the house. With first impressions crucial and the need to find your keys on the way out essential, hall furniture has to be both functional and decorative. With this is mind we have come up with our favourite pieces for the hall.

The Mallani Storage Seat has been designed specifically for the hallway with a depth of only 35cm it is perfect for narrow spaces. The storage seat includes a 100% natural cotton seat pad as well as four good sized storage compartments, ideal for shoes. 

If you are looking for somewhere safe for you to store your keys in the hall then a console table may be the ideal solution. The Petite Console is ideal for smaller spaces with two handy drawers to stow away your keys and a useful slatted shelf for shoes and bags, this unit is available as both a Mallani Petite Console  and Khimsar Petite Console. The Thakat range also features a Console Table in the same proportions  without the shelf but with classic turned legs, a feature of the this range.

If the Petite Consoles aren’t quite right, then the Mallani Large Console table may be your ideal solution.  With an extra drawer and shelf this piece oozes storage space. It is both taller and longer but still maintains the useful depth of 35cm so it won’t consume too much floor space. 

If you are looking for something to hide away some of your belongings then the Elephant Cupboard may be right up your street. With six intricately hand carved elephant panels this has been a favourite with customers for years. It has a useful fixed shelf for storage and is beautifully proportioned to fit neatly into any space.

If you want something with a cupboard and drawers then the Mallani Hallway Cupboard fits the bill. This unit has a tall cupboard and three drawers to keep all your belongings close to hand.

If you need somewhere specific to place your telephone then this Mallani Step Telephone table is ideal. This ‘L’ shaped unit is ideal for smaller spaces but doesn’t lack in storage capacity. A cupboard with a removable mid height shelf and an open shelf ideal for storing your telephone directories, this little unit has big potential.

If you are looking for something to display some precious possessions, the Mallani Mini Corner Bookcase could be your ideal solution. With two deep shelves and a useful cupboard this piece will fit snugly into the corner and hold all of your most prized belongings.

If you want a real show stopper in your hallway then the Portcullis Hall Cupboard may suit. With hand crafted portcullis carvings this is a real eye catcher. This classic Indian piece with decorative iron work and made of solid Sheesham wood it is sure to add a touch a drama to any hallway.

Whatever piece you want for your hall,  make sure it is going to fit and not take up too much space and there is enough room to allow people to make their way in and out of the house easily. Hall furniture needs to be strong and long lasting as it will get used everyday and in every way, so make sure it is hardwood and hardwearing.

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Ethical Party Bags have recently launched a new range of Fair Trade craft kits for children under their Truly Ethical brand.

Branded as ‘craft kits that make a difference’, the kits consist of: finger puppets, magnets, hanging room decorations, pictures and a bracelet and bag charm.  On each kit there is information on the source of all the materials and ‘what makes this kit ethical’.  For example recycled, Fair Trade beads from Uganda, handmade, Fair Trade tissue paper from Nepal.  Therefore, by purchasing the craft kit, customers can clearly see that they are helping people less fortunate.
 
“We want to help children to understand what Fair Trade and being green’s all about,” says Anna Smith, owner of Truly Ethical.  “Children love to ‘make and do’ and our kits will provide hours of entertainment, whilst teaching them about the world they live in”.
 
“We decided to launch Truly Ethical as a separate arm of our business www.ethicalpartybags.com.  Our customers were asking us for ideas for other ethical gifts and environmentally friendly things to keep the children happy.  We’ve spent a lot of time researching the market, and believe we’re offering something that’s really unique.  Most of the other craft kits on the market aren’t ethical and we found they didn’t offer value for money.  Our links with ethical suppliers all over the world means we can sell our kits at great prices whilst still helping disadvantaged people.”
 
As a company Truly Ethical wants to encourage children (and their parents!) to interact and find out more about ethical living.  There’s a special gallery on their website featuring photographs of completed products, which have been sent in by customers.  As the range develops the website will become more interactive, with more products, newsletters and a blog, where everyone can find out more about the importance of Fair Trade and green living.

Ethical Party Bags is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Generate FREE electricity

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Call 0800 954 2484

What is the Feed-in-Tariff?

Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) became available in Great Britain from of 1st April 2010.

Under this scheme energy suppliers make regular payments to householders and communities who generate their own electricity from renewable or low carbon sources such as solar electricity (PV) panels.

The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system, as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to grid. These payments are in addition to the bill savings made by using the electricity generated on-site.

Once you have a microgeneration technology installed you should experience a monthly reduction in your electricity bill and then receive an income from your Feed-in tariff (clean energy cash back) provider. However, if you have taken out a loan to pay for the installation you will have to make monthly repayments to your loan company.

Feed-in tariffs are designed so that the average monthly income from your installation will be significantly greater than your monthly loan repayment (with a 25 year loan).

How do Solar PV Panels Work?

Solar panels are attached to an aluminium mounting system, which is secured to the roof.

When the sun shines, the panels will generate direct current (DC) which flows into a box called an inverter to create an alternating current (AC).

The AC flows from the inverter into the fuse box. If you are using electricity the electricity will flow straight into appliances.

If you do not need the electricity it can flow into the national grid so that someone else can use it – in effect your house has become a mini power station (hence the term ‘home generation’).

You will get paid for any surplus energy that you generate. In addition from April 2010 you will receive a feed in tariff in respect of all the energy that you generate (using a ‘grid-connected system such as the above), whether or not you use it.

If your system is not connected to the grid, electricity can be stored, usually in large batteries.

Tariff levels for 1st April 2010 – 31st March 2012

‘New build’ applies to systems integrated into new buildings.
‘Retrofit’ applies to systems mounted on existing buildings.
‘Stand alone’ relates to systems that are installed primarily to feed power into the grid, without much of the energy being used on-site.

As an example, a typical domestic solar electricity system, with an installation size of 2 kWp could earn around:

• £700 per year from the Generation Tariff
• £25 per year from the Export Tariff
• £110 per year reduction in current electricity bills.

This gives a total saving of around £830 per year.

This assumes 50% of the electricity generated is exported. The figure will vary depending on how much is exported.

Apply for a free quotation – 0800 954 2484

Call Ideal Solar Energy today to speak with one of our experts. They can answer any questions you may have and set up a free site visit.

We cover most of the UK.

Some of our work

Ideal Solar Energy

National Coverage | Free Quotation | Call: 0800 954 2484

Visit Website: www.idealsolarenergy.co.uk

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An organic farm resort in the Nepali countryside, 50km east of Kathmandu. The resort has twelve small guesthouses built in traditional Nepalese style using local materials. It is surrounded by 20 hectares of organic farmland and forest which makes a beautiful natural park. The organic farm supplies fresh vegetables and organic rice for the kitchen. We have our own cow for dairy products, such as paneer and yogurt. Beehives supply fresh local honey. The wood fired oven is used to bake brown bread and cookies. From fruit we make fresh juice and jam. The cooks are well trained to make local and international food. The resort creates job opportunities in the area, and more than 80% of our staff live in the local countryside. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2859.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Much has been made of a new vaccine for hayfever.

Clinicial trials show the treatment, called the Pollinex Quattro injection, significantly reduces the symptoms of hayfever, including runny eyes, itchy nose throat and face and sneezing.

It works by putting small doeses of pollen into the body and therefore encouraging a milder reaction in sufferers.

An estimated 15 million people in the UK suffer from hayfever. Hayfever is caused by an allergy to pollen. Grass pollen is the biggest problem, with over 90% of hayfever sufferers allergic to it.

In a hayfever sufferer, the body reacts to pollen by producing histamine which causes the nasty symptoms of hayfever.

Many people resort to medication including antihistamine drugs or even steroids to cope with the symptoms, which can be virulent. Some peoples’ hayfever season runs from as early as March to as late as October or September.

Tree pollen can start as early as March followed by grass pollen and then weed pollen in August-September.

But when the vast majority of research shows that taking one kind of medication just isn’t enough, what about trying a more ethical alternative?

There are a range of complementary hayfever products on the market. These include herbal products, like Butterbur – the best is Butterbur Petasin which takes out many of the bad things that are left in other versions. Also there’s the Qu-Chi band, an acupressure band that works in a similar way so a sea sickness band. And HayMax – a drug-free nose barrier balm which traps the pollen before your body starts to react.

These complementary therapies are all made by small independent firms, who may be considered more ethical on a number of grounds than larger conglomerates, including drug manufacturers and pharmaeutical companies.

So why not give a complementary hayfever product a go? You’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’re being more ethical. And you can even try it alongside other therapies. 

HayMax Limited is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Book of Green, the free eco living directory full of green and ethical businesses, confirms the strength and prosperity of the green sector. Despite the recession Book of Green has launched a larger edition of the paperback eco-directory, doubled its print run, and gone digital, launching an iPhone app.

“In less than a week since the launch advertisers in the book are already seeing results showing that consumers are spending.  Innovative companies that can help save money, energy and show social responsibility by putting both people and planet first, are those that will thrive in this difficult climate.” says Sue Jueno – co-founder of Book of Green.

Book of Green provides readers with hundreds of eco-friendly companies in this year’s paperback. From architects, body & skincare and cleaning products to homeware, microgeneration and sustainable tourism as well as offers, articles and new this year a fabulous competition.

The competition will enable one lucky reader to win an entire Christmas shopping list.  Winning 26 presents for friends and family, including goodies from Green People, Jo Wood Organics, Balm Balm, Weleda, a case of wine from Vintage Roots, a signed copy of ‘The Woodland Year’ by Ben Law, and many more.   Plus there are 50 runner-up prizes, for a little pre-xmas treat.  Sign up here for your chance to win!

Book of Green is available for free across the country while stocks last, in stores such as Planet Organic, The Eden Project, health food shops, WHSmith (free with Permaculture magazine July). To find your nearest copy visit the distribution page. An online version is also available.

iPhone users can download the app for FREE direct from the App Store (search Book of Green) or via iTunes – http://bit.ly/btNx13. Users cans search categories from the home page, and will be able to view the closest green business to their location, plus any relevant web-only companies. It also features social media integration to post information to Twitter and Facebook.

Explaining the inspiration behind Book of Green, co-founder Katie Keegan explains. “We wanted to create ways of making green living really convenient and practical for people. By having a directory that is freely available, in paperback, online and on the iPhone, it is now easier than ever to find many of the great green businesses that exist today.”

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Keen2learn had just teamed up with the Pagabo range of on line educational games. Developed by educationalists to meet the full scope of the National curriculum, the subjects are portrayed in clever and entertaining revision games. The annual subscription gives a family of up to four children and both parents the opportunity to revise on-line using 100’s of entertaining games. Parents are also able to see records of their child’s progress online.

The revision exercises cover maths, literacy, English, Science, art and design, ICT, modern foreign languages and more. Designed for children in all key stages and GCSE the educational game approach removes the normal dislike of learning and swatting with text books and exercises. Turning revision into fun draws children into the system that helps them recap on facts and progress through the games.

Developed for use at home Pagabo is an incredibly practical gift for children from Aunts, Uncle and Grandparents. If you’re  stuck for that ideal birthday or Christmas present send them a Pagabo subscription or some  revision games from www.keen2learn.co.uk. They will have hours hours of fun, learn and revise at the same time.

Keen 2 Learn is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Educational development stems from both practical games and theoretical classroom experience from the  formal teaching resources.  Unfortunately in our modern world we have curtailed many outdoor, secret games for children due mainly to safety concerns. But have we inadvertently reduced the spirit of adventure and ability to develop experience through experimentation.

Although formal schooling starts in England at five years old, in Wales children are allowed to play until they are seven.  By no means the disaster you might think, this approach is generating positive feedback although too early to reveal any definite conclusion. But in Finland, much heralded as the benchmark in early year’s education, children  don’t start school until they are seven years old and  can boast high literacy rates, indicating a significant catch up.

Playing educational games in maths, English and science are a great way of learning in disguise helping children to associate the learning process with enjoyment. They like to repeat favourite games over and over again, a repetitive cycle that may seem boring to parents, but is an essential element of learning.  Seventy five per cent of learning retention comes with practice.

Although there is a central department education in the UK there are several variants in the way the national curriculum is interpreted.  Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England have slightly different approaches. There are strong arguments for and against the schooling start age with leading educationalists, school Headteachers and research institutions arguing the toss. All agree learning to read is absolutely vital in any educational programme.  “The fundamentals of literacy are caught not taught” says Sue Palmer, former primary school head teacher and literacy expert. “Crucial to the learning process is training people how to achieve this. We have to invest in training practitioners how to help children catch the principles.”  She also said there is no rush to teach children to read and a staunch protagonist against the targets set in the early years learning curriculum.

One concern about changes in the educational process is the inherent time-scale to prove or disprove theory and practice. If proven wrong the change may have disrupted the potential for a generation of children. But one thing we can be sure of, childhood is designed to allow kids to learn through experimentation and fun. If you want your children to master the basics in phonics, literacy and maths before they start school be sure you consider educational games and toys to help.

Keen 2 Learn is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The learning curve is still extraordinary steep at age seven to eleven years, yet we may have restricted children from a great slab of experience that could prove invaluable in school. We may think outdoor play is recreational but exploration encompasses an amazing range of subject disciplines. From the mechanics of a simple swing to avoiding brambles and nettles or picking a football team, maths, physics, biology and social skills all subliminally roll into their environment.

I recently visited my daughter and her family now living in a small town in Australia.  At the bottom of their garden lies the Australian bush. The town is abundantly served with outdoor sports and playground equipment for children. But the most enjoyable site for children lay hidden in the undergrowth. Sitting in the garden I could hear the laughter of children active in their secret den hidden from sight. Safety in numbers assured, the den comprised of a small clearing 20 metres from the gardens of a row of houses. You could detect the presence of the kids by the laughter and shaking bush and tree branches as the clambered about.

Parents in the neighbourhood arrived to summon their children home for lunch or tea by standing outside the den and shouting.  The children felt secure, perhaps more importantly they were in control able to explore, experiment and enjoy the learning experience without parents.  The educational benefits from such games are immense that can influence their whole schooling experience. Perhaps we need children to take another time-out period later in their educational careers.

The gap year, post university degree is a chance for young adults to broaden their experience which could materially assist their next stage of learning.  Developing travel plans, travelling and the exploration of overseas cultures reveal the value of personal freedom and is the making of many young adults.  But this ultimately occurs after the completion of the degree. Had the experience been obtained before university it could well have changed perception and the direction chosen for degree. How often have we heard graduates say they wished they had chosen a different course? Some time out to think, explore and develop may change perceptions to their advantage and allow them to select a more relevant direction. All proving that the element of play is an essential part of learning that should lasts a lifetime.

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Hello to everyone at Ethical Junction!

As you’ll be able to see from our Profile page, we are Swop2Shop – an online clothes swopping company that was founded last year by two working mothers. We are now a growing team of seven and are currently in the process of updating our website to make it easier for users.

We believe that swopping is the new shopping and we encourage people to recycle their quality clothes instead of sending them to landfill. It’s also an ideal way to conquer the credit crunch that has most of us in it’s grasp at the present moment!

We really hope you like our concept and take a look at our website at www.swop2shop.co.uk. 

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