The sale is now on at Globalkids.co.uk We’ve reduced a large selection of organic baby clothes and organic children’s clothing for ages up to 11 years by up to 70%!

UK Delivery only £2.95 FREE on UK orders over £45

Stocks are limited so hurry. View the sale here

Globalkids is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Kent based events organiser, The EcoVillage, go from strength to strength as they prepare for their third year at The Kent County Show this July. The Kent County Show runs from 16^th – 18^th July at The Kent County Showground, Detling, nr Maidstone.

The EcoVillage is a series of ‘events within an event’ where we use large mainstream events to promote green businesses, products and organisations to a wider audience.

The more people are encouraged to buy products and services from these businesses, the better it is for producers, workers and for our communities.  If we ensure that our choices minimise our environmental impact then we give future generations greater choice also.

This year’s area will be bigger and better than ever. It will feature around 70 exhibitors within almost 7000 sq m of space.

Exhibitors at The EcoVillage will range from solar energy to organic clothing, from investments and banking to wildlife days out, food to cosmetics and much more. 

Featured within The EcoVillage this year are:

Riverford Organic, sponsors of The EcoVillage Picnic Area who will be bringing their Riverford Cooks Campaign, demonstrating simple hints and tips for beginner cooks as well as serving up seasonal taster snacks. Riverford will also be displaying their full rang e of affordable organic fruit and veg, freshly picked on their farm and delivered to your door.

The EcoVillage Picnic Area

Our traditionally styled Picnic Area, situated in front of the Kent Beekeepers Marquee is a lovely place to relax and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the Show.  While you are there, why not try some fair trade, organically produced coffee from Carnival Coffee, or delicious organic, locally produced bhajis and pakoras from Mother Bhumi, who is well known at events all over Kent.

Kidz Organic Baby Change and Feed Area

A great success in 2009, we are pleased to include this area within Market Marquee, which now includes a Baby Feed Area as well as a changing area with two eco changing stations.  Also includes a green nappy disposal service provided by EcoSan.

Hidsons of Maidstone will be displaying their range of SEAT Ecomotive vehicles at their hospitality suite.  Hidsons have kindly provided a SEAT Leon to The EcoVillage Team again this year, so that our team and all of our kit can arrive in eco-friendly style!

Finally, Grow at Brogdale, known for its work to help preserve the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale in Faversham, will be with us this year, look out for a fantastic hazel roundhouse and garden as you come through Gate 4 into the Show.

Some of our exhibitors: Munchy Seeds, Ecover, Port Lympne, Protect Kent, EcoSwitch, EDF Energy, Energy Saving Trust, Neals Yards Remedies, Kent Wildlife Trust, Goody Good Stuff, Recognise Magzine, Eternal Energy, Wildthing Wildlife Consultants

Victoria Whitlock, Director of The EcoVillage, said:

“We are extremely happy to be at The Kent County Show for the third year running. Despite tough economic times, it shows that environmental issues are very important to people and we can show that there are ways to protect the environment without spending huge amounts of money.”

For more information on The EcoVillage please call 01227 261271 or visit the website at www.theecovillage.co.uk.

The EcoVillage is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

We grow vegetables, salads, fruit, herbs and flowers on our horticultural smallholding. Our outbuildings have been converted into holiday cottages. On one side they open onto the farmyard, and on the other onto a secluded garden with grass and trees. This is a safe area for children, with swings and a rope ladder. Garden furniture is provided. Situated a mile from Fishguard, it is quiet and peaceful with little sound or light pollution. You can listen to the birds by day and watch the stars by night. Our organic produce is sold on the Fishguard Farmers Market and to local restaurants and retail outlets. Farm gate sales take place during the summer, and produce is available to holidaymakers. A well-behaved dog comes free. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2793.htm

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

If you’re curious about coffins or fascinated by funerals – then a national exhibition being held this weekend should suit you down to the ground.

With personalised funerals now increasingly fashionable, the National Coffin Exhibition ‘Handled With Care’ will showcase the vast array of options now available – from eco-friendly hand crafted coffins through traditional hardwoods and brightly coloured ‘picture’ coffins.

The exhibition – on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 July 2010 – is being organised by the British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD) and will be held at Chiltern Woodland Burial Park near Beaconsfield, Bucks – the UK’s largest mature woodland cemetery.   

“Traditionally, funerals really are a taboo subject and we want to break down the barriers that prevent people from making practical plans, while they’re still very much alive and well,” explained organiser Colin Liddell, of the BIFD. 

“After all, your funeral is your final public appearance, so why not make a lasting impression by having the send off you’d really like, rather than leaving it down to others to make all the decisions?” he added.

Woodland Burial Park Manager Fran Hall said that personalised funerals and non-traditional coffins were growing in popularity:

“We don’t live identikit lives so why should we have identikit funerals?  Families find great comfort in being able to personalise funerals and this event is all about making people more aware of the choices that are available.”

As well as being able to meet coffin designers and producers, visitors will also be ‘ask a funeral director’, view funeral memorabilia and take carriage rides through the 72-acre woodland.

Coffins on display will include those made from recycled newspaper, hand-woven willow, wool, hardwood, bamboo, traditional timber and over-printed board – including a topical soccer themed model for football fans – perfect for World Cup Final Day. 

“Increasingly people want funerals to be a celebration of life and the choice of coffin is often the starting point for a very individual and meaningful funeral service.  This will be the biggest collection of coffins on show to the public in the country,” added Colin Liddell.

Handled With Care 2010 follows on from the success of an event held in Newcastle in 2003, which attracted over 1300 people.  The event is open both days from 10am to 4pm and entry is free. For directions to Chiltern Woodland Burial Park, visit the website www.woodlandburialparks.co.uk

Anita Roddick, Keith Floyd, Lynn Redgrave and Wendy Richards are among high profile personalities to have chosen alternative coffins.

Woodland Burial Parks Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

With United Utiliies announcing it’s first hosepipe ban for the North-West of England in 14 years why not beat the ban and reduce reliance on mains water?

Rainwater is collected from the roof via the downpipes, filtered, stored and then used for non-potable purposes including toilets, washing machines, garden hoses, for cleaning cars and other applications. It is not suitable for baths, showers or washing dishes.

Nu-Heat supplies below-ground tanks, which have the advantage of being unaffected by temperature extremes such as summer heat or freezing conditions. The tanks have a flat, two cylinder design that requires less excavation than other products and offers greater flexibility. They are made of durable plastic.

Sizing depends on a number of considerations such as the average amount of rainfall, the number of occupants and the size of the roof. Tanks are available in two sizes, 3500L and 5000L. If required, two tanks can be fitted together very simply to increase storage capacity to 7000L or 10,000L.

Nu-Heat’s three packages give a flexible solution for individual properties:

- Package 1 with an integrated filter suitable for roof sizes up to 150m2
- Package 2 with an external filter suitable for roof sizes up to 350m2
- Garden package with an inbuilt filter basket and its own jet pump
The range enables Nu-Heat to specify the best solution for any property.

Rainwater harvesting plays its part in helping to achieve required levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes. When level 5 comes into force, rainwater harvesting will be a prerequisite.  

For more information contact Nu-Heat on 0800 731 1976 or visit www.water-harvest.co.uk

Nu-Heat is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The B&B accommodation, with its own separate entrance, is in the old 1850s part of the lodge. It is low carbon, and includes solar hot water and wood fired systems. North Lodge has just over 4 acres to explore, with vegetable, fruit and herb plots. Other than growing our own we source most of our food from Crymych, a small town three miles away, which has a local butcher and an organic shop. We also have a camping field with five pitches. Private and away from the main house the campsite is run sustainably [camping from £15 per pitch]. Our south facing site overlooks the Preselli Hills, part of the Pembrokeshire National Park, and is ten minutes drive from several beaches and Cardigan town. Walkers, cyclists, dogs welcome. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2795.htm

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

I was complaining about the cold (!) in May’s newsletter – I remember getting the coldest I have ever been on a cricket pitch that week – but it has carried on just as dry. I’ve been worried about the customers who bought plants or seeds from us over the last 9 months, so wrote to them asking how things were going. It seems the only worries generally have been with later spring sowings. In all likelihood these will be fine. We’re suggesting folk have a look at how things are doing in September, after a bit of rain.

That’s certainly been true at our demo meadow at Sparkford. We sowed two mixes there last autumn. A really nice mix sourced locally, just perennials and grasses, looks to be struggling at first glance but I think will be fine. The other side of the meadow, where we used a nurse of cornfield annuals (I know, it’s cheating), has looked amazing:

We’ve been busy on the meadow front, also hosting a couple of courses for gardeners and landscape professionals, tutored by Sue Everett and Andrew George. Attendance was good, and I’m looking forward to next year’s already. I’ve been blogging furiously about meadows as well, which has kept me on my toes and, I think, shunted some traffic onto the website as well as perhaps offering folk an interesting resource.
My efforts on marketing elsewhere have been mixed. I still can’t make head nor tail of Twitter and I don’t think I’m using Facebook very effectively – I am currently running a “targeted” advert, which has had 2,702 impressions as I write but no clicks! At least that means it’s free… I’m pleased with our recent corporate videos though (including more meadow stuff!), which are on YouTube, and press coverage continues to be helpful.

In terms of product development, we have now listed the Mazzards we will be selling from this autumn, and I am pleased to have extended our range of native bulbs, courtesy of the excellent Shipton Bulbs in Wales. Right now I’m working on improving our lavenders and trying to SEO the herbaceous side of the site a bit better. We are involved in another nice seed project, this time with the British Beekeeper’s Association’s “Adopt a Hive” scheme. The seed we supplied for Flowerworld’s bouquets for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust is now in Morrisons, which is good to see.

That apart it seems to be a pretty quiet time of year. I’m off to Hampton Court for a bit of inspiration.

Habitat Aid Ltd. is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Music lovers – you can now donate as you download at no extra cost. Friends of the Earth is a founding partner of fairsharemusic, the first ethical music download site, which gives half of its profits to charity.

Friends of the Earth supporter and Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell has put together an exclusive playlist for the green campaign group which is only available through its dedicated portal.

Johnny says, “Friends of the Earth’s campaigns help you to make a real difference by calling on politicians – the people who can change the law – to tackle climate change and protect the planet’s resources.

“Friends of the Earth’s partnership with fairsharemusic offers you a great new way to support its campaigning work without paying extra when you’re downloading music.” 

Check out the new website for yourself at foe.fairsharemusic.com – and if you register before the end of September, you’ll automatically be entered into a prize draw to win an ipod nano. Happy downloading!

Friends Of The Earth is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Following The Big Swish in association with www.bigwardrobe.com in January in Piccadilly Circus, we are back in London by popular demand. The Big Swish and stylist Lupe Castro invites you to Summer’s hottest
Swish Parties in London on the 10th July at Platform, London Bridge and the 13th July at the Long Acre, Covent Garden.

On the 10th July, you will enjoy complementary beauty treatments from 12pm from Dermalogica and Glam Spot Cosmetics, with scrumptious special 2‐4‐1 offers on brunch and the Platform BIG Swish™ and on the 13th July you will receive 2‐4‐1 specials on cocktails!

The rules of The Big Swish are simple:
Raid your wardrobe
Check your wardrobe for good condition clothing items (up to 15 and on hangers would be fantastic) and bring them to between the clothes drop off slot. The Big Swish team will then check them in for you and issue you with a Swish passport, to make sure the number of items you’re taking home correspond to the items you brought with you.
How many would you like?
If you just can’t help yourself and fall in love with more clothes than your clothing donation, then you can make a minimum donation of £2.50 per additional item (additional items can only be purchased after 30 minutes of the Swish to ensure all attendees have a fair chance of all items). Any clothing left at the end of the event will be donated to Cancer Research.

Entry: £5.00
Golden VIP Ticket: £20.00 This ticket comes with a goody bag, annual membership to www.bigwardrobe.com (valued at £12.00), and a five minute head start at the Swish.
Tickets for the public can be purchased from http://www.bigwardrobe.com/thebigswish/

Event date: Saturday 10th July 2010
Location: Platform Restaurant & Bar, 55‐58 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2SZ
Clothes drop off: 12.00 – 1:30
VIP’s swish entry: 1:55
General swish entry: 14.00

Event date: Tuesday 13th July 2010
Location: The Long Acre, 1‐3 Long Acre, Covent Garden, WC2E 9LH
Clothes drop off: 17.00 – 19.00
VIP’s swish entry: 19.25
General swish entry: 19.30 (strictly RSVP only)

Castle Dewey is a peaceful 70 acre organic smallholding with a small beef herd, some sheep, and hens for eggs. We also have an organic vegetable garden and keep a freezer stocked with homemade ready meals for people who don’t want to cook. The holiday cottages have been converted from an old farmhouse and outbuildings to offer eco-friendly accommodation in a beautiful setting in the middle of Bodmin Moor. The central heating in the cottages runs from a wood fired boiler. The farm is situated high up on Carburrow Tor, overseeing a spectacular landscape of moorland and wooded valleys stretching in the far distance to the sea at St Austell Bay. Guests staying at the cottages are welcome to explore our farm and the land around. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2796.htm

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