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If you have some spare time this month, check out your local Wildlife Trust to see what events are taking place.
Here in Dorset we have a wonderful choice of activities from guided walks across wildflower downlands to outdoor practical work at Kimmeridge Bay or Seasearch diving weekends:
http://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/events.html
Really Wild Flowers is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
There is disturbing news this week of the threat of nature reserves being sold off to the private sector and DEFRA’s budgets being cut severely. ”Some of the UK’s most vulnerable and rare species are threatened if funding for restoration and monitoring is drastically cut”, warn conservation experts. Reported in today’s Guardian newspaper, Natural England, the government’s principal nature conservation agency, has put forward 400 job cuts for next year and up to another 400 after that, potentially one third of its workforce.
These are going to be difficult times for both people and wildlife. Species under threat include the dormouse, lapwing, otter and bumble bees, to name but a few.
Help the balance of nature by planting more species useful to wildlife – www.reallywildflowers.co.uk
Really Wild Flowers is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
If you sowed some Cornfield Annuals seed at the same time as a perennial Meadow mix last autumn or earlier this year, then you should have taken a cut by now and removed the cuttings. This will leave the perennial species with the space and light that they require to really get growing.
If you sowed a meadow mix, but without any cornfield annuals, then you should have taken several cuts throughout the Spring and early Summer to prevent annual weeds from setting seed! In any case, you should probably take a cut now and then leave it until the autumn before cutting again. Leaving a small patch of meadow uncut at this time and a different patch uncut next time, would be good for insects and butterflies/moths that have laid eggs amongst the grass.
One of the best tools for cutting a meadow is the traditional scythe – not as silly an idea as you might think. In fact, not silly at all. It is quick and much quieter than using a strimmer. Scythes can be bought from Simon Fairlie (www.thescytheshop.co.uk). He runs courses on scything – only £50 for a one day beginners’ course including lunch! – at his base in Dorset and at various locations throughout the UK. So take a day off and learn a new skill.
More info available from: www.reallywildflowers.co.uk/department/advice
Really Wild Flowers is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Rayna Baker, Investors in People Assessor, said, “Congratulations to Total Coverage for achieving Investors in People. The organisation demonstrates a clear commitment to the development and retention of their people and value the diversity of the individuals and the organisations that make use of its services. This makes Total Coverage a place that its people are proud to work in. I hope that they continue to go from strength to strength as a business and as an Investors in People.”
Total Coverage is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Luxury Yurts and posh Bedouin Tents have become the place to be seen at this season’s biggest events! From The Brit Awards After Party at The Mandarin Oriental, to the Queens Cup at Guards Polo Club and Kate Moss’ christening party, ‘posh tents’ are this seasons place to party.
Somerset based Indian furniture and home accessories supplier, Myakka, often have their products featured on ITV, the BBC and in the National media. However as a result of this new love for posh tents their furniture is appearing in fields all over the World!
Working with the Bedouin Tent Company, Myakka recently decorated a number of their tents in Kazakhstan for a large corporate hospitality event. Items included Myakka’s Thakat coffee tables, hall cupboards, lanterns and a range of other fair trade home accessories.
Euro-Camp purchased solid wood nests of tables, a number of blanket boxes and range of hand-made cushions for one of their sites in the South of France.
Georgie Hopkins, director at Myakka gives her thoughts on the tent craze “People want to be seen to be environmentally aware, but they don’t want to skimp on luxury. The rise in popularity of yurts and Bedouin tents goes hand in hand with our high quality fair trade furniture. The hand crafted style of the dark hardwood coordinates beautifully and it’s a privilege to see our products popping up in tents all over the World!”
Closer to home LandnSky’s luxury yurts, the latest celebrity craze, were a focal part of the 40th Glastonbury Festival. The 60’s California generation of material designers and architects first designed yurts and throughout the years they have evolved into the beautiful, ultra-modern tent structures we see today. Myakka decked out the Glastonbury yurts with beautiful solid wood dressing tables, mirrors and coffee tables. With only 30 yurts available, they were definitely the place to be seen at this year’s festival and provided considerably more comfort than traditional festival accommodation!
Following the success of Myakka’s furniture ranges in the yurts at Glastonbury, they have recently had enquiries from a luxury yurt camp in the Republic of Ireland who would like to furnish their yurts with a selection of Myakka’s Sheesham wood furniture.
Myakka were delighted to receive the Ethical Award last August which listed them within the top 33% of British companies for demonstrating corporate social responsibility. They were also featured in the Good Shopping Guide.
“Operating an ethical business is a long term commitment, w’ve been recognised by the British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS) since August 2006 and in total over 90% of our products are sourced following fair trade principles,” commented Simon Whitehead, Director.
Myakka continue to supply high-quality hardwood furniture and accessories to homes and businesses across the UK through their online shop, mail order catalogue and Warehouse Outlet in Wincanton, Somerset.
Myakka is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Book of Green has created an iphone app full of great green companies, news and tweets. For up to the minute info from the green industry- download it for FREE here – http://bit.ly/btNx13
You can search for businesses through the app’s local search or by category, and then find exactly where the businesses are in the county via the GPS. With the interactive profile listing you can contact them directly by email & telephone, plus share with your findings with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.
‘Excellent app, brilliant source of information. A must see app. 5 stars.’ – Killjoy493
‘Super-slick and easy to use!’ – extinctdesign
‘THE app for Eco-consumers in the UK. In-depth informative and comprehensive.’ – Big Green Factory
Take a look at the newsfeed – with up-to-date news from three trusted sources – Book of Green, Ethical Junction and King Lion Media – publishers of National Geographic GREEN, you can read articles, interviews, reviews and view videos.
For up to the minute offers & sound-bites take a look at the twitterfeed – updated constantly by the green companies & campaign groups Book of Green follow.
Download for FREE direct from your iPhone – Book of Green – or via iTunes – http://bit.ly/btNx13
For more info please email info@bookofgreen.co.uk.
Book of Green is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
AVAILABLE IN SPRING 2011. A detached country house on our working organic horticultural holding in Pilling. This unique handcrafted house has been built using recycled local materials. The highly insulated, open plan accommodation includes a luxury bathroom, an oak tree staircase, and a clearview log burner to keep you warm at night. It is set in quarter of an acre of secluded woodland garden, complete with gazebo and hammock. Complimentary seasonal salads and vegetables are supplied upon arrival. Pilling is a quiet village off the A6 between Preston and Lancaster. Twenty minutes drive from Lancaster, forty five minutes from the Lake District, and just a good walk to the shores of Morecambe Bay, it is an ideal place for a relaxing stay. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2883.htm
Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Harvested rainwater is suitable for non-potable domestic applications such as WC flushing, laundry, washing vehicles and watering the garden. Rainwater is particularly beneficial to plants as it lacks the chemicals required to ensure mains water is suitable for human consumption.
How much money will I typically save on my water bill?
On average every home uses 150 litres of water per person per day. Approximately 50 litres is used for non-potable applications that could be supplied by harvested rainwater reducing you water bill by 30–50%. With the cost of mains water expected to rise during the coming years, the financial benefit offered by a rainwater harvesting system is likely to improve, particularly for those with water meters.
Can I drink the water?
No. Filtered rainwater must not be used in applications that require wholesome water such as drinking, cooking, bathing and dishwashing.
Can an RWH tank be retrofitted?
Although new builds are most suitable as the system can be designed at the outset, retrofitting is feasible, depending on accessibility of existing pipework.
Will the rainwater affect my domestic appliances?
Harvested rainwater is soft and can actually increase the lifespan and efficiency of domestic appliances such as washing machines especially for those living in hard water regions. Less detergent is needed, resulting in fewer pollutants from being released into the environment.
What size of tank do I need?
Tank size is determined by the amount of rainfall at the property, the roof area and the number of occupants using the system.
Where is the best place to site a tank?
The rainwater storage tank should be located to ensure that the rainwater collected from the gutters travels into the tank under gravity. Installation of a control unit is required in a utility room or similar location. The tank should be located no further than 20m from the control unit to ensure the effective running of the pump and should be located a minimum of 1.2m from any fixed structure.
Will a crane be needed to install the tank?
The use of a crane or forked truck can ease installation. If a forked vehicle is unavailable the tank can be manually handled by a minimum of four people using the handles provided on the tank. When moving the tank care must be taken to ensure that it is not damaged in any way.
What maintenance is required?
Minimal maintenance of the system is required. Visual inspection for leaks and faults should be conducted alongside cleaning and clearing of filters and rainwater collection gutters to ensure that the rainwater harvesting system continues to operate efficiently.
Will the water get dirty over time and make clothes discoloured when washed?
Rainwater is very clean and clear in appearance and only becomes dirty when in contact with the ground. Roof collection surfaces will impact the colour of rainwater collected – for example, a green roof will result in greater discolouration of the collected rainwater. The RWH system should use a filter, calmed inlet and floating suction module to remove all debris and particles from the rainwater. It is important that filters and rainwater collection gutters are cleaned regularly to remove leaves and other debris.
Will I be able to hear the pump in the house?
This depends on the system chosen. Nu-Heat, for instance, offers two options. The first includes a control unit with an integrated silent running multi-stage pump for location in a utility room within the property and the second features a pump located inside the underground storage tank, ensuring that when the user is inside the property the pump will not be heard.
What happens if the tank runs dry?
In the event of an empty rainwater storage tank the system’s control unit should automatically switch to mains water operation allowing the continued usage of all appliances served by the system. Once rainfall provides sufficient collection of rainwater in the storage tank, the control unit will automatically revert back to rainwater operation.
Are there any grants available for the installation of a rainwater tank?
Currently there is no funding aimed directly at rainwater harvesting (although it can be used to achieve credits toward Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes).
How long will the water in the tank last in a drought?
This depends on many factors such as the size of the tank, the volume of rainwater in the tank at the onset of a drought, the number of applications supplied by the rainwater and the number of occupants. If the rainwater tank is empty the system should switch automatically to mains water supply allowing the continued usage of appliances supplied by the system.
Nu-Heat is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
The Nordic Centre offers you a refreshing break and the opportunity to learn more about environmental and personal sustainability in superb natural surroundings, with personal tutoring in pottery, glass fusing and painting. Including organic and healthy traditional food is a major part of the experience. With our own produce, including fresh eggs daily and home grown vegetables, meals will be an event to savour. Fresh and local fish, traditional Swedish dishes and food from local farms will be the mainstay. This is a largely undiscovered part of northern Sweden, where nature is the predominant feature all year round. We are also interested in simply having people stay here without necessarily joining a course. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2881.htm
Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Scaramanga’s new stock of vintage wooden shaving boxes, old money boxes and spice pots are all about colour!
Of course, don’t panic; there is still a new and extensive choice of classic and timeless pieces showing the naturally beautiful tones of the wood. But for those who want something to really stand out or who just love all things colourful, the new selection also includes a fantastic array of colours from blue to pink; with patterns, engraving and without.
Each piece will have been painted at some point in the past by a previous owner, which has faded over time, revealing some of the original colour of the wood underneath: perfect for jazzing up any interior, whilst still leaving a wonderful worn vintage look.
Shaving boxes make great trinket boxes, gifts or women’s jewellery boxes whilst spice pots add a unique touch to the kitchen, or anywhere around the house you like.
Available in various sizes, colours and styles, Scaramanga spice pots, shaving boxes and small wooden boxes start from £20.
Scaramanga is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
