ORGANIC PLACES TO STAY – UK AND IRELAND – 3RD EDITION

Available now from Green Books here.

Your organic lifestyle away from home – Linda Moss – Revised and updated edition, now including Ireland
Are you looking for a bed and breakfast, guesthouse or hotel that serves organic food?
Would you like to self-cater in a cottage on an organic farm and have an organic vegetable box delivered? Or would you prefer to camp on an organic smallholding with the possibility of buying the holding’s own fresh organic produce?

This completely revised and updated edition, with over 175 new entries, now includes a selection of organic places to stay in Ireland and gives you all the information you need for an ‘organic holiday’. It includes:….

• bed and breakfasts, guest houses and small hotels offering organic, local and sometimes home-grown produce

• self-catering accommodation on organic farms, generally in renovated farm buildings

• camp sites on organic farms and smallholdings, ranging from those where you pitch your own tent to more luxurious camping in a yurt

There are four new symbols in the third edition of the book, so you can see at a glance if meals containing organic produce or fresh organic produce to buy are available either on-site or within five miles of your holiday accommodation. The book includes 588 accommodation entries.

The Author: Linda Moss created www.organicholidays.co.uk ten years ago. She is married with three grown up children and two grandchildren, and has lived in Guiseley, West Yorkshire all her life.

Add a touch of natural luxury to your bedroom with an organicduvet from Natural Home Products (www.naturalhome-products.com).The luxuriousness of Natural Home Products’ range of organic and natural duvetsmakes you wonder how you ever made do with anything less. Handmade by craftsmenin southern Bavaria, the duvets are made from only the finest natural andorganic materials and are completely free of chemical additives.

The choice of duvets offered by Natural Home Products is itself a luxury. No longer do you just decide which weight of duvet to buy; at NaturalHome-Products.co.uk there are a number of covers and fillings to suit every taste and every season. Their natural duvets for summertime include organic Cotton for a light covering to keep you cool, with percale weave organic cotton covers, whilst the organic Merino Lambswool duvets are still light, but offer a little more cosiness and come with a choice of percale, sateen or jersey covers. Alternatively, the natural wild Silk Tussah duvets are luxuriously light – hugging the body while keeping it refreshingly cool – and are made from the silk of wild Tussah caterpillars (gathered after the moth emerges), while the organic Camel hair down summer duvets are perfect for an English summer when it can be sultry one night and chilly the next: Camel down has an outstanding ability to compensate and regulate extremes of both temperature and moisture.

All of the duvets from Natural Home Products come with a breathable storage bag so that they may be kept dust free when not in use. Natural Home Products will even add Cotton ties to the duvets, so that summer and four season duvets can be tied together for use during the coldest months of the year.

With double the weight of the summer duvets and perfect for the cooler months, the Four Season duvets also come in organic Cotton, organic Merino Lambswool or Camel hair down, giving a choice of the light covering of Cotton through to the warm and snug nest that is Camel hair down.

For those who want to be extra warm and snug, but still with a light, comfortable covering, Natural Home Products sew two duvets together, trapping a thermal pocket of air between them, to create their super warm winter duvets. So, for those who want the luxurious freshness of Silk all year round there is the natural wild Silk Tussah winter duvets or, at the other end of the warmth scale, there is perhaps the most luxurious of them all, the natural Yak hair down winter duvets, which combine wonderful warmth with a light, sleek and airy feel. In between, the choice includes organic Cotton, organic Merino Lambswool and Camel hair down.

You probably didn’t even know there was so much choice available in a duvet, and once you have tried a luxury natural duvet from Natural Home Products, you’ll never go back to anything less. Not only does an organic duvet help to alleviate many allergies, they are a pampering addition to anyone’s bedroom.

Visit www.naturalhome-products.com to see the full range of natural bedroom products, from latex mattresses to organic pillows and much more.

The Warren Evans team is celebrating today after triumphing at
The Sunday Times Best Green Companies Awards 2009, one of the most coveted
green awards of the year.

The London-based bespoke bed and furniture maker was named
the 40th best green company in the UK, out of hundreds of entries,
beating off stiff competition from major retailers including Asda. It’s
not the first time that Warren Evans has triumphed in The Sunday Times Best
Green Companies Awards; it was also named as one of the top green companies in
the UK
in the 2008 awards.

The Sunday Times Best Green Companies Awards recognises
those businesses in the UK
most dedicated to environmental issues, implementing green initiatives and
engaging their workforces.

Zoe Robinson, Sustainable Development Manager at Warren
Evans, is delighted at the win. She says: “It’s fantastic to be
recognised for a second year running. It’s a great boost for our team and
our customers to have this independent recognition that we’re doing our
bit for the environment and are using working practices that are as sustainable
as possible.”

Sustainability has been at the heart of Warren Evans’
philosophy since the company was established over 30 years ago. And for the
past two years, the company has been working hard making measurable changes, adapting
the way in which it works to minimise the impact it has on the environment. As
such Warren Evans:

• is still the ONLY UK
  bed manufacturer to be officially certified by the FSC (Forest
  Stewardship Council). All beds and furniture are made using woods from
  renewable sources
• offers a fully organic and
  orthopaedic mattress range for those keen to avoid chemicals and man made
  materials
• avoids using packaging. They wrap
  beds and furniture in reusable blankets rather than using cardboards and
  plastics, minimising unnecessary waste
• has consulted Government green body
  ‘Envirowise’ and government funded service Business Link for
  practical advice on efficiencies such as workflow, machinery and gaining staff
  support
• moved the traditional Camden workshop to a new,
  self created, green and efficient work space in Walthamstow. With help from an
  interest-free loan by the Carbon Trust, they were able to make this super green
  by purchasing environmentally friendly equipment including a bio-mass boiler
  (that heats the entire building using waste wood and sawdust as fuel) and
  intelligent wood cutting machinery to minimise waste
• … they also use recycled pens,
  print leaflets and price lists on recycled paper and even use recycled envelopes
  made from elephant poo!
• and scooped a further two
  environmental awards last year, a BCE Award and an Observer Ethical Award,
  recognising its total dedication to the environment and to its customers.

The awards ceremony was held on Wednesday evening in Covent
Garden, London,
with Warren Evans receiving the prize from Alastair McCall (pictured above).

Warren Evans is also nominated in the Best Local Retailer
category in The Observer Ethical Awards 2009; the winners will be announced
next month.

Book of Green is the new annual paperback eco guide brought to you by Ethical Junction members www.allthingseco.co.uk and www.onegreenearth.com. 
The two online eco directories have joined forces to create an
inexpensive marketing tool for green businesses wishing to reach the
eco conscious consumer. 

What’s more it will be given to the public
for free and distributed by leading green magazines The Ecologist and
Permaculture Magazine, plus online stores Green Rewards, Love Eco, Onya
Bags retail shops, Bags of Change retail shops, and the UK’s digital
radio station specialising in health & environmental issues Passion
for the Planet Radio. More distribution outlets will be announced
shortly.
In a handy A5 format, printed on 100% recycled paper, a
print run of 30,000 plus an online flip magazine version with clickable
links (circa 500,000), and prices starting from as little as £35.00 for
a listing, Book of Green is a fantastic opportunity for green
businesses to find more customers.
There’s advertising space in the
guide ranging from a basic listing, eighth of a page, a quarter, a half
or a full page. The ad space can consist of adverts, product reviews,
features and eco tips giving general public a great information packed
resource.

We would like to invite EJ members to join us in
providing the consumer with a green guide covering many different
sectors, allowing customers to green all different aspects of their
lives, to help them reduce their carbon footprint, live a healthier
lifestyle, and have a positive impact on their environment.
You can see an online demo (click 1:1 to zoom in) and download our media pack to get more information. Contact sue@bookofgreen.co.uk & katie@bookofgreen.co.uk who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

UK AWARE 09 is looking more and more like it’s going to be the green consumer event of the year, especiallly with its rapidly growing green machines area including Tesla, Lotus and Saab. Here’s an article about the green cars in the Telegraph > > >

There’s also a huge list of exhibtors covering just about anything you might need or want: homeware, clothing and fashion, eco-gadgets, ethical finance, conservation, energy, renewables, food and drink, computers, printing, cosmetics, skincare and so much more, not to mention talks from top class speakers, debates, demonstrations, a cinema, cafes, a clothes swap party and workshops.

Tickets are priced at £5 but you can get yours free by using the promotion code UA09EJ at the registration page here > > >

One ticket is allocated per e-mail address. Anyone under the age of 16 can attend the event for free as long as they are accompanied by a registered adult.

Southampton based social enterprise, Jamie’s Computers was one of 14 organisations in the region to receive a ministerial visit, when Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Cabinet descended on Southampton on Monday 23rd February.  

The computer re-use and recycling project, Jamie’s Computers is a project of Southampton’s largest homelessness charity, The Society of St James.  Jamie’s welcomed Liam Byrne, Minister for the Cabinet Office to its operation in Northam as part of the ministerial visits which took place in the region.

Minister Liam Byrne said, “Jamie’s Computers is a great example of how social enterprises can
benefit the local community and the country as a whole.  It’s clear to
me that they give vulnerable people real opportunities to realise their
potential and get on in life, regardless of their circumstances.

“In this tough economic climate we need businesses like this that put
ethics first.  This way we can all build a fairer society and a
stronger country.”

The visit followed this month’s announcement of the Government’s Third
Sector Action Plan, which has been designed together with third sector
leaders over the last three months and builds on the wide range of
measures the Government has put in place to support people through the
economic downturn, and on the Government’s long term commitment to
voluntary organisations and social enterprises.

Della Cunio, Operations Director for Jamie’s said of the visit:

 “We were delighted to learn that the Minister would visit the project –
it was a great compliment to the work that we do and a proud moment for
all the staff and service users involved.  

“The importance of social enterprise in the provision of public service
and contribution to the economy is recognised by government and keenly
promoted.  We were pleased to be able to provide a positive case study
for the Minister.”  

For more information about Jamie’s Computers call 023 8063 2198 or visit www.jamies.org.uk.

“UK to Australia without flying is no mean feat – Barbara Haddrill’s determination to cut her carbon footprint leads to a once-in-a-lifetime experience across two hemispheres, simply and vividly told.  An example to us all!” Mark Smith, The Man in Seat 61

“A story filled with joy, intrigue, courage and adventure. A profound experience and a gripping read. Barbara shows the way of low carbon travel and the experience of a true journey.” Satish Kumar

Babs2Brisbane is Barbara Haddrill’s account of her incredible overland journey from Wales to Australia to be bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding.

Published by the Centre for Alternative Technology. Click here to buy a copy > > >

Auro UK have been supplying natural paints for over twenty years, their new labels and CO2 neutral accreditation firmly puts them as leaders in true Natural Paint distribution.

Auro UK Natural Paints are pleased to announce the launch of their new look label that incorporates Ethical Consumer Magazine’s new ‘Best Buy” logo.

Auro 321 emulsion paints were first listed as Best Buy in the 2006 paint edition and retains top Ethi-Score in their review of paints. Auro products have also previously won Ethical Consumer readers’ favourite DIY product award.

We are pleased to have recognition from Ethical Consumer Magazine who
lead the way in reviewing products and companies based on their ethical
and ecological ethos. This allows people to make clear decisions on
what products fits within their personal ethics and is often a valuable
eye opener. Ethical Consumer editor Rob Harrison said:

“By identifying those companies such as Auro who consider ethics
throughout their entire operation, the Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label
gives shoppers the confidence that they are making the best possible
ethical and environmental choice. The label is the definitive
endorsement for people who want to put principles at the top of their
shopping list.”

Auro’s new labels also easily points to their CO2 neutral status in the
manufacturing process of their paints. Not only does the factory
incorporate rain-harvested water for washing down machinery, it also
uses wind and solar technology to reduce energy consumption at the
factory in Braunschweig, Germany. Further CO2 emissions gained through energy use, transport, business trips etc. are offset
annually through the Climate Neutral Group who finance renewable energy
and forestry projects. The amount of carbon offset by Auro is equivalent to the growth of over 13000 trees over a year.

Auro Distribution in the UK is done through the Greenshop Group from
their new Ecobuilding which uses the latest light weight timber frame,
solar thermal store and green roofs, designed by the award winning
eco-architects Architype. The business is, of course, run and managed
as sustainably as possible – more info can be viewed at
www.greenshopgroup.co.uk

In this day and age many companies are jumping on to the Green
bandwagon and you can’t move for new Eco products. We believe a line
should be drawn between Eco and Natural products. Many new ‘eco paint’s
for example use a minimal VOC acrylic (petro chemical) binder, and are
called eco because they have less smell to conform to EU regulations,
which we all have to do. This does not, in our opinion, make them an
ecological product especially if you define ecology as incorporating
sustainability. We believe producing sustainable products based on
natural, grown and ethically mined material is key in creating true
ecological products and it is this that makes Auro stand out from the
crowd. Auro paints are in fact 100% biodegradable and can be composted
together household waste.

Our new label and re-branding points some of these differences out and
also positions Auro within the growing designer paint market.  We now
offer three times the amount of colours than we did last year and
continue, as we have done for the last twenty years, to promote
sustainable, great quality paints and wood finishes and meet the cry
from demanding and environmentally conscious customers. Auro publish
and list all their ingredients for all their products and have a full
carbon report available on their website – www.auro.co.uk

An Uncivilized Solution to a Global Crisis

Ultimately, Time’s Up!
is a book about survival; about ensuring that every individual human
has the means to save herself or himself from the global crisis that is
unfolding.

“Keith Farnish has it right: time has practically run out and the ’system’ is the problem.” – Dr. James Hansen, Director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

“This is the book I wanted to read – full of ‘fancy that’ moments, it’s unexpectedly entertaining and a page turner. It’s also the most subversive book I’ve ever read.” – Ana Salote, author of Tree Talk.

Read more > > >

Saturday 13th December – 12pm til 7pm
Sunday 14th December – 11am til 7pm
152 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RU

The Eco-Design Fair is one of the few places in the country to see – and buy, some fantastic design products directly from the makers.

Products for sale include certified organic clothing, vegetable-tanned leather shoes, vintage fabric clothes and home accessories, bags, cushions, jewellery, ceramics, lighting, furniture, recycled stationery, alternative technology, fair trade goods, books, magazines, wooden toys and kits, greeting cards and information on developing a more sustainable lifestyle.

To find out more visit the Eco-Design website.