PRUNING OLD FRUIT TREES

14-15 Jan 2012

The course is held in the old apple orchards at Stanmer Park. Learn how to improve health and productivity by appropriate pruning. 10am – 5pm.  Tutor: Bryn Thomas. 80-200

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

PRUNING OLD FRUIT TREES

17-18 Jan 2012

The course is held in the old apple orchards at Stanmer Park. Learn how to improve health and productivity by appropriate pruning. 10am – 5pm.  Tutor: Bryn Thomas. 80-200

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE

28-29 Jan 2012

This course introduces the basics of permaculture design and shows how this approach can be applied to individual circumstances to facilitate a move towards sustainability.

Both days run 9.30am-5pm at Stanmer Park.  £70-£175.  Tutors: Bryn Thomas and Hedvig Murray.

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

11 Feb-27 May 2012  over 13 weekend days

£420 – £840 depending on income (please note there are seven concessionary £420 places).

Building sustainable communities is a comprehensive, theoretical and practical course.  It includes visits to:

Ben Law’s working woodland and other natural woodlands, eco buildings and permaculture gardens, a forest garden and community projects in the Brighton & Hove area

Tutors include Alex Penn, Bryn Thomas, Daniel Holloway, Jan Mulreany and Jen Beaufoy.  Guest speakers include Ben Law and Pippa Johns.

See website for full details and booking information:  www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

GREEN ARCHITECTURE DAY

Saturday 17 March 2012

Talks by designers, practitioners and professionals.  Stalls and exhibitions. Run in partnership with Low Carbon Trust and in association with RESET. CPD CERTIFIED.

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

ECO RENOVATE YOUR HOME

31 March 2012

A one-day course run in partnership with Low Carbon Trust and in association with RESET. This course looks at making the home more energy efficient and highlights areas where savings can be made and carbon footprints, reduced.  It is tailored to the individual participant’s needs and is suitable for beginners and those familiar with eco-building.  Course fee £72-£162.  Friends Centre, Brighton Junction, Isetta Square, 35 New England Street, Brighton BN1 4GQ  Tutors: Rebecca Sarll and Mischa Hewitt.  CPD CERTIFIED.

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

PRACTICAL PERMACULTURE GARDENING

31 March – 1 April 2012

This course explores how permaculture design can be used to create beautiful, productive and wildlife-friendly gardens. 10.00am – 5pm. The first day is based at the Earthship in Stanmer Park, Brighton and on the Brighton Permaculture Trust plot.

The second day begins at Pippa Johns’ garden close to Southease station between Newhaven and Lewes.  The afternoon will be held in a nearby hall.  Course fee  (depending on income) £70-£175. Tutor: Pippa Johns.

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE

6-7 April

This course introduces the basics of permaculture design and shows how this approach can be applied to individual circumstances to facilitate a move towards sustainability.

Both days run 9.30am-5pm at Stanmer Park.  £70-£175.  Tutors: Bryn Thomas and Hedvig Murray.

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

SELF-BUILDING AN EARTHSHIP

13-15 April  2012

9am – 5.30pm.

This course is for anyone interested in learning about the construction of an Earthship. It

includes practical workshops and aims to give a thorough understanding of the process

Course fee (depending on income) £145-£280.  Tutors: Rebecca Sarll, Jon Kalviac,

PaulinaWojciechowska, Mischa Hewitt.  CPD CERTIFIED.  See website for full details and

booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

BUILDING WITH STRAW BALES

27-29 April

An intensive practical and theoretical building course, covering all basic skills needed to build with straw bales.   9am – 5.30pm. Course fee (depending on income): £145-£280.  Tutor: Ian Brown.  CPD CERTIFIED. See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

MUSHROOM CULTIVATION

5-6 May 2012

This course looks at the significant role fungi play in the cycles of life and how they enhance the environment. Hands-on practical activities will give participants skills in cultivating mushrooms suitable for small spaces.  You will be able to take home a shiitake-inoculated log and oyster mushroom-inoculated straw.  9.30am–5.30pm   Course fee (depending on income) £80-£185.  Tutor: Bill Knight.  See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

COMMUNITY ORCHARD TRAINING

19 May 2012

This course looks at the basics of how to nurture newly planted fruit trees – watering, feeding, disease prevention and pest control.  It includes apple cookery, juice-making on a traditional apple press (which is available for hire to community groups) and ideas for celebrating your apple harvest.  9.30am-5pm.   Stanmer Park, Brighton BN1 9PZ. Course fee (depending on income) £55-£145.  Free places for Local Fruit Futures orchard leaders.

Tutors: Anne-Marie Bur, Bryn Thomas, Fran Pickering, Peter May, Robin van Creveld, Stephan Gehrels. See website for full details and booking information:

www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

COMMUNITY ORCHARD TRAINING

22 May 2012

This course looks at the basics of how to nurture newly planted fruit trees – watering, feeding, disease prevention and pest control.  It includes apple cookery, juice-making on a traditional apple press (which is available for hire to community groups) and ideas for celebrating your apple harvest.  9.30am-5pm.   Stanmer Park, Brighton BN1 9PZ. Course fee (depending on income) £55-£145.  Free places for Local Fruit Futures orchard leaders.

Tutors: Anne-Marie Bur, Bryn Thomas, Fran Pickering, Peter May, Robin van Creveld, Stephan Gehrels. See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOVOLTAICS

2 June 2012

The course covers the basics of photovoltaics, from system design and load calculation through to the various types of solar panels, batteries and inverters and their suitability in different situations. The afternoon will be spent setting up a small photovoltaic system and will include a tour of the award winning Earthship Brighton.  9am – 5.00pm. Course fee (depending on income) £72-£162.  Tutors: Alex Saunders, Mischa Hewitt.  CPD CERTIFIED.

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

FOREST GARDENING

30 June – 1 July 2012

Learn how to grow fruit, nuts, salads and perennial vegetables as a low maintenance, highly productive garden ecosystem. Includes four site visits. 10am-5pm. Stanmer Park, Brighton, Hertford Junior School, Brighton and Seaford, East Sussex. Course fee  (depending on income) £70-£175. Tutors: Bryn Thomas, Pippa Johns and Stephan Gehrels. See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

FRUIT TREE GRAFTING

4 August 2012

The course will encourage participants to develop practical skills in the propagation of fruit trees.  Experience will be gained in the use of a grafting knife, concentrating on the technique of “Chip Budding” to graft an apple variety onto a rootstock.  10am-5pm.  Venue: Stanmer Park, Brighton. Course fee (depending on income) £55-£145.  Tutors: Peter May, Stephan Gehrels. See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE

9-10 August

This course introduces the basics of permaculture design and shows how this approach can be applied to individual circumstances to facilitate a move towards sustainability.

Both days run 9.30am-5pm at Stanmer Park.  £70-£175.  Tutors: Bryn Thomas and Hedvig Murray.

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

SCYTHING

11-12 Aug 2012

This course covers the practical and theoretical elements of scything, giving participants the practical skills and techniques necessary to mow lawns, larger areas and thorny undergrowth.  Day 1: 10am – 5pm
Day 2: 9.30am – 3.30pm (with an optional 7am start)

£80-£200

Tutor:  Simon Fairlie Venue: Stanmer Park, Brighton

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

APPLE DAY AT STANMER PARK, BRIGHTON 2012

30 September 2012 11am-5pm

Apple day is an annual celebration in and around the orchards at Stanmer Park and is a free, family event (car parking £3).   The day features juice-making demonstrations, children’s activities, apple identification, guided tours, produce, food and drink, music, storytelling, an apple-themed play,*stalls and much more.

*If any organisation is interested in renting a stall to sell or promote event-appropriate products/services, e.g. local food producers, groups promoting sustainability, wildlife, traditional crafts, etc., please contact us via our website: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

BUILDING WITH RAMMED EARTH AND CHALK

13-14 October

This course will cover the basics of rammed earth and chalk, from the benefits of building with rammed earth, finding the right earth, choosing a formwork system, different construction methods, design detailing, different approaches and the various tools used. There will be a large practical component to the course, with the construction of a section of rammed earth wall.  9.00am-5.30pm. Course fee (depending on income) £90-£225.  Tutors:

Rowland Keable, Mischa Hewitt.  CPD CERTIFIED. See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

ECO OPEN HOUSES

25-28 October 2012
Visit eco-houses in Brighton & Hove and discover how the owners reduce energy and water bills. Eco Open Houses is of value to homeowners, builders, and anyone interested in making buildings more eco-friendly. See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

PLANNING AND PLANTING A SMALL ORCHARD

1 Dec & 3 Dec 2012

9.30am-5pm

Stanmer Park, Brighton BN1 9PZ

This course is designed to complement the Community Orchard Training course, running in May 2012 and covers the process of initial orchard planning, along with the selection and planting of fruit trees.  There will also be discussions and advice on community aspects of the subject matter.  The cost of the course includes lunch, tuition, refreshments, hand-outs and information sheets.  Course tutors: Anne-Marie Bur, Bryn Thomas, Peter May, Robin van Creveld, Stephan Gehrels. £55-£145

See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

2013

PRUNING OLD FRUIT TREES

12-13 & 15-16 Jan 2013

The course is held in the old apple orchards at Stanmer Park. Learn how to improve health and productivity by appropriate pruning. 10am – 5pm.  Tutor: Bryn Thomas. £80-£200. See website for full details and booking information: www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

Brighton Permaculture Trust is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Bringing Systems to Life: using eco-constellations to address intractable problems

Schumacher College, November (7-11) with Jenny MacKewn

Jenny MacKewn, facilitator of the Work that Reconnects, comes to Schumacher College in November to teach how you can use the powerful tool of eco-constellations in your work and life. Whether you have difficult issues around sustainability in your organisation or community initiative, or have a pressing environmental or social problem you would like to address, this is a great opportunity to experience the power of eco-constellations in transformative group environment and take away the skills you need to facilitate others.

£750 including accomodation and food.

For info and booking see http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/bringing-systems-to-life-using-ecological-constellations-to-address-intractable-problems

Course Fees

£750 All course fees include accommodation, food, field trips and all teaching sessions.

For further information about Schumacher College please see About the College

Apply

click here to find out how to book by fax or mail

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Bees: a gateway into Nature

Schumacher College, October (10-14) with Phil Chandler, Brigit Strawbridge, Juergen Tautz and Graham White

The plight of the bee is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our times. This unique course from Schumacher College brings together scientists, natural beekeepers and campaigners to take an in-depth look at the causes of their decline, the consequences for the natural world and the role we have to play in providing a low-impact, chemical-free world for them to flourish.

The course will cover:

• The extraordinary ways that bees behave and communicate, and the science behind the collective intelligence of bees, which makes it possible to describe their colonies as super-organisms
• Insights into the intimate and mutually dependent relationship between all bee species and flowering plants
• Latest understanding of the threats to all pollinators from pesticides and habitat loss
• The science behind colony collapse disorder and neonicotinoids
• The wider regulatory context – why are the watchdogs deaf, dumb and blind?
• Natural bee husbandry methods, using sustainable, low-impact hives to provide a chemical-free environment in which bees can flourish
• Exploration of ways to establish a more appropriate and healthy relationship between us, the bees and the soil that ultimately feeds us all

Visit http://www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/bees-a-gateway-into-nature

Course Fees

£650 All course fees include accommodation, food, field trips and all teaching sessions.

For further information about Schumacher College please see About the College

Apply

Click here to access our on-line booking system

click here to find out how to book by fax or mail

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Over countless millennia, nature has developed some of the most inspiring and sustainable solutions to a multitude of different problems. Bio-design is a compelling and inspiring method of both seeing and doing for problem-solvers of every discipline, and can be a powerful tool for promoting sustainability.

More and more often science and the private sector are turning to design inspired nature. Possibly one of the most obvious architectural examples are the Eden Projects ‘biomes’ which were inspired by soap bubbles consequently an incredibly efficient structural form that has one hundredth of the weight of a glass solution. The result is one of the lightest structures ever created and a building that is largely self-heating using passive solar design principles.

Participants on these dynamic course will be presented with a fresh design lens by looking at the natural world. They will be offered dynamic examples of successful applications of biomimetic innovation from a surprising range of professions, including: architecture, product design and medicine. Participants will practice techniques for discovery, analysis, ideation and implementation of creative solutions using experimental, problem solving and team based learning.

How Would Nature Do That? Bio-Inspired Design, taught by Tom McKeag runs from June 13 – 17, 2011 followed by

Biomimicry and Buildings: Innovation and Sustainability in Architecture taught by Michael Pawlyn and Robert Somerville runs from June 20 – 24, 2011

To find out more about these course:

Email: admin@schumachercollege.org.uk

Tel:+44 (0)1803 865934

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Education for sustainability in the 21st century

Contemporary debates on sustainability increasingly recognise the importance of education, suggesting that greater participatory involvement of stakeholders in discourses leads to greater empowerment and increases knowledge generation for key groups within education economics, environmentalism and social activism.

There is an urgent and unprecedented task in enabling learning around the many complex issues involved in sustainability.

Making inroads into these complex issues without support can be a daunting task, consequently finding a suitable course to establish a good theoretical and practical understanding of the issues is vital for any educators who wish to incorporate sustainability into their teaching and practice.

A centre of learning for sustainability

Now celebrating 20 years, internationally renowned Schumacher College continues to host its highly successful Ecoliteracy course, which provides participants with a comprehensive overview of the key concepts within sustainability including systems theory, complexity theory, economics and ecological design. The course empowers participants to view all aspects of their work and private lives from a sustainability perspective, and to understand how those ideas can be applied to their actions at work, at home and in the community at large.

“I can think of no more important mission than helping students acquire the knowledge, skills, and values to participate effectively in creating sustainable communities.” (Fritjof Capra)

Course facilitator Emily Ryan notes that the course gives a broad sweep of key subjects, allowing participants to discover and focus their own interests.

Learning as a community

Teaching on the course is very much about community learning. Participants, teachers and staff work together to combine and learn from their diverse experiences and knowledge, in this way individual and group learning provides a powerful platform for deep and holistic engagement with transformative learning for sustainability.

“Professionally, the teachings inspired me to find ways of incorporating experiences of nature and the wild into my work with youth and small enterprises.” (Jess Schulschenk – Programme Coordinator, Sustainability Institute, South Africa)

Experiential learning

Throughout the course Emily Ryan leads the group through a dynamic process where practical work, contemplation and the development of community are all important parts of the learning experience. As a facilitator specialising in the design of unique learning environments in the fields of transformational education and sustainability Emily notes that one of the course’s key strengths is that participants gain access to a variety of Schumacher’s on-site projects and the associated experts who run them. This helps to render abstract concepts more meaningful and engaging.

Inspiration and transformation at the heart of learning

Caroline Harlow, a Brain Injury Case Manager from Exeter, attended the course last year and found the teaching and content of the course inspirational: ‘Emily was the most charismatic, funny and inspirational facilitator, and has a great sense of ‘joie de vivre’. Like many past participants Caroline says that the course has led to a change in the way that she lives her life. ‘I used to be tied up with wealth and growth, but through Schumacher I have changed the way I interact with myself, the people around me and the planet I live on.’

An international panel of experts

A unique strength of this course is in the calibre of the course teachers who have the knowledge and experience to answer difficult questions and guide course participants to answers that invariably lead to exciting and transformative practices.

What is systems theory and how does it apply to my life/work?
Dr Fritjof Capra, physicist, systems thinker and founding director of the Centre for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, has lectured extensively on the importance of sustainability education and provides insights into the theoretical underpinnings of systems thinking.

How does changing the way I interact with the wider environment make a difference?
Dr. Stephan Harding, ecologist and author, has worked alongside many of the world’s leading experts on ecological thought and action, including Jonathon Porritt, Brian Goodwin and James Lovelock. His contribution to the course focuses on the importance of understanding the ecological mechanisms which surround all our futures.

How does creativity and innovation, which is so integral to education, feature in sustainability?
Anne Miller is an authority on creativity and innovation, having spent 20 years developing and inventing innovative products for the world’s leading companies. In 2000 she founded The Creativity Partnership, providing consulting and training for some of the world’s most successful organisations. She is also author of ‘How to get your ideas adopted (and change the world)’.

It seems like such a complex issue, how can we achieve a sustainable future?
Satish Kumar, world renowned environmental campaigner, co-founder of Schumacher College and editor of Resurgence magazine, ensures participants also take away with them a greater sense of the importance that hope and inspiration play in developing new and innovative work/life practices.

‘Schumacher always gives that wonderful feeling of hope and I think that’s so refreshing.’ (Caroline Harlow, Brain Injury Case Manager, Exeter)

Course details

The popular two-week course runs from March 28 – April 8, 2011 and provides participants with all teaching, accommodation, meals, and field trips. For those new to the college this course is also an exciting and valuable introduction to the central themes of Schumacher College and to its other courses in areas such as new economics, business, design and science.

The course fees are: one week £750, two weeks £1,450. A limited number of bursaries are available. Details of the course can be found at www.schumachercollege.org.uk/courses/ecoliteracy-first-principles-for-radical-change or contact +44 (0)1803 865 934 to make a booking.

Schumacher College, Dartington is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

                Freecycle and Swop with Points not £’s
Swop2Shop is an innovative, new, clothes swopping website, allowing its members to Replenish and Re-vamp their wardrobes, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR CASH.
Membership entitles the user to NO LISTING FEES and FREE POINTS to kick start the Swopping Process.
Buy Gift Vouchers for friends and family as the ultimate Eco- Friendly present.
As Swishing events take hold, the beauty of Swop2Shop is that the whole clothes swopping process can be enjoyed from the comfort of one’s own home.
Swop2Shop has been designed to nurture all those who not only care about their bank balances but feel passionately about the environment too.
The site provides a platform for members to swop their clothes and accessories, between each other, in a safe and trustworthy environment.  Selected brands from High Street to Designer are listed on our CLASSIC , TRENDS or KIDS sites and are ready to swop.
A constant RE-CYCLING of clothes diminishes those guilty consumer feelings especially during these Credit Crunch Times.
LISTING IT….SWOPPING IT …..WEARING IT …..has never been easier.
Guilt Free,  Green Shopping, All the Way.
10% of Swop2Shop Gift Vouchers sold will be donated to Charity.  Swop2Shop is supporting Maggie’s Cancer. Be Eco-Friendly
Get Listing….Get Swopping….Get Re-Cycling
To be part of Swop2Shop or for further information please go to www.swop2shop.co.uk
Swop2Shop has issued this release.
For further information please contact: admin@swop2shop.co.uk Kathryn Jenkins on 07545493841, e-mail kathryn@swop2shop.co.uk

A new organisation is helping people tolive happier and more fulfilling lives, despite the challenges of the creditcrunch.

Life^² (www.lifesquared.org.uk) is offeringcourses, guides, public talks and advice aimed at helping people to ‘live well’ – to live happy, wise lives inthe modern world.  It is currentlyrecruiting for new participants to join its ‘just think… ‘ scheme – an innovative8-week group course that people run themselves without a tutor in their ownhomes.  It aims to help people to standback from their lives and find ways of making them better – including living inline with their values and living the lives they want.

One participant on a recent ‘just think…’
course commented ‘the course has been really useful in reflecting and focussing
on my life and making practical plans to work towards a future I hope to
realise.  It has been great to meet and
discuss these with the group who have been very supportive and encouraging’.

Life² Director, Richard Docwra, noted that ‘in
modern society, we’ve become obsessed with the idea that the only way to be
happy is to earn more money, get more status or acquire new things.  Our courses and guides show that this is not
only untrue, but also that constantly striving for this material success can
actually cause us problems in health, stress and happiness.  Our courses and guides help people to help
people to stand back from their lives, understand the world better and work out
how they really want to live.  On
reflection, many people find that the most important things in life often don’t
involve money – such as good relationships, having more time and having a sense
of purpose.  This is a particularly
important message during the credit crunch, when people have less money and
career stability and are looking for ways of making life better’.

The Life² website and shop can be found at www.lifesquared.org.uk.  

Eco car insurance provider, ibuyeco
has pledged its support to three leading environmental charities by making a
donation each and every time they sell or renew a policy. The Converging World
is one of these three charities ibuyeco is donating too.

ibuyeco polled its customers and The Converging World was
proud to discover that they were voted as one of the charities to support. Customers
can choose which of the 3 charities will receive a £5 donation when they
purchase or renew an ibuyeco policy. Allowing customers to choose to donate to The
Converging World when they take out a policy with ibuyeco means people can
support the charities work to generate renewable energy, reduce carbon
emissions and help support developing communities around the world by investing
in projects that support change.

The Converging World is a UK based charity whose objectives
are to tackle climate change whilst supporting the move towards a just and
sustainable world. The Converging World model uses donations to create long
term revenue streams that will both reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to
sustainable development.

The Converging World invests in renewable energy projects in
the developing world and owns wind turbines in India. The turbines produce
clean electricity and Gold Standard carbon credits. All of the profits from
these investments provide long-term funding for vital health, education and
environmental projects around the world.

The Converging World has been recognised as a premium
project in the carbon market by Gold Standard for their outstanding level of
community engagement and the provision of ongoing support.

  For more info visit www.theconvergingworld.org

A new organisation was launched last week to help people overcome the challenges and pressures of life in the modern world.

Life² (Life Squared) helps people to ‘live well’ – to live happy, wise lives in the modern world.  It offers public talks, courses, publications and advice on a wide range of topics – from ‘the history of the universe’ through to ‘how to live ethically’, and from ‘the problem with consumerism’ through to ‘how to be happy’.   Its website can be found at www.lifesquared.org.uk.

The organisation is the brainchild of Richard Docwra, author of the
book ‘Modern life – as good as it gets’ and director of ChangeStar (www.changestar.co.uk), a
consultancy and think tank for the not-for-profit sector.  Docwra says:
‘We’re delighted to be launching Life² it has the potential to help
many people.  Modern life can be complex, rushed, stressful and
confusing – particularly in the current financial climate – and Life²
is providing a vital service in helping people to navigate their way
through this and live happier and wiser lives’.

Participants on
one of Life²’s initial courses said “The course has been really useful
in reflecting and focussing on my life and making practical plans to
work towards a future I hope to realise” and “I have thoroughly enjoyed
the course and I have not only made changes [to my life] but now have
definite aims and goals as well as differing perspectives on important
issues”.