At last we have bees on the crocuses and frogspawn in the ponds. The Cherry Plums are our first fruit trees in blossom and aren’t quite there yet, but Spring is definitely springing. Even the Runner Ducks seem to have got the message and look like they might start laying again. I’m in a panic today because of the reseeding work we have to do in a new annual wildflower area, which still needs chain harrowing – the downside of using pigs as rotavators, I suppose…                                                                               

Wetland plants have been the big feature on my blog recently, following the recent DEFRA led campaign to increase people’s awareness of some of the really nasty invasive non-natives you can still buy. I’ve been amazed to discover how difficult it is for folk to find decent native plants, and how easy it is to buy the thugs – either by design or accident. Yuk. I’ve fallen on my feet somewhat with our own supplier, Gower Wildflowers, who are top quality people selling top quality plants.

Developments on the website have been encouraging. Visitor numbers continue to build and all the metrics I’m supposed to be looking at are improving. I’ve been generating some traffic into the site via Facebook (I feel 30 years younger etc.), where we now have an embryonic page. Another garden designer who I’m much taken with has found his way onto the site; Phil Brown is a high class landscape architect whose ethos I thoroughly approve of. I hope we can shunt some work his way.

I’m getting my show schedule sorted out for this year. I think I’ll do Archie’s eco area at the Bath and West Show and the plant fair at Cottesbrooke Hall with my corporate hat on in June, and the Malvern Spring Show, Chelsea, and Gamefair as a punter. Things kick off with the Spring Bee Convention at Stoneleigh in April – always interesting. Not forgetting of course my Bullbeggar Cider sales engagements at the Yarlington and Lamyatt fetes…

In the meantime we are working on some exciting projects which I’m sworn to secrecy about, but I’ve got everything crossed one or two might just come off.

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

The team at MoreEco have increased their support for UKAware 2010 by securing a stand at the event.

Therefore if you have any questions please come and visits us.

UKAwae 2010 is taking place on 16th and 17th April 2010, in Olympia Two, London.

It is the UK’s only green and ethical lifestyle exhibition.

Also we have secured discounted tickets for this excellent Green Event. What’s more, the organisers will be donating all profits to charity!

Click here to buy tickets now and save £9.00 / 60%

Click here for more Event information.

Click here for more Eco and green events for 2010

MoreEco is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

BABY PRODUCTS FOR ORGANIC BABY CHANGE AND FEED AREA

This year, The EcoVillage at The Kent County Show will be expanding the organic baby change and feed facilities following the success of the area last year. The area will be run in conjunction with Kidz Organic Clothing.

The Kent County Show is popular with families and last year we saw over 80,000 visitors over a three day period. The show runs over the weekend of 16th-18th July. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase organic baby products to a wide audience.

If you have products which you would like to get out to families with young children and are happy to provide us with some samples for use in the Baby Area please email us on info@theecovillage.co.uk

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

In recent years there has been an exponential growth of green events – everything from festivals to film screenings have been proposed, funded and managed by a wealth of different people and organisations. These events are a wonderful means by which to increase awareness of green issues and engage with members of the population who are not predisposed to reading or learning about climate change.

Green festivals promote the awareness of ecological concerns whilst engaging with entertainment Festivals such as Chorlton’s Big Green Festival (27th March), the Real Food Festival (7th-10th May), The Green Festival (22nd May) and Fiddler’s Green International Festival (18th-25th July) promote positive change whilst providing fun, interesting and thought provoking days out for the whole family. The Big Tent (23rd-24th July) is Scotland’s biggest eco festival and has been a phenomenal success in the past providing a format that everyone can benefit from. The Croissant Neuf Party (13th-15th August) won the Greenest Festival of the Year award in 2009 and combines exceptionally great music with renowned street theatre, workshops, open mic sessions and sports activities. Perhaps one of the best known green events comes in the shape of the Big Green Gathering (dates tbc) which is a wonderful five day camping event in Somerset. Grown out of the Green Gatherings and Glastonbury Music Festival events it is definitely not one to be missed.

Another fantastic way of promoting the green agenda is by getting involved with an action day. Fairtrade Fortnight is currently underway and Walk to School Week will commence on the 17th of May – a great way to get the kids involved! World Environment Day takes place on the 5th June, recycle week begins on the 21st of June, World Water Week on the 5th of September and Buy Nothing Day takes place on the 27th of November. The most famous action day comes in the form of Earth Day which celebrates its 40th anniversary on the 22nd of April. These days provide an opportunity to show your support for a great cause and teach your family about the impact of their actions on the environment at large.

Or how about the EcoBuild exhibit (2nd-4th of March) where sustainable designers, innovators and constructors come together to provide more than 100 free conference and seminar sessions? Or One Life Live (18th-21st March) which provides inspiration and advice to those who feel they want to make more of their lives? These fantastic events combine volunteering opportunities, seminars, career advice and business acumen to help you make a difference. If you’re still not convinced then check out UK Aware (16th-17th April) which brings together 200 exhibitors, 15,000 visitors, 100 low carbon vehicles and over 50 world guest speakers or Sustainabilitylive! (20th-22nd May) which is the UK’s largest forum for excellence and innovation in environment, water, energy and land and is guaranteed to have something for everyone.

>>> For more details on all the green events listed above, check out our Green Events page.

MoreEco is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Doesn’t time fly by – its February newsletter time already!We’ve realised that the Kent County Fair is on in just 10 weeks time, so do book in with us soon – we will have to stop taking bookings at the end of March!
We’ve spent a bit of time this month putting more information up on the website, so you can understand more about the events we run and whether they are right for you. We’ve also come across a few offers which we thought you might like.  We don’t want to turn this newsletter into a sales machine, but occasionally we will pass something on to you if we think you’ll like it.  We’ve also come up with some ideas for those of you who love what we do, but can’t make our events – have a look and see what you think.
Email vicky@theecovillage.co.uk if you would like more information on anything in this newsletter.

Anyway – here’s what is in this week….

• Can’t Exhibit? How you can have a presence at The EcoVillage
  Organic Babychange and Feed Area – your chance to get your product out there!
  Sponsorship Opportunities
  Offers from The EcoVillage: Book of Green, Kent Profile Magazine and Trolley-Dollys
  Our Latest Exhibitors
  Recommend a business and receive a £10 voucher
  Green News Updates
  Our events! A quick reminder on the Kent County Show, South of England Show and the Kent County Fair.

CAN’T EXHIBIT?
We have had a number of discussions with some you about The EcoVillage, and have found that while some of you are really keen to be involved with The EcoVillage, you can’t exhibit with us for a variety of reasons such as other commitments, lack of budget or lack of staff availability.

So we thought we’d come up with some alternatives for you:

Info Distribution
We like our EcoVillage Information Point to be truly informative for visitors to The EcoVillage.  So we will take on up to 10 companies whose leaflets or material we will give away during our three EcoVillage Shows this year. Remember it does not have to be paper based! There are many ways of getting your web address or information across, the more inventive, the more likely people will pick up and remember you!

The cost will be £50 for a minimum of 1000 giveaways over the three events in May, June and July.  If we run out then we will contact you in good time and request more. Deadline for delivery of your material is 30th March.

Competition Entries
We like to run a survey at our events which gives us some insight to how the visitors like The EcoVillage, and their attitudes to green issues.  We like to incentivise visitors to fill in our questionnaires by offering competition prizes.  We will also include the competition in our EcoVillage Guide for people to fill out and send back to us.

If you think you have a prize which we could use do let us know! In return we will acknowledge your company name and web address on our Show Guide competition page.  We will set up a page for the competition on the website for electronic answers, which we will have your logo on.

Advertise in one of our EcoVillage Show Guides
We have quarter, half and full page advertising opportunities within our EcoVillage Show Guides.  We will be giving about 8,000 Show Guides out at both Kent County Show and South of England Show.  Rates start from just £70 for a quarter page advert. Deadline for submission of artwork is 30th April.

Web Adverts
We are currently updating our website so that we can take banner adverts.  If this is of interest to you, then please let us know and we will send you the information once we’re ready to launch!

ORGANIC BABY CHANGE AND FEED AREA
We are running an Organic Baby Change and Feed Area in conjunction with Kidz Organic clothing again at the Kent County Show, following its success last year.  If you have products which you would like to get out to families with young children, we are looking for companies to provide samples for use in the Baby Area. Please email us for further details: info@theecovillage.co.uk

SPONSORSHIP
We have a number of sponsorship opportunities available, such as polo shirts and jackets for our EcoVillage Messengers, the EcoVillage Showguide, the Baby Zone or why not become our headline sponsor? We are looking for a key sponsor to work with over the next 3 years on the EcoVillage area at all of our Shows.  If you are interested in any of these ideas, call Vicky on 01227 271261

RECOMMEND US AND RECEIVE A £10 VOUCHER
If you know of a green, ethical or sustainable business and you think they might want to exhibit with us, please send us their details, and yours.  If they take a stand with us at one of our 2010 events then you will receive a £10 gift voucher or £10 off your own exhibition stand.  Email vicky@theecovillage.co.uk

OUR LATEST EXHIBITORS
Welcome to Herbal Haven, Rustic Summerhouse Company, Sun Save, Space Shuffle, Lean Machines, Charity Bank, Protect Kent, Energy Savings Trust, Natures Home, Hidsons SEAT EcoMotive, English Oak, Lambs Bricks, Greased Lightening Cycles, Maro Foods, Lean Machines, Mil-Tek, Solar Advanced Systems, Daisy Chain Baby, and of course our Picnic Area Sponsor for both Kent County and South of England Shows, Riverford Organics.  Eternal Energy, Wild Thing Wildlfe Consultants and Animal Days Out have now booked into all three EcoVillage events, earning a 20% discount on The EcoVillage at The Kent County Fair.

OFFERS FROM THE ECOVILLAGE

Book of Green are offering 5% discount to EcoVillage newsletter readers.
The Book of Green is the most comprehensive, multimedia marketing tool for green businesses, available in paperback (60,000 copies), online and now as an iPhone app!

Book of Green is being given out at the South of England and Kent County Show this year free to visitor, and is also available in WHSmiths, Borders, The Eden Project, Bricks & Bread and many independent Eco Stores and Retailers.  To take advantage of this offer, you must click on the links below:

Basic Listing (£33.25) – click here

Advert (from £99.75 for 1/8th page) – click here

ZPM is offering 15% off Trolley-Dolly and 3 or 5Bagz.  We love these bags so much we asked them if we could promote them.  Trolley Dolley is a great idea – one stylish bag holds enough shopping bags for a major family shop – great for everyone who is fed up with a car boot full of reuseable bags!

3 or 5Bagz are a neat and compact solution for a small shop, tucking perfectly into briefcase, handbag or glove compartment.

Order online at www.zpm.com and enter promotional code ecvill15 to get 15% off the retail price!

Kent Profile Magazine is offering discounts on all advertising for their April/May or June/July issue.
The EcoVillage has worked with Kent Profile for the last couple of years, seeking to promote green business in Kent.  The EcoVillage will be being featured in Kent Profile in the run up to the Kent shows.  Kent Profile have been strong supporter of The EcoVillage since our first show three years ago. It is distributed free all over Kent. For more information go to www.kentprofile.com

15% on a 1/8th page
20% off for 1/4 page
30% off for 1/2 page
40% off for full page

To claim your discount, call Rex Cooper on 01444 831512 and quote EcoVillage

LATEST GREEN NEWS

Kent County Show going back to its farming roots

Battery recycling points now in shops

Boots, KFC, McDonalds ignore rainforest destruction survey

Farmers’ markets, coops and repair shops will seed the new economy

OUR EVENTS:KENT COUNTY FAIR 2010
A relatively new event on the circuit, this years event promises to be bigger and better than ever.  Held on 1 – 3 May it is nice and early in the season and promises to give a great start to the summer season for businesses exhibiting there. The EcoVillage will be there with its usual mix of business, demonstrations and information – all delivered within our highly visible EcoVillage area and managed for you by the team who will look after you right the way through. The Kent County Fair is held at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood.

As ever, your presence at this event will also give you links from our website as well as your 25 word description being put up on site.  We will also include any of your news on our website, and advertise your presence on facebook and twitter

SOUTH OF ENGLAND & KENT COUNTY SHOWS – A QUICK REMINDER
South of England Show is held at Ardingly on 10 – 12th June and attracts almost 85,000 visitors.  The EcoVillage will have 2500 sq m of space and over 80 exhibitors, all dedicated green and ethical business, including cookery demos from Riverford Organic.

The Kent County Show is held at the Detling Show Ground on 16 – 18th July and attracts over 80,000 visitors.  The EcoVillage will be sited on 7500 sq m of space with over 100 exhibitors, and a large picnic area sponsored by Riverford Organic Veg, who will be providing cookery demonstrations as well as great organic food from Riverford on the Move.

Inspired Entrepreneurs will be holding several events in March, featuring both his own expertise and special guest spots from some top international celebrity speakers including Judy Piatkus, Dr Robert Holden, Sarah Alexander and Jackee Holder.  Specialising in encouraging people to take what they know and love doing and turning it into a pleasurable, profitable business, Inspired Entrepreneurs was founded by Nick Williams, best selling author and expert on inspiration both at work and at home.

To celebrate this new start to the year of you – Inspired Entrepreneurs is offering a special trial membership of just £1 – meaning new members can attend each event and get a free book for just £1 each.  Regular monthly members pay just £12.99 per month, entitling them to free entry to the talks as well as the free books. 

All events are held at the International Students’ House, London apart from Success Intelligence which is to take place at the University of Westminster.

Full List of March events:

7 March (10am) – Passions Into Profits with Nick Williams

A half day mini workshop exploring the 11 steps needed to kick start your own business and earning potential by taking what you are passionate about and turning it into a profitable business. 

£99 (£45 members)

7 March (2pm) – Entrepreneurial Masterclass with Judy Piatkus – Reinvent Your Business for Changing Times

Founder of successful independent publishing house Piatkus Books, Judy Piatkus will take you through six critical emerging trends set to shape the business landscape and how you and your business can keep up and take advantage of these opportunities.

£99 (£45 members)

10 March (7.15pm) – Success Intelligence with Dr Robert Holden

A top guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr Robert Holden has written 11 books on success including the bestselling Success Intelligence – How To Create Authentic & Heartfelt Success.  He guest speaks at this event which in particular focuses on how to inspire students to make the most of their futures.  £20 (FREE for members) including a copy of Success Intelligence.

18 March (7.15pm) – Self Care for Inspired Entrepreneurs with Jackee Holder

Expert in how caring for yourself is at the heart of a successful business, author of Soul Purpose and Be Your Own Best Life Coach, Jackee Holder, focuses on practical ways to keep yourself ready for action so your business is a success.  £20 (FREE for members) including a copy of Be Your Own Best Life Coach.

All these events can be viewed and booked online at:

http://www.inspired-entrepreneur.com/Entrepreneur-Events.aspx

Every talk is introduced and presented by the Inspired Entrepreneur himself, Nick Williams, author of five books including the best selling The Work We Were Born To Do and How To Be Inspired.

He has worked with individuals as well as entire organisations across the globe on a personal level, helping them achieve their dreams of success through inspiration and passion.  Nick regularly contributes to the media.

Press Contact: Lisa Jackson, Eurydice PR

lisajackson@eurydicepr.co.uk

 01440 709460 / 07702 415187

 www.eurydicepr.co.uk

 Gorgeous you – beautiful world

Eurydice PR is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The CEW beauty awards sponsored by Boots on the 22^nd February will be judged by the members of the association following a showcase at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Victoria London.

Natural Empathy will be represented in 4 categories with 3 key products, namely ‘Everybody’ luxury hand and body lotion, Shea Luxury body butter, Care and Repair signature moisturiser for men and will also compete in the ‘best new brand’ section.

The Directors of this family owned natural skincare brand, Beverley Stuckey, Madelaine Stuckey and Philip Stuckey will represent the business personally along with experienced beauty therapist Valerie Baldwin.

We hope to see some of our fellow Ethical Junction members there but it is worth remembering that it is a ticket do!

Info from alice@cewuk.co.uk

Natural Empathy is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The Ecovillage would like to help support fellow EJ members to promote their baby products at our Ecovillage at The Kent County Show, Maidstone, Kent from 16th-18th July 2010.

This year we will be expanding our baby changing & fed facility within the show and wanted to offer the opportunity for baby product supplies to showcase their products through samples available for mums and dads at the baby change & fed area.

The show runs over 3 days and based on last years figures expects to see around 90,000 visitors many of which are families with children.

If you are interested in providing free samples please email us at info@theecovillage.co.uk alternaltively send us any proposals, literature, queries etc to:

The EcoVillage, PO Box 293, Whitstable, Kent CT5 9AN.

For further information on The EcoVillage please visit www.theecovillage.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks.

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

For further information about the events we are running this year, go to www.theecovillage.co.uk If you would prefer to speak to us, we are more than happy to help, call 01227 271261 and ask for Vicky or email vicky@theecovillage.co.uk

The Kent County Fair 1st – 3rd May 2010
The Kent County Fair is a great family day out, with over 15,000 visitors attracted in 2009.  This year’s fair will feature a Garden Zone, Extreme Zone and tank and quad bike rides, as well as our own EcoVillage area, with space for over 50 exhibitors and demonstrators.  The Kent County Fair will be held at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood

EcoVillage Guide Prices:
Space starts from £118 for x 2m x 2m space within a marquee

Kent County Fair Information:
See www.thehopfarm.co.uk for more information on the venue.
The Hop Farm Family Park, Paddock wood, Tonbridge, Kent TN12 6PY

The South of England Show 10^th – 12^th June 2010

The EcoVillage will be making its debut at the South of England Show in 2010 with over 100 exhibitors and a picnic area sponsored by Riverford Organic Veg.  The South of England Show attracts over 80,000 visitors over a 3 day period

EcoVillage Guide Prices:
£255 for a 3×2m space within a large marquee
£210 for a 4 x 4m outdoor pitch

South of England Show Information:
For more information on the South of England Show, go to www.seas.org.uk 
The South of England Showground, Selsfield Road, Ardingly, Haywards Heath RH17 6TL

The Kent County Show 16^th -18^th July 2010
The Kent County Show, this year, will feature over 100 exhibitors within almost 7000 sq m of space, making it one of the largest exhibition areas within the Show. We’re pleased to announce sponsorship of our Picnic Area by Riverford Organic who will be carrying out cookery demonstrations aimed at making cooking from scratch easier. Riverford on the Move will be serving freshly cooked organic food all day, all served in biodegradable packaging. We will have larger organic baby feed and change area for visitors following its success last year. The Kent County Show attracted more than 80,000 visitors last year.

EcoVillage Guide Prices:
£190 for a 2 x 2m space inside large marquee
£222 for a 3 x 2m outdoor pitch

Kent County Show Information
See www.kentshowground.co.uk for more information about the Show.
Kent Showground, Detling, nr. Maidstone, Kent. ME14 3JF 

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

The Kent based event organiser, The EcoVillage, now in its third year, has grown from strength to strength. Founded in 2008 with a single annual event, The EcoVillage is now organising 3 events and potentially adding another date for 2010. 

The EcoVillage will exhibit at The South of England Show, The Kent County Show and The Kent County Fair. The idea behind The EcoVillage is for it to sit within large scale mainstream events and helps organisations promote green products, services and initiatives to the widest possible audience.  Each area will feature ‘green’ exhibitors, interactive displays, demonstrations and picnic areas.

 Victoria Whitlock, The EcoVillage Director, said:

“We believed that people wanted to become more environmental friendly but found the information out there overwhelming. Our aim was to make it easy for people to live a greener life. Bringing together a wide range of exhibitors gives the public a chance to speak to companies face to face”

 The EcoVillage has built up a loyal group of exhibitors. A regular is the organic food company, Riverford Organics, who this year will sponsor the food areas both at The Kent County Show and The South of England Show.

 If you would like to become part of The EcoVillage at any of the show mention please call Victoria Whitlock 01227 271261 or visit the website at www.theecovillage.co.uk. 

Further information

The EcoVillage is a brand concept delivered by Sust Ltd. Sust Ltd is a sustainable business consultancy. Its aim is to help organisations grow and develop in a sustainable way whilst minimising their impact on the environment.

Sust developed The EcoVillage to help organisations promote green products, services and initiatives. The EcoVillage is designed to sit within large-scale mainstream events in order to promote greener living to the widest possible audience.

Events calendar 2010:

1-3^rd May 2010 – The Kent County Fair, The Hops Farm, Paddock Hill, Kent

10-12^th June 2010 -The South Of England Show, Ardingly, West Sussex

17-19^th July 2010 – The Kent County Show, Nr Maidstone, Kent (3^rd year)

Company Contact Details:

Victoria Whitlock, Sust Ltd/ The EcoVillage, Po Box 293, Whitstable, Kent CT5 9AN. Tel: 01227 271261.

For more information go to www.theecovillage.co.uk

Visit us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=79436921655

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