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BGI Newsletter |
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Issue 9 - May 2009 |
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From the Editor...
Big Green Bus Update! Find out how the bus's outing to Exeter went here Jo x Saving the Bees
He tells us why we should go back to nature
'I have just come back from a long weekend in London feeling uplifted and bursting with optimism for the future. Why the optimism? Hmmm... I think I need to go back a month or two to explain...' Brigit meets some young people who show us it's not always the past that holds the key full story Big Green Heroes - Pat Bowcock
Whilst we should be looking back to our elders for ways to save the planet, the aptly titled elder is a mystical and wondrous tree that has numerous culinary, medicinal and spiritual uses. And it is in bloom now! read more
Eat Your Heart Out by Felicity Lawrence - Book Review
The days of decking and ornate gardens are hopefully well and truly over. Learn how Judy went back in time to create a peaceful, wild life friendly garden in the midst of Dorset full story
Green Hobbies
Who makes it on to the Top Ten? Which of our feathered friends are flourishing and which are floundering? See how your favourite birds fared here
Heritage Crafts
'Never cast a clout before May is out.' In the days of global warming this age old saying may no longer be relevant. But read about the ancient May festival of Beltane, find out how May Day used to be celebrated and learn ways you can celebrate this year here
Earth Hour - What did you do?
Letters I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy receiving the BGI newsletter. I find it inspiring and also find some very good ideas to try. I first came upon it by accident one Sunday last year when there was a whole day of 'It's Not Easy Being Green' on the Gardening Channel and loved it so much I bored everyone to tears by watching every single one! I think it should be re-named 'It's very easy being green' since the team make it look so, well, easy and fun! Gwen Sinclair, Ayrshire If you have a green tip you would like to share, an idea for something you would like to read about or any comments on this newsletter please email me: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) To unsubscribe from our newsletter © The Big Green Idea 2009 - Content Editor: Jo Barlow The Big Green Idea registered charity No. 1123650 Disclaimer: All views expressed in the content are those of the relevant author or sources they draw upon, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Big Green Idea or its Trustees. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of any information in this publication, readers should not rely upon it and should verify the detail for themselves before acting upon it. Important Notice: Although The Big Green Idea does not encourage consumerism, we do appreciate that everyone shops for essentials and the occasional treat they cannot create themselves. If you choose to shop with any of the merchants via the links in the right-hand column, they will donate between 7% and 10% from the sale to us. click here and type 'unsubscribe' in the subject line |
Sponsored this month by
'Our aim is to encourage and inspire you to turn your food waste into something wonderful!' Find out more about our sponsor here
About Us The Bus How You Can Help
'Hi ! My name's Brigit and today I want to tell you about...' Chat from Brigit and the team as the 2009 bus tour season takes shape, we visit events, and learn just what it takes to make a green charity tick! There's plenty going on around the UK, so why not dip in? Many of these events are free or very reasonably priced! We are also starting to include weekend and longer courses on a wide variety of ethical, eco- or green-related subjects. Regular Features A little Green thought... The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river. Ross Perot Green Tip of the Month Jennifer Cox from Edinburgh emailed in to say 'Don't throw out old tights. They can be used in the garden to tie plants to canes. Also stuffed with newspaper, they make great boot supports.' Website of the Month formerly 'It's Not Easy Being Green' 'It's hard to believe that when we first decided to go ahead with the filming of 'It's Not Easy Being Green' for BBC2 back in 2004, being green was widely considered to be slightly unusual if not outright weird! Our move to Newhouse Farm in Cornwall has now been the basis for three television series, each showing, in different ways, that it is possible to be environmentally responsible at the same time as having a lot of fun. Our aim was, and continues to be: To live a 21st century lifestyle but to produce little or no waste and to remove our dependence upon fossil fuels. The farm is ever changing as we add new 'Green' features and methodology. We run lots of courses at the farm over the year to share all this knowledge, full details on the website!' Affiliate shopping |
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After his fascinating first article on keeping bees, Phil Chandler writes for us again telling us how we can help to save the bees. After so much human intervention, it seems the bees do know best! 
Future Foundations
Take a field, a caravan and one inspirational lady and what do you get? Well, not only an amazing and sustainable lifestyle but also someone who shares her knowledge with others. Meet Pat 
Respecting Our Elders
Who wants a hobby that is 
The Heritage Craft Association is a new group trying to save traditional skills that are in danger of dying out. They have put out a 
So did you do it?? Turn off your lights for an hour on 28th March? Was Earth Hour a successful attempt in raising awareness of climate change or a token box-ticking exercise for fair-weather greens? Read a variety of 
