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BGI Newsletter |
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Issue 13 - November 2009 |
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From the Editor…
It is also time to think about our wildlife, as the winter is a precarious time for them. Friday 24th October was RSPB Feed the Birds day. Check out the link on our website of the month to find out how it went and what you can still do to help. Wildlife correspondent Fiona has also written an article to show us other ways to help our wildlife this winter. Jo x A year in the life of an urban forest garden
Last month’s article from Ally about the trials of turning grey prompted a flood of responses from you. Jo has looked further into the issue, trying to find some natural alternatives to chemical dyes but in the process discovered that maybe going grey isn’t so bad after all! Find out more Cork - a sustainable industry
New regular BGI contributor Rebecca is inspired by this book by John Lewis-Stempel as it is a beautifully written piece on foraged food and country life. Find out more Green Business of the Month: YES Reedbeds
The RSPB asked us to Feed the Birds but there is so much more we can do to help and encourage the wildlife in our garden. Fiona tells us what we can do Catch a falling autumn leaf and make a wish…
After last month’s cliffhanger, regular readers will be keen to find out how Fiona and her husband got on in Mull. After a nail biting brush with the law, a skua and a gannet, did they find their elusive otter? Find out here Letter of the month
Dear Jo, Thanks for keeping this useful ideas thing open! Margot is a great friend of the BGI. She featured in an article on Handcrafting Ceremonies in our June newsletter. Click here to find out more.
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 click here and type ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line © 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.
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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 concludes, we visit events, and learn just what it takes to make a green charity keep ticking over! Other blogs we think you may like: 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 Ideas sheet of the month: Skincare A little Green thought… ‘The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.’ Gaylord Nelson Co-founder of Earth Day Green Tip of the Month Fay Macdonald from Inverness wrote in to say ‘Stuff old tights with rags and scraps of material and tie up when full. They make great draught excluders! If you feel brave, let the children decorate them with more scraps to make snakes or sausage dogs! Website of the Month
Looking after the birds this winter Affiliate shopping
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 above, they will donate between 7% and 10% from the sale to us. This does not affect the price you pay. |
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The weather has really turned and we are now well and truly into autumn. With a mind to saving energy and money, we are still stoically keeping our heating off, although that is probably more easily done if you are in mild Cornwall, not so easy if you are in the colder north! It’s that time of year when, after a brisk wild, winter walk you can snuggle up in front of the fire, and make exciting plans for the coming year. Samhain, the ancient festival celebrating the pagan new year, is upon us and whilst the children celebrate the modern Halloween with trick or treating, it is a time for us to quietly remember those that have passed, reflect on the year that has gone and look forward to the year that is coming.
What better way to while away a few winter hours by the fire than planning your spring jobs in the garden? BGI supporter Clare went one step further and completely transformed her suburban garden into a forest garden that not only benefits her, it benefits local wildlife and the planet too! 
Still dyeing to look younger?
If, like Judy, you enjoy the odd tipple, you may have noticed the increasing number of screw tops appearing on wine bottles instead of corks. Sustainable cork forests not only produce a reusable product, they also provide habitats for endangered wildlife. Find out how you can help 
Book Review - The Wild Life
Melvin Rutter is a reedbed guru; you might remember him performing his magic during the second series of ‘It’s Not Easy Being Green’. Our panel set him a set of tricky questions that will certainly leave you enlightened. Check out the full interview 
Ways to help wildlife this winter
It’s a magical season to go foraging and, as our expert Carol found out, chestnuts are in abundance this year. For some tempting recipes as well as an oriental-inspired beefsteak mushroom dish 
Two Go Mad on Mull Part II
