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BGI Newsletter |
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Issue 11 - Summer 2009 |
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From the Editor…
The one thing about this newsletter is that, even though my image and name appear on it, it is very much a team effort. And especially so this month, when due to a big family move taking up almost all of my time, energies and sanity, I have needed much more help than usual. So this is a big thank you to all those lovely people who have helped me get this newsletter out on time…all the regular writers who contribute such amazing articles each month, all our feature writers for their knowledge and expertise, Judy and Gary without whose skills and support there wouldn’t be a newsletter to send out, Salena for her photo and design skills and finally the lovely and inspirational Brigit! A very happy, safe and green summer to all our readers and we look forward to seeing you again in September!
Jo x PS Scroll down to the bottom of the page for our Weleda Giveaway competition, not to mention a poem by the very talented James Strawbridge! BGI Annual Report
‘Local’ is a key word here at the BGI. Living and shopping locally can help reduce carbon emissions and rebuild communities. As her ‘local’ is about to change, Jo decides to take a last look at her home town and discovers there is quite a lot to love Full story… Book Review - The Thrifty Gardener
In an ideal, sustainable world, we wouldn’t use cars. But how would we cope without one? Car-less for the summer out of necessity, Judy and family decided to record their ‘journey’ and tell us about their highs and lows. Find out more in the first instalment Biodynamic Gardening
Young people really can be inspirational! Some Year 6 students from St Mary’s Primary in Dover have not only been monitoring the school’s greenness all year but have promoted eco-awareness during the summer - culminating in a stall at the Summer Fair and an Eco Tidy Up. Find out more Greening Greece?
In response to last month’s article on Green Festivals, eco-aware student Tom Etheridge wrote in to tell us what he thought of Glastonbury’s green credentials this year. Find out more The End of the Line - imagine a world without fish
We are proud and privileged to have the very lovely and talented James Strawbridge write a summer poem just for us at the BGI. Read the marvellous ‘Mr Summer’ here
Weleda Giveaway!
Revitalising Rose Weleda’s Wild Rose range is made with organic plant ingredients selected to protect and replenish delicate facial skin and help prevent the premature signs of ageing. It’s 100% natural: no artificial additives, synthetic fragrances or chemical preservatives. Wild Rose Intensive Facial Oil is a light but deep-nourishing rescue remedy made from musk rose, protective peach and gentle almond, plus regenerating evening primrose to support the skin’s natural renewal processes and reduce the feeling of dryness. It is great to pamper dry skin that is out of condition or as a regular treat for mature skin, to increase the skin’s natural resilience and elasticity. It gives your skin a rosy glow.
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: Jo Barlow To unsubscribe from our newsletter click here and type ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line
(c)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.
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Sponsored this month by
Find out more about our sponsor here
Visit our website
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! 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 Gardening Month by Month: Summer Unbought Delicacies - What’s in Your Basket? A little Green thought…
What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of Gandhi
Green Tip of the Month
Charlotte Sayer from Exeter emailed in to say ‘If we get a hot, dry summer, water will be scarce. So, as long as you use eco-friendly products, you can water your vegetables and plants with washing-up water, bath water or cooled water from boiled vegetables.’ Website of the Month
‘Surfers Against Sewage campaign for clean, safe recreational waters, free from sewage effluents, toxic chemicals and nuclear waste. Using a solution based argument of viable and sustainable alternatives, SAS highlight the inherent flaws in current practices, attitudes and legislation, challenging industry, legislators and politicians to end their “pump and dump” policies.’ Making Beaches Barefoot Friendly
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) has once again teamed up with Barefoot Wine for their nationwide beach clean-up tour this summer. The SAS team will visit 6 beaches around the UK and everyone’s welcome to help. Whether you’re a part of the local community or you just fancy rolling up your sleeves and getting involved, SAS and Barefoot need your help to make our British beaches ‘Barefoot Friendly’. This year the SAS Barefoot Friendly Beach Cleaning Tour will be visiting:
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This year has been a very busy and successful one for the BGI. Read Brigit’s report to find out exactly what we have achieved and just what we plan to do next! 
Love Your Local
We often dream of a beautiful, functional and productive garden or veg patch, but sometimes the initial costs can seem a little daunting. In her new book, Alys Fowler shows us just how the phrase ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ can be put to good use in our gardens. Read Tanya’s review to 
Living Without…a Car!!
Eco-schools
Here in the UK, we are trying to be green. But what about other countries in Europe? Ever the eco-investigator, Judy made the most of a family golden wedding anniversary in Greece and looked into just how green they are in the sun-drenched Mediterranean 
The world’s first major documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing premiered in the UK recently. Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This is the future if we do not stop. Find out about the film and what BGI film buffs Rachel and Anne-Christine thought of it. 
Mr Summer - A Poem
The lovely people at Weleda are giving away 50 samples of their gorgeous Wild Rose Intensive Facial Oil capsules (worth £14.95 each) to the first 50 BGI newsletter readers to email in. For a chance to win one of these wonderful packs simply email: 
