Green Matters January 2010
Cook, grow, eat
An innovative, green-fingered group in Hackney is looking for new recruits.
The Grow, Cook, Eat Club for eight to 12-year-olds meets at St Mary's Secret Garden, on the corner of Appleby Street and Pearson Street, just behind the Geffrye Museum.
The popular after-school club, funded by the Council, shows that children do like vegetables – especially if they have sown the seeds and watched them grow.
Members plant vegetables and herbs, and then learn how to use them in tasty and nutritious dishes the whole family can enjoy.
“It's a great way of getting the five a day message across to children,” said Catherine Birkett, who runs the club on Monday evenings.
At the end-of-term party last year, Shoreditch Spa Healthy Eating Programme joined in to show the children how to make delicious pizzas and spiced apple punch.
Even in January, there's plenty of colour for visitors to enjoy in the community garden, which is open on weekdays from 9am to 5pm.
The on-site shop offers a chance to buy plants, herbs, preserves, and garden supplies.
More information
Call: 020 7739 2965: email: info@stmarysgarden.org.uk; or visit: www.stmaryssecretgarden.org.uk
25 January 2010
Learning leftover delights
Residents are being offered a chance to attend free workshops that includes cookery demonstrations, and advice on how to save money by cooking delicious meals from leftovers.
Participants can also take away a free cookbook, which includes recipes based on leftover food.
The ‘cook and taste’ sessions are part of the Love Food, Hate Waste campaign that aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce food waste.
Ioseb Chakvetadze from Newington Green took part in a session last month. He said: “The small groups made the session very conversational, which helped with the exchange of ideas and learning. I never realised so much food went to waste when there were so many uses for it.”
More information
The next workshop is on 3 Feb, 10am-1pm, at Sebright Childrens’ Centre, E2. To book call: 020 8489 5366; or visit: www.nlwa.gov.uk/lovefoodhatewaste
25 January 2010
Pupils recycle for the future
Pupils have been getting some tips on how to keep Hackney clean.
The Council-funded ecoACTIVE workshops about recycling and cutting down on waste use a hands-on approach to get the message across.
The sessions, which take place in primary schools over a five-week period, also teach students about what happens to waste beyond the bin.
“The children have a clearer understanding about the importance of putting litter in the bins and the impact it has on the environment,” said Gayhurst teacher Marsha Constable, after a litter session at the E8 school.
Jubilee Primary, N16, pupils took part in a five-week compost project. The school’s Environmental Co-ordinator, Amanda Williams, said: “The education programmes have been fantastic at raising awareness of composting and recycling at school. The children loved learning about the worms and compost and are aiming to start a composting campaign.”
The Council also provides free recycling collections for all schools in Hackney. They can recycle paper, tins and cans, plastic bottles, glass, cardboard and green waste.
A sticker book, decorative stickers for classroom bins, and a board to write the name of the recycling monitor will complement cow print recycling bins.
More information
For info on education call: 020 8356 6688, or visit: www.ecoactive.org.uk
25 January 2010
Money for old boilers
Private tenants and landlords could save £400 by replacing an old ‘G-rated’ boiler with a new, energy-efficient one through a Government scheme.
The new Boiler Scrappage Scheme allows residents to claim £400 back from the cost of installing an ‘A-rated’ boiler or renewable heat system in place of a ‘G-rated’ one.
Householders should apply for a voucher to be redeemed within 12 weeks; pay up front for an approved contractor to carry out the work; and claim the £400 back from the Energy Saving Trust, which promises to pay within 25 days.
It is estimated that there are currently around three and a half million homes in England with low efficiency boilers rated ‘G’ or worse. A-rated boilers use less fuel to provide the same level of heat, so have cheaper running costs – saving on average £235 a year.
Applicants aged under 60 must be scrapping a ‘G-rated’ boiler that is in working order, while those aged 60 and over can scrap a ‘G-rated’ boiler that is not necessarily operational.
Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability, said: “We are committed to making Hackney the greenest borough in London, and schemes like this one can be useful in helping residents reduce their carbon footprint and save money as well.”
For info call: 0800 512 012 or visit: www.governmentboiler-scrappagescheme.info/EligibilityCheck.php
25 January 2010
Eco-theatre plans
The Arcola Theatre has unveiled plans for a new eco-HQ in the heart of Dalston.
The project will be the UK’s first major arts venue to place environmental sustainability at the core of its construction, programme and operations.
It will mean the theatre moving to a new building located close to the Dalston Square development and Dalston Junction East London Line station.
The project is part of a wider London Development Agency (LDA) funded project, Making Space in Dalston.
Mehmet Ergen, Artistic Director and founder of Arcola Theatre, said: “Our new building will include an exquisite 350 seat theatre allowing us to create an even greater and more diverse programme, building on our past nine years of success.”
Plans also include 150 and 80 seat studios; an extensive foyer with a bar/cafe/restaurant and informal meeting spaces; space for scientists and engineers developing sustainable technologies; a bike hub with storage and changing facilities; and public garden and growing spaces.
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “The Council is committed to supporting Arcola’s ambition to create an innovative new ecotheatre; ensuring that Arcola continues to contribute to the cultural excitement that is Dalston.”
Global engineering and design consultancy Arup – whose projects include the Birds Nest and Water Cube stadiums for the Beijing 2008 Olympics – has been appointed to provide theatre and acoustical consultancy services.
More information
11 January 2010
Old clothes for a better life
Residents have helped raise urgently needed funds to support international development – by recycling their old clothes and shoes.
Since 2003, the Council has worked with Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development (TRAID) to provide recycling banks for residents to deposit unwanted gear.
Nearly seven years on and 787 tonnes of waste have been diverted from landfill – equivalent to cutting 11,018 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
At the same time, TRAID has raised funds from the resale of donated textiles in its 11 charity shops. In 2009, it raised £500,000 for seven projects in Africa and India, including one that aims to halt the use of child labour to grow cotton seeds.
TRAID Chief Executive, Maria Chenoweth-Casey, said:“TRAID recycling banks are the life blood of the charity, raising over £2million for development projects, diverting textiles from landfill and funding environmental and recycling workshops for 16,000 children and young people annually.”
More information
Visit the Recycling page or www.traid.org.uk
11 January 2010
Money to use in the garden
A gardening scheme has been given a £150,000 cash-boost.
This means that more green fingered community groups can apply for small Capital Growth grants to develop their very own miniature allotments on unused ground.
In Hackney, there are already nine projects where you can grow your own, including one at St Leonard’s Hospital in Hoxton.
Capital Growth was launched in 2008 and there are now nearly 150 spaces being cultivated across London in diverse locations including canal banks, schools, roofs, private gardens and parks. Rosie Boycott, Chair of London Food, said: “It’s welcome news that Londoners can now apply for small pots of funding, as well as receive practical advice to get their veg plot up and running, helping us to meet our target of 2012 spaces by 2012.”
Grants of between £200 and £1,500 are on offer until March to anyone who wants to create a new community food growing space.
More information
For info or advice call: 020 7837 1228: or visit: www.capitalgrowth.org
11 January 2010
Park plan shortlisted
A project that aims to transform the Lower Lea Valley has been shortlisted for a prestigious prize.
The Lea River Park scheme will create six new green areas between the Olympic site and the River Thames, linked by the Fatwalk – six kilometres of parkland with footpaths, cycle-ways, new bridges and towpaths.
The project has made the final five in the International Urban Landscape Award, which recognises groundbreaking initiatives in urban environments.
Peter Bishop, from the London Development Agency (LDA), said: “The Lea River Park will be an exciting new park which draws on the Lower Lea Valley’s industrial landscape and heritage and will be a central part of the area’s regeneration.”
The winner will be announced on 26 January.
The Lee Valley Regional Park Authority has also launched a new website so visitors can register their views on its future development.
To comment, visit: www.leevalleypark.org.uk
11 January 2010
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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