Green Matters July 2009
Raising awareness of climate change, migraition and poverty
Arcola Theatre is set to receive a Government grant of £240,000 over the next three years to help it raise awareness of world poverty.
The award-winning ecovenue in Dalston will do this through its Jinga project, which uses capoeira – the Afro-Brazilian art form – to help participants explore themes such as climate change, migration and poverty. More than 5,000 young people and teachers in the borough are expected to be involved, before a final capoeira group is chosen to perform in Hackney and tour the country in the run-up to the London 2012 Games.
The money is part of an – £8.2m fund awarded this year by the Department for International Development (DFID).
A spokesperson from Arcola explained that capoeira is one of the ways people in Brazilian slums have moved away from street violence. He said:
“It’s where martial arts meets dance, and has been a way to reunite people from disparate groups and different backgrounds.”
Leyla Nazli, executive producer at Arcola, added:
“We develop projects that combine a global perspective with strong roots in the local community.
“We want to inspire our community to see themselves as part of a global village – a community that works together for positive change.”
The Arcola combines theatre with environmental sustainability. It currently uses a hydrogen powered fuel cell for lighting that uses around a fifth of the usual power consumption for stage lights.
Eyes peeled at East Resevoir
A new bird hide - built on stilts to overlook the wildlife found in the East Reservoir, N16 - is proving popular with bird watchers of all ages.
Eager ornithologists now have a better view of the Stoke Newington reservoir – known for its popularity with water birds due to its surrounding reed bed – and of the London skyline.
The semi-camouflaged hide also doubles as a children’s adventure play structure. Beneath it is a space for den-building and a hammock is to be installed. Children will also be able to climb and explore the different levels.
Residents include the great crested grebe and the UK’s smallest bird, the goldcrest, which is currently breeding. The reservoir is maintained by the East Reservoir Community Garden, as part of the London Wildlife Trust.
More information
For more info, call: 020 7261 0447; or visit: www.wildlondon.org.uk and click on nature reserves.
Time to watch your waste again
Hackney is one of seven London boroughs due to take part in the second annual Watch Your Waste Week.
The aim is for people to discover how little rubbish it is possible to produce over seven days.
The Council is encouraging residents to sign up and record the amount they are throwing out the week before they do the challenge.
Participants can take part at any time from now until October 25.
During the challenge, tips found in a challenger’s pack – available from organiser North London Waste – can be used to help cut waste as much as possible.
At the end of the week, participants weigh their rubbish or count their bin bags again, to see if there has been any reduction and send in the results on their record sheet.
Last year’s challenge was a big success with some Hackney households cutting their waste by half.
One of the participants in last year’s challenge said: ‘‘I have got the sewing machine out and rather than discarding clothes I am trying to ‘make do and mend’, patching trousers and generally altering out of date clothes.
“We are all really satisfied with the family’s progress and our new understanding of how we can make a difference in our every day lives with hardly any effort.”
This year’s Watch Your Waste Week is due in October.
More information
To take part, call Ander Zabala on: 020 8356 3806; or email: ander.zabala@hackney.gov.uk To download a challenger’s pack visit: www.nlondonwaste.gov.uk
Wasting less
Events in Hackney to mark National Recycle Week provided a chance to celebrate the borough’s growing recycling rate and learn how to cut waste even more.
Residents have made a huge increase in the amount of household waste they recycle. From just one per cent in 2002, the amount has risen to almost a quarter – 23 per cent in 2008.
The week, from 22-28 June, saw the Council’s recycling team go out and about in the borough. More than 100 people visited an event in the Narrow Way, where residents were able to speak to members of the team, and learn more about services. More than 40 made pledges to reduce waste and recycle more.
The team was also at Hackney Community College’s Open Day on 24 June.
The theme of the fifth annual week was Let’s Waste Less, with tips on how to cut the amount of rubbish that goes to landfill – whether by recycling everyday items such as glass jars, bottles, newspapers and plastic, or reusing carrier bags and composting at home.
There was also a free Give and Take event at Ambler Primary School, Blackstock Road, N4, for people to pass on things they had no more need for, or reuse somebody else’s unwanted items.
Cllr Alan Laing, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said:
“Thank you to the many residents who support the Council in our commitment to help make Hackney a cleaner, greener borough.
Recycle Week was a great opportunity to raise awareness and encourage others to do their bit by making recycling part of their regular routine.”
This month will also see the first Small Change, Big Difference week from 13-17 July. Organised by the Local Government Association, it aims to encourage the public to see local authorities as central to the solution of tackling climate change.
During the week the Council is encouraging people to make small changes that together can have a big impact on the planet, such as switching to low-energy light bulbs, insulating their loft, or leaving their car at home and cycling to work.
More information
To find out more about recycling in Hackney, call: 020 8356 6688, or visit the Recycling page.
Give family a healthy start
Families on lower incomes can now use Healthy Start vouchers in Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market, N16.
The market, run by local vegetable box producer Growing Communities, is the only all-organic weekly farmers’ market in the UK.
It is the first farmers’ market in the capital to accept the free vouchers – which can be exchanged for fresh vegetables, fruit and milk – from the Government-backed scheme. Growing Communities’ Director Julie Brown said: “We know that lots of people on low incomes would like to buy organic fruit and vegetables – especially produce that has come from local farms.
“We can’t change the fact that organic food costs more to produce, and we want the small family farmers we work with to get a fair price for their produce. By accepting the vouchers we hope to enable more people to buy locally produced, sustainable food – which has got to be good for them and good for the environment.”
Healthy Start vouchers are available to families on low incomes with children under four; expectant mothers who are under 18 are also eligible. They can also be used in participating greengrocers, chemists, corner shops, food co-ops and supermarkets.
More information
To apply or to find more information about the scheme visit: www.healthystart.nhs.uk; for info about the market and box scheme visit: www.growingcommunities.org
Grow your own
A joint allotment venture between The Petchey Academy, E8, and Hackney environmental education charity ecoActive is hoping to unearth some volunteers.
The Petchey Kitchen Garden Project received £10,000 from the Big Lottery Local Food fund to carry out a project on the school’s grounds.
A group of students from the Academy has been involved from the start, helping to design the allotments, building raised beds, and deciding what produce to grow.
Since Easter, they have been joined by a number of dedicated local residents, and are now looking for extra workers.
As well as volunteering, the scheme offers people the chance to grow and eat their own food.
All produce will be shared out. Help is on hand from a trained gardener, and all equipment and seeds are provided.
The garden’s official opening takes place on 14 July at 2pm.
More information
For info call: 020 7923 7899; or email: jessicadolan@ecoactive.org.uk
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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