Green Matters October 2009
Watch your waste challenge
Hackney, along with seven North London boroughs took part in the second annual 'Watch Your Waste Week' between 19 and 25 October 2009.
You can still take part in the Watch Your Waste challenge to help you to reduce the amount of rubbish you are throwing out.
For more information and to download a Challenger's Pack, visit the Watch Your Waste Challenge page.
28 October 2009
From rags to stitches
While many stick to raiding charity shops and mum and dad’s old gear, Kerry Seager and Annika Sanders have found success recycling old suits into stylish, modern jackets.
Their eco credentials have landed them a nomination for a ‘Green Queen’ honour at Cosmopolitan’s Ultimate Women of the Year Awards on 1 November.
Kerry, 35, from Hackney Wick and Annika, 36, met at college where low funds led them to experiment with second-hand clothes.
On completing their A’ levels they discovered textile recycling in San Francisco and Japan. Back in London, inspired, they opened their own fashion label, Junky Styling.
The duo now employ a team of five, salvaging second-hand pieces to transform them into high-end clothes, while helping customers restyle and reuse pieces from their own wardrobes.
Kerry said: “It's good at the moment, because the recession has made people evaluate the way they shop and invest in pieces that don't fall apart.
“Plus our clothes are timeless, so they don’t have to chuck them in the bin after a year.”
The ethos behind the clothes is less to do with pocket money and more about being environmentally aware.
The ladies won’t stitch and tell but their fans include Sadie Frost, singer Gwen Stefani and comedian Russell Brand.
More information
Visit: www.junkystyling.co.uk
19 October 2009
Green for a day
Residents from Whiston and Goldsmiths Estate turned out in force to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere – of their car park.
The Green for a Day event included free bike check ups, films, gardening demonstrations and games for children.
The event – part of European Mobility Week from 16 to 22 September – aimed to encourage people to look at spaces set aside for parking and to think about alternative uses for them. It also provided advice for residents who want to give up their cars.
“It was a wonderful day,” said Doreen Emerick, Secretary and Joint Chair of the Haggerston estate’s Tenants and Residents Association. “Everyone who participated got something from the groundbreaking event that I hope will be repeated here and right across the borough,” she added.
The event was organised with the help of two young architects Marie Perin and Gregoire Barraud from TICArchitecture along with the Council and Hackney Homes.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“Sustainable transport is a top priority for the Council because we know that our residents are concerned about carbon emissions, congestion and parking in the borough.
“I’m pleased that we can support people to make greener travel choices.”
More information
For info about greener travel visit the Movegreener page.
05 October 2009
Lending a hand in the garden
A group of volunteers took up their tools to transform the garden of a local woman with multiple sclerosis.
E5 resident Raeanne said: “The transformation is amazing. I’ve never been able to go into my garden before, it means the world to me.”
Housing association Family Mosaic launched its Garden Bank pilot project at Raeanne’s overgrown garden on 18 September.
Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, was there to meet volunteers and congratulate them on the difference they make in the community.
Garden Bank’s team help sick or disabled Family Mosaic tenants to maintain their gardens.
The idea came about after the housing association received enquires from tenants with gardens who could not manage their upkeep; and was also contacted by other tenants who wanted to do some gardening, but did not have gardens of their own.
Family Mosaic is searching for more greenfingered volunteers who are willing to offer a couple of hours each week, as a further 60 residents need similar assistance. All volunteers are rewarded once they have carried out 25, 50, 75 and 100 hours of community work.
More information
Call: 020 7089 1000; or email: gemma.mcgrath@familymosaic.co.uk
5 October 2009
Learning about birds and bats
A series of events on Pembury Estate, E8, will see residents getting together to create a haven for Cockney sparrows – and bats.
Peabody housing association, which manages the estate, has teamed up with with London Wildlife Trust to involve residents, schools and community groups in activities to raise awareness of their environment.
Work will include planting hedgerow species such as hawthorn and blackthorn to create a bird habitat; grasses and flowers to attract the aphids, caterpillars and weevils for birds to feed on; and workshops to make bat and bird boxes; as well as visits to wildlife reserves and green spaces.
The estate’s PETRA Community Centre will be the meeting point for all the events, and is also the pickup point for a guided walk and bird watch trip to Rainham Marshes’ RSPB reserve.
London Wildlife Trust’s Cockney Sparrow project officer and Hackney resident Mark Pearson will be on hand to talk about urban birds at a session on 21 November; and guest Ed Santry from the Bat Conservation Trust Ed will be giving a presentation about how to help urban bats on 8 November.
Two practical sessions on 29 November and 19 December will offer residents a chance to get their hands dirty. Mark is also looking for volunteers to guide to project.
More information
Call: 07971 077 084; email: mpearson@wildlondon.org.uk; or visit: www.wildlondon.org.uk/cockneysparrow
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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