· This months’ sheet was
supposed to be about Climate Care, but so much has happened this month and we
have been given such a lot of information by members of our congregation, that
we thought we would save the article on Carbon control for another time.
In
the Eco-congregation file there is a copy of the letter confirming that we will
be receiving our Green Award soon but if you miss it here is a brief resume of
it’s comments, and our reactions to some of them!
· Battery collection – we are
asked to encourage people to buy re-chargeable batteries as an alternative to
recycling non – rechargeable: We have already recommended this in
past green sheets.
·
Churchyard records and planting of wildflowers involving the children: Liz
records new appearances in the conservation area in our magazine articles, the
Holiday club are spending some of their time in the wildlife area this year and
we are well ahead in planting wild flowers, even before we applied!
· Creation centred worship
giving thanks for the work achieved so far: We have a celebration service
already planned and have had an eco - themed service late last year.
· Compile a list of resources
so all can easily obtain information: Our Eco congregation file in the
library is stacked with info., and there are lots of informative books there
also.
· The extent to which we are
going to make our new building as environmentally friendly as possible.
· The way in which the whole
congregation is being informed and included in the eco activities.
· The way the key enthusiasts
are expanding the dimensions of our environmental thinking beyond the
original project themes and embracing new ideas and technologies.
So give yourselves pats on the back and keep coming
up with your ideas.
From Jane Tann:
If you have or you know anyone who has, old sets of spectacles that they no longer require, Jane will collect them off you any Sunday in church. Jane was alerted to the need when she met someone who told her of a tailor who could no longer provide for his family as his sight was so bad, this lady can distribute them to those in great need in the third world.
From Sue and Martin Harrison:
Fordhall Farm in Shropshire. This farm has been chemical free for over 65 years and has been in common ownership since Feb 2005. It has until July 2006 (pretty soon!) to raise the £800,000 required for the purchase of the land to save it from industrial development. By paying £50 you will own 32m of natural English countryside. This will give you the opportunity to:
· Preserve the natural
diversity of the landscape
· Have a ‘pasture to plate’
educational resource facility.
· Visit the café serving local
and organic food.
· Use the eco-friendly bunk
house for schools, inner city groups and families.
· Provide work experience for
volunteers and student.
By
purchasing a £50 not for profit share in Fordhall you become a member of the
Initiative and a part owner of the farm with a right to vote within the
Society. More info can be found at www.communitylandtrust.org.uk
· 200,000 is the number of
people a year in Brazil who suffer pesticide poisoning – 4,000 die.
· 8,700 is the number of
reported slaves in the two Amazon states at the leading edge of the advancing
soya frontier. The real figure could be 250,000
Buy
from farmers markets or locally if you can instead.
Robin and Brenda Mclean have been
supplying us consistently with nature and ethical articles (amongst a whole
host of other information through their magazine donations), and they are
purchasing a book about Wildlife gardening for everyone, which they will make
available for anyone interested in this topic for the churchyard. They have
also left a copy of “Lapwing”, the magazine of the Wildlife Trust for
Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside at the back of Church for you to
take and read. Other articles they have contributed include one about a School
with an eco-code giving the children a good grounding, and a short article with
information about the Website Plantlife, the plant conservation charity.
If you have any information that you think will be of interest for the green sheets , please let Sally Cashen know on 625 2659.