GREEN GUIDE - Markham Publishing

GREEN GUIDEFOR THE SOUTH WESTecofriendlyorganichealthynaturalethicallivingFOOD,HOME,CLOTHING,TRAVEL,FAMILY,HEALTH,BUSINESS,MONEYHOW GREENARE YOU?EDITED BY GAVIN MARKHAM

ContentsFood & Drink .......................................................................................................11Home Delivery & Mail Order...........................................................................................11Shopping ......................................................................................................................11Farmers, Growers & Co-Operatives................................................................................11Meat Processors & Packers ...........................................................................................11Wholesalers, Distributors & Importers ............................................................................11Brands & Manufacturers ................................................................................................11Restaurants & Cafés ......................................................................................................11Catering Services...........................................................................................................11Cookery Courses............................................................................................................11Advice & Organisations..................................................................................................11Clothing, Cosmetics & Toiletries ....................................................11Clothing .........................................................................................................................11Cosmetics & Toiletries ...................................................................................................11Home & Garden................................................................................................11Building, Design & Materials ..........................................................................................11Furniture, Furnishings, Fixtures & Fittings .....................................................................11Cleaning & Laundry .......................................................................................................11Water Supplies & Services.............................................................................................11Garden & Home-Growing...............................................................................................11Energy, Recycling & Pollution ...........................................................11Energy Efficiency & Conservation...................................................................................11Sustainable & Renewable Energy ..................................................................................11Recycling & Waste .........................................................................................................11Pollution, Monitoring & Environmental Consultants.........................................................11Health & Well-being.....................................................................................11Products & Mail Order....................................................................................................11Complementary Health Centres & Clinics ......................................................................115

Retreats, Residential Centres & Spas .............................................................................11Courses & Colleges........................................................................................................11Organisations.................................................................................................................11Events............................................................................................................................11Beauty Treatment...........................................................................................................11Advice & Information .....................................................................................................11Internet Services............................................................................................................11Natural Death ................................................................................................................11Children, Family & Community........................................................11Babies & Children ..........................................................................................................11Education .....................................................................................................................11Friends & Partners .........................................................................................................11Vets & Pets ....................................................................................................................11Communities .................................................................................................................11Advice & Organisations..................................................................................................11Transport & Travel .........................................................................................11Public Transport.............................................................................................................11Sustainable Travel .........................................................................................................11Cycling...........................................................................................................................11Water Transport .............................................................................................................11Cars & Trucks ................................................................................................................11Leisure, Activities & Holidays............................................................11Activities & Places to Visit..............................................................................................11Hotels, Guesthouses & B&Bs in the UK .........................................................................18Accommodation & Places to Stay in Europe...................................................................44UK Holidays ...................................................................................................................11Holidays Abroad.............................................................................................................11Campaigns & Organisations...........................................................................................11Business, Finance & Economics....................................................11Sustainable Development...............................................................................................11Business & Offices ........................................................................................................11Ethical Investment & Banking ........................................................................................11New Economics ............................................................................................................11Government, Charities & Campaigning..................................116

Local Government..........................................................................................................11National Government & Agencies ..................................................................................11Campaigns & Organisations...........................................................................................11European Government, Agencies & Organisations ..........................................................11Global Agencies & Organisations....................................................................................11Media, Arts & Communications......................................................11Bookshops & Mail Order ................................................................................................11Local Publications..........................................................................................................11Magazines & Publications ..............................................................................................11Publishers......................................................................................................................11Recommended Books ....................................................................................................11Music.............................................................................................................................11Photography & Creative Arts ..........................................................................................11Performing Arts..............................................................................................................11Film, TV & Radio ............................................................................................................11Production Companies ...................................................................................................11Events & Exhibitions ......................................................................................................11Internet Services & Websites .........................................................................................11Image Libraries & Media Services..................................................................................11Advice & Organisations..................................................................................................11Information, Further Education & Careers..........................11Environment Centres......................................................................................................11Research & Information Services ..................................................................................11Courses & Colleges........................................................................................................11Voluntary Work, Careers & Advice ..................................................................................11Membership Associations, Institutes & Professional Bodies............................................117

How to use this GuideStructureThe Green Guide is organised according to 12themes covering the whole range of a modernlifestyle. These follow a logical progression beginningwith the basic individual requirements of food,clothing, shelter, energy and health and then moveinto the collective activities of family, travel, leisure,business and politics. Finally it looks at the media,education and employment.Each of the 12 chapters corresponds to these twelvethemes and each chapter is broken down into sectionswhich are further divided into sub-sectionswhere appropriate. Not all sections have sub-sections.Each chapter contains a section or sections(depending upon the organisational complexity ofthe chapter) specifically on advice and organisations.Generally these contain listings of non-commercialorganisations relating to the chapter themeand are useful if you want advice or information inmore detail.At the beginning of each chapter the sections andtheir sub-sections are given a full listing with pagenumbers. It’s a good idea to read each chapter’s contentspage to familiarise yourself with what’s coveredin that chapter.The Green Guide is not intended to be read fromstart to finish. It is organised in such a way as toallow the reader to find out about a specific topicand deal with it. That said, the reader can benefitfrom reading the listings of a section as a whole –perhaps learning to skim the repetitive nature ofsome of the information (inevitable when severalorganisations doing similar things are groupedtogether) and instead focusing on what is differentabout each service or product. There is a wealth ofinformation contained in this Guide that is both fascinatingand inspiring.Each chapter contains articles, Cases Studies andImpact Boxes. This editorial content is not exhaustiveand does not cover the whole range of issuesand topics included in the Green Guide. It is intendedto be an introduction and a jumping off point forthose wanting to find out more.The Case Studies are the editor’s choice of some ofthe more innovative and interesting organisationsand their activities. It is hoped that readers will beinspired by them and learn that there can be differentand effective ways of doing business or of tacklingproblems.You can find many more Case Studies on the GreenGuide web site (at www.greenguideonline.com), aswell as an extensive editorial and news archive.What you can do to make a differenceThe Impact Boxes contain easy-to-follow, accessibletips on how to make a difference to your life now.Some of these take a little more effort, but many arecommon sense. The suggestions are not designed tomake you feel guilty if you don’t complete all or anyof them. Impact boxes are suggestive, not prescriptiveand we recognise that for many people some ofthe ideas are not practicable. Aim to do as little or asmuch as you are comfortable with.The listingsThe directory includes products, services andorganisations that help promote and encourage asustainable lifestyle. Also included are ethical, naturaland fair trade businesses. The listings areintended to be inclusive and are free of charge andto that end we have tried to include as many organisationsas possible, no matter their commercial outlooknor their size.If there is a bias, it is towards supporting smaller,innovative businesses or organisations that do notbenefit from a PR or marketing department.However, inclusion of an organisation does notimply an endorsement nor a preference.Usually each listing will contain the contact details– address, telephone number, e-mail and webaddress where available – and a short descriptionabout the service or organisation. Normally eachentry has a maximum of a 75 word description but12

in some cases, where the content might be of generalinterest to readers, there is an extended entry.Most of the organisations listed in the guide willhave responded to an e-mail update form orgiven us their details over the phone. Some entrantswe visit, but there are simply too many for all toreceive a personal visit. For a few we gather informationfrom other sources, but we will alwaysendeavour to verify details with the organisationbefore we publish.Very few organisations refuse to supply informationand fewer still request not to be listed. We try hardto contact organisations but we assume that if wefind it impossible to get information – becauseforms and faxes are not sent back, phones ringunanswered and answerphone messages are notreturned – then readers will not have much luckeither. The general rule is that we try to contact anorganisation five or six times.If you find the inclusion of any organisation unreasonableor unjustifiable, please inform us. We willattempt to explain our reasoning, or if we fail to doso, we will remove the listing. If you want an organisation’sgreen claims verified, consult one of thelarger bodies. They will be able to give you advice orrefer you on.Opening hours and costsWhile every effort has been made to ensure that thelistings are correct at the time of going to press,details such as opening times and costs do change.Except in exceptional circumstances, the informationprovided to us is taken on face value. TheGreen Guide is not liable for any inaccuracies in theinformation provided.Businesses also move premises, cease trading orchange name and organisations, particularly voluntaryand local ones, can suddenly stop operating. Ifyou’re making a special trip to a shop or an organisation,do call first. Smaller businesses, in particular,appreciate advance warning of intended visits. TheGreen Guide cannot be held responsible for anyinconveniences caused by your failure to check ifsomeone is at home or available to see you.ReviewsShop reviews tend to be the results of impromptudrop-ins. If you want to contribute or have views onthe goods and services, please let us know. Yourinput is valuable.Mail orderThe Green Guide covers local resources as well asmail order suppliers which distribute throughoutthe UK. We urge you to check order details withyour chosen supplier when you make an order –some suppliers have set times for delivery whichrequire the customer to be present. This is especiallyimportant when dealing with food items. Findout where you stand with returns and damagedgoods and check to see if your supplier offers amoney-back guarantee.Being includedWe have tried to be as comprehensive as possiblebut we know we’ve not got everyone! If you know abusiness or organisation that needs to be included,use the listings form at the back of the guide to sendus its details. Alternatively, tell the organisationabout us. All listings are published free of charge –you don’t have to advertise to get a listing and youdon’t even have to buy a copy of the Green Guide tobe included. That said, we would appreciate it ifeveryone who is listed would purchase at least onecopy of the Guide.www.greenguideonline.comThe Green Guide database is also available to searchon-line. This is a totally free service and can be usedas often as you like. The on-line database is updatedregularly and users have access to all the regionaldata – useful for friends or when you’re travelling.Other services on our web site include news, editorial,events, competitions and useful links.13

The world is not enoughAt some point during the 1970s we passed the point of living within theEarth’s capacity to regenerate itself. If we don’t take action now, therewon’t be much of a planet left for our children and their children to inherit.It seems inconceivable that such an event shouldhave gone by unnoticed. And yet we’re all punchdrunk with the statistics. An estimated 20,000species are lost annually – with most becomingextinct before they are even discovered. More than70 per cent of freshwater sources are seriously contaminatedor degraded. Over-pumping of groundwaterexceeds natural recharge rates by 160 billioncubic metres. And we’re losing 14.6 million hectaresof natural forest per year... 30 acres a minute. Heartstoppingstuff.And it’s more serious than losing a few furry animals.Scientists do not know for certain what theoverall effect of a large number of species disappearingwholesale from the ecosystem might be.Many express concerns summed up by the ecologistEhrlich’s famous analogy between the loss of individualspecies and the rivets in the wing of a plane– remove a few and nothing happens, removeenough and the plane will fall from the sky.We ignore the maintenance of the world’s ecosystemsat our own peril. We rely on them to create theair we breathe, regulate the weather, dispose ofwastes, enrich the soil and control disease.The world’s plants and animals are also a potentialmedicine chest to cure our illnesses. Over 40 per centof the medicines prescribed worldwide contain adrug derived from natural sources as one of the mainactive ingredients. Around 80 per cent of the world’spopulation is partly dependent upon traditional medicineand medicinal plants to treat their ills.Well known drugs such as the contraceptive pill,morphine and quinine all originated in the wild.Advances are still being made – the chemical taxolfound in the yew tree has been hailed as one of themost important new cancer drugs for treating ovarianand breast cancer in recent years. Only a smallpercentage of the world’s plants and animals havebeen investigated for their medicinal properties.Indeed it has been estimated that there are 13-14 millionspecies on Earth of which only 1.75 million, or13 per cent, have been identified. Without better protectionfor our species we may destroy a potentialcure without ever knowing it existed.Modern agriculture relies on genetic diversity to createnew strains capable of rebuffing disease. As commercialcrops and animals become more inbred toproduce better yields they have a higher susceptibilityto disease and pest epidemics. In the 1970s ricepaddies across Asia were devastated by the grassystunt virus. Thousands of samples of rice werescreened for resistance to the disease by TheInternational Rice Research Institute. Only one hadthe necessary traits – an apparently innocuous wildspecies, collected and fortunately preserved in Indiain 1966. It bred well with the cultivated type of ricepopular at that time and the new variety is nowgrown extensively across Asia.Generally disease resistance through cross-breedinghas to take place in crops every five to fifteen yearsto combat the ever evolving enemy. This means agriculturalistsare always searching for new geneticstock. With many wild varieties disappearing fromtheir original ranges and the UN Food andAgriculture Organisation warning that 75 per centof the world’s crop varieties have become extinctsince the beginning of the century, it remains to beseen how long nature will be able to continue tocome up with the goods. Quite simply we rely on Mother Earth’sbounty to feed us, but her ability tosatisfy her hungry and demandingchildren is beginning to falter.15

Why choosing ethical is bestA look at the importance of buying ethically and why you really can makea difference everytime you take a trip to the shops.Many companies and their allies accuse the globaljustice movement of lacking a positive alternativevision. But by choosing a product from a companywhich acts in ways we believe to be ethical, we areproposing a model of how we believe the futurecould be. All manufacturing in the future could bepredominantly local, or not for profit, or just bycompanies putting social responsibility at the heartof their operations. Buying ethically encouragesinnovative products and companies while discouragingothers that ignore the social and environmentalconsequences of their actions. Each of us has thepower to develop new agendas in almost every market,and more and more of us are choosing to do so.The last decade of the twentieth century saw anexplosion of interest in the potential power of consumerschoosing to act ethically. In 2001, researchstated that up to two thirds of UK consumers intheir thirties and forties boycotted brands becauseof their unethical behaviour. And in 2003, the CooperativeBank’s Ethical Purchasing Index estimatedthe value of sales of ethically marketed goods andservices to be worth £6.9bn in 2002 – an increase of13 per cent from 2001.EffectivenessOne of the key reasons why more people are buyingethically is that it is increasingly easy to demonstratewhat an effective way it is to achieve social change.A recent survey by Ethical Consumer identified 37successful consumer boycotts supported by UKconsumers which had occurred between 1986 and2004. Of these, nine addressed animal welfareissues like animal testing, live animal transport andfur; ten addressed environmental issues like unsustainablelogging, whaling and pollution; and 14addressed human rights issues like corporate supportfor oppressive regimes.The flip side of boycotting – positive buying fromethical companies – is growing equally fast. Fairtrade and organic products and ethical investmentsare increasingly taking market share from their lessforward-looking counterparts. Some products, likefree range eggs, command 40 per cent of the marketor more. And campaigners are getting better atexplaining just how animals, farmers and the environmentare benefiting from these changes.Variety of choicesSome ethical product choices, like Fairtrade Markand organic-labelled food, are obvious. For otherproducts like televisions, clothing and petrol it maybe less so. Ethical Consumer magazine believes thatthat there is a more ethical choice in nearly everymarket and it specialises in researching difficult areasand discussing what the practical options for concernedconsumers are. Of course, in some cases thebest choice might be to avoid some types of productaltogether and seek other solutions. Many excellentexamples of this type are listed here in this guide.By Rob Harrison. Ethical Consumer magazine isavailable by subscription and costs £21 per year. Frombanks to baked beans, each issues looks in detail atfour product areas and rates the companies againstfifteen ethical issues. For more information call 0161226 2929 or visit www.ethicalconsumer.orgBuying ethically encourages innovativeproducts and companies whilediscouraging others that ignore the socialand environmental consequences of theiractions.21

Organics – what’s it all about?Phrases like genetic engineering, food labelling, and sustainableagriculture bombard us, but what does it all mean and what do we dowith this information? Here are some answers.First things first – what is organic food? Simply put,organic food is produced from safe, sustainablefarming systems which produce healthy crops andlivestock. Organic production does not damage theenvironment. Chiefly, it avoids the unnecessary useof harmful chemical fertilisers and pesticides on theland and instead focuses on developing the soil andgrowing a variety of crops. This means the farm landcan remain biologically balanced and sustainable.The law clearly defines the term organic and all productionand processing is held to a strict set of rules.Food that is intended for sale as organic must beinspected annually and by an authorised body suchas the Soil Association.So, why is this idea of organic so important? Themultitude of benefits to the earth, producers, andconsumers are hard to ignore. The rules of conventionalagriculture are thrown out the door and arenewed focus is placed on animal welfare, the environment,resources, and basic health. When food isnot organic, animals in massive farming systems areoften reared in cramped quarters without openspace. Often they lack exposure to light and fresh airand are fed a drug-rich diet to make them grow largerand more quickly. Organic farming does not followthese unnatural practices. Instead, animals haveaccess to open fields, are allowed to behave in naturalpatterns, and are provided with comfortablebedding. If livestock becomes sick, homeopathicand herbal remedies are often used. However, if ananimal with an acute illness is thought to be suffering,a conventional drug treatment would be availableand allowed.Organic production works wonders for our decliningenvironmental quality. Research has shown thatorganic farming can be more beneficial to the environmentthan conventional methods of agriculture.Because no pesticides are used, organic farmingdoesn’t kill natural soil organisms, insects and otherlarger species. Plants considered to be weeds by pesticidesare left untouched. The result is an increasein food sources available for other animals and themaintenance of habitats and biodiversity.By utilising organic methods of farming, the earth’sresources flourish instead of disappear. Organicfarmers can minimise their own health and pollutionproblems because they stay away from chemicals.Organic farming relies on a modern scientificunderstanding of ecology and soil science coupledwith traditional methods of crop rotation to ensurefertility and the control of weeds and pests.Perhaps one of the most striking impacts of organicfoods is on our health. It has been shown thatorganic foods have more vitamins and trace elementsthan conventionally grown foods, withoutthe harmful chemical residues. It is no secret that avast array of pesticides are used in conventionalagriculture production. While ‘acceptable levels’ arecalculated by the powers that be, surveys repeatedlyindicate higher residues in a proportion of foodsamples than government regulations permit. Theobvious question arises ‘what are the long termeffects on our bodies from this chemical use?’ Fornow, there is little knowledge of the effects of thesecompounds and their toxicity. With organic production,the food is contaminant-free, resulting in safe,nutritious and unadulterated food.So, as a consumer, how can you be certain that thefoods you buy are organic? Currently, law Organic production works wonders forour declining environmental quality...By utilising organic methods offarming, the earth’s resources flourishinstead of disappear23

The cost is more than just the priceNever before have we enjoyed such a rich variety of readily availablefresh produce from around the globe: some 25,000 food lines are availablein an average supermarket. But this choice comes at a hefty price.International food transport is a major source of thecarbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that fuel climatechange. Yet, as Women’s Environmental Networkhighlighted in its briefing, Sustainable Sustenance,nobody’s counting how much ‘food miles’ (the distancefood travels to get to the plate) actually contribute.Emissions from air and sea freight are notincluded in the greenhouse gas inventories of theUK or any other country (source: Transport 2000).The food chain is estimated to contribute aroundone quarter of the UK’s total emissions of CO2,mostly through transport from growers to processors,distributors, supermarkets and shops andfinally into our homes. Even food you’d think of aslocal may actually have been imported or travelledhundreds of miles within the UK. Carrots grow verywell in Britain yet many travel nearly 6,000 milesfrom South Africa, eating up 66 calories of fuel forone calorie of carrot. Sprouts grown in Kent may befreighted to Scotland for processing.Topsy-turvy world economics are largely to blame.Aviation fuel is artificially cheap because it isuntaxed; a litre of petrol cost 80p in November2000, a litre of aviation fuel cost 18p and the cost ofair freight falls by 3-4 per cent every year. Addcheaper labour costs in developing countries andthe power of big corporations to drive a hard bargainwith producers, it is not surprising that UKimports by air of fish and fruit and vegetablesincreased by 240 per cent and 90 per cent respectivelybetween 1980 and 1990. Air freight is particularlydamaging as it produces nine times more CO2than road freight and 50 times more than shipping.The current system just isn’t sustainable. So what is?WEN’s rough guide to the top five most ethical foddshopping methods is:1. Organic, local and seasonal – least environmentalimpact overall.2. Local produce – best for reducing CO23. Fair trade and organic together4. Organic5. Fair trade.Obviously, for produce that can’t be grown here,choose fair trade as that guarantees a fair price andbetter working conditions for the producer andhelps boost the economy of developing countries.But the environmental impact of air freighting greenbeans – even organic green beans – from Kenya, forinstance, cancels out the questionable benefits ofencouraging poorer countries to grow food for westernconsumption.Even if it’s not organic, local food is less likely tohave had chemicals added to preserve it duringtransport and storage. Meals prepared at home fromraw ingredients will have eaten far fewer food milesand used far less packaging than identical processedfood and ready meals.The best way to reduce your own food miles is togrow your own – even if you don’t have a garden;WEN supports a network of groups cultivatinginner city spaces.By Liz Sutton of the Women’s Environmental Network.All information in this article is taken fromSustainable Sustenance: food transport and theenvironment, published by WEN, 2004. Download itfree from www.wen.org.uk or send 50p for a printedcopy to WEN, PO Box 30626, London E1 1TZ. Detailsof WEN’s other campaigns and how to support thecharity are also available there.The environmental impact of air freightinggreen beans – even organic green beans– cancels out the questionable benefits ofencouraging poorer countries to growfood for western consumption27

Food & Drink37

Contents – Food & DrinkHOME DELIVERY& MAIL ORDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Local Delivery & Box Schemes . . . . .11National Delivery & Mail Order . . . . .11Speciality Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Meat, Poultry, Fish & Eggs . . . . . . . .11Organic Alcohol & Soft Drinks . . . . . .11SHOPPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Wholefood & Organic Shops . . . . . . .12Meat, Poultry, Fish & Eggs . . . . . . . .13Bakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Farm Shops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Farmers’ Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Supermarkets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18FARMERS, GROWERS &CO-OPERATIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11MEAT PROCESSORS& PACKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11WHOLESALERS, DISTRIBUTORS& IMPORTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11BRANDS & MANUFACTURERS . .11General Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Alcohol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Animal Food & Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Bread, Cakes & Baked Goods . . . . . .15Cereals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Chocolate & Confectionary . . . . . . . .17Convenience Foods & Snacks . . . . . .18Dairy Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Deserts & Puddings . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Dried & Tinned Goods . . . . . . . . . . .21Flours & Home Baking . . . . . . . . . . .22Fruit & Vegetables . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Hemp Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Herbs, Spices, Stocks & Oils . . . . . . .25Ice-Cream & Sorbets . . . . . . . . . . . .26Jams, Spreads & Preserves . . . . . . .27Meat, Fish & Eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Pasta, Rice & Sauces . . . . . . . . . . . .29Processed Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Raw Foods & Sprouts . . . . . . . . . . . .31Ready Meals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Soft Drinks & Fruit Juices . . . . . . . . .33Soups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Soya Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Special Diets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Sugars & Sweetners . . . . . . . . . . . .39Table Sauces & Condiments . . . . . . .40Tea, Coffee & Beverages . . . . . . . . .41Vegetarian & Vegan Foods . . . . . . . .42Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS . . . . . . .11Organic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Vegetarian & Vegan . . . . . . . . . . . . .13CATERING SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . .11COOKERY COURSES . . . . . . . . . . . .11ADVICE & ORGANISATIONS . . . . .11Organic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Permaculture & Biodynamic . . . . . . .11Genetics & Anti-Gmos . . . . . . . . . . .11Fair Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Vegetarian & Vegan . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Raw Food & Macrobiotics . . . . . . . . .11Pesticides & Additives . . . . . . . . . . .11Food Campaigns & Information . . . . .11Farmers, Farming & Consultancy . . .11Trade & Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Food Labelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Special Diets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1138

New horizons for food and farmingFood is a great way to introduce sustainability into everyone’s lives.In terms of social, environmental and economicbenefits there is much that can be done to improvethe UK and indeed world food supply so that it canbecome more sustainable. Sustain: The alliance forbetter food and farming, advocates food and agriculturepolicies and practices that enhance thehealth and welfare of people and animals, improvethe working and living environment, enrich societyand culture and promote equity. We represent over100 national public interest organisations workingat international, national, regional and local level.As an alliance, we work in collaboration with ourmembership to exchange information, and helppromote their activities to the media and to policymakers. We also work to devise and implementpolicies on particular issues of common concernand we publish reports and arrange events to promotethe knowledge and skills needed to enjoy andappreciate good food as vital to personal, family andsocial life.Key issues we are working on at the momentinclude: Food procurement by public bodies like schoolsand hospitals to ensure healthier, more sustainableand local food is served in canteens oftencatering for the most vulnerable groups like childrenand the sick Food Marketing and Labelling – we are coordinatingthe campaign for the Children’s Food Bill(see www.childrensfoodbill.org.uk) which willresult in control of advertising of junk food tochildren, and better food in schools for instance The Food Poverty Project to ensure those on lowincome can access a good dietfavour sustainable food and farming and maketrade rules fair Promoting an increase in UK organic agricultureworking on the Governments Organic ActionPlan for instance.We continually press governments and other regulatoryagencies to ensure that legislation and policieson food and agriculture are publicly accountableand socially and environmentally responsible.Another target for our work is the food industry, toencourage them to produce, process and marketfoods which are good for health and the environment,and to devise, invest in and maintain policiesand practices that make sustainable food choices theeasy choice. We have an extensive range of publicationscovering our current and past areas of work.The alliance is independent from the agri-foodindustry and is funded from grants from charitabletrusts and foundations and occasional governmentrelatedsources, membership subscriptions and salesof publications. No funding is accepted from anysource which would compromise, or appear to compromise,the alliance’s principlesBy Vicki Hird. Whilst membership to Sustain is onlyopen to national (public interest, non-profit) organisations,members of the public can get involved in specificcampaigns like the children’s food Bill. They can alsosubscribe to Sustain projects or newsletters, receivedetails of our publications (some are downloadable); andwork locally to promote the ideas we present. Have alook at the web site for details of all the current workareas, for lots of other links and our publications onwww.sustainweb.org. Fruit and vegetable consumption via the Grab5!Programme of work in schools Reform of Common Agricultural Policy whichsubsidises EU farming, and world trade rules to39

Permaculture – design forsustainable livingIn a fast-changing world, the challenge of making sense of what’sgoing on seems difficult. Permaculture is an approach that has beendeveloping since the 1970s and aims to help answer the question, ‘butwhat can I do?Permaculture is a system of applied design thatseeks to create and nurture sustainable lifestyles,communities and landscapes. It is a diverse set ofpractices, drawn from lessons from nature, andlinked by the ethics of: care of the Earth; care ofpeople; sharing resources to help others achievetheir needs; and reducing consumption to levelsthat the Earth can sustainPermaculture started off by looking at how to makeagriculture sustainable through designing for permanenceand stability. It was soon realized that todo this properly we also needed to ensure that oursettlements are sustainable as well. So quite quickly,permaculture blossomed into a holistic designapproach for creating sustainable systems that meethuman needs on the least land area possible. Theglobal vision of permaculture is a world where allspecies coexist peacefully. To do this we need tomeet our own needs without reducing the ability ofother species to meet theirs, so being highly productivewith a smaller amount of land is crucial ifwe are to stem the tide of habitat destruction that ishappening all around the world.In learning about permaculture and applying it toour lives, many people are now demonstrating howsustainable lifestyles are much, much more thanfads and fashions but part of a sea-change towards amore viable and healthy future. They are also showinghow simple-to-learn design skills can help inmaking choices about what can and might be done.Permaculture thinking affects how and where youshop, as well as what variety of plum to plant.Practical applications of permaculture range fromcreating productive backyards and green households,to transforming derelict inner-city sites intourban oases, to creating eco-farms and working withtruanting kids in woodlands. It is being applied allaround the world and has shown how schools indeveloping countries can be improved throughrethinking how to make use of existing resources,how land wrecked by irrigation can be reclaimedand made productive, and how indigenous peoplescan take the best of modern technology and reclaimcontrol of their future. A project in the Jordan evendemonstrates how we can re-green the middle-east,and create real peace and prosperity in what was the‘cradle of civilization’.Many of the projects challenge the way things arecurrently organised and provide practical evidencethat another way is possible. We can live sustainably,and permaculture offers an opportunity for each usto make it happen. By applying the principles ofnature we can re-design our localities to meet ourneeds, and change the way we think, so that weneed less anyway. This can be a lot of fun, and createnew opportunities for neighbourhoods tobecome friendlier and more beautiful places to live.The Permaculture Association is the national charitythat supports people and projects through training,networking and research. Through our growingnetworks, we share skills and design sustainablesolutions for the communities in which we live. Wecan help you find courses, books and local contacts.By Andy Goldring. For more information about permaculture,or the work of the Permaculture Associationvisit www.permaculture.org.uk, call on 0845 458 1805or write to BCM Permaculture Association, London,WC1N 3XX.42

CASE STUDY: OMSCoCo-operation can be more nutritiousThe Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative(OMSCo) is the UK’s largest organic milk coop,producing fresh organic milk which can bebought from suppliers such as Sainsbury’s,organic cheese such as the award-winningCropwell Bishop stilton and organic yogurtsuch as those made by Yeo Valley Organic.New evidence is being found that organic milk ismore nutritious than non-organic milk. Accordingto research published in the Journal of DairyScience, organic milk is naturally higher in omega3 essential fatty acids than non-organic milkbecause organic cows are often fed higher levels ofnatural red clover than non-organic cows.This is great news as most people in the UK aredeficient in Omega 3 fatty acids, which areessential for maintaining a healthy heart, suppleand flexible joints, healthy growth and strongbones and teeth.British organic milk is different to non-organicmilk. It comes from cows that – unlikeconventional cows – are not given routineantibiotics and have not grazed on pasturestreated with artificial pesticides.By Nicole Bowman. Visit the www.omsco.co.uk, tofind out everything you would ever want to knowabout organic milk and probably more! The livelysite contains information about how organic milk isproduced, where to buy it, delicious recipes, holidayson organic farms, exciting competitions and muchmore.CASE STUDY: PAN UKCutting out pesticidesEvery day toxic chemical pesticides are leavingresidues in our environment and our food.They can cause ill health, even death, anddestroy biodiversity. PAN UK is currently theonly organisation in Britain working solely toraise awareness of these problems. We are anindependent charity dedicated to reducingpesticide use and encouraging soundalternatives.At least 20,000 people in developing countries dieeach year and a further three million suffer illhealth from pesticide poisoning. PAN UK worksto stop international trade in hazardous pesticidesand to clean up stockpiles of old pesticides fromdeveloping countries. We also encourage clothingretailers in Europe to buy from small-scaleorganic cotton farmers in Africa supporting saferfarming practices. In the UK and Europe weencourage governments and industry to changepolicies and practices. Our journal is widely readby farmers, organic advisors, government,industry, researchers and environmentalcampaigners. We provide information forhouseholders, consumers, schools, communitygroups, and gardeners.At home you can grow pesticide-free vegetableswith a little help from our gardening tips e-mailedfree each month, deal with household pests safelyusing advice available free on our web site, andfind out how to get rid of any unwanted home orgarden pesticides at www.pesticidedisposal.org.For schools, buy our secondary school teachingvideo The Pesticide Trail, an excellent resource forscience, geography, citizenship or environmentalscience teachers. Contact us if you haveexperienced ill health as a result of pesticideexposure. And use our organic cotton guide findout where to buy organic cotton products.By Roslyn McKendry. To become a supporter and toreceive the newsletter, contact PAN UK on 020 70650905, admin@pan-uk.org or www.pan-uk.org41

CASE STUDY: Luscombe Organic DrinksReclaiming local diversityLuscombe Organic Drinks is a Devon-based,family-owned business making fruit juices, traditionalsoft drinks and cider. The businesswas established in 1975 and for the last sevenyears has been certified organic. The drinksare made in small batches on the farm withparticular attention paid to outstanding tasteand quality.The company is based in the South West, a part ofthe country which used to be rich in traditionalapple orchards. However, over the years theseorchards have fallen into disuse, typically for economicreasons. Luscombe Organic has puttogether a project to redress the situation andregenerate these local orchards. By forming agrower’s group they have reduced the cost oforganic certification and will guarantee a marketfor the harvest, which, being organic, commandsa higher price. This makes it viable to maintaineven the smallest of these ancient orchards.The benefits are improved maintenance of thecountryside and the survival of some of the weirdand wonderful apple varieties such as Sops inWine, Tale Sweet, Pig’s Snout, Quench, Slack maGirdle and Tom Putt. The use of local producecontributes to reducing food miles while anorganic habitat is created for wild species.Luscombe Farm maintains its own orchards inthis way and has commissioned expert monitoringof the diversity of insect, fungal and lichenspecies that are beginning to thrive.By John Severm. For more information on the grower’sgroup or Luscombe Organic Drinks, contact Johnon 01364 643 036 or john@luscombe.co.uk. Visitthe web site at www.luscombe.co.ukIMPACT: Shopping for foodHow you shop can change how food is produced Reduce your food miles – walk or cycle toshops and select local and regional foods – anduse less packaging by buying loose produce. Reduce pesticide pollution by supportingorganic farmers and try to buy foods in season. Encourage and enjoy biodiversity. Check outthe different varieties of fresh fruit and vegetablesthat are available in your local stores andbuy direct from farms, farm shops, farmers’markets and vegetable box schemes. Think globally. Buy produce with the FairtradeMark – it ensures the farmers and workers geta fair deal. Support welfare-friendly farming. Purchasefree-range dairy, eggs and meat produce and, ifyou can’t find any, ask your store to stock some. Make no food miles by growing your own food– in window boxes, allotments or gardens.A few reasons to eat organic1. It’s healthier – on average, organic food containshigher levels of vitamin C and essential mineralsas well as cancer-fighting antioxidants.2. It contains no additives – amongst the additivesbanned are hydrogenated fat, aspartame andmonosodium glutamate.3. It avoids pesticides and GM – over 400 chemicalpesticides are routinely used in conventionalfarming and GM crops and ingredients are notallowed under organic standards.4. Fewer drugs are used – there is concern aboutthe high use of antibiotics on farm animals andthe possible effects on human health.5. Higher standards – all organic farms and foodcompanies are inspected at least once a year.6. It’s better for farm animals, wildlife and theenvironment – and it also causes less pollution.44

Food & DrinkHOME DELIVERY& MAIL ORDERThis section contains businesses whosemain area of activity is delivering foodand drink; grouped firstly with thoseoffering a mainly local service for theSouth West and then with those offering anationwide service. Many of these growand manufacture the produce themselvesand are often willing to discuss theirmethods and the provenance ofingredients. A gentle plea, though, toreaders: many of the businesses listed aresmall concerns without vast resources soplease do not expect the same level ofcustomer support that you might get witha large, multiple outlet organisation. So,for example, be prepared to be flexiblewith delivery times. However, the truth isthat, despite limited resources and time,most local producers will deliver a muchbetter, friendlier and knowledgableservice – as well as a generally widerrange – and thereby enhance your eatingand shopping experience. Above all, don’tbe afraid to ask questions. You will beamazed by the depth of experience andknowledge about food that resides in ourcountryside and farmers.Do check carefully with suppliers ondelivery times to make sure you able toreceive the goods – especially with meatand fresh produce. You will also findthat many shops and farm shops(starting on page 47) offer a localdelivery and mail order service, withsome providing on-line shopping sites.Additionally some wholesalers (page 67)and manufacturers (page 71) have onlineshopping facilities and will supplydirect to the public.Local Delivery &Box SchemesGofarmerGrassgarth Farm, Ings LA8 9QGT: 01539 822 625E: admin@gofarmer.comW: www.gofarmer.comPuts the farmer and consumer in directcontact. Find home delivery schemes,vegetable box schemes, order meat producedirectly from the farm, and search fororganic items and rural crafts and more.BristolArcadia OrganicsClover Nursery, Stream Cross,Lower Claverham, Bristol BS49 4QAT: 01934 838 634E: rosey@arcadiaorganics.comVegetable box delivery scheme. SoilAssociation-registered.Barley Wood Walled GardenLong Lane, Wrington, BristolT: 0117 935 1725E: admin@betterfood.co.ukW: www.walledgarden.co.ukRenovated Victorian kitchen garden,growing certified organic fruit andvegetables for the Better Food Company’sorganic store in Bristol. Also sells boxesdirect from the Garden and is open daily forvisitors with an on-site café and craftworkshops.Leigh Court FarmAbbots Leigh, Bristol BS8 3RAT: 01275 375 756E: mail@leighcourtfarm.org.ukW: www.leighcourtfarm.org.ukOffers a local fresh organic fruit andvegetable box scheme for Bristol, with £8 or£16 for vegetable boxes and the option of an£8 fruit bag. Has citywide collection points.Is a not-for-profit organisation.Channel IslandsFarm Fresh OrganicsLa Bienvenue Farm, La Grande Route de StLaurent, St Lawrence, Jersey, Channel IslandsJE3 1GZT: 01534 861 773Island-wide home delivery of boxscheme of farm-grown organic vegetablesand imported fruit. Also supplies produceto supermarkets and offers sales from thefarm gate.Guernsey Organic GrowersLa Marcherie, Ruette Rabey, St Martin’s,Guernsey, Channel Islands GY4 6DUT: 01481 237 547E: guernseyorganics@cwgsy.netW: www.cwgsy.net/business/guernseyorganicsSoil Association-registered growers offruit and vegetables with local deliveryvia a box scheme.CornwallCusgarne OrganicsCusgarne Wollas, Cusgarne, Near Truro,Cornwall TR4 8RLT: 01872 865 922E: organicbox@btconnect.comO: by appointment onlyA farm of 104 acres, all organic, with asuckler herd, and an organic laying flock of500 birds. Grows a large range of organicvegetables, some of which are very rare.Protected crops are grown in eightpolytunnels. Much of the produce is soldthrough a box scheme that delivers direct tohomes in central Cornwall.Growing GreenTrenowin Farm, Trenowin Lane, Connor Downs,Hayle, Cornwall TR27 5JGT: 01736 757 149Local delivery of vegetable boxes.Keveral Farmers LtdKeveral Farm, St Martin-By-Looe,Cornwall PL13 1PAT: 01503 250 135E: info@keveral.orgW: www.keveral.orgSoil Association-registered farm run by aworkers co-op dedicated to sustainableagriculture, education and diversity. Alsooffers permaculture courses and ecoeducationand an organic box scheme.Nice OrganicsThe Old Dairy, Sancreed, Penzance,Cornwall TR20 8QPT: 01736 810 033E: box@niceorganics.co.ukW: www.niceorganics.co.ukSoil Association-registered box scheme deliveringlocal organic fruit, vegetables, herbs,dairy products, eggs, juices and wines throughoutWest Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.Tree of Life OrganicsScala Nij, Mithian, St Agnes, Truro,Cornwall TR5 0QET: 01872 552 661E: treeoflife@eurobell.co.ukLocal fruit, vegetables and eggs delivered in10-mile radius.Truro Organic Producers6 Riverside View, Malpas Road,Truro, Cornwall TR1T: 01872 262 015Organic producer group offering a vegetablebox scheme with eggs, pork and beef. Alsooffers holiday cottages.DevonCeridwen HerbsCeridwen, Old Rectory Lane, Plyworthy,Devon EX22 6SWT: 01409 254 450E: cft-dlee@supanet.comSupplies organic fruit, vegetables, herbsand eggs to local box scheme andfarmers’ markets.Dartmoor Direct Co-OperativeMitchelcombe Farm, Holne, Devon TQ13 7SPT: 01364 631 528Promotes the link between diet and health,and works for people to accept personalresponsibility for their health and wellbeing.Sells locally produced, chemical-freefood and drink through a home deliveryservice. Produces a newsletter and providesa speaker service to local organisations.Golland FarmBurrington, Umberleigh, Devon EX37T: 01769 520 263E: golland@btinternet.comW: www.golland.btinternet.co.ukGrows organic vegetables and raisesorganic beef, lamb, pork and chickenfor local delivery. Also runs residentialcourses in woodworking, basketHOME DELIVERY & MAIL ORDER47

Clothing, Cosmetics& Toiletries105

Contents – Clothing, Cosmetics &ToiletriesCLOTHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Natural, Organic & Fair Trade . . . . . .11Recycled Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Charity & Secondhand . . . . . . . . . . .11Footwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Jewellery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Tatoos, Body Paint & Piercing . . . . . .11Advice & Organisations . . . . . . . . . .11COSMETICS & TOILETRIES . . . . .11Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Mail Order & Manufacturers . . . . . . .11Perfumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Sanitary Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Hairdressing & Products . . . . . . . . . .11Advice & Organisations . . . . . . . . . .11Clothes, Textile & Shoe Recycling . . .18106

Get lippy about cosmeticsanimal testing!After 20 years of campaigning, the EU has agreed to ban cosmeticsanimal testing. But beware – it will be years more before the bantakes effect.Animal tested beauty products will remain on ourshop shelves for some years to come and ethicalconsumers still need to be vigilant about the productsthey buy. The shocking cruelty of animal testingfor cosmetics first came to the public’s attentionback in 1973 with the launch of a hard-hitting campaignby leading anti-vivisection campaigners theBritish Union for the Abolition of Vivisection(BUAV). The spotlight fell on the ugly face of thebeauty industry and the public reaction wasimmense and immediate. Disturbed by images oflaboratory rabbits with swollen eyes and guinea pigswith raw and bleeding skin, the BUAV’s campaigncreated a whole new generation of ethical consumersdetermined to boycott animal tested productsand demand for the practice to be outlawed.Shamefully, it took the British Government anothertwenty-six years before it finally listened and endedcosmetics testing on animals in the UK for good.Now, following a thirteen-year struggle by the BUAV,the EU has finally agreed to ban animal testing forcosmetics. However, the testing ban won’t takeeffect until 2009 and thanks largely to aggressiveindustry delaying tactics, an EU ban on the sale ofnew animal tested cosmetics will be held back until2013 at the earliest. An astonishing 35-40,000 laboratoryanimals still die every year in European cosmeticstests, and many more thousands die in countriessuch as the USA and Japan where the majorityof the world’s cosmetics giants conduct their testing.If successfully implemented, a sales ban will be crucialin the future, as it will send a clear message toall companies around the world that if they want tosell within the EU market, they’ll have to abandonanimal testing.But we’re not there yet and today all sorts of cosmeticsand toiletries are still tested on animals suchas perfumes, shampoos, toothpastes, hair dyes, skincreams, make-up or deodorants. The most commontests are eye irritancy, skin irritancy and oral toxicity.During eye tests, substances are dripped into theeyes of conscious rabbits who are usually immobilisedin stocks, and the resultant damage to theeye such as swelling, reddening and blindness arescored according to severity. Skin tests measure skindamage such as cracking, bleeding or ulcerationwhen a substance is applied to the shaved andabraded back of a rabbit, guinea pig or hamster.During oral or inhalation toxicity, the animals aredosed, once or repeatedly, with a substance eitherby force-feeding (through a tube directly into thestomach) or forced-inhalation, so that the resultanttoxicity (poisoning) effects such as nasal bleeding,convulsions or breathing difficulties can be noted.Animal testing isn’t just cruel, it’s also unnecessary.Animal tests for cosmetics are not required by lawand there is a range of non-animal testing methodsavailable such as cell toxicology, test tube (in vitro)techniques and sophisticated computer and mathematicalmodelling which can be cheaper, faster andmore accurate. There are also between 8-10,000cosmetics ingredients that have already been establishedas safe for human use, countless combinationsof which can be used by any cosmetic companywanting to end animal testing immediately.The long deadlines before the EU legislation comesinto play means that, although there is much Animal testing isn’t just cruel, it’s alsounnecessary. Animal tests for cosmeticsare not required by law107

CASE STUDY: AgrocelCotton fairly produced and organicGossypium, an organic and fair trade clothingbrand based in Lewes, has established apartnership with Agrocel, an Indian servicecentre working directly with farmers, and inso doing created a new and unbreakable linkof understanding and trust betweenagriculture and textiles.Agrocel developed use their unique structure tosupport cotton farmers firstly by implementationof a programme known as ICM (integrated cropmanagement). ICM helps the farmer see his farmin a holistic way and teaches him the tool ofrecord keeping or ‘farmers accounting’ whichmeans he can be transparent and prove, forexample, that he has not used GM seeds. As thereis a drop in yield with organic farming, ICMensures the farmer converts progressively over 3-5 years and minimises his drop in income whileso doing. Some of the farmers then go on to theorganic programme where they are provided withfree on-farm technical guidance by Agrocel as wellas full computerised record keeping which is usedfor international certification.Together Gossypium and Agrocel created aseparate fibre brand-named Agrocel Pure & Faircotton to increase visibility in the market and toenable Agrocel to sell their cotton to anyprocessors or brands and to avoid anydependency on GossypiumAgrocels local cotton bank ensures traceability ofeach bale back to the farm and encouragesgrading by quality and fair prices based on quality– not international market prices. Agrocel cottonis some of the first to be traded by a communitybroker outside commodity marketsGossypium.co.uk, Abinger Place, Lewes BN7 2QA.T: 01273 488 721. Order line: 0800 085 65 49. W:www.gossypium.co.ukIMPACT: natural and cruelty-freeCare for the planet through your appearanceClothing Demand and buy well-made, quality clothesthat last. Ask for clothing which uses recycled fibres andunbleached and organic cotton. Use natural, animal-friendly products andoppose the fur trade. Avoid chemical dry cleaning. Keep washing and the use of dryers to a minimumto save energy and money. Choose alower temperature or economy cycle on yourmachine. Iron only when necessary. Dry clothes outside instead of using fabric softeners.Use alternatives to bleach such as boilingwhite cotton, using lemon juice or dryingclothes in sunlight. Mend and make your own clothes. Recycle clothes. Charities such as Oxfam andScope run textile banks for unwanted clothing.Even damaged or unwearable clothing can beconverted into items such as cleaning cloths.Cosmetics Use you consumer power to buy make-upproducts which are as simply formulated andecologically sound as possible. Beware of the pressures of glossy adverts andexploitative media images. Avoid excessively packaged goods and write tomanufacturers to complain if goods are overpackaged. Write to BUAV for a list of companies whichproduce cosmetics without cruelty to animals. Support companies with recycling policies forpackaging.112

Clothing, cosmetics & toiletriesCLOTHINGThere are more stores selling clothes aspart of a wider product range in thesection on Eco Home Stores in Chpter 3.Natural, Organic & Fair TradeAgrocelAbinger Place, Lewes BN7 2QAT: 01273 488 211E: louise@gossypium.co.ukW: www.agrocel-cotton.comTo meet the demand for a reliable organicand fair trade cotton fibre, AgrocelIndustries Limited, in conjunction withVericott Ltd and Traidcraft Exchange, havedefined and branded a cotton fibre: AgrocelPure and Fair Indian Organic Cotton. Thisfibre has been made into a number ofpromotion products and T-shirts that areavailable for own prints for promotionalcampaigns as well as companies wantingtheir own label to be sold on organic cottonand fairly-traded T-shirts.American Apparel3-4 Carnaby Street, London W1F 9DWT: 020 7734 4477E: carnaby@americanapparel.netW: www.americanapparel.netAmerican T-shirt manufacturer based in LosAngeles. Aiming to ‘convert 80 per cent ofall cotton used in its garments to organic orsimilar sources within the next four years’.Current range includes a Sustainable T rangeof six items made from organic cotton.Available from Carnaby Street shop inLondon.Ardalanish Farm & Weaving MillArdalanish Organic Farm, Bunessan,Isle of Mull PA67 6DRT: 01681 700 265E: info@ardalanishfarm.co.ukW: www.ardalanishfarm.co.uk;www.isleofmullweavers.co.ukFarm and weaving mill on the Isle of Mull.Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep rearedfor meat, wool and hides. Farming practiceis underlined by the primary importance ofunderstanding the land and its needs – plusallowing ecological relationships to developwith animals already co-evolved with theenvironment. Beef and mutton is sold fromthe farm or by mail order. Tweed, throws,scarves woven from their own wool andsheepskins available or by mail order.Asquith LtdPO Box 31585, London, London W11 1ZRT: 020 7792 8909E: mail@asquith.ltd.ukW: www.asquith.ltd.ukNatural, elegant clothes designed for yoga,pilates and living in. Bootlegs in three leglengths, camisole with support bra, 3/4length trousers and tracksuits. Call for amail order brochure.Aura Herbalwear64 The Highway, Stanmore HA7 3PNT: 07769 651 207E: herbalwearuk@yahoo.co.ukW: www.auraherbalwear.comManufacturing and wholesale of 100 percent organic clothing. The garments aredyed using colours extracted from flowers,stems, roots and various medicinally richherbs, using Skal-certified cotton andbleached with natural sunlight. A variety ofgarments and accessories are available forchildren and adults ranging from shirts,blouses, T-shirts and trousers to kurtis andscarves. Also offers yarn dyeing, fabricdyeing and block printing on all organicfibres to suit your requirements.Bishopston Trading Company8a High Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9DUT: 01458 835 38633 Silver Street, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1JXT: 01225 867 48533 High Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 1AJT: 0145 376 635579 High Street, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5PBT: 0180 386 8488193 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8BGT: 0117 924 5598E: bishopstontrading@blueyonder.co.ukW: www.bishopstontrading.co.ukO: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pmA workers’ co-operative set up in 1985 tocreate employment in the South Indianvillage of K V Kuppam which has beenlinked to Bishopton since 1978. Sellsorganic cotton and fair trade clothing foradults and children made exclusively totheir design from cotton and silk by a teamof 430 tailors, weavers, embroiderers, batikworkers and hand finishers. Sold in fiveWest Country shops and by mail order (callon 0117 924 5598 for mail order details).Cavipuk Ltd2 Sheraton Street, Soho, London W1F 8BHT: 0870 366 6145E: cavipuk@cavipuk.co.ukW: www.cavipuk.co.ukOrganic clothing range with T-shirts, poloshirts, sweatshirts and fashionable sportsand casual clothing.Chandni Chowk102 Boutport Street, Barnstaple EX31 1SYT: 01271 374 7141 Harlequins, Paul Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 3TTT: 01392 410 20114a The Bridge, Riverside Place, Taunton,Somerset TA1 1UGT: 01823 327 3776 New Bond Street Place, Bath, Somerset BA1 1BHT: 01225 484 70066 Park Street, Bristol BS1 5JNT: 0117 930 0059E: chandni@bigfoot.comW: www.chandnichowk.co.ukO: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pmIndian-inspired shop recognised by BAFTSas a fair trade outlet selling a range of homefurnishing items, rugs, clothes and jewellery.CielT: 01273 720 042E: ciel.ltd@btopenworld.comW: www.ciel.ltd.co.ukFunky clothes for fashionable andaware people.Dress Organic584c Finchley Road, London NW11 7RXT: 020 7458 0507E: organic@blueyonder.co.ukW: www.dressorganic.co.nrOrganic designer label – bespoke serviceoffered. See the web site for imagesand designs.Eco ClothworksPO Box 3233, Bradford on Avon BA15 2WBT: 01225 309 218E: clothworks.info@virgin.net;info@clothworks.co.ukW: www.clothworks.co.ukClothworks ‘Organic Essentials’ for womeninludes a small range for babies. Featuringorganic cotton tops, nightwear, cardigansand hemp socks, simple garments with adesign edge, available through mail order.More unusual clothes are to be found in the‘Unique range’, a designer collection usinghemp, silk and organic cotton. Details ofstockists available on-line. All clothes madein the UK.Eco-T Ltd15a Princes Avenue, Acton Town, London W3 8LXT: 020 8630 9001E: dru@thtc.co.ukW: www.thtc.co.ukBuilding on the success of the HempTrading Company, Eco-T is a new companyfrom the same people now offeringunbranded clothing for your ownrequirements. Blank T-shirts, hoodies,sweatshirts and other core merchandise isavailable, as well as a bespokemanufacturing service. Over 100 fabricsavailable and all options considered.EnamoreUnit 9, 5 Arundel Road, Brighton,East Sussex BN2 5TET: 07833 326 147E: info@enamore.co.ukW: www.enamore.co.ukA creative, hemp-based clothing labellaunched in 2004 with the philosophy todesign beautiful contemporary clothing froma wide variety of hemp-based fabrics andrecycled materials, utilising both woven andknit hemp fabrics which include mixes withsilk, cotton and wool. The collections can beviewed on the web site. Sells both wholesaleand retail direct from the studio.Eribé Knitwear DesignBylands, 2 Manse Street, Galashiels TD1 1NET: 01896 755 540E: enquiries@eribe.co.ukW: www.eribe.co.ukScottish knitwear firm producing anecologically friendly range of undyedCLOTHING115

knitwear made using 100 per cent realShetland wool. Spun and knitted in Shetland.Ford BartonStoodleigh, Tiverton, Devon EX16 9PPT: 01398 351 139E: sales@fordbarton.co.ukW: www.fordbarton.co.ukSells naturally dyed organic wool from theirown herd. Also has a range of knitted andwoven clothes and household goods.Funky GandhiUnit 7 Weybridge Business Centre,66 York Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9DYT: 01932 831 248E: info@funkygandhi.comW: www.funkygandhi.comOffers a range of fairly traded, 100 per centorganic cotton T-shirts, with designs byofficial FunkyIllustrators who express socialand environmental messages of local orglobal concern. CO2 Emissions are off-setwith climatecare.org. Also supplies FTO(Fairly Traded Organic) apparel to ethicallymindedorganisations.GaneshaGabriel’s Wharf, 56 Upper Ground,London SE1 9PPT: 020 7928 5782E: shop@ganesha.co.ukW: www.ganesha.co.ukLondon’s most stylish fair trade shop hasexpanded into clothing. New lines includesharp, tailored shirts in handloom cottons,perfect for work and play, jeans-cut linentrousers, knee length split skirts, as well assome very Asian cuts: mini silk tunics, andsari ribbon tops. The emphasis is on style,with an Indian twist. Some organics, too.Also has a fabulous range of accessories; allfairly produced in India and Bangladesh.Members of the British Association for FairTrade Shops, and most products are sourcedthrough IFAT (International Federation forAlternative Trade). You can also shop on-line.Garthenor Organic Pure WoolLlanio Road, Tregaron, Ceredigion SY25 6URT: 01570 493 347E: garthenor@organicpurewool.co.ukW: www.organicpurewool.co.ukSoil Association-registered farm producingeggs, lamb and wool. Specialist producer oforganic fleeces and yarns, in natural colours,undyed and unbleached. Will also spinyarns to order. Sells hand-knitted clothesand babywear, hand-woven rugs andcushions, from stock or made to order. Buydirect from the farm, via mail order fornationwide delivery and or at local markets.Gossypium.co.ukAbinger Place, Lewes BN7 2QAT: 01273 488 221E: info@gossypium.co.ukW: www.gossypium.co.ukO: Mon-Sat 9am-5pmAn organic and fairly traded cotton brand.Products include casual wear, baby andchildrens’ wear and a yoga collection.Available by mail order, on-line, from theirshop in Lewes and soon to be stocked atselected stores nationwide.Greenfibres Eco Goods & Garments99 High Street, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5PFT: 01803 868 001E: mail@greenfibres.comW: www.greenfibres.comO: Mon-Fri 10am-5pmSells certified organic and natural clothesand bedding for adults and children.Materials used include organic cotton,organic linen, organic wool, and naturalhemp and silk. Products range fromDemeter-certified organic wool babyblankets to organic cotton bras, an organiclinen suit for men, and organic cottonbedding made in Devon. A line ofmattresses for adults and children aremade from materials such as organicwool, organic cotton, coconut fibres,natural latex, horsehair and organic linen.Call for a free 72-page colour brochure, ordrop into the store in Totnes, Devon. Aimsis to offer options that support a healthyand organic lifestyle.Hemp Shop, The22 Gardner Street, North Laine, Brighton,East Sussex BN1 1UPT: 01273 818 047E: shop@thehempshop.netW: www.thehempshop.netO: Mon-Fri 9am-6pmBrighton-based store selling a wide range ofhemp products from food and body careproducts to clothing and paper. On-linestore and mail order available. Visit the shopor see on-line for more detail.Hemp Trading Company Ltd, The15a Princes Avenue, Acton Town, London W3 8LXT: 020 8630 9001E: gav@thtc.co.ukW: www.thtc.co.ukAn eco-clothing company specialising ingarments containing organic cotton andhemp. Urban and street-oriented design.Screen-prints T-shirts with hard hittingslogans (‘Fuck Synthetics’ has proven to beone of the most popular prints). Hoodedtops and beanies also available.HowiesParc House, Parc Teifi, Cardigan SA43 1EWT: 01239 615 988E: general@howies.co.ukW: www.howies.co.ukAn active sports clothing company that useslow impact ways to make its clothing. Its T-shirts are made from organic cotton, itwashes its jeans with eco balls and itsmerino-base layers have won many awardsfrom various magazines. The aim of thebusiness is to make people think about theworld we live in. Its catalogue is verydifferent. Recycled cotton jumpers havebeen added to the range and organic denimjeans will be available from early 2005.HUGUnit S14, Shakespeare Business Centre,245A Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8RRT: 0845 130 1525E: info@hug.co.ukW: www.hug.co.ukProduces high quality, fun organic cottontops for men, women, children, and babies.The tops are made using high techenvironmentally sensitive dyes and fairlytraded, and come in unique gift packaging –a HUG in a box.Katharine Hamnett London Ltd67 Highbury Hill, London N5 1SXT: 020 7354 2111E: hazel@katharinehamnett.comW: www.katharinehamnett.comProduces a range of organic cotton clothingand sustainably produced accessories.Campaigns for fair trade and sustainableproduction within the fashion industry.Lucky Ewe Designs43 Blenheim Road, Cheadle Hulme,Cheshire SK8 7BDT: 0161 485 2551O: Mail order onlyProduces knitwear using environmentallyfriendly methods and fibres such as natural,undyed, chemical and cruelty-free wool.Works to conserve ancient, rare, nativebreeds of sheep by knitting their wool,much of which is organically grown andsome natural dyes are used. Included in therange are animal-free fibres – hemp linen,unbleached cotton and yarn made fromrecycled denim offcuts and plastic bottles.Most of the garments are hand-knitted butmachine knits are available and handspunwool is used for accessories. Mail order only,brochure available and commissionsundertaken. Children’s items are offered on a‘made to order’ basis.Natural Dye CompanyStanbridge, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 4JDT: 01258 840 549E: naturaldyecompany@boltblue.comW: www.naturaldyecompany.comClothing company supplying hand-knittedjackets, coats and cardigans in silk, wooland cashmere, coloured using natural andorganic dyes.Organic AttireUnit 103, 22 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JET: 020 7924 3345E: organicattire@btconnect.comW: www.organicattire.co.ukLondon’s first comprehensive mail orderorganic family clothing catalogue. All theclothes are made from natural fibres thathave never been treated with pesticides,chlorine bleaches, heavy metal dyes, or anyother harmful chemicals. They feelcomfortable to wear, and are much healthier,especially when worn next to the skin. Theclothes are stylish and offer integrity andsustainability all along the supply chain,from growers to manufacturers.116

Seeing the wood for the treesWith the world’s forests fast disappearing there are some things theconsumer can do to halt the decline.Nearly two thirds of the world’s forests have beendestroyed, 50 per cent of them in just the last thirtyyears. Twenty-six hectares are lost every minute andtwenty million hectares, an area the size of Mexico,disappeared between 1980-1995. All too often theforests are lost to satisfy our demand for timber andpaper.The devastation goes on: illegal logging, poor management,fires, development, mining and agricultureare wiping out millions of hectares of forest eachyear. Friends of the Earth estimate that around 60per cent of the UK’s tropical timber may come fromillegal sources. Brazil alone supplies 35 per cent ofthe UK’s tropical timber and according to its government80 per cent of logging in the Amazon is illegal.How can you ensure that the timber and paperproducts you buy are not from logging like this? Theanswer is simple: always buy products certified bythe Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). They’re easyto identify as they carry the FSC logo.The FSC was founded in the early 1990s when apartnership of environmental and social NGOs, thetimber industry and retailers identified the need toencourage responsible forestry through a forest certificationand labelling scheme. It is the only forestcertification scheme endorsed by the major environmentalorganisations, such as Greenpeace andWWF. In just over 10 years there are now over 48million hectares of forest certified around the world,with timber from these forests being used to producetens of thousands of certified products.FSC-certified timber and timber based productscome from forests which have been independentlycertified as being responsibly managed. FSC-certifiedforests are looked after in a way that is environmentallyresponsible, socially beneficial and economicallyviable. In other words they are good for wildlife, goodfor local people and good for the economy.FSC certification happens in two stages. The first isthe assessment of the forest of origin by an independentCertification Body. This inspection judgesthe forest against a set of internationally agreed standardsfor responsible forest management. The secondstage is a monitoring and tracking system toensure that only products made from genuinely certifiedtimber can carry the FSC seal of approval. This‘chain of custody’ follows the piece on timber fromthe forest right through to the wholesalers’ shelvesand is a vital part of the system’s credibility whichprevents false claims on products.There are a wide variety of FSC-certified productsavailable in the UK from many major retailers.Whether you’re looking for a whole kitchen or a singledoor knob, a garden shed or a bag of charcoal –always look for the FSC logo. If you don’t see thelogo, don’t be afraid to ask! Remember to look forthe logo when buying timber products for the workplacetoo, from office furniture to copier paper –there are FSC-certified ranges available.FSC UK provide a basic product search facility onthe web site at www.fsc-uk.org. They also run anadvisory service that can help with finding productsand provide advice and guidance to any individualor organisation looking to get certification for themselves.By Nick Cliff. FSC UK Working Group, Room 8,11-13 Great Oak Street, Llanidloes, Powys SY18 6BU.T: 01686 413 916 E: info@fsc-uk.orgW: www.fsc-uk.orgBrazil alone supplies 35 per cent of theUK’s tropical timber and according to itsgovernment 80 per cent of logging in theAmazon is illegal131

CASE STUDY: Eco SolutionsHow to strip off safelyEco Solutions was developed out of a concernfor health, safety and the environment; its rootsare in a company which was once one of theUK’s larger users of solvent-based paint strippers.As a result, in 1995, began the developmentof safe and environmentally friendly alternativesto dangerous solvents that really work.Today, it offers a range of safe yet effective solvent-freecoatings removal products, used byconsumers and professionals alike, without anyof the usual risks that are associated with hazardoussolvents. In addition to solvent avoidance,the products do not contain any caustic orcaustic-based derivatives, have no hazards, andare minimal VOC content (0.000004%) as certifiedby independent laboratory tests.As there were no clean and safe alternative productsavailable which were effective enough, EcoSolutions took a gamble and developed its own inpartnership with Bristol University. This led toworldwide patenting of the technology.Eco Solutions…the Safer Option product rangehas had very enthusiastic reviews in the generalpress, DIY magazines and industry-specific publications.It is one of a few select companies to havereceived the prestigious Millenium ProductsAward sponsored by the British Government,Design Council & CBI. In addition, it is the onlycompany worldwide to be marketing a paintstripper with a CE mark for safety (for use as achildren’s toy in paint sets). Thus Home Strip isre-packaged for the education sector in both theUK and overseas.In the UK Home Strip is available at major DIYstores, including B&Q & Focus. The nail varnishremover is marketed under the name Nail FriendlyVarnish Remover by www.beautynaturals.com.For further details and advice, contact SheilaChivers, Eco Solutions Limited, Summerleaze House,Church Road, Winscombe BS25 1BH.T: 01934 84 44 84 E: info@ecosolutions.co.ukW: www.ecosolutions.co.uk & www.strip-paint.comCASE STUDY: DORSCOHCo-Housing: sustainable community livingDORSCOH: the Dorset Co-Housing Group hasevolved from a deep desire to live more sustainably,and to find the qualities of communitywithout living in a commune. Co-housinghas proved how to do this in Denmark, then inthe USA, and is just starting in the UK. Cohousingis the combination of self-containeddwelling units with a common house, wherepeople can eat and socialise together as muchor as little as they wish, and also share facilitieslike guest rooms, a laundry and children’sroom.DORSCOH is involved in two projects. Six membershave recently bought an old farmhouse, withseven holiday cottages plus disused barns, to createa pilot scheme for around 14 people at ColeStreet Farm in north Dorset. It is also involved inthe creation of a new eco-village for over 200 people,along with a social-green enterprise park,community market garden, eco-hotel and sustainableliving education centre. A potential site isunder negotiation, also near Gillingham. The ecovillageproject is led by The Rural RenewalCompany, a new social enterprise whose aim iscreating mixed-use eco-developments as a catalystfor social, economic and environmental renewal.The founder of both projects is Alan Heeks, whohas a good track record in creating pioneeringsocial and environmental projects. He explains:‘the experience in the USA and the UK shows thatit is hard for potential residents groups to establishco-housing projects unaided. They need theskills, momentum and finance which a suitableprofessional body can provide, and I started theRural Renewal Company to provide this’.Visiting Cole Street Farm, you can sample co-housingfor yourself, along with other parts of the eco-villagevision, such as eco-tourism, small workshop groups,etc. For details contact, Caroline Sharman orGay Ellis on 01747 821929, E: sharmancaroline@hotmail.com or ellis@g-ls.freeserve.co.uk.W: thevillageforest.com & www.ruralrenewal.co.uk136

Home & GardenBUILDING, DESIGN &MATERIALSArchitects & DesignersBill Dunster Architects/Zedfactory LtdThe Bedzed Centre, 24 Helios Road,Wallington, Surrey SM6 7BZT: 020 8404 1380E: bill@zedfactory.comW: www.zedfactory.comSpecialises in sustainable development, withexpertise in low energy, as well as lowenvironmental impact building andlandscape. Created BedZED, one of the firstcarbon neutral urban communities in theUK, which was completed in Autumn 2001.BristolArturusBedford House, 23 Richmond Hill, Clifton,Bristol BS8 1BET: 0117 973 0217E: mailbox@arturus.co.ukArchitect and AECB member.Ascent Architecture1 Denbigh Street, Bristol BS2 8XGT: 0117 942 9515E: sm@ascentarchitecture.comW: www.ascentarchitecture.comA small architectural practice offeringinnovative and practical designs whichaddress the issues of environmental impact.Energy conservation in both the use of thebuilding and the manufacture of materialswill be considered and materials fromrenewable sources specified whereappropriate. Has a passionate interest andextensive knowledge gained from readingand attending green workshops, seminarsand events over the past five or more years.AECB member.Barlow Henley ArchitectsThe Old Chapel, Fairview Drive, Redland,Bristol BS6 6PHT: 0117 944 1777E: mail@barlowhenley.co.ukW: www.barlowhenley.co.ukArchitectural practice currently exploringresidential tower configurations and highdensity urban planning with ecologicalprinciples.BDP7 Hill Street, Bristol BS1 5RWT: 0117 929 9861E: m-mayes@bdp.co.ukArchitect and AECB member.BGP McConaghy Architects68 Old Market Street, Bristol BS2 0EJT: 0117 923 2285E: post@bgp-mcconaghy-architects.comArchitect and AECB member.BH Associates2 Windsor House Mews, 15C Alexandra Road,Clevedon, Bristol BS21 7QHT: 01275 871 633E: bob@bhassocs.co.ukW: www.bhassocs.co.ukArchitects and AECB member.Chris Grose Architects Ltd125 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2PLT: 0117 973 6606E: chrisgrosearchitectsltd@tphonecoop.coopW: www.chrisgrosearchitectsltd.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pmProvides a full architectural service forclients requiring environmentally friendlysolutions in the residential field: one-offhouses, small residential developments,major domestic refurbishment, eco-retrofit,conversion and extension, using passivesolar energy, ecologically sound materialsand renewable energy technology whereverbudgets will allow. Member of AECB andGreen Register of ConstructionProfessionals.Crest Nicholson SW LtdCrest House, Lime Kiln Close, Stoke Gifford,Bristol BS34 8STT: 0117 9236 600E: ptalbot@crestnicholson.comArchitect and AECB member.David Hayhow ArchitectCedar High, Madam’s Paddock, Chew Magna,Bristol BS40 8PNT: 01275 333 109E: hayhow@btinternet.comW: www.hayhow.btinternet.co.ukRegistered architect. RIBA, AECB and GreenRegister member.Ferguson Mann ArchitectsRoyal Colonnade, 18 Great George Street,Bristol BS1 5RHT: 0117 929 9293E: brian@acanthusfm.co.ukW: www.acanthusfm.co.ukOne of the South West’s leading architecturalpractices. Established in 1976, the practicehas gained a reputation for consistency andquality in the design of new buildings,urban design and conservation of historicbuildings and areas. The main office is inBristol with a studio in Totnes, Devon.AECB member.G2 Architects32 Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6BYT: 0117 922 7878E: g2.architects@macace.netW: www.g2architects.co.ukArchitect and AECB member.Inscape ArchitectsStudio 2 St Andrews Road, Bristol BS6 5EHT: 0117 923 2305E: mail@inscape.uk.comW: www.inscape.uk.comArchitect and AECB member.John Iles AssociatesCabot House, 50 Clifton Down Road, Clifton,Bristol BS8 4AHT: 0117 9731 247E: chrisbarker@jiaarch.co.ukArchitects and space planners with a specialinterest in sustainable building design.AECB member.Kenneth Brown & Partners12 Dowry Square, Hotwells, Bristol BS8 4SHT: 0117 929 7949E: kenneth.brown@netgates.co.ukW: www.kenneth-brown.co.ukHas a reputation for combining personalenthusiasm with a sensitive innovative andcollaborative approach and workssuccessfully in the public and private sectorson historically, environmentally andarchitectually interesting buildings.Lacey & CoHome Farm, Home Farm Road, Abbots Leigh,Bristol BS8 3QFT: 01275 375 816E: laceyarchitects.com@netbenefit.comW: www.laceyarchitects.comArchitects and designers.Peter Crump14 Richmond Avenue, Bristol BS6 5ETT: 0117 942 4167E: petercrump@crumparch.fsnet.co.ukBuilding and systems designer andAECB member.Quattro Design Ltd1 Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RRT: 0117 929 9672E: hugh@quattro-bristol.co.ukArchitect and AECB member.Quentin Alder ArchitectThe Undercroft, 6 Church Road, Sneyd Park,Bristol BS9 1JUT: 0117 968 3111E: mail@quentinalder.co.ukArchitect and AECB member. Servicesinclude the alteration, extension andconversion of historic and listed buildings.Environmentally-sensitive construction. Is asmall, award-winning practice.Southpoint45 The Dell, Westbury-on-Trym,Bristol BS9 3UFT: 0845 644 6639E: mail@southpoint.co.ukW: www.southpoint.co.ukEnvironmentally-aware, small practicecombining imaginative ideas with technicalexpertise to produce elegant and economicalbuildings. Memebr of AECB and GreenRegister. RIBA-registered practice andConstructionline-registered consultant.Track record in creating precision-crafteddesigns for new buildings, conversions andextensions tailored to the needs of housing,community and commercial clients. Practicalecological strategies include maximisingbenefit of solar gain and site shelter,BUILDING, DESIGN & MATERIALS139

educing lifetime energy consumption ofbuilding and avoiding non-renewable andtoxic products.Stride TreglownPromenade House, The Promenade,Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NET: 0117 974 3271E: carolinehurrell@stridetreglown.co.ukW: www.stridetreglown.co.ukArchitect and AECB member. Also has officesin Plymouth, Truro, Cardiff and London.Channel IslandsOptimum DesignLa Poste, Market Hill, St Aubin Jersey,Channel Islands JE3 8BZT: 01534 498 176E: jmtemple@jerseymail.co.ukArchitects and AECB member.CornwallCharles Green DesignThe Studio, Gethsemane, Church Lane, Redruth,Cornwall TR15 2SHT: 01209 216 964E: charles@greendsgn.freeserve.co.ukArchitect and AECB member.David Brian21 Hillside Cottages, Trewellard, Pendeen,Cornwall TR19 7SST: 01736 786 150E: david.brian@virgin.netArchitect and AECB member.Innes ArchitectsSunny Bank, Bossiney Lane, Tintagel,Cornwall PL34 0AUT: 01840 770 099/770 242E: mark.innes@which.netArchitects and AECB member, offeringcreative design and technical solutions forcommunity, arts and culture. Member ofCornwall Sustainable Buildings Trust andThe Green Register.Joan Kinnane Architect1 Mabena Close, St Mabyn, Bodmin,Cornwall PL30 3BST: 01208 841 672E: jtkinnane@aol.comW: www.kinnane.co.ukArchitect and AECB member.M J Robinson & CoCaervallack, St Martin, Heltson,Cornwall TR12 6DFT: 01326 221 339Architect and AECB member.Rodda Lloyd Travers Architects11 Morrab Road, Penzance,Cornwall TR18 4EZT: 01736 367 646E: admin@rltarchitects.co.ukArchitect and AECB member.DevonAlison BunningHatherland Mill Farm,Lower Washfield, Tiverton,Devon EX16 9PGT: 01398 351 165E: alison.bunning@ukonline.co.ukArchitect and AECB member.Andrew Guard Associates LtdSuite 1 Duke Street Chambers,Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1HUT: 01548 853 797E: andyguard@onetel.comArchitect and AECB member.Architects Design Group98/99 Hotham Place, Millbridge,Plymouth, Devon PL1 5NET: 01752 606 898E: adg@architects-adg.co.ukW: www.architects-adg.co.ukArchitect and AECB member.Bedford & Jobson ArchitectsStudio A, Foxhole, Dartington, Totnes,Devon TQ9 6EBT: 01803 840 240E: barry@bedfordjobson.co.ukW: www.architecturedevon.co.ukArchitects and AECB member. Workincludes conservation and refurbishmentprojects using traditional materials such aslime cob and thatch. They have particularskills in designing within sensitive ruralsites, historic buildings and landscapesfor clients such as the National Trust.The sustainable building agenda informsall their work and they have completeddesigns for signature ‘green’ buildingsincluding a new cob house, aneco-nursery and visitor facilities forNT properties and a leading organicfarm business.Clive Jones Architect141 Irsha Street, Appledore, Bideford,Devon EX39 1RYT: 01237 421 262E: clivejones@waitrose.comArchitect and AECB member.David Randell ArchitectsThe Studio, 7 William Street, Tiverton,Devon EX16 6BJT: 01884 254 465E: kenbracher@dra-architects.co.ukW: www.davidrandellarchitects.co.ukServices available: architecture, interiordesign, project management, illustrationand visualisation. Provides a creativequality design service taylored to thespecific needs of each client and project –where creative architecture and interiordesign are viewed with equal importancetowards the creation of beautiful homes.Member of the Association of Self BuildArchitects (ASBA).David Wilson PartnershipThe Old School, Ladywell, Pilton, Barnstaple,Devon EX31 1QTT: 01271 374 485E: dwpdavid@aol.comArchitect and AECB member.Frank Russell3 Rose Cottages, Lydford, Okehampton,Devon EX20 4AWT: 01822 820 467E: russell_frank@hotmail.comArchitect and AECB member.Gale & Snowden18 Market Place, Bideford, Devon EX39 2DRT: 01237 474 952E: galesnow@ecodesign.co.ukW: www.ecodesign.co.ukOffers full architectural services specialisingin energy efficient, ecological design fordomestic, commercial and communityprojects including landscaping and interiors.Call for a newsletter and further info.John Chandler ArchitectLindisfarne, Yarner Dartington, Totnes,Devon TQ9 6JHT: 01803 868 806E: chandler@tesco.netArchitect and AECB member.Jonathan BurnsLong House, Blackborough, Cullompton,Devon EX15 2HHT: 01884 266 370E: jburns@waitrose.comArchitect and AECB member.Lacey Hickie CaleyThe Design Studio, Emperor Way, ExeterBusiness Park, Exeter, Devon EX1 3QST: 01392 444 334E: rrickey@ex.lhc.netPart of the LHC Group, the largest whollyownedarchitectural practice in the SouthWest. With offices in Exeter and Plymouththey offer a professional and high qualitybespoke service to both the public andprivate sectors. Works closely with clientsto encourage the adoption ofenvironmentally responsible standards ofdesign. AECB member.Nigel Grainge Architects12 Baring Crescent, Exeter, Devon EX1 1TLT: 01392 438 051Architect and AECB member.Paul Humphries Architects LtdLeycroft House, 49 Salterton Road, Exmouth,Devon EX8 2EFT: 01395 276 598E: paul@humphriesp.freeserve.co.ukW: www.paulhumphriesarchitects.co.ukThe practice is an AECB member,wherever possible employingenvironmentally friendly materials, andendeavouring to produce energy efficientprojects that exceed the minimumrequirements prescribed by the building140

Cut pollution by reducingyour energy useThe Centre for Alternative Technology shows how we can all reducethe amount of energy we use in our homes.If we all lived the kind of lifestyle that we enjoy inthe affluent West, we would need three planets toprovide the necessary resources. To put it simply, weare using more than our fair share and if we don’tchange our ways, the future spells climate changeand even more pollution. The good news is that cuttingour energy and waste is easy to do and will saveyou money to boot. Organisations like the Centre forAlternative Technology (CAT) are on hand to givehelpful advice and inspire you to change your world.The best place to start is by doing an energy audit ofyour home. 25 per cent of all our carbon dioxideemissions come from energy created to be used inthe home. Buying green electricity is a good option,but it is always better to save energy than to use it.Also, by far the biggest electricity demands in theaverage home are space and water heating – and inmost cases these particular energy needs will not bemet by electricity.Start your energy audit by working out how muchenergy you need to make your home function. Goround the house and make a list of all the energydemands your home makes, including all electricalappliances, heating and cooking systems. Now tryand work out how many hours a week you use eachappliance. After you’ve got all this informationtogether you need to find out how much energyeach appliance needs to make it work.Once you have identified your energy needs you’llneed some good advice on how to cut it. Get this freefrom our information service on 01654 705989.Most of us are still using light bulbs designed at theturn of the 20th Century. This is a crime againstprogress and a waste of energy. Most of the electricalenergy pumped into an ordinary light bulb turnsinto heat, whereas low energy light bulbs turn theenergy into light and not heat.By changing our light bulbs we are deploying a primaryweapon against climate change – good design.And you’ll save money! Each low energy light bulbsaves £7 worth of electricity a year, and they last 12times longer than prehistoric light bulbs.CAT grew from humble and idealistic beginnings.The increasing awareness of environmental andsocial issues in the early seventies drew many peopleaway from urban areas to places like Wales,seeking a simpler, ‘human scale’, sustainable way ofliving. Over the next 30 years, the Centre has establisheditself as one of the leading European Ecoorganisationsand each year, 70,000 people visit orcome to stay on a residential course.CAT offers a wide range of services to inform,inspire and enable you to move towards a more sustainablefuture, from a free information line andconsultancy service, to useful books and green gifts.One of the Centre’s more recent developments is theweb site, offering global access to its work. Peoplewho can’t make the trip to visit CAT in person cantake a virtual tour of the Centre, order the greenbooks and products and keep up to date with theresearch at the click of a mouse.By Amanda Roll Pickering. For more informationabout CAT’s work, call on 0845 330 8355E: info@cat.org.uk.W: www.cat.org.ukThe best place to start is by doing anenergy audit of your home. 25 per cent ofall our carbon dioxide emissions comefrom energy created to be used in thehome.173

CASE STUDY: Green StandardsReducing landfillGreen Standards redistributes corporatefurniture and IT equipment otherwisedestined for landfill to the community. Over434 million tonnes of landfill goes into the UKevery year, enough to fill the Royal Albert Hallevery hour of every day.Green Standards was set up in 2002, by GregBlezard and Alan Cooper, to take positive actionand provide corporates with a social, environmentaland economical solution to this problem.Working with multinationals such as BP, Elsevier,Johnson Control, Green Standards removes highvolumes of furniture and equipment, a proportionof which would be destined for landfill and makesthis available to the local community, charities,hospitals, schools and libraries via The GreenStandards Trust. In addition you can purchase thesecond hand furniture and IT equipment on-lineat www.greenstandards.co.uk, with all proceedsfrom sales going to The Green Standards Trust.The Green Standards Trust is a registered charity,which operates independently and with thesupport of profits from Green Standards Ltd. It iscurrently opening a series of local CommunitySustainability Center’s (CSC) across the UK, thefirst of which opened in Andover at the end of2004 with local business Byte Bak. Local CSC’s arevenues for charities, schools and libraries in thearea to easily access furniture and IT equipmentfreely, and for local businesses to purchase highquality second user furniture and equipment.In addition The Green Standards Trust is shippingout its first school in a box to Morocco in February2005, a huge container with everything that isneeded to set up a school in a third world country.By Greg Blezard of Green Standards, WhiteshillHouse, Whiteshill, Hambrook, Bristol BS16 1SDT: 0870 2401445E: greg.blezard@greenstandards.co.ukW: www.greenstandards.co.ukCASE STUDY: BioRegional DevelopmentSustainable strategies for wasteBioRegional Development Group are sustainablesolutions specialists working to bring local sustainabilityinto the mainstream of our society.We develop environmental projects and companieswhich use local and waste resources moresustainably, with a host of benefits including: reducing unnecessary transport reducing greenhouse gas emissions reducing the amount of waste going to landfill benefiting wildlife strengthening local economies and local jobsWe aim to influence the mainstream, workingwith industry and the public sector to developworkable solutions for sustainability. This ensuresour work has maximum impact in making a sustainableeconomy a reality.BioRegional have over ten years experience ofdeveloping and running sustainability projects,including: partnering in the Peabody Trust’sBedZED – the UK’s largest eco-village. We haveexpanded from this base in a jointBioRegional/WWF initiative called One PlanetLiving which, working with partners, will build atleast five One Planet Living Communities aroundthe world. The first in the UK will be Z-squared –a 2,000 home development in London’s ThamesGateway area. We also work in forestry, includingproducing sustainable charcoal and firewoodthrough the BioRegional Charcoal Co., and woodchipfor energy for BedZED and beyond. Fibresfor paper and textiles is another area of our operations.We run paper recycling and buy backloops in London and Surrey with over 600 officesparticipating. We have invented new technologyto make paper pulp locally from non-woodsources. In addition we are investigating newways to process hemp to provide sustainablealternatives to cotton and synthetics.By Jennie Organ. Tel 0208 404 4880E: info@bioregional.com W: www.bioregional.com176

Energy, Recycling & PollutionENERGY EFFICIENCY& CONSERVATIONStoves, Boilers & Heating3G Energi Ltd3 The Knowes, Kelso TD5 7BHT: 0800 083 5949E: sales@3genergi.co.ukW: www.3genergi.co.ukScotland’s premiere biomass heatingsuppliers – can heat any size of building. UKdistributors of KÖB and Künzel chip, logand pellet boilers. 15kw to 1.2mw. Scotlandand North of England distributors for Enviroand Extraflame pellet stoves. Also biomassenergy consultants.AES LtdAES Building, Lea Road, Forres IV36 1AUT: 01309 676 911E: info@aessolar.co.ukW: www.aessolar.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-1pmManufacturers of high efficiency solar waterheating systems since 1979. Fully installedand commissioned systems for around£1,800 plus only 5 per cent VAT includingnew dual coil cylinder. Optional drainbackoperation and roof integrated collectors.Over 25,000 systems installed. Simple toinstall DIY kits available with fullinstructions. Applications range from smalldomestic to large-scale housing projects andcommercial systems up to 2,400 squaremetres. Comprehensive in-house systemdesign service and installation teamsavailable to assist with clients’ requirements.AmpliflaireOff The Square Trade Centre, Kelso,Roxburghshire TD5 7JHT: 01573 225 209E: deanwarwick@ampliflaire.co.ukW: www.ampliflaire.co.ukHigh-efficiency, open-fire wood burningsystems and heat recovery units.BioEnergy Devices10 Tyrwhitt Crescent, Cardiff CF23 5QPT: 02920 331 551E: marchowell@bioenergy-devices.co.ukW: www.bioenergy-devices.co.ukSpecialists in the design, supply andinstallation of domestic and commercialheating systems that use wood-pellet fuelmade from recycled sawdust. Visit web sitefor up-to-date products.Bioenergy Technology LimitedPound Lane, Framfield, Uckfield,East Sussex TN22 5RUT: 01825 890 140E: sales@bioenergy.orgW: www.bioenergy.orgManufacturers, suppliers and installers ofwood fired boilers for log, wood chip, woodpellets or energy crops for central heatingand hot water, from 14kWatts domestic upto 20mWatts industrial and above includingCombined Heat and Power, together withpackaged boiler systems, storage facilitiesand auxiliary equipment. A team ofprofessionals, some with over twenty yearsof experience, committed to improving theenvironment and offering the bestengineering solutions in the Biomass sector.Centre for Better HousingTir Gaia Solar Village, East Street, Rhayader,Powys LD6 5DYT: 01597 810 929E: sustain2020@onetel.comW: www.sustain2020.co.ukSupplies a system called Fresh Air Heatingwhere existing houses can be heated withrenewable energy, using heat recovery fromexhaust air. Needs only mains electricity,costs less than £10 per week and produces80 per cent less CO2 than gas heating.Provides 24-hour sitting comfort temperaturein chosen rooms with background heating ofother rooms; and generous ventilation withpre-warmed fresh air; drying clothes in thebathroom saves tumble drying. Cutscondensation, damp, mould. From £4000.Ceramic Stove Company4 Earl Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX2 0JAT: 01865 245 077E: info@ceramicstove.comW: www.ceramicstove.comSupplies stoves sourced from suppliers whoshare their commitment to design,innovation, their workforce and theenvironment in equal measure. Scandinavianmodels generally retain the original fivechannelflue system developed in 1767,and are built with modern materials andtechniques, while stoves from Bavaria,Austria and Switzerland can vary wildly,from traditional to ultra modern. Buthowever they are built, in whichever style,the principles of fuel conservation and heatretention are employed throughout.Dunsley Heat LtdFearnought, Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth,Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD9 3TUT: 01484 682 635E: sales@dunsleyheat.co.ukW: www.dunsleyheat.co.ukManufacturers and suppliers of the Yorkshiremulti-fuel stove, which is superior incleanburning technology, over 70 per centefficient, granted Parliamentary approval foruse in Smoke Control areas and other areasfor burning a full range of fuels, includingwood, signite, briguettes, petroleum copesand others. Coal can also be burnt on theYorkshire when smoke emission isconsiderably reduced. On official tests it hasproved to be the cleanest burning stove.Element Energies Ltd2 Bath Place, Ilfracombe EX34 8ANT: 01271 866 960E: gogreen@elementenergies.co.ukW: www.elementenergies.co.ukA company based in the south west ofEngland and supplying and installingrenewable energies. Products include a rangeof solar hot water systems, domestic/businesssize wind turbines, modern automaticwoodheating systems, sunpipes and solarelectricity. Registered installers for theGovernment’s clear skies grant programmeand the Heat Devon grants. Can also provideconsultancy for projects.Energy & Environment Ltd91 Claude Road, Manchester M21 8DET: 0161 881 1383E: mail@energyenv.co.ukW: www.energyenv.co.ukOn-line store selling a wide range of solarequipment for home, garden and travel. Withits partner companies also offers a design andinstallation service for: solar hot water, solarelectric PV systems, ground source heatpumps and underfloor heating. A full rangeof high-efficiency condensing boilers is alsoavailable. Nationwide service to self-build,commercial and government clients.Filsol Solar Ltd15 Ponthenri Industrial Estate, Ponthenri,Camarthenshire SA15 5RAT: 01269 860 229E: info@filsol.co.ukW: www.filsol.co.ukUK manufacturers, suppliers and installersof high quality, high performance solarpanels for domestic, commercial andswimming pool applications. Manufacturersof PV modules for OEM manufacturers.Project managers of ‘SHINE 21’, a projectsupported by the DTI and The EuropeanSocial Fund to train plumbers and systemdesigners in the requirements of solarsystem design and installation. Offers a freedesign and quotation service for thedomestic market, with a telephone back-upservice for all our customers whether DIY orprofessional. Consultancy on commercialsystem design. Training in system designand installation. Suppliers and installers of‘Naps’ PV systems.Green Energy CentreAmbassador House, Brigstock Road,Thornton Heath CR7 7JGT: 020 8683 6683E: info@greenenergycentre.org.ukW: www.greenenergycentre.org.ukProvides discounted not-for-profit renewableenergy installation programmes makingrenewable energy affordable and hassle free.The Centre also runs a free advice service forresidents of South West London on allaspects of renewable energy.Imagination Solar10-12 Picton Street, Montpelier, Bristol BS6 5QAT: 0845 458 3168E: enquiries@imaginationsolar.comW: www.imaginationsolar.comSupplies and installs solar water heating andsolar electric (PV) systems to domestic andcommercial clients, both private and trade.ENERGY EFFICIENCY & CONSERVATION181

Get healthy – the benefits ofplanning for pregnancyGetting married, moving house, starting a job and even going onholiday – can all be life changing experiences that people can spendmonths, even years planning.So why is it that when most couples make themomentous decision to start a family very few thinkwhat they can do to prepare themselves mentallyand physically for having a baby?Other cultures have long established traditions ofpre-conceptual care. The Chinese talk of a 12month pregnancy, taking into account the three tofour month period of time for the egg to mature andthe sperm to develop. Other communities preparedifferent foods for the prospective mother, includinga special nutrient-rich diet to boost her health inorder to meet the demands of the pregnancy.Why is it that in the UK women rarely plan for pregnancyand yet 44,000 desperate couples each yearseek help for fertility problems and 24,000 will endup resorting to IVF? One in four women miscarry,sperm counts have dropped by 50 per cent in the lastten years and sperm abnormalities are on the increase.It was this question that led health professional JaneSheldon Clarke to develop a unique approach topregnancy for both men and women to give theirchild the best start in life. The Nourish programmehas already brought happiness to many couples whohad abandoned hopes of having a baby and helpedothers make the lifestyle changes guaranteed toimprove their chances of conceiving.‘From my own experience I know how important itis to prepare the body for pregnancy,’ says Jane, wholives in Jersey, the Channel Islands. ‘I conceived ourfirst daughter very easily but I suffered a couple ofmiscarriages when we planned for our second child.’Nourish, is the first product of its kind in that itencourages couples to think about the health oftheir baby before it is even conceived. Although theprogramme can help couples with fertility problemsit is recommended for any prospective parents whowant to ensure a healthy pregnancy and invest intheir child’s future health.Research from Southampton University shows thatbabies are more likely to be healthy if both parentsare in good physical condition and eat a sensible,well balanced diet before and after their conceive.Parents who prepare physically for having a babyalso reduce the risk of their child developing adultdiseases such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosisin later life. 30 per cent of babies in the UKare small enough at birth to be at risk.‘I researched my own condition extensively and withthe help of vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies,as well as lifestyle and dietary changes I now havethe healthy family I dreamed of,’ explains Jane.‘We all know that smoking is bad for you but manypeople don’t realise that making simple adjustmentsto their daily diet can dramatically improve theirchances of having a child. How many women forexample realise that drinking just one cup of coffeea day can halve their chances of conceiving?’However a good diet isn’t just important to conceive.Once pregnant, the foetus is totally dependenton its mother to provide all the nutrients itneeds to develop healthily. In cases where the Research from Southampton Universityshows that babies are more likely to behealthy if both parents are in goodphysical condition and eat a sensible,well balanced diet before and after theirconceive.205

CASE STUDY: Craniosacral Therapy Educational TrustTraining with a biodynamic perspectiveThe Trust offers two year part-timePractitioner Trainings in CraniosacralTherapy, regular introductory weekends and afoundation course in Living Anatomy.The Trust has been providing practitionertrainings in Craniosacral Therapy since 1989 andhas become established as a school of excellenceoffering in-depth courses in a clear and accessibleway.Trainings follow a biodynamic perpective ofcraniosacral work. This approach is based onworking with the underlying forces that organiseour form and function. It was originallydeveloped by Dr William Sutherland, whodiscovered there are a series of subtle rhythmicmovements that may be sensed in the body whichbring order and integration to both body andmind. Dr Sutherland realized these rhythms areessentially produced by our inherent life force,which he called the Breath of Life.The Breath of Life acts as our most fundamentalorganising force which governs all other aspectsof our physiological functioning. Therefore, thefree and balanced expression of this rhythmicmotion is essential for our health and well-being.In this training, skills of palpation, perception andtreatment are cultivated in a supportive andcreative environment. The training is fullyaccredited by the Craniosacral TherapyAssociation UK. In addition, the Trust offersexperiential foundation courses in ‘LivingAnatomy’ and regular Introductory Weekends,designed for those interested in gaining first handexperience of Craniosacral Therapy and ourteaching approaches before entering into a fulltraining programme.For further information, prospectus and applicationform contact: Craniosacral Therapy EducationalTrust, 78 York Street, London W1H 1DP T: 07000785 778 E: info@cranio.co.uk W: www.cranio.co.ukCASE STUDY: The International Register ofConsultant Herbalists and HomoeopathsCommitted to traditional and natural thinkingThe International Register of ConsultantHerbalists and Homoeopaths is a training bodyin Open University style, unique in its total commitmentto traditional, natural thinking. Whilstacknowledging changes pertaining to the modernworld, it teaches only the most natural andproven ways of restoring the sick to health. It istherefore concerned with the re-establishment ofa sense of well-being in each individual.Following examinations (in Anatomy &Physiology, Naturopathy and Materia Medica), aThesis, Case Histories and Clinical Training, thestudent is awarded a Diploma of Botano therapy(DBTh) or Homoeopathy (DHoM) and may thenapply for full Membership of the IRCH. RegisteredMedical Herbalists and Homoeopaths are entitledto add the letters MIRCH after their name.Members undergo six years of study and aretrained in diagnostic skills; however, treatment isaimed at the understanding of the ‘whole’ personand the root cause of disease. By addressinglifestyle, nutritional and psychological needs ofeach patient, a gradual, but definite restoration ofenergy takes place, followed by clearing away ofsymptoms and therefore disease. Medicines areprepared from wild or organically grown herbs tothe highest standards and the waste is re-cycled ascompost or top dressing for the garden. The IRCHis a member of the EHPA and CORH, organisationscommitted to the process of Accreditationand Statutory Self Regulation, formed to ensurethat all practitioners are fully trained to be able todeal with any health issues.Contact the IRCH at 32 King Edward Road,Swansea SA1 4LL T: 01792 655 886E: office@irch.org W: www.irch.org208

Health & Well-beingPRODUCTSShopsGNC Live WellHealth and Diet Centres Head Office,Weyvern House, Wayvern Park,Old Portsmouth Road,, Peasmarsh,Guildford, Surrey GU31NAT: 01483 410 600; 0845 601 3248E: customerservices@gnc.co.ukW: www.gnc.co.ukHead office of national chain of health foodand sports nutrition retailers, selling organic,wholefood and natural health productsincluding supplements. Visit the web site formore information or call the mail orderservice on 0845 601 3248. On this numberyou can also speak to a trained nutritionistfor as much information as you require.Healthy PulsesThe Pannier Market, Plymouth, Devon PL1 1PRT: 01752 261 669E: info@healthypulses.co.ukW: www.healthypulses.co.ukOffers a very wide range of vitamins, herbaland homeopathic medicines, essential oils(including organic), vegetarian, organic andspecial diet foods, sports nutritionalproducts, natural toiletries andenvironmentally friendly household cleanerscombined with well-trained staff able to offerexpert, friendly advice. Has been trading forover 18 years in Plymouth and seven years inExeter and has established a reputation forgiving the highest level of customer service.On-line ordering also available.Mail OrderA Newlife29 Wickham Road, Colchester, Essex CO3 3EDT: 01206 368 822E: martin@anewlife.co.ukW: www.anewlife.co.ukAlternative natural health care and personalcare products that are toxin-free. Nowendorsed by the Cancer Prevention Coalition(CPC) saying: ‘Neways has pioneered andsucceeded in providing consumers withcosmetics and toiletries free of cancercausing and harmful ingredients’.Absolute Aromas2-3 Grove Park, Mill Lane, Alton,Hampshire GU34 2QGT: 01420 540 400E: relax@absolute-aromas.comW: www.absolute-aromas.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmStocks over 100 essential oils, 22 carrier oilsand a wide range of aromatherapyaccessories such as diffusers, books,blending bottles, etc. Plus 21 organicessential oils and five organic carrier oils ingreen frosted glass all certified by the SoilAssociation. Products available throughhealth shops, pharmacies and by mail order.Agoy20 The Avenue, London NW6 7YDT: 020 8933 8421E: ian@agoy.co.ukW: www.agoy.co.ukA company reflecting yoga today, whichis dedicated to supporting yoga practiceand well-being. Supplies the essentialyoga accessories to complement anholistic lifestyle.Ainsworths Homeopathic Pharmacy36 New Cavendish Street,London W1G 8UFT: 020 7935 5330E: mark.ainsworths@ukonline.co.ukW: www.ainsworths.comO: Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm; Sat 9am-4pmHomeopathic medicines for all the familyincluding pets, on prescription andpersonal order. Includes many differentfirst aid and travel kits to suit variousrequirements. In addition, Ainsworthsstocks over 250 books on homeopathyfor everyone from the beginner to theexpert. Also supplies farmers withhomeopathic remedies so that they canreduce drug usage and prevent drugresidues from entering the food chain.Aladdin AromasNenthead, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3NPT: 01434 382 820E: alaromas@aol.comW: www.aladdinaromas.co.ukMail order sales of aromatherapy productsand essential oils.Aloe Vera Centre, ThePO Box 19766,London SW15 2WZT: 020 8875 9915E: alasdairaloevera@aol.comW: www.fit4forever.comThe new publication, Aloe Vera – Nature’sSilent Healer (BAAM Publishing) byAlasdair Barcroft and Dr. Audun Myskja isone of the most comprehensive and easyto read introductions and guides to theproperties, benefits and many uses of aloevera. It is available direct by mail order for£16.95 (+ £3.00 p&p). Also markets arange of aloe vera and beehive productsfrom Forever Living Products – a leadingaloe vera company.Aromacushion LimitedUnit 7 Eastville Close, Eastern Avenue TradingEstate, Gloucester GL4 3SJT: 01452 385 777E: info@aromacushion.comW: www.aroma-zone.netThe Aromacushion is a breakthrough inaromatherapy, a soft comforting cushionwith a unique filling that conserves heatand is impregnated with essential oil.Just heat to release the natural healingpowers of essential oils. It slowly releasesits powerful fragrance a can be usedtime after time.Aromatherapy Direct8 Marsh Garth, Kirkby in Furness,Cumbria LA17 7UUT: 0800 0744 933E: enq@aromatherapydirect.comW: www.aromatherapydirect.comO: 24 hour mail order serviceEstablished in 1993 to supply qualityessential oils at realistic prices via arapid response mail order service. All oilsare purchased from certified sources,and all bottling and packaging is donein house. Over 50 different essentialoils are always in stock, plus a vastrange of more unusual oils to specialorder. No minimum order value, nopostage charges and discounts andspecial offers for regular customers.AromystiquePA Aromatherapy, Studley House, Howden,East Yorkshire DN14 7RAT: 01430 432 088E: sales@paaroma.comW: www.paaroma.comA range of aromatherapy productswhich contain mainly the floweressences of rose, geranium, neroli,lavender, ylang-ylang and other exoticessential oils. The bases for the creamsconsist of sunflower seed oil, jojoba,shea butter, aloe vera gel, beeswax andother natural ingredients.Bennett Natural ProductsEnterprise House, Richmond Hill, Pemberton,Wigan WN5 8AAT: 01257 404 659E: info@healthremedies.co.ukW: www.healthremedies.co.ukImport and distribution agents forObbekjaers Peppermint Products, acomprehensive range of oil of peppermintsupplements. Range comprises oil tablets,capsules (including one-a-day andenteric-coated capsules), Pure JapanesePeppermint Oil and Peppermint Powder.Peppermint oil is a traditional herbaltreatment for a variety of health problemsincluding Irritable Bowel Syndrome,indigestion and poor circulation.Supplies both wholesalers and retailersand provides a direct mail orderservice to consumers.Best Care Products LtdUnit 1, Bulrushes Farm,Coombe Hill Road, East Grinstead,West Sussex RH19 4LZT: 01342 410 303E: info@bestcare-uk.comW: www.bestcare-uk.comO: Mon-Fri 9-5pmOffers the Robert Gray Intestinal CleansingProgramme, herbal detox tea, organicminerals, juicers and water distiller.All products are designed to care for thebowel. The company is also available togive free seminars on how to detox and keepyour body clear.PRODUCTS211

Biolamps LtdKennet House, Horizon West,Canal View Road, Newbury RG14 5XFT: 0870 240 7097E: info@biolamps.comW: www.biolamps.comBiolamp is an innovative ceramic minerallamp from China, now available in the UK.It uses the benefits of heat together withspecial electromagnetic waves to treat a widevariety of conditions such as arthritis,backache, IBS, and painful menstruation.Dr John Tanner, a musculoskeletal andsports specialist from The Oving Clinic,conducted an independent survey onBiolamp. This showed that 89 per cent ofchronic joint pain sufferers improved afterusing their Biolamp, and over 50 per centimproved significantly. Biolamp works ina similar way to acupuncture, treating painvia acupoints but without the use of needles.It has been clinically proven and used inhomes and hospitals in China for the last20 years. ‘I have tried it on several peoplewith impressive results.’ Dr Sarah Brewer,Health Journalist of the year 2002. CEapproved. 28-day money back guarantee.Available to buy at Selfridges or order bytelephone or on the web site.Biosis LtdHeysham Business Park, Heysham,Lancashire LA3 3PPT: 01539 564 276E: info@biosis.ltd.ukW: www.biosis.ltd.ukEnvironment and air purity products notfound anywhere else – an entirely novelproduct range for those with ME, asthma,allergies, environmental illness, chemicalsensitivity and other ailments caused by themodern way of life.Bruce Copen Laboratories Ltd4 Lindfield Enterprise Park, Lindfield,West Sussex RH16 2LXT: 01444 487 900E: info@copen.com; cpayne@copen.comW: www.copen.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 8am-11.30am & 1.30pm-5pmRadionics and homeopathy products.Diviniti Publishing LtdDiviniti House, 83 Birling Road, Leybourne,West Malling, Kent ME19 5HZT: 01622 792 866E: sales@hypnosisaudio.comW: www.hypnosisaudio.comSupplies digitally-mastered hypnosis tapesand CDs. See web site for on-line orderingand more information.Ecobrands Ltd3 Adam & Eve Mews, London W8 6UGT: 020 7460 8101E: robin@ecobrands.co.ukW: www.ecobrands.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 10am-6pmDistributors of products designed toimprove health and well-being: Aromist, sixdifferent oral-spray therapeutic remediescontaining the essence of plants; Click-don’tScratch, an effective piezo-electric insect bitetreatment; EasyStep, therapeutic FlowGelinsole for prolonged walking or standing;Penzim, healing moisturing enzyme gelmade from Icelandic krill; Calista – clinicallytested saliva ovulation test; TecnoAO,natural radiation protection by harmonisingyour mobile phone or VDU screen; andThermoTek, a clinical thermometer. Visit theweb site for further information.Eladon LtdPO Box 111, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 1ZBT: 0845 345 1636E: elagen@elagen.comW: www.elagen.comSpecialist health supplement company.Supplements are available through mailorder and retail through outlets nationwide.Essential Apothecary, The5 Rheidol Road, Aberystwyth SY23 1RWT: 01970 617 521E: jane@the-essential-apothecary.co.ukW: www.the-essential-apothecary.co.ukAromatherapy massage oils – pure essentialoils blended by hand to the specificrequirements of each individual client.Do not keep a stock of blends but makeup each product when order is received.Order via the web site or call for advice.Essential Oil Company, The(Dept GG) Worting House, Church Lane,Basingstoke, Hampshire RG23 8PXT: 01256 332 737E: essoil@aol.comW: www.eoco.org.ukSupplies a wide range of pure essential oils,carrier oils, beddy bears, candles, burners,incense, magnotherapy products, books andmany other products and unique gifts forhealth and well-being. Cruelty-free andVegan Society-approved.Ethical VitaminsBoots Herbal Stores, 5, Castle Walk, Newcastle,Staffordshire ST5 1ANT: 01782 617 463E: info@ethicalvitamins.co.ukW: www.ethicalvitamins.co.ukThe on-line store for Viridian vitamins,minerals and herbs. Viridian go to greatlengths to find the best ingredients for theirproducts. They have an efficient recyclingprogramme for their glass bottles. Inaddition, they give 50 per cent of availableprofit to charity. Beneficiary charities so farinclude Amnesty International, Barnado’s,Born Free Foundation, ChildLine, Friends ofthe Earth, Hackney City Farm, Help theAged, Maggie’s Cancer Care, National DeafChildren’s Society, NSPCC, OrangutanFoundation, RSPB, Shelter, Terrence HigginsTrust, Trees for London, UNICEF, The VarietyClub and the Woodland Trust. Viridian arededicated to making their company as greenas possible and part of that commitment istaking responsibility for the environmentalimpact of their glass packaging. Theirrecycling programme is an old-fashionedidea, simply take the empty bottle back tothe store where you bought it and they willrecycle the bottle and give you back 25p.Evergreen Hydroponics18 Park Crescent Place, Brighton,East Sussex BN2 3HFT: 01273 623 136E: sales@evergreenhydroponics.co.ukW: www.evergreenhydroponics.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm; Sat 10am-5pmSupplies wheatgrass juice kits, qualitylighting, nutrients and accessories, via shop,mail order and on-line shopping.Farrlands Holistic HealthFarrlands, South View, Brafferton,Darlington DL1 3LBT: 07779 571 063E: holisticrooms@hotmail.comW: www.britnett.net/vickyclarkOffers holistic remedies and therapies usinga range of natural and organic ingredients,specialising in skin care for all skin types forthe whole family. Therapies includearomatherapy massage, reflexology, andIndian head massage. Gift packs and giftvouchers are also available. Call for a freecatalogue or further information.Forever Living Products16 Treverbyn Road, Truro TR1 1RGT: 01872 276398W: www.aloevera.co.ukAloe vera contains 75 known naturalingredients and its inner gel can be takeninternally for nutritional benefits, andcombined with other ingredients it producestopical creams and lotions to nourish andimprove skin quality. Aloe vera has beenfound to be beneficial for arthritis, asthma,athletes foot, burns, irritable bowel syndrome,ulcers, Crohn’s disease, colitus, the immunesystem, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. It isalso beneficial for animals. FLP are the world’slargest growers of aloe vera, known to bebeneficial for thousands of years.GeomackPO Box 369, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 9YZT: 01843 570 870E: sales@geomack.comW: www.geomack.comProducts to reduce both geopathic stress andelectromagnetic pollution within the homeand workplace. Positive health benefitsassociated with their use include boostingthe immune system, increasing mentalclarity, revitalising body and mind, andassisting detoxification. Signs and symptomsthat geopathic stress is affecting your health;constant tiredness, irritability, weakenedimmunity, depression, insomnia, backproblems, susceptibility to ME, asthma andallergies, infertility and miscarriages.Geopathic stress and electromagneticradiation are believed to cause sick buildingsyndrome, leading to frequent sicknessrelatedabsenteeism, tension between staff,loss of concentration, stress and fatigue.212

Be a greener parentNobody said parenting was easy but trying to be a green parent can seemparticularly daunting. But green and ethical choices are getting easier:so you can make choices now that help build a better world for your children.To become a greener parent, you’ll need to shoparound beyond your nearest supermarket and youmay need to spend more on some products. Butyou’ll end up saving on others by not buying unnecessarystuff and making better use of what you dobuy. Here are Women’s Environmental Network’s(WEN) hints on how to raise your children thegreen and healthy way.Indoor air can be as polluted as outdoors: many furnishings,fittings and household items contain toxicor potentially harmful chemicals that can leach intothe atmosphere; insulation and double glazing keepthem indoors. As children’s bodies are smaller thanadults and still developing, they’re more vulnerableto the effects of toxic chemicals. In the womb, duringinfancy and puberty are particularly sensitivetimes. And because young children spend moretime at home, crawling around on the floor and furniture,they’re closer to and taking in proportionallymore of these substances than adults.So, to minimise their exposure, choose naturalmaterials where possible and try to avoid chemicaltreatments to protect against bugs, mites, stains orfire. Flame retardants are required by law on manyitems but avoid those treated with brominatedflame retardants.Fitted carpets act as sinks for dust mite allergensand other toxins, which can trigger asthma andallergies. PVC (vinyl), made from chlorine, createsenvironmental hazards throughout its lifecycle. Forvinyl floors it is softened with phthalates (toxinsthat threaten fertility).Natural floor coverings include natural lino, corkand rubber, sisal, coir, seagrass and jute matting,wool rugs (some of which can build up dust mitesand toxins to a lesser extent than fitted carpets) orwooden floorboards. If you’re buying wood, lookfor the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) logo tomake sure it comes from sustainable sources or, forminimum impact, use reclaimed boards.Some laminates may be bonded using formaldehyderesins or VOC (volatile organic compound) adhesives.Paints can also contain VOCs so seek loworzero- emitting laminates, adhesives, sealantsand paints.Beds are another home for dust mites but airingthem well each morning releases the moisture mitesneed to survive. Avoid PVC mattress covers.An incredible 25 per cent of the world’s pesticidesare used in cotton fields, damaging the environmentand threatening the health of cotton workers, mostlywomen, and their families. So you can reduce thisby shopping for organic cotton blankets, sheets,mattresses and clothes. Several mail order companiesand some shops stock organic ranges, and oftensupport fair trade too.Choosing cloth nappies will make a significant contributionto a better environment, cutting yourhousehold rubbish and the resource use involved inmaking and transporting disposables. And it isn’tthe chore it was in our mothers’ day. Most familieshave a washing machine, a 600 [60 degree] wash isenough to sanitise them, and a range of fitted stylesand shapes is available – no more pins and plasticpants. Terries are cheapest and can save you £500compared to disposables; because the Governmentwants more households to convert to cloth, someauthorities offer help with start-up or laundry costs.So using a laundry doesn’t have to break the bank. Choose natural materials where possibleand try to avoid chemical treatments toprotect against bugs, mites, stains or fire243

Children, Family & CommunityBABIES & CHILDRENFamily Planning &ContraceptionCondomiCondomi Deutschland GmbH, Venloer Straße231 b, D-50823 Köln, GermanyE: info@condomi.comW: www.condomi.comCondomi is the only brand in the UKsuitable for vegans and anyone else whochooses not to use animal products. Thebrand uses a secret ingredient instead of theanimal-derived casein used in othercondoms. Condomi condoms are alsobiodegradable making them the mostenvironmentally friendly condoms around.The German-based condom company hasbeen manufacturing condoms for over 70years and each year they produce over 720million condoms. Condomi carry the BSIKitemark as confirmation of quality.Fertility UKBury Knowle Health Centre, 207 London Road,Headington, Oxford OX3 9JAE: admin@fertilityuk.orgW: www.fertilityuk.orgFertility awareness and natural familyplanning education to plan or avoidpregnancy. The web site has comprehensiveinformation about fertility awareness and alist of accredited NHS fertility awarenesspractitioners.Nourish natura+med LtdPO Box 491, Jersey, Channel Islands JE4 OWRT: 01534 857197E: info@nourish-fertility.comW: www.nourish-fertility.comPreparing for a baby is one of the mostimportant times of any couple’s life.Nourish’s Conception ConditioningProgramme has been developed to allowcouples to take control of their reproductivehealth and to optimise conditions for ahealthy pregnancy. The recommended fourmonthcourse comes in convenient monthlypacks, containing a nutritional complex,organic herbal tincture, organicaromatherapy oils and a guide for both menand women.BirthAssociation of Radical Midwives, The6 Springfield Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham,West Midlands B14 7DST:: 0121 444 2257E: sarahmontagu@postmaster.co.ukW: www.radmid.demon.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmARM is an umbrella organisation offeringinformation and support to those havingdifficulty in getting or giving sympathetic,individualised NHS maternity care. Over 50local contacts around UK, many holdingregular local group meetings. Freeinformation leaflets What is a Midwife? andChoices in Childbirth. Quarterly nationalmeetings. Membership open to midwives,students and non-midwives, includesquarterly journal Midwifery Matters. Annualfee £25, half-price concession to students,unemployed, etc.Frances Findlay – IndependentMidwifeThe New House, London Road, Devizes,Wiltshire SN10 2DST: 01380 720 746E: frances.findlay@btinternet.comAble through one-to-one care, to supportwomen and their families through theirexperience of pregnancy, the birth of theirbaby, and the postnatal period. Frances’philosophy is that of entering into apartnership of mutual trust and respect withher clients in order to support, empowerand inspire throughout the whole amazingprocess. Call for a chat or e-mail if youwould like more information. Member of theRoyal College of Midwives (RCM),Association of Radical Midwives (ARM),Association for Improvements in theMaternity Services (AIMS), Member of theIndependent Midwives Association.Independent Midwives Association1 The Great Quarry, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3XNT: 01483 821 104E: information@independentmidwives.org.ukW: www.independentmidwives.org.ukMidwives working in an independentcapacity from the NHS who offer continuityof care and empower women to makeinformed choices and decisions at everystage of their care. A large proportion of theAssociation’s bookings are for homebirthsand the rest for planned hospital births.Liaises with other health professionals if andwhen necessary. All visits are generally inwomen’s homes. Looks after clients frombooking until four weeks after the birth andare available (or a colleague) at all times.Natural Babies11 Bartletts Road, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 3PLT: 0117 966 7311E: info@naturalbabies.co.ukW: www.naturalbabies.co.ukPools for birth and relaxation. National poolhiring services together with regularwaterbirth workshops for parents andmidwives. Prices from £45-£70 pw. Heatedmodels come complete with heater, filtrationand water maintenance system and can beused as a relaxing hot tub to relieve tensionin the weeks before birth. Once baby is bornthey provide a wonderful opportunity torelax with your new family.Natures Gate: Tens Pain ControlPO Box 371, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 8GDT: 01256 346 060E: info@naturesgate-uk.comW: www.naturesgate-uk.comMail order supplier of Tens, a safe, effective,easy-to-use machine used for drug-free reliefof pain. Used for childbirth, arthritis andbackpain and many other conditions. Callfor free information pack.Splashdown Water Birth Services Ltd17 Wellington Terrace, Harrow on the Hill,Middlesex HA1 3EPT: 0870 444 4403E: waterbirth@btconnect.comW: www.waterbirth.co.uk;www.splashdown.org.ukWater birth, which has been provenstatistically to be completely safe, fallswithin the sphere of normal midwiferypractice within the NHS and is an optionopen to every mother-to-be. Splashdownsupplies luxuriously comfortable, paddedwater birth pools nationwide for home orhospital births at a set price of either £220or £265 for (at least) four weeks hire – thepool is reserved for at least two weeks eitherside of the baby’s due date. Splashdownorganises Midwives Water Birth Study Daysall over the UK and workshops for parentsand sells videos and books by mail order.The pools can be collected from local agentswho are midwives, ante-natal teachers orwater birth parents or they can be sent bycourier anywhere. Works with leadingmidwives, obstetricians and childbirtheducators and offers free advice to enablemothers to get the kind of birth they reallywant. Call for a free information pack.BreastfeedingExpressions BreastfeedingCMS House, Basford Lane, Leekbrook, Leek,Staffordshire ST13 7DTT: 01538 386 650E: sales@centralmedical.co.ukW: www.centralmedical.co.ukSells breast pumps and related breastfeeding products through a nationwide mailorder service. Also operates a home rentalscheme for the Medela Lactina ElectricBreast pump which is excellent for shortterm use, especially if you want to keep upyour milk supply if your baby is in specialcare.La Leche League (Great Britain)PO Box 29, West Bridgford, Nottingham,Nottinghamshire NG2 7NPT: 0845 120 2918E: enquiries@laleche.org.ukW: www.laleche.org.ukO: 24 hour telephone helplineVoluntary organisation providingbreastfeeding help and information,primarily through mother-to-mother supportin local groups. All breastfeeding counsellorsare trained mothers with extensivebreastfeeding experience. Members receivethe LLLGB newsletter six times per year,along with access to their local group’slibrary. Health professional subscribersreceive other specialist publications. Leaflets,books, tapes and Braille available.BABIES & CHILDREN251

MothernatureT: 01782 824 242E: debra@mothernaturebras.co.ukW: www.mothernaturebras.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (Order Line); 24 houranswerphoneA mail order company offering one of thebest ranges of nursing bras available in theUK. Sizes range up to L cup and 48’ backand include Royce, Emma, Jane, Berlei,Bravado and Anita. Also stocks manygarments from the Anita Maternity range.Advice on bra sizing is freely available andaims for a delivery time of three days.Aromatherapy blends for pregnancy are alsoavailable in the mail order brochure. Call fora brochure.Products for Parents, Babies& ChildrenAlthough there are several specialistsuppliers who concentrate on one productor group of products, most suppliers offera wide range of goods, from food andclothing to furniture and toys. Thefollowing listings are grouped first bythose suppliers providing a range ofgoods and then by the specialists. Whenusing the listings remember to browse thespecialist suppliers along with the generalto find what you are looking for.BORN64 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS79DPT: 0117 924 5080E: info@borndirect.comW: www.borndirect.comA unique shop stocking ethical, fair trade,natural and environmentally friendly nurserygoods. Specialises in washable nappies andall the things a parent needs to be green.Products are sourced with the think global,buy local concept, only going further afieledif absolutely necessary. Discover a differentapproach to parenting.Beaming BabyUnit 1, Place Barton Farm, Moreleigh, Totnes,Devon TQ9 7JNT: 0800 0345 672E: charlie@beamingbaby.comW: www.beamingbaby.comA mail order company offering a range ofthe best natural and organic products formother, baby and toddler. Real nappies, ecofriendly disposables, natural toiletries andorganic clothing. All products are carefullyselected following extensive customerresearch and testing.Bumble BabyFern Cottage, 141 Fernbank Road, North AscotSL5 8JUT: 01344 883 507E: enquiries@bumblebaby.co.ukW: www.bumblebaby.co.ukEco-friendly mother and baby productsincluding washable nappies, wooden toys,organic clothing, shoes, books and gifts.Carewear TradingUnit 46 Tunbridge Lane, Crystal Park,Bottisham, Cambridge CB5 9BDT: 01223 811 633E: enquiries@careweartrading.comW: www.ecobabybasics.comOffers a selected range of organic, fair tradeand environmentally friendly baby and childgoods and is the preferred on-line retailerfor Baby Organix baby food and exclusiveretailers of Baby Love reusable nappies.Earthkind Babies4 Morris Close, Loughborough LE11 1PUT: 01509 556 120E: bekki@earthkindbabies.comW: www.earthkindbabies.co.ukSpecialises in providing high quality, naturalbaby products including fluffy cloth nappies,a wide range of baby carriers, soft organicbaby clothing and more.Ecobaby BasicsUnit 46 Tunbridge Lane, Crystal Park,Bottisham, Cambridge CB5 9DUT: 01223 811 633E: rich@ecobabybasics.comW: www.ecobabybasics.comA range of fair trade, organic andenvironmentally friendly baby goods, askind to your baby as they are to the planet.Reuseable organic nappies, which are kinderto the environment than disposables, andjust as easy to use. Organic babyfoods,which are pesticide free, so better for yourbaby and the planet. Fair trade wooden toys,including mobiles, puzzles and musicalinstruments. Natural toiletries, which aregentle on your babies hair and skin.Ecoboo LtdAlexander Cottage, Station Road, Heighington,Newton Aycliffe DL5 6PUT: 01325 316 202E: c4boo@hotmail.comW: www.ecoboo.co.ukOffers a choice, lifestyle and alternativeapproach to caring for your family. Providesorganic cotton/linen jersey childrens andbaby wear collection (0-4yrs), comfortingMerino wool babywear (0-12mths), handmadeorganic baby and pregnancy skin care,organic lavender bathtime range, luxuryhand-made gifts and an eco-friendlyreusable nappy system. Offers acomprehensive web site and presentations tomother and baby groups and nurseries.Free Range KidsGarstang Road East, Poulton-le-Fylde,Lancashire FY6 8HJT: 01253 896 290E: info@freerangekids.co.ukW: www.freerangekids.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 8.30am-7pmOn-line sales of baby slings and carriers,washable nappies, organic and fair tradeclothing and toys. Orders can also be takenover the telephone. Features secure HSBCon-line credit/debit card processing. Call forfree advice and the latest information.Globalkids Ltd24 Holly Hayes Road, Whitwick, LeicestershireLE67 5GGT: 01530 457 146E: sales@globalkids.co.ukW: www.globalkids.co.ukSells organic and natural baby productsincluding organic clothes, natural skin care,baby basics, fair trade toys and goodies formums and mums-to-be. Also offerspersonalised natural wood products. Aims tokeep prices affordable to enable as manypeople as possible to benefit from organicand natural products.Green Baby Co Ltd345 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0PDT: 0870 241 7661E: info@greenbaby.co.ukW: www.greenbaby.co.ukO: Mon-Sat 10am-5pmWith a rise in asthma and other allergiccomplaints amongst children, it is nowonder parents are looking for healthier,less chemically-oriented products for theirchildren. Offers a comprehensive choice ofecological products that are both kinder forbaby and the environment. They also pridethemselves on providing advice for parentsneeding help choosing the right products fortheir needs. Products include: washablenappies, gel-free disposable nappies,hypoallergenic baby wipes, baby andmaternity toiletries, organic cotton andchemical-free clothing and a wide range ofnursery furnishings, toys and gifts, nickelfreecutlery and PVC-free fee equipment. AllGreen Baby’s products are available to buyon their secure web site. Alternatively, callfor a free catalogue or visit the shop inIslington or the new larger store in NottingHill.HippychickUnit 1, Roberts Drive, Taunton Road,Bridgewater, Somerset TA6 6BHT: 01278 434 440E: julia@hippychickltd.comW: www.hippychickltd.comSpecialises in supplying healthy, practicaland fun products for babies and children –and their parents, including the Child HipSeat, which is endorsed and recommendedby osteopaths, physiotherapists and healthcentres, and is specifically aimed at savingyour back. Also sells the Aromakids range ofnatural products for children. These aremassage oils, bubble baths, soaps, wipes,creams and gels, all with essential oil basesdiluted to a safe level for babies and childrenaged 3 months upwards. Call for localstockists.Huggababy Natural Baby ProductsThe Old Post Office, Trallong, Brecon, PowysLD3 8HPT: 0870 005 3156E: tracie@huggababy.co.uk252

Sustrans – Helping you toget around!Cutting the number of car journeys we make reduces gridlock andcuts down on the amount of pollution we pump into the air.The origins of Sustrans, shorthand for sustainabletransport, are rooted back in the 1970s when concernsfor environment, triggered by the oil crisisprompted the formation of a Bristol-based cyclinggroup. The group’s original programme, a modestfive mile circular cycle route routes has since blossomedinto the 8,000 mile-long National CycleNetwork that criss-crosses the UK from Belleek inNorthern Ireland to Beccles in Norfolk and from theIsle of Wight to the Shetland Islands. With new sectionsof the route opening up all the time Sustransare well on the way to meeting its target of 10,000miles open by mid-2005.The Network is the most visible of all Sustrans projectsbut it is not the only one and the charity hasdeveloped a diverse range of ways to encourageeveryone to use alternatives to car travel. Their SafeRoutes to Schools programme works with localcommunities to make the school journey safer andhealthier for everyone while Active Travel targetslocal health authorities to encourage visitors,patients and health workers to walk or cycle more.They are also researching the health impact of sustainabletransport, and the benefits are already clear,it’s reported that regular cyclists enjoy a fitness levelequivalent to being ten years younger than their realage, and cycling or walking for just 30 minutes eachday can halve the risk of heart disease.Sustrans’ innovative TravelSmart project providestailor-made travel information for people keen tominimise car-use and community-based HomeZones encourages the development of residentialareas where people have priority over cars.The UK’s ever-increasing traffic levels heighten theurgency to find other ways of getting around – wehave the worst levels of congestion in Europe andthe National Road Traffic forecasts predict that trafficwill increase by 65 per cent over 30 years (from1997 levels). All this has an obvious environmentalimpact, in the UK in 1998, transport was responsiblefor 53 per cent of all nitrogen oxides emissionsand 74 per cent of carbon monoxide emissions.The solutions offered by Sustrans are already makinga difference, 126 million trips were made on theNetwork in 2003, nearly one third of those replaceda car journey meaning that as many as 38 million cartrips were avoided. The traffic-free routes are especiallygood for novice cyclists and are equally appealingto walkers, joggers, and anyone looking forhealthy ways of getting around. The Network followsdiverse routes, from quiet country lanes to challengingtracks past stunning scenery to popular commuterpaths. Over the years Sustrans has also commissionedstunning pieces of art to punctuate theroutes, from natural sculptures by Andy Goldsworthyto innovative versions of those essentials for the travelweary – benches and drinking fountains.There are many ways to get involved in Sustrans’work, from looking after a section of the route as aVolunteer Ranger to becoming a Supporter, or simplyby getting out and enjoying the Network.By Gill Harrison. To find out more about Sustrans,Volunteer Rangers, becoming a Supporter, and theNational Cycle Network, maps and guides visitwww.sustrans.org.uk or call 0117 929 0888.We have the worst levels of congestion inEurope and the National Road Trafficforecasts predict that traffic will increaseby 65 per cent over 30 years267

CASE STUDY: CycleCity GuidesMapping your bike ridesCycleCity Guides is a specialist producer ofcycle maps and guides, mainly for localauthorities and other organisations. It operatesfrom a restored water mill in Frome, Somerset,generating its own electricity, with the surplussold to the National Grid.The company is one of the few which survey cycleroutes (on bikes of course), as well as providingcartographic and design services. It has surveyedmost large British cities (London, Birmingham,Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol,to name but a few), with the intention ofproducing maps to encourage cycle use. Notsurprisingly, cycle maps are hugely popular, aspeople seek out safe, quick and pleasant ways ofgetting around towns and cities. CycleCity Guidesalso produces maps for Sustrans (responsible forthe National Cycle Network) as well as Traffic-Free Cycle Trails, a 400-page book listing themost popular routes without traffic, suitable forfamilies and those seeking to get away from it all.Keeping up with its sustainable ethos, thecompany operates from a Grade II listedwatermill, which has seen its old 19th Centuryturbine refurbished and connected to modernelectronics in order to generate electricity. Thepioneering project has been followed by othermill owners in Somerset seeking to exploit trulyrenewable energy. The mill’s conversion won aBuildings in the Countryside award from theRoyal Institute of British Architects.By Martin Whitfield. CycleCity Guides, WallbridgeMill, The Retreat, Frome, Somerset BA11 5JU.T: 01373 453533 E: info@cyclecityguides.co.ukW: www.cyclecityguides.co.ukCASE STUDY: A2BCars for hireThe A2B Car Club is a new sustainabletransport option which provides vehicles forits members to hire as an alternative topersonally owned transport.This community form of car pool has vehicleslocated at bays around Bradford on Avon enablingmost residents to reach one within five minute’swalk. A2B’s cars are modern vehicles, maintainedand insured for both private and business use,from periods ranging from one hour to severaldays. Members book vehicles over the internet, bytelephone or even from the cars themselves bymeans of a smart card and PIN.The club is operated by a national company,Smart Moves Ltd. who also run a City Car Club inBristol, as well as London, Edinburgh, and agrowing number of other urban centres. Otherclubs of which there are currently around ten inthe South West, can take different forms. Thosebelonging to the national body, Carplus(www.carclubs.org.co.uk), provide members withthe means of avoiding the need to buy andmaintain their own, or a second, car.Considerable personal savings and convenienceare gained. Also, the kind of unnecessary, andeven unhealthy, car journeys some drivers make,often seemingly, to justify the expense ofownership, are avoided. Car clubs therefore helpto reduce traffic and parking congestion.Well established on the Continent, the car cluboption is still fairly new to the UK. Prospectivemembers often find it useful to have some way oftrying it out for themselves. A2B has been offeringintroductory or trial membership for a reducedmembership fee. This, together with a charge perhour and per mile covers all costs of using thecars.Contact A2B Car Club on 0845 458 1786 ora2b@smartmoves.co.uk. W: www.a-2-b.com268

Transport & TravelPUBLIC TRANSPORTInitiativesPark & Ride (A4 Bath Road)Public Transport and Park & Ride Team,Bristol City Council, Brunel House,St George’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UYT: 0117 922 3769E:: lorna_hughes@bristol-city.gov.ukPark & Ride Service 904 runs between theA4 Bath Road at Brislington to Bristol CityCentre every 7 to 12 mins Mon-Fri 7am-7pm; and Sat 8am-6.45pm. The last returnfrom the City Centre is at 7pm Mon-Fri, andat 8.15pm on Thu. Standard weekday return£2.50; off-peak weekday return (after 10am)£2.00; Saturday return £1.20.Travel InformationFirst – Bristol Bus InformationEnterprise House, Easton Road, Bristol, BristolBS5 0DZT: 0845 602 0156W: www.firstcityline.co.ukProvides information on timetables, services,fares and tickets. First City Line, Bristol’s citybus service, has a web site (see above) whichdisplays all the local timetables and routemaps, as well as places to visit.National Express CoachesT: 0990 808 080Call for timetable, fare and ticket purchaseinformation on the national network ofcoach routesNational Rail EnquiriesT: 0845 748 4950O:: 24 hoursCall for national rail information on tickets,pricing and delays.Advice & OrganisationsCentral Rail Users’ ConsultativeCommittee (CRUCC)1st Floor, Golden Cross House, DuncannonStreet, London WC2N 4JFT: 020 7839 7338SUSTAINABLE TRAVELCar Sharing & ClubsA2B Car ClubPO Box 3360, Bradford on Avon BA15 1BRT: 01225 868 976E: a2b@smartmoves.co.ukW: www.a-2-b.comPart of a government-funded rural travelproject offering imporved travelopportunities for residents of Bradford-on-Avon and Bradenstoke in Wiltshire. Has asmall fleet of new, fully-maintained carswhich are hired out to users by the hour,reducing their need to own a car andincreasing the use of other forms oftransport. Call or check the web site formore details.Bristol City Car Club82 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BBT: 0845 458 1785E: bristol@citycarclubs.co.ukW: www.citycarclubs.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 10am-5pmAllows private individuals and businesses touse a car as and when needed – rather thanhaving to own it. Members book cars as andwhen needed (for just an hour up to 3 days)via the internet or phone. A network of carsacross Bristol means that cars are wherepeople live and work. Members use asmartcard and PIN to enter the cars. Simple,convenient, cost efficient andenvironmentally friendly.Carplus – The Car Club NetworkThe Studio, 32 The Calls, Leeds LS2 7EWT: 0113 234 9299E: info@carclubs.org.ukW: www.carshareclubs.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmCarplus is a UK network for car clubs. It is acharity organisation which works withcommunities, local authorities and partnerorganisations to promote and support thedevelopment of car clubs. Car clubs are agreat way of enjoying the flexibility of usinga car without having to own one. They offeraffordable, flexible and convenient access toa variety of vehicles close to home or work.providing people with the option to share acar, the Clubs reduce the number of cars onthe road, helping to cut pollution andcongestion.Car Sharer2 Glasdale, Comrie PH6 2JXT: 01764 670 001E: info@car-sharer.comW: www.car-sharer.comCovering the whole of the UK aims to bringtogether people looking for car shares,whether for a regular journey to work or aone-off journey across the country.FreewheelersE: info.2@freewheelers.co.ukW: www.freewheelers.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pmMatches passengers with drivers going thesame way in the UK and on the continent,providing an economical and sociable formof transport whilst utilising the planet’slimited resources more effectively. Carsharingis commonplace in many othercountries – in Germany over a millionpeople use a similar service each year. Onlineservice only.Council Transport PoliciesBristol City CouncilTraffic Management and Transport PlanningTeams, Department of Envrionment Transportand Leisure, Wilder House, Wilder Street, BristolBS2 8QXT: 0117 903 6840E: frances_dansie@bristol-city.gov.ukW: www.bristol-city.gov.uk/roadsafetyThe Traffic Management Team deals with awide range of sustainable transport issuesincluding transport access, cycling andwalking networks, Safer Routes to Schoolstrategy, public rights of way, Bristol’s BiggestBike Ride, road safety education training andpublicity. Free cycle leaflets are available.The Transport Planning Team providesadvice on commuter/travel plans and theLocal Transport Plan. The Road Safety Teamprovides advice on School Travel Plans,working with schools promoting road safetyeducation, child pedestrian training andchild cyclist training (T: 0117 922 4383).PUBLIC TRANSPORT SUSTAINABLE TRAVELsaveourrailways.comT: 01865 728 118E: oliver@saysitall.netW: www.saveourrailways.comLinks page for everything to do with theUK’s railways. See also www.trainpain.com –allows you to send off your complaints torailway companies quickly and easily.City Car ClubsThe Media Centre, Huddersfield, Yorkshire HD11RLT: 01484 483 043E: enquiries@citycarclubs.co.ukW: www.citycarclubs.co.ukCity Car Clubs offer an alternative to privatecar ownership by providing 24 hour accessto a range of cars based in residential areas,workplaces and new housing developments.Cars are shared by members and can bebooked out via the internet or phone for onehour or more. Once a booking is made,members walk to the car, unlock it usingtheir personal smart card, type a PIN intothe onboard computer and drive away. ByGreenlinkCivic Offices, Bridge Street, Christchurch, DorsetBH23 1AZE: info@greenlink.co.ukW: www.greenlink.co.ukA partnership of South East Dorset’s six localauthorities, working together to link townand country areas for a healthy community.Greenways, one of its projects, provideslargely car-free, off-road routes for shareduse by people of all abilities, for commuting,exercise or recreation. It is being developedin five pilot areas in South East Dorset.National Organisations273

Airfields Environment TrustBroken Wharf House, 2 Broken Wharf, LondonEC4V 3DTT: 020 7248 2223E: info@aet.org.ukW: www.aet.org.ukResearches the problems relating to theenvironmental damage caused by theaviation industry and advises interestedbodies accordingly.British Rickshaw Network40 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1HZT: 01865 251 620Nationwide network which promotes theuse of rickshaws in the UK. Offersconsultancy services and information toindividuals, councils and others throughfeasibility studies and advice on theimplementation of rickshaw projects. TheNetwork can also provide rickshaws forweddings, green fundraising and commercialpromotion around the country. Founded thegroundbreaking, successful OxfordRickshaw Company.Environmental Transport Association68 High Street, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8RST: 01932 828 882E: eta@eta.co.ukW: www.eta.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-4pmThe ethical alternative to the road lobbyorganisations such as the AA and RAC,providing breakdown cover as well as travel,house, home, motor and cycle insurance atcompetitive prices. Where it differs is thatprofits are used to campaign, lobby andconduct research on behalf of theenvironment.Green Transport Weekc/o Environmental Transport Association, 68High Street, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8RST: 01932 828 882E: gtw@eta.co.ukW: www.eta.co.ukETA Green Transport Week is a week oflocal events around Britain designed tohighlight real alternatives to the car for everyday journeys. GTW aims to: raise awarenessof the issues and highlight alternatives to thecar; make people stop and think before theydrive; send a message to government at alllevels that alternatives to the car would bepopular and deserve their support andinvestment. Anyone can organise a GTWevent, anywhere! Once a GTW event isplanned, details should be notified by e-mailto the ETA Green Transport Week coordinator.ETA will then publish details onits GTW webpage and in ETA press releases.Institute of Logistics & Transport, The11/12 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LBT: 01536 740100E: enquiry@iolt.org.ukExists to promote and encourage knowledgeof the science and art of logistics andtransport and to communicate views togovernment and the community.National Travelwise AssociationTransport for London, 10th Floor WindsorHouse, 42-50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TLT: 01223 717 500E: patrickallcorn@tfl.gov.uk;info@travelwise.org.ukW: www.travelwise.org.ukThe NTWA is a partnership of localauthorities and other organisations that aimsto promote sustainable travel and encouragethe use of public transport, cycling andwalking. Their growing membership is atthe ‘sharp end’ of delivering nationaltransport policies at a local level.Living Streets/Pedestrian Association31-33 Bondway, London SW8 1SJT: 020 7820 1010E: info@livingstreets.org.ukW: www.livingstreets.org.ukO: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pmWorks to make walking safer, moreconvenient and easier and also to make itpossible for people to leave their car athome when travelling short distances.Protects and promotes the rights and safetyof people travelling on foot and providesinformation and advice to the public, otherorganisations and the Government. Workswith the Government, local authorities andother bodies to promote the benefits ofwalking as an environmentally friendly,sustainable and healthy form of transport.The Living Streets initiative is a clear andurgent challenge to the authorities who, fordecades, have allowed traffic priorities tooverwhelm local streets and public places,and failed to keep them clean and safe.SustransInformation Department,National Cycle Network Centre, 2 CathedralSquare, College Green, Bristol BS1 5DDT: 0845 113 0065E: info@sustrans.org.ukW: www.sustrans.org.ukO: Info line Mon- Fri 9am-5pmSustrans – the sustainable transport charity– works on practical projects to encouragepeople to walk, cycle and use publictransport in order to reduce motor trafficand its adverse effects. 5000 miles of theirflagship project, the National CycleNetwork, were officially opened in June2000, this will increase to 10,000 miles by2005. The National Cycle Network is acomprehensive network of safe andattractive places to cycle throughout the UK,one third of which will be on traffic-freepaths, the rest will follow quiet lanes ortraffic-calmed roads. As well as the NationalCycle Network, Sustrans is working on SafeRoutes to Schools, Home Zones and otherpractical responses to today’s transport andenvironmental challenges. Sustrans’ workrelies on the generous donations andmonthly standing orders of 40,000supporters, and the support of charitabletrusts, companies, the National Lottery andlocal authority programmes.Transport 2000The Impact Centre, 12-18 Hoxton Street, LondonN1 6NGT: 0207 613 0743E: paulinel@transport2000.org.ukW: www.transport2000.org.ukIndependent national body, concerned withsustainable transport, aiming to findsolutions to transport problems and reducethe environmental and social impact oftransport by encouraging less use of carsand more use of public transport, walkingand cycling. Includes over 30 affiliatedorganisations, including environmental andtransport bodies, representing the transportof around 3 million people. Michael Palinand other key public figures endorse itswork. See web site for network of localgroups.274

Tourism Concern: challengingan industryWhen we go on holiday we want to escape from the stresses andstrains of everyday life – but then so do our hosts.Each year, millions of British tourists flock to theCanary Islands, which offer a year-round tropicalclimate and beautiful beaches that are popular forsunbathing and swimming. To many of us, theCanary Islands represent an escape from the stressof a fast-paced lifestyle.For residents of the Canaries, many of whom workin the area’s booming tourism industry, the story isdifferent. Pedro, a trade unionist on Fuerteventura,says that violations of labour rights on the Islandsare frequent and severe. He objects to the illegaltemporary contracts under which 40 per cent ofworkers in the Canaries are employed, causing themto have little job stability, and to the unpaid overtimethat tourism workers are often forced to carryout. The contracts are ‘a fraud,’ Pedro says, ‘but it’show most [tour operators] work.’ Though theCanaries have the highest cost of living in Spain, theaverage salaries of tourism workers there are thethird lowest in the country.Tourism Concern is a UK-based membership organisationthat aims to put a stop to unfair tourismpractices. The organisation was begun in 1989, andis headed by Tricia Barnett. For the last 15 years,Tourism Concern has challenged the tourism industryby campaigning for local communities to benefitand for tourism workers to be treated fairly, and hasraised awareness about how the industry can changefor the better.Tourism Concern’s most recent campaign – ‘Sun,Sand, Sea, and Sweatshops’ – focuses on severalpopular destinations around the globe. Research hasrevealed the various illegal practices taking place inthese areas in the name of tourism. The campaigninvolves testimonies of hotel workers who endureemotionally and economically taxing working conditionsin order to make the holidays of tourists asstress-free and idyllic as possible. The campaigneffectively demonstrates the dire need for tour operatorsto change their methods of contracting hotelworkers.Tourism Concern’s main focus is making sure touroperators change their ways in order to create equitableworking conditions. ‘We don’t wish todemonise tourists or make them feel guilty abouttravelling,’ says Tricia Barnett. ‘Tourism Concern’sposition is that we are all tourists, and we need towork together to make tourism beneficial for thosewho work in the industry. Tour operators need totake responsibility for locals [in tourist destinations]and pass benefits on to them.’In some cases, the situations in the countries onwhich Tourism Concern focuses are even moreextreme than unfair treatment at the hands of touroperators. Since 2000, the organisation has supportedthe Burmese movement for democracy intheir request that tourists not venture to Burma,because by going there, all tourists unwittingly supportthe military dictatorship currently in powerthere. The regime has been forcing Burmese citizensinto slave labour for its tourism infrastructure,under the guise that they were ‘volunteering’ for thegovernment. Tourism Concern corresponded withUK publishing companies, asking that they stopprinting guidebooks for Burma. The campaignreceived widespread support from the public andseveral members of Parliament, including ForeignOffice Minister Mike O’Brien, who has been vocalabout the need to boycott the regime in Burma. The main focus is making sure touroperators change their ways in order tocreate equitable working conditions –‘We don’t wish to demonise tourists ormake them feel guilty about travelling’281

CASE STUDY: Ethical EscapeGet away with a clear conscienceethicalescape.com has been created for thosewho wish to travel lightly and to encourageothers to do so. The web site includes countryguides, travel advice, health advice and detailsof ethical, ecologically sound holidays andholiday accommodation.Our aim is to make ethical holidays as simple toorganise as possible. We provide travellers with allthe information necessary to enable an easydestination choice and we put travellers andaccommodation providers who share a similarideology in touch. Our aim to facilitateresponsible tourism – we believe that asustainable approach to travel and tourism isbeneficial for the community hosting tourists.There are a number of criteria which marktourism as sustainable: minimising negativeenvironmental, social and cultural impacts;generating greater economic benefits for localpeople; enhancing the well-being of hostcommunities by improving working conditionsand access to the industry; involving local peoplein decisions that affect their lives and life chances;making positive contributions to the conservationof natural and cultural heritage and to themaintenance of the world’s diversity; providingmore enjoyable experiences for tourists throughmore meaningful connections with local people,and a greater understanding of local cultural andenvironmental issues; and cultural sensitivity andengendering respect between tourists and hosts.By Simon Sharp. Ethical Escape, Briarley,Chapel Lane, Rossett LL12 0EET: 01244 570 336E: home@ethicalescape.comW: www.ethicalescape.comIMPACT: step lightly, travel wiselyThe simples rules for becoming an ethical travellerWhen you travel abroad, follow these basic rules: Ask your travel agent or tour operator abouttheir ethical and environmental policies. Themore these questions are asked, the more theywill respond. Tourism Concern publishes a listof questions to ask. Save precious resources – don’t waste waterand energy. Support local trade and people by only buyinglocally-made souvenirs. But avoid souvenirsmade from ivory, fur, skins or other wildlife. Recognise land rights. Tribal people’s ownershipof the lands they use and occupy is recognisedin international law and should beacknowledged, irrespective of whether thenational government applies the law or not.Behave as you would on private property. Always ask permission before taking photographsor video recordings of people – evena smile and a gesture will be appreciated. Don’t give money or sweets to children – it onlyencourages begging and demeans the child.Instead, make a donation to a recognised project. Respect local etiquette. In many countries, loose,light weight clothes are preferable to revealingshorts, skimpy tops and tight-fitting wear. Learning something about a country’s historyand current affairs helps you understand itspeople’s attitudes and idiosyncrasies and mayhelp prevent misunderstandings. If you are thinking of going to an unspoiltplace, be aware that this could be the first steptowards spoiling it.286

Leisure, Activities & HolidaysACTIVITIES &PLACES TO VISITThe following list is by no meansexhaustive but it does provide a flavourof the green, natural and open spaces –plus historic buildings, places of interestand activities – that are available onyour doorstep. These sites offer a richarray of entertainment and enjoyment. Alot of effort goes into maintaining thesesites so many have well-organisedvolunteer networks and are keen to getnew members involved. They are also avast information resource about thelocal natural environment and historyand many offer education facilities forschools, as well as public lectures,courses, events and demonstrations.Your local tourist board is a good placeto start to find out about local activities;they can usually provide a full andvaried programme of events as well asplaces to visit. The local Wildlife Trusts(listed in page 355 in Chapter 10:Government, Charities & Campaigning)can also provide details of dozens ofnature reserves and sites, only some ofwhich are listed here.Although many places are child andfamily-friendly and accessible viawheelchair, you are always advised tocheck on the suitability of the locationbefore setting out. Also, particularly iftravelling specially, always checkopening times before setting out as thesecan be liable to change, sometimesdepending on the season.Consider also travelling to these placeson foot, bicycle or via public transport,if practicable. For families, rather thanpiling into a car, it might make the dayout more of an adventure and lessstressful for the parents. There is alsomuch to be said for arriving at abeautiful location having travelled underyour own steam.Tourist Boards andInformation CentresBath Tourist Information CentreAbbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard, Bath,Somerset BA1 1LYT: 0906 711 2000 (calls cost 50p/min)E: tourism@bathnes.gov.ukW:: www.visitbath.co.ukO:: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pmHelpful staff offer information onaccommodation, walking, where to go andtransport in and around Bath.Bristol Tourist Information CentreThe Annexe, Wildscreen Walk, Harbourside,Bristol BS1 5DBT: 0906 711 2191E: bristol@tourism.bristol.gov.ukW: www.visitbristol.co.ukO: Mon-Sun 10am-6pmOffers accommodation booking, guides forwalking and where to go, transport in andaround Bristol, entertainment and eventsbooking, eating out, sports and leisure. Avariety of leaflets are available includingBristol and the South Cotswolds, TravelPlanners’ Guide and Off the Beaten Track.Dorset TourismDorset County Council, County Hall, Dorchester,Dorset DT1 1XJT: 01305 221 001E: tourism@dorsetcc.gov.ukW: www.dorsetcc.goc.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmProvides a range of free guides on theCounty including Dorset Activities, What’s onin Dorset, Camping & Caravan Guide, DorsetMuseums Guide, Food & Drink Guide and theofficial World Heritage Jurassic Coast Guide.Public transport maps and timetables arealso available. Call for more details.Gloucester Tourist Information Centre28 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2DPT: 01452 396 572E: tourism@gloucester.gov.ukW: www.gloucester.gov.uk/tourismProduce the Gloucester Visitors Guide. Writeor call for more information onaccomodation, festivals and events,attractions and local publications. Guidedcity walks daily throughout the summer.Places to VisitBristolBrandon HillGreat George Street, BristolHome to Cabot Tower, whichcommemorates John Cabots voyage to NewFound Land.Bristol Zoo GardensClifton, Bristol BS8 3HAT: 0117 973 8951E: information@bristolzoo.org.ukW: www.bristolzoo.org.ukO: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm; closed Christmas DayVoted ‘Zoo of the year 2004’ by the GoodBritain Guide, Bristol Zoo Gardens hassomething for everyone from the smallestand rarest tortoise in the world, to thelargest ape. With over 400 exotic andendangered species to explore, enjoy awhole day filled with excitement anddiscovery at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Theaward-wining ‘Seal & Penguin Coasts’ withits fantastic underwater viewing is a must forall visitors to the Zoo, whilst other favouritesinclude Bug World, Twilight World, theMonkey House, the Reptile House, andGorilla Island. If this is all too much, thensimply enjoy the stunning gardens andgrounds.Wildwalk@BristolAnchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DBT: 0845 345 1235E: information@at-bristol.org.ukW: www.at-bristol.org.ukO: Mon-Sun 10am-6pm; last entry at 5pm95 per cent of known species are smallerthan your thumb. Wildwalk brings you faceto face with some of the most fascinatingexamples, taking you on a journey throughthe incredible history and variety of life onearth.CornwallCamel Trail, TheCamel Valley, Countryside Service, 3/5 BarnLane, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1LZT: 01208 78087The trail winds through some of Cornwall’smost beautiful and little known countryside.Not a road, not a path and vehicles arebanned. Great for jogging or birdwatching,walking or cycling. Extraordinary array ofwildlife: foxes, badgers, rabbits, dear, ottersand bats and stunning scenery. Ideal forwheelchair users as level most of the way.Eden ProjectBodelva, St Austell, Cornwall PL24 2SGT: 01726 811 911W: www.edenproject.comO: Mon-Sun 10am-6pmThe Eden Project’s mission is to promote theunderstanding and responsible managementof the vital relationship between plants,people and resources leading to asustainable future for all. The Project is aglobal garden for the 21st century andbeyond, a dramatic setting in which to tellthe fascinating story of people’s dependenceon plants and a gateway to a sustainablefuture. In a giant crater in Cornwall thestories of our world are brought to life.Entertainment and education are central tothe Project. Art, sculpture, guided tours,talks, storytelling, performance, music,themed events and a whole range ofeducation programmes for all ages andabilities makes Eden a dynamic experience.The Project works with its partners locally,nationally and globally to bring visitorsstories of positive futures. The project isowned by the Eden Trust; a registeredcharity. Money raised by the Eden Project isused to further the charitable aims of theTrust which is dedicated to: breaking downthe barriers to communication, sharinginformation and ideas with the widestpossible audience; exploring the potentialfor working with the grain of nature;catalyzing collaboration in science, arts,technology and commerce; creating aconstituency for change; and then puttingthis all into action. Eden is ethically driven,yet commercially aware as its future dependson protecting its most valuable commodity –its independence. Eden takes a fresh look atour world and our place in it, explorespositive futures and shows what can beACTIVITIES & PLACES TO VISIT289

achieved when people work together.Lost Gardens of Heligan, ThePentewan, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 6ENT: 01726 845 100E: info@heligan.comW: www.heligan.comO: Daily all year except Christmas Eve andChristmas DayThe award-winning Lost Gardens of Heliganextend to some eighty acres of superbpleasure grounds together with amagnificent complex of walled gardens anda huge, productive vegetable garden, all fastreturning to their former glory. Lying at theheart of one of the most mysterious estatesin England, Heligan, the former seat of theTremayne family, is now the site of thelargest garden restoration in Europe. Itsextraordinary plant collection together witha range of exotic glasshouses, workingbuildings, romantic structures and designedlandscapes reflect the past passions andinterests of the family. The combination ofthese and the mild Cornish climate hasresulted in a garden (or in truth a series ofgardens within a garden) which is unique.South Penquite FarmBlisland, Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 4LHT: 01208 850296E: thefarm@bodminmoor.co.ukW: www.southpenquite.co.ukSouth Penquite is a 80-hectare working hillfarm situated high on Bodmin Moor. As wellas offering camping and a Mongolian Yurtalso has facilities for field studies andopportunities for educational groups andschools to learn about local environment.There is much to do and see on and aroundthe farm, which achieved organic status in2001 and is exceptionally rich inarchaeological remains and wildlifeDevonKillertonCullompton Road, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon EX53LET: 01392 881 345A National Trust 18th Century house andgardens with many other attractionsLicensed restaurant. Good facilities fordisabled visitors.Quince Honey FarmNorth Road, South Molton, Devon EX36 3AZT: 01769 572 401E: info@quincehoney.co.ukW: www.quincehoney.co.ukAn exhibition of living honey bees, housingan old English Tearoom and GardenTearoom. Entertainment for children such asquizzes. Pets allowed, as long as they are onleads. Disabled access and parking available.DorsetBrownsea IslandPoole Harbour, DorsetT: 01202 707 744A stunning 500-acre island of heath,woodland, miles of woodland walks andopen glades, magnificent views of the DorsetCoast. Peacocks, terns, waders and wildfowl. Access by passenger ferry from PooleQuay, Sandbanks and Bournemouth.Charmouth Heritage Coast CentreLower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Dorset DT6 6LLT: 01297 560 772Charmouth is an important area for fossils,and the centre explains what fossils are andhow to safely find them without causingdamage. The centre also houses informationabout the Lyme Regis and CharmouthVoluntary Marine Nature Reserve. Runsfossil collecting walks.Lulworth Heritage CentreLulworth Cove, Near Wareham, Dorset BH205RQT: 01929 400 587The centre explains how the beautifulLulworth coast has evolved as the sea erodedthrough soft and hard layers of rock. It alsocovers the landscape, wildlife and theircareful management through the LulworthEstate.Purbeck Marine Wildlife ReserveFine Foundation Marine Centre, KimmeridgeBay, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5PFT: 01929 481 044E: pmwr@cix.co.ukW: www.coastlink.org/kimmeridgeO: Daily Easter to end SeptemberDorset Wildlife Trust’s marine educationcentre caters for organised school partiesand visitors to Kimmeridge Bay. Displays onthe local marine environment includeaquaria and live underwater video. The bayis one of the top rockpooling sites on thesouth coast.Putlake Adventure FarmLangton Maltrevers, Near Swanage, DorsetT: 01929 422 917O: Mon-Sun 11am-6pmVisitors are encouraged to take part in bottlefeeding the lambs and goats. Picnic and playareas, farm trail to walk, pony and trailerrides. Ferret racing, barn owls. VotedDorset’s Family Attraction of the Year 2000by the ‘Good Guide to Britain’.Worldwide Butterflies and WorldlifeSherborne, Dorset DT9 4QNT: 01935 474 608W: www.worldlife.co.ukO: Mon-Sun 10am-5pmButterflies, giant moths and exotic insects.Encourages conservation of habitats.Lullingstone Silk Farm shows the uniquerearing and reeling process of pure Englishsilk as supplied to royalty. All in anElizabethan house with attractive grounds.GloucestershireBirdland Park and GardensRissington Road, Bourton-on-the-water,Gloucestershire GL54 2BNT: 01451 820 480O: Mon-Sun 10am-6pmSet in seven acres of woodland, gardens,rivers and ponds, Birdland is a home toexotic and rare birds from around the world.Clearwell Caves – Ancient Iron MinesRoyal Forest of Dean, Near Coleford,Gloucestershire GL16 8JRT: 01594 832 535E: jw@clearwellcaves.comW: www.clearwellcaves.comO: Mon-Sun 10am-5pmWorking mining museum still producingnatural iron-based pigments (ochre): yellow,red, purple and brown. Mined on a smallscale by free miners. Suitable for artists orhome decorators using natural finishes suchas lime wash, distempters, washes etc.Beautiful colours. Nine large caverns, tearoom and shop open to the public daily.National Birds of Prey CentreNewent, Gloucestershire GL18 1JJT: 0870 990 1992E: jpj@icbp.orgW: www.nbpc.co.ukO: 7 days a week 10.30am-5.30pm (Feb 1st-Oct31st)Over 300 birds of prey, with daily flyingdemonstrations with eagles, owls, hawks,falcons, vultures and more.Nature in ArtWallsworth Hall, Twigworth, Gloucester,Gloucestershire GL2 9PAT: 0845 450 0233E: ninart@globalnet.co.ukW: www.nature-in-art.org.ukO: Tues-Sun 10am-5pm & Bank Holidays;Closed Dec 24-26Museum dedicated to fine, decorative andapplied art inspired by nature. From DavidShepherd to Picasso, Flemish masters tocontemporary abstracts, ceramics to ethnicart, there is something for everyone. Regulartemporary exhibitions and eventsthroughout the year. Links withconservation and development initiatives.Artists at work February to November.Wheelchair user access. Also runs courses.Taurus CraftsThe Old Park, Lydney Park Estate, Lydney,Gloucestershire GL15 6BUT: 01594 844 841E: enquire@tauruscrafts.co.ukW: www.tauruscrafts.co.ukO: Mon-Sun 10am-5.30pmWorking pottery, stained glass studio, craftunits, organic food shop, wholefood café,restaurant, art exhibitions, craft gallery.Westonbirt ArboretumNear Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QST: 01666 880 220Situated three miles south of Tetbury on theA433.290

The future is sustainableSustainable development is the way to provide rising standardsof living for everybody on the planet whilst protecting scarceresources and its fragile environment.For over two decades, humans have been overdrawnat the bank of Earth’s resources. We take outmore than Mother Earth can provide, and the withdrawalsare getting bigger. If we carry on at the currentrate we will face serious consequences withindecades. Some of these are already upon us: climatechange, deforestation and species loss, to name afew. Just as importantly these withdrawals are notshared equitably amongst the human family, storingup tensions that will resonate globally.The facts are staggering. We are losing our naturalforests at the rate of 30 acres per minute. Overpumpingof groundwater exceeds natural rechargerates by 160 billion cubic metres and 70 per cent offreshwater sources are seriously contaminated ordegraded. By 2025 two-thirds of the world’s populationwill be short of water. Our planet simply cannotkeep up with our rapacious use of its resources.And the gap between the rich and poor nations iswidening. The rich Western nations use 75 per centof global energy production and own 92 per cent ofthe world’s private cars, but account for just 20 percent of the population. There are still two billionpeople living with no household electricity or telephoneand the poorest 20 per cent of the world’spopulation meet their energy needs by cutting downtrees more quickly than they plant them.Sustainable Development is an attempt to understandthese problems and create a framework ofaction and co-operation at both a local and a globallevel. A recent conference in Cardiff was the fourthin a series that grew out of a pledge by 22 regionalgovernments at the World Summit on SustainableDevelopment in Johannesburg in August 2002.They declared their commitment to SustainableDevelopment and the National Assembly for Walesis one of only three governments that haveenshrined this in their constitution.The Cardiff Conference also marked the launch ofthe Global Footprint Network, which aims to createstandards for footprinting – the new tool for measuringthe sustainability of a country. Think of a footprintas the mark left on the planet by a country’s useof resources and the way its people live their lives.For example, the average Western European usesthree times the area of forest to absorb the carbondioxide emissions created by their energy-use as theaverage Asian, African or Latin American.So what is Sustainable Development and how doesit affect you and me? At its most straightforward it iseconomic development which meets the needs ofthe present without compromising the needs of thefuture. This definition has been refined and expandedto include social justice, political representationand environmental protection.Forum for the Future, the UK’s leading sustainabledevelopment charity, describes it as ‘a dynamicprocess which enables all people to realise theirpotential and improve their quality of life in waysthat simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth’slife-support systems’.In essence, Sustainable Development is a philosophyfor politics and economics in the 21st Century.It provides a response to the diverse challenges facingnations, societies and the planet; it allows businessand environmentalism to share a common platform;and it addresses the needs of societies increasinglydisillusioned by and divorced from politics.None of these competing aims is considered more The key requirement is to turn the currentmodel of development into a model that iseffective for the developing world andwhich is sustainable both economicallyand environmentally.313

Protecting biodiversityEarthwatch Institute believes that by actively involvingthe corporate sector it can mobilise theresources necessary to conserve our environmentaland cultural resources. Earthwatch can providebusinesses with the resources they need to play asignificant role in the reversal of the global loss ofbiodiversity through it’s Corporate EnvironmentalResponsibility Group (CERG) and Business andBiodiversity Resource Centre (BBRC).The BBRC, hosted by Earthwatch on behalf ofDEFRA, is a one-stop shop where people can findout about the important role biodiversity plays forbusiness. The web site offers news, practical toolsand guidance for action, details on the legislativeand policy contexts of biodiversity, as well as linksto other organisations, publications and case studiesof companies focusing on biodiversity.Through the website, companies can see how theirsector impacts upon wildlife and nature, whatother companies are doing to conserve and managebiodiversity, and find out what they could bedoing themselves.BP is one example of a successful working partnershipbetween Earthwatch and the business sector. BPhas a company-wide strategy for managing its impacton, and contribution to, biodiversity and has beenworking with Earthwatch to develop and monitor itsbiodiversity action plans (BAPs) at its key sites. Witha significant number of BAPs in place, Earthwatch isnow working with BP as they develop a means ofassessing their quality, identifying areas for improvementand integrating their verification within theirISO 14001 environmental management system.For additional information on Earthwatch’s work withthe corporate sector contact the EnvironmentalPartnerships team at jzaremba@earthwatch.org.uk oron 01865 318 800 or visitwww.earthwatch.org/europe/corporate/ep.htmlCASE STUDY: Future WestEducating businessThe team at Future West and Evolve provide acomprehensive service for businesses lookingto improve their environmental performance,increase competitiveness and capitalise ondevelopment opportunities, taking decisivesteps towards putting the region at theforefront of sustainable business.Business support ranges from a helpline throughto a five-day package, one-day seminars throughto full environmental qualifications. All support,much of which is subsidised by EU funding, helpsbusinesses to: save costs – save (on average) 10 per cent ofcosts on energy, water and reduced waste minimise risk – understand and comply withenvironmental regulations, providingopportunities for reduction in costs gain market share – advice and expertise tomarket environmental credentials and tomaximise the environmental supply chainopportunities enhance staff skills – raise the awareness,adaptability and qualifications of staff throughspecialist environmental and technical trainingBusinesses of all sizes can benefit from improvingenvironmental performance, and even smallchanges requiring little or no investment canmake a difference. Bristol-based InteractionDevelopment and Learning Consultancy Ltdsaved over £5000 in paper and printingconsumables in the first nine months of 2003, ascompared to 2002, through double sidedprinting, reducing specialist printing andrecycling waste paper and magazines.Future West and Envolve work with clients todeliver real environmental and businessimprovements, tailoring advice, support and onthe job training to match specific business needs.For more information, call the Business Helpline on0117 903 8474 or e-mail business@futurewest.org.uk316

Business, Finance & EconomicsSUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENTYou can find more charities andorganisations working towardssustainable development in Chapter 10:Government, Charities & Campaigning/Campaigns & Organisations/Community & Society, starting on page360.Consultants & Advicee3 ConsultingHolly Farm, Dyke, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE100AFT: 01778 424 443E: ethree@globalnet.co.uk;e3consulting@hotmail.comAdvises and supports businesses,government departments and NGOs indeveloping sustainability and environmentalmanagement strategies, policies and systemsthat contribute to improving performanceand reducing resource use and costs.Appraisals, reports and audits are aspeciality. Briefings and training events canbe tailored to organisational requirements.Environment Business Management33 Eleanor Grove, Barnes, London SW13 0JNT: 020 8878 4226E: info@in-partnership.co.ukW: www.in-partnership.co.ukKatharine Robinson is a highly respectedenvironment and social strategy advisor andfounder of Environment BusinessManagement. Her down to earth, holisticand innovative approach to tackling socialand environmental issues is used by anumber of high profile individuals, and bycorporate clients such as the Royal Mail,Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, theEnergy Efficiency Best Practice Programme,and the DTI/DEFRA Carbon TrustEnvironment and Energy Helpline. She isalso campaigning to help people take moreenvironment action at home to turnsustainability into action. Katharine is amember of the Association for EnvironmentConscious Builders, British UrbanRegeneration Association, the EnvironmentCouncil and the New EconomicsFoundation.Environmental Management AdvisoryGroupEMAG Ltd, 8 South View, Great Dunmow, EssexCM6 1UQT: 01371 872 547E: enquiries@emagltd.co.ukW: www.emagltd.co.ukEMAG is a group of highly experiencedconsultants in environmental managementand sustainable development. They havemany years of experience and provideindividuals or managed teams to work withclients. They work both at board level onstrategies for effective, business-orientatedmanagement of environmental andsustainability issues, and in the work placeon the practical implementation ofenvironmental management. More detailedexperience statements and case studies canbe downloaded from the web site.Envolve BusinessGreen Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath,Somerset BA1 1JBT: 01225 787 915E: simonr@envolve.co.ukW: www.envolve.co.ukWorks in partnership to provideenvironmental and sustainability advice andsupport to business throughout the SouthWest. This includes networks and businessclubs, training, on-site consultancy. Areas ofwork include Environmental Managementand Policy, Waste Minimisation andRecycling, Sustainable Tourism andTransport.Jem BendellE: jem@jembendell.comW: www.jembendell.comHas provided research, training, writing andstrategic planning for public, private andnon-profit clients in the field of globalisationand sustainable development. Clients haveincluded UN agencies, internationalconservation charities, internationaldevelopment agencies, professional servicescompanies, think tanks, universities, and arange of multinationals.National Centre for Business &Sustainability, The (NCBS)Giant’s Basin, Potato Wharf, Castlefield,Manchester M3 4NBT: 0161 834 8842E: thencbs@thencbs.co.ukW: www.thencbs.co.ukNot-for-profit consultancy which works withbusiness, co-operatives and a range oforganisations to help them minimise theenvironmental and social impacts of theiractivities. The Centre advocates sustainablesolutions through the provision of servicesin three main areas: sustainable strategies,social responsibility and appliedenvironmental solutions. Also represents aunique partnership between The CooperativeBank and four universities ofGreater Manchester.Precycled Planet LtdUnit G, 34 Lents Way, Cambridge CB4 1UAT: 01223 423 333E: guide@precycled.comW: www.precycled.comInnovative research and trainingprogrammes, designed to makesustainability achieveable. Clearer conceptsand visions. More effective engagement.Practical and positive training. Simpleassessment and planning. Methods forinvolving large groups. Powerful financialtools. Whole system thinking in action.SustainAbility Ltd20-22 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4EBT: 020 7269 6900E: info@sustainability.comW: www.sustainability.comRegistered environmental audit practice,award-winning strategic managementconsultancy and think tank. Founded in1987, it is the longest-establishedinternational consultancy dedicated topromoting the business case for sustainabledevelopment.Publishes a range ofpublications which look at the relationshipof businesses with their environment andsociety.Sustainable Development Corporation109 Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich, LondonSE22 9EST: 020 8299 2718E: jonbootland@sustainabledevelopmentcorporation.comW: www.sustainabledevelopmentcorporation.comProvides strategic sustainability advice forbuilt environment and sustainablecommunities projects. Takes an holisticapproach, aiming to balance environmental,social and economic factors, and worksmainly with building client organisations atthe front-end of the development process.Sustainable Solutions for BusinessPO Box 2739, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire BA151XHT: 0794 125 1155E: sussol.fb@virgin.netSpecialist consultancy dealing in businessstrategy, policy, markets and organisation.Practical advice on the sustainable growth ofcompanies and improved businessperformance. Call for a free, no obligationexploratory meeting.Sancroft46 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9AULondon SW1H 9AUT: 020 7960 7900W: www.sancroft.comThe Sancroft Group is a corporateresponsibility consultancy, providingstrategic, board level advice on sustainabilityto companies keen to improve theirenvironmental, social and ethicalperformance.Sustainable Growth Company17 Allergill Park, Holmfirth,West Yorkshire HD7 2XHE: ted.rosser@sustainablegrowth.co.ukW: www.sustainablegrowth.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 8am-8pmSpecialises in environmental management,auditing, risk assessment and environmentalmanagement systems.Upstream70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJT: 020 7250 3900E: info@upstreamstrategies.co.ukW: www.upstreamstrategies.co.ukA strategic environmental and sustainabilitySUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT319

consultancy specialising in the construction,property and financial sectors. Providesadvice and guidance to several of the UK’slargest financial service providers, assistingthem to develop corporate environmentalmanagement and sustainability strategies.Also works with investment and pensionsfund managers, helping them to understandenvironmental risk and the implications fortheir investment portfolios. Part of this workis undertaken through Upstream’s PropertyEnvironment Group (PEG).Government Sevices &AgenciesSustainable Development CommissionGround Floor, Ergon House, Horseferry Road,London SW1P 2ALT: 020 7238 4996E: enquiries@sd-commission.gsi.gov.ukW: www.sd-commission.gov.ukAs proposed in the White Paper A BetterQuality of Life, the Government hasestablished the Sustainable DevelopmentCommission, subsuming the UK RoundTable on Sustainable Development and theBritish Government Panel on SustainableDevelopment. It has done so jointly with theScottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly andthe Northern Ireland Executive. TheCommission is chaired by Jonathon Porritt.There are 21 other members, drawn from awide range of backgrounds and from allparts of the United Kingdom. TheCommission’s role is to advocate sustainabledevelopment across all sectors in the UK,review progress towards it, and buildconsensus on the actions needed if furtherprogress is to be achieved. Its specificobjectives are to: review how far sustainabledevelopment is being achieved in the UK inall relevant fields, and identify any relevantprocesses or policies which may beundermining this; identify importantunsustainable trends which will not bereversed on the basis of current or plannedaction, and recommend action to reverse thetrends; deepen understanding of the conceptof sustainable development, increaseawareness of the issues it raises, and buildagreement on them; and encourage andstimulate good practice. The Commission issponsored, within the UK Government, bythe Cabinet Office and reports to the PrimeMinister, the First Minister in Scotland, theFirst Secretary in Wales and the First andDeputy First Ministers in Northern Ireland.Its work will be of interest to a wide rangeof sectors and organisations. TheCommission held its first meeting inNovember 2000.Sustainable Development – the UKGovernment’s ApproachSustainable Development Unit, 5/A1, AshdownHouse, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DET: 020 7082 8632E: sdudiv@defra.gsi.gov.ukW: www.sustainable-development.gov.ukThis government web site reports onprogress by the United Kingdom as a wholetowards sustainable development. Hostsdebates and forums and lists events andsome reports.NGOs & CharitiesEnvironment Foundation, TheMariners, The Avenue, Datchet, Berkshire SL39DHT: 01753 543 333W: www.environmentfoundation.netIts mission is to protect and improve theenvironment, working in partnership withothers to help society understand one of themost critical challenges it faces in the 21stCentury – the transition from today’sunsustainable economic and industrialactivities to more sustainable production andconsumption patterns.Forum for the Future227a City Road, London EC1V 3QNT: 020 7251 6070E: m.abdelall@forumforthefuture.org.ukW: www.forumforthefuture.org.ukO: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pmUK charity devoted to promoting sustainabledevelopment. Founded in 1996 by leadingenvironmentalists Jonathon Porritt, SaraParkin and Paul Ekins, the Forum workswith leaders in business and finance,government, the education sector and otherorganisations on a positive solutionsorientedapproach to the environmentalproblems facing us. Forum publishes thepopular Green Futures magazine, and givesadvice on issues as diverse as environmentalaccounting and the digital divide.Social Venture Network EuropeT: 01453 882 540E: charlie@svn-uk.com; paul@cdproject.netW: www.svneurope.comAn association of companies, individualbusiness leaders and entrepeneurs whobelieve they can – and must – make asignificant contribution to solve social andenvironmental problems locally and globally.Their goal is to integrate the values of asocially and environmentally sustainablesociety into day-to-day business practices.Stakeholder Forum for a SustainableFutureE: info@stakeholderforum.orgW: www.stakeholderforum.orgAn international multi-stakeholderorganisation working on sustainabledevelopment; supporting the increasedinvolvement of stakeholders in internationaland national governance processes. Theorganisation played a key role in thepreparations for and follow-up to the WorldSummit on Sustainable Development. It isthe lead organisation in the developmentand facilitating of multi-stakeholderprocesses for sustainable development. InOctober 2004 Stakeholder Forum became,after seventeen years, a free-standingorganisation in its own right. It took theopportunity to rename itself, feeling thatStakeholder Forum for a Common Futurelooked back to the Brundtland Report in1987, while Stakeholder Forum for aSustainable Future looked forward.Sustainability South West4th Floor, 100 Temple Street, Bristol BS1 6AET: 0117 933 0249E: info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.ukW: www.sustainabilitysouthwest.org.ukSustainability South West is to be theindependent champion of sustainabledevelopment in the South West. In seekingto achieve its overall mission, SSW has anumber of different roles: a catalyst forchange; a provider of strategic advice; adisseminator of best practice and new ideas;a project initiator and manager; a partner inkey regional processes; and a cross-sectoraldiscussion forum. The South West RoundTable for Sustainable Development was setup in 1998 through the Government Officefor the South West. It is establishing itself asa key player in a number of critical regionalprocesses and has conducted sustainabilityappraisals of the Regional PlanningGuidance and the South West RegionalDevelopment Agency’s economic strategy.Sustainability South West’s President isJonathon Porritt, a leading campaigner forsustainable development, who now alsochairs the national Sustainable DevelopmentCommission. SSW’s current Chair is RichardCresswell who is also the South WestRegional Director of the EnvironmentAgency.Sustainable Development ProgrammeRoyal Institute of International Affairs, ChathamHouse, 10 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LET: 020 7314 3639E: sustainable-development@riia.org;contact@riia.orgW: www.riia.orgFormerly the Energy and Environmentprogramme and the largest of the researchprogrammes at RIIA, The SustainableDevelopment Programme’s work is dividedinto four key areas: Energy, Environment,Climate Change and CorporateResponsibility. The Programme works withbusiness, government, academic and NGOexperts to carry out and publish researchand stimulate debate on international issuesin these four focus areas. The Programmeregularly hosts workshops and meetingswhich provide a neutral and nonconfrontationalforum where experts fromdifferent perspectives are able to networkand meet to freely exchange views andexperiences. Meetings are often held underthe Chatham House Rule of Confidentialityto encourage a more open exchange ofviews. The impact of the Programme’s workis recognised internationally and its researchoutput is widely read throughout the ‘policycommunity’. The activities of the Sustainable320

A template for community forestsThe Forest of Avon is an ambitious and long-term environmental projectbased in and around Bristol. For over a decade the Forest has beentransforming landscapes and generating social and economic benefits.The Forest of Avon is one of twelve communityforests throughout England. Together theseCommunity Forests make up the biggest environmentalinitiative in the country. All of theCommunity Forests are located around major townsand cities and deliver a unique mixture of environmental,economic and social regeneration.To cut a long story short, the forest area covers 220square miles and since 1992, we have: Planted a million trees Involved thousands of people in creating, managingand using green spaces Created and improved many miles of publicpaths and trails for walking, cycling, horse riding,commuting and healthy living. Opened up hundreds of hectares of woodlandand wildlife sites for public use. Created new business opportunities through oursuccessful marketing co-operative. Helped bring millions of pounds of investmentinto the area.Planting a million trees in the Forest of Avon hasbeen no easy task with land in the area comingunder increasing pressure in recent years – but thebenefits are very real.From new community woodland sites, schoolgrounds and motorway verges to street trees,hedgerow planting and extending existing woodlands– the trees have helped filter pollution, reduceCO2 and noise pollution and create higher levels ofoxygen, often in dense urban areas that need it most.Then there are the visual aspects – trees can screenurban eyesores and transform man-made environments.Greening in turn has a direct impact on localeconomics, attracting people, companies andinvestors as well as affecting house prices.Tree planting within the Forest of Avon has also hadan enormous impact on biodiversity. This is bestillustrated where open fields have been transformedinto broadleaved woodlands, which, when fullymature, constitute one of the richest mixtures ofplants and wildlife on the planet.Although it may take hundreds of years for the richesthabitats to form, when planting native trees, itonly takes 10-15 years for the development ofyoung woodland, supporting an amazing array ofwildlife. Fifteen years after planting a site you canexpect to find field mice, voles, owls, kestrels andbirds of pray, invertebrates, insects, dragonflies,native birds and wild plants as well as badgers,foxes, woodland birds, woodpeckers and bats.The creation of new community woodlands generatesendless opportunities for health and leisure withnew environments that people want to be a part of.Woodlands provide the healthiest possible environmentfor this – the air is clean, noise levels are lowand people often describe a feeling of calm when ina woodland environment.Central to health and leisure opportunities in woodlandsis open public access. New community woodlandsare planted close to communities, many areeven maintained by their local communities andthey are always designed with public access routesto enable people to get out into the woodlands.There is a fifty-year vision for the transformation ofthe area and, while we still have a long way to go, aconsiderable start has been made. The project isgradually having more of an impact regionally andwe now provide a model for community forestryacross the South West.To find out more, including how to donate a tree or tobuy products made from local wood, call on 0117 9532141 or visit www.forestofavon.org.uk339

CASE STUDY: Surfers Against SewageWhen it comes to pollution, who dares winsSurfers Against Sewage (SAS) is a non-profitmakingorganisation set up in 1990 by a groupof Cornish surfers who were sick of getting illfrom using polluted water. Since 1990, SAShas grown from a group of surfers fighting toprotect their local beaches into a verysuccessful national pressure group fighting forclean and safe recreational water users for all.It’s not just surfers, it’s not just sewage.Affairs. The Government has now recognisedsewage-polluted waters presents a health risk.Discharging raw or partially treated sewage intothe sea is now, no longer seen as an acceptablepractice by the Government. SAS continue tohave input in Government Committee hearings,to European and UK consultations, intoMinisterial guidance and World HealthOrganisation Protocol.All SAS campaigns use solution-based argumentsfor viable and sustainable alternatives. It highlightsthe inherent flaws in current practises, attitudesand legislation. There are six major campaigns:clean and safe water; safer shipping; toxicchemicals; marine litter; marine renewable energy;and education.SAS have been described as ‘Britain’s coolestenvironmental pressure group’ by The Independentand ‘some of the Governments most sophisticatedenvironmental critics’ by BBC News and CurrentThis input has resulted in changes in Governmentpolicies, industrial practices and Europeanlegislation. SAS actively support legal actionagainst water companies and local councils whereappropriate and are still very much a grass rootscampaign organisation, who’s actions haveresulted in positive changes in the water.If you want to help us, have any questions about thewater environment or just want to buy one of ourcool hoodies then check out www.sas.org.uk or callon 0845 458 3001.CASE STUDY: Tree AidSupporting community forestry and income generationTree Aid is the UK’s only forestry focuseddevelopment charity providing funding andon-the-ground training and support to localorganisations in the Sahel of Africa.Tree Aid works where people need trees most: inthe poorest villages in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia,Ghana and Mali where 90 per cent depend on treesfor basic survival needs. Rapid deforestationdeprives millions of families of essential resourcessuch as wood for building homes, cooking, heatingand making furniture; fruit, berries, nuts and leavesfor food and medicines… the list is endless.Trees also provide products from which peoplecan earn vital income to pay school and healthcare fees and other everyday essentials. The sheatree, for example, produces nuts which womencan process and sell as shea butter, earning £250a year- a lot of money in Africa. The neem tree’slifetime value from its pesticidal properties aloneis £15,000, and it has another 40 medicinal uses.Many projects also include improvement of thesoil and farming techniques so people can growmore food for their families and to sell.More than 160,000 villagers have already directlybenefited, in particular through training and thereceipt of trees, and many more have benefitedthrough an improved environment.Nearly five million trees have been planted inwoodlots, orchards, shelterbelts, and aroundhomes, fields and along roads, and many morehave been protected in 21,500 acres of naturalwoodland.Tree Aid, Brunswick Court, Brunswick Square,Bristol BS2 8PE T: 0117 909 6363E: info@treeaid.org.uk W: www.treeaid.org.uk340

Government, Charities & CampaigningLOCAL GOVERNMENTLocal Agenda 21Bath & North East Somerset DistrictCouncilCouncil Offices, Trimbridge House,Trim Street, Bath, Somerset BA1 1LYT: 01225 477 653E: local_agenda_21@bathnes.gov.ukW: www.change21.org.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmThe council works closely with a widerLA21 initiative that is made up ofrepresentatives of the voluntary, private andpublic sectors. The initiative is to develop adistrict-wide strategy to encourage all sectorson the sustainable development agenda.Project work in B&NES is developedthrough partnerships often with Envolve inBath and includes such innovative projectsas the pioneering Bath Farmers’ Market (seeseparate listing in Chapter 1).Borough and County of theTown of PooleCivic Centre, Poole, Dorset BH15 2RUT: 01202 633 633E: planning@poole.gov.ukW: www.boroughofpoole.comO: Mon-Thu 8.30am-5.15pm; Fri 8.30am-4.45pmA range of service units respond toenvironmental and sustainable developmentissues. There are comprehensive wastemanagement schemes, traffic and pollutioncontrols and sustainable regeneration plans.The Local Strategic Partnership isdeveloping a Community Strategy topromote sustainability in all its work.Bournemouth Borough CouncilEnvironmental Health and Consumer Services,Environment and Community Directorate,Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth,Dorset BH2 6DYT: 01202 451 451E: agenda21@bournemouth.gov.ukW: www.bournemouth.gov.ukThe majority of Council duties are relevantto Local Agenda 21 and some UK localauthorities, Bournemouth among them, hadrecognised the need to act on environmentaland sustainable development issues prior tothe 1992 Earth Summit. In 1990 thisCouncil set up the Corporate EnvironmentalStrategy Working Group to guide policy, settargets and monitor progress. Sustainabledevelopment goals were addressed underthe umbrella of Bournemouth Agenda 21and delivered through the Council’s majorstrategies: Environmental, Community andEconomic Development. Each of thesecontained detailed information on projectsand partner organisations involved. In 2000,the Bournemouth Partnership published theBournemouth Community Plan and thisbecame the town’s Local Agenda 21sustainable development strategy.Bristol City CouncilBrunel House, St Georges Street,Bristol BS1 5UYT: 0117 922 2000E: create@bristol-city.gov.uk;sustainable_city@bristol-city.gov.ukW: www.bristol-city.gov.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmThe council is currently evolving its LA21Agenda to make Bristol City a moresustainable and pleasureable place to live.The current plan incorporates issues fortransport, recyling, waste management etc.The agenda is being co-ordinated by bothpublic and private sectors. Call for moreinformation.Cornwall County CouncilPlanning Department, County Hall,Truro, Cornwall TR1 3AYT: 01872 322 000E: enquiries@cornwall.gov.ukW: www.cornwall.gov.ukO: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pmCommitted to building a sustainable futurein line with the aims and needs of itscommunity. Currently working on issuessuch as pollution, traffic control, recyclingand sustainable housing. The Council is veryhappy for people to become involved, so callfor more information.Cotswold District CouncilWaste and Sustainability Team,Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road,Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1PXT: 01285 623 618E: env@cotswold.gov.ukW: www.cotswold.gov.ukSustainability is about finding ways forwardthat reconcile social, economic andenvironmental needs, whilst ensuring thatthe activities we carry out today do notjeopardise the future of those who comeafter us. Cotswold District Council’sSustainability Policy comprises a series ofSustainability Aims and Objectives whichpromote these principles.Council of the Isles of ScillyOld Wesleyan Chapel, Garrison Lane, St Mary’s,Isles of Scilly TR21 0JDT: 01720 422 537E: planning@scilly.gov.ukW: www.scilly.gov.ukThe Planning Department discharges theCouncil’s statutory planning and relatedduties and plays a key role in managingcompeting pressures to allow a viablecommunity to thrive on the Isles of Scilly.There is a balance to be struck betweenprotecting the unique environment andallowing sufficient development to houselocal people and enable the economy toprosper and diversify. The entire archipelagois only 1600ha and is home to a permanentpopulation of 2,000. It is designated as aConservation Area, Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty (AONB) and Heritage Coast.There are 26 Sites of Special ScientificInterest, a Special Area of Conservationunder the EU Habitats Directive, a SpecialProtection Area under the EU BirdsDirective, a Ramsar site (internationaldesignation for bird life) and a non-statutoryMarine Park. There are over 120 listedbuildings, with a higher than averageproportion Grade I and II, and over 230Scheduled Ancient Monuments, the highestdensity per hectare of any English authority.There is a wealth of shipwrecks and othermarine archaeology.Devon County CouncilCounty Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter,Devon EX2 4QDT: 01392 382 000E: planning@devon.gov.ukW: www.devon.gov.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmThe council is working on all issues of LocalAgenda 21 at the moment, encompassingenvironmental issues, traffic control,sustainability and energy efficiency, etc. Asthe agenda is continually evolving, call forupdates.Dorset Agenda 21 Forum2 Bhompston Farm, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8QNT: 01305 267 758E: sally.cooke@ukonline.co.ukW: www.dorsetcc.gov.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmThe Forum is committed to promotingsustainable development and the principlesof Agenda 21 in Dorset. It has amembership of about150 organisations andindividuals, including local authorities,environmental and social charities andcommunity groups. New members welcome.Dorset County CouncilPupil & School Improvement (Education),County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester,Dorset DT1 1XJT: 01305 224 663E: a.stillman@dorsetcc.gov.ukW: www.dorsetcc.gov.ukLocal Agenda 21 is about local organisationsand communities working together toimprove the quality of life for all, bothlocally and globally, now and in the future.Amongst their aims are to cut consumptionof materials and development on green fieldsites, to cut energy use and to cut waste andpollution. See the web site for more detailsand for a link to the Dorset Agenda 21Forum.Exeter City CouncilCivic Centre, Exeter, Devon EX1 1RQT: 01392 265 669E: kathryn.lamble@exeter.gov.ukW: www.exeter.gov.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmExeter City Council are working on a rangeof sustainable development issues, includingenergy efficiency, waste minimisation,recycling, transport, pollution control,biodiversity, health, fair trade, communitysafety and water conservation. They areparticularly keen to support and developLOCAL GOVERNMENT345

new sustainability projects in the District.Forest of Dean District CouncilHigh Street, Coleford, Gloucester GL16 8HGT: 01594 810 000E: council@fdean.gov.ukW: www.fdean.gov.ukThe Forest of Dean District Council providesthe usual range of services that would beexpected from a District Council, and manythat directly affect local quality of life. TheHousing and Environmental ServicesDirectorate includes waste collection and theprovision of recycling facilities. The housingdepartment manages social housing,including energy efficiency and therequirements of the Home EnergyConservation Act. A Technical Services teamensures that energy use is reduced year onyear as far as possible within CouncilOffices. The Environmental Services Sectionundertakes air quality monitoring and issueslicenses for some industrial processes. It isalso compiling a Contaminated LandRegister for the District and enforces the lawrelating to noise. This part of theDepartment undertakes inspections of foodpremises and health promotion initiatives.The Planning Department has recentlyundertaken a review of the Local Plan whichallocates land for various different types ofdevelopment. It also administers Planningapplications. Within the department is asmall team dealing with countrysidemanagement, including nature conservationand access to the countryside by variousmodes, such as pedestrian and cycling.Leisure and tourism are both importantelements of this department, with fiveleisure centres under part or total DistrictCouncil management, and tourismconstituting a growing sector of the localeconomy.Gloucestershire County CouncilEnvironment Department, Shire Hall, WestgateStreet, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 2TGT: 01452 425 677E: sustainability@gloucestershire.gov.ukW: www.gloucestershire.gov.ukVisit the Council’s web site to find out moreabout its approach to sustainabledevelopment and to finds links tobusinesses, services and organisations.Mid Devon District CouncilThe Great House, 1 Saint Peter’s Street, Tiverton,Devon EX16 6NYT: 01884 234 387W: www.middevon.gov.ukO: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pmThe council has its own environmentalpolicy and is producing a green purchasingguide for community development. TheLA21 plan is currently being updated so callfor further information on transport issues,recycling and waste management, pollutioncontrol and housing.North Somerset CouncilPO Box 146, Town Hall, Weston-Super-Mare,Somerset BS23 1LHT: 01934 884 472W: sustainability@n-somerset.gov.ukW: www.northsomerset.gov.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmSupports the development of sustainablecommunities by taking action withbusinesses, organisations, agencies andindividuals to achieve positive change in thelocal area. Projects that it is currentlyinvolved in include: quality of lifeindicators, local and sub-regional food work(including co-ordinating the local farmer’smarkets), sustainable construction andsupporting the local fair trade andenvironment networks. Also aims tointegrate sustainability into all aspects of thework carried out by the Council and theNorth Somerset Partnership.Plymouth City CouncilThe Department of Environment, Civic Offices,Plymouth, Devon PL1 2EWT: 01752 668 000W: www.plymouth.gov.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmThe Plymouth LA 21 Agenda Team arecurrently working on a wide range ofinitiatives and projects to make Plymouth amore sustainanble place. They are workingon areas such as transport, recylcing, wastemanagement and educational programmesfor schools. Call for more information.Portsmouth City CouncilDirectorate of Environment & Transport’, CivicCentre, Guild Hall Square, Portsmouth PO1 2AZT: 02392 834 247E: cityhelpdesk@portsmouthcc.gov.ukW: www.portsmouthcc.gov.ukCall for more information.Poole Agenda 21 Forum8 Wood Lane, Bearwood, Bournemouth, DorsetBH11 9NGT: 01202 574 720Environmental campaigns groupSouth Gloucestershire CouncilCouncil Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury,Gloucestershire BS35 1HFT: 01454 863 872E: lisa.eve@southglos.gov.uk;jane.thompson@southglos.gov.ukW: www.southglos.gov.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmSouth Gloucestershire is a Unitary Authoritywhich has recently completed itsCommunity Strategy, which incorporates allaims and targets previously encapsulated inits LA21 Strategy. The Community Strategyhas seven themes: Where we live; Economyand work; Environment; Getting around;Health and care; Learning and skills; andSafe communities. The Community Strategywas developed by the Local StrategicPartnership, which also has a role inmonitoring progress on implementation ofthe goals and targets through the annualCorporate Priorities. There is a Local Agenda21 Forum & Steering Group, which hasoverall responsibility for driving andmonitoring the Environment theme of theCommunity Strategy, but also works toensure sustainability concepts aremainstreamed through all other themes.Swindon Metropolitan BoroughCouncilDepartment of Planning, Environment &Transport, Civic Offices, Swindon SN1 2JHT: 01793 526 161Call for more information.Wiltshire County CouncilCounty Hall, Trowbridge BA14 8JNT: 01225 713 000Call for more information.Advice & OrganisationsImprovement and DevelopmentAgency (IDeA)Layden House, 76-86 Turnmill Street,London EC1M 5LGT: 020 7296 6600; 7296 6420E: knowledge@idea.gov.ukW: www.idea.gov.ukOne of the key requirements of the LocalSustainability Team (Lst) within the IDeA isto facilitate the mainstreaming ofsustainability within local government bycollecting and joining up information fromthe field. There is a pool of information inthe key themes within the field ofsustainability both from the internal LocalLiving Programme (LLP) and through linksto external work. The LLP looks at whatmakes a sustainable community using theheadline themes of the built environment,the natural environment, regeneration, crimeand safety, health, transport, education forsustainable development and recreation andtourism. There is information on crossassociated themes including climate changeand energy, waste and governance. Twothemes in have been launched initiallywhich cover education for sustainabledevelopment and regeneration. Subsequentthemes will be added on a regular basis, thebuilt environment and climate change andenergy will follow shortly.Institute of Local Government StudiesThe School of Public Policy, University ofBirmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TTT: 0121 414 5008E: C.E.Rance@bham.ac.ukW: www.inlogov.bham.ac.ukOffers research and consultancy on mattersconnected with local government, not leastin connection with the environment. Holdsseminars on how local governmentcouncillors and officers can best promotesustainability and waste management. Worksmainly with councils, governmentdepartments and agencies.National Association of LocalCouncils109 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LD346

Taking a fresh approach to the newsAlan Massam of the Environmental Communicators’ Organisationsuggests that there is a different way to interpret and report on events.Established in 1972 after the first UN Conference onthe Human Environment in Stockholm, theEnvironmental Communicators’ Organisation (ECO)is a small, low energy and radical group, staffed byvolunteers. The group’s aim is to bring a green interpretationof significant news events to the attentionof professional journalists and broadcasters.In 1972 leading scientists expressed warnings aboutthe growth of human population and the potentialbreakdown of the planet’s ecosystems if rampantconsumption was not curbed. Many words havebeen said and printed subsequently to endorse this,but very little has actually happened to reverse thetrend. In fact the conclusions of the Earth Summitin Rio in 1992 were very similar to those ofStockholm 20 years earlier.The ECO group believes that much of this is due tothe bias of the media towards optimism so that consumptionwill proceed upwards, the frame of mindbeing that negative papers do not sell. However, theECO Journalists, as they are also known, assert thatradical changes in human behaviour will not beachieved by a pessimistic approach and work todraw attention to positive developments.An example of misleading media coverage is the BSEcrisis which was still concentrating on the effect ofbeef exports when it had become clear that a potentialvery devastating and horrible disease had beenreleased into the human food chain. Similar doubtsin the angle of this type of media coverage can beseen with the more recent foot and mouth epidemic.The same applies to global warming which could havevery serious effect in this island when our coastalnuclear power stations begin to face flood threats, butthese factors are never discussed. Global warmingmay turn out to be the biggest disaster in human historybut when will the media recognise these threats?An example of ECO’s complacency is the press’sresponse to the meeting of the UN’sIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change inShanghai in January 2001. This body not onlyannounced that the ‘human factor’ was now perceivedto be a major contributory factor to globalwarming, but that increased temperatures couldprovoke flooding which would ‘endanger millionsof people in low-lying areas.’ However, the newsreceived very modest coverage compared to thepolitical dramas in the UK.ECO works to help publicise environmental issuessuch as: tropical rain forest destruction; the extinctionof species; severe pollution of habitat; globalwarming; human population growth; depletion offinite natural resources and Third World debt.The relevance of such issues to individuals remainunappreciated by many despite the millions ofwords written annually about the environment.The group publishes an occasional newsletter dealingwith key environmental topics like energy policy,transport policy, land access. ECO believes theirpublications ‘often make the apparently illogicalbehaviour of politicians easier to understand.’ Theyalso draw attention whenever possible to positivedevelopments in environmental issues, for examplethe publication of Agenda 21 which arose from theEarth Summit in Rio in 1992. Additionally, ECOoffers PR support to selected green pressure groups.As ECO writes: ‘Trying to get the media to take biologicalproblems seriously is an uphill struggle, partly dueto the concern of proprietors to avoid upsetting theapplecart and reducing profits. All ‘Greens’ must workmuch harder to achieve a sustainable lifestyle and asecure future for our children and grandchildren.’For more information, contact Alan Massam at8 Hooks Cross, Watton-at-Stone, Hertford SG143RYT: 01920 830 527E: alanmassam@compuserve.com373

An innovative and green ISPGreen ISP is a innovative and different kind of broadbandprovider, which is environmentally-guided andplants a tree for every new broadband customer. Theinternet uses great amounts of the earth’s resourcesfor energy and as it is growing at an astonishing rate,this poses all kinds of issues for future generations.UK Internet users have the opportunity to act now.Planting a tree for every new member helps to offsetcarbon emissions. Green ISP is initially working withthe community action group Treesponsibility, plantingtrees in and around West Yorkshire.Tthe company also uses solar energy to power theiroffice and offsetting carbon emissions by tree planting.Green ISP works in a different manner to mostother Internet Service Providers, in that people who“care” answer the phone and they don’t tie their customersin to year long contracts.for ‘real’ 500k broadband with no limits and £18.50for 250k.‘I recently experienced poor customer service fromone of the larger ISPs,’ a customer said “I signed upwith a very helpful, accessible eco-friendly ISP, whohas good green credentials and who I believe is alsocheaper than the majors for the same monthly offering.It occurred to me that if such a company caresabout the planet, they are more likely to care aboutmy e-mail/internet/broadband account too.’You get free e-mail and web space, information andlinks to environmental issues and resources.Find out more about Green ISP, Lee View,Hebden Bridge HX7 8LQ T: 0845 058 0659E: info@greenisp.net W: www.greenisp.netThe service costs less than the big players – £22.50CASE STUDY: Hawthorn PressPublishing to support personal changeHawthorn Press is a small independentpublisher based in Stroud, Gloucestershire.Our aim is to produce books which contributeto a more creative, just and peaceful world –books supporting learning for personal andsocial change. Our range includes books onfestivals and crafts, early years, education,family health and parenting, personaldevelopment, art and science, and learningresources for Steiner Waldorf educators.We believe that our books – which in theirdifferent ways promote an ethical, sustainablelifestyle – must be produced in a way that strivesto be ethical and sustainable. To this end we try toensure that we reduce our environmental impactand play a positive role in supporting our localeconomy and community. We commissionillustrations and photography for our books fromthe thriving community of artists and illustratorsin our area. Our books are printed onenvironmentally friendly paper. We source ourprinting from companies in the South West andthe Midlands. We also use the Kristianstadprinting press in Sweden, which appliesecological considerations throughout its entireoperating processes, from waste managementthrough to the raw materials used in printing. Atoffice level we drink fair trade tea and coffee, andrecycle our paper, toner and printing cartridges.Contact Hawthorn Press on 01453 757040 ore-mail: info@hawthornpress.comW: www.hawthornpress.com374

Media, Arts & CommunicationsBOOKSHOPS &MAIL ORDERBlackberry Books8 Newport Road, Godshill, Ventnor, Isle of WightPO38 3HRT: 01983 840 310E: mail@blackberry-books.co.ukW: www.blackberry-books.co.ukSupplies a huge range of books about housebuilding, with a good selection about ecobuilding.See their specialist catalogue onthe web with details of nearly 300 books.Centre for Alternative TechnologyMail OrderCentre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth,Powys SY20 9AZT: 0845 330 4592E:: mail.order@cat.org.ukW: www.cat.org.ukAn extremely popular mail order catalogue,Buy Green By Mail, supplies environmentalbooks and products around the world. Itcontains over 700 items including all CAT’spublications, plus a large selection from theshop. Aims to offer a speedy service whereveryou are. All profits go to the educationalwork of the Centre. Call for a copy of thecatalogue or visit the on-line shop.CPL Press Online BookshopSuite 36 Liberty House, The Enterprise Centre,New Greenham Park, Newbury RG19 6HWT: 01635 817 408E: orders@cplpress.com; customers@cplpress.comW: www.cplpress.comA fully searchable, subject-driven portaloffering books, CD-ROMs, videos and slidesets from major and specialist publishersworld.Cygnus Book ClubBwlch Agored, Carregsawdde,Llangadog SA19 9DBT: 01550 777 701E: enquiries@cygnus-books.co.ukW: www.cygnus-books.co.ukProvides a friendly, supportive service forbooks on transformation, healing arts,spirituality, wisdom, complementary healthand sustainable ways of living. A freemonthly magazine allows the freedom tobuy books at considerably reduced pricesand the wealth of experience gained by theclub can be shared by consulting thecomplete list of titles on the web site.EarthprintPO Box 119, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 4TPT: 01438 748 111E: customerservices@earthprint.comW: www.earthprint.comEarthPrint was launched in 1999 as theofficial on-line bookshop of the UnitedNations Environment Programme (UNEP).Since then, other prominent internationalorganisations have joined this initiative toprovide a central location whereauthoritative environmental publications areavailable. EarthPrint currently offerspublications from: United Nations (UN);United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP); International Institute forEnvironment and Development (IIED);International Service for NationalAgricultural Research (ISNAR); The WorldHealth Organisation (WHO); Organisationfor Economic Co-operation andDevelopment (OECD); Tata Energy ResearchInstitute (TERI); International Commissionon Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection(ICNIRP); Asian Development Bank (ADB);Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO);International Centre for Integrated MountainDevelopment (ICIMOD); InternationalAtomic Energy Agency (IAEA); InternationalPlant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI);The International Water ManagementInstitute (IWMI); Leadership ForEnvironment and Development InternationalInc (LEAD); and Technical Centre forAgricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA).Eco-logic BooksMulberry House, 19 Maple Grove, Bath BA2 3AFT: 01225 484 472E: info@eco-logicbooks.comW: www.eco-logicbooks.comPublishes and sells mail order books thatprovide practical solutions to environmentalproblems, organic gardening, permacultureand sustainability issues. Call or write for afree catalogue. Trade orders welcomeGoddess & The Green Man, The17 High Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9DPT: 01458 834 697E: shop@goddessandgreenman.co.ukW: www.goddessandgreenman.co.ukO: Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm; Sun 12am-5pmSells jewellery, statues, artworks, wide rangeof books, cards, and other goods relating tothe goddess and women’s spiritualityGothic Image7 High Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8JET: 01458 831 453E: publications@gothicimage.co.ukW: www.gothicimage.co.ukSells books and music, including newmusic, roots, ambient, dance, world, folk,rock, jazz and classical.Greenleaf Bookshop82 Colston Road, Bristol BS1 5BBT: 0117 921 1369E: info@greenleafbookshop.co.ukW: www.greenleafbookshop.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm; Sat 10am-5pmOne of Bristol’s longest surviving co-ops,Greenleaf Bookshop is one of the fewremaining independent radical bookshops,specialising in books on environmental andcontemporary politics, feminism,complementary health, psychology, organicgardening, vegetarian cookery, LGBT issuesand some fiction and carefully selectedchildren’s books. A free noticeboard isavailable for events and accommodationinfo. Fast mail order service offered.GreenMetropolis.comPO Box 1042, Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 1GLE: customersupport@greenmetropolis.comW: www.greenmetropolis.comA web site designed to encourage people torecycle their books. All books cost just£3.75 and all paperbacks include freedelivery. Plus once you’re read your bookyou can sell it on and earn £3.00 cash back.By recycling your books not only are yousaving existing trees, you’ll be helping toplant new ones, for every book sold 5p isdonated to the Woodland Trust, the UK’slargest tree planting charity.Greenspirit Books & SchumacherBook Service14 Beckford Close, Warminster,Wiltshire BA12 9LWT: 01985 215 679E: alan@gsbooks.org.ukW: www.greenspirit.org.uk/booksAssembles and offers a wide range ofresources – books, videos and audiotapes –by mail order and web site. A free,annotated catalogue is produced twice ayear, touching on most areas of greeninterest, including aspects of ecology, ‘new’science and cosmology, green economics andenlightened business, green spirituality,creation spirituality, art and creativity,spiritual traditions, aspects of psychologyand children’s books. Also offers a requestservice and fast supply of US titles.Growing Needs Bookshop11 Market Place, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9HHT: 01458 833 466O: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10.30am-5pmSupplies a wide range of titles from NewAge subjects and alternative therapies toenvironmental issues and permaculture toparenting. Call for mail order service.Inner Bookshop, The111 Magdalen Road, Oxford OX4 1RQT: 01865 245 301E: mail@innerbookshop.comW: www.innerbookshop.comO: Mon-Sat 10am-5.45pmMind, body and spirit bookshop run by ateam of friendly and knowledgeable staff.Titles stocked cover naturopathy, healing,self-help, religion, yoga, philosophies,divination, meditation and more.Secondhand books, especially out of printcopies for sale. Imports stock from all overthe world, particularly India and America.Can order on request.Developmentbookshop.comITDG Publishing, Schumacher Centre forDevelopment & Technology, Bourton Hall,Bourton-on-Dunsmore, Rugby, WarwickshireCV23 9QZT: 01926 634 501E: marketing@itpubs.org.uk;itpubs@itpubs.org.ukW: www.developmentbookshop.com;BOOKSHOPS & MAIL ORDER379

www.itdgpublishing.org.ukEurope’s leading specialist bookshop oninternational development, now operating asan on-line service only. Stocks books on allaspects of development from agriculture tosmall business development, economics,anthropology and technology. Customersrange from World Bank economists to VSOvolunteers, anthropologists to waterengineers. Part of Intermediate Technology(IT), the organisation founded by EFSchumacher, author of Small is Beautiful. IT’soverall aim is to build the technical skills ofpoor people in developing countries,enabling them to improve the quality oftheir lives and the lives of futuregenerations. Worldwide book deliveryservice available.Mind, Body & Spirit BookclubPO Box 199, Swindon SN3 4PXT: 0870 165 0247E: newmembersupport@bca.co.ukW: www.visit.mind-body-spirit.co.ukBookclub with a wide range of publicationson positive health, happy relationships,inner peace, inner potential and much more.Members receive a free magazineapproximately every ten weeks, offeringthem the best and latest books on everyaspect of personal growth, health and wellbeing.There is a guaranteed discount onrecommended retail prices. Write to theabove address for more information onbecoming a member.NHBS – Natural History &Environment Mail Order Bookshop2-3 Wills Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5XNT: 01803 865 913E: nhbs@nhbs.co.ukW: www.nhbs.comEstablished in 1985, NHBS is a uniquenatural history conservation andenvironment bookstore, supplyingcustomers in more than 100 countries withbooks and other products – from wildlifefield guides, videos and maps to scientifictextbooks and monographs. The web siteoffers a web catalogue with over 75,000titles. You can also order a free catalogue,published twice a year, by e-mail.Novelx.co.ukUnit 59, Jamestown Way, London E14 2DET: 020 7510 7372E: customer.service@novelx.co.ukW: www.novelx.co.ukAn on-line book exchange which encouragesits customers to recycle paperback books byoffering a Freepost service and reward points.Nutri Centre Bookshop, The7 Park Crescent, London W1B 1PFT: 020 7323 2382E: enq@nutricentre.comW: www.nutricentre.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 10am-5pmA well-stocked bookshop and library withaccess to over 7,000 natural health andholistic living titles, attached to an equallywell-stocked natural health product shop(see separate listing). The ComplementaryMedicine Education Resource Centreincorporates a book shop and library with arange of books and journals on health andnutrition and a wider range of topics for themind, body and soul. Requests for booksnot in stock are welcome and hard-to-findUS titles will be tracked down. For thosewho can’t make it to the shop, a mail orderservice is offered.Oxfam Bookshop62 Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6JRT: 0117 973 52001 Queen’s Road, Bristol BS8 1QET: 0117 929 489026 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton,Bristol BS8 4BUT: 0117 946 792630 High Street, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 2ADT: 01326 311 39052 Aylmer Square, St Austell, Cornwall PL25 5LJT: 01726 6671230b Salisbury Street, Blandford Forum, DorsetDT11 7AUT: 01258 455 11141 Havelock Street, Swindon SN1 1SDT: 01793 528 490W: www.oxfam.org.ukOxfam is the UK’s largest second handbookseller. Oxfam bookshops and in-storebookshops offer a wider selection of booksthan most shops, from modern fiction andleisure interest to more specialist subjects,classics, and rare or collectable books.Politico’s Bookstore8 Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RZT: 020 7828 0010E: bookstore@politicos.co.ukW: www.politicos.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-6.30pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun11am-5pmBritain’s leading specialist politicalbookstore, now operating as an on-linestore. Has a section of books onenvironment and transport policy as well asmore general politics. Also stocks politicalgifts, postcards and memorabilia.Rudolf Steiner Bookshop35 Park Road, London NW1 6XTT: 020 7724 7699E: rsh@cix.compulink.co.ukO: Tue 10.30am-2pm & 3-6pm; Wed-Fri10.30am-6pm; Sat 10.30am-2pm, 3-5pmSpecialist bookshop for the works of RudolfSteiner and related authors. Topics includeanthroposophy, Steiner-Waldorf education,Goethean Science, biodynamic gardeningand agriculture, social sciences, arts andchildren’s books. Weleda and Hauschkaproducts also available. Call for mail orderservice.Smallholder BookshopStoke Ferry, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE33 9SFT: 01366 500 466E: bookshop@lodgecottage1.freeserve.co.ukW: www.smallholder.co.ukMail order of books and videos for thesmallholder and organic grower.Soil Association – Books andPublicationsBristol House, 40-56 Victoria Street,Bristol BS1 6BYT: 0117 314 5000E: info@soilassociation.orgW: www.soilassociation.orgBooks available on nutrition and alternativehealth from the UK’s leading group workingto promote the benefits of organic food,farming and sustainable forestry.Tao of Books, TheStation Warehouse, Station Road, PulhamMarket, Suffolk IP21 4XFT: 01379 676 000E: service@taobook.comW: www.taobook.comMail order company selling a large range ofmind, body, spirit books, audios and CDs(including many bargains at 30-85 per centoff). Call for a free catalogue or visit website.Word Power43 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DBT: 0131 662 9112E: books@word-power.co.ukW: www.word-power.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 10.30am-6pmIndependent bookshop specialising inpolitics, feminism, holistic health, ecology,sustainable living, race, lesbian and gayissues, philosophy, counselling andpsychotherapy, small presses etc. Also stockscards and magazines. Has a secure web siteto buy books on-line. Word Power organisesthe annual Edinburgh Independent RadicalBook Fair.Worldly Goods10 Picton Street, Bristol BS6 5QAT: 0117 942 0165E: info@worldlygoods.co.ukW: www.worldlygoods.co.ukProvides a range of books and otherproducts that promote a healthier, saner andmore environmentally sustainable world.Stocks books on topics as diverse as organicgardening, homeopathy, alternative energyand natural childbirth and has an expandingrange of co-operative games. Visit the website or call for a free catalogue.380

CREATE Centre Bristol – a partnershipfor a sustainable futureThe CREATE Centre grew out of several years of partnership betweenenvironmental groups and local agencies, local and central government,the private and voluntary sector and many enthusiastic individuals.The vision of this partnership was to create a focusfor private, public and voluntary sector organisationsto use energy, water and transport efficientlyand to recycle resources in Bristol. The aim was toimprove the quality of life of its inhabitants and createa framework for sustainable development in thecity into the 21st century.In 1994, Bristol City Council brought together allthese groups in a mulit-million pound developmentthat saw the transformation of ‘B Bond’, formerly anEdwardian tobacco warehouse situated between theRiver Avon and the Cumberland Basin, into a ‘centrefor environmental excellence’.The CREATE Centre is building an environmentalvision for the future. Owned and managed byBristol City Council, it benefits from the partnershipof the many leading edge and influential partnersbased in the building.Since 1994 CREATE has become home to manyorganisations. These include: Bristol City Council (BCC) Teams: EnergyManagement Unit; Sustainable DevelopmentGroup (which includes the CREATE team); andthe Environmental Quality Team; Bristol Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (BEAC); Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE); Future West (business, education and employment); British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV); The Recycling Consortium; Schumacher Society (Ecological publications andlectures); Training Learning Consultancy (training on sustainablebusiness); Travel Foundation (sustainable travel); Voscur (voluntary sector and community groups).In 1997 a full-size demonstration Ecohome wasadded at the side of CREATE, offering public andprofessionals alike a chance to view examples oflow-impact design, materials and renewable energy.The CREATE building itself uses ‘greywater’ (rainwater)to flush the toilets, heat sensitive lighting inlow-use areas such as stairwells, has a comprehensiverecycling policy and promotes cycling to workthrough extensive, secure bike parking.CREATE has meeting rooms, a 70-seater auditorium,a recycling exhibition, gallery, café and aresource library in the Ecohome. These featuresmake CREATE the ideal venue for events with anenvironment and sustainability focus. A recentexample was the launch of the Green Register, a neworganisation uniting groups working in the area ofsustainable building and delivering training tobuilding professionals.Each year CREATE runs lectures and open days.These include an annual ‘Festive Fayre’ offering jadedshoppers a one-stop shop for eco presents, helping tosupport local business and artisans as well as promotingenvironmental and ethical buying choices.Another key annual event is ‘Tomorrow’s Homes’ – analternative Homes and Gardens exhibition.CREATE hosts activities during Fairtrade Fortnightevery year, with extra fair trade foods in the café,displays, schools activities and events.Many of the organisations based at CREATE offerdirect advice to individuals and to business on energyefficiency, renewables, recycling, composting,ethical purchasing, training and more – some haveseparate entries in this guide. 397

CASE STUDY: Future WestTraining for sustainable employmentFuture West is a charitable partnership thataims to improve the quality of life in the Westof England and to promote and raise the profileof sustainable development as central to thefuture of the area. The partnership worksclosely with local organisations to provide workplacements and training to help unemployedpeople gain skills and experience needed to getback into sustainable employment.Participants in Future West programmes areoffered tailored placements in a range oforganisations that provide training relevant totheir career goals. Clients receive extensivesupport from Future West staff (sometimes usingexcellent links with specialist support agencies) toovercome barriers to work.There are also significant benefits to theorganisations involved. Local businesses andcommunity enterprises can enhance theirbusiness performance and improve productivity,at the same time supporting local regeneration,increasing workplace diversity and linkingdirectly with local communities. Participantsfrequently have excellent skills to offer anemployer and many clients are taken on at theend of their placements.Ian Sansum, General Manager of the SouthBristol Community Construction Companystresses how beneficial the employmentplacements have been. “The company could nothave achieved many of its own missions withoutthe assistance of Future West”.Working in partnership, Future West and localbusinesses are taking decisive steps towardsputting Bristol businesses at the forefront ofsustainable employment.Future West, The CREATE Centre, Smeaton Road,Bristol BS1 6XN T: 0117 903 84784E: post@futurewest.org.ukCASE STUDY: EarthwatchResearching the worldEarthwatch Institute (Europe) is aninternational environmental charity whichengages people worldwide in scientific fieldresearch and education to promote theunderstanding and action necessary for asustainable environment. Earthwatch currentlysupports over 140 research projects in 50countries by providing funds and payingvolunteers to work alongside leading fieldscientists and researchers.Each year Earthwatch provides 4000 people withthe unique opportunity to be directly involved inhelping to conserve the environment whilstvisiting some of the most beautiful and remotelocations in the world. Volunteers can go on awide range of projects from exploring Jamaica’scoral reefs to help stem the tide of coral disease totracking crocodiles in the Okavango Delta to helpconserve them.Earthwatch’s research has led to the discovery of2000 new species, and the creation of newnational parks and protected areas. The collectionof data is crucial in making better-informedconservation decisions – such as: Persuading the Spanish government to set uprestricted shipping in areas vital to dolphins insouthern Spain Conducting research leading to the extensionof the Olkhon Nature Reserve in Russia, animportant rest area for migratory birds Discovering 50 plant species new to science inthe Cameroon rainforests Amassing 12 years’ of data to persuade theCosta Rican government to expand the ParqueMarino Las Baulas in Costa Rica, to helpprotect leatherback turtlesFor more information about joining an Earthwatchproject call 01865 318831E: projects@earthwatch.org.ukW: www.earthwatch.org/europe402

Information, Further Education & CareersHOME DELIVERY & MAIL ORDERENVIRONMENTCENTRESLocalCREATE CentreB-Bond Warehouse, Smeaton Road, Bristol BS16XNT: 0117 925 0505E:: create@bristol-city.gov.ukW:: www.createcentre.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (some open days onevenings & weekends)The Community Recycling EnvironmentalAction Training and Education (CREATE)Centre is a hot-bed of green activity, housinggroups and small businesses working topromote sustainable development. TheRecycling Exhibition illustrates the problemsof waste disposal and gives practical andimaginative solutions. The Ecohome showshow to use recycled and sustainablematerials for energy efficient building (open12-3 weekdays). There are also rooms, agallery and a 70-seater auditorium for hire –it’s the ideal venue for green events inBristol!Envolve Partnerships forSustainabilityGreen Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath,Somerset BA1 1JBT: 01225 787 921E: ir@envolve.co.uk; office@envolve.co.ukW: www.envolve.co.ukO: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10am-1pmPromotes and encourages the benefits ofliving and working sustainably toindividuals, communities, schools andbusinesses in B&NES and beyond. It workson projects such as reducing waste,providing access to local and healthy food,sustainable tourism and transport, sociallyresponsible businesses and so on. It has anextensive public information area open sixdays a week which contains books,periodicals, leaflets and exhibitions and alsoruns a wide selection of events andactivities.Falmouth Green CentreUnion Road, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4JWT: 01326 377 173E: info@fgc.org.ukW: www.fgc.org.ukO: Every WedCommunity enterprise working inpartnership with BTCV Cornwall, promotinglocal environmental awareness andcommunity participation throughvolunteering opportunities in organichorticulture, conservation and communitywaste action projects.Stoke Climsland Community ProjectLtdThe Old School, Stoke Climsland, Callington,Cornwall PL17 8NYT: 01579 370 493E:: theoldschool@themail.co.ukW:: www.stokeclimslandvillage.org.ukO: Mon-FriThe Old School is a rural communityresource centre providing educational,health and social facilities for the widecommunity. The Centre holds communityevents; a monthly Village Farmers’ Market,lunches, films and coach outings. Rooms forhire are suitable for business seminars,private parties, classes and meetings. Acatering facilitiy provides covers for up to 50people. The Centre holds regular artexhibitions by artists in the South West. TheOffice is open daily from 9.30 to 1pm.Willsbridge MillAvon Wildlife Trust, Willsbridge Hill, BristolBS30 6EXT: 0117 932 6885E: wtwmill@cix.co.ukW: www.avonwildlifetrust.org.ukO: Nature reserve open every day; visitor centreopen on days of events and group visits. Call fordetailsRun by Avon Wildlife Trust as a Countrysideand Environmental Education Centre withinthe Forest of Avon. The Centre has anindoor teaching barn, a nature reserve witha variety of habitats around which theschools activities are based, a hands-onheritage sculpture trail in the nature reserve,and a ‘Wild Waste’ garden made entirelyfrom waste. A range of nature trails andspecial event days are available.NationalBirmingham Eco-Park258A Hobmoor Road (adjacent to StarbankSchool Annexe), Small Heath, Birmingham B109HHT: 0121 785 0553E: urbanwt@cix.co.ukO: Tue-Thu & Sat 10am-4pmLiving demonstration of sustainablehorticulture. Visit the forest garden, wildlifeponds, new woodland, permaculture gardenand the ecological water recycling system.See the bumblebee bank and ladybirdhibernators, or even wildflowers and plantsbeneficial to wildlife grown in the organicnursery.Centre for Alternative TechnologyMachynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZT: 0845 330 8355E: info@cat.org.ukW: www.cat.org.ukO: All year round, seven days a week, (exceptChristmas and mid-Jan), 10am-5.30pm or duskA spectacular water-balanced railwaydelivers visitors to the CAT site, providingthe first stop for those interested indiscovering sustainable technologies viaexciting and interactive hands-on displays.These are continually updated to reflect thechanges and needs of a society increasinglyaware of the need to adopt sustainabletechnologies and lifestyles. In the summermonths there are guided tours, or individualaudio-tours are available.Centre for Human Ecology12 Roseneath Place, Edinburgh EH9 1JBT: 0131 624 1972E: info@che.ac.ukW: www.che.ac.ukExists to stimulate and support fundamentalchange towards ecological sustainability andsocial justice through education, action andresearch. CHE works with active citizens,educators and professionals from all walks oflife and across the world who are passionateabout making a difference. Areas of workinclude postgraduate and short courses inHuman Ecology, consultancy, research forecological sustainability and social justice,and working with communities on issues ofleadership and empowerment.CommonworkBore Place, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, KentTN8 7ART: 01732 463 255E: info@commonwork.orgW: www.commonwork.orgO: Visits by appointmentGroup of organisations concerned withsustainable development, based on 500-acreorganic farm and conference/study centre,with organic, wildlife and permaculturegardens. Runs environmental study days forschools, adult green woodwork andconservation programme and open days forthe public. Beautiful conference centre isavailable to hire by voluntary, public andprivate sector groups. Operates adevelopment education centre in centralMaidstone with an outreach programme inglobal citizenship for schools, youth andcommunity groups.Eco-House (Environ)Parkfield, Western Park, Leicester LE3 6HXT: 0116 222 0257E: info@environ.org.ukW: www.environ.org.ukO: Call for opening timesEnvironmental showhome opened in 1989.The first of its kind in the UK, it hasexperienced remarkable success, attractingmore than 100,000 visitors. This projectaims to motivate and inspire visitors tomake changes in their lifestyles whichbenefit the local and global environment. Amajor refurbishment was completed in2000. The EcoHouse also offers free entry, acafé, shop, garden centre and disabledaccess.Findhorn FoundationThe Park, Findhorn, Forres, Morayshire IV363TZT: 01309 690 311E: enquiries@findhorn.orgW: www.findhorn.orgO: You can wander at leisure. Visitor Centre openApril-Sept, Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 1-4pm; Oct-March, Mon-Fri 10am-4pmA unique spiritual community, educationENVIRONMENT CENTRES405