General News

A raft of green groups, including Friends of the Earth, RSPB, CPRE and Transport 2000, are encouraging people to oppose government proposals to change the planning system. See Planning Disaster.co.uk.

The government has now got an ‘Environment and greener living‘ section to its Direct.gov web site.

Great to read in Garden Organic’s winter 2006 magazine that Herefordshire ice cream makers September Organic are not only going ‘carbon neutral’ by offsetting but are working to reduce direct carbon emissions by sourcing ingredients as locally as possible.

As I took part in the survey, I’m particularly pleased to see the report in Malvern Gazette, 24/11/06: “A rare butterfly whose numbers are declining across the UK is booming on the Malvern Hills. Grayling butterfly numbers have dropped by 50 per cent over the last 25 years. However, substantial populations have been found on the southern and eastern slopes from North Hill to the Worcestershire Beacon, with smaller numbers around Wyche Cutting, Black Hill and British Camp.”

Malvern Gazette, 10/11/06: Going green has been identified as a top priority by Malvern Hills District Council.

Malvern Gazette, 3/11/06 - front cover story: A development of unique eco-friendly Earth-homes could be built in West Malvern, the first of their kind in Britain. Local support led to planning permission being granted, but no movement on the ground at Oct 07.

Event News

Daisychain Live ( 21st to 22nd April 2007), the ‘ Ultimate Green Show’ at Three Counties Showground, was cancelled (organiser Organic Events is based in Bromyard).

Homes4Now

This event was on 14th-15th October 2006 - “An Exhibition of Practical Ideas and Technologies for Sustainable Homes and Living.” An initiative by Green Party district councillor John Raine. Malvern Gazette report on the event.

See Malvern Gazette, 5th October, for a piece on eco-homes and Homes4Now, and the week before for Brigit Strawbridge’s Top Tips for Greener Living.