I wrote previously about the press coverage of John Lewis' updated version of Make do and mend, and I'm not delighted to say that I managed to pick up a copy when I was in my local store recently. I was delighted to find that they are selling copies for just £3 each. Admittedly it's only a small book, but one packed full of valuable tips and hints and in my opinion would make an excellent stocking filler at Christmas for anyone who is keen to save a few pennies. The book starts with some traditional "home truths"; those handy little hints about how to solve household ... read more
Compost related gifts
The wonderful Compostwoman was incredibly kind when Mr C and I moved house and sent me a lovely housewarming present. I have to say that I loved receiving a parcel in the post - it's something that is so unusual these days that it was very exciting when the postman knocked on the door, even more so as I was off work ill that day. Compostwoman being the green woman she is it was an environmental package in the post! She included a CD-ROM entitled the complete guide to home composting that Mr C and I are looking forward to learning from. Composting is something that we ... read more
UK carbon production
Interested in knowing just how much carbon the UK is producing right now? Interested in understanding how this changes throughout the day based on how much everyone is using and how electricity is being produced at that moment in time?I've been pointed towards a couple of websites recently that help answer these questions and are absolutely fascinating.The first one tells you the carbon content of the UK grid right now (sampled at 5 minute intervals) and also tells you the source split at the time between fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables. The second provides a trend ... read more
I despair!
I've seen something this evening that just makes me despair at some of the people who live around me!Mr C and I live in a block of flats which means that we have a communal bin store in which we have four of the big refuse bins and some recycling bins. This area is only supposed to be used for "normal" rubbish and if anyone has anything larger to dispose of they're supposed to deal with it themselves and take it to the local tip.Many of the people here just seem to ignore "rules" like his and we've had everything left in there from baths, to ovens ... read more
Behind the scenes…
... in the charity shop.For anyone like me that loves rummaging in charity shops for a bargain, this article from the Guardian provides an interesting insight into what a charity shops finds in its many donations. It's quite eye opening! ... read more
The Big Green Bus
I'm thrilled to see that the work of one of my favourite charities, The Big Green Idea, has made it on to YouTube. If you've not heard of the charity of the Big Green Bus before then please take a look at these videos. ... read more
Spend or save?
It seems that being thrifty is a fashionable thing at the moment. The newspapers and television seem to be telling us more and more about how people are "making do" with what they have rather than buying new. Last year there were articles in the news about sewing machine sales going up due to people wanting to be more green. Now, as unemployment rises, people are instead using their sewing machines to repair what clothes they already own and make it last longer. When I first started this blog, I wrote of being keen to learn some of the skills that my ... read more
Britain by train
This week I seem to have been sending most of my time on trains, or in meetings. Out of the five working days this week I have only been in London for one, and am again elsewhere tomorrow. I often have meetings away from my main office, but not normally so many in a week. Being constantly on the go is very tiring in itself and hence I decided to travel everywhere by train this week, rather than driving as I often do (mainly as to save time admittedly). As well as the obvious carbon benefit over driving I do find that there are many other advantages and disadvantages compared to just ... read more
Low power usage fines…
I admit that this is all I've read about this, but I'm slightly frustrated all the same.This story that I found on the BBC news website today tells of a woman who is being "fined" by British Gas for using too little electricity. As someone who uses a pre-pay meter it seems that she is below the threshold that British Gas has set as minimum usage. Apparently Mrs Pracy made improvements under the Warm Front initiative and hence cut her usage down to below this threshold. I admit I don't have the full story here but I still ... read more
It’s not easy being green…
... but they seem to be suggesting that it is expensive and rather middle class!This evening I've caught up on episodes of the BBC programme It's not easy being green featuring Dick Strawbridge. Now, I have to admit that the first series of this programme really made me aware of all things green and made me start thinking properly about my impact on the planet on which we live.When I heard that there was a third series I was quite excited. Unfortunately though I'm now left feeling rather disappointed. The show has taken on a bit of a "magazine format" - ... read more