Climate Week - Science Museum

Science Museum Gives a Different Take on Climate Change

Climate Week will see the Science Museum explore past and present climate science in its new atmosphere gallery, as well as share ideas for a low-carbon future. Visitors can also take part in a Cockroach Tour of the Science Museum, exploring climate change from an entirely different point of view.
The atmosphere gallery replicates Earth, with land, oceans, ice and a delicate atmosphere which hangs above visitor’s heads. Games allow visitors to interact with this replica, seeing their actions played out before them. Through this interaction the gallery teaches us not only about the science behind climate change but also the key instruments used by scientists in measuring it.
The Cockroach Tour is a little more light-hearted. Visitors are asked to don a cockroach costume and take a journey through the Museum, exploring the impact of man’s scientific and technological developments on the climate from a cockroach’s perspective. What might the insect, one of the most resilient creatures on the planet, think about our human discoveries and inventions, or our obsession with speed, time and burning things?

to read and find out more click here 

This week is Climate Week

Climate Week is a supercharged national occasion that offers an annual renewal of our ambition and confidence to combat climate change. It is for everyone wanting to do their bit to protect our planet and create a secure future.

Climate Week will shine a spotlight on the many positive steps already being taken in workplaces and communities across Britain. The power of these real, practical examples – the small improvements and the big innovations – will then inspire millions more people.

Thousands of businesses, charities, schools, councils and others will run events during Climate Week on 21-27 March 2011. They will show what can be achieved, share ideas and encourage thousands more to act during the rest of the year.

You can help create a massive movement for change by making Climate Week happen where you are. Ask an organisation or group you know, such as your workplace or local school, to run an event.....

to read full article or to find out more click here

Fairtrade Fortnight

Today is the start of of Fairtrade fortnight, and to mark this each day for the next fortnight we will focus on a Fairtrade product or company

Today we will look at the Fairtrade brand.

The Fairtrade Foundation is the independent non-profit organisation that licenses use of the FAIRTRADE Mark on products in the UK in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards.  The Foundation was established in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft, the World Development Movement, and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes.  Member organisations now also include Banana Link,Methodist Relief and Development Fund, Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, People & Planet, SCIAF, Shared Interest Foundation, Soroptimist International , Tearfund and the United Reformed Church.

The Foundation is the UK member of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO), which unites 21 labelling initiatives across Europe, Japan, North America, Mexico and Australia/New Zealand as well as networks of producer organisations from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Fairtrade Labelling was created in the Netherlands in the late 1980s. The Max Havelaar Foundation launched the first Fairtrade consumer guarantee label in 1988 on coffee sourced from Mexico. Here in the UK, the Fairtrade Foundation was established in 1992, with the first products to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark launched in 1994.
For a product to display the FAIRTRADE Mark it must meet international Fairtrade standards which are set by the international certification body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International(FLO)


Globally, consumers worldwide spent £1.6bn on Fairtrade certified products in 2007. This is a 47% increase on the previous year directly benefiting over 7 million people - farmers, workers and their families in 58 developing countries.


More details on Fairtrade Fortnight can be found here

New Products

The first is a range of clocks from Bottleclocks in Essex. They are created from old glass bottles which are then heated and flattened before having the clock movement added. We love recycled and upcycled glass and are proud to be able to supply these great range of products. The firm favourite here seems to the be the Magners Bottle Clock

Today we are pleased to launch two new product ranges.







We have added a limited range to start with but I know this will grow as they become more popular.



The second range is made for us in  Derbyshire on the edge of the Peak District, and is manufactured  by hand, as well as being fully qualified via cosmetic safety assessment licence by big green tree trading.


All the "ingredients" that are used in the products are, wherever possible natural/organic and farmed/traded in an ethical manner and free from additives such as Parabens, SLS's and Palm oils which can be bad for your skin and cause irritations and sores


We had such a hard job picking from their extensive range but hopefully we have managed to include something for everyone. 


My personal favourite so far is the Gardener’s Hand Balm which is perfect for all ages and especially handy this time of year.






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Trees for Years - 2011 trees and plants for Colchester

Trees for Years is run by Colchester Borough Council and they will be giving away 2011 trees and plants this year to help make the Borough a greener place. This year’s giveaway will be on Saturday 22nd January between 10am and 3pm in the car park of the Council Offices at Rowan House, Sheepen Road. 

Residents can collect up to three trees/plants per household and community/volunteer groups, Schools and parish councils can collect up to 20 trees per organisation. Trees for Years are open to all residents, parish councils, community/volunteer/charity groups and schools in the Colchester Borough. 

All the trees and plants must be planted in private ground and help and guidance will be at hand for anyone not sure! 

This theme is fruit and nut and the following species will be available.

Raspberry canes
Blackcurrant canes
Redcurrant
Strawberry
Pear communis – Pear
Corylus avellana – Hazel cob nut
Betula pendula – Silver Birch
Quercus robur – Oak
Acer campestre – Field Maple