Surrey Waste Partnership are reviewing their Plan for Waste Management in Surrey and want you to help shape it. Please take part in their public consultation between 17 May and 12 August 2010 and tell them your views.
Do mention the need to encourage waste reduction, in the first instance, and the requirement for plastic recycling collection, perhaps in place of the now removed bottle banks. This could be provided by Recresco, who currently just collect Tetra Paks.
Sue Williams, and her husband Richard, who run Bookham based Sue's Preserves are on the lookout for local produce to use in their homemade cakes, jams, relishes and chutneys.
If you're a local grower and fancy making some money, whilst helping to support a local producer, then why not contact them.
Meanwhile, if you fancy sampling some of their products, they are on sale locally or can be delivered within Mole Valley.
On Saturday 3 July North Leatherhead Community Group is undertaking `The Big Tidy Up' and is looking for volunteers to help out with litter picking from 10am until 4.00pm. If you would like to get involved, meet at the Tesco's entrance to the woods at 10.00am.
This promises to be a fun day out for all the family ending in a free BBQ at 4.30pm at the Fire & Iron Gallery. There will also be prizes, stickers, food and drinks through out the day. The Group is looking for the local community to come with their family and help whilst having fun. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the area, hidden to many, that is full of history! Prizes will be awarded for the most unusual item found and maybe, just maybe, there will be gold in the woods! Everyone is welcome, even if you can only spare 10 minutes.
The area behind Tesco's in North Leatherhead holds many historical remains, from the Romans to an old brick works that used to be on the site many years ago. There have been lots of remarkable finds, including Roman coins. Since then litter, fly tipping and years of mess and grime have blanketed the area, making the land look unsightly and deterring visitors. However, underneath lies a wonderful woodland with many rare plants and invertebrates, waiting to be uncovered.
`The Big Tidy Up' is organised by North Leatherhead Community Group and supported by Tesco's, The Fire and Iron Gallery, Mole Valley District Council, Mole Valley Housing Association, Crime Disorder Reduction Partnership and further supporters.
For more information and to get involved with The Big Tidy Up Please Contact Simon Woodhams, North Leatherhead Community Group Project Worker on 01372 361082 or email swoodhams.lcg@live.com
Bookham, Fetcham and District Garden Society are holding their Flower and Produce Show on Sunday 4th July, at the Old Barn Hall, Great Bookham, starting at 2.30pm. As well as plant stalls, there will be a raffle and refreshments. Email Derek Bean for more info, or 'phone him on 01372 458711.
At village day on Saturday 19 June Transition Bookham are planning to launch a garden share scheme for Bookham.
There are now a large number of people on waiting lists for allotments in the village and on the other side, there are gardens that are unused or even unloved. Some owners haven’t got the energy, or the time or simply the enthusiasm to look after a substantial garden. We will call on garden owners who are prepared to let somebody with an interest in growing their own food use part of their land in exchange for some produce. Hopefully a few matches will be made creating lovely organically and locally produced fruit and vegetables.
A similar scheme is already up and running in Ashtead, and Dorking have a community orchard they are very proud of. Land can also be registered via a national scheme launched by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at www.landshare.net
For any queries contact: esther_s_phillips@hotmail.com or on 01372 456 905
It would appear that the Telegraph is playing down its own story on the part that mobile 'phone signals may play in the collapse of bee colonies. As mentioned in the Colony Collapse Disorder wiki, I linked to previously, as well as elsewhere on the Green Mole Forum (including our Look Local article), current possible causes include pesticides, Varroa mites, changing climate, new predators (such as the Asian hornet now in France) and interference from transmissions (studies have been inconclusive), or quite likely a combination of these factors. Thanks go to our resident permaculturist, and Transition Bookham Food Group champion, Esther, for pointing this out.
Researchers from Chandigarh’s Punjab University claim they have found the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder which is devastating bee populations. They have established that radiation from mobile telephones is a key factor in the phenomenon, and say that it’s probably interfering with the bee’s navigation senses.
On Saturday 5th June 2010 - World Environment Day - the Lightbox in Woking will host a fun-packed ‘Keen to be Green Now Fair’.
The specially organized event will be packed full of information and advice, children’s activities, games, lectures and goodies to buy that raise awareness about what each and every one of us can do to become greener and reduce our carbon footprint.
From informative talks to face-painting, slow bike races, cool, eco-chic gadgets and accessories and free drop-in workshops, there will be something for everyone who cares for their local environment
Rob Hopkins, the founder of the Transition movement, is coming to speak on the 7th June at the Wilfred Noyce Centre in Godalming. More information is available on Transition Farnham's website.
Epsom Beekeepers are looking for people who are willing to have a beehive in their garden. I have copied the rest of this posting from their website which you will find here: http://epsombeekeepers.co.uk/
Derek Smith
Would you like to have bees in your garden but do not have the time or energy to be a beekeeper?
How about hosting a hive? This will give you the pleasure of discovering the fascinating world of the honeybee and also an understanding of this craft without all the work. You can be satisfied that you are supporting pollination and biodiversity.
We at Epsom Beekeepers have members who find it difficult to find a safe space for their colony of bees.
Have you got a garden that might suitable?
The requirements of a site are:
Will the site cause a nuisance to neighbours or the general public?
Is there convenient access with minimal carrying for the beekeeper to bring in equipment?
It is essential that it is out of the public gaze.
Consideration must be given to public footpaths and your use of the land.
An experienced beekeeper will visit you to assess the suitability of your site.
If interested contact Catherine : e-mail: camdel36@yahoo.co.uk