News from Northfield Ecocentre
We have had loads of things happening at the centre and there are some changes taking place.
Staff Changes
Dave Watton, joint Coordinator, has left the Ecocentre to take up new challenges. We are sad he has left, thank him for all his efforts and wish him well for the future. We will soon be advertising for the role of Assistant Coordinator.
Free Regular Sewing Group
Due to the success of our sewing workshop in May we have a regular group meet every Friday morning between 10am and 12pm. This is a free drop in session open to everyone. Come along if you are interested in making things for your house, for you, and your family. Whether you are experienced or a complete beginner you will be able to learn new skills and make wonderful items reusing old materials. Make your home your own, run up some curtains, draught proof your home for winter with draught excluders and curtains, bring along that mending, finish that project you started and reuse rather than throw away.
Northfield Ecocentre working in partnership with Birmingham Scouts
Over the last month we have had some great events. Local Scouts, Beavers, Cubs and Explorers have worked hard volunteering for us and thanks to them we now have some wonderful posters, a fantastic scarecrow in the garden, lots of compost, sets of Lego to help us fundraise and a pond.
The 100th 1st Bournville Beavers created some amazing recycling bins for our waste display in the Ecocentre. When you visit look out for a dragon made of recycled paper and cardboard, and a robot made from recycled plastic. Pictures will be up on the website really soon www.northfieldecocentre.org
Schools Workshops
Our schools programme is now up and running. We have delivered a series of successful workshops to local key stage 2 children looking at ways to save energy and fight climate change. We will be developing our programme over the summer months and will send out details in advance of the Autumn term. If you would like information about these workshops before then please get in touch, more details are also available on the Teachers section of our website www.northfieldecocentre.org .
Take Action
Birmingham City Council plans to light up Spaghetti Junction so it can be seen from space. This is a huge waste of energy and money which will completely undermine the city’s efforts to cut carbon emissions. Is this also how we want Birmingham to be known to the world – as a city of concrete road structures? To find out more visit icsuttoncoldfield.icnetwork.co.uk
Read our petition and join us in asking the Council to use lottery money more wisely www.northfieldecocentre.org
Northfield Ecocentre Out and About
We will be at the 3 Estates Summer Festival in Kings Norton on Saturday 1st August and will have a stall at Kings Norton Farmers Market on Saturday 8th August. Come and find us for a chat and to get your free energy saving lightbulbs. If you would like to help out on the stall please get in touch.
Wildflower Garden Visit
Visit a small home garden in West Heath which has been developed as a wildlife garden over many years with 150 recorded wildflower species. See how the area is managed & wildlife encouraged and delight in the ever-changing scene.
Between 2pm and 5pm on Saturday 25th July. 5 minutes walk from 27 & 45 WM buses; 145 Bromsgrove bus, 146 Redditch bus. To book a place (maximum 10 people), phone John & Barbara Marshall on 0121 458 3686. Alternative arrangements will be made if wet.
Top Tip
These warmer (if not drier) months are the perfect time to prepare for the winter. Get your home insulated now to save yourself money and cut your carbon emissions when the cold hits. Nearly half of the heat (that you have paid for) lost in a typical home is through the walls and loft. You could save around £250 per year with cavity walls and loft insulation. Most companies now offer large discounts thanks to government funding, you may even be able to get it fitted for free.
Find out more from the Energy Saving Trust:
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements/ Free advice for householders – call 0800 512 012.
Find out about grants available and whether you can get free insulation:
www.warmfront.co.uk Warm Front – Freephone 0800 316 2805
If your house does not have cavity walls you still have a number of options. Come to visit us and ask how you can insulate your home.
Remember to come and visit us when you get a chance, we are open:
Thursdays 4pm – 6:30pm
Fridays 10am – 1pm
Saturdays 10am – 1pm
We are happy to help you with any green, sustainable or energy saving queries. Get in touch on 0121 448 0119
Is a Sustainable Christmas possible?
Although summer has really only just begun many of us are now thinking about what we can do at Christmas (not me personally, I’m not that organised!). A time when everyone buys new things, often with lots of packaging, we all eat good food and hopefully have a wonderful time. Can we do this is a sustainable way? We would love to hear your ideas and tips for a sustainable Christmas to help us plan our event.
We hope to see you soon
Georgia Stokes
Northfield Ecocentre Coordinator
0121 448 0119
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