Detroit's farming rebirth

Sacha Workman from Holywood Transition Town (www.holywoodtransitiontown.org) sent us an interesting and up lifting article from Radio 4 on Requiem for Detroit, which tells the story of the city through the 20th century, conveying its transition from Motor City to its rebirth as an urban prairie. Principal Asenath Andrews who is teaching Detroit's single mothers to become farmers, describes how the city is changing. To listen to the article visit the BBC website.

Trees and Urban Climate Adaptation

The Treework Environmental Practice organised a conference in London on 19 November 2009, focusing on the University of Manchester's research showing the influence of green infrastructure on the urban climate.The conference's aim was to mobilise policy makers and the wider community to ensure a sustainable urban forest canopy capable of meeting future climate adaptation needs. It was premised on the concept that the urban canopy agenda can be met by including climate adaptation within the national health and well-being agenda. Presentations are available online at www.treeworks.co.uk/seminars/past_seminars.php

Litter: our legacy to future generations

Interesting article by Jeremy Paxman in the Guardian:

It's the real thing, all right. That plastic jewel glinting in the verge among the emerging daffodils is a plastic ­bottle. Probably an empty Coke one.

An organisation called ­Litter Heroes (surely the most unglamorous club in Britain?) has done something rather useful. They have traced where the crud that morons in cars chuck out of their windows originally comes from. No surprise to discover that the worst-offending brand is Coca-Cola (4.9% of all litter), followed by Walkers Crisps (4.1%) and McDonald's (3.6%).

And what does Coca-Cola say by way of apology? A company spokesman "acknowledges" the report. How very gracious of him. He goes on to blather that its bottles "carry the Tidy Man and Recycle Now logos". Well, that should do it.

There is more fatuous wittering from McDonald's, which even has the nerve to attempt a tone of wronged outrage, saying that "in 2009 we spent over £2m on staff labour alone" picking up ­litter. That's £2m out of a turn­over of more than £2bn in Britain.

Anyone who walks anywhere in this filthy country knows that what the 39 volunteers from Litter Heroes discovered is true. No one in their right mind talks any longer about a "green and pleasant land". A ­beautiful country is being submerged ­under a rising tide of rubbish.

Worst of all is the fact that whereas paper bags biodegrade, plastic bottles and confectionery wrappers last for generations. Our great-grandchildren will still be living among the gaudy wrapping of the chocolate bar we excreted last month.

The poor saps who have to act as apologists for the fizzy-drink and junk-food manufacturers never use the obvious argument because it would ­insult their customers. Why don't they try the tactic of US gun ­manufacturers, who say: "It's not guns that kill, it's people"? Of course, it's not the boss of Coke or Cadbury chucking the company products out of the car window; it's some oaf who doesn't understand that in tidying up his private space he's making the shared space filthy.

The turning of verges into rubbish tips is a symptom of the "everyone for himself" attitude that has come to dominate in the last 50 years. What can we do? Local councils are supposed to have a statutory duty to clear up litter, but are largely useless. Ditto the national government. The fault, dear Brutus, is in ourselves. At least future generations won't lack evidence of the kind of people we were.

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Video of local MP Sammy Wilson on Eden Allotment Gardens available at www.edenallotments.org/video.

People’s Millions: Vote Today 0871 626 8102

We need your vote to secure a win for our community project 'Growing Communities in Carrickfergus' at Eden Allotment Gardens in the People's Millions. Please vote for us today on 0871 626 8102.

So Katie is out of the jungle...but we still need your votes to secure a win for our community project 'Growing Communities in Carrickfergus' at Eden Allotment Gardens in the People's Millions.

Please vote for us today on 0871 626 8102. Calls cost 10p, so vote today and tell at least 10 other people about it. Lines are open until midnight tonight on 25 November 2009.

To find out about 'Growing Communities in Carrickfergus' visit the People’s Millions Website.

Eden set for People's Millions Vote

Eden set for People's Millions Vote (9th November 2009)

Eden Allotment Gardens is a finalist for this year's The People's Millions. Voting for the project will commence on 25 November. The £46,676 project will develop a community fruit and vegetable growing project at Eden Allotment Gardens in Carrickfergus, including a demonstration garden and on-site horticultural training room which will involve local people in growing their own food and build links to local communities, encouraging cross-community working. The project will principally involve people from deprived communities in the wards of Northland, Sunnylands, Clipperstown and Love Lane in Carrickfergus and will also involve people with physical and mental health difficulties. The impact of the project will include improved community relations and reduced tension, increased knowledge about diet and healthy eating, increased skills and employability and reduced stress and improved mental health. Local community groups have been approached and have expressed an interest in being involved in the project. To help Growing Communities in Carrickfergus win funding you must vote by phone between 9am and midnight on 25 Nov 2009. The voting phone number will be advertised here and in the Daily Mirror on the day. A short video about this project and the competing project will also be shown on the ITV regional news between 6.00pm and 6.30pm. Remember the Voting Date: 25 November 2009 (9am-midnight). Further information available at People's Millions Website.

'In Bloom' winners honoured at prize-giving

Floral creativity has once again been recognised by the Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative organised by Carrickfergus Borough Council.

Local competition winners and runners-up received their well earned certificates and prizes at a prize-giving lunch in Carrickfergus Town Hall on Friday 23rd October 2009, with over 120 people attending the event.

Competition categories included Best Kept Garden & Best Kept Container Garden for householders; Best Kept Commercial Premises for commercial organisations; Painting, Poetry and Tallest Sunflower Competitions for young people; and for internet users we have the Virtual Flower Show.

At the Lunch, the Chairperson of Parks, Countryside & Amenities Sub-Committee, Alderman May Beattie thanked all those who took part in the competition and made it such a success. “The Carrickfergus in Bloom Community Competitions has really caught the imagination of local people with 1641 people taking part this year. The judges were very impressed by the number of high quality entries, the time and dedication many entrants spend in their gardens is extraordinary and is a credit to them, all who took part should be proud of their achievement's." said Alderman Beattie

Alderman Beattie also thanked the Competition Sponsors who paid for many of the flowerbeds and hanging baskets throughout the Borough. "The success of Carrickfergus in Bloom could not have happened without the generous support of local businesses throughout the Borough of Carrickfergus."

"We would also thank our statutory partners that have made Carrickfergus in Bloom such a success. Translink, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive & the Department of Regional Development have helped to improve the beauty of Carrickfergus 365 days a year; with the use of flowers, colourful shrubs, trees and attractive street furniture. As have many local groups in the Borough“. Ended Alderman Beattie