Country Markets spreading to Cities
Posted on 19. Mar, 2011 by Lily in Article, Environment, Food and Drink, Local Business
Some say buying local is not only a good way to rejuvenating the local economy but it’s also good for the environment – less carbon emissions and if you are buying locally produced food much better for your health.
Buying local is all about the individual producer, products are unique and are produced with care.
Country Markets roots go back to 1919 when the then equivalent to DEFRA the Agricultural Organisation Society sponsored the setting up of co-operative markets to sell surplus produce. Today it is a membership-based co-operative social enterprise with a turnover of £10million with over 65 regional Market Societies throughout England it is now going to be established in Manchester. Check out the details below:
A Country Market for Greater Manchester
What?: A meeting to bring together people interested in establishing a new Country Market for Greater Manchester.
- Can you produce good quality fresh food and crafts?
- Would you like to work from home and around your family commitments?
- Would you like to be part of a social enterprise that has co-operation, community and quality at the core of its values?
Interested? Become a producer, and/or help set up this new Country Market.
Where? Go along and find out more at Manchester Friends’ Meeting House (6 Mount Street M2 5NS)
When?: Tuesday 22nd March at 6.30 pm.
To find out more about plans to establish a Country Market for Greater Manchester contact Beate on 07746 395 101 or email us on gmcountrymarket@gmail.com.
For more information about Country Markets see www.country-markets.co.uk or http://gmcountrymarket.wordpress.com
Can’t make the meeting? If you are interested in getting involved but are unable to make the meeting, please get in touch by email, indicating whether you’d like us to add your email address to our mailing list [email gmcountrymarket@gmail.com].
Mountain biking round Watergrove
Posted on 06. Mar, 2011 by Lily in Article, Environment
It’s a cold winters morning but who cares when you’re working hard riding your mountain bike on the Pennines. These guys really enjoyed the freedom of the moors last week.
Thanks to MrDazpl’s footage on Youtube.
Observer Ethical Awards 2011
Posted on 27. Feb, 2011 by Lily in Environment, Event
The Observer newspaper is calling ethical characters to come forward and join their Ethical Awards this year.
It’s been six years since the Observer paired up with Ecover in bringing the country these awards which incidentally are now known as the ‘Green Oscars’.
Pennine Life would like to encourage its readers to submit any eligible projects they may know of or involved with. There are several categories to choose from. Types of projects can be for example, school recycling project, a brand that has green issues at heart or a local business that tries to put sustainability at the centre of its daily work.
The awards this year has some splendid judges and prizes so why not check out all the information here and put a project forward. Deadline is 11 March. You can also check out last year’s ceremony here.
Do Valentines Day the Green Way
Posted on 13. Feb, 2011 by Lily in Environment, Event
Instead of spending a fortune on cards and buying roses that are flown in from far and distant lands. Why not try to celebrate this Valentines Day in a more environmentally friendly way?
You can dedicate a tree to the one you love through the Woodland Trust and at the same time help to restore the UK’s native woodland heritage.
The Woodland Trust has planted more than eleven million trees, creating new native woodland throughout the UK. You can dedicate one, three or ten trees from a list of 23 woods across the UK. So why not check it out. 
Re-fill, Re-use, Re-cycle Charity Competition
Posted on 06. Feb, 2011 by Lily in Article, Environment
The coffee company Douwe Egberts UK is running a competition to give small charities the chance to win £10k for a project that benefits their local community. Second and third place prizes of £5k and £3k will also be awarded.
Those eligible are registered UK charities that have an annual turnover of between £5K and £50K. Potential projects need to fit within the three categories (re-use, re-fill and re-cycle) as outlined below:
1. Re-fill is about replenishing a project low on funding so you can continue your good work.
2. Re-use is about restoring facilities that are falling into disrepair or which are needed for a different use.
3. Re-cycle is about transforming something old and unusable into something useful, like turning wasteland into allotments.
This competition opens on Monday 7 February, if you would like to enter, simply go to http://www.facebook.com/DouweEgbertsUK and follow the Facebook application through to the entry page. Full terms and conditions and entry criteria can be found on the Facebook page.
Community working together decorate local stations
Posted on 01. Feb, 2011 by Lily in Article, Culture, Environment
Children at local Pennine schools in Littleborough are a dab hand at making mosaics.
They are lending their skills to help improve the ambience of both Littleborough and Smithy Bridge stations.
Stuart Carmichael Secretary of Friends of Littleborough Stations said:
“One of our objectives is to make our local stations pleasant and welcoming gateways to the beautiful areas of Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough and the Rochdale Canal. By involving local schoolchildren in poetry and art projects we want them to feel part of a community that rates rail travel highly.
“The first mosaic, which consists of four panels totalling five metres in length has been organised by Artworks Co-op based in Littleborough and created by the children of Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, Alice Ingham RC Primary School, St.Andrew’s CofE Primary School and an ad hoc community group meeting at St.Andrew’s Church, Dearnley.
“Then senior citizens will work with local children on the construction of the fourth panel during school half term in February. We will then frame the mosaic and waterproof it ready for erection on Littleborough Station. After which we are hoping to work with the other local primary schools to design and build one for Smithy Bridge Station.”
Pennine Life can’t wait to see more of the exciting work between Artworks Cooperative and the community.
Join Big Garden Birdwatch weekend 2011
Posted on 28. Jan, 2011 by Lily in Environment, Event, Home and Garden
Yep, it’s that time of year again and it’s this weekend. One of the favourite winter pastimes in the UK – the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend.
If you are interested in watching our feathered friends in your garden for an hour this weekend then check out the RSPB’s website to find out what to do. It only takes an hour of your time and great fun for children. All you need is a pen or pencil, some scrap paper or old envelope and an hour to spend watching the birds in your garden either on Saturday 29, or Sunday 30. Simply record the highest number of each bird species seen in your garden, or local park at any one time.
Support your local birds and give it a try this weekend.
Pennine winter plant photos
Posted on 10. Dec, 2010 by Lily in Environment, Home and Garden
It certainly has been cold these last few days and here are some photos taken by Pennine Life residents.
We take grass for granted but first thing on a sunny frosty morning they can look spectacular.
Different plants can certainly look attractive.
Leaving old flower heads on plants can make the garden interesting even on the coldest of days.
Feeding birds during winter
Posted on 30. Nov, 2010 by Lily in Environment, Home and Garden
The sudden onset of winter and the snow and ice has been a surprise to all of us. But spare a thought to all our birds, they will need some help during the coming winter months including the next few days. As the cold spell kicks in our birds need support. Many people aren’t sure what to feed them however you can find a whole range of advice on the RSPB’s website .
Snow hides natural food supplies therefore it is an important time for them to find a source of nutrition. Birds can’t store lots of fat like other animals do in winter and often cannot last more than 24 hours without eating in severe weather, they need to restock their food supplies every day.
You don’t have to buy expensive bird food. Why not try to make your own bird cake to put in coconut shells and hang them up on tree branches. It’s fairly straight forward.
Step one:
Melt gently half a pack of unused lard or suet (don’t use fat from roasting dishes or tins) in a large pan.
Step two:
Once the lard has melted add nuts, dried fruit, oatmeal, seeds, cake crumbs or dried bread flakes mix throughly (make sure you don’t use salted nuts).
Step three:
Place the mixture into the empty coconut shells and pack it in tightly with the back of the spoon and pat until smooth.
Step four:
Then leave to set before hanging it out onto a tree.
Don’t forget to leave them fresh water to drink too.
Remember try and hang it up high well out of reach of the local cats.
1010 Global Day of Doing
Posted on 08. Oct, 2010 by Lily in Article, Environment
Everyone in the Pennines are only two days away from the Global Day of Doing.
On Sunday 10 October – aka 10:10:10 – people and organisations everywhere will be busy cutting their carbon, and the 101 campaign will be streaming your stories and photos live on the website.
Families across the UK having a low-carbon lunch or draught-proofing their home will be joining thousands of schoolkids planting trees across Russia and Croatia, a solar-powered music festival in Barcelona and a carbon-cutting telethon on Dutch TV – to give just a few examples. So what are you going to do on the day?
Our actions can inspire a million more, so whatever you do on Sunday don’t forget to send pictures and stories tophotos@1010global.org. And if you’re on Twitter, do tweet about your own Day of Doing using the #1010 hashtag.
So what are you going to do on the day?
