It's Our World - Go Green for the Summer

★★★★

GOGREEN

FORTHESUMMER

16pagesof tips and tales . . . fromSummer’smust-havegadgets toourman inAfrica

Win tickets toRHS show

Save £4,000 andsave the planet

Grow yourown with Alys

NEWS Tuesday, July 13, 20102 ★★★★

Let’smakeMerseysidegreener

WELCOME to the Summer It’s OurWorld supplement - part of ourgreen section dedicated to makingMerseyside a moreenvironmentally-friendly place to

live.This month we celebrate a year of It’s Our

World. And in this supplement we’re looking atways to make this the best – and greenest –summer yet, with tips on everything fromsaving money to saving precious globalresources.

With tax rises and wage freezes ahead formany, we’re looking at ways to make yourmoney go further, and help the environment atthe same time.

On page 3 we’ve teamed up with the RHSFlower Show to offer a great prize – tickets tothe show, and an apple tree that will providedelicious fruit in years to come.

One thing that always provokes letters is theplight of out native honeybees, and on page fourthere are details of a great new initiative thatpromises to help our buzzy friends out.

Liverpool charity worker Paul Grundy hastravelled to Mozambique to witness lifesavingchildcare advice, and on page five, he shares hisdiary and photographs from the trip.

As we tighten our collective belts, itsometimes seems that being green is a luxuryonly the wealthy can afford. But on pages sixand seven, we look at how can you can do yourbit without paying the earth, and actually save£4,000 a year in the process.

Elsewhere we have our summer must-haveeco-gadgets (Page 8&9), cutting down on wasteon holiday (Page 10&11), national success for aMerseyside firm (Page 12), Wirral pledges(Page 13) and on Pages 14 & 15 you’ll find ourdefinitive guide to the best outdoor events forall the family.

Over the last year we’ve seen governmentsand local authorities change, but theenvironment has stayed top of the politicalagenda. World leaders and award-winningscientists met in Copenhagen to find ways ofhalting our energy crisis and dealing with achanging climate. There has been big talk andbig promises but eventually, as always, it’ll bepeople like you and me who have to makechanges to our daily lives to make the really bigthings happen.

And already we’re seeing this is possible. Bitby bit we’re all playing a part. Over the lastyear, I’ve been overwhelmed by your fantasticgreen ideas, your ingenious tips and the manyinspirational things you’ve been doing to makethe world a better place.

Please do keep your news coming – email meat [email protected] or log on to thegreen blog http://blogs.liverpoolecho.co.uk/ecowarrior/ and share your greennews with the world.

I’ll feature as much as I can in my weeklypages and in the upcoming It’s Our Worldsupplements, which will appear every threemonths in your paper.

Together we’re making Merseyside abrighter place. Let’s keep it that way.

Jade

Supplementwritten andresearchedby JADEWRIGHT

SUNSET: Evening falls on Formby beach against the backdrop of the wind farm on the Mersey Estuary PICTURE: Colin Lane

DON’T BE SCARED: A scarecrow at the National WildflowerCentre

I couldwhileawaythehoursconferrin’withtheflowers...L

ast weekend, a crop ofscarecrows appeared in theNational WildflowerCentre to celebrate thework of schools and

community groups from acrossMerseyside. Many had submittedan entry made by its members orpupils – and the results wereimpressive.

This year’s winner was theRoyal School for the Blind’s Bert& Janet. Some of the finalistswill join the centre’s residentscarecrows at the RHS Flower

Show, Tatton Park, later thismonth.

“The standard has been reallyhigh this year,” said AlisonStorer from the NationalWildflower Centre.

“People have really used theirimagination and there are somefantastic names – we have afootballing scarecrow calledWayne Rootey and one with aguitar known as John Lemon.They really bring a smile to yourface.”

For details see www.nwc.org.uk.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 NEWS 3★★★★

GRAB your bucket and spade and enjoy the great outdoors at theFormby Summer Fun Day this Sunday. There will be a fun dog show,dog display, fire engine, lots of stalls and lovely veggie food, games andface painting for children. Please arrive by 12.30pm to park on site.Entrance: £1 adults and 50p children. West Lancs K9 Centre, MossSide, Formby.

For details of dozens of great days out in Merseyside, see our listingsguide on pages 14 and 15.

GREAT WORK: Emily Bell (second from left) and her sisterSophie try out the new track in McGoldrick park, Huyton,watched by Cllr Eddie Connor and Cath Sheil

SEA VIEW: WilliamFarr and JackMcNamara are justabout to start work ontheir castle

KING OF THE CASTLE: Reuben Juckesenjoys the sun on the beac

PLANTERS: Pupils from Witton Church Walk PrimarySchool with their entries

Schoolgirl prompts council to buildbike track

Wintickets totheRHSShowatTattonPark

GARDENING is goinggreen at this year’sRHS Tatton FlowerShow. Wirraldesigner Pip Probert

is working with EnvirolinkNorthwest to raise awarenessabout environmentallyfriendly garden concepts thatcan be implemented with easein any home or business.

The Envirolink NorthwestGarden is giving visitorsgreen ideas at this year’s RHSShow in Tatton Park fromJuly 21-25, with aneco-friendly space of recycledproducts and renewableenergy.

The garden has a number ofsustainable elementsincluding a raised pond andwater feature powered bysolar PV panels, a recycledplastic wood substitute tocreate the garden decking,organic stone making thepaved area and colourfulchippings of recycled glass onthe garden approach.

The RHS has teamed upwith Tree2mydoor.com toensure that one lucky readercan win a chance to enjoy theNorth’s greatest gardeningshow with a pair of tickets tothe RHS Show Tatton Parkand a special delivery of aJames Grieve Apple tree fromsustainable gift companyTree2mydoor.com.

This year’s show is bursting

with creative flair and will bea mecca for those with GrowYour Own ambitions. NorthWest representatives of theNational Society of Allotmentand Leisure Gardeners will beshowing off their patchperfect produce and sharingtheir top growing tips.

Also, the RHS SummerFruit and VegetableCompetition will be acolourful display of only thebest berries and awardwinning vegetables.

After enjoying the spectacleof the RHS Show Tatton Parkthe winner can adapt somekitchen garden ideas withtheir home delivered JamesGrieve Apple tree fromTree2mydoor.com. Thisvariety is easy to care for andproduces delicious and crispapples perfect for cooking oreating straight off the tree.

To find out more or topurchase tickets please visitwww.rhs.org.uk/tattonpark orcall 0844 338 7528.

www.tree2mydoor.comspecialises in the sale ofquality natural gifts includingtrees and wildflowers. Save10% when you buy online.

To win a pair of tickets, andJames Grieve Apple tree, senda postcard to Jade Wright,RHS Tatton competition, POBox 69, Old Hall Street,Liverpool, L69 3EB by MondayJuly 19.

Dig inattheFormbySummerFunDay

A SCHOOLGIRL put acouncil on the right trackwhen she asked them tobuild a cycle path in herlocal park.

Emily Bell, 10, wrote toKnowsley council askingthem to add the track toher local park in Huyton.

Her letter prompted apositive response, withKnowsley councilextending the work on thenew adventure playgroundto include a cycle track –built in conjunction withthe council’s cycling

development officer tocycle test standards.

Emily was invited to visitthe site and her ideas wereincluded in the final plans.Work on the new trackhas now been completedand Emily has been invitedto test out the new facility.

Emily said: “The newcycle track is great. It willgive local children thechance to ride safely,instead of having tomanoeuvre aroundpedestrians in the park.We can also practise

cycling training here.“I wrote to the council

when I saw they wereworking on a newadventure playground.There was an unused areanearby, so I said why notcreate a bike park? I’mreally pleased they’velistened to all my ideas.”

Cllr Eddie Connor,Knowsley council’s CabinetMember for LeisureCommunity and Culture,said: “We thought Emily’ssuggestion was anexcellent one. We are

committed to encouragingcycling as part of a healthylifestyle and providing highquality training and playfacilities, so we weredelighted to work withEmily to create the newcycle track for localchildren and young people.

“The new track willperfectly compliment theexcellent new PlayPathfinder play space atMcGoldrick Park whichprovides the latest inoutdoor, adventurous,natural play.”


Makesureyoudoyourgroundworkbeforeyou

startplanting

AGROUP of

Liverpool residentsare getting buzzy, asthey prepare tolaunch a pioneering

conservation project toprotect bees.

Volunteers from theWoolton Village ResidentsAssociation (WVRA) andFriends of Woolton Woods(FOWW) have set up theLiverpool Bumblebee HavenProject in response to theplight of bees nationwidewhich has seen some speciesdecline by 60% since the1970s.

The project will create twowildflower sites at CroxtethHall and Country Park andWoolton Woods, withanother larger wildflowerand natural habitat area inthe pipeline.

The aim is to create theUK’s first city-widebumblebee haven, with aseries of bee-friendlywildflower sites locatedacross Liverpool.

Work on the sites beganon Monday 5 July whenvolunteers plantedwildflowers at WooltonWoods and Camphill.

Liverpool City Council’scabinet member for theenvironment, CouncillorTim Moore, said: “This is afantastic initiative and it‘s

great that our residents aregetting involved in doingsomething to protect thethreatened insects.

“And, they are alreadyproving to be an inspirationto others, as severalvolunteer groups across thecity are showing an interestin creating their own beewildflower areas as part ofthe project.

“It’s great to have suchmomentum behindsomething that will not onlyhelp the bees but also otherwildlife as well - especiallyas this year is theInternational Year ofBiodiversity.”

The Mersey Forest andLiverpool City Council havehelped to coordinate and

support the project, whichwill see the knowledge andexperience gained duringthe initial stages passed onto others.

Peter Eustance, from theWVRA, said: “Bees are vitalto society thanks to theirrole in pollinating plants,but they are under seriousthreat from a significant lossof appropriate food sourcesand the right types ofhabitat. This project willcreate specially designedwildflower meadows of theright species of wildflowersand types of natural habitatfor our bumblebees to helpthem thrive on Merseysideagain.”

The project has beenfunded through the Landfill

Communities Fund by VeoliaEnvironmental Trust.

Veolia EnvironmentalTrust’s Senior ProjectManager, Laurie McNabb,says: “The Trust supportscommunity andenvironmental projectsthroughout the UK and it isgreat to see this scheme getunderway. We’re pleased tobe able to help the residentsassociation purchase thespecialist machinery andwildflower seed to make thisimportant project happen.”

Bumblebees can travel4km or more to forage forfood, so the creation of just ahandful of sizeablewildflower ‘feeding stations’and over wintering habitatsacross Liverpool will go along way to securing theirfuture in the city.

Experts at Landlife,Liverpool’s wildflowercharity, advised on species offlowers that will providemaximum food for bees atthe new sites, which willalso include bee nestinghabitats such as existingbanks of earth, hedgerows,and natural grasses modifiedto be more attractive to bees.

To find out aboutvolunteering as part of theBumblebee Haven project,contact The Mersey Foreston 01925 816217.

THE right soil canmake all thedifference togardeners but, saysAlan Titchmarsh,clever planting canhelp you whateveryour soil type.

Clay particles holdin nutrients, so themore clay andhumus there is in thesoil, the morenutrients it can hold.This means that clayis actually among themost fertile of soils.

"Willows lovedamp earth and clay.Salix daphnoides(Violet Willow) canbe grown likedogwood,” says Alan.“Chop it down inFebruary and it willgrow new stems,providing wintercolour and foliage inspring. It's fastgrowing and willreach 8ft in eachseason."

Other greatshrubs Alanrecommends for clayinclude Viburnum'Pragense', arounded evergreentype with narrow,textured leaves andclusters of pink budswhich open to whiteflowers in late spring.

Euphorbias, spiraeas,rodgersias and, ofcourse, roses, will allthrive in clay soil.

"There's thewonderful Rosarugosa - the flowerslook like crepepaper, don't getmildew or blackspot,make waist-highinformal hedges andhave hips followingthe flowers," Alanadds.

Other plantswhich do well in claysoils include Choisyaternata (Mexicanorange blossom),Hydrangeapaniculata, Kerriajaponica, Mahonia xmedia 'Charity' andWeigela 'KosterianaVariegata'.

While clay maybe one problem,shade is another,but there are plantswhich will survivethe mostinhospitablesituations, even inorganic gardens.Hostas love shadeand you can buycopper collars toplace around themto prevent slugs andsnails chompingtheir way throughthe young shoots.

GROUNDWORK: Alan Titchmarsh

BUSY AS A BEE: Residents are launching a beeconservation program

Residentscreatea

buzzaboutconservationtosavebees


CARING: A baby at Save the Children's Kangaroo Mother Care clinic inthe Monapo District, Mozambique, Nampula

POVERTY: A meeting in 25 de Junhovillage in Monapo

VITAL FOOD: A little girl eats a bowl of nutritious porridge made out of locally available food inNampula

DEBT RELIEF: A baby inNampula

LIFESAVERS: Mothers hold their newborn babies close to their bodies tokeep them warm

WORLD leaders failed to deliver on theirpromise to help eradicate poverty in thedeveloping world at the recent G8/G20 summitsin Toronto.

Only five years ago they met at theGleneagles G8 summit and pledged that, by2010, they would take action to help MakePoverty History and double aid to Africa. Notall countries have kept their promise. But theones that have secured more aid have changedthe lives of millions of children.

Mozambique is one of those success stories.Debt relief has helped to pay for freeimmunisation, benefiting one million children.This is a huge breakthrough, but the countrydesperately needs our continuing support.

Although Mozambique is a holidaydestination it remains very poor and thecountry is still rebuilding after the civil warwhich ended in 1992.

Most people in Mozambique live on less than$1.25 a day and average life expectancy is 42.Half of the population are aged under 18 and

four out of every 10 children in Mozambique aresuffering from severe malnutrition.

Save the Children health workers have foundthat the traditional African way of strapping ababy to the mothers back isn’t the best way tokeep a very young or underweight child warm,and are persuading young mothers to securethe child on their chest,.

The women changing to this new way ofchildcare are known as Kangaroo Mothers. Wewere taken to a hospital ward where four youngmothers were resting after giving birth. One ofthe most emotional moments of the trip wasmeeting a 14 year old girl who had just givenbirth to triplets. Unfortunately one of the babiesdied before we arrived and she was having

difficulties feeding the tworemaining children. Save the Children is tryingto give really simple advice that mothers canfollow to ensure their babies have the bestpossible chance of survival.

Save the Children also set up feeding centresand teaches mums how to cook a healthy mealfor their children and help families withagricultural advice to ensure they can growtheir own fruit and vegetables.

As well as a healthy diet education is key tobreaking the poverty cycle.

Although primary education is free thestandard of the school buildings and often thequality of teaching is poor.

Around every school area Save the Children

also provides a water pump for the communityand women and children queued for up to anhour to fill buckets and a variety of containers.They carry the most enormous loads on theirheads – water, firewood, building materials,often completely hands free.

As we were travelling back from the school Ispotted some children playing football at theside of the road with some tightly bound plasticbags. Since it was the World Cup I’d taken somesmall footballs with me. As I gave the football tothese children they were clearly delighted andwe had a kick around. When I had to leave, ayoung boy came running back across the fieldand gave me the ball back. He clearly didn’texpect to be able to keep it and the short kickaround was good enough for him. When I gave ithim back and told him he could keep it the smileon his face was amazing.● If you would like to make a donation to helpchildren such as those in Mozambique pleasecall 020 7012 6400 or visitwww.savethechildren.org.uk.

Debtreliefhashelpedbutpoverty isnothistory

LIVERPOOL charity worker Paul Grundy travelled toMozambique to witness Kangaroo Childcare. HerePaul, 27, from Mossley Hill, shares his diary from the trip


TO celebrate National Bike Week, and the21st anniversary of the Trans Pennine Trail,four Energy Saving Trust advice centresacross the north of England teamed up tocomplete the Trans Pennine Trail fromcoast to coast.

The Energy SavingTrust advice centre forMerseyside and Cheshirestarted the relay onMonday 21st June. Theteam set off fromSouthport Eco Centrealong with colleaguesfrom Sefton Council andEnergy Projects Plus,before heading throughAintree, Knowsley,Liverpool, Hale, Widnes,Warrington with thebaton being handed overto the Manchesteradvice centre in Lymm.

The baton was passedfrom Manchester to the South and WestYorkshire advice centre and finally to theNorth Yorkshire and Humber advicecentre who completed the challenge atHornsea, near Hull, on Thursday 24 June.Between them they covered nearly 200miles.

To help you get on your bike, the EnergySaving Trust is offering free Travel Choicesbooklets and travel energy checks to allreaders. To claim your free booklet andtravel energy check call 0800 512 012.

Call before 30th July to be entered into aprize draw to win a set of Pedalite bikepedals.

ON YER BIKE: Cyclingcan save you a fortune

IT'S easy to fall into the trapof thinking that being greenis a luxury only the wealthycan afford. While many of ushaven't got the money for

solar panels and windmills on ourhomes, we still want to do our bit.

So how can we go greenwithout paying the earth?

Think about whether you reallyneed a car. The total annual costsrange between £1,504 for a smallcar with low annual mileage and£4,425 for a large car with highannual mileage. By comparison,once you've bought a bike, you'llonly need to spend about £75 ayear looking after it. Shortjourneys are often quicker on twowheels and in Merseyside wehave great access to the NationalCycle Network, so there areclearly signed cycle routes to getyou to work, school or the shops.● Saving - £1429

The humble washing line is apretty basic piece of equipment,

but one that can help to save £60 ayear on your energy bills. Therehas been a 20% rise in sales ofwashing lines and pegs as familiesrealise that ditching the tumbledryer is not only green, but bankbalance-friendly too. If everyone inthe UK who uses one - 60% ofhouseholds do - that would reducecarbon dioxide emissions

equivalent to taking 960,000 cars offthe roads. A washing line has anormal life expectancy of around20-30 years, versus four-seven yearsfor the average tumble dryer, andclothes themselves last longerwhen dried naturally.

If you have a small garden or abalcony, a retractable line is agreat idea. A plastic-coated

retractable outdoor clothesline ina rustproof case with wall fixingsand hook, cost £9.99 fromLakeland, www.lakeland.co.uk, orCath Kidston travel washing linewith pegs is £5 fromwww.cathkidston.co.uk.● Saving - £50

Turn your thermostat down. Puton a jumper if necessary. Researchby the Energy Saving Trust saysthat reducing your roomtemperature by 1°C could cut yourheating bills by up to 10% andtypically saves around £55 peryear.● Saving - £55

While you're at it, get a free homeenergy check from the EnergySaving Trust too. Just answer somesimple questions about your homeand their experts will give you afree, impartial report telling youhow you can save up to £300 a yearon your household energy bills,plus cut down on your carbonfootprint at the same time. See

Coast tocoast

WINDPOWER:Use awashingline to dryyourwashing

TOP GEAR: Thecycle team –staff from SeftonCouncil, EnergyProjects Plusand the EnergySaving Trustadvice centre

Stop wasting aroundStop wasting aroundStop wasting around£300 a year with a free£300 a year with a free£300 a year with a free

checkenergyhome checkenergyhome checkenergyhome

Hello, Dave here. If you’relooking for easy ways to stopwasting energy and money theEnergy Saving Trust can help.So, complete your home energycheck today.today.check

Call 0800 512 012 or visitenergysavingtrust.org.uk/check


GROW YOUR OWN: Save a fortune onyour grocery bill

Lapierre Route 2 2010 tandem bike, £1,899.99

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.● Saving £300

You are what you eat, so don't wastea morsel. Planning meals, keepingthe cupboard and fridge stockedwith basics and keeping an eye onthe best before and use by datessaves time and money and helpscut down on food waste.

Each month, the average familythrows into landfill £50 ofperfectly good food that wasbought but not eaten. This has tobe one of the easiest ways to helpthe environment and save money.For details on how to cut downyour food waste, seewww.lovefoodhatewaste.com.● Saving - £600

If you have a garden, don't usepesticides or insecticides, make itbird friendly, dig a pond, and trygrowing some of your own food. Ifnot, can you get an allotment? Anaverage family spends more than£500 a year on fruit and vegetables.But the cost of growing your own is

far less, and all that digging,weeding , watering and harvestingwill keep you fit – saving onexpensive gym fees.● Saving - £300 on fruit andvegetables, £500 on gym fees

Little things like taking your ownbags to the shops instead of gettingmore plastic bags, buying long-lifelight bulbs, booking train journeyswell in advance, buying fruit andveg from street markets instead ofsupermarket produce, offloadingunwanted items through your localmembers on freecycle.org, andrecycling as much as possible savelots of waste.

And last but not least, bewareof over-consumption. Re-evaluateyour lifestyle – will a holiday inEngland suffice? Can you reuseitems where previously theywere thrown away? And mostimportantly, try to ignore themarketing message ofconsuming at all costs. Buyingthings we don't need doesn'tmake us happy.

Gogreenandsave£4,000ayear

DitchyourcarandgotoworkbybikeIf you're eco-aware at homeand at work, you probably thinkyou're doing your bit. But howabout that all importantcommute that gets you to andfrom work each day?

Cycling is one of the greenestways to travel, and is kind onthe environment and yourpurse.

Cast your mind back to howproud you felt when yourstabilisers were removed; whendad said "I'll not let go" andthen suddenly you realised hehad and you were on your own.

We've found a selection ofpedal powered machines that'llensure you stand out from thecrowd.

● Stowaway Success - BromptonM3L 2010 folding bike - £699.99from www.evanscycles.comYou can find other folding bikebrands without such hefty pricetags, but when it comes to buildquality the Brompton name isup there with the best. Thisgreat all rounder is just ashappy commuting into the cityas it is on a trip out in thecountryside.

● Updated Classic - Penny Farthing- £499 fromwww.iwantoneofthose.comSimilar looking cycles by thesame name must have beenterrifying to ride back in the19th century. Thankfully thisupdated version has a fewmodern additions to assist youon your way. Both the front36in wheel and rear 12in wheelare pneumatic, there issuspension in the saddle andanti-slip pedals. The majordifference is that you'll attractmuch more attention than

those riders of two centuriesago.

● Pedal Power - GoCycle Base Pluspackage - £1,495 fromwww.gocycle.comThis electric cycle is the idealcommuting machine. You'llneed to pedal to gathermomentum before flicking onthe power button to accelerateyou up to a maximum 15mph.It'll travel anything up to 20miles between chargesdepending on how much effortyou put in - which is likely to beenough to stop that spare tyredeveloping without seeing youarriving for work drenched insweat.

● Trick Shop - Puma Pico - £670from www.shop.puma.comThis bike from a Danish designgroup combines the lines andstrength of a BMX with arather unexpected shoppingtrolley. The eight speed bike isdesigned to allow you to takeshort cuts as you dash down tothe supermarket. Also, whenyou fail miserably trying to pulla wheelie you can explain itaway by pointing at the basketand saying "it's just a souped upshopper".● It Takes Two - Lapierre Route 22010 tandem bike - £1,899.99 fromwww.evanscycles.comThis is the Rolls-Royce of thetandem bike scene. If you can'tbear to be away from yourpartner for any period of time,then at least have the decencyto invest in one of the besttandem bikes money can buy.The trick when tandem cyclingis to get on the back seat -there are obvious drawbacks tositting downwind, but the effortyou put into pedalling isn'tnearly as much as the leadrider.

Brompton M3L 2010folding bike, £699.99

PennyFarthing,£499

GoCycleBasePluspackage,£1,495

PumaPico,£670


SUSTAINABLE: Eco Divinewallpaper, Green or taupe -£11.98 per roll from B&Q

Ethical fashion and homeware isn’tall about Hessian tunics and makingdo. It can be cool, stylish andaffordable, as our list of summer’smost wanted eco products proves.

Theeco-friendlywaytostyle

IT may look like any otherstylish bathroom, but Capulet isB&Q's most water efficient

suite, making it the natural choicefor those keen to manage theireco-footprint.

The toilet uses 2.6 litres for ashort flush and 4 litres per fullflush - saving a third of the waterof standard toilets. Capulet close

coupled toilet - £450.Plus, add the Capulet full

pedestal basin - £240 (designed toprovide greater water efficiency)and the Capulet straight acrylicbath - (shallower moulded area tosave water) - £400, for a completelook. If you aren’t replacing yoursuite but want to save water, dualflush kits for your toilets are alsoavailable priced from £19.98.Fitting this kit can save a family offour up to 20,000 litres of water ayear.

● WIRRAL-based ethical fashionboutique Tooa has a great range oforganic cotton, bamboo clothingand sustainable style that’s justperfect for summer.

We love their Giselle longsleeved wide round neck top (£39),made from 100% ethical organiccotton style. Designed in Paris, theFrozen River Butterfly Collectionis specially created to givefashionistas a genuine designeroption in ethical, sustainable andorganic fashion. The website isbased in Hoylake, but they have ashop in Altrincham too. There’sfree postage at www.tooashop.com.

● IF you love Liverpool bagmakerNook & Willow’s range but not theprice tag then despair no more.

TEA FOR MORE THAN TWO:John Lewis tiffin box, £20,www.johnlewis.com


SLEEP WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE:Navajo Bed, wardrobe, bedside, and 5drawer tall chest from Barker andStonehouse

AWARD WINNING: The Eco Lodge fromPintoy, uses Rubber wood from sustainablesources. Available from John Crane Ltd

You now have a chance to ownone at a fraction of the price fromtheir new range of digitallyprinted cotton shoppers. Made attheir Seel Street studio, thesebeautiful shopping bags are anaffordable and environmentallyfriendly addition to yourwardrobe. Each comes with aprinted image of a handbag fromtheir fabulous collection, they caneven embellish them with studs

and crystals.Prices start from £10 for a basic

printed bag to £35 for a deluxeversion, which is lined, withleather handles and studs/crystals.Available to order directly fromNook & Willow,www.nookandwillow.com

● THE Body Shop Vitamin EMoisture Serum is a concentratedpre-moisturiser treatment for theskin, for continuous, enhancedmoisturisation and protection.Vitamin E protects, while tarabush seed extract works within theskin to boost moisture levels. Skinis instantly smoothed, while thefuture of your skin is protectedover time, with regular regimeuse.

It’s believed to be a personalfavourite of Victoria Beckham. At£10 a pack, that leaves plenty leftfor Roland Mouret dresses andChristian Louboutin shoes.

● BRILLIANT for couples orpeople living alone, this energysaving Breville Hot Cup has aneasy-to-fill water reservoir with avariable dispense control-and-stopfunction so you only boil the wateryou need.

With no big plumes of steamemitting from the kettle, this is a

great choice for work surfaceswith overhead units and concealedspotlights.

Features include a two-litrecapacity, an illuminated blue tankwhen the kettle is on the boil, anda removable no-mess drip tray.

Breville Hot Cup with variabledispense, £40 available fromDebenhams.

● THE Navajo collection from

Barker and Stonehouse offers awarm contemporary look, craftedfrom recycled and reclaimed wood.

Each piece is unique, and has arustic natural charm, which is fullof character.

The range is currentlyin the sale and starts from£139. Seewww.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk for details.

● HERE’S proof thatbeing eco-friendly canstart from an early age.The award winning EcoLodge from Pintoy usesrubber tree wood fromsustainable sources.Rubber is one of the moreecologically friendlytimbers. When theeconomic life of a rubbertree, which is generally26-30 years, comes to anend, the latex yieldsbecome extremely low, sothe trees are felled andnew ones planted. Thismeans that unlike otherwoods that are cut downfor the sole purpose of producingproduct, rubber wood is used onlyafter it completes its latexproducing cycle and dies. These

NO WASTE: Breville Hot Cupwith variable dispense, £40

toys are made from wood grown bysustainable-resource plantationsand not from tropical rain forest.Available from John Crane,www.john-crane.co.uk.

● TRANSFORM your walls witheco wallpapers. Printed onpaper sourced fromsustainable forests, EcoDivine wallpapers areprinted on ForestStewardship Council (FSC)accredited paper usingwater based inks. Allpackaging is totallybiodegradable. Eco divinewallpaper, Green or taupe,£11.98 per roll, from B&Q

● JOHN Lewis has a greatpicnic box that cuts downon food waste. Each layerwill keep your picnicgoodies well apart fromone another – avoiding thepotential disaster of cakemeeting steak flavours.The four sections clamptogether – making the boxeasy to carry on those long

country walks on endlesssummer afternoons. It also makesa great piece of storage kit for thekitchen. John Lewis tiffin box£20.

STYLISH: Cooke & LewisCapulet bathroom - from£240.00 for pedestalbasin at B&Q

FAMILY FRIENDLY: Nook andWillow eco shopping bag

SAVE YOURSKIN: BodyShop VitaminE MoistureSerum


HelptheenvironmentandseeMerseyside Aninsiders

guidetoeatingoutdoors

TOURIST sites acrossMerseyside are to receivefree business support fromthe Merseyside TransportPartnership (MTP) to helpvisitors consider moreenvironmentally-friendlytravel options.

On behalf of the MTP,Merseytravel has appointeda dedicated VisitorEconomy Officer, AndrewElliot, will be working witha number of the mostpopular attractions inMerseyside to overcomeissues such as car parkovercapacity. He will helpattractions communicatehow best to reach theirsites via public transport,walking or cycling,enhancing sites’ existingmarketing activity andpotentially increasing visitornumbers.

“Encouraging visitors toconsider greener traveloptions will result intangible business benefits totourist attractions, helpingto tackle car park

overcapacity and improvingtheir existing marketingactivity to make sites moreaccessible to more people,”says Andrew.

“By working closely withtourism and leisure sites todevelop dedicated visitortravel plans, we can helpthe environment and makeit easier for everybody –regardless of whether theyown a car or not - to seethe best of what Merseysidehas to offer.

“All Merseyside touristand leisure sites –regardless of their size andlocation – are more thanwelcome to get in touchwith me for free advice andongoing support.”

Andrew’s role ispart-funded by theEuropean RegionalDevelopment Fund (ERDF),which is also supportingimprovements to coastaland rural routes in Wirraland Sefton. In Wirral, theseinclude work on the BidstonHill Accessible Trail and

Wirral Circular Trail and inSefton include work on theAinsdale Path Link and atMarshside.

Neil Scales, Chair of theMerseyside TransportPartnership, said: “We havea number of excellenttourism and leisure sites inMerseyside, which play animportant role in attractingmore visitors to the regionand supporting economicgrowth.

“Capitalising on thegrowth in tourism, resultingfrom Liverpool’s resoundingsuccess as 2008’s EuropeanCapital of Culture, is one ofthe main priority areas forMerseyside’s current LocalTransport Plan.”

Visitor attractions thatare interested in receivingfree support from theMerseyside TransportPartnership are encouragedto call Andrew Elliot on0151 330 1549, [email protected] or visitwww.LetsTravelWise.org.

EATING out on holidaycan cost a smallfortune. It’s no wonderthen that this summerhas seen a surge in

demand for self-cateringholidays.

Coupled with Met Officepredictions of more warmweather, these summerholidays could give us all achance to save money bycooking inexpensive andenjoyable meals – and notwasting a morsel.

A recent survey showsdemand for self-cateringholidays in England is up by athird, with 42% of thosequestioned citing “moneysaving” as the reason.

Better summer weathercoming our way will alsoprovide lots of opportunitiesfor those at home to dust offthe picnic hamper and fire upthe barbecue.

“Times are tough and we’reall feeling the pinch at themoment,” says JaneLittle-Smith, from Love FoodHate waste campaign. “Butthe good news is summer foodtips fromwww.lovefoodhatewaste.com

will help all of us going on aself-catering break – or simplyenjoying the long light days athome – to turn leftover foodwe already have into sometruly fabulous seasonal dishesand save money at the sametime.

“With a little planningbefore you leave, togetherwith a cool box and supply offreezer packs, its easy to takekey ingredients with you andbe well equipped for picnicsand days out while you’reaway.

“Remember to pack morewater than you think you willneed - children getparticularly grumpy if theyare dehydrated!”

Top holiday tips:● If you’ve cooked too muchfor a meal such as fish pie,chilli or lasagne, simply pop itin an airtight container andstore in the freezer as ahomemade ‘ready meal’ ortake with you for an easy firstnight supper.● If you take some lettuce orsalad leaves with you andthey’re looking tired andwilted after the journey, putthem in a bowl of water with

a couple of ice-cubes and theywill become nice and crispagain.● Quiches are an ideal wayto help use up eggs and sparecream before you go. Addflaked, cooked fish or fry thatlast rasher of bacon and someonion for classic quicheLorraine; a perfect, simpledish to take with you, in yourcool box, for the first meal ofyour holiday - lunch orsupper.● Filling sandwiches withtasty and unexpectedcombinations of leftovers,such as chicken, bacon andmayonnaise, lamb and mintsauce or cheese and coleslaw.

Making leftover potatoesinto a tasty potato salad withsliced red or spring onionsand mayonnaise – a tastysalad that also travels well.● Larger summer gatheringsat home can be particularlychallenging for hosts that arenot used to cooking andstoring food for bigger groupsof people. Follow these fewhandy hints and youshouldn’t go wrong!

Tips for BBQ’s include:● If you are cooking

TravelWiseCycle ChallengeJuly 2010

Fresh Air, Fitness & Fun!

• Prizes• Bike rides• Cycle maps

www.LetsTravelWise.orgCall us on 0151 330 1290 or visit

Join in for all you need tocycle more this summer


Beautybeginsat

homeSHE’LL LOOK GREAT SOON: Make yourown cucumber mask at home

WITH pay freezesand VAT rises are onthe horizon, we mightall have to makecutbacks withsplurges at the luxurybeauty counters.

But don’t let thenew Chancellor sheddoom and gloom onyour pamperingroutine.

DIY doesn’t have tomean paint strippingand fitting shelves -raid the kitchencupboards at homeand give NigellaLawson a run for hermoney, concoctingyour ownenvironmentallyfriendly beautydelicacies.

Janey Lee Grace,author of new bookLook GreatNaturally... WithoutDitching The Lipstick,argues you can stilllook uber-glamwithout the latest Itproducts byembracing naturalbeauty.

“You can simplify alittle, save money andthe planet, while stillhanging on to thatall-importantlipstick!” says Janey.

Stay in control ofwhat goes out of yourwallet - and onto yourskin - with naturalDIY beauty.

Forget homemadeice cream and save oncalories with productsthat will beautifyrather than leave youbloated in your bikini.

You don’t needexotic ingredients tokick-start your ownlarder of super-freshbeauty remedies.

“You’ll soon realisethat it’s easy-peasy toreplace the suggestedingredients withwhatever you havelying around,” Janeyexplains, suggestingcucumber, honey andoats as perfectexamples.

“It’s usually bestjust to make enoughto use straightaway; ifyou do make moreand want to keep foruse later, thenremember if nopreservatives areadded you will needto store in an airtightcontainer and usuallyin the fridge.”

Janey recommendstreating naturalhandmade skincare asyou would fresh foodswithout preservatives.And if you really don’twant to get yourhands dirty, why notget a specialist beautychef to do all thegroundwork for you?

Beauty Kitchen(www.beautykitchen.co.uk)is the newest ethicalbrand on the blockthat uses 100%natural ingredientshandmade to thecustomer’s specific

recipe choices. Eatyour heart outGordon Ramsay.

Janey opens up herrecipe book of DIYbeauty favourites foryou to get inventivewith natural productsthat are ideal for thesummer months...

Cucumber MaskIngredients:A few tsps brewer’s

yeastA few tsps finely

powdered oatsChunk of peeled

liquidised cucumber2 tbsps plain

yoghurt1 tsp runny honey1 drop essential oilWhizz all

ingredients togetherin a high-speedblender.

Dead sea salt scrubIngredients:2 tbsps Dead Sea

salt2 tbsps almond oil1 tsp lemon juiceYou can replace the

lemon with a drop oftea tree oil or ateaspoon of honey fora perfect scrub forsuper soft feet.

Pore-cleansing coconutoil exfoliant

Ingredients:3 tsps coconut oil1 tbsp yoghurt1 tbsp Dead Sea

salt or Himalayan saltMix to a paste,

apply and rinse offwith water.

Natural know-howDon’t panic if you’ve

run out of youressential beautyproducts and paydaystill feels like a longway off. Janey’squick-fix, all-naturalproducts should seeyou through anyskincare emergencies.● Olive oil works atreat as an emergencycleanser and eyemake-up remover. “Itcould be a little heavyfor use twice daily,though,” Janey warns.

barbecues keep it simple andresist serving food before it iscooked thoroughly. Keepguests happy with crisps orsalad to pick at while youcook.

If you are having a buffet,only bring it out of the fridgeat the last minute, so it staysfresh for longer.● If there are any leftoversfrom the buffet or barbecueput them in the fridge as soonas you can.● Use your leftover producein other recipes. Try aSpanish potato tortilla or useleft over meat in a sandwichor curry the next day.● When you take leftoversout of the fridge, eat themimmediately or reheat themthoroughly straight away –don't leave them standing atroom temperature.● Keep a thermometer inyour fridge to make sure it isalways running at the propertemperature. Store raw meatson the bottom shelf andseparate from other cookedfoods to avoid crosscontamination.

Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.comfor more invaluable tips for a

cost-effective enjoyablesummer home or away. Thereis something for everyone,whether you are a keen cook,or simply want to reduce theamount of food which youthrow away.

Spanish PotatoTortilla

(Recipe thanks to theWomens Institute)

You can be as creative asyou like with this resourcefulrescue recipe. Whateveryou've got in the fridge thatneeds using up can be addedto this substantial dish.Leftover cheese, vegetables,spicy sausages and cookedmeats such as ham all workwell. Cut into wedges andserve as a delicious anytimesnack or a light lunch with agreen salad.

IngredientsServes 41 tablespoon olive oil, 350g

potatoes, sliced thinly, onelarge onion, sliced thinly, 6large eggs, salt and blackpepper, leftover sausage orcooked meat, coriander

sprigs, a handful of gratedcheese

Method1.Heat the olive oil in a

large pan, add the potatoesand onion andcook gently for20-30 minutesuntil softened,withoutbrowning theonion.

2.Beat theeggs in largebowl, seasonwell and addthe potatoesand onionmixture.Combine welland tip into anon-stickfrying pan.

3.Cook overa gentle heatfor 10-12minutes untilset and scatterthe top with the sausageslices and grated cheese andplace under a hot grill untilgolden brown. Serve withcoriander sprigs and a crispgreen salad.

RECIPE:Spanishpotato tortilla


JohnsoncleansupinenvironmentalawardsMERSEYSIDE-basedJohnson Cleaners wasranked number 45 inthe UK’s top 60 BestGreen Companies, aschosen by the SundayTimes.

The UK’s largest drycleaning company, withheadquarters inPrescot, wasrecognised for itsenvironmentalperformance, withincreased recycling,improved staffawareness and reducedconsumption of gasand electricity since2007.

Johnson Cleaners iswell underway with anational £6m initiativeto convert its stores toeco-friendly“GreenEarth”technology by 2012.

Environmentalinitiatives in the lastthree years haveincluded the “HandBack your Hangers”campaign, whichdramatically reducedthe number of plastic

hangers used in 2008,Johnson Cleaners’ bagfor life laundry carriers,a go paper freecampaign for PriorityClub customers and in2009 Johnson Cleanersreduced its carbonfootprint by 17%,smashing targets of 5%.

GreenEarthis aninnovativeeco-friendlytechnologywhich uses aliquid siliconecleaningsolventderived fromnatural sand.The samegentleingredient isused in manyeveryday shampoos,conditioners andlotions, and breaksdown easily intonatural elements ifreleased into theenvironment.

Paul Ogle, managingdirector of JohnsonCleaners, said: “I am

delighted that we havebeen named in theSunday Times 60 BestGreen Companies andvery proud of staffacross the UK whohave worked hard onall our environmentalinitiatives. Thisacknowledges our

ongoingcommitment toinvesting in thefuture of thebusiness.”

GreenEarth isavailable for thesame price astraditional drycleaning atJohnsonCleaners, but isproven to bekinder toclothes, skin and

the environment.Johnson Cleaners is

one of the oldestcompanies inMerseyside, withapproximately 500branches in England,Wales and Scotland,including 12 inMerseyside.

Paul Ogle,managingdirector ofJohnson

CrediblewaytocutyourcarbonA

WIRRAL-Wide driveto cut CO2 emissions isunderway, with peoplefrom Eastham toBirkenhead, Leasowe

to Heswall, discovering thebenefits of CRed Wirral –Wirral’s new communitycarbon reduction programme.

The CRed Wirral website isdesigned to help everyoneliving and working in Wirral,to cut their carbon emissions.

Councillor Gill Gardiner,Cabinet member forEnvironment at Wirral councilsays: “CRed Wirral issomething we can all getinvolved in, as we allcontribute to CO2 emissionsthrough the energy we use athome, at work and throughtravel. By totalling our savingsit shows that even smallactions can make a bigdifference.”

Being smarter with ourenergy use will help to cutcarbon pollution stoppingdamage to the atmosphere andclimate, but we will not only behelping our environment,many carbon cutting actionscan help you save money. It’s awin-win situation.

By signing up to the CRedwebsite, users can pledge tocarry out over 80 carbon savingactivities; a personal profilecalculates and records the CO2savings each user is making.Not only that, but the site willrecord the combined savingsfor Wirral, generated from allthe carbon savvy people usingCRed Wirral.

Over 1,500 pledges havealready been made by peoplewho are working to reducecarbon emissions acrossWirral: We can all worktogether by pledging our

support and help to create acleaner, greener Wirral.

One user of the website said:“Thanks to the CRed website,it’s now a whole lot easier tofind out about the ways andmeans to reduce our CO2emissions, and monitor oursavings”.

From taking shortershowers, recycling more andturning your thermostat down,to installing radiator panels,meat free Monday’s andreducing your food waste, thereare many ways to get involvedand start saving.

Just by making your homeenergy efficient, you could saveover £300 a year on your energybills. By reducing your foodwaste you could save up to £680a year, or by car sharing youcould save up to £1000 a year.● To start saving visitwww.credwirral.org.uk

TAKE THECRedPLEDGE &SAVE

Choose from over80 carbon savingpledges at ...

credwirral.org.uk

FREE

DryClea

ning!

11607/0710

Find your nearestGreenEarth® branchtoday, visit us at...

www.johnsoncleaners.com

*Please present this voucher when your order is deposited at your localJohnson Cleaners. Lowest priced garment cleaned free. Cloth garments only.Excludes household items, retail products and photo processing. Extra chargefor pleating. Only one voucher per order. Cannot be used in conjunction withany other offer. Voucher valid until 31st July 2010. Johnson Cleaners UK Limited.Registered No: 2970609 England. Registered Office: Lydia House, Puma Court,Kings Business Park, Kings Drive, Prescot L34 1PJ.


Findyourownspacetogrow

WHETHER you live in a basementflat or a four-storey country house,a new campaign aims to convinceanyone they can grow their ownfood.

The One Pot Pledge hopes to get30,000 newcomers “growing theirown” this year.

“We realised that, just as peoplewho want to get fit get supportfrom a gym, people who wanted togrow food needed similarsupport,” explains Food Up Frontco-founder Seb Mayfield, whocame up with the idea for thecampaign.

“Rather than wait years for anallotment, many people could begrowing at home, in their gardens,balconies, windowsills or roof -with the support they need.”

Campaign supporter,Gardeners’ World presenter andstar of BBC Two show The EdibleGarden, Alys Fowler, agrees thatpeople need help to get growing.

“When you’ve been growing fora while, you take a lot of what youdo for granted, and there aredefinitely basics that are missingin some generations.

“A lot of people forget that plantsneed food and care - which is justlight and water - and people canalso get completely flummoxedwhen it comes time to harvest.

“Newcomers tend to think thatgardening or growing-your-ownwill be difficult and taxingbecause, to be honest, both havebeen sold as nerdy and somethingyou do only later in life, whenyou’re retired and can spend daysor months or years doing littlemore than developing greenknowledge.

“The truth is that a seed isnature’s packet all ready to go. Youjust have to scatter it where it cangrow, give it some light and somewater, and let it get on with it.”

One Pot Pledge has already seen

nearly 10,000 people sign up, a featwhich Fowler says demonstrateshow offering a basic, DIY approachto gardening can help sparkpeople’s interest

Grow your own top tips, fromAlys Fowler

GROW ROCKETNotoriously expensive in shops,rocket is a delicious leaf that canbe grown easily in a pot within amonth - by anyone, says Fowler.

“It needs a partially shady spottoo so you don’t even have the lackof a sunny windowsill as anexcuse,” she adds.

DRAINAGE“If you’re using a reused item as apot, such as a bucket or yoghurtpot, or even a plastic veg container,then make sure you drill someholes for drainage,” Fowler says.

BASIL“Instead of buying a pot of basilfrom the supermarket which dieswithin a week (this isn’t your fault- there are so many seedlingscrammed in the pot that theyquickly outgrow the space), growyour own,” says Fowler.

“Water it infrequently and giveit some light, and it should lastwell into the autumn.”

REGULARWATERINGUnlike plants grown in theground, pots rely very much on usto keep them watered, saysFowler.

“When watering, do itthoroughly, till the water runs outof the drainage holes and in themorning, so the plant can drink itup all day long.”

GROW YOUROWN: Alys Fowler

COMPOST“You’ll need to buy a propergrowing compost. A peat-free,organic compost is best.Multi-purpose composts are finefor some veg, such as carrots orlettuce, but a potting compost isbetter for potatoes and courgettes,which need a richer diet,” saysFowler.


Datesforyourdiary

JULYSaturday 17■ Brisk Walk, Otterspool, Sefton Park,Princes Park and Priory Wood Circular(5 miles approx), 1.30pm.New walkersare recommended to contact LiverpoolBrisk Walkers - detailswww.liverpoolbriskwalkers.co.uk.■ National Wildflower Centre – Howto Spot a Wildflower. A Great Outdoorsevent celebrating our wonderful nativewildflowers. The session is free butnormal entrance fees apply. 10am-12pm.■ Southport Theatre and ConventionCentre - Sefton Coast Forum 2010■ The Sefton Coast Partnership will behosting a Forum to discuss issues relatingto the coast.The title of this year'sForum is "living with a changing coast"and will showcase how our coast ischanging, issues arising from this changeand how we live with the changes, nowand into the future. Free all day event,but places must be booked in advance.Southport Theatre and ConventionCentre, Promenade, Southport, 01704540454, 9am - 5pmSaturday 17 - Sunday 1 August■ Sefton Park – In the Night Garden -Live in Liverpool The world premiereand nationwide tour of In the NightGarden is to launch in one of Liverpool’smost beautiful parks. Performance times:9.30, 11.15 a.m., 2.00, 3.45 & 5.30 pm.Tickets: £5 - £20. Running time: approx.

60 minutes. www.nightgardenlive.comSunday 18■ Summer in the Park - BirkenheadPark■ What’s buzzing in the park? A Rangerled guided walk looking at the diversityof insect life-moths,butterflies, bees,dragonflies and more.2-3:30pm. Birkenhead ParkVisitor Centre, Park Drive,Birkenhead CH41 4HY.Dogs not allowed. Suitablefor the whole family.Booking required on 0151652 5197 or [email protected]■ Black Wood andChildwall Woods - A Taleof Two Woodlands: Twowoods of contrastingappearance both steepedin history. Meet at 1pm atthe corner of AldbourneAvenue and WooltonRoad, free.■ Everton Park - Picnic inthe Park - The Big Lunch.Join the West Evertoncommunity and theRangers as part of ‘The ‘BigLunch’ as they invite peopleto join us in Everton Parkfor a picnic.www.thebiglunch.com/the-big-lunch-2010.php■ Rock Park – Crown Green Bowls

Coaching. It doesn't matter if you're aveteran or have never played before,come along and try your hand at crowngreen bowling. All equipment and adviceprovided free of charge. Runs from1-3pm. For ages 8+. Booking is essentialon 01928 563 803 or 0151 423 6147

Tuesday 20■ Millwood LocalNature Reserve -Ancient Millwood andOglet Shore. Enjoy aninformative healthy strollin and around the ancientwoodland of Millwood inSpeke and then on to theOglet shoreline to take insome of the views of thearea upon the edge ofthe city. Meet at theentrance to the woods atthe rear of the MargaretThompson, HealthCentre, Alderfield Drive,Speke. FreeWednesday 21 -Sunday 25■ Tatton Park - RoyalHorticultural SocietyFlower Show. TheBotanical Collectionfrom Parks andGreenspaces will be onshow at this event.www.rhs.org.uk

Wednesday 21 and 28

■ Wirral Country Park – CarbonDetectives. Budding detectives - youngand old – are needed to join the fun atWirral Country Park Visitor Centre.Discover more about the sources of theinvisible gas carbon dioxide through ahost of fun-filled activities. There’ssomething for everyone, from puzzlesand games to short films and trails. Thecarbon detectives day is led byC(arbon)Red(uction) Wirral. Visitwww.credwirral.org.uk to find out more.Friday 23■ Birkenhead Park - Bat Walk. Meet atthe Visitor centre for a guided Bat walk.Cost £2 per person. Booking essentialon 0151 652 5197 or [email protected] 24■ Wirral Country Park – MothBreakfast. Don’t worry, you wont haveto eat any bugs on this event! This is achance to get up close with some mothscaught in the Wirral Country ParkRecording Group’s moth trap overnight.No need to book. Meet at the VisitorCentre. The session runs from10am-12pm. For details call 0151 6484371 or [email protected] 25■ Formby Lighthouse - Guided Walk.Guided walk on behalf of The SeftonCoast Partnership's History andArchaeology Task Group. Visit to thesite, Altcar Training Camp. (By

permission of the Commandant AltcarTraining Camp). To be led by RegYorke.The building, built in 1719, wasdemolished in 1941. We will look at itssite, discuss why it was built (and whydemolished!). Booking is necessary:Please contact Dr Yorke Altcar TrainingCamp on 01704 872187.■ Runcorn Hill – Foxes Bark to theBarn Dance. But, what... no barn?There's no better place to have a hoedown than dancing the afternoon awayin the park. The rangers will set thescene and you just come along to join inand enjoy. 2-4pm. For details call 01928560 793.■ Wirral Country Park – Snakes Alive!Meet the members of WirralHerpetological Society and the animalsthey look after from midday to 4pm. Youcan learn how to look after them andwhat they need to survive. No need tobook. Free.■ Royden Park – Butterflies of RoydenPark. Discover the wealth of butterfliesthat abound on the hay meadows of thispark. Suitable for all the family. Sorry nodogs. Meet at the Rangers Office,Royden Park at 12.30pm. Free.Wednesday 28■ Lifeboat Road car park, Formby -Funny Footprints. Sefton Coast andCountryside Service Rangers. Some daysthe beach is littered with footprints –some quite fresh, the others thousandsof years old, compressed in the silt. Thisis a fun activity for families to find out

GO WILD ABOUTNATURE: There’s aranger led guided walklooking at insect life atBirkenhead ParkVisitor Centre onSunday August July 18


SCENIC: Pools of seawaterleft after the high tide onFormby beach

more about the history of the beach andmake a few footprints to take home. Tobook a place and for further details ofmeeting place and a start time pleasecontact the Coast and CountrysideOffice on 0151 934 2967.■ Stanley Park - A Taste of Health. Jointhe PCT food workers in associationwith the Ranger Service for aninteractive cook ‘n’ taste session. Helpprepare a healthy meal, enjoy a healthyramble with the Rangers beforereturning to savour the delicious food.10:30 am. Meet at The Lodge, 1 AnfieldRoad, close to the Isla GladstoneConservatory.Thursday 29■ Life at the Seashore - New Brighton.Join the Rangers and staff from the BluePlanet Aquarium and discover what hasbeen washed along the shore by thetide. Meet at the end of MarinePromenade New Brighton at 10am. Noneed to book. For details call01516785488 or [email protected]. Free.Thursday 29■ Victoria Park – Park Games. Comealong and have a go at traditional parkgames. Sessions can include kwikcricket,T.Ball, football and basketball. Forages 8+. 1-3pm. For details call 0303 3334300.Friday 30■ Royden Park – Dusk Walk. Asummer evening stroll with the ranger to

reveal the night and its wonders. MeetRangers Office. Sorry no dogs. Bookingessential on 0151 648 4371. Free.Saturday 31■ Everton - Kite Festival. Join the WestEverton community and the rangers fora spectacular Kite Flying Festival,including a grand finale where kites madein local workshops will beflown to celebrate the linksbetween Shanghai andLiverpool. Part of City andNorth NeighbourhoodRespect Week.■ The Alt Centre,Hightown - History ofHightown & Fort Crosby.The Sefton Coast andCountryside ServiceRangers lead a talk on themany historical treasuresburied on our coastline,taking a historical look atthe Hightown dunes andbeaches. To book a placeand for further details ofmeeting place and a starttime please contact theCoast and CountrysideOffice on 0151 934 2967■ Rock Park – Bug Love.This event is a little bit like‘I’m a Celebrity get me out of here!' butwithout the eating bit and there are nocelebrities! Phew! Today we will beexhibiting all things that might get youscreaming ARRRRRGH!!! in the best

possible way. For details call Bill on01928 563 803

AUGUSTSunday 1■ Stanley Park - Family Fun in the Park.

Bring along the family tomeet the Rangers andparticipate in a variety offun activities in the healthysurroundings provided byLiverpool’s Parks and Greenspaces. Meet at 11am atThe Lodge, 1 Anfield Road.■ Sefton Park - SeftonPark Challenge , So youthink you know the parkand its features? Try yourhand at our Quiz TrailChallenge. It’s more difficultthan you may think! Meet atthe Ranger Base at theAviary Cafe at 1pm. Free.

Monday 2 - Sun 8 Aug■ Calderstones Park - Hyde& Holmes. Art Exhibition atCoach House Gallery. Dailyfrom 10.30am-4.30pm.Tuesday 3

■ Stanley Park - Pictorial memories ofStanley Park. Join the rangers and sharein the pictorial memories of Stanley Park.If you have some photographs of yourown bring them along too. Meet at 1pmat the Bandstand, in front of theGladstone Conservatory. Free.

Friday 6■ Reynolds Park - Bat Walk. Led byLawrence Armstrong, ecologist with aspecial interest in bats. Bat detectiondevices will be provided. There will be avideo presentation at the start followedby the walk. Please bring a torch ifpossible. An information pack on batswill be given to each participant. Cost£2.50 per person. 8:.30-10.20pm.Sunday 8■ Sefton Park - Sefton Park Delights .Discover the horticultural and historicaldelights of this newly refurbished park.Meet at the ranger base at the AviaryCafe´at 11am. Free.■ Runcorn Hill – Serenade StringQuartet. Relax to the tranquil sound ofstring with the Serenade String Quartet.2-4pm.Tuesday 10■ Doric Park - Life in a Grassy Verge.Come along to this new event anddiscover the abundance of life to befound in nature’s hedgerows and bywayson this fun event for all the family. Meetat the main gate, Wharncliife Road, at1pm.■ Sefton Park- Tea Dance amidst thePalms . Enjoy a summer afternoon ofdancing with Neil Allcock at the regularTea Dance. Due to popularity, theyhighly recommend booking in advanceon 0151 726 9304 as otherwiseadmission cannot be guaranteed. £3.50admission on the door includes a cup oftea and piece of cake. Sefton Park PalmHouse, 2-4pm, £3.50 entrance, details

from www.palmhouse.org.uk.Wednesday 11■ Phoenix Park – Sweet Dreams. Doyou want to capture your sweetestdreams? Come down to Phoenix Parkand make your very own dream catcher.Booking is essential as places are limitedon 01928 564 472.Thursday 12■ Croxteth Country Park - The DogWelfare Roadshow. Organised throughthe Greater Merseyside Dog WelfareForum and working alongside the PDSA,Dogs Trust, RSPCA and MerseysidePolice. At the roadshow dogs canreceive a free health-check provided bytrained staff from the PDSA and any dogover 3 months old can bemicro-chipped. Details from 0151 2336930 or www.croxteth.co.uk.Friday 13■ National Wildflower Centre -Knowsley Flower Show. The show isone of the largest free horticulturalevents in the North West and hassomething for everyone, with the floralmarquee, garden trade stands with plantsand garden furniture for sale. There arealso falconry displays, dog obediencedisplays in the main arena, live music andbands as well as the huge craftmarquee.·Court Hey Park·Sunday 8thAugust, 11am - 5pm. Free to enter. Seewww.knowsleyflowershow.com for moreinfo.■ Crow Wood Park – Park Games.Come along and have a go at traditionalpark games. Sessions can include kwikcricket,T.Ball, football and basketball. Forages 8+. 1-3pm.

ALL WHITE: TheNational WildflowerCentre is hostingKnowsley FlowerShow on FridayAugust 13

partners

FOR ADVERTISING OR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CALL 0151 472 2705 OR EMAIL [email protected]


Try keeping me and the kids away from our pasta. I throw one handful into thepan for each of the kids, and two for me, unless I want a bit over for the nextday. Then I’ll knock together a pasta salad with some cherry tomatoes, tinnedtuna and a bit of mayo and pop it in my lunchbox. Perfect.

lovefoodhatewaste.com has more tips and recipes to help you waste less foodand save up to £50 a month.

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It's Our World - Go Green for the Summer