It's Our World

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Your 16-page guide to going green . . . from playing conkers to cutting down on food waste IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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CONTENTS PAGE 3: You’re going green – great environmental activities around Merseyside.

PAGE 4: Eco Army – the youngsters keeping their communities clean and green.

PAGE 5: Who is the conqueror?

We’re going conkers in our parks, plus great garden crops for every season.

PAGE 6: Sea time – have your say on the coast.

PAGE 7: Art attack – the creative types with designs on the world.

PAGES 8&9: Green & gorgeous – wine and beauty so you can save the planet in style.

PAGE 10: Love your food – ways to cut down on waste and save a fortune.

PAGE 11: Food for thought – how to make the most of wild food.

PAGE 12 & 13: Down to business – the organisations saving the planet.

PAGES 14&15: Days to remember – definitive green listings.

...ANDTHELEAVESTHAT ARE GREEN,TURNTOBROWN...

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ELCOME to the autumn It’s Our World supplement, part of our new green section dedicated to making Merseyside a greener place to live in.

Since we launched the platform in the summer, I’ve been overwhelmed by your fantastic green ideas, your ingenious tips and the many inspirational things you’ve been doing to make the world a better place.

Now that the nights are drawing in and the leaves have begun to turn golden, we’re looking at the new challenges that autumn brings, and the fun we can all have in the natural environment.

On page five we have a conker special and page 11 has a guide to foraging for your own food this harvest time. More than anything, this issue is about celebrating the wealth of opportunities that are all around to make the most of, and to protect the natural world.

We’re also looking at tempting treats with a

green twist. There’s planet and palette friendly wine, natural beauty and delicious recipes that will Dave your mouth watering.

This month saw the close of our art competition, run with Merseytravel. We’ve been bowled over by your fantastic entries – see just a few on page seven, and vote for your favourite of the finalists for free on our website. Soon you’ll be able to see the winners every time you travel to Lime Street on the train, reminding public transport users what a beautiful world it is that we’re all doing our best to protect.

Please do keep your news coming – email me at jade.wright@ liverpool.com, or log on to the green blog

http://blogs.liverpool echo.co.uk/ecowarrior/ and share your green news with the world.

I’ll feature as much as I can in my weekly pages, and in the upcoming It’s Our World supplements, which will appear every three months in your paper.

We all want to do more for our planet, and bit by bit, it really seems that we’re getting there. Let’s continue taking these small steps and making Merseyside a brighter place.

JADE WRIGHT

A squirrel in the fallen autumn leaves in Sefton Park

Picture: ANDREW TEEBAY

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with Jade Wright

OUR GREEN SHOOTS! STAFF and pupils a St Michael-in-the-Hamlet Community ● Primary School in Aigburth have

BIRKDALE doctor ● Christopher Nkonde successfully applied to set

transformed a piece of waste ground into a green oasis.

With the help of volunteers, they have built a pond for resident frogs, a tree and plant-laden path to using railway sleepers to grow flowers and vegetables.

As well as providing a natural living area and educational tool it is also a place where staff, pupils, and parents can relax.

Headteacher Ruth Town says: “We wanted an area of green space for the children, somewhere where they could grow their own vegetables and do planting.”

up a wind turbine in his back garden – the first of its kind belonging to a domestic property in the area.

“It is a very clean way to make electricity,” says Dr Nkonde, of Balfour Road. “I looked into different ways to create power and this is the best for the environment because of its natural elements.

“It’s only a small part of what I’d like to do, but there are limits to the size because of the current environment and planning regulations.

“I was hoping to produce up to 1 kilowatt, but that is for the future.”

The turbine, which is 6m tall, can produce up to 500 watts of electricity an hour as gusts of wind spin its 2.7m steel blades. It supplies power to the garden’s fish pond pump.

Since Dr Nkonde bought his turbine from the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, they have become more readily available and can now be purchased from B&Q.

Get all the latest news online at our websites . . . navigate to /itsourworld Halton Council, as part of a five year SPIKE Island in Widnes is to programme of park improvements, mental undergo a major environ along with investment from BIG makeover – with an innovative Lottery Playbuilder and Integrated playground providing a significant new Play funds, which the Council area.

Bank West the attraction in successfully won.

One of Halton Borough Council’s Cllr Phil Harris, who has Green Flag parks and a key part of the responsibility for Halton’s parks, says: Mersey Waterfront, it will benefit ally significant from a £350,000 investment, which will “Spike Island is historicas it is arguably Widnes of town the to and fund a themed play area the developments that went on here improvements to access and new in the 1830s and 1840s that led to the pathways which will provide better creation of the town as we know it site. the links through today. new a create The design will also “The park at Spike Island was laid approach route to the Catalyst early 1980s Science & Discovery Centre entrance. out in the late 1970s and become a has it time that since and al chemic the reflects The design much loved and popular visitor industry connection with the centre attraction. The works that will start in itself. the next few weeks are part of our Ward councillors Pamela Wallace ongoing commitment to improving worked tter Leadbe Dave and the borough’s parks and open spaces.” during nity commu alongside the local A long-term vision for the park the planning phase and contributed includes work to open up the entire ideas that are now being turned into stretch of the St Helens Canal within reality. Other ideas suggested by the the borough to boats and to for d recorde been community have encourage more users along this possible use in the future. stretch of the canal.

The project has been funded by

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St Michael in the Hamlet Primary School pupil Megan McKenna in the wildlife garden Picture: GARETH JONES

signs and hot

SOLAR powered road water systems have helped ● Merseytravel meet the national Carbon

Trust Standard for reducing the carbon footprint of the organisation by 7% in just two years.

In that short time, the Mersey Tunnels reduced their electricity use by 4.4% at the Kingsway Tunnel and 3.6% at the Queensway Tunnel, and gas use across all sites dropped by more than 5.5%.

Their road signs are now solar powered, they’ve introduced energy saving measures to the giant ventilation fans and fitted solar panels to domestic hot water systems on two buildings – cutting building energy use by 60%.

And they’re not stopping there – research is underway on LED lighting to help reduce energy from lighting as well as continuing with reductions from ventilation fans.

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, says: “It is great recognition for the work that we’ve done internally and something that we can be proud to tell our customers.”

MERSEYSIDERS ditched their cars ● and travelled by bike to mark TravelWise Week. Designe

Mersey pupils hear about the new green initiatives on a tunnel tour

d to encourage people to consider cleaner, greener alternatives to the car, the week saw an experiment to prove that riding a bike can be just as quick as driving when it comes to the morning commute.

BBC Radio Merseyside’s ‘man in the van’ Ian Kenyon agreed to challenge a group of four keen cyclists to a morning commute from Mossley Hill to the Pier Head.

The commute into Liverpool city centre started from Mossley Hill station with the cyclists taking the scenic route through the parks of south Liverpool, while Ian battled the rush hour traffic.

Although Ian got off to a quick start, the cyclists sailed past the rush hour traffic and Don Thompson of the Merseyside Cycle Campaign arrived at the Pier Head at exactly the same time.

Cllr Eddie Clein, Chairman of the Merseyside Cycling Forum, was one of the cyclists who took part.

“It was an interesting experiment, which became very competitive, even though it started out as a bit of fun,” says Eddie.

“I’m sure the cycling team’s rush hour journey through the parks of south Liverpool was a much more pleasant experience than Ian’s commute. I hope the challenge will encourage others to choose cycling over the car, it’s cheap, fast and reliable and it keeps you fit.”

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We take a real pride in our city B

Bala Street in north Liverpool, which was blighted by fly-tipping, graffiti and litter, was cleaned up by Trash Army, including Michael Parker, 9, front

Blue Wheeled Bin/Box Recycling Collection

lighted by fly-tipping, graffiti and litter Bala Street, in north Liverpool, has received a fantastic make over. Residents formed a trash army and made light work of the dumped rubbish, graffiti and damaged sign posts. They then painted fences, put up hanging baskets, tidied derelict land, installed solar lighting and jet cleaned all the local roads and entries.

The area in Anfield will be monitored to determine whether a cleaner, tidier environment has a positive impact on crime and if there are any other benefits such as residents recycling their waste.

Leader of Liverpool City Council Warren Bradley said: “We want people to feel proud of where they live and go that extra mile to make sure their street is as welcoming as possible.

“There have been years of anti-social behaviour and constant eco-crime.

“Residents of Bala Street, and in the surrounding areas, are desperate to see some big improvements.

“We know if people live in clean, green areas they not only feel happier but safer and

more inclined to make that extra effort to keep their community in good condition.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has joined forces to transform the area and I’m positive it will lead to fantastic things for the area.”

Bulky Bobs picked up unwanted furniture and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service installed fire alarms and gave fire prevention advice.

The city council’s executive member for the environment Cllr Berni Turner said: “Enhancing the quality of life in our neighbourhoods is a big priority for the council.

“As this is our Year of the Environment we want to do everything to improve local communities.

“And it’s amazing how something as simple as tidying up derelict land, or repairing damaged sign posts, can make people feel proud about where they live.

“Ten communities have already benefited from the city council’s Respect weeks – which bring together agencies and residents to tackle crime and environmental issues resulting in a positive impact on residents.”

Cllr Turner added: “I’m sure residents of Bala Street will keep up the good work and make sure the area stays in fantastic condition.”

Cutting down on food waste is simple with these fun storage containers HOW many bananas do you throw away because they have ripened too quickly?

“Too many” was the answer from Christine Coombes when she lived in the middle of the countryside and could only shop once a week. Christine invented the Banana Bag – a bright yellow store for the UK’s best-selling fruit. When kept in the fridge it provides bananas with insulation and air needed to stop the flesh over-ripening while keeping the skin warm enough to prevent it blackening. In our test the fruit stayed as it should for a fortnight – twice its lifespan in my fruit bowl. Banana bags, £4.98 from Lakeland in Liverpool One or www.lakeland.co.uk ● Love it or hate it our magnificent range of Marmite homeware is the perfect way to spread the love. This is a great sandwich container for the kids to take to school. Marmite buttybox, £6.69 from www.amazon.co.uk. ● Nigella Lawson’s range of food containers are surprisingly lovely – if

expensive. We love this ceramic storage jar that can be used in an upright or tilted position. A glass lid allows at-a-glance identification of contents. It’s available in blue or cream and priced from £13.99 at Sainsbury’s. ● Organise and preserve those kitchen staples that all too often get ahead of themselves. Each of these breathable bags has a blackout liner to keep out the light and prevent sprouting. Whilst the cheese bag – suggested to Lakeland by Anita Wrighton of Oakham, Rutland, also incorporates an anti-mould treatment.

Drawstring tops give

easy access, and both the potato and onion bags have zipped bottoms to ensure that first-come is first-served. Food bags, £2.69 and £2.97, from Lakeland, www.lakeland. co.uk.

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with Jade Wright

Keep up the good work on the allotment

YOU may still be reaping the rewards of all your hard work on the allotment or vegetable patch this year. But don’t down tools just yet as there are winter crops which can be planted in autumn to fill the gaps.

Not only will new crops keep the soil covered over winter and help suppress weeds, you’ll have a bonus crop of quickly-maturing vegetables before the winter closes in – while some are hardy enough to keep harvesting through until early spring.

Others will get a head-start on spring-sown crops and should be ready several weeks early.

Garlic is worth starting in autumn unless you’ve got cold, wet soil, in which case, wait until February.

Buy or order the bulbs now, but wait until November before planting them.

Split the bulbs into individual cloves just before planting, about 15cm apart. Ease them into the soil, and make sure their tops are hidden or the birds may take them.

They should produce plants about 15cm tall before winter, which will be tough enough to survive the season, and you should be harvesting them by July.

You can also plant onions in the autumn, spacing the sets 10cm apart in rows 30cm apart during October or November. These will overwinter like the garlic and should be dried off and ready to harvest in mid-July, a couple of weeks before spring-planted onions. Try the varieties Electric and Radar.

Peas and broad beans can also be sown in October and November, provided you choose a sunny, sheltered spot. Sow broad beans in double rows with 20cm between plants each way, to make it easy to support the plants in spring, by running string round the outside tied to posts at the corners.

With peas, dig out out a shallow trench 3-4cm deep and at least 15cm wide. Scatter seeds roughly 5cm apart each way. The plants should reach 15-20cm tall before they stop growing in mid-winter.

If you want salad all winter, go for the winter-hardy varieties. While you can sow them straight into the ground, you may have better results sowing them in modular trays or small pots inside this month to protect them from slugs and snails, and then plant them out in October and November.

Cover the plants with horticultural fleece to stop the pigeons feasting on them, and provide protection from hard frosts.

Reliable varieties of hardy lettuce include the cos Winter Density and the butterhead type Valdor.

If you have seed left over from spring you may want to have a go and see what comes up.

Allotments are a source of good food . . and great fun

Conkers is said to be one of the oldest games in England, dating back to the Norman Conquest

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HO will become this year's Liverpool Conker Champion?

The keenly-fought competition to become the conker king or queen takes place at Calderstones Park on Saturday October 3 starting at 1pm.

Competitors are aiming to land the Golden Conker Award in the annual competition organised by the city's Rangers.

This is the 15th year the contest has taken place with previous competitions attracting up to 100 entrants.

The championships are open to all age groups and competitors face each other in a boxing ring in front of the Mansion House in the knockout contest.

You can use your own conkers, but Rangers will also provide some. All competitors will receive certificates and entry is free.

City Council park ranger

Let’s go bonkers for conkers Richie Baker will be hosting the event. He said: “This is a fantastic and fun family event and it certainly brings out the competitive side of everyone involved – particularly the adults.

“One year a man was doing fantastically well and smashed all

his opponents’ conkers and made it to the final. Being a bit suspicious I decided to inspect his conker and it turned out to be a painted mahogany castor wheel – I disqualified him.”

The categories people can take part in are under-8s, 8-12, 12-15

and adults. There are also special competitions which will see mums and grans taking on each other and dads v dads.

Liverpool City Council’s executive member for the environment Cllr Berni Turner said: “The Conker Championships attract more and more people every year and gives everyone to take part in a fun event in the beautiful surroundings of Calderstones Park.

“As this is Liverpool’s Year of the Environment we want to encourage residents to spend as much time as possible in our beautiful parks and gardens and the hundreds of Rangers events taking place across the city provide people with the perfect opportunity to do just that.” ● People should meet outside the Mansion House and anyone with any enquiries can call 0151 233 3007. ● My top tip is to take a pair of gloves and a few plasters...

First find your conker ● CONKERS is England’s oldest game and was played in honour of William the Conqueror in 1066. ● People used to use snail shells on a piece of twine and when they smashed their opponents shell they would shout “Conqueror”. ● Conker rules: A hole is drilled in a large, hard conker using a nail, gimlet or small screwdriver. A piece of string is threaded through it about 25 cm(10 inches)-long (often a shoelace is used). A large knot at one or both ends of the string secures the conker. ● The game is played between two people each with a conker. They take turns hitting each other's conker using their own. One player lets the conker dangle on the full length of the string while the other player swings their conker and hits. ● There are six swings each and the person with the highest number of direct hits wins – if it’s a tie it goes to sudden death.

Liverpool Council Park Ranger Richie Baker with a selection of conkers

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Oxmoor Local Nature Reserve in Runcorn is a jewel in the crown of Halton Council

Water, water .. it’s the lifeblood of nature and promotion of its wide Fund with their riverside environment. development ATER is the lifeblood of our Lottery through the Big Lottery variety of open spaces,” says Cllr Phil as such groups and Schools uals, Individ in £100,000 responsibility for environment, and to reflect which will provide more than Scouts and Guides will be encouraged to Harris who has Borough funding during the life of the project.

Halton ment. that, environ s Halton’ and events of series a The idea for this project was presented take part in Council, in partnership with “The River Mersey is one of our onal activities that will include Borough by Halton Council’s Landscape Services educati Warrington greatest assets that has often been which during days task l practica so were who Nature Council, is about to start a nature as a bid to English be overlooked. We are really pleased to have partnership aspect of traditional countryside crafts will conservation project to connect local impressed by the the Artery of Life project which with the decided to support taught. people with the nature that can be found the project that they support of our Warrington partners and be will areas Access to the waterfront it. along the upper Mersey Estuary.

English Nature will over the next four seating and d installe signs ed, improv are s council The two neighbouring Artery of Life will run for four years. It years make a real difference to the lives that hoped is it lly Eventua . created areas Mersey, which passes is a joint initiative between Halton and linked by the River of many people.” be can Reserve Nature Mersey of their communities. an Upper A project officer for the Artery of Life Warrington, supported by English through the heart . created Life of Artery the of purpose The Nature through its Access to Nature the scheme has recently been appointed. to ted commit is “Halton people local connect programme - funded by the National project is to

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Have your say on plans for our coast A big THANK YOU to all those households who have started using the new kerbside collections. Thanks also go to all those who returned their feedback forms on recycling. Your views are very important to help improve the service. The aim is to give every household in Halton access to this recycling service by 2010/11

RECYCLING saves money… reduces pollution… saves raw materials Halton Borough Council now provides a kerbside recycling collection service to over 42,000 homes that enables you to recycle the following items in your blue wheeled bin.

• Paper • Plastic bottles • Cardboard • Glass bottles and jars • Cans

Please refer to the pack which was delivered to your home.

You can also telephone us on 0303 333 4300 or email us at recycling@halton.gov.uk More information is also on the web at

www.halton.gov.uk

IF there’s one thing that’s constant about the sea, it’s that it’s always changing, say our coastal experts.

Waves and tides move sand and sediment around the coast and up and down the estuary, changing the way that the shoreline looks, works and protects our homes and towns.

Climate change will bring higher sea levels, stormier seas and more rain – all of which will increase the pressure on the Merseyside area.

But it’s what we do about it that’s important.

The Environment Agency is working with the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group, Local Authorities and other organisations to identify where risk from erosion and flooding is greatest and set out effective solutions.

To do this they will produce a Shoreline Management Plan which will consider the effects of different actions on peoples homes and lives, business and tourism and the environment, and give suggestions on the best action to take in each area.

Graham Lymbery, North West England and North Wales Coastal Group chair says: “It is vital that people have their say to make sure their views about their homes, businesses and interests are represented.”

The Shoreline Management Plan will be released for public consultation in October and the Environment Agency want your views on the suggestions that have been made.

Final plans will then be released around June 2010, along with maps showing predicted rates of erosion. ● Do you think that we need to maintain the current levels of defence from Garston to Seaforth to protect Liverpool from flooding?

Is it OK to let nature take its course from Hale Bank to Garston and improve homes for wildlife? Have your say on the plans and find out more at www.mycoastline.org.uk

Merseyside's coast is changing. Always has and always will Do you know how this will affect you in the future?

Find out more and have your say on the plans that will shape how your coastline will be managed over the next 100 years mycoastline.org.uk

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with Jade Wright

Art aims to save the planet

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HAT is it they say, a picture tells a thousand words? Well, you’re certainly an eloquent bunch. When we asked you for your environmental art work we were inundated with responses. From drawings and paintings to illustrations and cartoons, there was a spectacular array of art all themed to celebrate 2009 – the year of the environment.

As part of its public art programme, Merseytravel will display the winning and best entries in the underpass connecting the mainline Liverpool Lime Street Station with the Merseyrail underground network – to be seen by hundreds of thousands of passengers every year.

One adult and one child will win £250 cash each, thanks to Merseytravel, as well as free family passes to visitor attractions including The Mersey Ferries, The Beatles Story, Spaceport and The U-Boat Story.

The contest aims to improve the environment for passengers on public transport.

Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseytravel, says: “We've been really pleased that people have taken the chance to bring the Year of the Environment theme to paper in such a creative way and we are looking forward to showcasing some of this talent on the network.

“We are committed to public art across the transport system and are looking for a surprise at every corner. The winning entries will be displayed at Lime Street Station underpass so that the best of these can be seen by hundreds of thousands of passengers every year.” ● Now all we need you to do is vote for our winners – this is just a sample of the many talented entries that came flooding in. ● See the finalists online this week at www.itsourworld.co.uk.

The standard of the entries has been very high from all ages

Carbon concern is top of agenda CLIMATE change is top of the agenda at Knowsley Council. They have committed to taking action on climate change and are working to reduce the borough’s carbon emissions.

To show their commitment, they’ve created a new Climate Change team, which will further develop its work with residents and businesses in Knowsley so that everyone can play their part.

Rupert Casey, Knowsley’s Head of Sustainable Resources, says: “There are

many small changes people can make to their lifestyles that will reduce their impact on the environment.

“We hope people will find that reducing their impact on the environment will also save them money and help them live a healthier lifestyle.”

For details, contact the Environmental Sustainability Service in the Directorate of Neighbourhood Services on 0151 443 3682, or e-mail dns.sustainability@ knowsley.gov.uk

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I’ll drink to that!

FORGET red, white and rosé, this autumn’s finest wines are green ... It seems that the latest trend is to quaff a drop of environmentally friendlier wine, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. It’s all about choosing how you want to save the planet...

If you want to try organic, a good bet is La Agricola Terra Organica Malbec 2008. The Zuccardi family use their own vine training methods. They tour their vineyards on horse and by dog-cart and employ workers in preference to using machines. The result of their self-belief is wines with personality. This organic Malbec is a rich yet fruity wine with a nose of sweet violets as well as ripe fruits such as figs and raisins. £7.99, from Vinea on the Albert Dock.

If ethical trading is your concern, these Fairtrade Pinotage and Pinotage Rosés will leave a good taste in your mouth. They’re produced by the Fairtrade Citrusdal Winery in the Goue Vallei in South Africa.

The grapes are handpicked in the cool of the morning and crushed. The Fairtrade premiums from the sales of these two wines are used to make a real difference to the local community.

They’ve built a new community hall which is used for clubs, training and community get-togethers, plus there’s a crèche for the children of the winery workers and free medical treatment. £4.99 from Sainsbury’s.

Alternatively, this sparkling rosé comes from the Du Toitskloof wine co-operative in the Western Cape of South Africa, one of the largest Fairtrade projects in the world.

The premiums have been ploughed straight back into community projects, including a new community centre, childcare facilities, a craft workshop and student bursary scheme. £5.99 from the Co-op.

Vegetarian and vegan wines are can still be a cloudy issue.

Sometimes animal by-products are added during fining – the clarification process. But the Domaine Albert Mann winery, a family run vineyard run by two brothers, Maurice and Jacky Barthelmé in the village of Wettolsheim, near Colmar make superb wines in accordance to organic principles, suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Their Domaine Albert Mann Riesling 2007 is fresh, fruity and youthful Muscat with an attractive, musky nose and tranquil palate with ripe pear and apple offset by notes of mandarin. £11.99 from Vinea Fairtrade rosé They may not look the wine, £5.99 prettiest, but these PET from the recycled bottles weigh less than their glass counterparts Co-op and encourage less waste through breakage. A traditional glass bottle weighs around 14oz (400g), compared to a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle, which weighs 2oz (54g). Plus, bulk shipping reduces the environmental impact of transportation, which again will reduce the impact of carbon emissions. These Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Vin de Pays d'Oc from Sainsburys will warm your cockles as the Autumn nights set in.

But be careful – remember that the shape belies just how much wine is in them – 1.5L is two normal bottles.

In terms of food (or rather drinks) miles, French wines are a comparatively good bet.

Clos Lapeyre Juracon Sec, 2006, from Jean-Bernard avoids herbicides, works the soil to encourage deep rooting, and uses natural composts. The attention to detail and terroir-focused approach shows in the wines, which are wonderfully original. This is a dry yet juicy Jurançon with mouthwatering citrus and apricot fruit. £11.49 from Vinea.

CELEBS

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MAGINE for a second that money is truly no object. You could burn tenners for fun, splash out on triple-ply cashmere and small replica Ferraris for your brood of novelty-named kids. And, it seems spend a fortune on pots and potions of miracle cosmetics to keep the ageing process at bay...

Well, that was until recently, and now it seems any celeb worth their low-sodium salt is ditching the big brands in favour of ‘green’ beauty products.

Take Gwyneth Paltrow – she may be the face of Estee Lauder with a bathroom cabinet brimming with free products but it’s the kitchen cupboard Gwyneth Paltrow raids for a natural beauty fix.

The actress recently confessed to covering her body in coffee, olive oil and honey to make her skin smooth, in what she dubs her “five-minute makeover”.

Gwyneth joins the increasing number of UK consumers craving all-natural beauty.

Last year sales of certified organic health and beauty products soared by almost 70% to £27m, indicating that organic beauty has well and truly got the green light from shoppers.

“Increasingly consumers are extending their organic lifestyle choice beyond the food they eat to what they put on their skin,” says Clio Turton of The Soil Association.

“Organic products are also increasingly available and perform just as well as their non-organic versions.

“The fact that supermarkets like Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s have all launched ranges of their own brand organic products is testament to the growing popularity of organic beauty.”

With organic the new buzz word in beauty, many companies are climbing aboard the green and natural bandwagon. But finding your organic fix isn’t clear-cut.

Any company can label a product as organic even if they only contain tiny amounts of organic ingredients, so stay beauty-savvy, when you’re picking up products marked ‘natural’.

“In the EU, all food and drink must be certified as organic before it can be sold as organic, but this regulation does not extend to organic beauty products,” Clio explains.

“As there is no legal definition as to what constitutes ’organic’ beauty, products labelled as such may vary enormously in the organic content and the other ingredients they contain.”

So if you’re an organic beauty beginner, how do you know you’re getting the real deal?

Check for the Soil Association stamp of approval. If a product carries their logo and is labelled ‘organic’, it must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients. If the description

GO GREEN, THAT IS!

is ‘made with organic ingredients’ it must contain more than 70%.

From this month, you can also look out for the COSMOS standard - a new EU-wide standard for organic health and beauty products. Visit www.cosmos-standard.org

KITTEN VIXEN

This little cosmetic house is the name – and gloss – on the celeb circuit’s lips right now. Lindsey Lohan, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Sienna Miller, and Tori Spelling have all snapped up their new Put Your Lips Together range of lip glosses.

Made with natural and organic ingredients these non sticky lip glosses are infused with essential oils of vanilla, grapefruit and raspberry – and they’ve just been awarded the Vegan mark too.

“We are delighted to have been awarded the vegan stamp of approval for our range of lip glosses,” says co-founder Geraldine Shaker says. “The integrity of our products is essential, where we can use a natural or organic ingredient without compromising the performance of our products, we will.”

The glosses are £12 from www.kittenvixen.com

BULLDOG

It’s hard to beat Bulldog for men’s skincare. They’re body friendly – they don’t contain man-made chemicals such as parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, artificial colours, or synthetic fragrances. Instead they are loaded with essential oils

and natural actives.

No Bulldog products are ever tested on animals and never include ingredients derived from animal sources. This was recently recognised by the RSPCA who gave Bulldog their 2008 Good Business Award.

They’re all manufactured in the UK to cut down on product miles. Simon Duffy, Bulldog co-founder, says: “It makes no sense to us that other companies make their packaging in one country, ship it to another to be filled with product and then ship it to the UK to sell.”

The range is in Boots, Tesco, Superdrug, Debenhams, and www.meetthebulldog.com, starting from £2.99.

YIN YANG

The all-natural British beauty range uses locally sourced, organic ingredients and the range is free from parabens, artificial fragrances and colourants. We love the new Orange Flower Ski Tonic – ideal for refreshing and revitalising the skin. Prices start at £12.50, from www.yinyangskincare.co.uk.

NATURTINT

This award winning chemically-light home hair colourant free from ammonia, resorcinol and parabens. It’s the first 100% permanent hair colourant without hair-damaging ammonia that is formulated with active vegetable and selected certified organic ingredients. Details from www.naturesdream.co.uk.

THE BODY SHOP

A familiar name on the high street, The Body Shop has been pioneering green beauty for years. Their newest addition, the perfume range Love Etc, is the first fragrance to include community trade alcohol.

Prices start at £6.35 from www.thebodyshop.co.uk.

AVEDA

Plant-based haircare, skincare, cosmetics, fragrance and lifestyle products for both men and women. www.aveda.co.uk

JO WOOD ORGANICS

Bath oils, body lotions and soaps plus natural soy wax candles all exquisitely presented in glass bottles and jars. www.jowoodorganics.com

JURLIQUE

This range of beauty products using plants and flowers includes cleansers, moisturisers, treatments and lotions designed to leave the smallest possible footprint on the planet. www.jurlique.co.uk.

LOVE LULA

Organic apothecary where you can get natural products for stress, acne, chapped lips and stretch marks. www.lovelula.com.

Lyndsey Lohan is a fan of Kitten Vixen products

NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES

One of the country’s leading alternative beauty retailers. www.nealsyardremedies.com

S

9

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with Jade Wright

DO IT KEEP IT CLEAN! Sienna Miller, left, and Gwyneth Paltrow, below, are fans of green beauty products

I MUST admit that cleaning is not on my list of favourite things to do.

And I’ve tried just about every eco cleaner out there, and while the products do the job, the bottles aren’t inspiring.

And then I heard about Method. Beloved by Madonna and Stella McCartney – or more likely by their army of cleaning staff – it’s a range of natural cleaning products in minimal recycled packaging that looks so lovely you hardly want to clean your loo with them.

The products aren’t tested on animals, they’re trendy and in pretty colours and they smell of grapefruit, eucalyptus and mint – almost good enough to eat. And, in fact, they are – they’re so non-toxic that founder Eric Ryan famously drinks his toilet cleaner as a party piece.

While nobody is recommending that any kind of cleaner should be consumed, if you drank a shot of regular disinfectant, you would be on your way to A&E. Somehow, they’ve achieved the impossible and put the glam into green cleaning, appearing on shiny sinks in Will & Grace and Desperate Housewives.

Best of all they work. My house has never looked so clean – partly because the products do what they’re supposed to, partly because I like using them.

So if they’re good enough for Madge and Stella, they’re good enough for me.

Find out more at www.method products.co.uk, or see the products in Tesco, Sainsburys, Boots and Waitrose, priced from £2.99.

Cleaning products from Method range, below, are a big hit with celebs such as Stella McCartney, below

10

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What’s for breakfast?

W

HAT is it they say?

Breakfast is the best meal of the day. But sadly, it’s often the one we end up missing out on – despite our best intentions. A recent survey has suggested one in eight adults don’t eat breakfast, and say lack of time is the main reason.

A good breakfast is the ideal way to kick-start the day for children and grown-ups, but every day in the UK we end up throwing out nutritious food – including fruit, eggs, yoghurt and bread – that could have made tasty and healthy breakfasts.

This is a waste of money for families at what can be a costly time of year, when school uniforms, clubs and bus fares need to be paid for too. And it often ends up in landfill, causing unnecessary environmental problems ● For example, every day in the UK we throw away: ● 20 million slices of bread. ● 1.6 million whole untouched bananas. ● 1.3 million unopened yoghurts. ● 1.2 million untouched sausages. ● 600,000 whole, uncooked eggs.

Luke Jones, “We can all have an easier aged two, can’t start to the day if we make wait to try a the best use of food we sausage for already have; we benefit breakfast . . . from throwing less food Insets below: away, and keep our shopping Tasty pancakes costs down,” says David and a jam tea Packard, spokesperson for Recycle for Merseyside and Halton’s Love Food Hate Waste campaign.

“The benefits don’t stop there, if we start to make the most of the food we have, and follow these simple tips, research by WRAP has shown that there is bakery products. Pitta breads, the potential to save up to £50 a sliced bread and halved bagels month. While saving money we can be stored in the freezer are also helping the instead of the bread bin, and environment; if we all stop simply toasted straight from wasting food that could have frozen at breakfast time. been eaten, the CO2 impact Lunch time tip: Pitta breads would be the equivalent of taking make handy pockets for last 1 in 5 cars off the road.” night’s chicken stir-fry, or Open the fridge and see what’s leftover roast vegetables and in there. The potential is hummus. Yesterday’s Mexican never-ending. These quick and beans or chilli con carne are easy tips from Recycle for great rolled up in a wrap.

Merseyside and Halton’s Love ● Super quick eggs: Whip up a Food Hate Waste campaign will two minute omelette with some help busy families get off on the leftover cheese, ham and a couple right foot each morning. of eggs – a fantastic hot meal as the weather gets cooler. ● Star liquid food: Milk is a breakfast staple and yet every year we end up tipping gallons ● Fruit: If you’ve bought fruit on away. We often run out of milk offer, or better still, have a glut towards the end of the week, but from the garden and have more it freezes really well to keep for than you’ll eat immediately, such later. Why not pop a litre in the as berries, try storing them in freezer when unpacking the the freezer ready to use a handful weekly shop and defrost in the at a time in smoothies. Simply fridge the day before it is needed? blitz from frozen with milk, juice (It will go yellow while frozen – or yoghurt. You can take this but defrosts back to normal.) nutritional drink with you if you Milk keeps best stored between really have to run.

1-5ºC, so what about investing in Children love to make a fridge thermometer? Did you smoothies and it is a great way of know that leaving the milk out ensuring they eat their 5 a day. overnight can make it go off a ● Instant toast: Many of us end day early? up throwing out bread and ● Money saver: Keeping an eye

Beat the rush – Love Food Hate Waste breakfast tips:

RECIPES

on date labels helps us eat the food that needs eating first and stops it going off before we realise. The most important label is “use by”, we should eat these foods before the end of this date. Foods like bread and fruit with a “best before” date are safe to eat after this date.

One exception is eggs, never eat eggs after the “best before” date. We can all ignore “sell by” and “display until” dates. ● Food on the run: Yoghurts, cheese and apples or bananas make ideal ‘take-out’ breakfast food when we can’t stop to eat at home, and make great snacks at work or in school lunchboxes.

These tips don’t just apply to breakfast time, any leftover sausages or salad from the weekend BBQ can make a tasty “free” lunch-pack for you to take to work.

Fruits needn't be left in the fruit bowl to decompose, slightly dry bread can be rescued to live another day and tired vegetables can be revived. ● For more food tips and money saving advice, why not visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.

QUICK AND EASY PANCAKES Pancakes are not just for pancake day, they are a great way of transforming leftovers into an exciting feast any time. Children particularly love them and they make a great weekend breakfast treat for when you have run out of bread. Master this basic recipe, and then get creative with the fillings.

Ingredients Makes 12-14 large, flat pancakes: 110g plain flour; A pinch of salt; 2 eggs; 200ml milk mixed with 75ml water; 1 tablespoon sunflower oil Instructions Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl with a sieve held high above the bowl so the flour gets an airing. Now make a well in the centre of the flour exposing the bottom of the bowl.

Break the eggs into it and add a little milk. Using a wooden spoon or whisk, mix the egg and milk and then gradually draw in the flour from the sides as you mix. Add more milk to the central well little by little as required to prevent it becoming too thick and dough like.

When the mixture reaches the consistency of thick cream, add the remaining milk and stir in the oil.

Cover the bowl and chill for 30 minutes, to allow the starch cells to swell, giving a light result.

For speed you can whizz the flour, sugar, eggs and milk in a blender or food processor until smooth. It takes a matter of seconds.

Lubricate a pancake pan or frying pan by heating it up and wiping with oil. Pancakes are not fried in fat; the purpose of the oil is to simply prevent them from sticking.

Pour enough batter from a jug into the hot pan to coat the base of the pan thinly. As soon as it hits the pan swirl the pan to help the batter spread across the base, tip out any excess batter into the jug.

Place over a medium heat, it should only take half a minute or so to cook; you can lift the edge with a palette knife to see if it’s tinged gold as it should be.

Flip the pancake over with a pan slice or palette knife – the other side will need a few seconds only – then simply slide it out of the pan onto a plate.

To prepare ahead Stack the pancakes as you make them between sheets of greaseproof paper on a plate fitted over simmering water, to keep them warm while you make the rest. They can be frozen like this, well wrapped, then defrosted as needed.

QUICK FRUIT JAM This recipe is great for using up soft fruit past its best, but not when it’s gone so far that it has reached the mouldy stage – at this point the compost is the best place for them! This fruit jam is more like a compote than a normal jam and needs to be eaten within a few days. It’s quick to make and is lovely served with scones, on toast, mixed into yoghurt or spooned onto ice cream.

Ingredients 300g over ripe soft fruits such as strawberries, raspberries or blackberries; 300g caster sugar Method Once opened ensure they are tightly resealed with quick clips or bag clips.

If you have got rock-hard brown sugar, crystallised honey/syrup, place in a suitable non-metallic bowl and give a quick blast of about 30 seconds on high in the microwave to bring these back to their normal state.

Instructions Put the soft fruit into a large pan with the caster sugar and crush lightly with a fork. Put the pan over to gently heat and bring to the boil.

Remove the scum that comes to the surface with a spoon. Reduce the jam until it becomes quite thick, then pour it into a bowl and allow to cool. Refrigerate until needed.

11

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with Jade Wright

Food that will make you wild F

ORGET fighting your way through the supermarket aisles or surfing the web for your food shopping, the greenest consumers are now turning to wild food.

Foraging for your supper may seem extreme, but growing numbers are bramble picking and chestnut hunting this autumn.

Among them is Lucinda Antal, Operations Manager of the National Wildflower Centre.

“I’ve seen more people than ever out bramble picking and hunting for sweet chestnuts this year,” says Lucinda, from Woolton, who is organising the centre’s family wild food supper in November.

“There’s a real interest in wild food at the moment. I’ve been out bramble picking and foraging for windfalls for the event – we’ll be having blackberry and apple crumble.

“There’s also wonderful rosehips and black elderberries around at the moment.

“We’ll also be having oyster mushrooms – although you need to be very careful. Like any mushrooms or anything unfamiliar, you need to go with an expert.”

You need to take everything home and give it a good wash – there can be pollution and general grime by the roadsides, so no nibbling as you go.

It’s also worth taking good gloves – brambles and the sweet chestnut cases can be prickly. But there are rich pickings to be had – at this time of year Merseyside is a veritable food hall of natural produce.

“There are apples all around,” explains Lucinda. “A lot of the ancient orchards are still here, but they’ve been built around.

There are some lovely apple trees on Menlove Avenue – we’ve had some really tasty windfalls from them.”

Apart from a few berries, nettles and some dandelions, the only food most of us recognise is the kind we buy from the supermarket.

It’s a sad reality, given that man is, technically, a born forager.

“In a city, you can usually find a salad’s worth of food a day – horseradish, wild rocket and dandelion are generally easy to find,” says Miles Irving, author of The Forager Handbook: A Guide to the Edible Plants of Britain.

We spent millennia finding – and eating – the very best plants the world had to offer, not stuffing themselves full of caramel lattes and cranberry muffins.

There are health benefits touted in eating a variety of foods, and hunter-gatherers, who would use as many as 100 plant foods in the

Pieminster's Crimbo Cracker pie - sticky honeyed parsnips, pearl onions, Wensleydale cheese and cheddar with chestnuts soaked in white port and orange

course of a year, seemed to understand this better than our obese-ridden lot have done. Today we use less than 20 plant foods in a year, with most of those foods consisting of starch.

While foraging adds nutrients back into our starved diets and reconnects us with our surrounding environment, it seems almost impossible to find anyone apart from Miles who wouldn’t feel a bit weird nipping off to the park to pick some greens for lunch.

But with the wealth of pickings out there, we’re crazy not to. From elderflowers and nettles to mugwort, sea beet, buxhorn, and even wild lettuce, there’s plenty out there, and it costs you nothing.

“In a city, you can usually find a salad’s worth of food a day - horseradish, wild rocket and dandelion are generally easy to find,” says Miles.

He advises those interested to look in parks, gardens and even alongside walls to find edible greenery.

“In the country, you’re bound to find much more depending on where you live - anything from wild rocket to samphire to cherries.”

Miles has foraged for food from the age of six, when he would clamber over the hills of his grandfather’s farm and find wild watercress, hazelnuts, blackberries and elderberries.

Now Miles runs a foraging course aimed, in part, at countering the idea that eating wild food is synonymous with times of war, poverty or crop failure.

His book, which covers 400 edible plants found all over Britain, is full of photographs,

Wildflower fun for children

descriptions and recipes to get even a complete city slicker picking some greens.

“Foraging provides an immediate food source and eliminates the middle man,” he explains. “It’s not sown, grown, picked or moved to one place or another. Picking it and eating it puts you back in touch with a way of life that allows people to understand the effects of their resource consumption.”

Getting so close and personal with their food might make some people uncomfortable, but it’s not just eco-friendly foodies who have

cottoned on to the foraging idea.

“We’ve had loads of enquiries about the next wild food night,” says Lucinda. “It seems people are really keen on the idea of trying something new.”

The next wild food event at the National Wildflower Centre is the Family Supper on Friday November 13. Adults £10, children under 15 are free. Book your place now on 0151 738 1913 or e-mail info@nwc.org.uk. ● The Forager Handbook: A Guide to the Edible Plants of Britain, by Miles Irving, is published by Ebury, priced £30.

Be seen to be green!

Become a Green Ambassador to help spread the word on good ‘green’ practices in Liverpool during our Year of the Environment. We’re looking for: ● Businesses with fantastic environmental credentials ● Community groups with recycling or other green activities ● Schools with good green initiatives or projects

Whatever your environmental contribution - we’d love to hear from you!

Year of the Environment Green Ambassadors will be promoted as case studies on our website and possibly in the media so you should be prepared to have the (energy efficient) spotlight shone on your environmental achievements!

To find out more go to: www.ourcityourplanet.co.uk

Round the World yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur signs up to become a Green Ambassador

12

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Wrap up warm for winter External Wall Insulation fitted by Knowsley-based insulation specialist EJ Horrocks, an eaga-owned company

W

HILE we’re enjoying the last crisp days of autumn sunshine, fitting more insulation is the last thing on our minds. But that’s exactly what we should be doing, and saving ourselves a fortune along the way.

The average home in Merseyside emits 6.1 tonnes of carbon per year. Making energy saving home improvements is one of the simplest ways for householders in the region to save money and reduce their impact on the environment.

Now, householders living on a new

Merseyside development are benefiting from greener homes and lower fuel bills thanks to Knowsley-based insulation specialist EJ Horrocks, an eaga-owned company.

They have installed External Wall Insulation on 90 new-build homes on the estate – improving their thermal and carbon efficiency.

EWI is used predominantly where cavity wall insulation and other thermal improvements are not possible.

Michael McMahon, Managing Director for eaga Installation Services, says: “As well as

looking good aesthetically and adding some welcome colour, the EWI technology used by EJ Horrocks will help keep these properties warm and dry. Indeed, with rising energy costs it can be extremely valuable to the householder by making home heating more affordable.

“EWI is also a highly effective carbon-saving solution for a range of

Kitchen caddy is the friendly way to tackle headache of food waste THERE will be less waste and a source of valuable fertiliser thanks to a new household food recycling scheme in Merseyside.

From early October, households who have signed up for Knowsley Council’s new service are currently receiving their new recycling equipment – including a kitchen caddy, compostable liners, an external caddy and a step by step guide to food waste recycling – in readiness for the start of weekly food waste collections.

The external caddy will also incorporate a pop up indicator to be used to request a new stock of compostable liners.

The new service is targeted at increasing recycling rates in the borough and will provide a more environmentally friendly way of managing food waste. Once collected by the Council the food waste will be taken for

WAR ON WASTE: Cllr David Lonergan composting into a soil improving fertiliser.

The new service is being provided on an opt-in basis, and the Council is keen to hear from Knowsley residents who are interested

in recycling their food waste.

Cllr David Lonergan, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Delivery, says: “Around 6.7 million tonnes of household food waste is produced each year.

When this decomposes in a landfill site it produces methane, which is a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

“This opt-in service will help divert this waste away from landfill and avoid landfill penalties of up to £150 per tonne. Knowsley has reached its 25% recycling target for 2008/09. We are confident this new service will help boost these rates even further.”

Those interested in signing up for the service can call the Environmental Helpline on 0151 443 2400, log on to the council’s website on www. knowlsey.gov.uk, or call into one of the council’s one-stop shops.

Get all the latest news online at our websites . . . navigate to /itsourworld

new-build, older properties, high rise apartments and public buildings such as schools and hospitals. With the Climate Change Bill setting legally binding targets for the UK to cut its carbon emissions by 80%, EWI can also be an effective way for local authorities to lower the C02 emissions from its housing stock.”

Free energy, water & money saving device which saves up to

£60 a year *

We have a free eaga ShowerSmart available to every reader.

• Suitable for non-electric mixer showers or bath/ shower mixer taps.

• Easy self-installation - no plumber required.

• 15 year manufacturers guarantee.

• It regulates the flow rate of your shower without reducing your enjoyment, saving water and the energy used to heat hot water.

• Could save up to £60* a year in gas and metered water bills and 21,000 litres of water/year for the average family of 4.

• Saves over a tonne of CO2 over its lifetime.

• Saving your pocket and the environment!

To apply for your FREE eaga ShowerSmart: • Go to www.eaga.com/freeshowersmart • Freephone 0800 953 0033 PLEASE READ: Maximum 1 eaga ShowerSmart per household during the period 1 Jan 2008 - 31 March 2011. We are unable to supply an eaga ShowerSmart if you have already received one within this period. Allow 42 days for delivery. Offer available to Great Britain residents only and is subject to availability. *Using the £20/year saving on both gas and metered water bills for a 2 person household calculated from figures provided by The Building Research Establishment, and factoring up for the average family of 4 = £30/year saving on both gas and metered water bills=£60/year.

6107

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with Jade Wright

Free survey that could save cash

WHAT is it they say, there's no such thing as something for nothing? Well, it turns out that's not quite true...

This autumn householders in Merseyside are bring offered free individually-tailored energy advice on how you can make your bills lower and save the planet at the same time.

The Energy Saving Trust is offering a free personalised home energy report. This will show how to cut home energy bills by around £300* per year and help fight climate change.

The report will indicate how energy efficient a home is – and what steps can be taken to improve its energy efficiency in the future.

It will also give practical advice on how to save energy, improve a home's energy rating and at the same time lower fuel bills.

They are working in partnership with Liverpool City Council and Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, and you should expect to see a home energy check form coming through your letter box, which can be filled in and returned by Freepost.

Residents will then receive a free personalised home energy report. For those who don’t receive a form or who prefer instant results it can be completed online at: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/check.

The Energy Saving Trust provides free, impartial, expert advice on saving energy. ● To speak to an Energy Saving Trust advisor for guidance on completing the home energy check, or for more information about saving energy, generating your own energy and travelling with lower carbon emissions, call the Wirral-based centre for free on 0800 512 012. *Based on a 3 bedroom semi-detached house (Energy Saving Trust 2008).

Designs on life Over 100 of Liverpool’s top companies such as

T

HE renew, reuse and recycle message has been adopted by Liverpool’s artistic community, since Liverpool Chamber of Commerce launched its environmental art competition.

The competition was created to encourage professional artists and designers from across the region to create art from recycled materials.

One of the items entered has been created by local designer Ilsa Parry, currently featuring on Design for Life on BBC2. The funky light fitting is made up of aluminium produced when engineers machine items on a lathe.

Ilsa explains: “The aluminium represents how one man’s junk can be another man’s treasure, simply by changing its context.”

Maresa Molloy, Head of Policy and Information at Liverpool Chamber, says: “We have already seen some through provoking and stunning designs, however there is still time to create something amazing and enter the competition.”

The closing date for entries is October 31.

Selected entries will be exhibited at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on November 26. The winning entry will receive £500, there will be a £250 prize for the runner up.

The competition is free to enter, professional artists, living or working in the Merseyside area wishing to enter can download an application form from the Chamber’s website www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk /art-award.html

Liverpool One Plus Dane Group Lime Pictures Liverpool Vision UK Border Agency

have already become Green Business Ambassadors.

Find out how easy it is to make your pledge go to

www.ourcityourplanet.co.uk Ilsa Parry is on TV’s Design for Life

14

DIARY October 2: Night Zone 3, Wigg Island, Runcorn; 6pm We’re here to guide you through the evening spectacle of bats flashing overhead as we go in search of nocturnal night flyers. Call Bill on 01928 563803 for more information.

October 3: Mainly Mammals, Pickerings Pasture, Widnes; 9am They are small, furry and difficult to see, unless you join the Ranger for a close encounter with Bank Vole, Wood Mouse and Common Shrew and a few other mammals. Call Rob on 0151 425 4706 for more information.

October 4: Tree Dressing, Phoenix Park, Runcorn; 12-2pm Celebrate the wonder of trees and take part in this ancient custom of tree dressing. A craft event suitable for children and adults. Call Bob on 01928 564472 for more information.

October 4: Bird Box workshop at Wigg Island, Runcorn; 1-2.30pm Do your bit for the environment and help our feathered friends to an early start at nest building by making your own nest box. Details from Ged on 01928 563 803.

October 4: Knowsley Walking Festival, starting in Kirkby, Halewood and Stockbridge Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Day with walks across Knowsley. Contact: Susannah Jones on 0151 285 6009.

October 4:Wirral Tram & Bus Show Event at Woodside, Birkenhead. Details 0151 666 3188.

October 5-9: National Walk to School Week Join with over 70,000 families walking to school all over Merseyside. Walking to school is an ideal way of spending time with your child, saving money and doing your bit for the environment. www.letstravelwise.org

★★★★

Golden days

October 9: Liverpool College Lunchtime Concert A fun walk looking out for all kinds of wildlife and Event at Sefton Park Palm House. Details from more carefully at the birds, which can be found from www.liverpool.gov.uk the new tower hide. Details from Bill on 01928 October 10: Trapping and Identifying Small 563803 Mammals in Court Hey Park, Knowsley; 9am October 15: Green Energy Conference at the til 12.30pm.

BT Convention Centre Find out which small mammals are to be found and A major conference for property and construction learn how to trap and identify them safely with Tony sector professionals on green energy. The green Parker, the chair of the Merseyside Mammal group. technologies being examined will cover heating, hot This Merseyside BioBank training session is free for water, ventilation, lighting and electricity generation. anyone living inside Merseyside. Booking is essential, Speakers will include Hergen Haye from the contact Helen Greaves on 0151 737 4155 or email Department of Energy & Climate Change, and Kelly community@merseysidebiobank.org.uk Butler of British Electrotechnical & Allied October 10: Conker Championship at Manufacturers Association (BEAMA). Contact 0151 Phoenix Park, Runcorn; 1-3pm 666 5777 or visit www.greenpowerforum.org.uk Phoenix Park hosts the second Conker October 17: Lantern Making at Halewood Championship. Details from Bob on 01928 564472.

Park, Knowsley; 1pm to 3pm October 10&11: The Big Draw at the Have a go at making your own festive lantern Ainsdale Discovery Centre; 2pm-4pm sculpted from natural materials. Experienced artists A chance to show off your creative skills with some will be on hand to offer their guidance and environmental art work. Meet at the Ainsdale encourage your creative flair. Details from 0151 488 Discovery Centre, The Promenade, Ainsdale.

6151 October 11: Fungi Walk in Formby; October 17: Conker competition at parks 10am-12noon Plums & Custard, Honey Fungus and Shaggy Parasol – what imaginative names! Join the Rangers for an insight into the world of fungi. Meet at the information board in Lifeboat Road car park, Formby.

October 11: Birdwatching walk at Acornfield Local Nature Reserve, Knowsley; 10am to 1pm An informative ranger led walk looking at the birds inhabiting our woodlands at this time of year. Contact Kevin the Ranger on 07810 054 159 October 11: Nature Collage at Phoenix Park, Runcorn Create your own pictures with nature’s ample bounty. Perfect for young children. by pumpkins at Church Poppy Grace Bentley surrounded October 11: Strictly Come Farm Organics, Thurstaton Birding at Wigg Island, Runcorn; 1pm

across Knowsley; 1pm to 3pm Try your hand at this age old game.

October 18: Seed Gathering at Halewood Park; 1-3pm Join in with collecting and propagating tree seeds to ensure our woodlands are there for future generations to enjoy. Contact 0151 488 6151 October 18: Scandinavian Skies in Hale During autumn, hundreds of noisy fieldfares, along with other winter migrants, arrive from the Scandinavian headlands. Experts and telescopes will be on hand to explain what’s going on and identify the species taking part. Dress up warm, leave your car in the village and meet at the Lighthouse. Details from Rob on 0151 425 4706.

October 18: Bird Boxes at Rock Park, Runcorn; 11am-3pm Help us to help the birds feather the nest for the coming spring with your very own nest boxes. All materials will be supplied. For details call 01928 568219.

October 18: Seasonal Pedal from Town Hall Park, Runcorn;1-3pm Go for a pedal around Halton while taking the beauty of Britain's autumn colours. Details fro1928 560793.

October 18: Clay Pots, Victoria Park, Widnes;12-3pm A popular event with both children and adults alike, create your very own work of art with the help of an expert. Booking is essential, to book a place phone 0151 423 6147.

October 23-31: Church Farm Haunted Hay Ride, Church Farm, Church Lane, Thurstaston Wirral's infamous Haunted Hay Ride through the organic farm is back for another spooky year. Fun rides in the day, Fright and Fear rides at night. Details from 0151 648 7838 or www.churchfarm.org.uk October 24: Storytelling at Phoenix Park, Runcorn; 1-3pm The ancient whispers of the merry men can be heard in Robin Pye’s tales of our home-grown forest hero, Robin Hood. Call Bob on 01928 564472 for details.

October 24: Bird Feeders in Crosby; 10am-12noon

Help the birds survive the winter and create a feast for them to enjoy out in your garden. Meet at Crosby Library, Crosby.

October 25: Pier Birdwatch in Southport; 1-3pm A spectacular event - watching the migratory waders as they fuel up before heading south for the winter, in Africa. The number of birds will be close to the highest of the year - as the adults have been joined by their young. Meet at the seaward end of Southport Pier.

October 26-30: Half term at the National Wildflower Centre; 1pm and 2pm workshops Celebrate the magic of Autumn during half term at the National Wildflower Centre. Charges apply for workshops. Details from 0151 738 1913.

October 27: Halloween Horror at Ainsdale; 2pm-3.30pm Bring a pumpkin and carve a Halloween lantern and make some spooky decorations.

Meet in the Ainsdale Discovery Centre, The Promenade.

October 29: Halloween horrors at Halewood Park; 1pm to 3pm A spooky afternoon of family fun making ghostly ghouls, batty bats and wicked witches ready for Halloween. Contact rangers service on 0151 488 6151.

October 29: Halloween Fun; 2pm-3.30pm Make a different type of lantern today – no pumpkins needed. Meet in the Ainsdale Discovery Centre, The Promenade.

October 30: Starry Starry Night at Wigg Island, Runcorn; 7pm Watch the stars overhead and pick out the planets, which hurtle through the evening skies. Details from Ged on 01928 563803.

October 31: Trick or treat at Stadt Moers Park, Knowsley; 5-7pm Come to the park on Halloween and hunt for treats on the Terrifying Treat Trail and you may even meet a ghost or ghoul on the way.

Contact the Rangers service on 0151 489 1239.

October 31: Feed the birds at parks across Knowsley Help keep our feathered friends full and happy over

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with Jade Wright

of autumn

the coming winter months. Contact the Rangers service on 0151 489 1239 November 1: Lantern Workshop, Runcorn Hill; 1-3 pm Light up your life and make you own lantern to take on a procession around Runcorn Hill on 21 November, for "Stories Best Told in the Dark".

For more information phone 01928 560793.

November 2: Autumn Senses Stroll at Phoenix Park, Runcorn; 1-2pm Take a stroll through the woodland and reminisce.

The summer’s past and the seasons are changing.

Details from BOB on 01928 564472.

November 7: Autumn Senses Stroll, Runcorn; 1pm Let's take a stroll together through the woodland and reminisce. The summer’s past and the seasons are changing. The walk lasts approximately one hour.

Call Bob on 01928 564472 for more information.

November 4: Wrecks of our Coast at Ainsdale; 7pm Join guest speaker Martyn Griffiths and learn more about the buried treasures on our beaches. Meet at the Ainsdale Discovery Centre November 14: Winter Walk in Formby; 2-4pm The dunes and woodlands can be quiet and peaceful over the winter months – take advantage of this with a walk round led by the Rangers. Meet at the information board in Lifeboat Road car park.

November 14: Conservation task day at Stadt Moers Park; 10am - 1pm Ranger led practical tasks to help maintain and improve the green space. Contact 0151 489 1239 November 15: Mousetrap, Wigg Island, Runcorn; 9.30-11.30am No, not the board game! Using live catch mammal

back some invasive scrub on this popular nature reserve.

Gloves, tools and light refreshments will be provided but wear old clothes. Meet at Pickerings Pasture Visitor Centre. For details call Rob on 0151 425 4706.

December 6: Winter celebration at National Wildflower Centre and Court Hey Park; 2-4pm This annual event will be the usual lovely seasonal mix of craft stalls, entertainment, environmental workshops and visits from Father Christmas.

Contact Court Hey Park on 0151 738 1913 December 8: Birkdale Nightingales; 7pm Find out more about the Natterjack Toads and their local name the ‘Birkdale Nightingale’ with an evening slide show. Meet at the Ainsdale Discovery Centre, Ainsdale December 10: Winter Tree Identification at Fazakerley Woods & Fields; 10am-1pm Celebrate National Tree Week by learning about the ecology of out native trees and how to identify them during the winter months.

This Merseyside BioBank training session is free for anyone living inside Merseyside. Book in advance by calling Helen Greaves on 0151 737 4155 or email community@merseysidebiobank.org.uk December 12: Conservation task day at Stadt Moers Park; 10am - 1pm Ranger led practical tasks to help maintain and improve your local green space. Contact the Rangers, 0151 489 1239 December 12 & 13, 19& 20: Christmas Festive Weekends at Ness Botanic Gardens Festive fun with Father Christmas and festive music.

Contact 0151 353 0123 or www.nessgardens.org.uk December 12: Christmas Wreaths at Phoenix Park, Runcorn; 1-3pm Make your own Christmas Wreath from natural Autumn colours in materials. Booking is essential as places are limited.

Sefton Park and Call Gail on 01928 564472. the Palm House December 12: Christmas Ideas Workshop at Picture: COLIN Rock Park, Runcorn; 1-3pm LANE Make your own personalised Christmas wreath for the frosty front door. All materials will be provided.

For details call 01928 568219.

December 13: Christmas Family Trail at Victoria Park, Widnes; 10.30am Start the Christmas festivities with a family trail around the park, looking for Christmas clues along traps, find out what furry little creatures inhabit the our feathered friends. This will help them through site. Places are limited and must be booked. Phone the cold winter ahead, with a log bird feeder to take the way. This will be followed by Christmas crafts Ged on 01928 563803 for further information. home and hang in your garden. Please book as places then off to meet Santa. Booking is essential. Call Michelle on 0151 423 6147.

November 15: Quarry Walk, Hough Green are limited, on 01928 564472.

December 13: Santa Run in Birkenhead Park Park, Widnes; 11am November 22: Stories Best Told in the Dark, Fun Run in aid of Claire House children’s hospice.

Walk along the rights of way to Pex Hill and see the at Runcorn Hill: 5-7pm marvellous views from the picnic area. Bring a drink.

Wrap up warm, and venture to light up our pathway Details 0151 343 0883 www.claire-house.org.uk December 13: Christmas Cracker at Appropriate clothes and footwear are on the Hill. Collect your lantern for the walk, then Halewood Park; 1-4pm recommended. There are no toilets during the meet the storyteller for a talk. For details call 01928 An afternoon of festive fun and games for all the journey. For further details phone 0151 420 3707.

560793. family. Contact the Rangers service on 0151 488 November 15: Lantern Workshop, Runcorn December 6: Go Wild in the Wood at 6151 Hill; 1-3 pm Pickerings Pasture, Widnes; 10am-2pm December 13: Wiggmas Factor at Wigg Light up your life and make your own lantern to take Help the local wildlife by planting trees and cutting Island, Runcorn; 11am-1pm on a procession around Runcorn Hill on 21st Christmas crafts with traditional November, for "Stories Best Told in the natural materials. Always popular Dark". so book a space early to reserve For more information phone 01928 560793. your Christmas wreath. Call Bill November 15: Bird Boxes at Victoria on 01928 563 803.

Park, Widnes; 1-3pm December 17: Winter Make a home for your garden birds. All solstice celebration at materials will be provided and you get to take Halewood Park; 6pm to them home. To book call 0151 423 6147.

7pm November 18: North West Beach Litter A warming and spiritual story Project told via various theatrical Help survey and collect the litter on the performances and displays. beaches at Hightown, Ravenmeols or Birkdale.

Contact the rangers service on Call 0151 934 2967 for more information.

0151 488 6151.

December 6: Christmas Decorations in December 19 - 21: Church Ainsdale; 12noon-4pm Farm Santa Express at Make your own Christmas decorations and Church Farm, Thurstaston presents from natural materials – wreaths & Ride on the tractor up to the table decorations, bird boxes and tree magical forest and meet Santa decorations. Meet at the Ainsdale Discovery and his friends. Details from Centre, Ainsdale 0151 648 7838 or tfulness frui low mel November 21: Bird Feeders at Phoenix of on seas a . . . es Autumn leav www.churchfarm.org.uk Park, Runcorn; 1-3pm It’s the time of year when we need to help feed

partners FOR ADVERTISING OR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CALL 0151 472 2705 OR EMAIL neil.Johnson@liverpool.com

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