LCRN: The So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish Enews
Good evening,
Welcome to the London Community Resource Network's enews bulletin, your weekly source of resource and sustainability news.
In LCRN news: Site office accomodation has become available, while if you are interested in our Build South London project, events are to start soon.
In members news: BioRegional have announced a new list of MSc work streams, while Computer Aid International want you to join them on their cycle trek across Kenya.
In London News: Camden council opposes HS2, South-East England is officially experiencing a drought, while the M25 widening project makes huge waste savings.
In National News: The UK's first carpet recycling facility is set to open, two biomass projects have been cancelled, while British Gas is offering £50 to anyone who refers a vulnerable individual to them for free insulation.
All this and more in the Environment and Third Sector news.
And finally... The street cleaner with a watchful eye...
- LCRN NEWS
- MEMBERS NEWS
- MEMBERS EVENTS
- MEMBERS JOBS
- LONDON RESOURCE NEWS
- NATIONAL RESOURCE NEWS
- ENVIRONMENT SECTOR NEWS
- THIRD SECTOR NEWS
- CONSULTATIONS, FUNDING & TENDERS
- AND FINALLY…
LCRN NEWS
* Site Office Accomodation Available For Reuse
A member of the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) in the EC3 area of London has site office accomodation available, including 12 units (approximately 32 ft long and 10ft high). One unit is a fitted lavatory block and one unit is a fitted kitchen. The accomodation is in use, in excellent condition, and can be viewed. The site units will become available in 3 weeks, but would need to collected from the site, and you will need to be able to dismantle it and load onto a lorry. There is no charge for the units. If this is of interest to you, or you would like to request a picture of the site, please e-mail julian@lcrn.org.uk.
LCRN, in partnership with Carbon Smart and South London Business, has launched a new ERDF programme aimed at the building sector in South London. It aims to provide business and environmental support to SMEs in the South London building sector, whether they be a construction or cleaning firm, or a design or decoration firm, free of charge. It is designed to foster collaboration between organisations, share skills and resources, and provide advice and mentoring, helping firms access contracts and supply chains, while keeping resources in the London economy. Also provided free of charge will be bespoke Carbon Smart environmental training, supporting your organisation to achieve an active environmental policy and environmental accreditation. Further updates will follow in due course. For more information on the programme, please contact Julian Halse on 020 7324 4708 or e-mail julian@lcrn.org.uk.
* Become an LCRN Member today
Join the network that’s innovating away London’s waste, the grassroots way. LCRN is proud to present our new membership scheme, open to organisations, charities, community groups and social enterprises in London dedicated to responsible resource management. Our new tiered system is based on both income and services so that you get the most bang for your buck. We strive to bring your organisation the right balance of business, organisational and communications support. Our free membership is still available, but come have a gander at what we’ve got on offer. Our rates are incredibly reasonable and our services can only be a boost for you in this economic climate. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact Julian between on 020 7324 4708 or email julian@lcrn.org.uk.
…for LCRN’s new membership scheme
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MEMBERS NEWS
* BioRegional - MSc Thesis Projects
BioRegional has a number of work streams suited to thesis projects at post-graduate level. BioRegional's list of potential Master's Thesis Projects have been updated, and now include: Identifying and Quantifying the Potential Health outcome from Sustainability Communities; Is there reduced crime at the BedZED Eco-village; Social Capital at BedZED; Review of the One Brighton One Planet Community; Tax Incremental Financing for Sustainable Communities; An index for Sustainable International Trade; Review of Local Currencies; A sustainable biomass strategy for the UK; Review of the benefits of Biochar to agriculture and horticulture in the UK; One Planet supermarket; Sutton Community Farm - environmental, economic and social analysis; Sutton's Local Food Network - social and environmental impacts; Promoting Sustainable Behavioual Change around Food; Economic impacts of health and food; Developing a methodology to monitor environmental and social impacts for food projects; Food wastage.
For more details and how to apply.
Computer Aid International are heading off to cycle 250 miles across the beautiful and imposing Rift Valley in Kenya. The trip includes five days of unforgettable cycling and the opportunity to join a safari and visit one of Computer Aid's projects, where you can see first hand the difference your support makes. The trip itself is organised by Classic Tours, an ATOL-accredited company who specialise in overseas charity challenges. The trip will include everything from flights and accomodation, to bike hire and a full back-up support team, including an English-speaking doctor, guide, mechanic, and vehicle to transport all gear. If you wish to sign up or want more information, please e-mail rachel@computeraid.org. An information pack can be downloaded here.
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MEMBERS EVENTS
Visit our friends at Project Dirt for more events across London.
* Join The Big Dig
Capital Growth is looking for as many people as possible to volunteer some time to help their local community growing space on Big Dig day, taking place on Saturday 17th March 2012. Over 70 Capital Growth spaces are looking for help and nearly 1,000 volunteers are required. To find and register to help a local Capital Growth space please go to www.capitalgrowth.org/jointhebigdig and enter your postcode. You will be able to see how near each space is to you, how many volunteers are required and read a short description of what help the space is looking for. By registering you will automatically be entered into a free prize draw to win a special Capital Growth related prize. Register today and give your community a helping hand.
* Community Composting For Local Food Seminars
Are you interested in composting and growing your own? Saving money, being involved in community activities and eating really good food? The Community Composting Network has received funding from Local Food for a two-and-a-half year project called Community Composting For Local Food - the aim of which is to help local communities grow their own food crops and to make and use their own high-quality compost. The project will increase skills in composting for local food by delivering specially developed accredited training courses at up to 15 training sites across England. To back up the training there will be further support in the form of networking workshops and equipment loans which will support the 'trainees' to put their learning into action on their own local food growing projects, and get their own Community Composting scheme up and running.
If you are a local food grower and would like to be involved in the project, why not attend one of the free seminars (below) to find out - with a complimentary locally sourced lunch included. They promise to be jam-packed with information and inspirational ideas. The seminars will run from 12pm - 4pm.
Tuesday 13th March, Brighton, Earthship Brighton
Wednesday 14th March, London, Hackney City Farm
Tuesday 20th March, Exeter, Embercombe
Wednesday 21st March, Worcester, The Pumphouse
Thursday 22nd March, Nottingham, Arkwright Meadows Community Garden
Tuesday 27th March, Burnley, Offshoots
Wednesday 28th March, Darlington, Teesdale Conservation Volunteers
Thursday 29th March, Sheffield, Green Estates
Wednesday 4th April, Bury St Edmunds, The Quaker Meeting House
For more information or to book a place please e-mail Hollie at hollie@communitycompost.org or visit CCN's website.
* Building An Effective Board Of Trustees
Do you want to strengthen your board of trustees? Are you interested in becoming a trustee for a charity? Would you like to find out more about a trustee's role? If this is the case, then the Hammersmith & Fulham Volunteer Centre can provide all the answers at an affordable, high-quality training day. The training will be delivered by Bybreen Samuels - who has more than 15 years' experience of developing organisations and individuals. From a fundraising perspective, she has generated over half a million pounds in one application for an organisation that provides day care services for elderly people. She is the CEO of Insights To Impact, who teach the not-for-profit sector, enterprising individuals and organisations on how to create and implement their personal and professional business models, revenue streams and marketing systems.
Date: Wednesday 29th February, 10am - 4pm
Location: Macbeth Centre, Macbeth Street, London W6 9JJ
Cost: £20 (non-refundable). Includes course handouts and refreshments
For more information, or to book, please contact mary@hfvc.org.uk.
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MEMBERS JOBS
* London Bike Hub - Paid And Volunteer Positions Available
London Bike Hub is looking for some casual help over the coming months to help with a variety of events that have a strong cycling theme: from running a pedal-powered smoothie maker to delivering a wide range of classroom activities. Both paid and volunteer positions are available. London Bike Hub's current demand is in the West London sector, and it would make sense if you are easily able to travel there, as the roles will involve some early starts. Having a CRB check is essential and having experience of working with children with all ages is ideal. If this is of interest to you, please get in touch as soon as possible as positions will be accepted on a rolling basis. For more information please contact info@londonbikehub.com.
* Driver Position (Reuse Organisation Based In Surrey)
Furnistore (based in Redhill, East Surrey), is looking to recruit a full-time member of staff to drive a 3.5 tonne van, to deliver and collect furniture across East Surrey, with assistance from a volunteer crew, and maintain Furnistore's warehouse in good order. Duties will include loading, unloading and moving furniture at the warehouse, the safe handling and delivery of household goods, day-to-day maintenance of the van, good house-keeping within the warehouse, and the safe deployment of the crew. The job will be from 9am - 4.30pm (approx.), 5 days per week, which may include some Saturdays, at a salary of £14,350 p.a. The position is subject to a three-month probationary period and a satisfactory CRB check. All safety clothing will be provided as will training in safe manual handling. Candidates must have a current, clean driving license, and be at least 25 years old with no significant health problems that may be aggravated by carrying out day-to-day duties. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, use their initiative, and foster good working relationships with staff, volunteers and customers. The deadline for applications is 9th March 2012. For more information or to apply please e-mail manager@furnistore.co.uk, or visit Furnistore's website.
* Recycling Assistant
LB Hackney is looking to recruit a Recycling Assistant on a temporary basis (minimum of 10 months). Remuneration will be £13.00 per hour. The successful candidate will assist the Recycling Officer in the administration, organisation, promotion, consultation, installation, and monitoring of kerbside, estate, and bring site recycling schemes within the borough. The successful candidate will assist the Recycling Officer to implement the council's Waste and Recycling Strategy, service development, and the achievement of council, departmental, and customer objectives with regard to recycling and waste management. The following skills and attributes are essential for the role: the ability to promote new initiatives and developments in the field of waste minimisation and recycling (in line with council policy), excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to prepare and initiate routine correspondence within the recycling sector, an analytical approach to financial and statistical information, ability to manage various electronic and manual databases, and knowledge of current environment and recycling issues. Experience of managing a high volume, varied workload without supervision and experience of working the recycling or waste management sector is essential.
For more information.
* Forest Recycling Project - Volunteer Opportunities
Forest Recycling Project has announced a number of exciting new volunteering opportunities (below), providing you with the opportunity to join a vibrant team, and be involved in a successful and ever-expanding community project, where you can learn new skills while benefiting local people and the wider environment. FRP are looking for people who are enthusiastic, flexible and reliable; with good communication and customer service skills, and an interest in wildlife, gardening, recycling and reuse. From these volunteer opportunities you will gain work experience and subsequent references, valuable transferable skills, you will be able to attend a series of social events, and you will be provided with the opportunity to make a difference in your community.
* Donated Plants Assistant
The purpose of this role is to help manage and distribute seeds or seedlings that are donated to FRP in a new 'Gardening Give or Take' initiative. This will involve organising the area at the Reuse Centre where seedlings, pots, compost etc are kept; making signs so that the space is easy to use during the week; helping to promote the new plant donation/swap scheme; attending events at the Reuse Centre and around Waltham Forest to help with workshops/give advice on planting or composting. Events are normally at the weekend, and training will be given. The role is expected to consist of 1 day per week (10am - 4pm though this is flexible), and some events on Saturdays.
* Reuse Centre Assistant/Personal 'Shopper'
The purpose of this role is to help run the FRP Reuse Centre and assist individuals in sourcing low-cost or free goods for their homes. This will involve working with individuals and families who have been referred to FRP for support in refurbishing their homes; advising them of other local reuse projects; helping them find goods on Freecycle/Gumtree etc; finding local tradesmen for their essential jobs. Day-to-day tasks might also include sorting, cleaning, pricing or repairing goods donated to FRP; setting up/taking down a stall; promoting FRP's activities; help with the maintenance of the paint reuse space; and working with customers. This role is expected to consist of 1 or 2 days' work per week (10am - 4pm). Training will be given.
* RePaint Driver's Mate
The purpose of this role is to support members of staff to prepare leftover domestic paint for reuse in the community and, as necessary, assist with FRP's collections and deliveries. You will be required to sort paint to be recycled according to kind and colour; to mix paint; to label recycled paint tins; assist with paint collections; and assist with paint sales and advising customers. This role will require a good level of physical fitness and good spatial orientation. This role is expected to consist of two days' work per week (10am - 4pm), on any day from Monday - Thursday.
* Children's Bike Repair and Recycle Volunteer - Two Positions Available
This role will consist of assessing donated bikes, and then mending and repairing them for sale. Some knowledge of bike maintenance is desirable for this role, however full training will be provided. Training will be provided in 2 x 4 hour sessions at Waltham Forest Bike Recycling Scheme, Low Hall Depot, South Access Road, E10 7AS.
If you would like to take advantage of one of these exciting opportunities, or know of someone who might, please call 020 8539 3856 or e-mail volunteering@frponline.org.uk. More information can be found at FRP's website.
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LONDON RESOURCE NEWS
* Camden Joins White Elephant Hunt
Camden council has announced plans to launch legal action against the Government in an attempt to halt the High Speed 2 rail scheme. Camden believes that the decision to go ahead with the £33bn project from London to Birmingham was flawed. It has served a formal 'letter before claim' on Transport Secretary Justine Greening, signalling its intent to join rural campaigners in seeking a judicial review of the scheme. The first section of the project's route will demolish a large part of the Regent's Park estate near Euston station, much of it social housing. Part of Drummond Street will also be knocked down. The letter accuses ministers of failing to minimise disruption near the station and not guaranteeing advance funds to mitigate against the loss of housing and businesses.
From the Evening Standard.
Defra has stated that the south-east of England is now in an official state of drought. Some reservoirs, rivers and groundwater aquifers in the South East are well below normal levels after two dry winters. The state of drought was declared after Defra convened a summit of water companies, farmers and wildlife groups to discuss potential water shortages in England. Thames Water have warned that there is a high chance of water restrictions this summer, unless there is significant rainfall or customers use less water. Southern Water has already applied for a drought permit to help refill Bewl resevoir, which has a capacity of 31bn litres. (Incidentally, Southern Water has lost 35bn litres of water through leaks over the past year.) A recent survey of Thames Water customers revealed that 45% thought that it was unlikely that there would be a drought this year, but two-thirds accepted they could save water if there were shortages. The average rainfall this winter has been lower than the months preceding the long, hot summer of 1976, which brought water rationing, damaged crops and wildfires.
From the Daily Telegraph.
The Highways Agency has saved over £15m through recycling more than 70% of waste produced during an extensive motorway widening scheme on the M25. The Agency drew up a lengthy waste and materials procurement strategy, which included finding new uses for for imported waste materials and recovering what it could on-site during construction work on the project. The strategy forms part of the Agency's sustainable development plan, and runs alongside the organisation's commitment to WRAP's Halving Waste to Landfill voluntary agreement for construction waste. The organisation has also tackled energy efficiency strategy by switching off or removing lights from stretches of the motorway where it is considered safe to do so. This has reduced annual energy consumption by around 3,300,000kwh, equivalent to carbon savings of 1,800 tonnes.
From Edie.net.
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NATIONAL RESOURCE NEWS
A facility that claims to be the UK's first for reprocessing carpets and carpet tiles has been officially opened in Upton-on-the-Wirral, will serve the North and the Midlands, and plans to be operational by April. The Ecopro WDS facility will offer recovery of post-industrial carpets and tile offcuts as well as fitting waste and uplifted tiles. All reprocessed materials will be utilised in the cement and asphalt industries, and the facility will feature robot-led precision cutting machinery to enable processing of bitumen-backed tiles and all sizes of braodloom materials including carpet edge trims and large pieces.
From Edie.net.
Drax, the operator of the UK's largest coal-fired power staiton, is scrapping plans to build two biomass plants in the UK, blaming a lack of financial investment from the Government for the decision which involved an investment of around £1.4bn. However, Drax is exploring options to develop a biomass facility at the port of Immingham on the River Humber. Biomass typically burns wood chippings, agricultural waste and straw pellets, a process that cuts carbon emissions by about 80% compared to coal. Drax was more upbeat about a plan to boost profits and reduce pollution by mixing increasing quantities of biomass with coal, known as 'co-firing', at its facility in North Yorkshire. The plant, near Selby, provides 7% of Britain's electricity. A £450m development programme to boost co-firing is under consideration, but the rate of expansion is also dependent on financial help from the Government. Co-firing currently amounts to 6% of Drax's output, but the long-term plan is to take it to over 50%, a move that could eventually make up for the lost megawatts that would have been attributed to biomass, if the new plants had come on stream.
From the Guardian.
British Gas will pay £50 to anyone who refers 'vulnerable' friends, family and neighbours for free loft and cavity wall insulation from the company. Referrers will receive the sum for every individual on qualifying benefits whose details they pass on, with no limit to the number they can refer. Those who qualify must be on pension credit, certain income-related benefits or receiving child tax credit, and have an income of less than £16,190. Neither the referrer nor the beneficiary need to buy gas or electricity from British Gas to take part in the scheme, but the firm is offering free insulation to all new and existing energy customers. According to British Gas, it takes less than a day to insulate a home, loft insulation is a thick material rolled onto the loft floor, while cavity insulation is filling squirted into the gap between exterior and interior walls. Loft insulation and cavity insulation can save up to £175 and £135 per year respectively. However, according to the DECC, nearly half of the UK's homes are not insulated adequately.
From the Guardian.
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ENVIRONMENT SECTOR NEWS
* Damien Hirst Plans 'Unaffordable' Eco Homes (Possibly Encrusted With Diamonds)
From Edie.net.
* Shale Away
'Fracking', the controversial technique of exploiting underground supplies of shale gas, does not appear to result in the contamination of groundwater supplies, according to an independent investigation in the US. The study found little evidence to support fears in the US and UK that fracking - which involves fracturing underground rock with toxic chemicals - can result in groundwater being contaminated. However the scientists who carried out the research stopped short of giving fracking a clean bill of health, as the long-term effects of the process are poorly understood. There were particular concerns about the possibility of disturbing toxic substances such as arsenic that are naturally present in the environment, which could result in contamination. The authors of the report said that they wanted to seperate fact from fiction in the debate that has arisen since the discovery of huge gas reserves in the US and UK. The fears were heightened by the film GasLand, which showed methane gas coming out of water taps in areas close to fracking sites (which was later proven to have nothing to do with fracking).
From the Independent.
* Vision On
THIRD SECTOR NEWS
* Innovation In Giving Fund Makes First Investments
The Cabinet Office and NESTA have announced the first fifteen investments to be funded from the £10m Innovation in Giving Fund, which aims to find and back innovative ideas for increasing volunteering and charitable giving. It was designed to support innovations that have the potential that have the potential to to deliver a significant increase in the giving and exchange of time, assets, skills, resources and money to achieve social goals and public benefit. More than 430 applications for funding were received and 62 were shortlisted to pitch their ideas to a selection panel between December 2011 and March 2012. Among the first organisations to receive funding were our friends at Project Dirt, a grassroots social networking site that enables people and organisations to give their time, expertise, and resources to local environmental projects. This announcement was the first in a series of investments to be distributed by NESTA. Further investment announcements are expected to be made over the next few weeks, and it is expected that the second funding round will open in the spring.
From Social Enterprise Live.
* Charity Sales On eBay Double In 2011
The value of sales from eBay.co.uk's charity shops rose to £6.25m in 2011, a year-on-year increase of 56%. The Selling Online Survey 2011, conducted by the Charity Retail Association, reports that on average charities that sell online make 76% of sales from eBay as opposed to 17% from their own online sales. Almost 800 registered UK charities sold items on eBay during the busiest months of 2011. Spending among eBay UK's charity shoppers has grown from £7.5m to £10.1m, a 34% increase. Some 2,600 eBay users donated more than £100 to charity via the auction website in 2011. The Selling Online Survey sampled 75 charities of varying sizes representing a total of 4,105 shops.
From the Office for Civil Society.
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CONSULTATIONS, FUNDING & TENDERS
* Heathrow Community And Environment Small Grants Awards
The Heathrow Community and Environment Small Grants Awards are funded by donations from Heathrow passengers and match-funded by BAA Heathrow and the BAA Communities Trust. The awards are delivered in partnership with Groundwork Thames Valley. Funding is available for voluntary organisations, community groups, and schools that have a project taking place in one or more of the following boroughs: Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Richmond, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Slough, and South Bucks. Funding is available for projects that support the themes of the Heathrow community and environment awards, which are as follows: Reduce, re-use, recycle; Climate change and energy; Protecting and enhancing our environment; Bringing communites together; Education and developing skills. Projects must involve the community in all stages of the project, deliver lasting benefits, and use best practice or innovation. Grants of up to £2,500 are available. The project cost must not exceed £5,000, of which Heathrow Airport must be the major funder. The various funding rounds for 2012 close on: 16th March, 15th June, 14th September, and 30th November.
For more information or to apply.
* Southwark EnviroGrants
For more information.
* Funding To Support Collections Of Food Waste From Businesses - Demonstration Projects
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) administers the Collections of Food Waste from Business - Demonstration Projects scheme. Through the scheme, funding is available to to develop a number of demonstration projects which will help improve services to businesses, divert food waste from landfill and support the development of the Government's AD strategy. Funded projects will demonstrate good practice approaches to collecting food waste from businesses, look at ways to reduce service costs, and maximise food waste recycling. The overarching purpose of this programme is to encourage the collection of food waste from small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), public sector buildings and larger businesses. All collected food waste will be required to be recycled through an AD or IVC process in England. The scheme can fund capital costs such as vehicles, bins, and publicity materials for projects that will significantly increase the amount of food waste collected. Up to 75% of the eligible capital costs will be considered. Operating costs can be funded; however the applicant will need to ensure that they have a budget available for the ongoing operation of their project post-commissioning, and for at least the two-year contractual period. There is a budget of approximately £500,000 for 2011-14. The maximum value of a grant under this current round is £100,000. The scheme is available to local authorities, private sector, or community sector organisations operating in England. Please note that the funding round for the financial year ending 31st March 2012 ended on 3rd February 2012. The closing date for applications for the next round is 13th April 2012.
For more information.
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AND FINALLY…
* Watch Out!
A street cleaner who found a £20k Rolex on his rounds, has found three more expensive watches in a drain, and could be in line for a payout of up to £60,000.
From the Daily Telegraph.
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