A recent ruling by the European Court of Justice means that honey must be labelled to show that it contains pollen.
To say that honey contains pollen is like saying that peanuts contain nuts. Beekeepers will of course tell you that pollen is not an ‘ingredient’ as implied by the ruling and, in fact, is a natural part of the product put there incidentally by the bees as they forage for nectar getting the pollen stuck to their bodies. The recent EU ruling means beekeepers producing honey for sale will have to test it to make sure it doesn’t contain any genetically modified (GM) pollen and label their project accordingly. This is a concern for small producers as the equipment needed for testing and labelling can be expensive. This is worrying because many small producers could be forced to stop beekeeping as the local sale of their honey supports the cost of keeping their bees and there is little left over for testing equipment. This testing and labelling is seen to be ludicrous in the UK as there are a very small number of GM crops growing.
This is one more blow to our bees that have been in decline in recent years for various reasons. They have been the victims of a parasite called ‘varroa destructor,’ an external parasitic mite that attacks the honey bee. Bees are also subject to difficulties caused by modern intensive farming methods such as monoculture and the use of pesticides. For example bees are attracted to the acres of bright yellow oil seed rape which appears in our fields in the spring causing a two fold problem. The first relates to the honey that is produced from oil seed rape pollen which becomes rock hard in the hive and has to be removed by the bee keeper, the second is the lack of flowering substitute when the oil seed rape season ends leaving nothing for the bees to forage.
The decline in our bee population in recent years is of great concern. Virtually all of our crops and gardens are pollinated by this secret army and our food security will be under threat if we don’t halt their decline and start increasing their numbers again. Governments across the globe are investing huge sums to research the plight of the honey bee and bee keepers are doing their utmost to keep their bees fit for purpose. The EU directive will diminish conservation.
EU regulation is a Government concern so what can we do personally?
For a start we can find out as much about bees as we can so we have a better understanding of their nature and their needs. We can do this in several ways, read books, search the internet or sign up to a Greeniversity bee keeping class. This is what many Peterborough folk have done and some, including myself and, as result they are now keeping bees. It’s worth remembering that in Europe it’s as common for people to keep bees in their gardens as it is the UK for people to grow spuds! There is no great mystery to beekeeping but if you don’t want to keep bees but want to help the humble honey bee get planting. Improve your garden by adding all round colour to your borders of sweet scented bee friendly flowers.
We are working with Peterborough City Council and a group of keen volunteers across the city to achieve Fairtrade targets in businesses, community groups and schools, in order to make Peterborough a Fairtrade City by February 2012.
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By promoting, stocking and buying Fairtrade, it is possible to support communities all over the world.
With plenty of Fairtrade products available, it’s easy to make a difference. I’ve started buying Fairtrade tea, coffee and chocolate.
A great opportunity to support Fairtrade is to do something during One World Week. It’s happening now, starting with World UN Day yesterday and runs until the 30th October. Events are taking place throughout this special celebration to unite people from diverse backgrounds, encouraging learning about global justice and deliver action locally and globally.
Let us know what you already do or are planning to do for Fairtrade in your school, business or community group!
A week or so ago Selina and I were invited to attend the grand opening of Dobbies garden centre.
We were really quite interested in this as we have been trundling past the place on an almost daily basis on our bus ride to Hampton and had been watching the place grow, quite speedily, out of the ground for a couple of months.
When we arrived we headed straight for the food hall, as you do, and we were treated to a delightful array of delicious looking goodies, we were impressed. So much so that now I have to treat Selina to Dobbies ice cream every time we meet our work targets! What was really impressive was the amount of produce that was being stocked in the food halls and used in the eatery that was local and seasonal. As we all know buying local, seasonal fresh food is a great way of supporting British farmers and making sure you have all the right vitamins. Of course we opted for cake.
Next we went to look at the plants. I’m a keen gardener so wanted to see how the nursery area measured up. I thought the stock of plants that they had was very good, especially for the time of year, and I was pleased to note that the whole area was quite easy to physically negotiate. It can be tiresome when you can’t sort out your Dalias from your Geraniums and Dobbies do have their plants laid out so that they make sense. Speaking of sense does that last sentence make any? Anyway what I was really pleased to see was that the plants were labelled as to their origin so you could buy your strawberry plants from a nursery in Lincolnshire and your Crocosmia from a UK supplier. Superb.
The thing we were both most impressed with was the Eco-living Centre. We work for an environmental charity, we are environmentalists and we are very happy to see that Peterborough, which after all is the home of the UK’s environment capital, has its’ own Eco-shop at last! Yes you can buy insulation and rainwater harvesting systems, composters and water butts but more importantly you can by a clock that’s made from recycled plastic and wooden toys made with sustainable wood.
Now I’m not officially endorsing Dobbies and I am aware that there are those who quite rightly believe that the area needs a leisure centre more than it needs a garden centre but I am saying that this is a great place to shop green and Peterborough definitely needs more green shopping.
P.S. Don’t forget if you have an electric vehicle you can charge it at Dobbies too! Oh and if all this has failed to tempt you it’s worth a visit just to check out the loo’s!!!
As the eco awards creep even closer, I am sure the hunger to win grows ever more amongst the children.Prizes will be awarded across 13 different subjects– from the individual to the team, the school to the community; everybody has a fighting chance of being named the greenest of them all.
The awards
Based on the children’s displays, award such as Waste and Recycling, Biodiversity and Healthy Living will be given by the judges to those children who’ve strived to create the most inspiring projects- showing enthusiasm and dynamism to take the lead. One of the most important features of the day will be the presentation of the Eco Leader Award. Nominated by the schools, this recognises the commitment of a truly inspirational person who has given up their lunch and break time and time again to promote a green way of life. Oh dear, I fear a few tears may be spilt!
The hottest green event of the school calendar is finally dawning on us!
Yes, the eagerly anticipated eco awards will be staged in only a few more weeks – praising and congratulating pupils from pre-school to sixth form for their heroic green achievements over the past year.
With activities and games, presentations and celebrations, the day is sure to be one to remember! Children will gather to showcase and share their eco schemes, which they have developed and initiated over the past academic year. The achievements of each school will be recognised and judges will be awarding prizes to special projects!
Hampton College have kindly agreed to host the event on the 5th July, and will no doubt provide a spectacular backdrop to a special day.
Discover business opportunities in renewable energy at the Algal Biofuels Envirocluster Seminar!
Learn about new and exciting opportunities for local manufacturing, engineering and cleantech businesses in a new regional supply chain developing the production process for algae-derived biofuels, including pilot and test facilities being commissioned by Cranfield University.
Marine microalgae are an excellent candidate for the next generation of low carbon biofuels as it is fast-growing, has a high lipid (oil) yield, can be grown in large quantities, and does not use scarce fresh water or agricultural land.
Europe is specifically targeting the East of England to become a major area for growth in renewable energy in the next 10-15 years. This is due to its unique combination of geographical opportunities, skills availability, low urban pressure and natural resources.
Organised in partnership by Opportunity Peterborough, this is an exclusive Green Festival business event. All businesses are invited to attend the seminar!
Excitement is building as the annual Green Festival approaches. Only three days to go!
An action-packed programme of family events and activities have been organised across Peterborough. A brilliant way to extend you’re enjoyment of the Green Festival is to get out in the fresh air - walk or cycle with friends and family to the events!
Travelchoice team are encouraging everyone to adopt sustainable travel options. Opt for car sharing, walking, cycling and using public transport. It’s a great way to save money, get fit and help the environment.
For advice and to plan your sustainable journey to the events, visit theTravelchoice website!
Find out what’s on during the Green Festival fortnight by checking out the programme.
One week to show how we can combat climate change - 21 to 27 March 2011
Thousands of events and activities, highlighting the positive steps being taken to help combat climate change, are being planned by organisations from every sector for the UK's first Climate Week.
Climate Week is backed by every part of society - from the Prime Minister to Paul McCartney, the NHS to the National Trust, Girlguiding UK to the CBI, the Big Lottery Fund to the National Association of Head Teachers.
Climate Week is sponsored by a Headline Partner - Tesco - and four Supporting Partners - Aviva, EDF Energy, Kelloggs and RBS.
Organisations can get involved right now by starting to plan an event for Climate Week, entering the prestigious Climate Week Awards or registering to take part in the UK’s biggest ever live environmental competition, the Climate Week Challenge. They can also spread the word in advance, so that others find out about Climate Week in time to plan their own activities.
Individuals can help right now by asking the organisations they know - such as their workplace or local school - to plan an event or activity for Climate Week.
To find out more about Climate Week go to www.climateweek.com email
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or telephone on 020 3397 2601.
On the 23rd January, Thorpe Meadows saw a brilliant turn out for the first planting event of the newly launched project a Forest for Peterborough.
With the first 1,500 trees being planted, there was a real sense of achievement and the potential the project became a reality.
The project offers the opportunity to plant trees, shrubs and general coverage throughout Peterborough, giving you the chance to take part and contribute to the development of your city.
Sophie Antonelli, Forest for Peterborough project officer for PECT says,
“This project will certainly increase the number of trees planted in Peterborough. But it’s also about more than just trees – we want to increase the range of habitats in the city such as grassland and hedgerow as well as woodland. We want to create green corridors throughout Peterborough to allow our wildlife to flourish."
168,500 trees left to plant might appear a tall order, however after the success, enthusiasm and positive start seen on Sunday; PECT has complete faith in the project and feels confident they will succeed in their aim to have planted a tree per person within the 15 year timescale.
For more information about the project and future planting events, please contact
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A blog by Iain Shanks, PECT's weekly volunteer, on one of our newest projects, A Forest for Peterborough
Now I may be being a little biased here but having grown up in the Fens, an area distinctly short of trees for small boys to climb, I think the Forest for Peterborough is a great idea. Of course we need to create green corridors for wildlife in the city but we need to create them for us humans too.
I attended the Forest for Peterborough launch in November and heard Clive Anderson talking with great passion about planting trees. Not just for a day out with the family but as a means of making a mark on the world that will out live you. He inspired me to buy a tree as a Christmas present for my mum’s partner, who has recently become a grand father. I thought the notion of Grandad’s Tree was a far better gift than a CD, socks or a joke present, and with far longer lasting benefits.
I loved the idea of the family being able to plant the tree together. The forest for Peterborough seemed a much better option than planting a tree in the garden of a house – the house could be sold on and then ownership of the tree would pass on with the land but buying a tree in a public space means that future generations will always have access to it.
Grandad’s Tree looks like it will be planted on the 22nd of February, at Thorpe Meadows near the rowing lake, He was too busy to attend the January planting on the 23rd of this month, although anyone else is free to attend.
If you would like more information on forthcoming planting events and how to plant trees in the Forest for Peterborough for your family and friends to enjoy go to www.pect.org.uk/forest or contact
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10:34:00
r live environmental competition, the Climate Week Challenge. They can also spread the word in advance, so that others find out about Climate Week in time to plan their own activities.
s being planted, there was a real sense of achievement and the potential the project became a reality. 
allow our wildlife to flourish." 
n a CD, socks or a joke present, and with far longer lasting benefits.
