I first met Ruth and Kevin Bell last October, the Greeniversity was just an idea then and Nick Goodman from the GPP said “talk to these guys, they might be able to help”. Since that time we’ve been working in partnership. Ruth became a member of the Greeniversity steering group (now the Greeniversity board) she brought her volunteers along to meeting to gain experience and they have hosted several Greeniversity classes at their community interest company’s premises.
Their premises are called ‘Bestdeal4baby’ which started life in one of the couple’s bedrooms in their home in Dogsthorpe by making use of unwanted equipment, furniture and clothing, now they transform lives. The project quickly outgrew the home and commercial premises were taken up in Norfolk Road Peterborough, today, just ten months since that first meeting, I was lucky enough to be invited to the open day of the new premises in Newark Avenue Dogsthorpe.
Now I’ve always been impressed by Ruth’s down to earth can do, just get on with it attitude but what the couple have achieved in this building in just ten weeks really takes the biscuit! To be fair a generous description of the place might have been something like a rundown dump before Mrs Bell waved her magic wand now it is a vibrant building that sings with life and positive attitude.
It hosts a children’s clothes shop full to the brim with beautiful attire at next to nothing cost for all ages & I mustn’t forget to mention all the baby equipment that’s there as well. The new conference room has swish blue seating that would make any executive proud. The loos have amazing doors that wouldn’t be out of place in a plush rustic restaurant and I still haven’t mentioned the computer suit – incredible ‘Bestdeal4baby’ has achieved online status and is offering free computer courses and also will providing a free crèche for anyone on one of those courses. If that’s not enough they are also offering training in health and safety and food hygiene! There is also an impressive community cafe run by volunteers with a spread to rival any establishment in the city with prices that really are as good as the food on offer.
Ok why do I think this is all so great, well you see every item in the place has been sourced sustainably, the loo doors used to be pallets, the flooring was an end of line going to landfill, the computers were destined for a tip in India until the Bells stepped in to rehome and reuse all this stuff – I think they need a medal or perhaps two all this work as been done by volunteers with no building experience and completed in just ten weeks!!!
Ruth and Kevin you’re amazing and I wish you all the good luck and prosperity you deserve. Well done ‘Bestdeal4baby’.
Ruth and a volunteer in the new pc suite.
And don't forget if you want to use this stunning new venue for you're Greeniversity class you can access the booking details through the Greeniversity website.
Family Cookery – Healthy Eating
Learn to cook healthy meals for the whole family at City College Peterborough Family Arts/Crafts – Natural Medium
Take part in a lesson which will open your eyes to green creativity Family Gardening
Flex those green fingers and get stuck into gardening with the kids
Sunday 11th July
Dragonfly Day
Get dragonfly-spotting at the Castor Hanglands for a fun day out Nordic Walking Taster Session
For those who fancy getting fit and healthy with an innovative walking technique Another Nene Way
A refreshing walk for all ages with an experienced teacher
Monday 12th July
BBQ Heaven
Learn how to make sumptuous side dishes for your barbecue favourites Green on Public Speaking
Conquer your fear of public speaking with Anglia Communications
Tuesday 13th July
The Business of Heritage
A workshop aimed to educate those working in the heritage sector, both paid and voluntary
Thursday 15th July
Happiness through the Art of Meditation
Refresh your mind and heighten your senses though the ancient art of meditation
Saturday 17th July
Baby Café
One of many weekly talks aimed at new mums throughout Peterborough
For further details, to enrol on any of these free courses or to chat on our forum go to: www.greeniversity.org.uk
Greeniversity is the free and easy choice for learning green skills and making friends.
Have you ever heard the evocative sound of a hissing steam engine drifting through the air? If so there’s a good chance it came from Railworld, the ever-expanding locomotive history site in Woodston. On Monday 21st June Railworld was host to an open event which saw many local faces get together and have a good natter including the Mayor of Peterborough himself, Keith Sharp.
The Greeniversity held a stand in the Environmental Education Centre, which is situated in a wildlife haven called the Peterborough Environmental Project, an ever-expanding natural area which is cultivated daily by the hard-working Railworld team. The building is home to several projects including a large rotating globe of the world and a bicycle machine which showed how much pedal power it takes to generate electricity. I had a go on it and could only manage to generate 400 watts, phew!
There was also a stand representing the Peterborough Materials Recycling Facility in Fengate which taught visitors proper recycling habits as well as which materials aren’t currently recycled. I learned that paper egg boxes can’t be recycled due to them having already been recycled multiple times. But don’t just toss them in the rubbish – ripped up egg boxes are a fine addition for your compost bin!
Make sure to visit when you have some spare time; it’s a lovely addition to the glorious natural landscape of Woodston. And if you fancy a day out, why not hop aboard that delightful steam train and take a ride to Ferry Meadows?
Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) has been awarded a Highly Commended status at The Charity Awards 2010, the UK charity sector’s most prestigious award scheme.
The Greeniversity was shortlisted in the Environment and animal’s category and missed out narrowly in wining the overall prize to the Travel Foundation which was established with a unique focus on engaging travel companies in developing and delivering tourism that creates new local economic opportunities, protects the environment and promotes local culture. It has raised £5.7m from industry donations and has 24 industry partners, whose support has enabled the creation of over 30 sustainable projects in 16 destinations.
Despite not winning the main prize Greeniversity project officer Karen Lawrence and Chair of the PECT board Steve Magenis enjoyed a star studded evening hosted by the comedian Jo Brand at the Grosvenor House hotel in London’s Mayfair.
Karen is delighted that Greeniversity has been recognised nationally, she said: “It was a fantastic evening, really inspirational all of the projects that were nominated were outstanding.”
Just to let you know the following courses are running next week at the Greeniversity.
Monday 21st June
Spin for a free swim - throughout Bike Week
If you're cycling to The Lido Swimming Pool on Bishops Road why not stop off for a free dip?
23rd June
Pedal for pasties - Cornish Pasty Company, Bridge Street
If you cycle down Bridge Street between 7.30 and 9.00am, why not stop off for a free breakfast?
For further details and to enrol on any of these free courses go to:
Peterborough Evening Telegraph is launching the ‘ET's Green awards’ which have been set up in recognition of the wealth of good work that goes on across the city in aid of the environment.
One of the categories is ‘Most Innovative Environmental Project’ - sponsored by Peterborough Renewable Energy Ltd.
It would be brilliant for the Greeniversity to be nominated for this award as it would be a fantastic recognition of all the hard work that our teachers and learners put into the project.
Casting your vote is simple and you can do it online by clicking on the link below
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