Next Week’s FREE Greeniversity Courses and Events:

Sunday 18th December - Bus Walk - with Christmas Meal, Stamford
Join a Sunday afternoon Bus Walk and combine two ways to enjoy sustainable travel as you explore Peterborough’s attractive countryside?
Meet at 12:15 at Queensgate Bay 9 for Bus 404. Ticket to Stamford. Walk Collyweston Quarry, Easton on the Hill, Wothorpe, Burghley, or trade walking for shopping?
Back in Peterborough by 17:11
Max 8km (5 miles)
For more information call Rohan 01733 331393

Wednesday 21st December - Drum Circle (@ The Green Backyard)
Be part of an ‘in the moment’ music experience at the Green Backyard monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!
£3 Donation
www.thegreenbackyard.com
www.monkey-bongo.co.uk

Wednesday 21st December - From bottle to bird feeder
Give our feathered friends a Christmas present by turning a used bottle into a garden bird feeder.  Please bring a rinsed out plastic bottle.
10:00am-12:00noon (drop in)
Suitable for 3 Years+
Easy Access
Meeting point at Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre
No booking required

 
Greeniversity is the free and easy choice for learning green skills and making friends

Tags: Greeniversity | Ian Tennant

I’ve just been on the Peterborough breakfast show (how exciting) to give some hints and tips on how to have a greener Christmas. 

Whilst Paul Stainton’s idea of putting Kermit on top of the tree is fabulous there are some genuine things we can all do to try to be a little bit kinder to the environment, and, quite frankly, if we want to save Lapland for our children from the effects of climate change we all need to be thinking about how we can change our behaviour!

Some of the things I'm doing are:

Making my own presents, biscuits, candles and lip balm all round

Looking out for bargains in charity shops, on ebay and at boot sales

Not over doing the food shopping, this of course saves money as well as cuts down on waste

Buying local where I can, pressies from the handmade pop up shop in Westgate arcade and from the Green Backyards craft fair

Making my own present labels from last year’s cards

Recycling wrapping paper

Things we can all do include:
 
1.    Millions of Christmas cards are sent to landfill every year so why buy new cards when you can get creative and make some out of ones you’ve been sent in previous years.
2.    Try making your own Christmas decorations out of paper, that way when they’re finished with, you can recycle them or keep them for following years. Check out Laura’s class on Greeniversity if you want to get involved in making some colourful designs.
3.    If you get any unwanted clothes this Christmas like that horrible jumper from your Nan or a dodgy tie why not donate them to a charity shop. What you might not like someone else may love!
4.    If you’re putting up Christmas lights this year try getting solar powered fairy lights to reduce your carbon footprint and if not try to reduce the amount of time they’re left on each day.
5.    Look out for recycled wrapping paper and use string or ribbon to tie up your presents rather than using sticky tape.
6.    Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com to find out what you can do with your Christmas dinner leftovers!
7.    Re-use your shopping bags during your Christmas shopping spree, if you buy a bag for life you can reduce the amount CO2 and methane going into the atmosphere.
8.    Turn the heating down and put on an extra jumper if you’re cold this winter.
9.    You get a lot of batteries during Christmas from electrical gifts so make sure you recycle them when they fail on you. Any shop that sells batteries are legally obliged to have a recycling bin for them, so make sure you hand them in.
10.    Try to get local food for your Christmas dinner from your local market, this reduces car usage as you won’t need to drive far for it and helps your local economy.
11.    Instead of sending Christmas cards this year and adding to the amount that ends up in landfill you can always send E-cards, many websites offer free E-cards with loads of different designs for your friends and family.
12.    Secret Santa. By doing a secret Santa in your workplace it reduces the amount of money you will spend than if you bought everyone gifts!
 
Credit due to Selina for the list above, I pinched it from her blog last year, but it’s still great advice so as they so if it’s not broke don’t fix it and in this case, for the sake of Santa’s homeland follow it!!!

•  

Tags: Karen Lawrence | Greeniversity | Do your bit for the environment | Climate change | Green Christmas

Peterborough’s green skills swap scheme is set to hold its 500th class on Saturday 3rd December.

Greeniversity was first launched  PECT in March 2010, the scheme now has over 600 local people signed up as members. These members have the opportunity to learn green skills for free, including how to fix a bike puncture, how to grow organic veg, and how to insulate a loft. Greeniversity teachers are local volunteers who are willing to share their green know-how.

On Saturday 3rd December a Sound Therapy workshop will be the 500th Greeniversity class to be held in the city. Run by volunteer teacher Jane Snart, the workshop is being held in Peterborough Cathedral where the acoustics are particularly good. Jane explains, “The class is open to everyone in the city and I hope as many local people as possible will come. Sound Therapy is a wonderful way to leave you feeling calm, energised and ready to take on the world. This is the second time the Sound Therapy class has been held in Peterborough, the first time last year was such a great success. We’ve already had twelve bookings for the class on Saturday.”

The Sound Therapy class runs between 10am-2pm on Saturday 3rd December and attendees will experience the sounds of different instruments from all over the world including gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, Native American drums and flutes. The class is free to attend and places can be booked online by visiting www.greeniversity.org.uk

Originally set up with the assistance of government funding, Greeniversity has recently received a grant from the National Learning and Skills Council (NLDC). This funding will help unemployed people in Peterborough to get back into work by building confidence and skills through informal adult learning. Greeniversity Project Officer Karen Lawrence says, “We originally launched Greeniversity with a grant from the government and now it is totally self-sustaining. This new funding from NLDC will help us reach a whole new audience supporting unemployed adults take the first steps towards getting back into work. Many of the people we’ll be working with have been out of employment for some time and don’t know where to start. Greeniversity will help them pick up invaluable transferable skills and build their self-belief at the same time.”

This second phase of the Greeniversity project will launch in January 2012.

Tags: Karen Lawrence | Peterborough Greeniversity | Greeniversity

Next Week's FREE Greeniversity Courses

Sunday 16th October

Bus Walk

PETERBOROUGH BUS-WALKS

Contact Rohan 01733 331393 Our walks are now every Sunday.

Using the bus we can start and end walks indifferent places, and enjoy riding out and back together. We mostly use the City Council’s 401/404 service. We leave Queensgate at 10:15 (back at 15:15 or 17:15) or at 12:15 (back at 17:15).

Walks are mostly 5-6miles, but those leaving earlier and returning later are “Legstretchers”: up to 11 miles or so. You can also join the bus at western Peterborough or Bretton.

We cover the best walking country west of the city. On our walks we pause now and again to understand and enjoy village history, the local scene and its seasonal wildlife. We usually stop for a picnic en route, and finish at a pub or café before taking the return bus. We may adapt a walk to suit the day and the company. People of all ages are welcome.

Under-16’s must be accompanied by an adult. Your bus fare is all you pay.

Village Cream Teas

Bus 404 from Queensgate Bay 9 at 12:15, ticket to Duddington. Walk Jurassic Way, Big Beech, King’s Cliffe (teas), Fineshade Wood. (6 miles) Back by 17:11.

 

Sunday 16th October

Community Litter Pick

(Sugar Way)

A chance for you all to do your bit for your community whilst helping your local environment too!

A COMMUNITY litter pick has been organised once a month on a Sunday. For Woodston, Fletton, Oundle Road and Sugar Way of Peterborough from 11-12pm on the below dates. (1/2 hour extra for those hardcore pickers if you wanted to finish at 12:30pm).

Here are the dates:

16th October           (3rd Sunday of month)

20th November      (3rd Sunday of month) - In conjunction with Peterborough’s Zero Waste Week

18th December       (3rd Sunday of month) – To be confirmed.

15th January            (3rd Sunday of month)

19th February         (3rd Sunday of month)

ALL pickers, gloves and bags are provided so just bring yourselves and some high spirits.

Meet up point is the Riverside Pavilion, Candy Street, down the Sugar Way Estate, Postcode PE2 9RE.

Someone will be at the Riverside Pavilion from 10:45am ready to rock and roll.

There is also a Facebook group page thingy too – so if you are attending the first one... PLEASE say you are attending on there. https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=105104292926369
 

Pass the info on to anyone you think might be interested.

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 07814 393099 if you want to attend.

Tuesday 18th October

Heritage, History and Regeneration

(St Johns Church)

Tuesday 18th – 1pm until 2pm

Lunchtime Lecture, St John’s Church, Peterborough City Centre – Heritage, History and Regeneration, Steve Bowyer

Steve Bowyer, Head of Economic Development for Opportunity Peterborough, will highlight how the historic pasts of cities and areas can be used as a catalyst for their regeneration and future use.

Part of the Heritage Lottery Funded project Buildings in Need www.peterboroughbuildingsineed.wordpress.com
 

Wednesday 19th October

Drum Circle

(The Green Backyard)

Be part of an ‘in the moment’ music experience at the Green Backyard monthly drum circle where you will be guided through a series of rhythms by experienced tutor Darren. Drums for the workshop are supplied or you can bring your own. This ancient way of celebrating community often leads to dancing, singing and much mischief!

£3 Donation

www.thegreenbackyard.com

www.monkey-bongo.co.uk
 

Thursday 20th October

Reviltalising City Centres

(St Johns Church)

 

Thursday 20th Oct– 6pm – Evening Lecture, St John’s Church, Peterborough City Centre

Revitalising City Centres, Steve Bowyer, no booking required.

For futher details, to enrol on any of these free courses or to chat on our forum please go to www.greeniversity.org.uk

Greeniversity is the free and easy choice for learning green skills and making friends. 

Tags: Selina West | Greeniversity

Calling all Greeniversity tutors, past and present.

On Tuesday 22^nd November the Westwood community will be gathering for their annual light switch on at Hampton Court. The event starts at 3pm with the lights turning on at 5-5:30pm and what we are looking for is someone to run a short 2 hour session on anything concerning wildlife and the environment.
 

The class will be held in the open or, if the weather is bad, at Stafford Hall or the Community Hub. This is a great way to promote your course and encourage future members. A member of the Greeniversity team will be also there to assist you.
 

If you would like to hold a course on the day please contact Karen Lawrence or Selina West on 01733 866441 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tags: Greeniversity | Selina West

Next Week's FREE Greeniversity Courses

 

Sunday 9th October

Bus Walk

 

 

Our walks are now every Sunday.
 

Tuesday 11th October

Lunchtime Lecture: Victorian Peterborough

(St Johns Church)

 

Peterborough Buildings in Need

Victorian Peterborough

Lunchtime Lectures 1-1.45pm

The lunchtime lecture series will begin again from 11th October in St Johns Church, lasting 45 minutes each day.

FREE

 

Tuesday 11th October

Sound Therapy

Santander Community class

PLEASE NOTE: This class is specifically for people who have a learning disability and are members of 49 Lincoln Road drop in centre

Sound therapy is a wonderful way to leave you feeling calm, energised and ready to take on the world! Come and experience the magical sounds of different instruments from all over the world. Instruments include Gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, Native American drums and flutes and many other fascinating instruments. Also there will be an opportunity for you to join in which adds to the magic.

Wednesday 12th October

Ferry Meadows Walk Around

(Ferry Meadows)

 

Guided walk around Ferry Meadows, taking in points of interest.

Suitable for: All ages

Easy Access: Yes

Meeting point: Visitor Centre

Booking required: No

Charge: Free

Thursday 13th October

Biodiversity in the Nene Valley

 

Wildlife Trust

PETERBOROUGH Local Group

Autumn/Winter Programme 2011/12

Meetings will be held on the second Thursday of the month starting at 7.30 pm at St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Ledbury Road, Peterborough PE3 9RF

Biodiversity in the Nene Valley

Illustrated talk by Heather Ball, Nene Valley Project Manager

Suggested contribution for adults £2.00

www.wildlifebcnp.org
 

For a map and directions to the venue please visit the course on the Greeniversity website.

Saturday 15th October

Family Scary Masks

(City College Peterborough)

 

Get in the spirit of Halloween with our free family scary masks workshop!

This craft workshop is for families to have fun together designing and making scary Halloween masks.  Your child will have the opportunity to develop creative mask-making skills using a variety of materials and tools

Important note: This workshop is suitable for children age 4 and over.  Each child must be accompanied by an adult family member.

Maximum 1 child per adult on this course.

Saturday 15th October

An Introduction to Keeping Chickens

(The Green Backyard)

 

The perfect course for people thinking about keeping chickens on a small scale, or for people who have recently started. This course will be led by Hugh Burton, Hugh has kept chickens since the age of seven with up to 200 birds in his care at some stages. He won best in show at the National Poultry Awards in 2002 with a black silkie bantam and has been a regular contributor to other poultry keeping courses.

Hugh has been advising the Green Backyard on our chickens for over a year and has helped us keep our flock of silkies, ex bats and many others healthy.

The course will cover all of the basics to keeping chickens as well as a practical demonstration and there will be plenty of time for questions.

£2 donation per person to the Green Backyard to cover materials costs

www.thegreenbackyard.com

 

For futher details, to enrol on any of these free courses or to chat on our forum please go to www.greeniversity.org.uk

Greeniversity is the free and easy choice for learning green skills and making friends.

Tags: Selina West | Greeniversity

Last week Eve and I attended the Cross Keys Homes Annual Residents conference, this is the third that I’ve attended but Eves first and it presented us both with a great opportunity to promote PECT and its’ projects to the residents of Cross Keys.

Eve is the project officer for Energy matters which is funded by Cross Keys to help their tenants out of fuel poverty, as operations director Claire Higgins said “Cross keys want to really help people who are in fuel poverty, this is an area that I’m really concerned about and want to help with as much as I possibly can!” In the UK, fuel poverty is said to occur when in order to heat its home to an adequate standard of warmth a household needs to spend more than 10% of its income on total fuel use, and with ever rising fuel costs Eve’s Energy Matters project is even more vital at this time.

Eve completed over 50 energy surveys with residents at the conference and each off them also received a free Energy Matters pack which includes a bag, low energy light bulb and shower timer. If you are a Cross Keys Homes tenant and over 55 yrs of age contact Eve on 01733 866435 or email eve.atkins @pect.org.uk for your free visit to help you save money on your energy costs. You will be surprised at how much money you can save and Eve has already identified savings of £184,145.00 and taken 31% of people she has visited out of fuel poverty!

Various awards were presented to outstanding tenants during the evening  and as a tenant of Cross Keys myself I’m really proud of level of environmental commitment the organisation has. I was really pleased to see  the award for ‘Green neighbour’ presented to Madge Wilson and Cindy Player from Fulbridge Road, New England. 
They were nominated by resident Janet Riley (a resident from Becketts Close which is round the corner) for all the hard work that they have put into creating a communal garden in Fulbridge Road. Janet advised that the garden looks much nicer now and “it is a pleasure to see it looking so nice”.
Other PECT projects that were promoted on the day were our green skills sharing website, www.greeniversity.org.uk and work that we do with businesses with our green accreditation scheme iie. I was delighted with the pro environment attitude of Cross Keys staff and residents which was demonstrated by the large number of sign up we had to the PECT newsletter and the environment network!

Tags: Karen Lawrence | Energy Efficiency | Greeniversity

Next Week's FREE Greeniversity Courses

 

Sunday 25th September

Bus Walk

PETERBOROUGH BUS-WALKS

Contact Rohan 01733 331393

Our walks are now every Sunday.

Using the bus we can start and end walks indifferent places, and enjoy riding out and back together. We mostly use the City Council’s 401/404 service). We leave Queensgate at 10:15 (back at 15:15 or 17:15) or at 12:15 (back at 17:15).

Walks are mostly 5-6miles, but those leaving earlier and returning later are “Legstretchers”: up to 11 miles or so. You can also join the bus at western Peterborough or Bretton. We cover the best walking country west of the city.

On our walks we pause now and again to understand and enjoy village history, the local scene and its seasonal wildlife. We usually stop for a picnic en route, and finish at a pub or café before taking the return bus. We may adapt a walk to suit the day and the company. People of all ages are welcome. Under-16’s must be accompanied by an adult. Your bus fare is all you pay

Elton To Wansford

Bus X4 from Queensgate Bay 15 at 12:10, ticket to Elton. Walk along River Nene to Wansford for bus 404 back. (5 miles) Back by 17:15

 

Wednesday 28th September

Ferry Meadows Bat Walk

(Ferry Meadows)

  

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to book onto this course by calling Ferry Meadows direct on 01733 234193 - If you do not do this there may not be a space for you and you could be turned away on the day.

Join Nene Park Trust rangers in the company of Antony Mould from the Cambridgeshire Bat Group for a very batty evening.

After a short talk about bats we shall venture into the park to try and discover some of the bats that call Ferry Meadows home.

Suitable for: Ages 7+

Easy Access: Yes

Meeting point: Ferry meadows

Booking required: Yes.  Please phone 01733 234193

Charge: Free

 

For futher details, to enrol on any of these free courses or to chat on our forum please go to www.greeniversity.org.uk

Greeniversity is the free and easy choice for learning green skills and making friends.

 

Tags: Greeniversity | Selina West

At the Greeniversity we’re really excited about the first chicken keeping class that’s taking place on 15th October at the Green Back Yard.

This is the perfect course for people thinking about keeping chickens on a small scale, or for people who have recently started. Led by Hugh Burton, who has kept chickens since the age of seven with up to 200 birds in his care at some stages. He won best in show at the National Poultry Awards in 2002 with a black silkie bantam and has been a regular contributor to other poultry keeping courses.

Hugh has been advising the Green Backyard on their chickens for over a year and has helped them keep their flock of silkies, ex bats and many others healthy.
The course will cover all of the basics to keeping chickens as well as a practical demonstration and there will be plenty of time for questions.

Sign up for this new and innovative class at www.greeniversity.org.uk

Tags: Greeniversity | Peterborough Greeniversity | Karen Lawrence

Those of you who have been to a Greeniversity knitting class in the past will be pleased to learn that the classes put on by our expert knitter, Barbara, are set to return from next week. Those of you who haven’t been along don’t know what you have been missing!

After a summer break dashing around Europe in her camper van Barbara is really looking forward to getting back into the swing of helping the group. “I’ve really missed my sessions with the Greeniversity and can’t wait to help everyone get started with their new winter knitting projects” Barbara is keen to point out that new members are really welcome “The more the merrier” she added “Lets get some hand made woollies ready before the winter nights really start to draw in!”


The class is held at the PECT office on a monthly basis and is suitable for all levels of ability, so come along and improve your knitting skills and if your really keen you can share your knitting expertise with others as well!

For more details and to register for the class visit
www.greeniversity.org.uk

Tags: Karen Lawrence | Greeniversity