A testimonial from a happy customer who used Cars2Share

When my car mechanic said that it would cost "a hundred Pounds for
this and eighty pounds for that", I said, "no it won't", I will give
up the cost of owning a car.

Every time I walked up to my car in a car park, I wondered why I was
paying to keep it stood for so long.

I live a little more than a mile from the city centre.
I run my own business and am busy every day.

Benefits.
My first whole year's rentals worked out to less than what my annual
insurance and road tax used to be. I realize that others might need a
car more often, but, there are much greater benefits to hiring, than
just cost.

I am able to hire the size of vehicle most suited to the exercise. I
hired a large estate car to pick up foreign visitors and run them
around. I hire cool cars when I want to, and I hire small economical
cars when I want to save on the trip.

I can pay a cheque into the bank in the centre of the city, by cycle
or bus, more quickly than if I drive and park.

The greatest benefit has been my fitness and, therefore, my health.
The twenty minute walk, or seven minute cycle ride, to buy a meal's
ingredients contributes to the recommended exercise before eating.

My daughter son-in law and grand child (I am 56) live three miles away
and that is either an easy bus ride, or really good work out cycle ride.

Walking anywhere locally is more entertaining than the drive. I see,
and speak to, my neighbours, as against driving by and just waving.

When I walk by my garage, I actually smile at the fact that I am not
paying to have something depreciate, need attention, need taxing and
insuring. It is an absolute eye opener.

The city's three pound "all day" bus and tram fare is better value
than parking isn't it?

The trams have made Nottingham's public transport more cosmopolitan.
The recession should take away some of the snobbery around car
ownership and use of public transport.

So, selling the car, and hiring when I need has been the best thing I
ever did regarding motoring (and my last five cars were BMW and
Mercedes so I didn't miss out there) and regarding my fitness and
health.

Manchester turning itself into orchard to offer free fruit and veg

If Manchester can do it, why can't we?

22/04/2009 Mirror news paper wrote:

A city is turning itself into an orchard to offer residents free fruit and veg.
Thousands of fruit trees will be planted in parks and public areas and even some traffic islands will be turned into mini-allotments.

Manchester's £200,000 green revolution will also see 20,000 strawberry, raspberry and soft fruit bushes planted around the city and beehives and herbs in parks.
Parks boss Chaz Farghaly said: "We were amazed by how many young people didn't know where fruit and veg came from."

Mini Farming for Self Sufficiency

Have you heard of a website www.lulul.com ? This is a publishing website where you can publish your own books, poems, calendars etc. You can publish your books online or as a paperback or hard copy.

Brett, wrote this book on Mini Farming for Self Sufficiency and looks very good. I thought you might like the look of it as it fits in beautifully with our Transition ideals.

This book describes the philosophy and methods of a holistic approach to limited space gardening that produces so much food that, within three years, you will be able to produce 85% of the food needs for a family of four on less than a quarter-acre, plus earn over $10,000 in cash annually - and you will be able to do this in less time than an equivalent job would require, netting the equivalent of $50/hour for your labor. Even if you have never been a farmer or a gardener, this book covers everything you need to know to get started: buying seeds, saving seeds, starting seedlings, establishing raised beds, soil fertility practices, composting, dealing with pest and disease problems, farm planning and much more. Since self sufficiency is the objective, subjects such as raising backyard chickens and home canning are also covered along with numerous methods for keeping costs down and production high.

Enjoy!

Read Reviews
Share This Report
ISBN: 978-0-615-13458-1
Publisher: Brett L Markham
Rights Owner: bmarkham
Copyright: © 2006 Standard Copyright License
Language: English
Country: United States
Paperback book £16.34 Add to Cart
Download £11.01 Add to Cart
Printed: 148 pages, 8.5" x 11", perfect binding, black and white interior ink (2686 kb)
Download: 1 documents, 2686 KB

the Big Lunch - 19th July venue: West Bridgford

The shared enjoyment of eating together, laughter, play, music and conversation bring us together and for all the fact that we are so fabulously different in our outlook and experience on many things, we know a simple truth - together we are strong.

Wouldn't it be great if for just one day we remind ourselves about all that is good about us and bring about a moment that ignites a spark?

It may be tricky, it may feel slightly uncomfortable to start with. It takes a bit of courage to stop being a stranger. But think of the prize - to be able to walk down the street and into the wider neighbourhood and realise how many good people there are: people who, acting together, can create a real sense of community - a word that in Latin means; "together, in gift".

So... if you're up for it, try growing something, making something or generally getting stuck in for the Big Lunch. No one is going to tell you how to do it as your ideas will be perfect for you. If you want any prompting we've gathered together lots of ideas that might set you on the road for a day that at worst might be fun and at best could start to change your life in unexpected ways!
It's your party. All we're doing is giving you an excuse but if you need more than that, then there is a remarkable reason to hold your Big Lunch.

Raised Beds - The Economy Plot

Looking around my allotment complex you can see daily people walking up and down with wood to make their own raised beds. The end result can be very successful. Not all of us have time or expertese to make this in one's own backgardens. Now Recycle Works has come up with a very aestetically pleasing, very flexible Raised Garden Plots . For those of you that have a little bit more space this might be just the thing to start your own mini allotment in your own garden or back yard and compost at the same time!
Wooden Raised Beds


These easy to assemble garden plots comprises 8 pointed posts - ready for knocking into the ground and eight sides boards.
Special Offer! For a limted period of time, this product is available with a 10% discount.To purchase with the discount, please visit the Special Offers section.

Watch a video review of our raised beds courtesy of http://www.gardencentretv.co.uk/

Price £53.34

“Why London needs to grow more food” by London Assembly member Jenny Jones

I read somewhere that Los Angeles only has 2 days worth of food at any one time such is the scarcity of food production and reading this report from the London Assembly, it struck me that London is in a similar position: “London is almost entirely dependent on food from abroad, or from other UK regions. One possible solution is to maximise food production in cities to achieve a significant level of food self-sufficiency. Existing studies point to London and its green belt being capable of producing at least a quarter of its fruit and vegetable requirements, provided there is the will to introduce change.”
Read the full report here.


Transition West Bridford is looking at a variety of local growing projects who can produce fresh products (for example local salad leaves, herbs tomatoes, cucumbers etc). And to help you out at home, one of our customers has set up the Grow Your Own project where you can get all the equipment and seeds you need to start, its subsidized so it only costs you a fiver! For further reading, other interesting projects are Capital Growth (aiming to get 2012 new growing spaces by the Olympics) and Landshare (connecting those who have land with those that want to grow).

Where does your energy go?

£49.99
Eco-eye Wireless Electricity Monitor
This is the latest wireless energy monitor due to be released in the UK. The Eco-Eye stands apart from the other monitors on the market by having an extremely large and easy to read display. Like the Efergy and Wattson, it is a recording monitor so it can store details on energy consumption over a period of hours, days, weeks, months and years. The monitor itself has been designed to make access to detailed history simple and intuitive. A USB receiver add-on for the Eco-Eye is expected to be released during Summer 2008 which will work along side the regular display unit, collecting data for use with the Eco-Eye PC software.

The Eco-eye is a UK made product, designed and manufactured by The Modern Moulds Group Ltd who are based in West Sussex.

for more information see http://www.electricity-monitor.com/