tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88587910106702796502024-03-13T15:58:12.840+00:00Year of the EnvironmentThe Diocese of York (the Church of England from the Humber to the Tees) is celebrating 2011 as the Year of the Environment. We'll be celebrating good things happening in the Diocese, and posting ideas to help you support our environment.Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-24007143673479316552012-02-02T10:50:00.002+00:002012-02-02T10:50:19.123+00:00Year of the Environment SurveyThe Diocese of York celebrated 2011 as the Year of the Environment. We're trying to find out how people and churches engaged with this initiative - please could you spare a few minutes to <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XXWCVV3">answer these questions? </a><br />
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Eleanor CourseDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-45325250277674579802012-01-11T09:00:00.001+00:002012-01-11T09:00:04.048+00:00Photovoltaic panels at St Edward's Dringhouses, York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZTn660Mzvv5m8EG3cgCNb6u9v1PK7EjPW47w2-KoRwHU6oJBOX9AM_16Bc0pFQhkhfc1SrSakdoghFrNZ6Ir8RTkLOUaUsTTpcO36J619ri5WVP39fpGY9y8NtDn36pyHGawY-b0bU2B/s1600/DSCN0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZTn660Mzvv5m8EG3cgCNb6u9v1PK7EjPW47w2-KoRwHU6oJBOX9AM_16Bc0pFQhkhfc1SrSakdoghFrNZ6Ir8RTkLOUaUsTTpcO36J619ri5WVP39fpGY9y8NtDn36pyHGawY-b0bU2B/s320/DSCN0827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>St Edward the Confessor Church in Dringhouses, York, has fitted photovoltaic panels to the roof of their Scout Hut. <br />
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"With the experience of photovoltaic panels on our roof at home, with the enthusiasm of Martin (the vicar) I presented the idea to the PCC early last year. I emphasised the significant reduction in the churches carbon footprint by installing solar and the probable financial benefits to the church after the initial outlay. The PCC agreed to put some money into the pot and the church membership was invited to offer donations. Solartwin, our preferred installer of the three quotations, advised that the Scout Hall roof had the best aspect as it faced south and had minimal overshadowing.<br />
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"The Scout committee interviewed me about the concept and were agreeable. We obtained diocesan approval and planning permission.The generation meter reading is already steadily increasing! This will be of benefit to the church,the Scouts and the local community groups who use the facilities of the church."<br />
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If you're interesting in finding out more about fitting photovoltaic panels to your church or church buildings, <a href="http://www.dioceseofyork.org.uk/your-church/environment/solar-and-photovoltaic-panels/">there's information here. </a><br />
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Eleanor CourseDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-67510298574491096942012-01-10T11:40:00.000+00:002012-01-10T11:40:21.320+00:00Year of the Environment LegacyIn 2011, we were focussing on the Environment, and we ended the year with a legacy for the future. <br />
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Through December and January we're planting 400 trees on diocesan glebe land. These trees will increase the biodiversity of our land holdings and offset some of the carbon emissions that we generate as a church. <br />
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Highlights of the Year of the Environment have included the bird box sent to every church and church school, the Lent Course, the Big Environment Celebration in York Minster in May, and the art exhibition which toured churches throughout the Diocese. Also in the diocese there have been a number of local events organised within deaneries.<br />
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We hope that the initiatives and projects from this year will have inspired and equipped you to make changes in your lives and in the life of your church, to care for our world, God's creation. Thank you to all who have taken part. <br />
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Graham Andrews, Archbishop’s Advisor for the EnvironmentDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-38450984514960855932011-12-16T15:10:00.002+00:002011-12-16T15:10:34.871+00:00Winter is wonderful too!As 2011 and the Archbishop’s ‘Year of the Environment’ comes to a close, the Winter update on the flora and fauna in the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace has been published today. <br />
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In the last of these seasonal updates, written by Garry O’Reagan, the Head Gardener, he explains that winter is just as important as any other season in the Palace grounds. The Archbishop of York added: “Whilst the conservation and environmental work will continue into 2012, I want to thank Garry not only for all his hard work in the garden but also for taking the time to write these updates for the website. We are custodians of a garden that has been created over hundreds of years and we hope to aid its growth and development for many generations to come. Let us have the same attitude to the fantastic planet God has given us.”<br />
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<a href="http://www.archbishopofyork.org/pages/winter-at-bishopthorpe-gardens.html">You can read Garry's Winter update here. </a>Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-49689204693686949562011-12-09T09:26:00.000+00:002011-12-09T09:26:27.442+00:00TendaGraveWe've been made aware of a new idea called TendaGrave - if you're someone who spends time in churchyards, you might be interested in this.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tendagrave.org/index">Tendagrave</a> is a free service for people who cannot for whatever reason tend a family or friend's grave. It will put you in touch with other people in a similar situation. You then offer to tend a grave in your local area and, in return, your loved one's grave will also be lovingly looked after.<br />
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Eleanor.Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-87087999005844986072011-12-08T09:15:00.002+00:002011-12-08T09:15:59.824+00:00Churches urged to apply to new £10m Government green fundThe Church of England has welcomed the Government announcement today of a new £10 million Local Energy Assessment Fund which gives community groups, including churches, a chance to bid for money.<br />
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The new Fund, announced by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, DECC, will provide grants for around 200 community organisations, including churches, to undertake energy efficiency projects and renewable energy generation in their area. With a Christian presence in every community, the CofE's churches are perfectly placed to house local energy efficiency projects, said David Shreeve, the Church of England's national environment adviser.<br />
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"It is good news that DECC consider churches and other faith groups as vital parts of the local community. The deadline for application and delivery is tight but many churches are currently considering ways of harnessing renewable energy for their buildings and this may just be the spur they need.<br />
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“A recent communication I received from 10 Downing St stressed the Prime Minister’s recognition that Church assets often sit at the heart of the community Shrinking the Footprint the Church of England's national environment campaign, provides advice and toolkits for the local church as it rolls out vital green community projects as part of its ministry and mission."<br />
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There is around £50,000 available for each successful community to be used to help assess the potential for energy efficiency and local renewable energy generation and get things started in their area. This is a short-term scheme where work will need to be completed by end of March 2012.<br />
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Interested communities can apply via the Energy Saving Trust and money will be allocated in two rounds. The first round closes at noon on 22 December 2011 with successful applicants notified in the week beginning 9 January 2012. The second round will close to applications at noon on 20 January 2012 with successful communities notified at the end January. Full details can be found at <a href="http://www.greencommunitiescc.org.uk/">www.greencommunitiescc.org.uk.</a>Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-87758914756595884242011-11-23T15:08:00.000+00:002011-11-23T15:08:08.407+00:00Yorkshire Living Churchyard Project Autumn NewsletterThe Yorkshire Living Churchyard Project autumn newsletter is now available, with stories about bees and butterflies, the 2011 Open Churchyards, and news on headstone cleaning. <a href="http://www.dioceseofyork.org.uk/news-events/news/environment/01756.html">You can download it here. </a><br />
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Eleanor CourseDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-84606163515538794422011-11-18T09:15:00.000+00:002011-11-18T09:15:40.147+00:00Surge of signatures on power feed-in tariff petitionThe Church of England is calling on the Government to slow down their plans to drop the rate of returns on electricity grid feed-in tariffs for photovoltaic panels to give churches, and other community groups, more time to complete installation. It is also asking for a special community tariff.<br />
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<a href="https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20928">The online petition from the Archbishops’ Council’s Cathedral and Church Building Division </a>has already attracted almost 1000 signatures from both individuals and groups. Already 35 CofE churches have photovoltaic panels installed and more than 300 are actively considering a project.<br />
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Installing photovoltaic panels on churches is a complex business and the 50% cut in return rate proposed for December 12 will penalize churches who are committed to installing photovoltaic panels, but will not have time to complete, says the petition.<br />
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The installation of photovoltaic panels is promoted across the CofE’s 44 dioceses as a way of using natural resources to reduce the carbon footprint of a church. The Church, through its national environment campaign Shrinking the Footprint, is committed to the Government’s carbon reduction targets of 80% by 2050.<br />
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Martyn Goss social responsibility officer for Exeter Diocese said; “This news is very disappointing. Here in the Southwest we have been encouraging churches to install panels and many will be adversely affected by this cut in tariff resulting in having the rug pulled from underneath them by such short-term political decision making”. <br />
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David Shreeve the Church of England’s national environment officer said: “The returns on a photovoltaic project will not be as financially attractive as they were and take longer to pay back. Whilst in the life of a church building this is not a long time it will take us into the next generation. As well as enabling churches to use renewable energy, we see photovoltaic panels on church roofs as setting a brilliant example to their local communities.”<br />
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Eleanor CourseDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-79426163647184126202011-11-11T09:00:00.000+00:002011-11-11T09:00:00.750+00:00Solar and photovoltaic panelsSolar and photovoltaic panels on Churches are the subject of much national discussion at the moment. Phil Thomas, Church Buildings Officer and Graham Andrews, Archbishop's Adviser for the Environment, have written some <a href="http://www.dioceseofyork.org.uk/your-church/environment/solar-and-photovoltaic-panels/">useful guidelines for churches thinking about solar and photovoltaic panels here</a>.<br />
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Eleanor CourseDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-63532574735618383072011-11-09T09:22:00.002+00:002011-11-09T09:22:50.332+00:00Peter Owen-Jones visits Pickering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KAupxYHJBZF7dCKV1StEbTcLK_6R2olH3yQaUfSzPzDKtPXMP_gH9m6amnHVdY0K1kqN0PCbvi5cXfp9WhopFW4Z28YaJemj8TsfFSBCghiygSGwidrX23sRw_rlBYZeJu7Wg1dTpSe_/s1600/Peter-Owen-Jones+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KAupxYHJBZF7dCKV1StEbTcLK_6R2olH3yQaUfSzPzDKtPXMP_gH9m6amnHVdY0K1kqN0PCbvi5cXfp9WhopFW4Z28YaJemj8TsfFSBCghiygSGwidrX23sRw_rlBYZeJu7Wg1dTpSe_/s1600/Peter-Owen-Jones+Web.jpg" /></a></div>Television presenter and Vicar Peter Owen-Jones will be talking about the Church and its relationship with the environment in a talk at Potter Hill Methodist Church, Pickering, on Thursday 17th November at 7.30pm. Entrance is free, and no tickets are needed.<br />
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Peter Owen-Jones is best known as the presenter of many BBC television series including ‘How to Live a Simple Life’, where he followed in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi attempting to live freed from material constraints and without money. Also for the BBC, Peter presented ‘Extreme Pilgrim’, in which he lived as a Chinese Buddhist monk, a Christian monk and an Indian ascetic, and ‘Around the World in 80 Faiths’, a travel documentary encountering different religions. <br />
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Peter Owen-Jones said, “The environment is the greatest issue Christianity faces today. If we believe that God created the world, we should love and cherish it, for the rest of the creation that we share the world with, and for future generations. At the moment our world is in crisis, and churches need to lead the way in changing that.”<br />
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The talk has been organised by one of Ryedale’s ‘Green Deans’, the Revd Bill Page. Bill said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming Peter to Pickering and hearing him speak on the church and the environment. The talk is part of the Diocese of York’s Year of the Environment, where we’re encouraging individuals and churches to make a difference to their environment in 2011.”<br />
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Peter is the vicar of three parishes on the edge of the Sussex Downs and also a founder member of the Arbory Trust (the only Christian woodland burial site in the country) and has recently instigated the ‘Life Cairn’ Project.<br />
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Eleanor CourseDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-27092535819857046772011-10-24T10:29:00.000+01:002011-10-24T10:29:08.194+01:00Autumn – my favourite season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUnD45QRVF-iIqzU2U4_2vChJNgkBmfP3pEyxVxZdlDeu0NfhKYJudjDDi5T3cDVuPtV0bK-a1rB9-9jDM6I0Rr8cwgxB6hGyotuTMBipTXgv6zYV9Cj6ej0JX90YXV_dMGG5sOaBdmEV/s1600/3Conkers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUnD45QRVF-iIqzU2U4_2vChJNgkBmfP3pEyxVxZdlDeu0NfhKYJudjDDi5T3cDVuPtV0bK-a1rB9-9jDM6I0Rr8cwgxB6hGyotuTMBipTXgv6zYV9Cj6ej0JX90YXV_dMGG5sOaBdmEV/s1600/3Conkers.jpg" /></a>As part of his Year of the Environment celebrations, the Archbishop of York today has invited people to view online the Autumn update from Bishopthorpe Gardens. You can <a href="http://www.archbishopofyork.org/pages/autumn-at-bishopthorpe-gardens-.html">read the update here.</a><br />
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This is the third seasonal update about the flora and fauna habitats within the grounds at Bishopthorpe Palace. <br />
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Written by Garry O’Reagan, the Head Gardener, it features the introduction of spring bulbs in preparation for next year, the tree chosen to celebrate the Year of the Environment planted by the Archbishop, clutches of eggs hatched from the bird boxes and the squirrels busy burying conkers in the lawn. <br />
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The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: “Autumn is a wonderful season, a time of harvest and a time of thanksgiving for what nature gives us”.<br />
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Eleanor CourseDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-11890143577399724052011-10-04T08:07:00.002+01:002011-10-04T10:04:11.697+01:00Food recycling in Easingwold<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKpmqogB-MG_dFzpMGrUwjyrNOorntjBnRqrtLzb2OtU5gDAFd55rPbpspZItZ_e5ElBve-ph8Uf5eWepde5d-kyRjtmCEnYZiWXc851lCNUFjl5b_gfrzhK1a2pUnUGU3peayXEMwr0J/s1600/Grott+sac+emptyingWeb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKpmqogB-MG_dFzpMGrUwjyrNOorntjBnRqrtLzb2OtU5gDAFd55rPbpspZItZ_e5ElBve-ph8Uf5eWepde5d-kyRjtmCEnYZiWXc851lCNUFjl5b_gfrzhK1a2pUnUGU3peayXEMwr0J/s320/Grott+sac+emptyingWeb.JPG" width="320" /></a>As part of the Year of the Environment, Easingwold Deanery’s Green Deans Margaret Price and Helen Kitchen organised a Food recycling project. For 3 weeks a total of 23 households and 2 shops collected all their food waste into Grott Food Residue to Energy Sacks, and this was collected and disposed of to a Combined Heat and Power process, a way to produce renewable energy from food pre prep and leftovers.<br />
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Over 250 kgs of food residues were collected, saving Hambleton District Council money in diverting this resource from landfill. Food waste in landfill creates methane gases that are more harmful to the environment than CO2. It is costly to dispose of to landfill and these costs are rising every year.<br />
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It has been a revealing process, many people surprised by how much they do throw away, and what they throw away. Overall, 60% of the weight of our rubbish is food. Composting at home can reduce this by half. <br />
The photo shows Georgina Bingham, Director of AH&I, the company behind the Grott Range of Products which are aimed at resource recovery and who are helping to create a solution to the problem of food waste collection and disposal, and Margaret Price, at the Stillington Collection point.<br />
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On Friday, 7th and Saturday, 8th October, a stall with leaflets, more results of the project, and a number of freebies, will be outside Towlers in Easingwold, with a craft activity on the Saturday.<br />
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Helen Kitchen, Easingwold Deanery Green DeanDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-20217997229541175172011-09-29T16:21:00.000+01:002011-09-29T16:21:01.859+01:00Moorsholm Community Wildlife Garden wins Northumbria in Bloom awards!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFM62hy9tihQCPYvUNPXuY4IXaYM6LXuQFOKZPY0H3gIN0NwUo-jkq__njLBQ3-EY5-CXsZgz1bGLre3VGEkw6MkW8dahW5cNz1rc2PP8MHi_C8krh2siAWvfGGHWh7K0kYgYk1EwzOvr/s1600/SNB10042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFM62hy9tihQCPYvUNPXuY4IXaYM6LXuQFOKZPY0H3gIN0NwUo-jkq__njLBQ3-EY5-CXsZgz1bGLre3VGEkw6MkW8dahW5cNz1rc2PP8MHi_C8krh2siAWvfGGHWh7K0kYgYk1EwzOvr/s320/SNB10042.JPG" width="320" /></a>Moorsholm in Bloom, including the St Mary's Community Wildlife Garden, has picked up awards at the recent Northumbria in Bloom 2011 Awards. Congratulations!<br />
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PCC Secretary Ken Gillance told us, "We won the Gold Medal for the 'Best conservation project' in the Special Awards, and in the Major Awards we won the Best Village class (population 301 - 1000), Gold Medal and 'The Wansbeck Trophy' for the Best Village of that size, in the Northumbria area.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps51hYosLHxACQS4tSMoeZTsaBKKCgHPpeh_lyHYsDuVf7J1QKsh3keWl8rktLJmCq5h-TmjD-zzvEFCWQOr99pyixoJO3HkBUeS_6LWssLM8AWw-e8S4FokpFmnreoO7Gikz_VC06VyA/s1600/100_4070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps51hYosLHxACQS4tSMoeZTsaBKKCgHPpeh_lyHYsDuVf7J1QKsh3keWl8rktLJmCq5h-TmjD-zzvEFCWQOr99pyixoJO3HkBUeS_6LWssLM8AWw-e8S4FokpFmnreoO7Gikz_VC06VyA/s320/100_4070.JPG" width="320" /></a>"The work in the village and the promotion through the Northumbria in Bloom campaign, is all done by our groundforce team 'Moorsholm in Bloom' a voluntary community group which also cares for the churchyard and church hall grounds. The conservation award, whilst based on a number of heritage features across the village, did also include the conservation work in our churchyard which the judges inspected and were very impressed by. The team are highly delighted with these results, particularly as it is only our second year of entry in the competition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O3LbBnSjua9rY_00DHLUgL2p11AYXzpDg_RqDD19rMdesHLdMGAeYUJDGeH94332T0IUH07Kw6JOPX5QyqN74cK-JxRHwTE8wifsgT2YkbbKVYNH2UlxB6gNBXpG45BjMbuNq8rWbzHu/s1600/SNB10016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O3LbBnSjua9rY_00DHLUgL2p11AYXzpDg_RqDD19rMdesHLdMGAeYUJDGeH94332T0IUH07Kw6JOPX5QyqN74cK-JxRHwTE8wifsgT2YkbbKVYNH2UlxB6gNBXpG45BjMbuNq8rWbzHu/s320/SNB10016.JPG" width="320" /></a>"On Sunday 28 August 2011 we held a joint service for all the Danby Castleton Benefice led by Revd Dr Michael Hazelton of Danby, which included a blessing of the new garden and official opening."<br />
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Congratulations to all involved in Moorsholm!<br />
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Eleanor CourseDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-69572774918141790792011-09-29T15:30:00.000+01:002011-09-29T15:30:12.651+01:00Yorkshire campaigners ask: The Conservatives – The Greenest Government Ever?On Saturday 1 October over one thousand campaigners from the north of England will gather at Manchester Cathedral to urge the Conservative party to live up to its green promise by doing everything in its power to make sure global climate talks deliver for the poorest people in the world. <br />
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On the eve of the Conservative party conference in Manchester Christian Aid, CAFOD and Tearfund will warn the party not to abandon its pledge to be the ‘greenest government ever.’<br />
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Eighteen months on from David Cameron’s promise, the charities now want to see the Prime Minister playing a proactive role in delivering firm climate policy that works for the world’s poorest. <br />
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The group of charities will come together for an ecumenical service which will begin at 5pm<br />
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Tearfund President, Elaine Storkey, will lead the service and speakers will include leading South African theologian Professor Tinyiko Malueke and Christian Aid’s Director Loretta Minghella. This will be followed by a procession from 6.15pm to the G-Mex centre (where the Conservative party conference is being held) and on to Albert Square. Here a candlelit vigil and a minute’s silence will be held to stand in solidarity with the world’s poorest who are already suffering the impacts of climate change.<br />
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The campaigners will stress that developing countries desperately need world leaders to take stronger global action on climate change, and that the UK must take a lead in the G20 and the upcoming international climate negotiations taking place in Durban, South Africa in November. <br />
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North East campaigner, Valerie Barron, said, “It is vital that our government lives up to its promise to be the greenest ever. We need strong leadership from them ahead of the UN climate conference in Durban. I felt compelled to make sure they hear this in Manchester.” <br />
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In 2009, developed nations pledged to have a fund up and running by 2013 and that this should deliver $100bn of climate finance per year by 2020 to help poorer countries cope with the impact of climate change. But the charities fear that the economic crisis may result in rich nations not fulfilling this pledge or finding new sources of finance to fulfil this.<br />
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Climate finance is key to making the next UN climate conference in South Africa a success, the charities say, but currently there is no agreement on where money for the new Green Climate Fund, agreed at UN climate talks last year, will come from. These discussions are happening at the G20.<br />
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Christian Aid’s Director Loretta Minghella said, “We need the government to galvanise international support for the extension of the Kyoto Protocol, without which there would be no enforceable rules on carbon emissions and we would risk climate anarchy.”<br />
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The charities acknowledge that the UK has, in the past, positioned itself as a world leader on climate finance issues, but that in the midst of the economic crisis, such leadership is notable for its absence.Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-42549346209552521452011-09-25T09:00:00.000+01:002011-09-25T09:00:00.190+01:00Focus on purchasing - what can you change?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWKSG3__mjR5O3bN3a6vLT04fv7WRaVgPnc-IOTsEZJ9gAftRSSGl-RMFVkzN6W-Mliu5FB8S8VtDsNLVzUp36M9mANsLaW_5CZ-h04I3y5MMF8aszIzXA5wb6M1AMT5lAexFWxdKRds6/s1600/Fair_trade_coffee__hands_with_beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWKSG3__mjR5O3bN3a6vLT04fv7WRaVgPnc-IOTsEZJ9gAftRSSGl-RMFVkzN6W-Mliu5FB8S8VtDsNLVzUp36M9mANsLaW_5CZ-h04I3y5MMF8aszIzXA5wb6M1AMT5lAexFWxdKRds6/s320/Fair_trade_coffee__hands_with_beans.jpg" width="320" /></a>We hope that this focus on purchasing has helped you think about what you buy and what changes you could make to help our world.<br />
<br />
Is there anything your church could do with its purchasing power? Could you become a <a href="http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/campaigns/fairtrade_places_of_worship/fairtrade_churches/default.aspx">Fairtrade Church</a>, use <a href="http://www.poterionfairtrade.co.uk/">Fairtrade communion wine</a> or start a community <a href="http://www.earthabbey.com/growzones">Grow Zone</a>?<br />
<br />
As an individual, could you plan meals that only use British food, buy recycled toilet paper, or Fairtrade wine? Let us know!<br />
<br />
Eleanor Course Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-86551839388607937682011-09-24T09:00:00.000+01:002011-09-24T09:00:00.214+01:00Focus on purchasing - buying FairtradeFairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions and local sustainability. You can <a href="http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/">read more about Fairtrade here</a> and discover what you can buy and what it means to the producers.<br />
<br />
We
interviewed Christine Church from One World Shop in Hull - watch the
video to discover how what you purchase can change people's lives.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/V-i6txoe0as?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-58046589865984499712011-09-23T09:00:00.000+01:002011-09-23T09:00:07.371+01:00Focus on purchasing - buying recycled<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5E5E9IrZsK1HCdwGLvdXaO7IhTWXxWIk4BgA4IbG93stUXcSxHfKILUERYHYvm7BCLe6OaOsvFM-M3kTqz0OMtwUnpAOy-e23jjUSMZbqTkrRW60pHkLsIOfl9rvpQ1zMpNAFoDU8mn9/s1600/MP900442173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5E5E9IrZsK1HCdwGLvdXaO7IhTWXxWIk4BgA4IbG93stUXcSxHfKILUERYHYvm7BCLe6OaOsvFM-M3kTqz0OMtwUnpAOy-e23jjUSMZbqTkrRW60pHkLsIOfl9rvpQ1zMpNAFoDU8mn9/s320/MP900442173.JPG" width="196" /></a>Buying recycled products means less rubbish ends up in landfill sites
and fewer valuable natural resources are wasted. For the recycling
industry to be able to work, there has to be a market for recycled
materials. By buying recycled products, you are helping create this
market and ensure that valuable materials don’t go to waste. Buying
recycled doesn’t mean having to skimp on quality either.<br />
<br />
The most
common recycled product is paper. You can easily find recycled toilet
rolls, kitchen rolls, tissues, stationery and packing materials, as well
as printer, copier and writing paper.<br />
<br />
Other recycled products that are available in supermarkets and on the high street include:<br />
<ul>
<li>wine and water glasses – and even champagne flutes</li>
<li>glass jugs and bowls</li>
<li>school uniforms</li>
<li>bin bags and tin foil </li>
<li>reusable shopping bags</li>
<li>newspapers</li>
<li>clothing, including fleeces made of recycled plastic</li>
<li>furniture</li>
<li>play materials and toys</li>
<li>tiles and bathroom fittings</li>
</ul>
Try searching online for 'recycled products' or have a look at the<a href="http://www.recycledproducts.org.uk/view/index.cfm%20"> UK recycled products guide. </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioy-uJM8Vl4ZryDtok_5x1hTDHarRYRqcScaoXku6Cu7zuJdEeZpvBpQffpqyH_2BJq39i5ECiyN6iR9rHCZF85R2p41xphxxCJ8oLfIQwgWgiTbaRQCs3RHO6AdrEDBpr0kyHkJIHEoCN/s1600/MP910221096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Eleanor Course Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-82940592965014365102011-09-22T09:00:00.000+01:002011-09-22T09:00:00.205+01:00Focus on purchasing - grow your own?If you have your own allotment or garden, or even a grow bag in your
yard, you'll know how satisfying it is to grow your own food and keep
your food miles low. Could you form a group at church to grow food,
perhaps even inviting members of the community to get involved? <br /><br />Grow
Zones is a community project bringing help and inspiration to your
garden, wonderful food to your table and adding friendship and purpose
to your life.<br />
<br />
A Grow Zones team clubs together to share
skills, tools and produce to eliminate food miles and turn gardens over
to permaculture at whatever level you want – from a redesign of your
whole plot to simply helping and sharing with someone else’s once or
twice a year.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RxFH6g9gMaTikE50UxjQuZVkESBcD6duHgZOwxEf-UPclLifqAepxIlHK4myx5a8fi1hsdC91QlNmqM9S2Ey-ZSUXqIgcfAGUfaZfuw_DvB9H75ARHy-D9p9WMUdH5M9sYDeQtrlLJDY/s1600/GZ-+Grp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RxFH6g9gMaTikE50UxjQuZVkESBcD6duHgZOwxEf-UPclLifqAepxIlHK4myx5a8fi1hsdC91QlNmqM9S2Ey-ZSUXqIgcfAGUfaZfuw_DvB9H75ARHy-D9p9WMUdH5M9sYDeQtrlLJDY/s320/GZ-+Grp.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The project gets people growing; introduces
permaculture ideas; forms community; and teams even benefit from
insurance cover for their group activities. Backed up by the Grow Zones
Kit you’ll have all the resources, ideas and inspiration you need to get
going.<br />
<br />
To order a Grow Zones Kit and find out more visit <a href="http://www.growzones.com/">www.growzones.com</a>.<br />
<br />
Eleanor Course Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-68315337962341899432011-09-21T09:00:00.000+01:002011-09-21T09:00:02.821+01:00Focus on purchasing - buying locally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioy-uJM8Vl4ZryDtok_5x1hTDHarRYRqcScaoXku6Cu7zuJdEeZpvBpQffpqyH_2BJq39i5ECiyN6iR9rHCZF85R2p41xphxxCJ8oLfIQwgWgiTbaRQCs3RHO6AdrEDBpr0kyHkJIHEoCN/s1600/MP910221096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioy-uJM8Vl4ZryDtok_5x1hTDHarRYRqcScaoXku6Cu7zuJdEeZpvBpQffpqyH_2BJq39i5ECiyN6iR9rHCZF85R2p41xphxxCJ8oLfIQwgWgiTbaRQCs3RHO6AdrEDBpr0kyHkJIHEoCN/s320/MP910221096.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
If you buy products that are made locally, you reduce the amount of fuel
burned in transporting those goods to your door. It's hard to buy a
washining machine that's made locally, but you can buy locally grown
food.<br />
<br />
17th September to 2nd October is<a href="http://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/about-british-food-fortnight/british-food-fortnight-2011/"> British Food Fortnight</a> when retailers encourage people to buy food grown in Britain. It's also the <a href="http://www.yorkfoodfestival.com/">York Festival of Food and Drink </a>until
25th September, where local producers will be showing off the best of
local food and drink. If you want to know more about food and drink
producers in our area, <a href="http://www.deliciouslyorkshire.co.uk/dy/">deliciouslYorkshire</a> has some great lists of where to shop. <br />
<br />
Eleanor Course<br />
<a href="http://www.yorkfoodfestival.com/"><br /></a><a href="http://www.yorkfoodfestival.com/">
</a>Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-29060869841795046322011-09-20T11:55:00.000+01:002011-09-20T11:55:08.994+01:00What does purchasing have to do with the environment?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vZVBcs9MPntOQK27btnzKeScxtVowz7qIcIuXFsoGsqjni-Tt4l5oiD8sxhNaEHkUYumMa0Q8OSDClwR5Uq_5yzrkkn021gGVYWC_Jb9dyp1JZLjgW_zmeM-eiqdq6DYf8dZ5q5MSlVT/s1600/MP900444456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vZVBcs9MPntOQK27btnzKeScxtVowz7qIcIuXFsoGsqjni-Tt4l5oiD8sxhNaEHkUYumMa0Q8OSDClwR5Uq_5yzrkkn021gGVYWC_Jb9dyp1JZLjgW_zmeM-eiqdq6DYf8dZ5q5MSlVT/s320/MP900444456.JPG" width="320" /></a>When you shop, the decisions you make really do matter. The products that we buy, including the food we eat, has taken energy to produce and transport it to you. Energy produced by burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change, which can lead to devastating floods or droughts in developing countries. <br /><br />As the customer, you have a lot of power. Ask for what you want! If you’re looking for greener products, want to know how something was made or can’t find the information you need, ask the manufacturer or retailer. Keep asking if you have to. If more people ask, retailers are more likely to start stocking greener products and providing the information you want.<br /><br />Over the next week, we’ll be looking at how buying locally, buying recycled and buying Fairtrade can make a huge difference to our world. <br />
<br />
Eleanor CourseDiocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-44155703771492849252011-09-19T14:38:00.000+01:002011-09-19T14:38:07.769+01:00Focus on PurchasingFrom 19th to 25th September we're looking at purchasing as part of
the Year of the Environment. We’ll be posting ideas and stories on our
website, blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts looking at how you can use
your spending power to make a difference to the world.<br />
<br />
The Revd
Canon Richard Rowling has written collects for the Year of the
Environment – here’s the collect for purchasing. Could you pray this
throughout our period of focusing on purchasing?<br />
<br />
Heavenly Father, help us as consumers to use the power that we enjoy to influence the world of commerce for good.<br />Make us mindful of the provenance of the goods we buy;<br />show
us how to guard against the exploitation of people, the ill-treatment
of living creatures, the misuse of the environment and damage to this
planet,<br />and give us an appreciation of the true cost of everything we buy, and of the fuel and resources used to bring it to us.<br />Save us from indifference, and help us to act responsibly,<br />that
we may play our part in bringing fairness through trade and commerce to
people wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<br />
<br />
Eleanor Course Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-77687655185679213612011-09-19T14:24:00.001+01:002011-09-19T14:24:21.617+01:00Headstone CleaningElizabeth Hardcastle from the Living Churchyards Project has alerted us
to a product for cleaning headstones that could harm the delicate
ecosystem of our churchyards. HG Headstone Cleaning Spray is widely
available, and is designed to remove algae and moss growth from
gravestones. These algaes and mosses are vital to the ecology of
churchyards, and there’s a possibility the chemicals could damage the
stones as well. If you want to make your churchyard a greener, more
environmentally friendly place, please encourage people not to use these
sprays. For more information on managing your churchyard to help the
natural habitat and ecology of native plants and animals, <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/living_churchyards.php">visit the Living Churchyards website</a>.
Elizabeth Hardcastle is the Project Officer, and she will be pleased to
discuss any thoughts or aspirations relating to your churchyards.Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-30613116229528792862011-09-14T09:10:00.003+01:002011-09-14T09:10:37.851+01:00Green Travel Sunday<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Churchgoers around Northallerton and Thirsk will be
travelling to their Sunday services in environmentally friendly ways on 18<sup>th</sup>
September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Revd Ian Houghton, vicar
of 11 churches, will be driving an electric car around his parishes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Canon Richard Rowling is Rural Dean of Mowbray (the
churches in the Northallerton and Thirsk area).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said, “As part of the Diocese of York’s Year of the Environment,
we’ve challenged churchgoers in the Deanery of Mowbray to travel to church in
green ways on 18<sup>th</sup> September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hope lots of people will walk or cycle to church instead of driving,
and maybe even decide to travel green on other occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The natural world is a gift from God to
enjoy; but we are also called to join with God in sustaining and caring for it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The Revd Ian Houghton, vicar of 11 churches including
Cowesby, Felixkirke, and Leake said, “I’ve been lent an electric car, a Peugeot
iOn by Simon Bailes Peugeot in Northallerton, so that I can travel to my
churches in an environmentally friendly way on 18<sup>th</sup> September. I can
easily cover 60 miles on a Sunday, visiting my churches, so there’s no way I
could walk that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The electric car from
Simon Bailes will help me to reduce my carbon footprint and help the planet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Bridget
Charlton of Simon Bailes said, “Eco-driving is becoming really popular across
our region and it is extremely positive to see local communities embracing the
new technology and playing their part in becoming more environmentally aware.
The iOn is ideal for these types of trips and will make a real difference to Ian’s
carbon footprint.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 14.25pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Eleanor Course </span></div>
Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-49006316656146240282011-09-13T10:35:00.002+01:002011-09-13T10:35:22.457+01:00Harvest Festival Resources<br />The Revd Canon Richard Rowling, the Archbishop's Advisor for Rural Affairs, has put together some excellent resources on celebrating Harvest Festivals. You can <a href="http://www.dioceseofyork.org.uk/your-church/environment/harvest-resources/">download these here.</a>Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8858791010670279650.post-35460934930555848942011-09-11T09:00:00.000+01:002011-09-11T09:00:07.984+01:00What will I do?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3_yoNHdo19ImNdRBufcrUQS7dMp3O21o6i8VkM3qlFPTyMp15EDmPhbDWi5XsPGKzj_AP4oxQxFfGyzMxq6bD6cYIQQGA5MBl0FAt2IP4A8rC2lR6M5JYUpu-bLoJaGzPZVrZbkxYOAQ/s1600/trans9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3_yoNHdo19ImNdRBufcrUQS7dMp3O21o6i8VkM3qlFPTyMp15EDmPhbDWi5XsPGKzj_AP4oxQxFfGyzMxq6bD6cYIQQGA5MBl0FAt2IP4A8rC2lR6M5JYUpu-bLoJaGzPZVrZbkxYOAQ/s320/trans9.JPG" width="228" /></a>We hope this focus on transport has helped you to think about ways you could travel in a more environmentally-friendly way. What changes can you make?<br />
<br />
I’m going to get a bike. Bike Rescue in York that sells recycled bikes – I’m going to go along and find a bike that suits me, and get cycling. I want to be able to cycle to do my grocery shopping, and cycle to my allotment. Eventually, I’d love to be able to bike to work – but that may take some time to get my fitness levels up!<br />
<br />
What will you do?<br />
<br />
Eleanor Course Diocese of Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865232764983685675noreply@blogger.com0