the ecohut blog

At 20.30 local time people all over the world are being encouraged to switch off their lights for one hour to demonstrate their support for more action on climate change by government. Join in the big switch off and register your support at www.earthhour.wwf.org.uk  I am currently trying to excavate the candles from their various hiding places in time. If I time this wrong I could be baking my sons brithday cake in the dark - I guess I really shouldnt have the oven on either ???! Let me know how you while away the hour ( no rude suggestions please) - the most interesting post submitted by tuesday 31st March will win a “beanswax candle” (worth 13.99) in their choice of fragrance go to www.ecohut.biz/candles.html to choose.

I am feeling very “wound up” today which led me to think about about the power of free renewewable kinetic energy. If you are anything like my family there is never a battery to be found (of course rechargable ones!) when you need one, so wind up torches, watches,and even radios are a great idea. Check out www.windup-products.com for a great range. Or what about a rechargable solar torch - www.sunnightsolar.com will match your order and give one to people who need them desparately as their only source of night time llight. The company is USA based so any stateside readers will be able to get them - I am waiting to hear if you can get them in the UK at the moment.

It really has been like spring is really here this week - the garden centre has been packed and there are signs of new growth everywhere. I have even been able to put my washing out - oddly in these emancipated times I find this a truely uplifting experience - now that I dont use any smelly nasties in my wash it is so lovely to have sheets which smell of fresh air! Not only do you spend less money and expend less energy but uv light kills bacteria so your clothes take longer to get wiffy.

I am making the most of it as they say we could have snow again next week!!! dont forget any of you who have been in the garden this weekend protect anything delicate with fleece so a late frost (or snow )wont kill it.

None of us could fail to have been moved by the images of children dieing of malaria, grannies struggling in hovels to look after orpaned grandchildren and children hiding under beds to phone helplines during friday nights comic relief. But it gave me hope that even in the midst of a recession so much money was raised in such a fun way - Robbie Williams in little britain was a scream!
Donating money is not the only way we can help alleviate poverty - by buying fairly traded goods you are ensuring that more of the money goes to the producer www.fairtrade.org.uk
Think fairtrade when you buy your Easter Eggs.

I went up to Ecobuild this week at Earls Court. Came back encouraged by the number of people exhibiting clever products but discouraged by the lack of joined up thinking there is in government to encourage people to green up their building act!
Favourite exhibitors: NBT - www.natural-building.co.uk, great natural insulation products, clay building blocks and paints; Traidical - who make hemcrete a green alternative to concrete - a mixture of lime and hemp www.limetechnology.co.uk ( was I attracted by the central stand feature - a lotus elise with the hemp bodywork? ); Ecosheet - www.ecosheet.com who recycle mixed plastic into a plywood substitute and the very stunning display from bottle alley glass www.bottlealleyglass.co.uk who collect bottles direct from pubs and clubs and recycle them into the most beautiful tiles and bar tops.

At Cafe Dutch, The Dutch Nursery, Hatfield AL9 6ND

Bop the night  away to your favourite hits from this live tribute to Take That.  Doors open 7.00pm tickets £18 or £25 including 2 course meal.  Ring 01707 620061 to book tickets