Poems, short stories, activities, festivals and customs

Money saving green home new year resolutions

Simple livingAdopting one of these green new year resolutions or as many of them as possible, will help the environment and your wallet. Just making these changes could save you £1167 a year, read on.

 

 

 

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Fake v real Christmas Trees. Which is greener?

Christmas trees

Our trees, our planet, our future.

In recent years the overall sale of real trees has declined in both the UK and US suggesting that perhaps, as environmental awareness increases, people are opting for the more eco-friendly tree. The producers of both will argue a strong case for their businesses but there are a lot of factors to take in to account when comparing them.  Which one is greener …..

 

 

 

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Gardeners: Leave Your Leaves

leaf recyclingDo not rake up the leaves in your garden, let the best recyclers do their job!  This is a busy time of year for earthworms. And resisting the temptation to tidy away Autumn leaves not only feeds these subterranean creatures but fertilizes the soil, making them one of the gardener’s best friends. Read more

Junior Navigation Course

Children exploring natureA great opportunity this half term to get the children outside, exploring and learning essential navigation skills. Pied A Terre Adventures are running one of their popular Junior Navigation Course for 8 to 12 year olds on Monday 28th October 2013 at Devils Dyke.   Read more

What is an Arboricultural Survey?

Tree surveyIf you’ve tried searching for ‘what is an arboricultural survey’ before the release of this article then you’ll have noticed there is quite literally nothing on the internet about it. Despite there being lots of environmental organisations that advertise their abilities to perform arboricultural surveys around the UK not a single one explains what one is on their website. Read more

Grass-Fed Meat Revolution talk in Chichester

grassland management

An unmissable evening of talks and presentations by
leading authors and permaculture pioneers explaining how pasture can
Save Farming * Solve Global Warming * Feed the World
Increase Biodiversity * Re-Green the Deserts * Improve your Health! Read more

Fracking in Sussex

We received this email from Greenpeace tonight.  Read this page and then follow the link below, their online template letter is a very easy way to express your disapproval at the increased fracking activity in Sussex, it takes minutes.

We are based near Billingshurst, currently our home is surrounded by test drilling in Balcombe, Broadford Bridge (near West Chiltington) and Wisborough Green, read on.  Read more

Forthcoming green events

Summer holiday fun

 

Looking for things to do this summer?  Here are three events which are free of charge and will get everyone into the great outdoors running around, letting off steam and having fun! Read more

Benefits Of Solar Energy

solar power

It seems as if just about every day environmental practices are gaining ground in the news. As our planet’s environmental challenges become clearer, and receive more coverage, more and more people are inclined to make personal efforts toward helping to clean up and preserve the environment. And much of these individual efforts deal directly with the concept of solar power.

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Green Living Tips for Today’s Busy Families

Green HomeModern day families live a hustle and bustle lifestyle. Between driving kids to activities, working, shopping and maintaining a household, there is little time to think about the environment. Many decisions are made hastily and in the name of convenience because there is simply not enough time to plan for the long term and the big picture. Read more

National Playday outdoor free fun in Haywards Heath

Recycled masks

Wednesday 7th August 12 – 4pm

Entry free of charge

Come and join us for National Playday event in Victoria Park in Haywards Heath. The event aims to encourage young people and families to use the park and its facilities, the theme of the event being ‘Nature and the environment’.

The Sussex Green Living mascot Pedro and his recycled robots will be playing green games, to include:

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Biscuit wrapper recycling competition

PRESS RELEASE

SUSSEX GREEN LIVING ASKS THE PEOPLE OF SUSSEX TO HELP THEM IN THEIR EFFORTS TO WIN THE BISCUIT WRAPPER ROUNDUP AND A SHARE OF £1,000 IN CHARITY PRIZES

Sussex Green Living is competing in the UK wide Biscuit Wrapper Roundup – a recycling fundraising competition to see who can save the most used biscuit wrappers from landfill…….. Read more

Happy Easter Green World!

 

Recycled easter bonnet

 

Easter Bonnet competition……Children learn about recycling and reusing in this Easter bonnet competition. This bonnet was made out of two plastic food bowls, dragonflies made out of Quality Street wrappers, egg boxes made into flowers and bugs and a recycled grass skirt – every girl should have one!

Oh and not forgetting the upcycled milk carton as a watering can!

 

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Half term outdoor play

Aldingbourne Trust

 

The Aldingbourne Trust is one of the magical hidden treasures of Sussex. Take your children this half term, have fun and support this fantastic charity.

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Driftwood art

Not only are they beautiful but they are using what Mother Nature has left behind to create another form of art. These ladies build horses out of the driftwood they find…..

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A beautiful poem for the planet

field of rapeseed
Here’s to the sun that will light up the day
Here’s to the joy that will replace the grey
Here’s to the trees that will dance without care
Here’s to the forests that will always be there
Here’s to the fox that recovers from fear
Here’s to the species to never disappear
Here’s to our race, it is human and kind
Here’s to the awakening of all that are blind
Here’s to the self that we all must embrace
Here’s to the healing that will then take place
Here’s to us feeling the pain of the world
Here’s to the joy that will then be unfurled
Here’s to the role that we all can play
Here’s to us bringing forth a better day
Here’s to the new year, hopeful and free
Here is to us, to you and to me.
Happy New Year.
 
Poem by Oliver Dudok van Heel a Be The Change presenter
 
 
We want you, the people of Sussex, to take some ownership of  www.sussexgreenliving.co.uk Forward your suggestions for events, videos, parks and green spaces etc to be added to “your” site.

“Greening Sussex by Sussex families”

Come and buy some Green Christmas Presents

William Penn Xmas fayreXmas Fayre – Thursday 8th November 7 – 9pm

  • Would you like to raise money for a local school?
  • Would you like to raise money for a fantastic charity who support deprived families in the Philippines?
  • Would you like to get ahead of yourself with some Christmas presents, rather than have a last minute rush?
  • Would you like to buy some green/environmentally friendly Christmas presents?
  • Then come to the William Penn Primary School Xmas Fayre!

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Autumnfest – sustainable living event

SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 10AM-3PM

DOWNLANDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL, DALE AVENUE, HASSOCKS, SUSSEX. Free admission

Children and natureSussex Green Living will be participating at this Autumnfest event, so come along and meet us.  HKD are the organisers of this great family event.

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Poem – Spell of Creation

Beautiful Poppy fields
Within the flower there lies a seed,
In the seed there springs a tree,
In the tree there spreads a wood.
In the wood there burns a fire,

Apples galore!

If you’re lucky enough to have your own apple tree(s) don’t let theMaking use of Apples fruit fall and rot on the ground.  Pick carefully, store in a frost free place or be creative and get cooking. When Mother Nature supplies such abundance for the birds and we humans, let us enjoy and make the most of such a harvest. Read more

Fabulous family festival fun!

Over the Moon Green family festival

Over the Moon Festival, a green and family-friendly event
Celebrating music, art and environmental awareness
On Friday 14 September until Sunday 16 September, 2012
Location: Hempstead Lane, Hailsham, East Sussex

 

Jim Mitchell, the festival organiser, says: ‘Over the Moon is an
Over the Moon - green family event opportunity for people to come together, get creative and have a wild time while learning how to live a more sustainable life.’

Alternative talks and workshops will be delivered by expert speakers at the forefront of their fields. These will include talks on environmental issues from Flemich Webb, environmental journalist and adventurer, the men behind Cadoo, the world’s only social network on sustainable living, and Tom Chute from 10:10 Brighton and Hove, who will give you advice on how to reduce your carbon footprint. Read more

Summer Green Family Fun Day

Thursday 30th August 10.30am – 2pm.

Venue: Pedro’s Green Den in Coneyhurst, Nr Billingshurst.

South American Tree FrogActivities will include: Read more

A green birthday present

Children and natureRather than buy a plastic toy which has gathered a huge carbon footprint by being imported from China, why not buy a child a butterfly kit?  Watch them Grow and Let them Go!

Raise five Painted Lady Butterflies while learning all about metamorphosis with Insect Lore’s best selling Butterfly Garden.  See each caterpillar’s transition as it matures, changes into a chrysalis, and finally emerges as a Painted Lady Butterfly! After observing your butterflies, experience the joy of releasing them into your garden or the park. Read more

Recycled Olympic Torch

Here is a simple and free recycling activity for the children during the summer holidays.

Recycled green and eco art

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Sussex Family Fun Day in Recycling Week

We are holding a second Sussex Green Living (SGL) family fun day at the end of Recycling Week on Saturday 23rd June 10.30am – 2pm.  It is taking place in green gardens, fields and the SGL Green Den near Billingshurst.

Activities will include:

Outdoor play day Outside play Outside play Outdoor play

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