If our homes are responsible for 25% of the UK's contribution to global warming and we've taken all measures possible to adequately insulate the building, what else can we do? Simply turning things off - unnecessary lights or standbys can save pounds in a year; likewise turning the heating thermostat down a degree or two. Silver foil attached to the wall behind radiators helps to reflect out all possible heat. Remember to put lids on saucepans, make sure flames just cover the bottom of the pan, and change to energy saving bulbs. Don't boil a whole kettle full of water for only one cup of tea!
Garden and DIY products are enjoying growing markets thanks to TV programmes, but do we really need a makeover? In 2002 Gloucestershire County Council had to find an extra £300,000 to deal with the disposal of fridges, and as one councillor noted, the tragedy was that most of them were in good working order. When it is necessary to buy a new fridge, washing nachine etc. look for the energy rating label. This will tell you how energy efficient the appliance is. Cheaper machines are usually less energy efficient so in the long run they will prove to be more expensive to run.
Much of what we consume focuses around celebrations or rituals - Christmas, birthdays, weddings and funerals. There are plenty of alternatives to ending up with mounds of used wrapping paper, discarded trees and wilting flowers. Gifts of local art, a subscription to a magazine, a ticket to something special, sponsorship of a tree through an organisation like the Woodland Trust have a much more lasting impact.
Avoid buying flowers out of season and buy seasonal plants instead - this cuts down on air miles travelled. Most of the funeral directors in the Forest will accomodate the wishes of people who want a willow, cardboard or bamboo coffin, although there is no woodland cemetery in the Forest as yet. Transport for weddings and funerals could be by horse and carriage, or an LPG limousine!
A life-choice that can really make a difference to the environment is that of using cotton nappies rather than disposables. Personal hygiene is another ad man's dream. We spend more and more on keeping "clean", but what does this actually mean? Mostly using lots of chemicals and disposable paper products that we flush away or dump in the bin for someone else to deal with.
Gardens
There are plenty of things that can be done towards making a garden truly environmentally friendly. For new fencing, or garden furniture, make sure it's local or complies with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards. Look out for signs advertising free manure, many people who keep animals are only too glad to give it away. There are many organic remedies for pest control, or try and use natural methods juggling with species. If you encourage frogs and toads into the garden they will be effective slug controllers. Broken egg shells surrounding the plant or beer sunk in the ground are other methdos and long planks of wood laid between rows of vegetables are a magnet for slugs during the day - catch them all in one go by inspecting the underside of the plank in the middle of the day. The more diverse the mix of plants, animals, insects and birds in the garden, the more chance you stand of keeping everything in balance. Collect rainwater from roofs in butts to keep you going during dry spells.
COTTON NAPPIES, MotherEase and Sandy's, liners from silk to disposable, Moltex-Oko eco friendly disposables, Trainer pants, feeding accessories, natural potions and lotions, bathtime, bedtime. Out and about and playtime! Cotton Nappies - they save money - the environment - and it's good for your ... more
Rough, spun, raw or washed wool. Angora and cashgora fibre.... more
For people and animals, make up your own mind. Bioflow is registered as a Class I medical device for humans and carried the CE mark. The Bioflow product range consists of a variety of expandable and non-expandable wristbands in both metal and fabric materials, combined with one of two CRP magnets.... more
Fairly traded organic clothes, bags and gifts in natural fabrics and beautiful colours. Five shops in the South West and mail order, selling the cotton items made for us in the South Indian village of KV Kuppam. We have an environmental policy and do our best to recycle etc. We use Unit(e) foer e... more
Cut flowers for weddings or funerals. Small family run business since 1934. Vegetable and bedding plants. Open all year.... more
Forest soft woods eg. larch and douglas fir available to public and trade. All roughcut for fence panels, beams, rails, etc.... more
A small nursery specialising in unusual perennial plants grown without chemicals.... more
A natural cave system open to the public showing how iron ore and ochre have been mined here over the past 5000 years. The mines still produce ochre paint pigments, available in the mine shop or by mail order. Range of visits from self-guided, deep level or evening.... more
Small and large scale original wooden sculpture both speculative and to commission. All are made from timber obtained from sustainable sources, usually native (UK) grown. Specialising in the use of damaged trees which remain rooted. Honourary life member - British Wood Carvers Assn. The majority of... more
We have been designing and making furniture professionally since 1995. Working closely with our clients to ensure that we meet their needs, each piece is individually designed and tailor-made to the highest standards using traditional skills. We strive to make our work enduring and hope that many it... more
Dried tea mixes for ailments. Tinctures, oils, creams, lotions and ointments from our organically grown herbs. One to one consultations. Talks and workshops held. (PhD in alternative medicine, Member of British School of Yoga and Register of Nutritional Practitioners).... more
Flowform water vessels are shaped to embody rhythmically eddying water movements. Although they are often used purely for their beauty, the patterns of flow are able to assist the formative forces at work in plants and animals and in this way they can influence the health of the ecology around them... more
Scrap electrical items collected and recycled free of charge. Hoovers, cookers, washing machines, Hi Fi, computer kit etc. Anything electrical, domestic or commercial - sorry no fridge freezers. We will do our best to collect within 24 hours in Coleford/Lydney/Cinderford and surrounding areas... more
Professional advice on health and vitamin remedies; 5 fully qualified therapists offering: Bowen, reflexology, aromatherapy, reiki, body massage, Indian head massage, accupuncture, Hopi ear candles, physiotherapy and non-surgical face lifts.... more
Penny and Anita are often available in the pharmacy to give advice and dispense herbal medicines for minor ailments. Full consultations are available by appointment for more complicated or serious conditions. The pharmacy stocks a good range of homeopahic and herbal medicines, essential oils, flowe... more
Garden Girls are growers of herbs and cottage garden perennials.... more
Give something different. Chickens, goats, a teatime rave, trees, seeds, eye tests, pigs, vets bills, support village literacy groups, olive oil for peace, filtration systems for poisoned water, bees, horse drawn ambulances. The choice is yours.... more
The Grange Village is a Community of people, many of whom have learning disabilities, living together in an atmosphere of mutual care and responsibility. There are around ninety people ranging in age from 3-80 yrs living in the village in extended family households. Work, where everyone has the poss... more
Green Building Store is a mail-order and online service supplying safe, sustainable building products throughout the UK. Our commitment is to supply products which promote healthier and more environment-friendly building. Whether you are redecorating, building or refurbishing we can help you do it s... more
Excellent value cotton nappies shop and advice service. There may also be the possibility of free promotional or trial packs. Approximately 4% of all household waste is made up of plastic nappies. You can help cut this out by using cotton nappies on your baby.... more
A New Project in the Forest of Dean aiming to provide a one stop facility that will act as a Gateway to more specific Mental Ill health resources. Initially we will be looking to support people experiencing depression by providing facilities, mediation, and advice for a self help group.... more
Domestic and light industrial cleaning service, using environmentally-friendly and carcinogen-free products.... more
Organic clothes for adults and children. Organic bedding and textiles by the metre.... more
While not entirely carbon neutral, given a lack of other available options, Penwith Housing Association decided to upgrade several bungalows in Cornwall with ground source heat pumps. Using funding from the Clear Skies Programme and the District Council, the bungalows now have their hot water and s... more
Busy bees are producing more than just honey in the Forest of Dean.Beekeeper Doug Isles has turned his natural soap, candles and hand cream business into a real hive of activity. Doug runs Hudnalls Apiaries from his home in St Briavels, where he keeps some of his 300 hives. The rest are locate... more
Flower essence therapy for positive change. Reiki healing and attunements. Providing a caring, holistic and professional service for the whole family.... more
A craftsman using waste and reclaimed wood to make extraordinarily beautiful items. Maker of toys and garden furniture, (sandpit see-saw) using "coverboards", (when timber is imported it is covered in what is considered to be waste material and this is sold as firewood). The Sleigh bed (above) was ... more
FSC Registered timber suppplier. Timber fence materials. Local FSC timber available. Public and trade.... more
Hard working and reliable with years of experience. Garden maintenance, fencing, rockeries, graveside maintenance, hanging baskets, flower pots. Encourages composters, uses only peat free compost and free advice on organic gardening.... more
Key cutting, trophies, engraving, sign and badge service. Replacement watch batteries. Sharpening service. Wide range of leather repairs.... more
Paintings and outdoor murals. Organic/permaculture gardening consultancy including lectures, teaching. Growing crops for sale. Ten years running vegetable box scheme from Ragman's Lane Farm as an independent business. Book on growing veg for sale to be published in 2002/3. Worked at Soil Associatio... more
We repair, clean and recycle house contents and garden furniture. Delivery and collection in The Forest, Monmouth, Ross and Chepstow. All our second-hand furniture is given an "MOT" before being resold.... more
Maintaining the allotments of Newent and ensuring plots, fencing and paths are maintained to a good standard. We encourage organic growing where possible and composting.... more
Low cost furniture for sale. Warehouse open to the public Tues - Fri 10.00 am - 2.00pm Donations via Forest of Dean Council please... more
30,000 people die each day in the developing world for want of medicines which are too expensive or unavailable. As multinational drugs companies hold 90% of patents they effectively control the global market in drugs. Oxfam is petitioning the WTO to reform the intellectual property rights so that c... more
Catalogue of gift ideas mostly focusing on help directed to the developing world. Teach a teacher for £24, sack of seeds £10, health check-ups £6. These are all presents requested by people living in some of the poorest communities of the world.... more
Holistic therapist offering: Swedish massage aromatherapy massage Indian head massage Reiki healing Fines oils used.... more
We design and supply systems for harvesting, storing and reusing rainwater - commercial and domestic - water efficient equipment, toilets, flush units and valves - water filtering and purification systems - metal guttering systems - pumps and control equipment - solar pumps and controls for water su... more
South Wales Nappies offers a Real Nappy Laundry, Hire and Retail service which has now expanded into Gloucestershire. We offer free home consultations to discuss various washable nappies and the options available to parents. In addition to real nappies we also offer home delivery of Ecover refills... more
Horse drawn carriages for weddings (a landau or Claredon) and a hearse for funerals driven by pair or team of horses.... more
We sell a wide range of solar electric (photovoltaic) products, including flexible and rigid panels, garden lights, battery chargers, radios, torches, lanterns, caravan and boat battery charging kits, charge regulators and inverters. Everything you need for clean, grid-independent power.... more
Plastic and wooden water butts from £7. Plastic tanks from £35. Wooden pallets from 50p. Scrap pallets free.... more
Standing stones with stained glass inserts made to order as garden features, using Forest sandstone offcuts from quarried blocks - chosen for their texture, shape and colour. With delivery and installation service.... more
Complementary therapies are widely used as an alternative to taking drugs, and in many instances are very successful in helping people to lead a healthy life style. Therapies on offer include: counselling, McTimoney Chiropatic, massage, hynotherapy, acupuncture, allergy testing, reflexology, homeopa... more
For over 80 years, Steiner Waldorf schools have offered an holistic, creative and balanced approach to educating the whole person. Our curriculum develops the child's emotional, practical and intellectual abilities while its emphasis on imagination brings depth to every subject. The Forest of Dean ... more
Woodworkshop producing children's tables in animal shapes, piggy banks, Christmas decorations, chopping boards, candle holders and other products. Commissions welcome. All work uses reclaimed or natural Briish timber. Products available from Taurus Crafts from the main sales department. Good pieces ... more
Supplies products which are less damaging to the environment and the user. Wide range of paints and wood treatments; books on sustainable building, decorating, wind and solar power: solar(thermal and PV) and wind power equipment and installation: building products, Sunpipes, Warmcell and sheepswool ... more
The UK's leading eco mail order online catalogue, featuring hundreds of environmentally considered products ranging from beautiful homewares, baby products, toiletries and cleaning items to organic clothing and toys.... more
Physiotherapy... more
Builder of reconstructions of the Wye Coracle, which vanished from the river before WW1. Bespoke coracles made to order, from traditional materials - knotless ash, seamless calico and bitumen/mineral waterproofing. Wye coracles can now be found on the River Tees, Test, Severn, and as flat bottomed t... more
Sculpted from English hard wood, the range consists of farm & wild animals, accessories, vehicles, building blocks and nativity set.... more
Send a friend a tree for an anniversary, Christening, commemoration, congratulations or thank you including fruit and nut, native species, ornamentals.... more
Through the use of images in the media, articles and publications, public lectures given to various wildlife and horticultural groups and now guided tours around a personally created and maintained natural history garden, I endeavour to demonstrate the fundamental inter-dependency of all life forms ... more
Mrs. Pip Deave and Associates, MSCP, SRP. State registered Chartered Physiotherapists. Quick Professional Advice, Pain Relief, Mobilisation/Manipulation, Treatment of Back or Neck Pain, Joint Pain, Arthritis, Sport injurues Also available: Therapeutic Massage and Reflexology with Fiona Drummo... more
Organic fruit tree growers, certified by the Soil Association, supplying many types of bare root apples and plums. Small range of container grown trees available. Bare foot trees available November to March by mail order or collection. Catalogue available on request.... more
1. Produce and retail pot-grown perennial plants, mostly herbaceous; Soil Association symbol held - 1000+ varieties; specialities - hostas, herbs, salvias, grasses and late season varieties. Plant list available and on web site. Most plants sold raised here at Tintern. 2. Over two acres Plantsman's... more
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Walking by individuals has gone down from 255 miles in 1975 to 197 miles in 2006 with only a third of the population walking for 20 minutes 3 times a week. Primary school pupils walking to school has fallen from 53 to 49% - a rise of 5% in car useage. A 2% rise was recorded for secondary school pupils. Cycling has also declined from 51 miles to 36 over the same period covering 16% fewer miles, while drivers covered an average of 5,750 miles per year, and air travel in the UK rose to 11%. In London, the number of miles travelled by bus rose by 58% and by tube 13% though bus travel outside London has fallen. About two thirds of adults are now officially overweight or obese - a trebling in the last 20 years which doctors blame on poor diet and a lack of physical activity. Independent 8.9.06