November 2017

TREE PLANTING – IT’S TIME FOR ACTION Rotary International President Ian Riseley has challenged every Rotary member to plant at least one tree each before Earth Day on 22nd April 2018 and the time for planting is now. Terry Knowles, who is leading our Tree Planting programme reports: A reminder for those wishing to take advantage of the offer from the Woodland Trust for 45 trees for £62 need to apply on or soon after 1st November. The offer is also open to the public. We hear that they are hoping to have up to 300 packs available and you can apply for more than one if you wish. As the trees being offered are 'whips' and therefore about 3ft tall, they are being supplied with protective sleeves and 4ft stakes. The stakes and sleeves alone would cost £2 per tree so it is a bargain!.

Another potential source of Trees is OVO energy who have up to 150,000 small trees available under their Community Tree project. The scheme is similar to those offered by the Woodland Trust. The trees come in 50s with 5 varieties of 10 trees in each pack, plus spirals protection and cane supports. They are available NOW. Parkland packs consist of 10 each of oak, alder, beech, silver birch & hornbeam; Large Garden

has downy birch, rowan, aspen, wild cherry and field maple; Small Garden has rowan, bird cherry, hazel, crab apple & grey willow; while Wildlife & Shrubs has blackthorn, guelder rose, hawthorn, dogwood and goat willow. These come with spiral protectors and canes for support. For more information go to www.tcv.org.uk/community/i-digtrees.

Ordering from the Woodland Trust Use the special link below to take you to the Woodland Trust Shop web site. On opening the site, there is a grey bar along the top. Select 'Native Trees'. Then from the drop down select 'Landowner Tree Packs'. This will then bring you to a page with both shelterbelt options at £77 and the special offer of 45 trees at £62 (the original price was £60). Select one or more of the seven different packs of tree varieties you want (if you require more than one pack you have to add more than one pack to your basket) and then go through the normal checkout procedure. Note that there is the opportunity of putting both the place to which the trees are to be delivered and the name and details of the person paying for the trees in the checkout requirements. If you have any problems in ordering, please contact Rotarian Terry Knowles 01423 525014 or [email protected]. http://www.woodlandtrustshop.com/default.aspx?affiliateid=2

If you need any help or advice, please contact John Sayer, Secretary of the GB&I Environmental Sustainability Group by e-mail on [email protected] or telephone 01785 815580

November 2017

TREE PLANTING (continued) The ideal tree planting season is from November through to early April while the trees are dormant, so if you have not done anything about finding land, buying or getting free trees, or taking up the offers to have trees planted for you either here or abroad then the time to act is NOW!

ENERGY & COST SAVINGS With the first frost of winter, the evenings drawing in and increased energy use in the home – many Rotarians thoughts might be turning to how can we reduce our energy use and reduce our domestic costs. There are lots of tips and advice on the Group’s pages on the Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) website including our many leaflets – do take a look particularly the Carbon Reduction for Individuals and the Starter programme leaflets.

A few low-cost suggestions, drawn at random from the leaflets:

• • • •

Switch off unwanted lights Check your loft insulation Fit thermostats to radiators Check for draughts and fit draught strips as appropriate

RODNEY HUGGINS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS The Rodney Huggins Awards seek to recognise Rotary Clubs which are carrying out or supporting projects which are designed to improve the environment and demonstrate sustainability and the time for entries is fast approaching!

This Rotary year there are two Awards: The Traditional Award – with three categories: Rotary Clubs, Schools and Youth groups and International, with the overall winner receiving a trophy and bursary of £250 to spend on their Environmental project with a closing date of 31st January 2018 The Tree Planting Award – a special ‘one-off’ Award this year to the Club (or Group of Clubs) which best carry out the Tree Planting Challenge. The Closing date is 30th April 2018 and the winners will receive a trophy as well as a cash prize of £250. Entries need to be submitted in an electronic form and more information is available on the RIBI website. The Rodney Huggins Awards are only possible due the generosity of the Huggins Family Trust and we thank them for their support.

The Environmental Sustainability Group is part of the RIBI Home Committee – and much more information about Environmental matters can be found on our webpage: https://www.rotarygbi.org/members/humanitarianservice-programmes/community/environmentsustainability-group/

If you need any help or advice, please contact John Sayer, Secretary of the GB&I Environmental Sustainability Group by e-mail on [email protected] or telephone 01785 815580