Party Time!

Our Xmas Party this year is this Thursday 18th December from 7pm! Lovely vegan tagine with couscous is our Xmas menu for a mighty two Pounds! Tea and coffee for free/donations but do please bring your own 'pop' ;-)
Come for a catch up! See you Thursday XX

Bikes for Sale

A big thankyou to Amy for donating a load of old bicycles from the Buddhist Centre on East Cliff! We managed to do most of them up and sell them :-) Recycling cycles and raising a good few Pounds to help pay our increased rent - Must be good! Thanks again Amy and the Buddhist Centre!! XX
At the moment we have three mountain bikes for sale. Pop in for a viewing!
If anyone else has any bikes being unused then please donate. Thanks!!! :-)


New Shop!

Apologies for lack of recent posts, we've been busy! Not least of all we have moved into new premises further up Friargate - number 53a. Our new shop has four floors! A basement with a stage in it, a ground floor as a coffee/wholefoods/Fairtrade gift shop, a first floor with internet/green info room and a mysterious red room, and a top floor with an office and a smart meeting room (for hire). And we have a back yard again! We have been working hard doing the whole building and still have a good bit of work to do...
Pay us a visit soon! Find a few Xmas presents!! :-)


Latest Events/News from B.P. Job Lot :-)

STOP PRESS: Preston Environmental Forum Annual General Meeting on this Monday 18th November, 6pm at Disability Equality NW, 103 Church Street. Everyone welcome! Meanwhile check out http://www.projectdirt.com/cluster/preston/ for lots of other goodies.
 
Fair Trade Xmas gifts now on sale in our shop from £2 – £17! Prices to suit all pockets and tastes. And we offer the cheapest prices as we do not have to factor in our wages… Very nice gifts if I may say so…

CO-OP Day – This Tuesday 19th November
1. Free Seminar: Co-operative Culture and Experience in the Changing World, 9.30am-4.00pm 19 November University of Central Lancashire, Preston.
Join  Mikel Lezamiz (Mondragon Co-op), David Erdal Honorary Senior Research Fellow at St Andrew’s University and Susanne Westhausen, Director of KOOPERATIONEN – the Co-operative employers’ organisation in a day of debates and workshops. For more info and to register click here
2. Launch of 'Simply Buyout' by Preston City Council 4.30pm – 6.00pm 19 November Media and Innovation Studio (ME414), Media Factory, University of Central Lancashire, Preston
Preston City Council and Guild Co-operative Network present the launch of a project to promote worker ownership of businesses in the region. The launch will be attended by Mikel Lezamiz of Mondragón and other experts in co-operative models. For more details click here
3. Free Entry: Debating Co-operatives, 6pm 20 November, University of Central Lancashire, Preston
Author, Phil Frampton, and Mikel Lezamiz (Mondragon Co-operatives) meet to debate whether "Co-operatives are the best way forward for contemporary Western society." For more info and to register click here
The Guild Co-operative Network is funded by Preston City Council.
If you would like more information, please contact Gordon Benson  or telephone on 01772 903410
 
The Christmas Fulwood Farmers' Market with Fairtrade - Saturday 23rd November
 
"10am till 2pm at Fulwood Methodist Church Crossroads Centre, Watling St. Road, PR2 8EA, supporting producers locally and globally, with fresh local produce from around the area and a selection of fairly traded food and crafts from around the world. Everyday items plus a variety of gifts for Christmas (including from Traidcraft, Created, Fairnecessities & Jireh Women) plus Christmas cards. Christmas cakes and puddings to order. There will also be all the normal Farmers' Markets stalls, with local produce from meat, pies, fish and veg to honey, eggs, cheese, bread and cakes.
Come and browse for that perfect Christmas gift or stock up on Fairtrade and local goodies. Tastings, raffle, refreshments & lunches. All welcome."
 
Free lobbying training
 
Do you want to gain the skills and confidence to lobby local politicians effectively on issues that matter to you?  Greenpeace is running a free training event in Preston on the 30th November from 10:30-5pm in the University of Central Lancashire, walking distance from Preston Railway Station.  Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

This is a fantastic training opportunity for anyone who wants to learn the skills of talking to and influencing politicians.  For those that want to, it is also an opportunity to join Greenpeace’s lobbying network – a nationwide group who lobby a wide range of decision makers (for example your MP) by email, by letter and face to face about issues including fracking, the dash for gas and other important campaigns.

For further information, or if you are interested in attending the free training event, please email lobbying.uk@greenpeace.org to register for a place
 
Our Xmas Party!!! The first Saturday in December – 7th – 7pm onwards
We will be popping out at about 8pm to bring back a chickpea curry from R.K.Sweets. So please bring a couple of quid and a plate if you fancy a plateful J Tea and coffee will be served but you may bring your own drink if you prefer! Bring as much as you like ;-) See you at the party of the year!!
 
Preston Vegan, Green, Fairtrade, and Human Rights Fair on Saturday December 21st
From Roddy:
“Please forward the below info to the cafe mailing list, and post it on the cafe website and Facebook, and let me know when you have done. Thanks:
I am doing a 30 stall Preston Vegan, Green, Fairtrade, and Human Rights Fair on Saturday December 21 which will be at Beautiful Planet, and upstairs at Roper Hall directly across the road.
The Fair is from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., and also features free vegan food, vegan speed dating, and vegan speed meeting at the cafe, as well as the stalls upstairs at Roper Hall.
18 of the 30 stalls have been filled already, and I am contacting hundreds of vegan, green, fairtrade, and human rights groups and businesses today, so please also let me know ASAP if you know someone who wants 1 or more stalls.
The Preston flyer is attached, and the new Facebook pages, which I am emailing to loads of people today, are below:

Any old bicycles?
If anyone has an old bicycle doing nothing in their garage, PLEASE give it to us J We would like to keep a few in our back yard to lend out. We are also on the look out for a bicycle trailer…… XX

Latest additions to our shop menu:
1. Big bowl of organic soup + bun probably £2.50. Several varieties;
2. Veggie-burgers! Prices yet to be decided… but who cares Yum yum..
3. Vegusto, the best-tasting vegan cheese in Europe, will be back in stock very soon :-)

 We have had a couple of ‘Activist’ meetings recently at B.P. The last one featured a very interesting and inspiring talk from Lancaster Huntsabs http://huntsabs.org.uk/ The next meeting is Thursday 12th December 7pm ko. More details on a poster soon… Meanwhile check out the National Community Activist Network: http://nationalcan.ning.com/main

Lots going on :-) Hope to see you at our Xmas party!

More Events:

Thanks to Paul Greenwood of Preston Environmental Forum for the below. To keep informed, join their mailing list!!

 
4th October 10am, Abundance Preston: Fishwick Bottoms LNR
Be part of Abundance Preston by helping pick fruit from trees at this beautiful Local Nature Reserve

5th October 10am, Abundance Preston: Grange Park Interpenetration Centre, Ribbleton
Another opportunity to be a part of Abundance Preston
 
9th October, 6pm  PEF Meeting, UClan Students Union on Fylde Road
Monthly meeting of Preston Environmental Forum

11th October,  PEF Development Day – Visit to the ‘Green Estate’ in SheffieldThe purpose of the PEF Development Days is to look at ways in which PEF can develop over the next few years, both as a network of environmental projects and a body that can make a positive difference to the green environment of Preston. A vital element in the future and development of PEF over the next few years will be the active involvement of local people and this is why we have decided to run a few development days. PEF is a community organisation that genuinely provides an opportunity for local people to be actively involved with the green environment of Preston…PEF needs you!
PEF have 16 free places available for a visit to the ‘Green Estates’ in Sheffield, however we do ask anybody that comes along to also commit to attending a further development day in Preston (details to follow)  at which the ‘development’ of PEF will be discussed. Spaces will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis. Anyone who just misses out will be given a priority place for further PEF Development Day visits to other locations
To register on the Development Day please contact me on p.greenwood@preston.gov.uk / 01772 906465
Green Estate’ is made up of the Manor and Castle areas in South Sheffield. An inner city area that suffered from some of the worst effects of social, economic and environmental poverty.
In their own words “ the idea was pretty simple - if the relationship between the land and people were made to work again, just as they would have for instance in a rural area or in the past, then we could bring life back to the waste lands and make the green environment a valued and productive asset”
See more here www.greenestate.org.uk
 
12th October 10:30, Abundance Preston: Whittingham Hospital in Grimsargh
Another opportunity to be a part of Abundance Preston, however places are very limited for this one booking essential. Contact Chris Taylor on ctaylor@lancswt.org.uk / 07967820744
 
12th October 1pm – 3pm Bulb Planting: Moor Park - Meet at the Rangers pavilion
A great opportunity to plant spring bulbs on the park to add colour and help wildlife
 
19th October Abundance Preston at St Michael’s Church, Ashton 
Lots of apple related activities including pressing cooking with apples.
 
 
20th October 10am – 6pm  Apple Day at Ashton Park, Ashton -  Meet at the Rangers pavilion
Another opportunity to get involved with  Abundance Preston on National Apple Day. Bring apples from your trees to press, tell us about any trees that you know of and maybe get involved with collecting this free bounty. Lots of fun family activities: Morris dancing, longest peel, apple bobbin
 

There are 187 (and growing) local people on the PEF mailing list. If you want to get volunteers for your activities or people to attend your events, or maybe just let people now what your group is up to, send me p.greenwood@preston.gov.uk the dates and details of what you are doing and I will send them out across the forum".

We made it!

... to the Centre for Alternative Technology :-) And everyone had a great time!


Dot's Press Release:
  “On August 15th a group of more than fifty like-minded folk met up for a Big Day Out to the Centre for Alternative Technology (C.A.T) in beautiful Macynlleth, Wales.
The coach trip was organised Preston’s own Eco-Shop, Beautiful Planet, and Central Lancashire Friends of the Earth.
The group explored C.A.T’s gardens and woodlands and gained inspiration from projects in sustainability and alternative technology.
At C.A.T you’ll find friendly advice and support to help you make your own green plans come to life .....not to mention a memorable ride on the water-powered cable car!
If you want to find out more look on line at http://www.cat.org.uk/ or pop into Beautiful Planet on Friargate where you can enjoy a good cup of coffee and find out about a wide range of environmental groups and issues.”
Thank you very much Dot and Friends of the Earth!!

Sponsored coach trip to the Centre for Alternative Technology!!

We are delighted to announce that Preston Friends of the Earth http://www.foe-centrallancs.co.uk/ are joining us in sponsoring our 'BIG DAY OUT' to the Centre for Alternative Technology http://visit.cat.org.uk/ in Machynlleth - mid-Wales on the coast. The coach will leave Carlisle Street*, Preston at 8am on Thursday 15th August.
C.A.T. has 7+ acres of hands-on displays and gardens and has had 35+  years of experience in sustainability practice.... “Along with a range of interactive displays, there are working examples of environmentally responsible buildings, renewable energy generation, sustainability in the home, organic growing, composting and waste management, each demonstrating what we can do to reduce our impact on the planet. At a time when news about the environment can be gloomy and pessimistic, we aim to put forward a positive solutions-based approach to looking after our planet. These displays are not just for show; they are part of a thriving, sustainable organisation run on renewable energy generated on site….”
'Tickets' are only £5 and are available on a first come first serve basis from our Beautiful Planet Café (69 Friargate) from 10.30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. Entry fees to the Centre - £3.60/£6.50/£7.50 - are extra and will be collected on the coach.
We hope you can join us on our great day out XX
* Carlisle Street is the one between Preston bus station and the Holiday Inn.

Next P.E.F. meeting + change of format...

Preston Environmental Forum meeting: June 18th 6pm at St Paul’s Court, Jutland Street (nr Meadow St).
The next PEF meeting will be at this Places for People sheltered housing scheme. The residents at this scheme are keen to do some environmental work
"At the last PEF meeting we decided to change the format of future PEF meetings. From now on the first half (between 6 – 7pm) of meetings will be practical activities, followed by the business of the meeting at approximately 7pm. So, at this meeting PEF volunteers will be able to help the residents of St Paul’s Court get going with some planting and food growing!" See you there!!

Next Farmers' Market


Farmers Market: Saturday 15th June 9:00am – 1:00pm, St Michael and All Angels, junction of Tulketh Road & Egerton Road, PR2 1 AJ
St Michael’s Church, Ashton on Ribble have been running a farmers’ market since autumn 2005. The idea emerged from their first Eco-congregation award in 2004 and aims to support local producers and help to save the environment by reducing food miles.

The markets are held monthly - the third Saturday of each month from 9.00am-1.00pm :-)
 

Help sought!

Waverley Alley Meeting, this Wednesday June 12th 4-6pm, Warner Street entrance (off New Hall Lane) 

A meeting to look at this alleyway to see if it can be brought into some productive use, maybe food growing etc. Anyone interest in having a look at his site and suggesting ideas would be most welcome!