Preston Green Centre

Beautiful Planet Invaded by Aliens

2011-12-24T11:19:00.003Z

Superb Fair-Trade Xmas gifts from this Thursday 15th Dec!!

2011-12-13T23:38:00.011Z

and many more!!!...

Preston Amnesty International

2011-11-15T00:30:00.002Z

A new Preston Amnesty group is now meeting at our cafe every Monday from 6pm! Check out their Facebook group (search for Amnesty International Group Preston) to check any change in times/venue or ring Rachel on 07535 992 064.

A New Forum!

2011-11-15T00:07:00.002Z

Paul Greenwood of Preston City Council invites all interested parties to "an evening of discussion about setting up an Environmental Forum in Preston...an opportunity to bring people together with a shared interest, to provide support for environmental projects across the city and potentially bring in funding for environmental activities. Your thoughts and ideas are very valuable and we hope you can come along." We hope you can come along too!
Date/time: This Thursday 17th November, 6.30pm on.
Venue: PRESCAP Arts and Media Centre, Fox Street, PR1 2AB.
More info: contact Paul on (01772) 906465 or p.greenwood(at)preston.gov.uk
Well done Paul! And well done to the World Development Movement for last Saturday's successful global-warming social event! The Environment is hotting up in Preston!!

V for Valentina!

2011-11-09T18:14:00.001Z

...in our window as a special thanks for organising this Saturday's climate change social - see below.

Climate Change Social Event!

2011-11-09T17:40:00.003Z

WDM (www.wdm.org.uk) is holding a social event on Saturday 12th November at the Global Education Centre, 18a Ribblesdale Place, Preston, PR1 3NA from 7.30pm. The centre is just off Winkley Square in the centre of Preston - just opposite the turn to East Cliff.
Everyone who is interested in any aspect of climate change is most welcome. There will be a Jacob's Joint so could each person please bring a small contribution to the buffet. If anyone has any queries regarding this social, can you please contact Janet Ramsay on 01772 718672.
See you there!

Super Soup!

2011-11-09T17:29:00.003Z

Gill and Diana are testing organic soup sales for the next few Fridays. If all goes well we will have the best soup in Preston every day! Gill will be using her weekly 'Riverford' (www.riverford.co.uk) vegbox veg as the basis for our soups. And if anyone should fancy a vegbox themself, pop in on a Friday and talk to Gill!

Fancy a small windmill?

2011-11-09T17:10:00.002Z

The University is now offering free/funded support to businesses/farmers/landowners/community organisations/schools/hospitals for feasibility studies/planning/financing of new small windpower projects! Check out: www.uclan.ac.uk/iswindtech

Fracking film this Monday 12th Sept

2011-09-09T16:32:00.002+01:00

Event of the month is Friends of the Earth's showing of the 'GasLand' film this Monday at the Continental 7pm for 7.30pm ko: http://www.foe-centrallancs.co.uk/foenews.htm.
We'll be there!

Those bloody aliens again

2011-07-26T18:38:00.005+01:00

The Director shouted, "Cut!"

2011-07-26T18:24:00.005+01:00

Calamity as blockbuster film actress (- -) was stabbed with pair of scissors on set outside our centre! Blood all over but (-) was very brave and carried on!! Fortunately, one of our regulars, Jim, a retired army medic, was on hand and patched her up in no time at all and she was back for a re-run, all the better for the organic chocolate, within 15 minutes. Well done Jim!
The MegaBucks film, "Piercing Brightness", has aliens up to who knows what in Preston.... and is due to be released in the big cinema (date). Watch this space!
"At first we thought we had aliens popping in for a cuppa..."

Our lovely, lovely green centre x

2011-07-21T00:43:00.006+01:00

Thanks to Heather, Barry, Grace and Emma for all the art work and Mark and Kath for the table and chairs!!

Event of the Month: Transition City Preston!

2011-06-24T14:35:00.003+01:00

West of Preston Churches Evening Discussion Series is to have Peter Dillon of the South Ribble Transition Town group giving a talk, "Lancashire in Transition", on the 13th July. He will be explaining how the transition movement originated (climate change, peak oil, globalisation...), highlighting where and how transition town movements have been successful, and asking if such a movement could happen in Preston.
Date: 13th July. Venue: Ashton Methodist Church, Wellington Road. Time 7pm onwards. Starting with a coffee and finishing with a discussion. All very welcome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_Towns
www.transitionnetwork.org/

Grant for our back yard!

2011-06-21T16:03:00.004+01:00

We are to receive a grant for nearly £500* to turn our largish back yard into a little green urban oasis, a nice place to sit and drink our lovely organic beverages. The space will also demonstrate what fruit and veg can be grown in a hard-surfaced area and seek to encourage everyone to grow, grow, grow!
We have already been donated a fig tree and a grapevine - thanks Chris! Other donations of edible plants most welcome!!!
*Thanks to Small Sparks: http://www.helpdirect.org.uk/preston-south-ribble/other-projects/small-sparks-fund/

The River - Joni Mitchell

2011-05-29T23:56:00.002+01:00

Tar sands documentary

2011-04-25T11:52:00.002+01:00

Showing this Wednesday, April 27 · 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Location: Here!
- Beautiful Planet, Preston Green Centre, 69 Friargate, Preston.
Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123768364366117
More about the film here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123768364366117#!/pages/H2Oil-The-Documentary/88638496603?sk=info
All welcome. Please invite your pals. Thanks!
Organised by Greg of Greenpeace.

PGC hits 50!

2011-04-12T00:41:00.002+01:00

12 weeks in and with our newest recruit Geoffrey doing his first shift today (11-4-2011) we now have had 50 people contributing their time or donating things to our Preston Green Centre! Well done everyone and thanks!!! Maybe we should have a party....

Toasted teacakes!!

2011-04-12T00:31:00.002+01:00

Toasted teacakes now on every day - Warburton's for just 65p - and they are selling like hot cakes! And most days we have big houmous (and something) buns in and every now and again a batch of the most delicious cup cakes one ever did see. Maybe we'll save you one but maybe we won't - they're that good :-)

The best cakes in town!

2011-02-13T22:41:00.005Z

Sandra has had her kitchen passed by the Council and so will soon be able to supply us with the very best cakes in town - organic ... and vegan too!! Watch this space...

Now 100% OPEN!

2011-02-13T22:32:00.003Z

Deborah said, "Open", so we jolly-well opened! And we're looking good - thanks to Heather with the splendid trees and Barry with the super sign!!
So pop in and check us out!

We need your posters and leaflets!

2011-01-18T13:48:00.002Z

Have done all the hard-furnishings but have decided we shouldn't open fully till we give the place a WOW factor and that includes having great posters busting with useful and/or interesting information on our notice-boards and lots of lovely leaflets. If anyone has any green info they want other people to know about then please do pop in and drop it off! There's usually someone in every day (except Sunday) 10.30 to 4.30. Thanks!

Opening at last!!

2011-01-08T22:38:00.004Z

Thursday the 6th of Jan and finally the busiest plumber in Preston arrives and finds and fixes 6 leaks with 6 holes in the wall and a bit of a flood. Walls now patched and WE ARE READY TO GO. But not too fast! Half-open to readers of this blog from Monday the 10th Jan, 10.30am on.
Come check us out! Have a cuppa, buy lovely organic wholefoods, bring us some info to put on our walls...Volunteer for a regular spot, or go on our volunteer emergency list for if we are stuck. Be part of another interesting future. See you here!

Brockholes on Countryfile

2011-01-08T22:00:00.003Z

Countryfile this Sunday (9^thJan) BBC One, 7pm! For a sneak preview about what happened on the day - http://www.brockholes.org/countryfile

It's Party Time!

2010-12-12T23:33:00.002Z

All welcome to our pre-opening party this Saturday 18th December from 7.30pm onwards. Bring a drink - it's Xmas! And a few friends!! Stay for part of the night, the whole of the night, or just pop in if passing, we will be very pleased to see you. Good times guaranteed, be there!
WARNING: Speach may become slightly dis-jointed towards trhe end of the evening....

Wanted PR1 Kitchen worktop off-cut

2010-11-29T22:34:00.002Z

Minimum 4 feet length any colour - except pink! Have decided don't need a new sink - just need to put a worktop under the existing one. Thank you again. Nearly there!

Chairs

2010-11-13T12:17:00.002Z

Please be on the look out for any free/cheap wooden chairs for us. Thanks!

Painting Day!

2010-11-12T22:17:00.002Z

This Sunday 14th Nov 1pm on. Please e-mail if can make it - thanks! Bring a brush or roller if any spare but will probably have enough...
Anyone any light-coloured gloss paints? Green?

Painting night!

2010-11-08T18:43:00.004Z

This Thursday 11th Nov in the centre from 7pm. Walls or staining or glossing. Please e- if will be there. Thanks!

World Development Movement speaker

2010-11-08T18:34:00.002Z

The WDM are having a speaker from London talking about the general background on the issue of commodity speculation http://www.wdm.org.uk/food-speculation The talk will take place on Tuesday 9th at LCC offices, from 6:45 to 9:00 pm.

Invitation:

2010-11-04T16:50:00.002Z

If you count yourself as a good bit green, then please come along to our very informal meeting/social gathering of green folk interested in the progress of our little green centre. Venue: the shop itself - 69 Friargate opposite Roper Hall - this Saturday 6th Nov 7.30pm on. Tea and coffee on tap, but please do bring any other beverages (!!) along if you should wish to join us for an extended evening. Will be an opportunity for you to get a 'feel' for the place, besides having a good time!
We may be a bit stuck for chairs, so please keep an eye out meanwhile for free/cheap patio sets we can use in our sizable back yard - but use indoor temporarily. Thanks!
The shop is nearly ready to go - but will need a few volunteers for a painting day before we get the info-boards up and wholefoods in.
Hope to see you Saturday!

Film: The Carbon Connection

2010-10-18T12:40:00.002+01:00

Pitt Street entrance, County Hall, Tuesday 19 Oct 6.30pm. To attend turn up on the night and phone Trish for access (07894103292). A World Development Movement event.
The Carbon Connection follows the story of two groups of people from communities in Brazil and Scotland who made films about living with the impacts of the trade in carbon. From mental health issues in Scotland to the loss of medicinal plants in Brazil , the communities discover the connections they have with each other and the film follows them on this journey.
(After the film go to 69 Friargate with wrecking bars! - see below)

Wanted: old sink...

2010-10-17T21:06:00.008+01:00

Anyone an old stainless-steel sink going spare?
Also seeking:
Outdoor patio furniture - we have a good-sized back yard!
A green plumber - thanks Joe!
Old laptops (and open-source computer folk to help us set up);
Wooden tables with tops 60cm by 60cm, or 120cm by 60cm ... or thereabouts;
Wooden, or fold-up/stackable chairs;
A strong counter/table;
Information display boards/stands - thanks Trisha!
Information to put on them! And links to eco-websites!!
A good filter coffee machine (and advice as to the best-tasting coffee and how to how to make the perfect cup of coffee);
An eco-friendly kettle - thanks Jamie!
Left-over magnolia emulsion and green gloss paint (or should we purchase the eco-friendly paint?) - Thanks Paul O!
Display fridges; cake-display glass domes;
Good-looking shelving for whole-food display;
Please e-mail us if any of the above. Thank you!!!

Scheme of Work

2010-10-17T20:24:00.003+01:00

1. Tuesday 19th Oct - 7pm to 10pm in the shop - to take out the middle raised floor. Everyone invited! For work or for a chat. Crowbars and sledge-hammers most welcome.
2. In shop Friday Oct 22nd from 3pm till 6pm and Saturday Oct 23rd 2pm till 6pm to fit floor and sink. Pop in to say hello!
3. Watch this space for future invites!

Meeting 14th Oct

2010-10-17T20:05:00.003+01:00

Had meeting on Thursday 14th Oct to decide what needs to be done to open the shop as a green centre. Unfortunately, the number one volunteer to lay out a scheme of work... found out he had a job the next day...and has to be in Austria the next Monday! Good Luck Tony!!

Have shop - hooray!

2010-10-17T19:58:00.003+01:00

69 Friargate - opposite Roper Hall. A bit small but rent is so low that we can run it stress-free! Can use it for market-research to see if we could maintain a larger shop financially and to find out how many green folk are out there. But who knows (?) - we may quite like where we are and stay at number 69 for a good few years!

Things to do in the centre (?)

2010-10-12T19:00:00.002+01:00

Dependent upon location and premises.
Income stream? Good for the environment? Good for the community? Good for individuals?
We have to decide what we want to achieve with the centre before we decide how to use the space. May have to be careful - species adapt to their environments! Create an environment for consumers/customers/spectators and we create......
Please add more ideas:
Wholefood, organic local food, fair-trade food and other stuff;
Internet cafe/internet access;
Hot tea/coffee, smoothies, milk-shakes;
Snacks, cake, buttered scones etc;
Sandwiches;
Jacket-potato/curry tea-times/clubs;
Sell donated goods/books/plants (organic gardening club);
Green goods eg wind-up lights, green supermarket, green (Christmas) presents/cards;
Green books/Amazon opp;
Books/pamphlets/leaflets from other centres (eg C.A.T.) for sale;
Donated...to read in shop/library;
Green info display!!!
Learn new skills/understandings, widen horizons;
Green/community notice-boards to find out what's going on in Preston;
Green networking (!!!), make new green friends;
Sub-letting space to other good causes/not-for-profits/co-ops/charities;
An alternative-therapy collective;
Room rental/use (Pound/head?)... existing groups, clubs, societies and start new ones, evening classes -'Preston Free University', band-practice/jamming, business-meetings, parties;
Social evenings, bingo, green quiz nights, barbeques;
Art gallery, arts and craft group/sales;
Friends' Schemes, business sponsors, web-site affiliations/Google AdWords;
Form new co-ops...

Aims?

2010-10-12T18:54:00.002+01:00

Found a 3-year old 'Aims of the Green Centre'. Quite sweet:
To bring together people and groups who are concerned about the environment and/or any particular aspect of it;
To facilitate understanding, action and friendship;
To create a good/bigger/biggest Preston green/environmental network;
To create a "green" centre/focus/meeting place;
To let/make us more aware about green 'things' already going on;
To spark and facilitate other commendable projects;
To "ponder" and act re global warming;
To increase fullness/richness/diversity in our individual and social lives and diversity...on the Planet;
To make the World an even friendlier and "smaller" place.

Negotiating

2010-09-27T15:23:00.002+01:00

Shops viewed and negotiations on leases now underway. Will report back asap!

Shop viewings arranged

2010-08-31T12:35:00.003+01:00

We have arranged to view 123 Friargate http://www.hdak-uk.co.uk/pdf/226.pdf at 4pm this Thursday and the smaller shop across the road at 4.30pm. If you are green-minded and in the vicinity, please do come along! We would really appreciate your opinions as to which shop to go for.

Now have free webspace and a donated .co.uk name!

2010-08-30T21:22:00.006+01:00

Thanks to http://www.lcn.com/ for providing us with free hosting and even chipping in for the .co.uk name!
Now all we need is a few volunteers to build our website and everyone to post us great green links. Contact us now! - prestongreencentre@hotmail.com Thanks!! You are a star!

Now have sufficient funds!

2010-08-30T20:59:00.005+01:00

An Awards for All grant now received and added to our UnLtd grant means that we now have sufficient funding to open our Green Centre!!
Our dilemma is now whether to go for the lower-rent (no loo) small shop as a top-down information centre (and selling whole/organic/local/Fair Trade foods) or attempt to run a much larger shop with a much higher rent as an information AND community/social centre - our much-preferred option.
We could run the smaller shop stress-free but may well get stressed up forever trying to earn enough to pay the larger shop's rent (of perhaps 2,500 Pounds + perhaps rates) every three months for a minimum of a year.. Selling tea and scones, evening classes ('Preston Free University'!), other room-rentals (??), Friends' schemes... more ideas needed!!
Will be viewing a couple of shops very soon. Watch this space!

Welcome to the Preston Green Centre Blog

2010-04-03T22:55:00.005+01:00

Watch this space, we'll be posting all kinds of news about the campaign to build a Green Centre in our town.
Follow our blog to stay updated with all the latest news and information. Get in touch if you want to fund or join our campaign.

Email the campaign: prestongreencentre@hotmail.com

Coming Soon...

2009-01-17T00:50:00.000Z

This Preston Green Centre blogsite is currently under construction