Age of Stupid @ the Deal Maritime Folk Festival

This Year's Deal Maritime Folk Festival which runs between 16th-19th September has a special showing of Franny Armstrong's 'Age of Stupid' film.

This will be on Saturday 18th at 2:30pm in the Studio at the Astor Community Theatre in Stanhope Deal - Free/Donations
www.dealmaritimefolkfestival.org.uk

LATEST NEWS: Looks like this is postponed until Nov because of license issues - we will show the 'In Transition' instead....

Deal With It @ Miners Festival 30th August

We had a good turnout for our stall at the Fowlmead Miners Festival on Bank Holiday Monday - Many thanks to Vicki, Tony, Rosemary, Sarah, Charles and Steve for helping.

Lots of interested folk especially in the Transition Day on the 4th Sept, Chicken Count and Garden Share schemes -  it also was great to put faces to many names on our supporters list!

Great event and very well supported

Victoria's Green Matters - 26th August

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:
Climate change is already with us and we have had plenty of evidence of this during recent weeks. We have seen heart rending pictures of the disastrous floods in Pakistan, landslides caused by heavy rain in China and fires in Russia resulting from the heat wave there when temperatures reached 38⁰C and caused many deaths from choking smog. Closer to home, France suffered a minor heat wave in July and the UK had the driest first six months of the year since 1929.

All over the world there are extreme weather conditions caused by global temperatures being the hottest, for the first six months of this year, since records began more than 100 years ago. Evidence that periods of heavy rain are getting heavier is consistent with our knowledge of the atmosphere where warmer air holds more moisture and shows us that a warmer world results in extreme rainfall. Changes to the effects of the jet stream, which normally moves to the north, have also resulted in the high temperatures in Moscow and caused the worst drought for 130 years.

It is easy to feel helpless in the face of such horror when news teams can bring vivid pictures into our homes. We feel that all we can do is to send as much money as we can afford to try to save homeless people and help them to reconstruct their lives. But that is acting after the fact and maybe, if we all take small actions now, we can try to limit climate change for a future world.

It seems that nothing we can do from our cosy sitting rooms could possibly have any effect on the bigger picture but if we try to cut our energy use we will also cut our carbon emissions and if all of us do this we may well bring about change.

Free Trees for Deal - Kent CC Free Trees scheme...

This scheme offers individuals and organisations up to 25 native trees each, free of charge. All you have to do is collect them, plant them and care for them as they grow.



It is easy to apply for your free trees, and make your personal contribution to Kent's natural environment.

Why are KCC giving trees away for free?

Trees have a positive effect on the landscape and biodiversity of Kent's towns and countryside. The planting of trees in our local environment improves health and wellbeing long term. By planting 25 trees, up to 7 tonnes of CO2 can be absorbed in their lifetime.

What are the trees like?

The trees are two-to-three year old 'whips', typically up to 1metre tall. They may be supplied bare-rooted. Twenty-five trees will easily pack into a bin bag and fit into the boot of a car. The trees can be planted as single trees or used to create a woodland, copse or hedgerow.

How do I apply for my free trees?

The 2010 Free Trees Scheme is open from 12 July, with a closing date for applications on 30 October 2010. The trees will be ready for collection at the beginning of December. more details here

Faversham Transition Towns visit Deal....

A big thank you to Anna, Tina and Judith making the long trek along the A2 from Faversham to come to our monthly Deal With It meeting tonight.

It was really great to hear of the fantastic progress the Faversham TT has made in such a short time - very interesting to learn of your apple press co-op, community alottment, plastic bags campaign, food mapping and planned schools campaign. Lots of great ideas which we will recycle in Deal!

Read more about Faversham Transition Town at their website here or at their facebook page

Government announces 15 new Marine Protection Areas

Marine Conservation Society welcomes new UK Marine Protected Areas but  urges  Government not to lose site of deadline for a wider network  

 
Following the Government announcement on 20th August 2010 of the designation of fifteen new Marine Protected Areas around the UK coast, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS)  says it’s delighted at the move but believes further protection is still necessary if the seas are to be given a chance to fully recover after decades of mis-use and bad management.
 
The latest protected sites, including Land’s End and Cape Bank, Lyme Bay and Torbay as well as Lizard Point and Margate and Long Sands, have been selected  on the best scientific evidence available and will mean protection to habitats like reefs, sea caves and sandbanks where marine life thrives.
 
MCS Senior Policy Officer, Melissa Moore says she welcomes the new designation: “These are an important step by the Government towards their commitment to produce a full network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012, a deadline that the UK must not let slip to 2016, as is being discussed by Ministers at the North-East Atlantic Environment Summit in Bergen next month.”
 
“ 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and an opportunity to firm up commitments to conserving our seas, not detract from them. Government must also ensure such sites have strong conservation objectives of recovery where damaging fishing and extractive industries are halted, otherwise they will just be ‘paper parks’. It has taken sixteen years since the EU Habitats & Species Directive came into force in 1994 to designate these sites, so let’s now make the wait worthwhile for marine wildlife.”
 
The Marine Conservation Society  is running an online voting website to allow the public to have their say on where Marine Protected Areas should be. MCS has selected 73 sites around the UK coasts chosen to protect rare and threatened species and habitats from over 20 years of dive surveys by volunteer divers.
 
“We’re the only voice for the public in this process.” said Melissa Moore “We would urge them to visit our website www.yourseasyourvoice.comand vote either for or against our proposed sites or suggest areas they think should be protected. There is so much to lose if we don’t protect our seas.”

Deal With It at the Walmer Picnic on the Green 21st August

 Deal With It had a great time at the Picnic on the Green and it did not rain !

Big Thanks to Sarah and Sandra for setting up and volunteers Jeremy, Rosie, Viv, Charles and Steve for helping during the day.

We meet lots of interested and interesting people - Thanks to Freegle (The District's local free recycling organisation) on the neigbouring stall for their support & and a bit of their table!

The stall travels next Saturday for a twinning event in St Omer with Sarah and then on bank holiday monday we are at the Miners' Festival at Fowlmead

Trains4Deal : Talk to the Rail Managers on the 19th August

From our colleagues at Trains4Deal - If you're travelling to London tomorrow, Thursday 19th August, via  St.Pancras - this is your opportunity to show the railway company that  there is a real demand from passengers for direct high-speed trains to  Deal.

 From 8am to 10am, Southeastern managers will be on the platform at St 
Pancras, waiting to hear what passengers have to say.

If you can, please make sure they hear about the problems of  travelling to and from Deal, and ask them WHY they won't stop the high- speed trains at Deal - especially the morning and evening ones that 
run through empty.

http://www.trains4deal.com

ps If you cannot make thursday, the will next opportunity to talk to SouthEastern will be at Charing Cross on 23rd  September, also 0800-1000.

Things you don't need: Power up your mobile with your Wellies

Just come across Ecoterra.com website - the strange love child of environmentalism, tech and the fashion world. Lots of clever bits of recycling, tech and clothing for things you dont really need.

A great example is the wellies that can power a mobile (it was either this or the dancepants that can power an mp3 player!).

The sole of each boot contains thermoelectric modules that convert temperature differences—say the warmth of your foot versus the cold of the ground—into electric voltage. When a sizable charge accumulates, simply plug in your phone into the power output at the top of the wellies.

I do not really think they get the consumption issue...

The Majestic Plastic Bag - A Mockumentary

A short & moving film .... guaranteed that you will have a tear in your eye by the end - if only because its all unfortunately true!



In case you cannot see the embedded video ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw

Small Business looking for free advice on cutting your Carbon?

If you are a small business with less of 250 employees + a turnover of less than £30m - you could be getting some free expert advice on cutting your company's carbon footprint.

The bottom line is that ‘good for the environment ‘is also good for business. Businesses that the Hub has  worked with have saved, on average, £1,800 and six tonnes of CO₂ per year.
Using their services, you too could benefit from:

• Reduced costs.
• New business.
• Compliance with environmental legislation.
• Enhanced reputation.

The SE Business Carbon Hub is supported by KCC, EU. Joining the hub does not cost anything. All you need to do is contact the South East Business Carbon Hub on 01622 696950 or email us at carbon.hub@kent.gov.uk.

Kingsdown Butts - Marine 'National Park' ?

A set of reefs built by humble worms off Kingsdown could be one of the New Marine Protected Areas - a 'Marine National Park' - but only if you support it.

The nearly 3sq km site just off Oldstairs bay at Kingsdown and running towards St Margarets is known as Kingsdown Butts. It is one of 73 sites the Marine Conservation Society has put forward as a possible 'Marine Protected Area'.

These 'Marine National Parks' are being setup by 2012 after the passing the Marine Bills in Scotland & the UK.  Currently on 1% of the UK Seas are protected - the Marine Protected Areas have come after a long campaign by the MCS to protect the bio-diversity & habitats of our amazing coast.

As part of their Your Seas, Your Voice campaign they are asking to vote online so we can influence the Government's priorisation of the sites.

You can Vote for Kingsdown Butts here

Kingsdown Butts

Ross worms build their own tubular homes out of tiny bits of shell or sand.When thousands of worms build in the same area they can create a rich reef habitat. This reef is teeming with life including fish, starfish, mussels, sponges and anemones.

Observations on use

Damage to the ross worm reef suggests that there could be some trawling in this area.

What difference would protection make?

Complete protection for this site could help protect the seabed and the sea life that relies on this important habitat for food and shelter.

Protect Kent concern over 'New Homes Bonus'

Protect Kent - the county branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England - Has expressed concerns over impact on local communities of the Coalition Government's 'New Homes Bonus'

(From Kent News:) The fears have been voiced by Protect Kent following the announcement of the proposed New Homes Bonus, which could see local authorities and communities that build new houses receiving substantial extra funding to spend how they wish.

The scheme looks to ease the house building decline, which is at its lowest level since 1924 with 4.5 million people across the country on council house waiting lists.

But while the New Homes Bonus is being greeted with delight by town hall chiefs, Protect Kent – the county branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England – is remaining wary.

Chairman Richard Knox-Johnston said although he welcomes the move to give local people more power, cash incentives to councils could cause problems.

"Firstly, we’re pleased with the decision to discard the centrally imposed housing figures for the area," he said.

"We also welcome the decision to give local councils and local people the control to make decisions about how many houses are built instead of using these centrally-imposed figures.

"The concern, however, is that cash-strapped councils needing money may be encouraged to promote housing schemes that will damage the environment.

"Even if there is opposition from local people, a council will be the one to make the final decision. If it decides the opposition is not strong enough, the development could still go ahead." read more at Kent News

2nd 'Open Chicken Run'

Despite the weather we had a good turnout for the second in our Deal With It 'Open Chicken Run's - with 18 people attending. Again a wide experience or no experience of chickens. Hope you all got something out of it!

Many thanks to Sandra Lee, her Chickens and Berty the chicken hound for hosting. Check out our 'Chicken'Page for useful links especially for those of you interested in rescued battery hens.

We will be having a third 'Open Chicken Run' in Deal's Middle Street at a date to be agreed - so watch this space. If you are interested in going please drop an email to Steve at Dealwithit2010@gmail.com or phone 01304 37 26 73.

The 'Great Big Deal Chicken Count' is going strongly in its 2nd week, with Thirty responses - interested from hearing from you if you either keep chickens or are considering it.  The Chicken Count can found here

The intention is have the first 'Deal & District Chicken Group' meeting late September - emails will go out to who have registered an interest on the 'Count' or at the 'Runs'

Beach Clean on Deal beach 14th August

Today's Beach Clean went ahead despite the showers with volunteers from Deal With It, MCS and local Rotary Club

As well as 'cleaning' the rubbish from the beach the group also logs what rubbish is found for the Marine Conservation Society.  

Wendy Boorman  Beach Warden for Deal beach said "it was a great turnout but it is always disappointing to see how much there is to pick up - especially the plastics which are so toxic to marine life"

The next Beach clean for Deal Beach is on Sunday 26th September  9:30-2pm and is being jointly organised by the Co-op as part of their 'Your Seas, Your Voice' Campaign. There will be an educational film from the MCS plus a breakfast/lunch. Please contact the Coop for this specific event at 0800 015 1147 or email membership.southeast@co-operative.coop

Wendy organises the Cleans throughtout the year for the MCS & Deal With It and can be contacted at andarta12@hotmail.com

Wind Turbine at Duke of Yorks School Dover

First wind turbine on Defence estate installed in South East!
The first grid-connected wind turbine to be installed on the Defence estate is up and running at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School near Dover. 
The wind turbine, installed by PriDE, will provide the school with a long-term sustainable electricity supply. It also creates an educational tool for the school’s pupils to learn more about carbon reduction technologies and renewable energy.

Over its installed life, the turbine is expected to generate about 269,000 kWh of ‘green’ energy for the school and to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by over 145 tonnes. Additionally, the wind turbine will result in cost savings of around £27,000.

The turbine is a three-bladed, Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) with a 5.4 metre diameter rotor mounted on a freestanding tower, 15 metres high.

Prior to its installation, the collaborative safeguarding team investigated the proposed site of the turbine and confirmed it did not adversely affect any MOD operations. The planning application was lodged with the Local Council in August 2008.

The project was funded by the Army HQ (Land Forces) together with a 50% grant towards the installation costs from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP).

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2268008/wind-change-delivers-mod-first
http://pride-serp.co.uk/press/press-april2010.asp

Carbon auditing course at The Pines

Understanding Energy and Carbon Auditing Explained 8th September, Free to South East businesses (normally £280)
This course aims to give learners an introduction to the principles and practices behind energy and carbon auditing for those who are new to this field or in the early stages of being involved. It will provide a practical foundation for those needing to develop skills and understanding of energy and carbon auditing for buildings and property portfolios.
How to book: email your name, company and contact details to: info@suscon.uk.net or telephone: 01322 312065

Course is at the Pines Calyx in St Margaret's at-Cliffe http://www.pinescalyx.co.uk

Green things for Little ones over the Summer...

Looking for somewhere fun, safe, and affordable for your children this summer?
Then why not book your child into Rippledown’s Holiday Club, which is guaranteed to provide your child with a fun and action-packed week.
•  Holiday club for children aged 8-12
•  Based at Rippledown in Ringwould, Deal
•  Three themed weeks available:  Adventure and Discovery (2/8–6/8), Sport and Outdoor Games (9/8–13/8), Outdoor Pursuits and Adventure (16/8–20/8)
•  5 days of fun outdoor adventure and discovery including at least one great excursion each week
•  Price £25 per day or £80 per week
•  Places limited, therefore BOOK NOW

To book a space on the course please call 01304 364854 or email office@rippledown.com

First Deal 'Open Chicken Run' ...

We had our first 'Open Chicken Run' today at Jill's in Walmer - very successful afternoon ; a great mix of people who are either thinking over keeping hens at home plus a variety of experienced chicken keepers who keep chickens in different situations. Lots questions and sharing of experience... I never knew chickens liked watching tv for instance!

Many thanks to Jill Cliff & her Chickens for hosting

The next 'Open Chicken Run' is next Saturday 14th August in Deal between 2-4pm - Our host Sandra has been keeping rescued battery hens for just over six months.  If you are interested in going please drop an email to Steve at Dealwithit2010@gmail.com or phone 01304 37 26 73.

The 'Great Big Deal Chicken Count' is going strongly in its 1st week, with over twenty responses - interested from hearing from you if you either keep chickens or are considering it.  The Chicken Count can found here

Samphire Hoe wins Green Flag

Samphire Hoe in Dover - the habitat created with the waste of the construction of the channel tunnel - has won a Green Flag for its work for bio-diversity. This is the fifth time the scheme has been honoured with the award.

Special textiles have been used as a barrier, many salt-resistant plants have been added and the park recreates the sort of chalk grassland which is found locally.  The site is now home to at least 198 species of plant and the site has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.  There are also a huge number of birds on the site.

More information on Samphire Hoe can be found here

The Green Flags are awarded by a consortium of the following organisations:

• Keep Britain Tidy - an environmental charity and the anti-litter campaign for England. Keep Britain Tidy also run programmes such as Eco-Schools, Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards for beaches and the Green Flag for parks

• BTCV - an environmental conservation charity which supports and promotes volunteering throughout the UK

• GreenSpace - a registered charity which works to improve parks and green spaces by raising awareness, involving communities and creating skilled professionals.

White Cliffs Freegle ... recycle your 'stuff' for free

Running since 2005 White Cliffs Freegle offers a free recycling service - a great way to recycle old furniture, cricket bats and old washers... join the scheme at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhiteCliffsFreegle/  for more general information about the scheme see http://www.freegle.org.uk/

How it works

Freegle is an email list hosted on Yahoo! Groups that allows you to give stuff away when you need to get rid of it but don’t want to throw it in the bin. Or save something from landfill by asking for it; perhaps someone has just what you need that they were about to throw away.
For example:

1. You have a washing machine you don’t need and may need to take to the tip.
2. You join your local Freegle group.
3. You post an OFFER on the list, seen by everyone who looks on the site or receives messages in their inbox (members get to choose whether to receive all messages or just view online)
   OFFER: washing machine (just off High St)
   Old and noisy but working washing machine available.
4. Interested members will reply to you privately.
5. You choose who you would like to give it to.
6. Between you, you arrange for them to come and pick up the washing machine.
7. It gets collected.
8. You’ve given away your machine with little effort, and you also got to meet someone new from your neighbourhood in the process.
9. Someone local to you who needed your unwanted machine can now use it, fix it or use parts for spares.
10. It didn’t go into landfill. Great for both you and our planet. Everyone wins!

Likewise, if you need an item you can request one on the list in the same way and if someone has what you’d like they will contact you off-list to offer it.
The group moderators will be happy to help you if you need any advice about any part of the above process.

Freegle
in Dover, Deal and Sandwich in Kent.
Don't throw it away! Give it away!
Keep your unwanted goods out of landfill by offering them to others to be reused or recycled.
All items offered must be FREE and LEGAL

Solar Panels for Free ?

A number of firms are now offering 'free' installation of PV Solar panels - where they own the panels and get the generation subsidary & money from any surplus power fed into the grid while the home owner benefits from free electricity (depending on power generated - up to approx 20% on usage) .

These contracts are for at least 25 years & stay with the house rather than the current home owner.

'Renting out' roof space is also starting to be an option for social housing builders but comes with a warning. see article from 'Inside Housing' here

Here is one report from the BBCTV News report in Yorkshire http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10277544

See the Energy Savings Trust's advice on 'renting out your roof' here 

Remember before entering into any long term contract take professional & legal advice first.

Test run for Boris's Bicycles...

I was in London today for a meeting so decided to give the London Mayor's new Cycle Hire scheme a spin.

I had preregistered for for a member key which you plug in to the bike stand and when the indicator turns green you yank out the bicycle.

The Bike itself is heavier  than a normal road bike. The basket in the front is a waste of space - you will a rucksack as there is no pannier rack. There is a three speed gear hub which is fine. Brakes are good.

Parking in free stand is straightforward - just may sure the indicator light turns Green. If your journey is under thirty minutes its free - else there is scale of charges above that.

If you dont have a members key you have to use your credit card at Bike points. There seemed to be plenty of those in central London.

There are now a number apps for IPhone & some other smart phones which tell you in real-time which bike ports are free for parking or have available bikes.

Generally a good experience  but with London's traffic I would take my cycle helmet next time!

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling

Journey planner for cycle trips.... @cyclestreets

I have found a great Cycle route planner Cycle Streets- I tested on a couple of routes, for instance the Deal/Dover correctly takes on the national cycle way rather than the dangerous for bikes A258.

The site still in beta but worthy of a test. http://www.cyclestreets.net/

Transition Deal ? Workshop Sat 4th Sept

Deal With It are organising a full day workshop on the 4th Sept on 'Deal - Transition Town?'.

The purpose of the day is to explore what a carbon free and sustainable Deal would look like and steps we can take to help us to get there.

The day will be quite informal its central idea is to generate ideas! Deal With It supporters, members of other local community groups or people who just want to find out more are all welcome.

Rough Agenda

• What is a Transition Town ?
• What’s the landscape of Deal – people, organisations, issues that have an impact on building a sustainable community
• Break-out groups on:

• - Local Food (Steve)
• · Energy (Rosemary)
• · Transport (Sarah)
• · Waste(Vcki)

        Other possibles areas?

• · Water & flood
• · Well being
• · Economy 
• · Youth & age
• · Local Government

• Next steps & priorities

The event will be at the Rippledown Environmental Centre at Ringwould

Lunch will be on a ‘bring & share’ basis, tea & coffee & cold drinks available. We would be very grateful if you could RSVP as soon as possible so we can organise car share – If you need child care please let us know beforehand. Contact: Rosemary Rechter dealwithittoday@yahoo.co.uk

Event:
Saturday 4th September
10am - 4pm
Rippledown Environmental Education Centre
Dover Road
Ringwould
Deal
Kent
CT14 8HE
http://www.rippledown.com/

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Next DWI Meeting 24th August

The next Deal With It meeting will be on the Tuesday 24th August at Dealability at 7:30pm.

We have colleagues from 'Transition Town Faversham' who are coming over for an informal meeting to tell us of their progress and share cake!

Transition Town Faversham website is at http://transitiontownfaversham.webs.com/

Dealability is at 43 Victoria Road, Deal, CT14 7AY

Get Composting!

When you remove flowers from your garden, mow the grass, or prune a bush, valuable organic matter is lost. Composting replaces it, at no cost.

 

Improve your garden, reduce waste sent to landfill sites
Compost can be used as a substitute for manures and fertilisers, improving the structure and health of the soil, making it more fertile.

Composting also reduces the amount of rubbish taken to landfill sites and reduces the cost to householders of dealing with waste disposal.

Organic waste is biodegradable - when it is buried in landfill sites it rots and produces methane gas, which can escape into buildings near landfill sites and lead to explosions.

Where is the best place to put a compost bin?

It is essential that you keep your compost bin warm and moist. It's best if you place the bin in the sun and out of the wind, on well drained soil.

To improve drainage and increase access for worms and bacteria, loosen the soil below the bin.

Place a few inches of kitchen waste on the soil at the bottom of the bin. This will attract worms and bacteria to the bin and increase the rate of compost formation.

For best results, organic waste should be put in the bin in layers of different material between 6-12 cm deep.

Ensure you always put the lid on your compost bin and do not let the compost dry out.
What you can put in your composter

You can compost almost anything that is organic (anything that has been grown). This includes:

• fruit and vegetable scraps
• tea bags, coffee grounds
• crushed egg shells
• grass cuttings, prunings and leaves
• small amounts of shredded paper and soft cardboard
• animal hair
• vacuum dust (only if you have woollen carpets).

The following can not be put into your composter

• cat or dog excrement
• meat
• cheeses
• fish
• disposable nappies
• shiny card
• hard objects.

For best results, ensure your compost bin contains some grass cuttings or vegetarian animal manure. They heat up and speed up the composting process. However they should be mixed with other organic waste to avoid slime formation.

To ensure that air is getting to the centre of the bin, turn the material regularly. This will also speed up the decomposition process.

How do you know when the compost is ready?

Your compost is ready for use when the material does not resemble anything that you put in the bin.

Collect the compost from the small hatch at the bottom of the bin. The compost can then be spread on the garden where it will act as a fertiliser.

More info at http://www.recyclenow.com/home_composting/index.html

Victoria's Green Matters - 5th August

 Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury: 
Living a greener lifestyle also means living more ethically. There have been reports lately about hedge fund managers speculating on food prices and causing huge price instability that threatens the most vulnerable people in the world.

World food prices are gradually increasing because of climate change, population growth and increased demand.  Speculators are taking advantage of these trends and making them much worse which can be devastating for farmers. Prices for cocoa, for example, are at a thirty-year high but the price may fall as suddenly next year, leaving farmers wondering what to grow and causing shortages of important food crops. There are new pressures on land use because of the changing diets in different countries. With more affluence, the Chinese are moving to a more meat based diet and so need far more land to grow feed for more animals.

Speculating on anything will cause price fluctuations but it seems doubly unprincipled to speculate on food prices when this can cause starvation for many of the poorer people of the world.  In recent years bankers have lobbied for less and less regulation, enabling them to speculate more easily in agricultural contracts, destabilising and driving up food prices. It is difficult to imagine a more unavailing way to earn a living; not making or mending anything, not working to help others, just gambling that certain prices may rise or fall and pocketing the profit.

City traders, with their huge bonuses, have caused house prices to rise in London and, to a lesser extent, throughout the country, making it impossible for young people to get on the property ladder. Greed fuelled the economic crisis that the world is now battling to get under control and this must somehow be curtailed if we are to live sustainably.

Beach Clean on Deal beach 14th August

Deal With It are supporting the Marine Conservation Society's 'Beach Clean' of Deal Beach on Saturday 14th August. 

Meet up at the front of Deal Pier between 8:30am to 9am. Equipment supplied

More info on the MCS's work see http://www.mcsuk.org/

Do you want to learn how to build a Eco Building ?

Do you want to learn how to build an eco building, in exchange for a some labour when you are available?

If so ring 01227 832268 or 07967 499660. We are based at Bekesbourne near Canterbury, where we are constructing a spiral shaped straw bale building off grid.

Also wanted are materials for straw bale build like windows doors timber etc.
from our colleagues in Transition Town Whitstable