Environment News August
Date:
07 August 2009
Save money, save the environment!
LOOS GO GREEN
The community toilet scheme is proving popular.
The idea is simple - we team up with local organisations to enable you to use their loos during normal opening hours.
The scheme is very low cost and often means toilets are available during evenings and weekends as well as office hours.
A bonus is that extra facilities do not have to be built, maintained and heated - saving money, fuel and carbon emissions.
The facilities are also less likely to be vandalised compared to traditional public loos.
These venues are now in the community toilet scheme:
Budgens supermarket, Chorleywood
The Centre leisure facility, South Oxhey
Three Rivers House, council offices, Rickmansworth
The Harvester public house, Croxley Green
The Royal Oak public house, Abbots Langley
YMCA Woodlands, Leavesden Country Park
Facilities are also available next to Cafe in the Park at the Aquadrome.
These toilet facilities are open to the public during normal venue opening hours. Watch this space for new venues....!
EARTH CALLING
Friends of the Earth in Watford and Three Rivers are looking for new members to help with campaigning work.
All ages and backgrounds welcome. The group is non-political.
www.watford-foe.org.uk
FLYING THE FLAG
Chorleywood House Estate and the Aquadrome Local Nature Reserve have both received Green Flag awards, putting them on a par with the country’s finest parks. More...
CASH BOOST FOR GROWERS
Children from Bromet School have benefited from a £1,700 District Council grant for their Get Set Grow gardening project.
The pupils are expected to be eating their own veg' in school dinners within the next few months.
The project was set up by parent and horticulturist, Jo Brew.
Other recent grants have included £1,000 to Springwell Avenue Allotment Association and £2,000 to Flowers4Croxley
More on community grants...
WIN! A £10 MARKS AND SPENCER VOUCHER
Send us your ideas for making Three Rivers a greener place to live. The best idea will win a £10 gift voucher.
Entries should be 30 words maximum. Standard rules apply. Closing date is Monday 7 September. Enter here...
INSULATION - CUT THE COST
Think you've got enough insulation? Think again.
If you have less than 25cm (10 inches) of insulation in your loft then you are most likely wasting heat and money through your roof.
Find out more about £99 insulation through our Council-supported scheme
www.cocoonyourhome.co.uk
Home energy saving tips are available at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
CHARITY FUEL COSTS
If you are a registered charity you may be paying more for your fuel than you have to.
Many charities lose money because they do not realise that they should pay a reduced rate of VAT.
If the supply is for charitable non-business activities then the supplier should charge 5%.
There is more guidance on the HM Revenue and Customs web site
PASS THE PORTAL
The national planning portal enables you to view local planning applications by area. The site also includes information about reducing home energy costs.
Three Rivers is made up of over 75% Green Belt land.
We were recognised in 2006 by the Campaign to Protect Rural England for being among the most effective areas in the country for building on previously developed land rather than in countryside.
Visit the portal...
GARDEN HELP IN SOUTH OXHEY
Northwick Day Centre volunteers can provide free help caring for disabled or elderly people's gardens in the South Oxhey area.
The volunteers can also help with gardens belonging to community groups
Contact Northwick Day Centre...
Environmental volunteering opportunites are available from
www.cvs-threerivers.gov.uk
MAKEOVER FOR LORRIES
Our fleet of refuse and recycling lorries have undergone a special makeover this week, to promote key environmental messages. Compostable waste is currently the most under-recycled item in our bins. Our recycling rate is currently just under 50%, one of the highest rates in the country.
More...
HELP US STOP GRAFFITI
You could receive up to £100 reward for reporting people who spray graffiti within Three Rivers. Call Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111 (calls will be treated in confidence). Alternatively, contact us
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE ENVIRONMENT
The next local area forums take place as follows. They are attended by County, District and Parish Councillors
Abbots Langley 23 November
Chorleywood 12 October
Croxley Green 23 November
Rickmansworth 4 November
Sarratt 16 September
Watford Rural 16 November
Any local issue can be raised at the forums.
CASH FOR CROXLEY
Over 40 residents voted in July to spend their Local Area Forum's grant money as follows:
£500 will provide a tool store for the Keep Croxley Green voluntary group
£500 will help the Friends of Croxley Common Moor buy a picnic bench for the woods
£1,000 will also support the annual summer Croxley Revels celebrations on the Green.
DIARY DATES
National Allotments Week 10 - 16 Aug 2009
World Water Week 16 - 22 Aug 2009.Experts from 100 countries are assemble in this week in a global effort to improve human, welfare and the planet's health.
USEFUL LINKS
Pollution. We help monitor air pollution for the area. Register for pollution forescasts.
Play rangers. Playing outdoors with adult supervision in Leavesden, South Oxhey and Mill End. More on Play rangers...
Fly-tipping. We tackle fly-tipping on public land quickly, often within 24 hours. Report fly-tipping in confidence.
Cycling routes can be viewed here Spokes also provides a book of cycling maps. Current price £3.95
Contact Your Councillor. Get things done - speak to your Ward Councillor.
Litter Report litter to us in confidence.
Water Meters may save you money - find out more.
Real nappies - save £40 by joining our real nappy scheme and help reduce landfill.
Waste electricals. These must not go in kerbside bins but can be taken to Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Freecycle groups. There are Freecycle groups to enable you to give away and obtain household items. Local groups are in Chorleywood, Rickmansworth and Watford.
Recycling More! directory - recycling beyond the kerbside including a list of local food producers, markets and charity shops. More...
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