Category Archives: Borders

Recycling for Good Causes

Ann Bethune of Selkirk Parish Church writes:

Traidcraft recently received nearly £70 from Selkirk Parish Church – mostly from old and broken jewellery and watches!

How does this work?

Traidcraft Exchange works with Recycling For Good Causes, who can turn unwanted currency, jewellery, watches, cameras, old mobiles and used stamps into vital funds.

It is very straightforward. At church, we have a box where people put their old, broken or unwanted items. When we have 10 kilos, Recycling For Good Causes will collect at no cost to us. They then assess the value of the items for recycling and send a cheque direct to our chosen charity.

Traidcraft has so far raised almost £20,000 from this initiative, and this money is used to continue their work with small-scale farmers.

It’s a win-win-win situation: you have the benefit of de-cluttering; Traidcraft can do more good work; less landfill and more recycling benefits the planet.

www.recyclingforgoodcauses.org/individual-donors/

 

 

Scottish Government launches public consultation on its Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy.

The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on its Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy and is looking for the views of community organisations.

To help local community groups to create and submit effective individual responses to the consultation, Home Energy Scotland is running a free workshop in Galashiels on the evening of 17 January. Participants will take the lead, working in groups to explore specific questions, before reconvening at the end to summarise and discuss the next stages.

Find out more and book online – but be quick, spaces are limited.

Can’t make the Galashiels event? Home Energy Scotland can also facilitate one-to-one sessions with community groups. To find out more, contact our Communities Officer Pat Graczyk on 0131 555 8664 or email pat.graczyk@est.org.uk

 

Selkirk Parish Church takes part in Earth Hour. #earthhour

At 8.30pm on 24th March, 19 folk gathered by candlelight in Selkirk Parish Church hall to celebrate Earth Hour, with music, songs, prayers, poems and lighting candles to express concern for the earth.  We also signed our names and posted them in plastic bottles to show our support for the “Have you got the bottle” campaign to introduce deposit returns on drinks bottles and cans.

Fair Trade?- The Future for British Farmers. Melrose, 9th March.

Greener Borders Network of Borders Environmental Groups

Winter Talks 2016/ 17

Ormiston Institute, The Square, Melrose at 7.30 pm

Thursday 9th March

Fair Trade?- The Future for British Farmers

Nigel Miller

Nigel is a recent President of the Scottish National Farmers Union and lives in the Borders.  He will provide his view of how ‘fairness’ might impact on the future for British farmers.  Nigel has a keen insight into how and why the farming industry in Britain will change over the coming years.  He will assess the impact of economic pressures, the spread of technology in farming practice and the likely impact on food standards.  He will air his thoughts on Brexit and how this will affect Scottish farming.

Talk sponsored by Fair Trade Melrose       Entrance by (small) donation         Refreshments

Download poster here.