Welcome to Northfield Ecocentre’s February newsletter. Check outour quick guide to the Green Deal, find out about upcoming halfterm events for kids, sign up to visit a Bournville eco home and seehow Wilkinson’s team away day helped us on our way to make anoutdoor classroom in Northfield.

February Newsletter

All the best,

www.facebook.com/northfieldecocentre Twitter @northfieldeco

In January, the government launched theGreen Deal, a new initiative to help make

doing energy improvements to homes easier

Here’s a quick guide on how it works

Green DealQuick Guide

The ‘Golden Rule’The savings you make must bemore than the long term costof the work

Newhelp insulating solid walls -previously unavailable thoughother schemes

First -come, first served

90% off new boilers. Up to £1,000

cash back on other energy

saving measures. *

* subject to eligibility and availability.

No up-front costs

Loans to pay for the workattached to the electricity bill ofthe property not the resident

Contact Us: Northfield Ecocentre are working with Birmingham Energy Savers to provide the Green Deal scheme people living in Birmingham. Contact our qualified energy advisors early to sign up and benefit.

Energy-saving improvements could also include insulation, heating, draught-proofing, double glazing andrenewable energy technologies (e.g. solar panels or wind turbines).

Stay warm for less

Make energy saving

improvements & watch

your energy bills fall

2013

Hate Rising Energy Costs. Green Deal with It?

STAFF TEAM BUILDING

BOOST STAFF

MORALE

Greening yourBusiness

WORKING WITHNORTHFIELD ECOCENTRE

www.northfieldecocentre.org/support-us/corporatepartnersEmail: fundraising@northfieldecocentre.org I Call us on: 0121 448 0119

Eight staff from Wilkinson’s Northfield, Blackheath and Acocks Green,and the Regional Manager braved the January cold to clear weeds andrubbish to make way for an outdoor classroom at MasefieldCommunity garden. This will be a space for groups of children andadults to learn about organic food growing, wildlife and ecosystems.By the end of a hard but enjoyable day’s work, and a welcome lunchof hot soup, staff received a tour of the Ecocentre and presentation.

Wilkinson’s staff help clear landfor an outdoor classroom!

Your support will help us todevelop our work in yourcommunity

IMPROVE THEENERGY EFFICIENCYOF YOUR BUSINESS

REDUCE YOURBUSINESS

WASTE

ENGAGE YOURCUSTOMERS.

SHOW YOU CAREABOUT THE PLANET

WE CAN ALSO HELP YOU TO:

Interested in arranging a team away day? Have a fun with theEcocentre and boost staff morale through personal development andteam-building activities, fundraising events, & volunteering skills withus. www.northfieldecocentre.org/support-us/corporatepartners

RAISE MONEY FOR A GOOD CAUSE, THE ECOCENTRE

‘I’ve really enjoyedputting something back

into the community. Everylocal business should get

down here’.Matt Abiss,

Acocks Greenstore

‘Working with theEcocentre is a way for us

to demonstrate ourcommitment to thecommunity and the

environment, which ourcustomers really value.’

Rob Hyde,Regional Manager

For more information visit our websitewww.northfieldecocentre.org

Join us at Masefield Gardens, Lindsey Avenue off Bunbury Rioad. Map: http://goo.gl/maps/0SZMb

WorkshopsFruit Tree Pruning - Thursday 14 February, 2 - 3.30pmFruit Tree Grafting - Thursday 21 February, 2 - 3.30pm

Composting - Sun 10 March, 10.30am - 4pm

Work DaysWednesday 20 Feb, 10am - 12.30pm Children’s Day!

Weds 27 Feb, 12.30 - 3pmTues 5 March, 10am - 12.30amWeds 13 March, 12.30 - 3pmBooking Essential. Call : 0121 448 0119

Diary Dates - Feb - March

Family Cycle Rides

Friends ofVictoria Common

Meet at the EcocentreWednesday 27 February , 7 - 8.30pm

This meeting we will aboutplanning events in the park.

Join us to get involved.

2nd Sunday of each month from April –October 2013. Children and Adultswelcome.

14th April: Northfield to BournvilleCircular. Meet at 10.30am at the multi-sport area in Victoria Common inNorthfield.

Learn new skills, save money andprotect the environment

Free

At the EcocentreWeekly Groups

Gardening: Thurs 10 - 12 noonSewing & Crafts: Fri 10 - 12 noon

Ecokids

NorthfieldCommunity

Garden

FEBRUARY HALF TERM HOLIDAY

Get Recycling for a Green Mothers DayWednesday 20th or Friday 22ndFebruary, 2 - 4pm (choose one).Surprise your mum on mother’s daywith a lovely paper bead braceletand learn about recycling.

Booking Essential. 0121 448 0119

£1 donation per child. Adults toaccompany.

Real Nappy Event - Weds 13 March,11am - 12noon

For energy advice or to book an energy assessment of your home or businesswww.northfieldecocentre.org I Email: advice@northfieldecocentre.org I Call us on: 0121 448 0119

Northfield Ecocentre is now working with Heritageand Culture Warwickshire (HCW) to assess 12museums against a range of sustainability criteria.

Photo: Thermal image of exterior of SamuelJohnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield.

Panel Discussion: Energy we can all affordTuesday 19 February, 7pm

Guild of Students' Council Chambers. University of Birmingham.

Birmingham Friends of the Earth are holding a paneldiscussion with the People & Planet Society. With theEnergy Bill currently going through parliament, we standat a crucial point in the UK's energy policy. The discussion,which forms part of the Clean British Energy campaign andthe Energy Bill Revolution, will tackle the issues of fuelpoverty and renewable energy, asking what we need todo to move forward on both these vital subjects.

Register here:www.birminghamfoe.org.uk

Discussion Topic:What do we need to doto secure a clean, greenand affordable energy

future?

Panel Chair : Graeme Brown - Editor, Birmingham Post.Speakers : Guy Shrubsole - Friends of the Earth Energy Campaigner.MP Selly Oak Steve McCabe, Lorraine Gumbs - Warm ZonesRosemary Coyne - Research Fellow University of Birmingham and co-ordinatorof the Sustainable Housing Action Partnership!

Warming up MuseumsGreening your

Business

HCW originally approached Northfield Ecocentre toconsider energy efficiency improvements and toconduct thermal imaging as part of a programme whichthey term 'Reducing Bills.' After discussions it wasestablished that the museums would be interested inlooking at a wider range of aspects which include; water,waste and travel. Northfield Ecocentre is also providingadvice on how environmental management can beincluded in the museums' core strategy. NorthfieldEcocentre has now assessed four of the twelvemuseums and are in process of providing advice.

For more information contact Stuart on 0121 448 0119or email stuart@northfieldecocentre.org

www.northfieldecocentre.org/energy-services/non-domestic

The Ecocentre is expanding, with manyexciting new projects starting up andexisting projects being developed. Weneed your support to continue growing!

There are many ways you can get involved:

· Run in the BUPA Great Birmingham Run· Volunteer as a fundraising assistant· Organise a fundraising event· Become a Friend of the Ecocentre· Sponsor a Tree· Make a donation

There are lots of ideas and information on our websitewww.northfieldecocentre.org/support-uswhere you can also download our Supporters Pack which is packed full of ideas and inspiration!Contact kara@northfieldecocentre.org for more information.

Bournville Eco House Open Day - Saturday 16 March

Hawthorn Road, Bournville

Owner: Harriet (EcocentreManagement CommitteeMenber) and Chris Martin

House Type: 1932 semidetached built in BournvilleVillage Trust area

Carbon saving: 85%

Reported saving on bills:85%

To book a visit: www.superhomes.org.uk/superhomes

Raise Money for the Ecocentre