They haven't won the big one, but these everyday green heroes are our Food runners up. And each wins a prize.
Adrienne is a truly inspirational person: setting up two small schools; planning, designing and implementing several productive vegetable gardens; bringing up her children to look after the planet as well; prolific vegetable grower; natural beekeeper; small woodland owner. A true inspiration to us all!
Alison, nominated by Laura, has helped to improve their school's awareness of recycling. She has introduced recycling bins in all classes and they now have two compost bins for the children's fruit peeling. She has enlisted light monitors to switch off all lights when not needed, and set up a wildlife garden off her own back, helping to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Alison is a keen recycler and reuses as much as possible and has helped her school gain a healthy school award also.
Bev grows some of her own vegetables, raising those plants from seed and sharing any surplus plants with friends so that they too can grow their own. She freezes surplus veg and fruit so that it can be used 'out of season.' The veg and other plants are watered using the rainwater that collects in the 10 or so water butts installed to various down pipes including the green house. Her compost comes from three bins that she fills using kitchen waste.
She also prepares batches of food using her slow cooker and freezes portions for future use for herself and her wider family.
Chris was nominated by his daughter Jessica and is her green hero as he constantly provides their family with home-grown food from his allotment. He spends hours tending to his plants in his garden and has great joy in sharing them with all. He recently gave her some tomato plants that he had grown from seed and a trough of lettuce that she can enjoy at home.
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Cordelia walks whenever she can; drives a hybrid car when necessary; recycles all papers, cardboard, tins, bottles, etc; has solar panels and a fully insulated house; composts kitchen and garden waste for her veggie patch and greenhouse; grows tomatoes, cucumbers, much soft fruit, lettuces, sweet corn, runner and broad beans, peas, pumpkin, radish, spinach, carrots, beetroot, potatoes, and rhubarb. All for household use. She is Julian's green hero.
Claire wrote a lovely poem when nominating her dad David:
My Dad is nearly 70 – he is certainly not young!
But he considers those whose lives have just begun.
He recycles everything in sight – nothing goes in the bin
Food in compost, plastics, papers, glass and all the tins.
His garage is full of things he might just need one day
And with it all he manages to help, instead of throw away!
He also has an allotment to grow lots and lots of stuff
He's down there in all weathers – he can never do enough.
So we nominate my Dad, my children and I
He's our green hero and I think you can see why!
Nominated by Maggie, David grows loads of vegetables and fruit organically in raised beds with organic humus and gives these to neighbours, friends and family.
He recycles everything possible such as plastics/paper/card/glass; has very effective compost; and water butts collecting rain water and domestic sink/bath water. He buys eco-friendly products for washing etc; uses energy-saving bulbs and solar-powered outdoor lights; has a water meter; uses re-cycled wood for building in the house and garden; and he uses a bicycle for local journeys and entertainment.
Di always buys FairTrade where possible and actively campaigned to make her church FairTrade. She is mindful of the environmental impact food can have and so supports her local farm shop and other suppliers of local produce. She loves to cook and bake from scratch and is passing these skills on to her grandchildren. She also grows some of her own salad items during the summer and again involves the grandchildren in sowing, harvesting and of course, eating.
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Fran was nominated by her daughter because she organises a seed swap each year. This is an opportunity for gardeners to get together and swap seeds – ensuring bio-diversity and encouraging people to grow. There are loads of stalls and talks from independent nurseries to community gardening groups that also join in on the day. She has done this for the last six years as an unpaid volunteer because she is passionate about the planet, food, gardening and the importance of bio-diversity. She organises a small army of volunteers who help out each year – this year over 1,400 people attended.
Fred is 91 this year and still grows much of his own fruit and vegetables in his garden, including potatoes, onions, rhubarb, apples, etc – he has been doing so in one form or another for about half a century! In doing so, he insists that the food not only tastes better than you can buy anywhere else, but it saves 'clogging up the roads' to go and buy them.
Nominated by Richard, he is described as a true inspiration to anyone who wants to save money and save the environment by growing their own fruit and vegetables – and who knows, maybe this is his secret to a long and healthy life!!!!
They purchased scrap land, cleared away the dumped rubbish and are turning it into a beautiful garden, growing their own vegetables and keeping chickens and bees. They have provided a habitat for insects and birds, and in less than a year have turned an eyesore into a place of beauty and refuge for wildlife. They are both retired and have health issues which make their dedication even more impressive. They welcome visitors and take pleasure in explaining their efforts to support our environment.
Hana aged 87, was nominated by her cousin Mike and grows virtually all of her own fruit and vegetables and has done so for the last 15 years. She makes enough jam and chutney to supply the whole family and her neighbourhood. She also recycles everything and is very careful about her water and general energy consumption.
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Hannah and George were nominated by Robert because they have recently taken an allotment and are growing from seeds they developed at home. But more importantly, they have totally involved their three young children, all under 10. To date, all growing well and have now been given a greenhouse to help with additional seeds.
Hayley was nominated by her mother Pauline, because when she moved from Liverpool to Cornwall last August she decided to have a go at growing green. She and her partner Will started with a few pots, then tubs, and then they made some raised vegetable boxes and pretty soon they were growing everything you can imagine! It is such a success that Hayley has been busy making enough jams, chutneys and pickles (using recycled jars), to share with family and friends. They're amazed at how much they have grown and delighted at having fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and salad every day.
Jaime was nominated by his wife Flor and is her green hero because he loves planting, growing and harvesting for their own dining table. They don't have a garden, but have a balcony that they can put pots on. He manages to plant broccoli, spring onion, pak choi, and strawberries, and so far has harvested pak choi and served it for dinner… everyone's happy to eat their home-grown veg. His plan is to buy additional pots and soil to transfer some seedlings, because the plants are getting bigger and need some space to grow and fruit. He makes sure the plants are watered well and exposed direct to sunlight.
Jasper was nominated by his mother Patricia who thinks he's great! He is an omnivore but has become the most fantastic vegan cook. He is 20 and studying chemistry at Plymouth University. They get an organic veg and fruit box every week and he creates lovely vegan and wheat-free dishes from whatever turns up in the box. Patricia is a vegan and Jasper's older brother is allergic to wheat. He cooks five days out of seven. They've just moved, but already he has grown from seed lots of veg and herbs. He has started the compost bin, so by next year he hopes to use vegan compost on the garden. All this without any prompting from me!
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Michael describes Jennipher as a microwave 'evangelist', promoting energy-efficient, easy cooking for every one. Carrying out unbiased research that shows cooking food in the microwave saves over five times the energy that it does, if cooked conventionally. For example, steaming a pudding takes seven minutes in the microwave oven and costs around 7p in energy costs; yet takes two hours to steam conventionally and costs 29p. Vegetables for four cost just 7p to cook in the microwave and again 29p in saucepans. Teaching consumers almost on a one-on-one basis daily, Jennipher should be applauded for her dedication.
Bex describes John as phenomenal. Having celebrated his 70th birthday, he's just started growing home grown vegetables this year and he won't be stopping there. Bex continues to describe John as utterly inspirational and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He has time for everyone and is incredibly positive about what we CAN do. He's the eco pillar of their community. Nominated in the Food category – John shows us all it's never too late to learn or change your ways.
John decided 10 years ago to change his farm from a conventional farm to an organic farm. He has also made the farm accessible to visitors and runs an educational trust too. This enables 6,000 plus school children to visit the farm each year to learn about green issues and understand the importance of farms and the countryside to our environment. Tens of thousands of people know about, and have enjoyed a visit to, Rushall Organic Farm. Environment is not just a word, but about the quality of life for every living creature. John is an environmental champion and Paul's green hero.
John was nominated by his wife and has, for over 20 years, been her green hero by training and assessing thousands of refrigeration and air-conditioning engineers throughout the UK and the world, to save ozone-depleting substances being released to the atmosphere – and lately to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases to reduce global warming.
He has developed qualifications in his own time which have now been adopted as legal minimum qualifications to help satisfy UK and European climate change targets.
He has encouraged engineers to ensure that essential cooling equipment uses electrical energy efficiently.
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From starting as a volunteer with a local community group, Kim has gone on to build the group, developing a range of volunteering opportunities, especially encouraging volunteers to work in the community gardens and have allotments. Growing fresh healthy food for themselves and for sale to the community. She has raised funds, developed programmes linked to promoting and protecting the environment linked to the BBC Breathing Spaces and John Muir Trust programmes. She encourages local school children to get involved helping develop the citizens of tomorrow and encouraging health within the community. At the same time, she has started an MSc in Public Health in order to gain additional knowledge to help people benefit from our natural environment.
Kim was nominated by her partner Jol, because she makes all home-made food for their four children and they don't use their car to get takeaways – instead Kim makes Indian, Chinese and Italian food. She has organised events to encourage more women and children to get into cycling and raise money for their rural village for a new park and shop so they don't have to go in the car. When she takes their children to their clubs, Kim takes her old bike along too and goes on a bike ride so she doesn't have to go back and forth.
Krystyna was nominated for growing potatoes, peas, lettuce, onions, garlic, beetroot, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, strawberries, blackcurrants, cherries, and blueberries. Mr Kraus says she's a good cook and uses these and the herbs she also grows in their meals. She makes jams from excess fruit. She composts everything and never wastes any food. Scraps that don't go onto the compost heap are given to their cat or the birds (bread, cheese, etc). She buys eggs direct from the chicken-keepers locally and, whenever possible, locally produced meats etc. On top of all this, all packaging, paper, foil, glass, plastic and tins are recycled.
Community Allotment Group has 15 plots, 20 plot holders and has won ‘Best Community Allotment 2008'. They've improved the environment for Tolworth community and created a habitat for insects, rare bumblebees, butterflies, birds, frogs, etc. They've created sheds and fruit cages from recycled equipment from skips, plus they use the water from shed roofs and make their own compost. They only use environmental spray, eg, soapy water for Blackfly, and take deliveries of manure and wood chip. They now manage and invest into their allotment. Growing and reaping the rewards of wonderful organic vegetables for them and their families and friends. They've created their own newsletter, providing advice and guidance.
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Mark was nominated by his wife Moira because he's been heavily involved in the Organic Farming and Horticultural sector for about 11 years and they have a designated organic pack-house in its fledgling stages, packing locally grown veg for local and national box schemes and small supermarkets.
Mark was educated at Reading University and graduated in 1986 and has spent many years giving advice to budding organic farmers and horticulturalists, as well as the Soil Association. Mark is his wife's green hero.
Mary was nominated by her daughter Janice. At 81 she lives alone and, with the help of a gardener two hours a week and her family, still manages to grow some of her own veg; her potatoes last her until well after Christmas. She also knits both her own cardigans and jumpers and also baby vests, mittens and gloves for charity. She has recently had her rather large veg garden partly paved and raised beds made so that her spuds, peas, broad beans, runners and brassicas can be more easily looked after. She also grows her own fruit, (apples, pears, plums and tomatoes). She doesn't own a computer or a mobile phone; does not have a tumble dryer; and lives 30 miles from her only child. She has two freezers, one of which is full of home-grown fruit and veg from several years ago... which the family still eat as they don't seem to do them any harm. Mary also makes jam from her tayberries and provides her daughter with so much home grown rhubarb it's coming out of her ears!
Maryce is the head of PHSE of Skinners' School (Grammar School for Boys in Tunbridge Wells) and was nominated by Tanja. She has started an organic vegetable and fruit garden with the boys; organised the HEAL (Healthy Eating and Living Project); runs very successful Master Chef classes for the Year 8 boys; and recently started Let's get Cooking Club and Master Sushi classes for the boys and the wider community respectively. She is very inspiring to the boys and other teachers, enthusiastic and hardworking. She deserves wider recognition! She has just been made Head of PHSE in only her second year of teaching.
Mo and Bal took over a complete wreck of an allotment when they retired, the greenhouse was completely smashed and the garden was full of rubbish. Through back-breaking hard work they have rebuilt the greenhouse and made 21 raised beds. They are virtually self-sufficient in vegetables, plus they recycled scaffolding planks to make raised beds; made a wild-life pond with a corner bath; have three seats all from the council tip; used recycled wood chippings to make paths; and feed three families with the produce. Aged 60 and 70 respectively, they describe themselves as 'not bad for oldies.'
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Nominated by her daughter, Nanette is described as living the green dream! She has a small house in a small village in East Yorkshire and spends her days enjoying simple pleasures that don't damage the planet. She looks after her three hens (Nellie, Ada and Flora) that, in turn, look after her by giving her eggs. She bakes most days using the eggs, and cooks meals from scratch using veg from her garden. She is methodical about separating her rubbish and recycling. She knits fantastic fashion accessories in front of her log fire from British wool, and sells her wares. She also paints fab paintings that celebrate the local landscape!
Nell was nominated because she always walks to the shops, and when she travels abroad, she goes by coach and travels everywhere else by bus. She always uses long-life bulbs and ensures that nothing is left on standby; only boils the amount of water needed; and only uses the washer when full. She also cooks bulk meals to reduce the energy used when cooking.
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Peter is described by his nominee Stephen as remarkable. For several years, he has composted with his special worm-bin to feed the plants on the balcony of his flat high above Tottenham Court Road. All of his electrical appliances are monitored to reduce his carbon footprint. He brings artistry to the task of re-cycling. And, on those cold days, he turns to his jumper rather than his thermostat.
Rob has spent the last year or so converting his garden into the ultimate veggie patch. He has meticulously planned the crop rotations for his raised beds. He grows his own tomatoes and chillies which love to bask in the sun on his patio, and he has started on asparagus and horseradish in a small space by the back door. At home he has upgraded his boiler controls and anything that's been easy to insulate has been!
He works for a local lighting manufacturer, which he cycles to, and his current project is to make lighting more controllable.
Nominated by his wife Doreen, Roy – although disabled – does recycle all their waste into compost and grows vegetables (with Doreen's help). They've eaten their last frozen garden runner beans and the new crop is halfway up the sticks. They grow their own potatoes, onions, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, rocket and spinach. They also have three water butts to collect rainwater from the garage and shed roofs, and use plastic bottles to cover young plants before putting them into the recycle bin.
Sarah nominated her children as they have a small garden that Molly (9), Jack (8), Harry (5) and Oliver(3) really enjoy growing their own vegetables in. With help from their Dad (John) they are currently growing potatoes, carrots, beans, tomatoes, courgettes, mint, chives, strawberries and a blackcurrant bush. The majority are grown in bags and pots, but are doing really well so far this year, and they are all looking forward to eating them all when they are ready. Their mum thinks they deserve an award as they've put so much effort into the gardening this year.
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Tanya, nominated by her husband, is described as recently taken to two wheels and regularly wows the motorists in Canterbury with a fine display of bicycle handling skills and a slim, attractive pair of heels. Tanya is a self-confessed foodie and frequents the local farmers' market, where local fruit, veg and meat are often procured. She is also a keen allotment user and can often be found tending young vegetable plants. Finally, Tanya is petite enough to fit into the loft in her home (something that the professionals could not do), and now has a fully insulated loft space (ps, don't get her started on her A-rated boiler)!
Tracey was nominated by Clive for helping him plant 3,500 hedge plants and 40 fruit trees to produce fruit for their own consumption whilst six-months pregnant with their first child.
Last year they ate their our own apples for nine months from Aug 09 to April 10 (naturally stored), as well as pears, gages, plums and quince – many of which where preserved as either jam (they are still eating it) or as whole fruit.
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