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Eco Matters

November 1st 2011

Hi, to all you budding Eco warriors out there. One thousand apologies for taking so long to get around to editing this page, I have been busy trying to save the planet. No, seriously though, I have been working within the County of Derbyshire, for Groundwork Derby and Derbyshire. They are a large environmental organisation and I have been employed as the Greener Living Spaces Co-ordinator, amongst other duties, encouraging others to make the most of the areas of land which surround their communities. It's amazing how much neglected and under-used pockets of land their are, even within Ollerton and Boughton. This is something which I am really excited and passionate about, it would be great to carry out this type of work within my own community. Please get in touch if you feel the same.

Over the past few years I have worked with other organisations within the  Ollerton and Boughton area, working on funding bids and developing environmental opportunities for others. I have worked with ODEF, both as a volunteer and  Project Consultant, working on a variety of projects, namely The Eco-shop, Feel Good Foods and the Wild Sherwood Project. Thanks for all your support guys, it would be nice to get a mention in the press occasionally.

I have just finished working on a Wildlife and Sensory garden with the parents and children from the Surestart Centre on the Dukeries College Campus. This was a wonderful little project and I would like to thank all the mums, who put in a lot of hard work on the two plots of land, you know who you are - but just in case you dont, Thanks to Anne-Marie, Kerry and Dawn, not forgetting Tasha and Liz amongst others.  This is just the beginning, more work needs to be done, so keep up the good fight and encourage the wonderful staff up there, to apply for more funding to continue this worthwhile and beneficial work. It was great that Councillor Kay Cutts came to visit the project and thought it was great, infact she was impressed with the wonderful community work that the Sure-start Centre carries out, and I was surprised by how much she valued the gardening project. I haven't got a political allegiance either way but I was encouraged by her support.

Talking of gardens. In case you didn't know, Ecologic C.I.C. has recieved £10,000 to work on another Wildlife and Sensory garden, within the heart of the community. We are working with the Pet Shop Girls and the ROB Project on this. You may have seen articles in the paper copy of Roundabout and in the Ollerton Advertiser. We are all very proud to be working together on this project, we can achieve more by working together and it is great to be able to share and discuss problems with regard to this site. Hopefully we will overcome and find solutions, so that we can create a sensitive, community facility that is sensitve also to local wildlife. Perhaps you may not know this, but there is a resident fox on the land. It leaves its tracks and evidence of its dietary habits. I am really pleased about this and would hate to evict it. We have also utilised the skills of TDP Invertebrate Surveyors and Consultants, Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Would you believe that already, we have catalogued 12 species of spider, 1 Harvestman, 10 Butterflies and Moths, 8 Beetles and numerous other small invertebrates. The survey was carried out in November, not the best time of year, but we have allocated some funds and would like to utilise TDPs' services again so that we can document the biodiversity of what appears to be a neglected and derelict piece of land. If you are interested in helping out within the garden. Please get in touch and I am sure we can find something for you to do.

Over the coming months, I would like to develop the Eco Matters page, providing information and engaging with others interested in protecting and promoting the environment and minimising our impact on this delicate planet. We can start within our own homes and communities. And yes, we can all make a difference, each and every single one of us, in whatever way we can, however small. We're running out of time and space and I would like my children to bring up their children, in a world where people care about and respect each other and also recognise the importance of caring about the planet and living in a sustainable way. Until next time my friends....bye for now.

ANDY HOLLIS.