The Fife Diet

Did anybody notice the winners of the "Best Ethical Contribution" in the Observer Food Awards, publicised in this week's Observer Food Monthly?  I'm sure we should be doing this round here.  What could be better than the Mourne diet?  The Fife people challenged each other to eat local produce for a year and report back on what is possible.  The results are a Fife diet that consists about 80% of local produce, with items allowed which have no local seasonal equivalent such as: lemons; coffee; tea; chocolate (yo!); spices (and I would have to hope for bananas).  The theory is celebrating local goodness, not 'an exercise in self denial'.  The Fife group says that some of them 'dabble in gardening', so you don't have to commit to the Good Life.  The good news is that the group report almost halving their shopping bill, and the challenge is they report doubling time on food preparation.  Eating seasonally becomes essential, and the www.fifediet.co.uk allows the group to share their recipes in order to achieve this.  Could we do it?

Updating the Grounds Map

The Ulster Wildlife Trust, Jean Forbes, Stephen Hanna, Derek Bailey and the Wildlife Group all had a hand in this week's update of our grounds plan.  Jean reported back to the Board of Governors estates committee, and it was great to hear what has been achieved through thoughtful planting and the addition of bat boxes, bird boxes etc.  Even better to hear the new plans for future action.  All students were asked to consider joining up on a Tuesday afternoon and contributing some time for planting etc.

So they Were

EAGA sent back a message that our students were a tribute to to their parents and their school. We were presented with a beautifully wee crystal trophy which is now on display in our cabinet in the hall. Our group came back with application forms for next year, and also ideas for arts based additions to our grounds.

Off to EAGA

Four of our students will be travelling with volunteer staff member Jeanette Lovell to the EAGA celebration which had to be cancelled last month.  The students will be taking photos of the recycling bins we bought with the grant we won.  They will also be taking evidence of all our recent Eco work.  The purpose of the event is to celebrate the groups like ours which have already won a grant and to launch the grants scheme for 2009.  I'm sure our students will be inspirational.

The Eco House that Gerry Built

9B, with the help of Gerry and Carol, have built from kit an eco dollshouse,, complete with water butt, solar panels, recycling bins, wind turbine etc. The house has already provoked lots of comment. The building materials are quick growing rubberwood, which is easily replaced.

Going Green

• Co-chair of Green Party gives talk to our politics students – On Thursday 5th February Dr. John Barry (QUB) gave a presentation ‘Green politics in Northern Ireland and beyond.’ By all accounts it was enjoyed by both Paddy and the students – and with recent comments from current minister for the environment – let’s hope that seeds of change are allowed to continue to flourish

Good Editing

• A big thank you goes to Emily, Danas, Josh and Glenn from Derek Bailey’s year ten science group who prepared the ‘environmental science in the news’ display for open day. They sorted through four months of newspaper clippings and put together a brilliant piece of work for display in the science corridor along with presenting the work undertaken by those of the wildlife group. Emily deserves particular merit and watch out Piers Morgan – there is an editor in the making there, great work guys!