Exploring all that’s eco, green and sustainable

GREEN WATCH is Glastonbury community radio’s monthly one hour show exploring all that’s eco, green and sustainable. The January edition goes on air this week, with a repeat on Saturday 30th January on GFM 107.1FM, between 2.00 and 3.00pm.
Launched last November, with a first or pilot show recorded at Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, the interest in a dedicated local green programme is growing as more people hear about it.
GFM’s development manager, Allan Trinder, says: “The aim of Green Watch is to highlight local countryside places, people, events and news of interest, including wildlife observations, eco-friendly tips and advice, what’s on around the communities, practical conservation, sustainable living... in fact all things environmental and green.”
In December the programme visited Somerset Organic Link, and focussed on their local food supply and delivery service run in combination with Somerset Local Food Direct. Christina Ballinger and Roger White explained their part in supplying fresh local organic food to the doorsteps of local customers.
January’s Green Watch makes a return visit to another part of Shapwick Heath NNR in the company of Natural England’s reserve manager, Simon Clarke, and conservation volunteer Karen Haddy. Karen explains what it is like being a volunteer and how she has gained new skills, which she hopes will help her find paid work in nature conservation.
Regular contributor Amy Lawson, who runs the Eco-friendly shop in Glastonbury and newly opened Eco-friendly Bites at the Peat Moors car park – serving refreshments to passersby, using locally sourced Somerset food – gives the what’s on news and eco friendly tips and advice.
Also included is Sunrise Celebration Festival organiser, Dan Hurring, who gives an insight into how the event began and explains about their eco policies which drive the whole not-for-profit festival, run by Natural Communities, a community interest company.
“Tickets to the festival are selling fast and we have a reduced price offer of £95 until they run out or the end of January, whichever is the sooner,” says Dan. He also explains how they will give life-long free entry to Sunrise for what are judged the best, most innovative, green ways by which ticket holders travel to this year’s festival (3 to 6 June). Details on how to register are on the website.
Additional regular contributors are being lined up to take part in the show, and visits to local eco homes, green events, farms, wildlife and country sites are being planned for the months ahead.
· Glastonbury 107.1 FM broadcasts free to air on the FM waveband across Glastonbury, Street and Wells and surrounding villages. It is a not-for-profit community interest company. News and contributions for Green Watch are very welcome, as is anyone with an interest in green issues and radio broadcasting who would like to help the programme. www.glastonburyfm.co.uk or telephone 01458 835299
· Sunrise tickets and details are available from www.sunrisecelebration.com or 0845 108 0259
Paul Lund