|
About Us
News |
HSBC Environmental Awards 2009 GREEN schemes across the Isle of Man received a boost thanks to a new awards scheme. More than £18,000 was donated to 17 organisations in the HSBC Environmental Awards 2009, developed in partnership with Isle of Man Newspapers and the Department of Local Government and the Environment. An extra £2,500 will be donated to two schools soon.
Native Oak Group and Permaculture Association Isle of Man received the biggest share of the money: £5,000 to build a 1KW wind turbine to generate electricity for Kerrowkneale community allotments in Jurby. It is hoped the use of fossil fuels would be reduced by providing renewal energy for rechargable electric strimmers, mowers and hedge trimmers. It would also recharge an electric bike used to transport food from the site to the Ramsey farmers' market.
Amanda Griffin, of the Native Oak Group, thanked the judges for their support. She said the scheme would prove that wind energy could be successfully harnessed and hoped it would encourage more schemes in the future. Nine schools received money, between £250 to £2,000 for a range of initiatives, many of them planting schemes and developing school gardens. DLGE recycling manager Stephanie Gray said: 'It's about getting young people aware of the environment at an early age. If we can get them involved we've got a better chance of making a difference and tackling issues like climate change.' Queen Elizabeth II High School received £2,000 to develop its tree nursery, planned to offset students' carbon emissions from travelling to school. The money will also be used to fund the school's eco-day, buy chicken coops and a composting bin.
Ballakermeen High School wants to buy a reverse vending machine, to collect plastic bottles which will then be recycled and made into school blazers. Meanwhile, Isle of Man Woodland Trust plans to use £1,400 to create a mixed native broadleaf/conifer woodland at Sartfell, which will be open to the public. The Manx Energy Advice Centre will buy an air heat source pump, which absorbs heat from the outside air and can be used to heat either air or water, to raise awareness about renewable energy. Mike Hennessy, area manager for HSBC Bank in the Isle of Man, said the branch was the first in the British Isles to have backed an environmental awards scheme. The bank will also offer practical support through staff volunteering and sharing its global knowledge of best practice. Environment Minister John Shimmin, who presented the awards, said: 'I am are delighted to be involved with so many organisations and groups which are actively working towards enhancing our environment. 'The money donated by HSBC will hopefully help to develop this enthusiasm to even greater heights.' Award winners: 
St Ninian's High School - £1,500
This article has been reproduced by kind permission of Isle of Man Newspapers. Additional Information and Thanks |
Site Content © Permaculture Association (Isle of Man)
Website © Louisa Bawden
More than 25 organisations applied for money to develop a green scheme, asking for more than £100,000.
The site has 17 rent-free allotments for people living up to 10 miles away and is open to school visits. The money will also be used to improve the educational facilities.
Peel Clothworkers School plans to use one of the old boats used to ferry passengers across Peel harbour as a feature in a garden and outdoor teaching area.
The awards evening was an inspiring event with so many great environmentally sound ideas and schemes receiving funding. The Native Oak Group's plans were by far the biggest and we are all delighted with the award. As a not for profit organisation that works towards goals of sustainable food production and lifestyles on the Isle of Man we work hard to push the boundaries of what is achievable. Your report touches on some of the scheme but not all of it; energy from the turbine will also provide electricity for use in our tree nursery and the polytunnel that grows salads for sale at Farmers' Markets. Having power on site will transform the way we work and open up numerous possibilities. We particularly need to thank George Fincher of Digital Development for helping put the designs together and to The Permaculture Association Isle of Man for supporting the plans. We have been working on these ideas for over two year but did not have the funds to make it happen, and now we have; big thanks again to HSBC and DLGE for backing us.