Recent Comments

1. Choose to have one meat-free day a week in your home - 12 Nov 2005

   I would like to become vegetarian. I am doing ethics at college and because of some of the information I have been reading about animal rights or lack of them, I am going to try to stop causing the suffering of animals. I do not know how long I will keep this up, but once all the meat in the house has been eaten, no more will be purchased. If anyone wants to try to alleviate the suffering of animals, stop buying Chicken, pork and beef. Lamb is a little more humane, they are at least free to run around in field for a little while.

2. Choose to have one meat-free day a week in your home - 12 Nov 2005

   I would like to become vegetarian. I am doing ethics at college and because of some of the information I have been reading about animal rights or lack of them, I am going to try to stop causing the suffering of animals. I do not know how long I will keep this up, but once all the meat in the house has been eaten, no more will be purchased. If anyone wants to try to alleviate the suffering of animals, stop buying Chicken, pork and beef. Lamb is a little more humane, they are at least free to run around in field for a little while.

3. Change Someone's Life With A Book - 18 Nov 2005

   Books are amazing, they give new understanding, they thrill, they entertain, they give live new direction. Give a well chosen book and make an impact.

4. Improve your home's energy efficiency - 06 Apr 2006

   About to have a major go at this. Emptying the loft of all the clutter that has accumilated up there. When that is gone we are going to increase loft insulation to a depth of 10 inch. Awaiting a survey to see how much wall insulation will cost for our house. Its a modern semi-detached supposedly built using thermolite building blocks but I reckon that the insulation of these walls could be improved. Comfort will be improved a little money will be saved and hopefully it will help the enviroment.

5. Improve your home's energy efficiency - 06 Apr 2006

   I recently had a new condensing boiler fitted. If these are supposed to be more efficient how come it throws out a load of steam when its running? Surely there should be less vapour. Any one know why this should be the case?

6. Switch To Energy Saving Lightbulbs - 15 Apr 2006

   At last I have finally got some low energy bulbs to replace candle bulbs in some wall lights that have constantly been blowing bulbs ever since we bought them some eight years ago.

   Check these out they were only 47p at ASDA. I cant figure this out as most other low energy bulbs were £5+.

   These were fit today 15/4/06 and are supposed to last 6+ years. The standard candle bulbs overheat and generally last about 3 months.

   Next light to change is the main one in the living room. It has 3X100 watt, although it is seldom switched on.

7. Switch it off at the Plug. (Don't Stand By.) - 05 Jul 2006

   I want to do this. I have already started with the telly. I would like to do this with the computer base + monitor + speakers + modem, but my son insists that they use more energy when being started up.

   Who knows the answer to this one?

   I cannot do it with the video, I have to set it up again after the main switch has been off. I expect its the same with the DVD. Microwave also needs resetting.

   Shame really as I would like to save myself money as well as the planet.

8. Improve your home's energy efficiency - 17 Sep 2006

   We have just had our cavity walls insulated. We got a cheap deal through our electricity supplier. It cost us £125 and it carries a 25 year guarantee. We have noticed the difference already. The real test will come when the cold weather comes. One of our bedrooms always got chilly in the night when the heating was off. Hopefully it will be warmer from now on.

9. Switch To Energy Saving Lightbulbs - 11 Jun 2008

   I’ve just taken the wall down between the kitchen and dining room. The kitchen has always been dark. I need to upgrade lights. Kitchen currently has a florescent strip light and dining has a traditional light fitting with a energy saver bulb.

   Any suggestions on how to improve light and keep down energy? Downlighters preferred. What are the options?

10. Buy Nothing on Buy Nothing Day (November 26th) - 10 Nov 2008

    I first became aware of

11. Buy Nothing on Buy Nothing Day (November 26th) - 10 Nov 2008

    I first became aware of “buy nothing day” whilst shopping in Chester. A year or so later I saw a similiar event in Leeds. I used some of the literature as part of a presentation at college. I think it’s a very commendable idea and I will try to find a bunch of giveaways to donate to any group in my area that are doing this. I hope there is a group in the Blackburn / Bolton area.

12. Switch it off at the Plug. (Don't Stand By.) - 12 Jan 2009

    TV is now fitted with an adapter plug that is designed to switch off computer peripherals. So when the TV is switched off at the switch the adapter plug turns off the DVD player and the cable TV box. Ok so it takes a little time for the devices to set themselves up when TV is switched back on but hey its saving me a little bit of money and if enough of us do it maybe the planet too.

    I’ve also ditched the video recorder, well actually it’s stored on top of the wardrobe. I really ought to give it away along with the video tapes.

13. Start An Allotment - Or Half A Plot - 12 Jan 2009

    I’m trying to get an allotment but our local council is a little reluctant to provide any in our town. We are part of a larger conurbation which does have some provision but its not exactly local.