Middlewood Trust is seeking support to help win some money from Energy Share to develop an innovative hydro-electric system ..

Water gives life on its journey to the sea and replenishes springs if its liquid crystal structure is treated with respect. Natural water loves to flow in vortices that cool, purify and energise its structure. As the water temperature approaches 4 deg C it becomes more dense and reduces in volume. This creates a suction vacuum to pull more water behind it making the flow increase in speed and accumulate energy. Funnelling the flow channel speeds up the water flow. When water has learnt to flow with a natural centripetal vortex, it takes on an imploded structure that has great healing properties for humans and the natural world. This imploded water has a large amount of energy that can be used sensitively to create a very effective hydro- electricity generator.

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Event: 16th July 2011

For people who have completed their permaculture 72-hour design course and are thinking of going on to the diploma or just want to know more.

Led by Mark Bamford and Steve Beesley

Water is essential to all life on Earth, but in our modern societies we have become detached from it and think little of it as long as it continues to flow out of the tap. This course will bring our attention to natural systems, harvesting for drinking water, and watering. We will look at water treatment and alternatives to flushing the toilet. We will examine a number of designs that can be included in design work.

Lunch will be provided each day. Bring your own food for evening meal and breakfast; cooking facilities and cutlery/crockery are available in our bunkhouse. Bunk house, yurt accommodation and camping available. Bring a sleeping bag.

Cost £80.  Book via LILI website:  http://www.lowimpact.org/middlewood_permaculture_skills4.html

FREE sustainability programme for third sector organisations in Greater Manchester

MERCi is one of the leading sustainable development charities in the North West of England. We run and manage programmes to enable individuals, groups and organisations to live and work in a more sustainable way; environmentally, socially and economically.

The SUSTAINING CHANGE programme is a Big Lottery Funded programme which aims to work with the third sector (charities, voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises, cooperatives) to operate in a more sustainable way. We do this through offering FREE sustainability audits, FREE training, a FREE members network, FREE events and FREE peer mentoring.

We currently have 82 programme members throughout Greater Manchester. However, the representation from the green/ environmental sector is lacking. The programme doesn't just focus on environmental practices- an area in which these groups already excel. It also looks at the social aspects of sustainability; how do you include staff and service users in decision making; how do you ensure your service users are getting the service they want; how do you promote and market your successes, if at all; how do you create mutually benefical partnerships.....

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