New Book on Hemp Lime Construction

Dear Greenbox Members:

Please see some information below from Tom Wooley:

attached is a flyer for a new book about Hemp Lime construction.
Construction with hemp was pioneered in Northern Ireland as a result of the late farmer John McGrady who was one of the first people to grow hemp in Ireland and Mark Alexander of Castlewellan.

A Hemp Lime wall has been built at the Hillsborough Research Centre which some NIEL members recently visited. We are currently building a hemcrete house in Crossgar

The book can be obtain from BRE Press or any good book service/shop
Rachel Bevan or I are available to give talks/demonstrations of hemp lime building
Hemp Lime buildings are carbon negative as they absorb C)2 into the building fabric.
Construction of typical house can save 30-60 tonnes of C02 or more compared with conventional construction

Click here to find out more

Sustainable Travel International

Sustainable Travel International has written a small piece about Greenbox's accreditation system. It's very complimentary, here is the extract:

Ireland’s Ecolabel Standard AssessedSustainable Travel International recently assessed Ireland’s Greenbox Ecolabel Standard and associated training course for community business owner participants. We met with Greenbox representatives, and assessed the course and participant knowledge in order to verify the strength of the program. We are happy to announce that thanks to Greenbox, the Northwest border region between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (UK) has one of the strongest regional ecotourism development efforts we have seen. Greenbox was founded upon a regional peace-through-tourism initiative geared toward educating communities about how to develop sustainable ecotourism practices. Through its membership base, Greenbox also offers travelers hundreds of short breaks, green holidays and eco tours. You can now travel to Ireland, and find quality tourism products and services that promote environmental, community and cultural heritage by visiting the Greenbox web site at http://www.greenbox.ie/.

To see the full e-newsletter, please click on the link below:

http://sustainabletravelinternational.qm4.net/members/ViewMailing.aspx?MailingID=116094

Change.ie Website

Hi Everyone

Change.ie have posted information about the Greenbox Ecolabel and the EU Flower.

Check it out here:

http://www.change.ie/en/Personal-Actions-II/Transport/Holidays/Environmental-standards/

Thanks! Karen.

BBC Northern Exposure votes Greenbox Members as simply the best

PRESS RELEASE

Friday the 15th August, BBC programme Northern Exposure visited Fermanagh. Orchard Acre Farm was voted one of the best 3 destinations in Fermanagh. The Eco Barn is a Flag ship project of the Greenbox. Teresa the proprietor is an active Greenbox member and Winner of the Inspirational Award 2007.

Lawrence rolled up those his famous fancy cuffs and got stuck into
a Beauty From Nature course with his lovely wife Jackie. Guided by expert tutor Pauline Corrigan from Florencecourt; a regular tutor on Orchard Acre Farm.

The programme turned the spotlight onto some of Northern Ireland’s best and most unusual places to visit. It’s no surprise that the brand new Eco Barn was selected from the many nominees as it is the only Eco facility of its kind in Northern Ireland designed by local award winning architects Keys and Monaghan.

Jackie remarked on the beautiful and quiet countryside around Orchard Acre. She spent ages in the garden chatting about its extensive range of plants and herbs with Teresa O’Hare owner of the Farm. A lover of gardening herself Jackie went home armed with new ideas and recipes on how to utilise natural ingredients herself at home in England.

Its no secret that the Llewelyn-Bowens love their comfort and they made great use of the modern and ecological facilities of the Barn. They took home information on other courses at the barn including cookery, willow craft and gardening and they promised to keep an watchful eye for more recipes on the Orchard Acre Farm web site.

http://www.orchardacrefarm.com/

eSymposium - 14.10.08 Ramada Hotel, Belfast

Click on the link below for all the information you will need for the Tourism Ireland esymposium, due to take place on the 14th October 2008 in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast.

http://newsweaver.ie/tourismirl/index000287958.cfm?x=bdf2gcs,b4NhQjTT

RTE Radio 1 - Interview with Greebox

Listen to an interview with Mary Mulvey and Molly Reynolds on the Greenbox and ecotourism which was broadcast on Friday, 15th August 2008

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/morningireland/

Media Coverage of Network Members

Tune in this evening between 5.30pm and 6.00pm to UTV Life to watch Jerome O'Loughlin of Ireland Ecotours speak with Pamela Balentine.

Also, this Friday (August 15th), Teresa O'Hare from Orchard Acre Farm will feature on BBC1 Northern Ireland at 9.00pm.