DATE: WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL 2012

DROP IN ANY TIME BETWEEN 10AM – 12PM

So come along join in the fun and share your views and ideas about communities living sustainably, covering:

Energy efficiency advice and other measures such as solar panels and equipment designed to reduce your carbon footprint and put money back into your pocket;

Grow your own produce (community allotments);

Garden share schemes, pairs together eager gardeners with eager gardens. When neighbours come together and co-operatively grow food, dirt flies and good things can happen;

Information on reducing, re-using and recycling your waste.

**Enter our free draw, prizes include a wind-up radio and a solar powered water feature.**

PEOPLE on Longhill estate will be encouraged to go green and cut energy bills with the help of a new Lottery-funded project.

East Hull-based charity, Environmental And Management Solutions (EMS) Ltd is leading the scheme to cut fuel poverty and help people become more energy efficient.

EMS will be working with Probe Ltd, Preston Road Neighbourhood Development Company (NDC) Ltd, Hull City Council, East Hull Community Farm, Hull College and KMS Ltd on the Communities Living Sustainably project.

It will see the group set up a green homecare initiative for vulnerable people and try to reduce food miles by urging residents to buy local produce and use their gardens to grow fruit and veg.

Jan Boyd, chief executive of EMS Ltd, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with residents and partners to promote green issues, help residents save money on energy bills and protect the environment.”

The scheme is one of 30 across the country to be awarded £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

It is part of a long-term Big Lottery scheme which aims to tackle fuel poverty, rising food prices and scarce resources by inspiring people to adapt the way they live and work to reap financial, environmental and health rewards.

Organisers will initially carry out an energy efficiency survey, host more sustainable community events and set up an environmental road show to develop the bid.

If successful in its initial stages, the partnership will then receive up to £1million to deliver its ideas over a five year period.

Geoff Groom, chief executive of Preston Road NDC Ltd, said: “The opportunities that this partnership affords for our communities to come together will make a big difference in reducing inequalities.

“We aim to make every penny count in inspiring residents and supporting them to make our city a model for sustainable communities everywhere.”

Steve Alltoft, general manager of Probe Ltd, added: “The potential of this proposal to really make a difference to a whole range of people living in the areas covered is enormous and this combined with the green aims make it a real win-win situation.

“We need to secure the next stage and the partnership will be working hard over the coming weeks to try to do that.”

The team will work in partnership with local people, schools, businesses and voluntary groups to draw up detailed plans on how their community can be greener.

The learning gained from the projects will be used to inform and influence others across the country.

Vanessa White, head of the Big Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We want to support local communities to make greener choices to improve their quality of life and help them to become resilient to the changing environment.”

A partnership led by Groundwork UK and including BRE, Federation of City Farms, Energy Savings Trust and nef has been appointed to deliver support, advice and guidance to help the community partnerships achieve their goals.

Environmental and Management Solutions (EMS) Ltd are leading a partnership to work alongside residents of the Longhill and Southcoates East Wards to look at ways to reduce fuel poverty to help them become more energy efficient and to make greener lifestyle choices.

The partnership is one of only 30 country-wide to the picked by the Big Lottery Fund and consists of EMS Ltd, Probe Ltd, Preston Road NDC Ltd, Hull City Council, East Hull Community Farm, Hull College and KMS Ltd.

The partnership has been awarded £10,000 in order to conduct a resident energy efficiency survey, greening the community events and setting up of an environmental road-show to help develop the bid further.

If successful the partnership will receive up to £1 million to encourage and support residents in energy efficiency, the use of sustainable resources and providing support and guidance to vulnerable people.

Jan Boyd, Chief Executive of EMS Ltd stated that: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with residents and partners to promote green issues and help residents save money on energy bills and protect the environment. I can’t wait to get started on developing the bid.”

Geoff Groom, Chief Executive of Preston Road NDC Ltd said: “The opportunities that this partnership affords for our communities to come together will make a big difference in reducing inequalities. We aim to make every penny count in inspiring residents and supporting them to make our city a model for sustainable communities everywhere. “

Steve Alltoft, General Manager of Probe Ltd says: “We are delighted to be part of this partnership and we are very pleased that the proposal has progressed to the second stage. The potential of this proposal to really make a difference to a whole range of people living in the areas covered is enormous and this combined with the Green aims make it a real win win situation. We need to secure the next stage and the partnership will be working hard over the coming weeks to try to do that.”

Hull charity EMS Yorkshire is looking for a 2011 winner of its Christmas Spirit award, which celebrates someone whose good deeds should be recognised.
The Christmas Spirit Award has been devised by EMS, which delivers neighbourhood management services in the Southcoates East Ward area of Hull and runs the environmental contest, Park Area in Bloom. Last year’s inaugural winner was pensioner Keith Power for his voluntary work at St Aidan’s Church in Southcoates Avenue.

EMS Neighbourhood Manager Andy Rees explains: “There must be dozens of Keith’s around the area who give up a little time to help a neighbour, group or community. Many unsung heroes do their good deeds because it’s instinctive, but occasionally it’s nice to say thank you. We’re launching the search now so we can give the winner a great start to their Christmas and give them an unexpected festive gift.”

Nominations, which must be for people who either live in the Southcoates East area or do their work in the Ward, can be made straight away but all entries must be in by December 17th. Contact Andy Rees on 01482 709810, email andy@emsyorkshire.co.uk or write to Andy Rees, EMS Yorkshire, Unit E, Preston Road Village Centre, Hull HU9 3QB, giving reasons why your nominee should be considered. Andy is also on the look-out for prize donations from local companies.

(Photograph is the 2010 winner Keith Power).

They have the same first name, live in the same part of Hull and a love of gardening in common, and both now have a clutch of awards for their passions, but one nearly missed the opportunity.

Dennis Appleby, 66, has been able to devote a lot more time in his first full year of retirement in his triangular–shaped garden at home in Uxbridge Grove but can boast probably one of the biggest hanging baskets anywhere. His one-metre diameter construction in the front garden was specially made by a welder friend, but was one of 17 hanging baskets to adorn the property this summer. However, with a surplus of plants, for the second year running he donated two for use at the entrance to Oldfleet Primary School, and made a further 20 to practically give away to neighbours.

He says: “I could have started a business doing this, putting the baskets out on a clothes rail outside. I love gardening and have 11 water features, as well as bizarre artefacts to put containers on. Despite all this, I didn’t think until last year that I could enter Park Area in Bloom because I didn’t have any lawn. People passed the house and urged me to put in for it, so I rang EMS and they sent me the paperwork. I don’t know what happened this year as I left it late to enter. I was then frustrated that I missed the judges when they visited because I’d popped out briefly, they came early and didn’t see the garden at its best, with all the water features on.

Ironically, the former construction site engineer did not grow up with a garden and it was only when he moved into his first matrimonial home on Greatfield that he started developing the greenfingers. “I remember seeing this yellow flower in the corner of the garden and I nurtured it to grow. I later found out it was a mustard seed! I landscaped the garden, had a pond, and really enjoyed it. “ When they moved after 32 years, he tackled the overgrown garden straight away.

This year, Dennis picked up the Park Area and the city’s Containers and Hanging Baskets Award and also took the Innovation and Design prize for the second year. “My ambition now is to win the city’s hanging baskets award twice running as no one’s achieved that yet.”

Dennis Shaw from Arthur Lucan Close has a long history of winning in the Hull in Bloom competition and he again pulled off victory for the OAP Garden. He has also received an extra award in 2011 from his housing association. Longhurst and Havelock Homes have made him a Shining Star. Hull neighbourhood officer Gill Brown nominated him and says: “Shining Stars recognise a resident’s contribution to the community or for an achievement. Dennis has worked very hard on his garden, has over the years helped with gardening on the development, and this award was to say thank you for his positive contributions. I was thrilled to present Dennis with £25 and a certificate.”

These recipients were among many rewarded by Park Area in Bloom organisers, EMS Yorkshire, a local charity that runs environmental and neighbourhood management projects in the Hull area at a ceremony at the Freedom Centre on Preston Road.

John Parkes from Springdale Close again won both the Park Area and Hull in Bloom front garden award, whilst pupils and staff at Gillshill Primary School also picked up area and city titles in the school category, with Marfleet close behind.

EMS Chief Executive Jan Boyd says: “We’ve become very proud of our devout gardeners but I’m particularly thrilled for the schools, doing so well. We’re the best–supported In Bloom area in the city but I’d love to see more people and businesses becoming involved in the 2012 contest and make it an even better year.”

“We hope in the near future to work with residents, community groups, Hull City Council and businesses to develop green and open spaces city-wide. What’s ideal is we have a number of gardening experts in the Park area we can contact for ideas and designs.”

I have probably scarcely been more full of praise for the hard work and dedication of a band of 10 people who have been supporting EMS Yorkshire’s tidy-up of Hull’s Southcoates East Ward this summer.

As a charity, it is our responsibility to look after the neighbourhood management of the Preston Road Estate and, for August, we came up with a plan for 31 Days Cleaner. This was to clean up the streets, play areas and open spaces of this Estate and tackle the constant litter problems.

Through the Council’s Park Area Team, I was put in touch with the Community Task Force run by Hull Council for Voluntary Service (CVS). This is a group of young unemployed who have been out of work for six months and who join the programme for 13 weeks to tackle jobs in the community. They receive an additional £15 on top of their Jobseeker’s Allowance payment for putting in a 30-hour week. They also have access to courses and references in return. Their commitment was 100% and they tackled every job with no complaints. Some travelled a long way to be here – as far afield as Market Weighton to fulfil their Task Force duties – citing a common reason to escape the four walls of their homes, do something constructive with their day and build-up the confidence that can easily be sapped with unemployment.

There were three weeks of litter-picking and I am sure they must have been disheartened to see the litter returning. Their biggest challenge was to clear what turned out to be 2.5 tons of fly-tipped rubbish on Clare Grove. Everything came out of this narrow strip of common land – discarded tyres, a vacuum cleaner, deep fat fryer, old carpet, televisions and, yes, even a cuddly toy. The Task Force cleared this area in a day and gave everyone who took part a real sense of achievement, even if this fly-tipping should not have been allowed to build up. I suppose we should not have to rely on this labour to clear the problems in our urban estates, but it has proved highly cost-effective this time.

After a year of contributing to improving Hull, I understand this initiative will be finishing at the end of September and I pay tribute to the work of the team in the hope that more funding can be found for them.

So Southcoates East is a much cleaner Ward as a result of a summer of hard graft. I would also like to thank the Lifestyle team from Hessle who helped weed the community garden EMS is planning near the Freedom Centre. We will be thanking everyone who has responded to community initiatives in the area with a celebration night in October. It will be another occasion when I will think back on a summer of hard work by a few people for the benefit of so many.

Andy Rees, Neighbourhood Manager, EMS Yorkshire Ltd.

East Hull Charity EMS Yorkshire Ltd is thrilled at the number of residents who have entered Park Area in Bloom 2011.

31 people have put their gardens, hanging baskets or allotments through for judging which will take place over two days (Thursday 14th and Friday 15th July).

Jan Boyd, Chief Executive or EMS Yorkshire Ltd is looking forward to the judging and hopes to improve on last years three winners of the city-wide Hull in Bloom Competition.

Jan said “To get three winners for Hull and Bloom in 2010 was amazing I hope we repeat the feat or do even better in 2011! I am thrilled at the number of people who have entered this year; the actually judging is going to be very hard. Whatever the results everyone involved in the EMS Yorkshire Ltd Summer Programme will all be invited to the celebration event to be held at the Freedom Centre, Preston Road on the 12 October”.

East Hull’s hugely-successful environmental competition, Park Area in Bloom, is returning for 2011 and residents, businesses, schools and community groups are being urged to “say it with flowers” and bring some colour into their neighbourhoods.

Park Area in Bloom, covering parts of east Hull, is being run by the charity, EMS Yorkshire Ltd, for the second year, in conjunction with Hull City Council’s Park Area Team and the Preston Road Neighbourhood Development Company Ltd.

The competition, which is open to residents, businesses, allotment holders, community groups and schools, is part of the overall Hull in Bloom contest and normally attracts the biggest entry in the city. This year, the organisers are calling on schools and businesses to make their mark in East Hull in 2011.

Margaret Cundill of Westerdale Grove not only won last year’s Park Area in Bloom competition for her hanging baskets and containers but went on to scoop the overall Hull in Bloom title. Mrs Cundill, who had hip replacement surgery 18 months ago, found building hanging baskets very therapeutic.

She says: “Entering Park Area in Bloom has been a great success for me, Since I started in 2006, I’ve done incredibly well and it makes me want to do better each time I enter. I spend a lot of time in my garden and love every minute of it. I was thrilled to win the Hull in Bloom prize last year and it has made me more determined to produce even more colourful baskets this year.”

EMS Chief Executive Jan Boyd says: “Looking after their garden is a real passion for a number of residents, but taking part in Park Area in Bloom is something that everyone could do. I’d really love to see many more businesses, schools and community groups in the Park Area becoming involved. People don’t have to spend a lot, it costs nothing to enter and colourful plants and flowers really lift the area. “Over 80 residents attended last year’s awards ceremony at the Freedom Centre so we are sure of a great night, come October.”
The categories are:

Best Displays by a public house, commercial organisation, community group, and school;

Best Front, Back or Full Garden; and Allotment Garden;

Best Planted Container or Hanging Basket;

Best Contribution to Wildlife.

The closing date is Friday 9th July and judging will take place the following week, with an awards ceremony at the Freedom Centre, Preston Road Village Centre, on Wednesday 12th October.

Entry forms are available from EMS on 01482 709810, email info@emsyorkshire.co.uk.