REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
The Federation is committed to adopting green policies whenever possible, and to informing our members of strategies to combat climate change.     Climate Change is the greatest threat mankind has ever faced, and barring a collision with an asteroid, or the eruption of a mega volcano, it will be the most likely cause of the extinction of our species.  Unless we all recognise this fact, and encourage our politicians to adopt policies to tackle climate change, we will leave future generations with a planet that can no longer support human life.

We can all do the little things that make a difference, and we can press the governments of the world to do the big things.

If you have any energy saving tips let us know. Here are two for starters:
 
Cooking - use a pan which is the same size as the cooker ring to prevent heat loss, and ensure that the flame on a gas hob does not splay around the base of the pan and up the sides.

Washing - use a low temperature setting and only wash full loads or a half-load on economy setting.
    
For more information see www.leics.gov.uk/enable

EXCESS PACKAGING
The laws on packaging set essential requirements that businesses must meet, including obligations to ensure that only the minimum amount of packaging necessary is used, and that packaging materials are environmentally friendly.  

If you think a product is over packaged, or with postal goods the transit packaging is excessive, you can complain to Trading standards on  08454 04 05 06

PENNIES INTO PROJECTS
May Kidd, Deputy President of ACWW – Associated Country Women of the World 

was the keynote speaker at the recent meeting in South Wigston, and how inspiring she proved to be. She shared many of her experiences as European Area President including a moving account of her visit to Latvia monitoring an ACWW Project. To hear at first hand that our pennies really do make a difference, giving women knowledge that someone does care, was invaluable. The money for the Ghana Project, which is still ongoing, so far amounts to £2,438. This has already made a difference in reducing disease by providing more hygienic facilities.

Our next speaker, Anthony Herbert,
explained about the Christian run charity Send A Cow, set up to help rural families in African countries break away from subsistence level farming. 

Finally Sarah Shepherd
talked about Traidcraft, a cooperative set up to obtain fair prices for products from developing countries. For over 10 years Leicester has had its own Fair trade shop JUST which she was keen to tell us was moving to larger premises in St. Martins Square for the 10 weeks before Christmas  and encouraged us to visit.

ACWW - GHANA PROJECT
To all those WIs who have sent in donations for the Ghana project - many thanks.

If you have any interesting details or photos of your fundraising please send them to WI House for the PA team to display at our meeting in October.

HELP NEEDED TO FIND REGION'S RAREST MAMMAL - THE DORMOUSE
Conservationists in Leicestershire and Rutland have launched an appeal for help in a major survey aimed at finding if one of Britain’s rarest animals still exists in the two counties.

If you are interested in helping contact the Dormouse Project on 0116 267 1950 / 0116 2293632 or by e-mail  wildlife@leics.gov.uk  or write to: Dormouse Project, Holly Hayes Environmental Resources Centre, 216 Birstall Rd Birstall, Leicester LE4 4DG

FROM JAM TO COINS FOR ACWW
Last July Shepshed WI members took home jars of home made marmalade or blackcurrant jam with the hope that they could enjoy the contents and refill the jars with coins to help the Ghana Project appeal. The result was a donation of £81.84.

WOMEN REACHING WOMEN
Around the world women are consistently denied their basic rights and are more likely to be poor than men.  And the impacts of climate change are making women’s lives harder. Women Reaching Women is a national WI initiative taking the form of fantastic local events including: speakers, films and discussions.  Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the challenges women face and how you can make a difference. Contact your local Federation Office for event details.

LEICESTERSHIRE TOGETHER DECLARATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
This pledge is for Leicestershire organisations wishing to publicly declare their commitment to tackling climate change whether a business, charity, voluntary organisation, school, Parish or Town Council. A number of organisations have already signed up including Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of Women’s Institutes and The Leicestershire Rural Community Council. As part of signing the declaration, organisations are committed to producing a Climate Change Action Plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from their own activities.  

To view a copy of the declaration, click on the download on the right-hand side of this page.

To sign up to the declaration or find out more about this extremely important initiative, send an email to enable@leics.gov.uk.  or click on:  www.leics.gov.uk/enable.

Environmental Action for a Better Leicestershire (ENABLE) will be providing you an information pack and guidance on how to take practical steps, including copies of the Declaration for display in your premises. ENABLE has produced a Climate Change Strategy and developed Climate Change Action Plan for Leicestershire. This is a generic Action Plan which organisations can adapt according to their circumstances. A directory for further information on climate change is also included. The ENABLE website has information on climate change and the Strategy and Action Plan for Leicestershire.

COMMUNITY HALLS FOR RURAL PEOPLE
NFWI has joined the Rural communities Buildings Network which aims to support owners of community halls, offering advice and sharing experience.

DEFRA has launched a website which provides information and links to funding and other advise for running community halls:
www.defra.gov.uk/rural/communities/halls/default.htm or tel. 0845 933 5577

RECYCLE SITE
We have been contacted by Will Scurlock of 2recycle.co, regarding reducing household waste. This website is for people to advertise any unwanted household goods that might be of use to someone else, rather than disposing of them as landfill. The items are donated and it is free for both parties. He may be contacted at: will@2recycle.co.uk.

Consult www.recycle4charity.co.uk who will provide freepost poly-envelopes for the latter two and give you further information. Their address is: Recycle4charity, FREEPOST, SEA 14098, Lewes, BN8 5BR
Ann Edmunds, PA&I Committee

POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNTS
HURRAH! Commonsense has prevailed and the Government has ultimately decided to award the new POCA contract to the Post Office which means the facility will now be in place until at least the year 2015.