This section of our site covers local and national alternative community resources, which we hope will be of help if you are thinking of setting up your own business, or simply want to live or eat more healthily and / or decently. Additional links are always welcome.

Click on these anchor links to jump to the section of your choice:

Alternative Energy | Conservation
Environment Organisations and Political Groups
Energy Saving | Fair Trade | Green Builders
| Health and Fitness | Organic Food | Recycling
| Services | Shopping | Vegetarianism
| Transport | Work |

GENERAL SITES
• Alternative Guide to Lancaster
A guide to local alternative businesses

• Corporate Watch UK
The Earth isn't dying, it's being killed. And the murderers have names and addresses...

• Eco-Portal
Provides full text searches of reviewed environmental Internet content, news, links etc.

• The EIC Guide to the UK Environmental Industry

• Five E's Unlimited
On this site you will find a "virtual library" at your finger tips on the many elements of sustainable devlopment. The site offers hundreds of searchable resources to help communities, businesses, educators, researchers, policy makers, environmental managers, legislators, and households make better decisions.

• Five Year Freeze Campaign
The Five Year Freeze campaign is supported by an alliance of over 50 national organisations who share the public's deep concern over the speed at which genetic engineering is being introduced into food and farming. The alliance encompasses a wide range of interests including environmental campaigns, local authorities, development charities, religious groups, retailers and consumer bodies. They are united by a belief that we must stop and think about the huge implications of this new technology.

• Global Environmental Change Programme
The Global Environmental Change Programme, is the largest ever social science research initiative in the UK on any issue. The site gives access to publications such as 'Producing greener, consuming smarter' and 'Who governs the global environment'.

• GOOSHING
The free ethical shopping tool from The Good Shopping Guide makes it easy to buy brands from the most responsible companies at the cheapest price… and boycott those corporates that don’t care about animal welfare, human rights or the environment..

• One world
This site contains upto date information from across the planet, especially for issues related to poverty. Additionally links to a number of useful organisations are listed.

• RuralNet
ruralnet|online is a relationship-based peer support network. On ruralnet|online, knowledge is shared, partnerships are formed, ideas are crystallised into projects, projects are developed and efficiently managed for the benefit of rural people.

• Sustainability North West
Working through partnerships for the sustainable development of NorthWest England.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Links welcome
Local
National

LOCAL

Woosh Energy
CityLab, 4-6 Dalton Square, Lancaster LA1 1PP
Tel: 01524 590 590
Email: info@wooshenergy.com
Woosh Energy is a Lancaster-based renewable energy company that provides individuals, businesses and community groups with the means to access and install renewable energy technologies. Woosh offers a comprehensive advice, project management and installation service and specializes in small-to-medium sized wind turbines.

NATIONAL

• The Centre for Alternative Technology
Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZ UK
General Enquiries: +44 (0)1654 705950
Aims to inspire people to explore sustainable solutions to create a better world. Open to the public and offers residential courses.

• Energy Devleopment Co-operative Limited
The Old Brewery, Oulton Broad Industrial Estate, Harbour Road, Oulton Broad, Suffolk, UK, NR32 3LZ.
Tel: 0870 745 11 19 Fax: 0870 745 11 20
E-mail: info@unlimited-power.co.uk
Renewable energy ideas for the home. Visitors by appointment only please.

• Unit-E
freephone 0800 0288 552
Renewable sourced Electricity suppliers. unit[e] is an independent, UK company which supplies only 100 per cent renewable energy products to homes and businesses and is currently rated no1 in the "green energy" league by Friends of the Earth.
unit[e] is owned by Monkton Group PLC, a company with private shareholders and committed to investing in the future of renewable energy. unit[e] sources all its renewable energy from wind power and small hydro generation stations throughout the UK.
It specialises in small-scale generation helping to protecting natural habitats as well as providing a future market for British generators.

WireFreeDirect Ltd
Tel: 0208 663 3273
Beckenham based company selling a range of solar, wind and renewable energy products suitable for all environments.

CONSERVATION

EPIC (Exmoor Ponies in Conservation)
also at http://epicrus.supanet.com
Based in Silverdale.

Supported by: English Nature; Day,Son and Hewitt; Dodson and Horrell. (ENTRUST reg. Environmental Body)

ENVIRONMENT ORGANISATIONS AND POLITICAL PARTIES
Links welcome

• Greenpeace
Greenpeace UK, Canonbury Villas, London, N1 2PN
Tel: 020 7865 8100 Fax: 020 7865 8200
Email questions about Greenpeace and its campaigns to info@uk.greenpeace.org
And for supporter enquiries email supporter@uk.greenpeace.org

• Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood Street, London N1  7JQ UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7490 1555

The largest international network of environmental groups in the world, represented in 68 countries, and one of the leading environmental pressure groups in the UK National green campaign group.
Locally, contact North Lancashire Friends of the Earth.

• BTCV
Sedum House, Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB
Tel: 01302 388883. Fax: 01302 311531
General information: Information@btcv.org.uk
UK Working Holidays: Natural-Breaks@btcv.org.uk
International Department: International@btcv.org.uk
Group Membership: Local-Groups@btcv.org.uk
BTCV North West Regional Office
16 Grimshaw Street, PRESTON, Lancashire, PR1 3DD
Tel: 01772 204 647. Fax: 01772 257 106
A UK charity working with people to do conservation work.A study by the Oxford Centre for Health Care Research and Development at Oxford Brookes University has found that volunteers in an outdoor conservation project improved their mental health as a result of taking part.
The study was commissioned by BTCV and the East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority who set up the BTCV Green Gym project in Portslade following a successful pilot project in Oxfordshire.

• Green Party
London Office: 1a Waterlow Road, London, N19 5NJ
Tel: 020 7272 4474, 10am-4pm for membership and administrative matters.
E-mail: office@greenparty.org.uk

Lancaster Green Party
4 Rossmoyne Rd, Lancaster, LA1 4SN
Tel: 01524 380169
E-mail:  emilyheath@clara.net

• UKEnvironment.org
A weblog about environmental issues. A rolling journal of practical hints and tips for day-to-day green thinking.

ENERGY SAVING

• The Energy Saving Trust
If you have any questions about the scheme or wish to apply for accreditation, please contact:
Graham Carr, Energy Saving Trust, 21 Dartmouth Street London
SW1H 9BP
Tel : 020 7222 0101 Fax: 020 7654 2444
Email: grahamc@est.co.uk

Set up in 1992 the aim of this trust is to deliver energy efficiency to domestic consumers in order to reduce global warming.

FAIR TRADE

Fair Trade Links

• The Fair Trade Foundation
The Fairtrade Foundation exists to ensure a better deal for marginalised and disadvantaged third world producers. Set up by CAFOD, Christian Aid, New Consumer, Oxfam, Traidcraft and the World Development Movement, the Foundation awards a consumer label, the Fairtrade Mark, to products which meet internationally recognised standards of fair trade. The founding organisations were later joined by Britain's largest women's organisation, the Women's Institute.

• Equal Exchange
Equal Exchange Trading is a Fair Trade company distributing Organic & Fair Trade products in the independent natural food sector. They have their own branded Fair Trade products as well as distributing other selected brands such as cafedirect and Divine Chocolate.

• Ghanavegfairtrade.com
Ghana Veg Fairtrade Uk Ltd., is dedicated to improving the conditions in which some Ghana farmers and their familes are living in at present. They aim to help the farmers to get a good and fair price for their fruit and vegetables.

• Traidcraft
Traidcraft operates on the principle that by paying a fair price for the products we buy, and establishing long term relationships of partnership and co-operation, we can help poor communities to work their way out of poverty and create a more equitable world. Most of Traidcraft’s trading partners are community-based enterprises and associations of small holder farmers organised for the benefit of their producers and growers.

GREEN BUILDERS
Links welcome

• Lancaster Co-Housing
Lancaster Co-Housing is developing a cutting edge eco- and socially- sustainable neighbourhood build project of 20 homes here in Lancaster city centre. Come and join us at our public launch of, and learn about how you can be part of a cutting edge eco- and socially-sustainable neighbourhood build project here in Lancaster city centre. If you wish to learn more, or are interested in living in such a community, visit www.lancastercohousing.org.uk.
You join our information list by sending an email to LancasterCohousing-subscribe@yahoogroups.co.uk This list is only used for the occasional email - you won't be signing up to a discussion list and getting loads of emails...!

• EcoHomesUK
Homes designed to reduce energy needs, run on renewable resources and made from naturally sustainable materials.

• The Green Building Store
11 Huddersfield Road, Meltham, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire HD9 4NJ, Tel: 01484 854898, Fax: 01484 854899

Supplying safe sustainable building products; committed to supply products and information which promote healthier and more environment-friendly buildings.

HEALTH AND FITNESS
Links welcome

• Yoga with Carol Tresadern
Every Wednesday 6.00 pm - 7.30 pm and 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm. BWY Dip at The Holistic Centre, Borrans Lane, off Middleton Road, Middleton. Wednesdays. Easily accessible from Overton, Heysham, Morecambe (No 5 bus route), and less than 20 minutes drive (no speeding!) from north Lancaster. Beginners and experienced students welcome. £40/£35 for ten sessions, or £4.50 for a drop in session subject to space being available. Contact Carol for further info. Tel: 01524 310457 Email: tresadern@omne.uk.net

• A Modern Herbal
The hyper-text version of A Modern Herbal, first published in 1931, by Mrs. M. Grieve, contains medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and economic properties, cultivation and folk-lore of herbs.

• GreenGym
The Oxford Centre for Health Care Research and Development, Oxford Brookes University. Tel. 01865 485293

• Henriette's Herbal Home Page
Culinary and medicinal herbFAQs, informative articles and more

• Herbal Direct
Potters Herbal Medicines, Leyland Mill Lane, Wigan Lancs WN1 2SB
Tel: 01942 405 100 Fax: 01942 820 255
Email: info@herbal-direct.com
Licensed herbal medicines on-line for coughs, colds, catarrh. Stress, relaxation, sleep aids. Indigestion and stomach upsets. Rheumatic aches and joint pain. Constipation and flatulence. Also women's health and men's health.

• Herbal Hall
Home of the Professional Herbalists Discussion List.

• The Herb Society UK
Sulgrave Manor, Sulgrave, Banbury, OX17 2SD, UK
Tel: 01295 768899 Fax: 01295 768069
E-mail: info@herbsociety.co.uk
The UK's leading society for increasing the understanding, use and appreciation of herbs and their benefits to health

• Outdoor Fitness Tips
US site. Administered by Tina Vindum

• The European Herbal Practioners Association
The  EHPA was founded in 1993 when it became clear that with the development of the European Union, the legislative framework under which herbal medicine was practised was likely to undergo radical change. The main professional herbal practitioner associations in the UK, namely the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine and The International Register of Consultant Herbalists formed a UK national organisation called the British Herbal Practitioners Association (BHPA). A number of other organisations (see below) also participated.

• MedLine
US Site. The US National Library of Medicine

• The National Institute of Medical Herbalists
56 Longbrook Street, Exeter EX4 6AH, UK
Tel: 01392 426022 Fax: 01392 498963
E-mail: nimh@ukexeter.freeserve.co.uk
Please be aware that NIMH cannot answer questions on particular herbs or herbal treatments. If you require such information and cannot find it here, please contact your local herbalist. A list of NIMH members is available on the site.

ORGANIC FOOD
National resources for the growing and supply of organic food: Go


SERVICES
• The Phone Co-op
The Phone Co-op the best phone deal. If you live locally, contact pascal@gn.apc.org, who is the local Green party agent for the Phone Co-op.

SHOPPING
See also Organic Food and 10 Ways to Create a Better World - No to Supermarkets

• Big Barn
Find local producers in your area and lots more!
Direct to Lancaster results: Go

• Biosis Ltd.
Heysham Business Park, Middleton Road, Heysham, Lancs, LA3 3PP, UK
Tel. 015395 64276 Fax 01524 858978

Established by the owner of Ecospaints, Biosis specialises in innovative eco-lifestyle and health-related products, not available elsewhere and particularly for those with problems such as asthma, allergies, M.E., C.F.I.D.S, PVFS, CFS, GWS, eczema, IBS, food intolerance, candida, multiple chemical sensitivities and other ailments caused by a modern lifestyle. All products are suitable for vegans and vegetarians and none are animal tested.

• Bowland Forest Foods
Home Farm Office, Abbeystead Lancaster LA2 9BQ
Tel: 01524 793558 Fax: 01524 793544
E-mail: info@bowlandforest.co.uk
A group of farmers based in the heart of the Forest of Bowland have come together to establish and promote their own locally branded products. "Bowland Forest" lamb, beef, pork and free range chicken are produced in a traditional and environmentally friendly way, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. All members of the Bowland Farmers Co-operative farm in the Bowland Catchment area. As reliable suppliers, Bowland Farmers meet or exceed all minimum E.C. & U.K. requirements in the production, preparation and distribution of their produce.

• EcoBabes
79 Orton Drive, Witchford, Ely Cambridgeshire CB6 2JG United Kingdom
Tel: (01353) 664941
Contact Name: Dyane Cakebread
Email: cakebread@ecobabes.freeserve.co.uk

Environemtally-friendly products for raising children including nappies, unbleached linen and chemical-free creams and wipes.

• Ethical Consumer
Where and where not to shop

• Get Ethical
Unit A2, 2nd floor Linton House, 39 - 51 Highgate Rd, London NW5 1RS
Tel: 020 7419 7258
Customer Services:customerserve@getethical.com
General information: info@getethical.com

Green, Fair Trade and organic products including clothes, wine, books, eco-holidays, natural remedies and children's toys.

• Ethical Junction
This portal site has an ethical shopping centre, a search engine that only searches ethical organisations and the directory is full of hundreds of organisations representing a huge range of businesses and interests.

• The Green Shop (does mail order)
Bisley, Stroud, Glos. GL6 tBX
Tel: 01452 770629 Fax: 01452 770104
E-mail: enquiries@greenshop.co.uk
The Green Shop tries to encourage its customers to live lightly on the planet by providing sustainable and low impact products for their homes. They have a shop in Bisley, Gloucestershire, where local people or visitors to the area can come to browse and find out more about our wide range of products for a sustainable future. Has a mail order catalogue for people wanting to order from further afield.

• Ink Xpress 6 - 8 Slip Inn Lane, Lancaster
Tel: 01524 845002

Hewlett Packard, Canon, Lexmark and other print head type cartridges refilled while you wait. We use them in the office here on an Epson Color 680 and they work fine after the usual "settling down" for a couple of pages.

• Think Natural
Offers a range of natural products, and is a mine of information about natural products. Offers Vitamins & Minerals, Herbs & Medicinal Plants, Natural Bodycare, Aromatherapy, Homeopathy, Pet Health and more.

VEGETARIANISM

• Single Step Co-op Ltd.
78a Penny St, Lancaster Tel: 01524 63021
This shop stocks a vast range of vegetarian and vegan wholefoods, cooking ingrediants, instant mixes and snack foods, preserves, cheeses and chilled foods, dairy alternatives, gluten-free products, loose herbs and spices, sauces, pulses, grains, dried fruit, organic vegetables and other produce, eco-products and related literature, etc, etc.

• The Whale Tail Vegetarian Cafe & Restaurant
78a Penny Street, Lancaster (upstairs 1st floor, no lift) tel: 01524 845133
This large airy non-smoking cafe/restaurant + garden is a lifesaver for the vegetarian +/or vegan. A wide range of vegetarian and vegan meals + snacks, from the the totally wholesome to the all day big breakfast. Fast friendly service, sensible prices, lots of newspapers and a play area to keep the kids happy (and out of your hair.) Some great artwork too. see exhibitions. The venue can also be booked for evening functions + parties.

• IVU
If you are a non meat eater and have had trouble finding suitable food when you travel then you'll appreciate this site. Offering a vast selection of vegan and vegetarian restaurants across the globe, the site is an excellent traveling partner. Plus with vegetarian phrases in many languages, recipes and access to local issues and organizations, you won't feel like the only veggie in
Venezuela.

TRANSPORT

• CTC - Working for Cycling
The UK's national cyclists' organisation. More than 70,000 people support its work for cycling and use their membership-based services. They range from novices and family groups to offroaders and hard-riders.
The under-26 rate is just £10. The CTC offers information on bike-friendly services and accommodation, and campaigns on many bike-related issues.

• EnviroForce
If you have to use your car for work, here's some tips on how to use it better and make it safer for everyone when you do.
In 2001, the Environmental News Network reported that a Melbourne lawyer became ill for several days with a headache and lung irritation after picking up a new locally built car and driving it for only 10 minutes. An Australian government worker felt ill when driving new government cars during the first six months after their delivery.
That new car smell, considered seductive and compelling by auto dealers, in fact indicates the presence of toxic chemicals which linger for months, Australian researchers have found.
A study issued by CSIRO, the Australian government research branch, reports that high levels of toxic air emissions remain in new Australian made motor vehicles for up to six months after they leave the showroom.

• Environmental Transport Association
Does a recovery / breakdown service like the AA + RAC - tried + tested - it works, it's competitively priced, (ie cheaper) + it lobbies for green issues unlike the other car clubs.

• Gear Change
Sets up businesses with lockers, showers and secure bike storage for workjers who cycle to work.

WORKING PRACTICES

Information welcome