Diaries at the ready: If you want the chance to help those less fortunate than yourself this summer (while still having a damn good time) then get yourself down to the Smoke on June 28th and enjoy some fine Indian cuisine and some top entertainment at the prestigious Chelsea Conservatory.
The Pratham UK Indian Summer Party has been organised to help raise funds to try and improve the lot of India's 210 million children (half of whom are unable to read) by providing them with the education they need to succeed. The charity has already managed to help over 21 million kids improve their literacy and numeracy skills thanks to generous donations from the likes of IT super-hero Bill Gates amongst others. But there's still a way to go before Pratham reaches its target of transforming the lives of 100 million children by 2010.
Read on to find out how you can help
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We're into the second week of Fairtrade Fortnight now, and judging by the official calendar of events, this second half of the event seems to be all about the tastier things in life: if you're in Brighton, you can drop in on Infinity Foods on North Road for a spot of chocolate tasting, all day with Divine. In Leicestershire, kids can take part in what's promisingly called a 'choca moneky challenge' at South Wigston High School, Wigston, while Bassaleg school in Newport is holding 'Bring a banana to school day'.
So what's the big deal with bananas?
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London mayor Boris Johnson has given his backing to a new scheme which seeks to transform unused land in the capital into gardens and plots for locally produced food.
Capital Growth is encouraging enterprising Londoners to convert as many areas as they can to green spaces capable of growing food - that means gardens of schools and nursing homes, as well as the flat roofs of commercial and residential buildings.
The hope is to achieve 2,012 new gardens by the time the Olympics come around. It sounds like a lot, but with four years to go and a large amount of unused space available, it's not unrealistic to imagine that green-at-heart city-dwellers will rise to the challenge.
Find out how you can get involved - whether by growing your own, or by offering space to others - at Capital Growth.
[via Treehugger]
I do know that hearing the words 'charity' and 'comedy' in the same sentence can chill the heart, but Hot and Bothered promises to do nothing but warm it: not only is the charity in question a good 'un (it's the Rainforest Foundation) but there's a top lineup too, including Patrick Monahan the fabulous Josie Long, with XFM's Alex Zane comparing.
[Via Green Girls Global]
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Many of us make an effort to avoid mass-produced clothes and accessories; a life choice that would once have been seen as a major sacrifice. But now, the craft revolution is in full swing, meaning we can make a 'handmade choice' towards goods made on a smaller scale that are often of better quality than their high street equivalents. As someone who loves seeing hand-made items on show, I can't wait to feast my eyes on a wide range of crafty goodies at a forthcoming show in the stunning surroundings of Crowthorne.
Follow the jump for more info.
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Party season is on its way, but how can you have fun without stomping all over the planet? Eco My Party can help, with a new site full of products that are as green and ethically produced as possible -- all designed to make your event go with a bang. You'll find everything from compostable cutlery to fab eco decorations, including a lovely organic and fairtrade cotton bunting. Everything sold at the online store is biodegradable, so the only thing left 'hanging around' at the end of your party will be those last few stubborn guests...
Follow the jump for a few suggestions for how you can make your party a little bit greener...
Related: Eco-friendly party loot bags from little cherry | Throw a green party with disposable leaf plates
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English wines are a bit of a guilty pleasure, in that they may only be possible as a result of climate change. It's only since temperatures have soared that we've started to see Vineyards in Sussex, let alone produced wine that anyone wants to take seriously. But they're also part of the solution, because now we can make wine to rival the New World and France, a delicious glass of white clocks up far fewer transport miles now we can grow it on our doorstep. And you can celebrate the best in homegrown vino at a festival taking place this weekend...
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