It's Not Easy Being Green - self sufficiency in the 21st century.

sarahspain

Looking forward to seeing that tonight!!

I must see if I can get Penny Poyzer's book from my local library as I enjoyed her series but missed some as it clashed with something else I wanted to watch at the time.

Skintmama

Thanks for the reminder as I was looking forward to watching this but had forgotten it was on tonight.

We just get the Saturday paper for the listings too now and then I look on the Radio Times site for the exta details about programmes-better than the paper version, as I can read it without my glasses

I did buy Penny's book but didn't find it that helpful really. There were some suggested websites though. I'll try and post them into this thread tomorrow when I have located the book.

fizzel81

skintmama let me know if you cannot locate your book, i know where mine is so can post sites mentioned

hardpressed

Watched the program tonight, they seem to be having a really good time. The water wheel they made was brilliant. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

Austin_Allegro

Apologies if this has been done before or is not old style, but I wondered if any readers had watched the !!!!!! Strawbridge (ex-army bloke with big tache) self sufficiency programme last night?

I thought it was very interesting, but somewhat unrealistic - most people are not going to be able to afford to spend £600,000 on a house in Cornwall or get an army of undergraduate helpers. I had to laugh also at Mr Strawbridge's assertion that his water wheel would provide 'free power, for ever!'. Well, yes...until someone further upstream decides to divert it!

I would like to see a programme about creating the maximum self sufficiency/green living possible for people living in small houses/flats with limited garden space or none at all. Perhaps I should stick to watching 'The Good Life' instead!

Linda32

I'm sure I've just replied to this.

Anyway, Yes I watched it and although I enjoyed it, not alot was relevent to me, I don't have £600.000 either.

I shall still watch it though, to maybe pick up one or two tips I could use.

squeaky

Yes - there's a thread on it. Give me a minute and I'll merge for you.

Skintmama

Thanks Fizzel for the offer of doing the websites. I have my book but there are loads of sites listed :eek:

Here are just a few, in no particular order and I have no affiliation with any of them:

https://www.greenchoices.org
Save Waste and Prosper https://www.swap-web.co.uk
Centre for Alternative technology https://www.cat.org.uk
https://www.ethicalconsumer.org
https://www.changenappy.co.uk
https://www.recycle-more.com
Batteries: https://www.rebat.com
Environmental Transport Association, https://www.eta.co.uk
https://www.dieselveg.com
https://www.compost.org.uk
https://www.hdra.org.uk (Henry Doubleday research Assoc)

Hope this keeps people going until they get their books!

We watched the programme last night and really enjoyed it. DH is now trying to work out how he could harness the water that pours down from the moor and into our house for power. Unfortunately it comes underground, so he is talking about some kind of undershute water wheel. Nothing will ever happen of course but he is happy dreaming and scheming, designing his wheel in his head (bless).

fannyadams

I cried (metaphorically) when I saw them ripping of perfectly good re usable roof tiles and chucking them out - then having the gall to say that BECAUSE it's a listed building they couldn't use recycled tyres and HAD to use slate, but not LOCAL slate (costs 3 times the price) but european slate - WAS NO ONE THINKING OF THE AIRMILES? Hardly a GREEN start for them. Also what was with having the mill race raised up in a wood trough? OK the wood was (alledgedly) from a sustainable forest but int he UK? I didin't hear that bit! The wooden mill race cuts directly across a perfectly good greensward that could be used for cultivation or animal husbadry (nice back scratching places for cows and pigs though)! what was wrong with putting in a gutter, and letting your animals drink from the gutter?
One of the first things they installed in the house was a FLUSHING loo - what was wrong witht eh composting loo that Penny P recommends? - and a BATH! !!!!!! How is that GREEN?
Sorry but MUST TRY HARDER in my book - I don't claim to be totally green but I'd LOVE for their adviser to come to my house and give me a 'green score'.

Austin_Allegro

Thanks for merging the thread.

My main concern with this programme is that it confuses the green (not to be confused with Green and its political overtones) lifestyle with some sort of idyllic country living out of a 1970s shampoo advert. The planet has 5 billion inhabitants and there aren't the resources for us all to have three acres, a waterwheel and a willow coppice for wood fuel!

I think the way forward is to show that minimal impact, green, frugal living is perfectly possible in a normal suburban house like most people live in, for example I would have been interested in seeing more of the Green Audit man's house, as they said he lived in the centre of London.

Perhaps the BBC should commission 'The OldStylers'...?