Why not take the hassle out of your post-Christmas clear up and support Birmingham Children’s Hospital at the same time?
Last year, Cofton-based Fee’s Trees trialled a tree collection in the Barnt Green and Alvechurch areas, in which people made a donation to have their tree taken away. The demand was huge and £1,056.25 was raised for the Children’s Hospital.
This year, Fee’s Trees are teaming up with JLG Groundworks to make the 2020 collections even bigger and better. Bromsgrove, Hopwood, Cofton and many more areas will now also be covered. The teams of volunteers will be out and about collecting trees on Sunday January 5. The tree will then be taken and recycled for use in our local parks.
Owner Fiona Edwards (above), who is also an Ambassador for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “So many people love a real Christmas tree but don’t want the upheaval of moving it in their own car after the big day. By providing this service we can help them save time and mess.”
To arrange a collection or to check if your area is included, visit http;//www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bchtreecollection, make your donation and then email your home address to bchtreecollection@btinternet.com
* Cleaner Greener Alvechurch (CGA), a volunteer initiative started by independent district councillors, is busy putting into action some of the ideas shared on its social media. The group now has 230 supporters and is open to people interested in improving local environment and encouraging each other to live more sustainably.
Aware of the environmental impact of Christmas, CGA has shaped a couple of initiatives to help villagers REDUCE their waste, REUSE items that are no longer needed and RECYCLE more effectively.
A Christmas Swap Shop organised in the library in November gave villagers the opportunity to swap or buy unwanted Christmas jumpers, outfits and decorations. A swap shop of unwanted gifts is planned for early January – keep checking social media for details of these events.
Some CGA members would like to share their ideas for avoiding and reducing waste this Christmas:
* Debbie Holloway from Incredible Edible Alvechurch has been using the same real Christmas tree for the last five years. “I bought a small tree in the pot for £25. After each Christmas I put the pot in the garden in such a way that roots can access the nutrients in the soil.”
* Instead of using brightly-decorated gift wrap, John Shields is going to try out Farushki – the art of wrapping presents with a beautiful cloth that can be a present in itself. “Remember also the wrapping paper test – if it does not scrunch, it can’t be recycled!”
* Bee Strachan made her own decorations from autumn leaves and rosemary dipped in melted candles to make them appear covered in snow (see image). She is also going to reuse the packaging from Amazon for wrapping gifts.
* “Get off the gift-giving treadmill!” says Jeni Burton, who agreed with her family to buy each other gifts that are eco-friendly with a £10 limit. “Try Woodland Trust or our Alvechurch-based Little Plastic.”
* Nina Stanfield said her family massively reduced the number of Christmas cards it sent, and donates to charity instead. “E-cards and social media messages are a good alternative to cards.”
* Jessica Thistleton uses fabric and ribbon for present wrapping. “If people don’t mind, I ask for it back once the present has been unwrapped!”
CGA welcomes all interested people to the next meeting on January 15 at 7pm in The Lounge.