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15/02/2010
The Prince has spoken extensively on how sustainable development can help fight climate change.
HRH The Prince of Wales is set to visit the Offshoots permaculture project in Burnley this week. On Friday 5th February he will be visiting the town for an update on the development that has taken place since his last visit two years ago and to explore the Permaculture garden that is based at Towneley Hall.
The Prince has been a committed environmentalist since the early 1980s and has spoken extensively on the subject of permaculture and how sustainable development can be used to fight climate change. The Offshoots permaculture site supports this approach – having transformed a previously derelict site into a thriving fruit and vegetable garden, it now acts as a training and demonstration centre for sustainability.
On the site, which is managed by environmental charity Groundwork Pennine Lancashire, there is a tree nursery, an acre of organic fruit and vegetables, and two flourishing bee hives that supply large amounts of liquid and cut-comb honey. There are five renewably powered eco-buildings using technologies such as a ‘living roof’, reed-bed water filtration systems, straw bale construction techniques and even an authentic Mongolian Yurt that is used as a classroom and construction space
"The real personal commitment that Prince Charles has to environmental issues and his interest in sustainable development is very much in line with our main priorities", said Phill Dewhurst, Project Manager at Groundwork Pennine Lancashire. "At a recent speech at the Richard Dimbleby Lecture he called for new and more integrated commercial structures that will help to create "virtuous circles" based on environmental and community capital. This is what we are trying to achieve here at Offshoots – to engage communities at a grass roots level to reduce the environmental impact of our actions, whilst enhancing a sense of place and real community".
One such solution that may be of particular interest to Prince Charles is the food waste composting service that Offshoots provide for The Inn at Whitewell – the restaurant is located in the Trough of Bowland on the Royal Estate and is owned by the Duke of Lancaster : Her majesty Queen Elizabeth the second. So far they have achieved a 90% reduction in total waste sent to landfill by using the service.
The Prince will also visit Turf Moor, Cherry Fold Primary School, Fraser Street Youth Centre and Burnley College during his busy schedule.
For further information contact Amanda Payne, 01254 669046
