Learn the delights of composting at community workshops
WEN is offering the chance to learn the fine art of composting at a series of workshops from May to July. Cultivating the Future project brings together ethnic minority women's groups to grow organic food and become expert composters able to train others. The free workshops will cover the basics of home and community composting and include a practical session. They will also be a chance for women in WEN's existing network of organic food growing groups to meet, tour each other's gardens and learn from each other.

To mark Composting Awareness Week there will be an open training session and photocall at Stepping Stones Farm on 8 May.

Groups in East London and other, mainly inner city areas in England, have been growing organic food on plots in their neighbourhoods, for several years. Composting skills will complete the growing cycle, so the waste from home-grown fruit and vegetables goes back into the land to feed next year's crop.

Caroline Fernandez, WEN's Local Food Project Co-ordinator, said: "Up to half of all household waste can be composted yet few people in urban areas realise it's something they can quite easily do. Community gardening and composting makes affordable, healthy organic fruit and vegetables available to people who don't have space or gardens of their own. It can be great fun and a chance to make new friends, as women in the groups we work with have already discovered. We are grateful to the Hanson Environment Fund for supporting these workshops."
The Hanson Environment Fund's Community Grants Scheme, set up to assist small projects near Hanson sites, has provided £3,410 towards workshops in East London.

David Downs, Hanson's area production manager said: "These projects help to reinforce the importance of composting to a variety of different people, also illustrating the role that community spirit plays in local initiatives. The Hanson Environment Fund recognises the need for education and awareness raising across community groups."

Workshops are open to visitors. To book a place or find out more, contact Caroline Fernandez on 020 7481 9004 or e-mail her at food@wen.org.uk.

For further information please contact:
Liz Sutton, Press Officer or Caroline Fernandez, Local Food Co-ordinator, on
020 7481 9004, Fax: 020 7481 9144 or email: food@wen.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

1. WEN is a national charity and membership organisation which campaigns on environmental and health issues from a woman's perspective. It educates, informs and empowers women and men who care about the environment.

2. Workshop dates are:
Wed 8 May, 10.30am-2.30pm - Stepping Stones Farm, Stepney Way (corner of Stepney High Street), Stepney E1 3DG. Photocall 12 noon. Invited guests include Oona King MP, Councillor Lorraine Melvin, Mayor of Tower Hamlets and David Downs, Hanson's area production manager.

Thurs 16 May, 10am-2.30pm, Spitalfields City Farm, London E1

Thurs 23 May, 10.30am-12 noon, Bromley by Bow Centre, London E1.

Wed 3 July, 11am-3pm, First Step, Newcastle.

Wed 10 July, Growing Places, Bradford.

3. Photos of earlier work available on request from WEN.

4. 12 minute Video and CD rom 'WEN's Guide to Building a Community Compost Bin' is available from WEN for £7 inc. postage and packing. Send cheques payable to Women's Environmental Network, PO Box 30626, London, E1 1TZ.

5. Grants made from the Hanson Environment Fund currently amount to £13,545,925.

Hanson is the world's largest producer of aggregates, employing nearly 27,000 people. The company has operations in the UK, USA, Europe, Asia Pacific and Australia.

Hanson set up its environment fund using the landfill tax credits accumulated by the company. Under the landfill tax scheme Hanson is allowed to claim back 20 per cent of the tax paid to Government to fund approved environmental projects.

6. Stepping Stones Farm was established by local people for local people, in 1979, to provide educational and recreational facilities for the community, particularly residents of Stepney. Tel: 020 7790 8204