Next week will see ‘Paint the Town Green’ return to Kingston for the sixth year running. It will coincide with national Climate Week and see a series of environmental events happening across Kingston.
For one week only, from Monday 4th March to Sunday 10th March, Kingston will have its own dedicated green radio station, broadcasting on 87.9 FM. Tune in for thought-provoking discussion on environmental issues affecting the area.
Furthermore, during the week beginning 4th March, all businesses in the borough are encouraged to join the Big Switch Off and turn off all lights and electrical equipment when the business is closed . Businesses can sign up on the Royal Borough of Kingston website. John Lewis is one of many businesses that have already joined up.
Meanwhile, schools across the borough have been asked to hold green assemblies on 7th March. Pupils will discuss how environmental issues affect them and ways in which they can make their school more environmentally friendly and help tackle climate change.
Residents, businesses and schools can make a green pledge on the Royal Borough of Kingston website. Options for residents include ‘I will drink tap water’ (instead of bottled) and ‘I will turn the heating down by one degree.’
Best of all, helping the environment goes hand in hand with saving money, a top priority for many in the current economic climate. Saving the heating down by just 1 degree celsius saves about £55 and the price of bottled water is 500 times that of tap water.
Another exciting ‘Paint the Town Green’ event is a viewing of the film ‘Plastic Shores’ at C-SCAIPE, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road campus from 18.45 to 20.45 on Monday 4th. The event is free, refreshments will be provided and the film’s director will be there to discuss his film and answer questions. The film talks about the problems caused by the huge amount of plastic trash – 6 million tonnes – filling our rivers and oceans and causing huge damage to sea life. Many birds and fish end up eating our plastic rubbish, which can prove a fatal ‘Last Supper’. To book tickets go to http://greener.eventbrite.co.uk.
Other events include ‘Swap ‘n’ Stitch’ at Kingston College on Tuesday 5th. Get help renovating old clothes or swap them in for something fresh in your wardrobe. Family events include 'The Amazing Cycle-Powered Answer to Everything Machine' where Kingston’s very own mad professor, Professor Kayoss, will present an entertaining 40-minute show at 5pm on Friday 8th and 11am on Saturday 9th at the Rose Theatre. The event is recommended for 3 – 10 year-olds and you can just turn up on the day with no need to book.
So get together with your family, school or business to do something green to help paint Kingston!
