THE Isle of Man is getting heavily involved in the 10-10-10 day of worldwide events aimed at highlighting the earth’s environmental issues. It will be the single biggest day of carbon cutting in history.
Sunday, October 10th is the date when the world gets together to organise a huge number of events. In the Isle of Man the idea is receiving enthusiastic support and a series of special events are taking place all over the Island.
In the Isle of Man, the One World Centre is helping to organise the 10/10/10 day, working with other voluntary organisations including Friends of the Earth IOM, IOM Permaculture Association, Manx Organic Network, Transition Isle of Man and Zero Waste Mann. Globally, this is a joint initiative between the international climate organization 350.org and the UK-based 10:10 campaign.
“People across the Island have really embraced the idea of 10/10/10,” said Katie Keenan, One World Centre Administrator and Events Coordinator. “While we are seeing some projects that will make a serious difference – like the renewal of the Middle River cycle path – the day is also very much about fun, about celebrating our ability to make that difference. That’s where events like the Laxey Wheel and Milntown celebrations come in.”
Events already organised for the day include a celebration at Laxey Wheel; a fun day in the organic orchard at Milntown, Ramsey; a talk on bees at Laxey Pavillion restaurant; Middle River cycle path renewal project.
Other events linked to the 10-10-10 day are beach cleaning at Poyll Vaaish (October 9th); creation of a community orchard at Noble’s Park; lecture on Energy Use in the Isle of Man - Past and Present - Manx Museum (October 2nd) and the Manx National Heritage Energy Discovery Trail focusing on the Grove Museum, Laxey Wheel and Cregneash Folk Museum.
10/10/10 Celebration at the Laxey Wheel
• Sunday 10 October, 10am to 7.30pm
• Children's activities from 2pm, plus stalls, music from local bands, entertainment, local food and drink, community art projects, an electric bike and more…all for a special admission price of just £2, all day!
• Hosted by Manx National Heritage, working with the One World Centre
10/10/10 Action & Fun in the Organic Orchard at Milntown, Ramsey
• Sunday 10 October, 11am to 4pm, Milntown House, Lezayre Road, Ramsey
• Free admission to the organic orchard, with farmers market, craft stalls, apple talk and display, face painting, willow weaving, and apple tree planting at 2pm. Bring plants/produce to swap!
• Organised by Transition Isle of Man North
Bee talk
• Sunday 10 October, 2pm, Laxey Pavilion/Riverside restaurant, Laxey Glen Gardens
• A talk by Mr Harry Owens, IoM Beekeepers Association, on the critical role of bees in agriculture and growing crops, food and plants. Open to all - no charge.
Other events/activities to tie in with 10/10/10
Middle river cycle path renewal
• A 10/10/10 community project to restore the section of the cycle path that starts by The Nunnery and runs alongside the Middle River just outside of Douglas. A joint initiative by the Department of Infrastructure, Douglas Borough Council and Britain in Bloom, supported by Britannia International.
• Work parties are taking place on Saturday 9 October and Sunday 17 October, starting at 11am – the work is suitable for adults and older children.
• The restored path will be opened by Phil Gawne, Department of Infrastructure Minister, on Saturday 23 October, 11am. Everyone welcome – bring your bikes and try it out!
• If you’d like to take part, please contact Katie Keenan at the One World Centre – Katie@owciom.org, tel 800464 - and confirm which session(s) you can commit to.
Community orchard at Nobles Park
• On 29 September 2010 the first tree was planted in a new Community Orchard at Noble’s Park to tie in with 10/10/10. The orchard will comprise 20 trees, including walnut, apple, chestnut, hazel and cobnut – for everyone to enjoy.
• The full planting will take place in 2011.
• Douglas Borough Council is working with Transition Isle of Man to create the orchard, with the support of Thomas Miller, an Island-based investment bank.
Beach clean at Poyllvaaish
• Saturday 9 October, 10am to 12.15pm
• To mark 10/10/10 the Manx Wildlife Trust invite everyone to a beach clean at Poyllvaaish and Balladoole shore, followed by a picnic on the beach (or in the barn).
• Pass through Poyllvaaish Farm yard, and meet on far side. Sacks and gloves will be provided, but your own gloves and/or a bucket might be useful. Please note, any children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
'Energy Use in the Isle of Man - Past and Present'
• Saturday 2 October, 2pm, Manx Museum Lecture Theatre
• A lecture by Peter Longworth, Government Energy Initiatives Officer
• Peter will look at how, in the recent past, we sourced energy locally and used it frugally – from horsepower for transport to wood for heating. By contrast, we now rely on very elongated supply chains for energy, food and other goods. But there is an increasing awareness of how we need to become more self-reliant, and how by using the right mix of natural resources we can maintain our modern comfort levels.
Manx National Heritage Energy Discovery Trail
• Manx National Heritage’s new Energy Discovery Trail focuses on Cregneash Folk Museum, The Grove, and The Great Laxey Wheel and Mines.
• This is a family-friendly trail whose focus is to investigate the Isle of Man's historic use of energy.
Some highlights from around the world
• More than 3,500 events registered in 165 countries.
• A 2,000-strong team the Philippines is getting to work planting mangroves.
• Organisers in New Zealand are aiming to fix up every old bike in their capital city.
• Plus: beach clean ups in the Dominican Republic, solar installations in Iraq, tree planting in Vietnam and much, much more…
• Ban Ki Moon, United Nations Secretary General, said last week: ‘"It's time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work on building the clean energy future that will generate economic opportunity and provide a better, safer, healthier world for our children. On October 10, I encourage everyone to do his/her part to be part of the solution to the climate challenge."
Organising a 10/10/10 project
There is still time to organise your own 10/10/10 project, which can be as big or small as you like – even planting a tree in your garden counts. Here’s how to go about it:
• See www.350.org/oct10 for project ideas.
• Register your project at www.350.org/oct10
• Tell everyone you know about your project and 10/10/10
For more information, please contact Janet Lees or Katie Keenan – Janet@owciom.org, Katie@owciom.org, tel 800464.
