Hard-core environmental activist helps school cut waste
Easton-based environmental activist and campaigner Mike Feingold took his portable apple press to Bridge Farm School in Whitchurch to turn apples collected from the school’s orchards into healthy fruit drinks for the pupils.
The event was organised as part of St Peter’s Hospice campaign reaching out to local schools through talks and workshops related to the work of the hospice including charity, fundraising and community recycling projects.
Schools and Festivals Coordinator Ginny Gooding, who helped organise the visit with Bridge Farm school head Geoff Mason, is looking to develop community relationships.
Ginny said: “We are aiming to encourage younger supporters through local schools and colleges and are particularly on the lookout for inspiring and creative fundraising ideas from pupils and students across the city.
“Bridge Farm school has 10 apple trees in its grounds and Mr Mason had always wanted to use the fruit rather than see it go to waste. We are always looking for innovative ways to go out into the community to engage pupils and raise money and when Geoff mentioned his apple juice idea we were hooked.”
Ginny called in environmental activist Mike Feingold, one of the tutors on the Permaculture Design Course organised by community based creative designers Embody in Bristol, who advises Bristolians on best practice on their gardens and allotments.
He tours various sites and gardens in Bristol with the portable apple press demonstrating how easy it is to turn unwanted or surplus fruit into a refreshing drink.
Ginny said: “This is the first step toward setting up an enterprise scheme in aid of the hospice which will hopefully see a far more extensive apple pressing operation in time for next year’s harvest.”
Bridge Farm head Geoff Mason said he was determined to make better use of the school orchard’s bumper crop rather than let it rot on the ground.
He said: “I approached juice producers large and small to take up the wastage but this was proving fruitless. Ginny from St Peter’s Hospice put us in touch with permaculture guru Mike Feingold and it turned out to be right up his street.
“Because we pushed ahead earlier than expected we will not be able run the project as an enterprise scheme this term but it’s a hands-on example of joined up environmental thinking and the kids get to drink the juice afterwards!”
Bristol’s only adult hospice, St Peter’s Hospice cares for local people with incurable diseases. All care is provided free of charge and the NHS contribute just 23 per cent towards the hospice’s £6.5 million annual running costs.
Last year the hospice cared for 2,000 patients in the region and supported over 6,000 family members, including children.
Schools can contact Ginny Gooding on 0117 915 9344. To find out more about how to help St Peter’s Hospice visit stpetershospice.org.uk.
