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Merseyside attractions get the green light
12 Merseyside visitor attractions and hotels have been singled out as the country's most environmentally friendly in a unique pilot scheme.
The 12 have received accreditation through the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), which examines the overall performance of a business against more than 100 criteria. Issues looked at include Waste, Transport, Wildlife, Energy, Culture, Communication and Marketing.
'Green tourism' is a term used to describe best environmental practice within the tourism sector, which includes providing a clean environment for visitors and minimising the negative impact on surrounding areas. The scheme has successfully operated in Scotland for the last 5 years and has now been piloted on Merseyside, as well as three other regions in England (Blackpool, Brecks and South Hams).
The accredited attractions are…
Aachen Hotel, Liverpool
At Peel Hey Guest House, Wirral
De Vere Daresbury Park, Warrington
Gladstone Hotel, Liverpool
Goose Meadow B&B, Liverpool
Holiday Inn Liverpool city centre
International Inn, Liverpool
National Wildflower Centre, Knowsley
Radisson SAS, Liverpool
Regent Maritime Hotel, Liverpool
Speke Hall, Liverpool
Tate Liverpool
Martin King, Director of Tourism at The Mersey Partnership, said:- "We are committed to providing tourists with a visitor experience of the highest quality and encouraging local tourism businesses to be aware of their environmental impact on our destination. As one of only four regions in England pioneering this scheme we hope others will sit up and take notice for the good of the industry UK-wide."
John Proctor, Technical Director of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, said:-
"We are delighted that Merseyside's tourism industry is addressing its environmental performance through the Green Tourism Business Scheme and the significant benefits that this can have, not only for the businesses themselves but for the destination as a whole. I look forward to working with Merseyside and building on our success so far as the city-region builds towards Liverpool's 2008 Capital of Culture showcase. As a destination the number and range of businesses involved in the scheme is a good foundation particularly as many have achieved the SILVER award."
The National Wildflower Centre was the only venue to attain a 'Gold' grading, which GTBS describe as providing
"excellence in environmental practice."
Grant Luscombe, Chief Executive of the National Wildflower Centre said:-
"We are delighted to be the first recipient on Merseyside of a gold award under the scheme. This reflects both the hard work and dedication of our staff and the ethos at NWC as a whole in seeking to minimise our environmental impact. The award gives us a great platform to build from in the future and has energised staff to seek further ways of improving our performance."
The Green Tourism scheme is being developed on Merseyside as part of The Mersey Partnership's wider commitment to the promotion of sustainable development in all of its activities and within all of its partnerships. For more information on Merseyside's 'green' attractions see
www.visitliverpool.com/green
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Letters to
Editor:- "Get in touch and say thank you to a volunteer"
DEAR Editor
"WE all know local heroes who give up their time for the good of others. They could be helping out at a community centre or homeless shelter or running a children's football team. They might even be a magistrate or a special constable.
Volunteers give their time for many reasons, and often happily without recognition. But as this is the Year of the Volunteer, it is the perfect time to say 'thank you' to a volunteer making a difference in your area.
We have 2,005 medals available to honour the amazing work carried out by volunteers that will be given out at local ceremonies across the country in the Autumn. If you know a selfless individual who you think deserves one then please let us know.
You can make nominations by downloading a form from www.yearofthevolunteer.org or by calling CSV on 0207 812 0034. Time is short though, we need nomination forms back by Monday 18 July.
Get in touch and say thank you to a volunteer making a difference in your area!"
Elizabeth Salter, CSV's Year of the Volunteer Campaign Manager
VOLUNTEER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF CHILDREN
PEOPLE in Southport are being urged to mark the 21st anniversary of Volunteers' Week by volunteering for a good cause. And for anyone who would like to make a difference to the lives of children, the NSPCC would welcome new support.
Volunteer Week runs from 1 June to 7 June 2005 and is a fantastic opportunity to find out what you can do to help the NSPCC and how you can get started in volunteering. Modern volunteering is enjoyable and flexible and can give you skills for a new career, as well as improving your well being and reducing stress and depression.
The NSPCC exists to end cruelty to children. However the charity cannot do this alone. Each week at least one child in the UK is killed by their parent or carer. Every minute of time that people can give will help the NSPCC change a child's life.
The NSPCC has over 180 teams and projects throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, through which the charity works to prevent and tackle the consequences of abuse and neglect. The NSPCC cannot end child abuse alone.
One NSPCC supporter said:- "I cannot lie in bed at night and think that children are being abused, it horrifies me. I have to try and do something about it."
Volunteering for the NSPCC has never been easier. People can help to organise a fundraising activity or event, help out at a local event, join a group of fundraisers in the area or campaign for change on behalf of children. Whether people have an hour or a day to spare, there are many different ways to become an NSPCC volunteer.
Many people throughout the country have made a commitment to children by joining the NSPCC's network of volunteers. To find out how to become part of the network or for more information about the services in your local area please contact the NSPCC community appeals team in the North West, on 0161 628 1209.
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