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Why not get involved? Su from the Vegetarian Society provided us with some “Tips for Easy Veggie Eating”

Stir-fry vegetables can be bought already chopped. Just gently fry and add some nuts, tofu or beans, soya sauce, garlic and ginger for a meal in minutes.

Frozen vegetables keep most of their nutrients; some are even higher than when fresh. Even if you have no fresh vegetables left you can knock up a healthy stew with tinned tomatoes and beans, frozen veg and dried herbs.

And The Warehouse Cafe are even offering two for one on meat free mondays!

Other events going on in Birmingham are:

• Vegetarian Week at The Church Inn. A different vegetarian dish is to be served as the special each day until 27th May.
• A course to learn how to make a delicious vegetarian dish at Sure Start, Dorsett Road, 27th May. 15:30 – 17:00
• A new vegetarian menu has been launched at the Himley Hotel. One Course is £8.95
• The chance to sample vegetarian foods that you have perhaps never got round to trying. Everyday this week from 9am to 5pm at The Old Emporium.

Brompton bicycles are currently producing 600 of their famous ‘folding bicycle’ a week and anyone who wants one can be expected to wait up to 11 weeks to receive it.

Brompton have designed technologies alongside Pashley, who have been established since 1926 and have created all manner of delivery bicycles.

This collaboration of London meets West Midlands technology has created the innovative mountain folding bike.

With transport being revolutionised through the production of high speed trains and eco friendly cars it seems unreal for the bicycle industry to be excelling.

However the bicycles, that aim to be mostly made from British only parts, incorporate patented technology that aim to make parts 25% lighter.

The bicycles retail at anything from £600 to £2500 and are considered the bicycles of Saville Row.

Although the price may seem steep  Tom Bradshaw, who currently rides a Brompton, said that:

“They are expensive, but they are worth it.

I cycle from the railway station, and then commute on the train for an hour before cycling the rest of the to work.

They are extremely well designed.”

With such a positive attitude about cycling and a government tax incentive to “Cycle to Work”, donning a suit and a bike could be the new way to get to work.

With the UK striving to meet its target of getting 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 Converteam, based in Rugby, are battling against Horiba to design a more cost effective way to test off shore wind turbines.

The project was commissioned by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) and the winning contractor will be selected to procure, build and commission the test rig to be operational by the end of 2011.

Part of the project requires the companies to create an on-shore test rig that tests turbines under the same intense pressures they would see offshore.

By developing these technologies, tremendous opportunities for UK businesses will be opened up both in terms of renewable energy and generating jobs.

Currently the turbines needed for the UK offshore wind market are not yet produced on a commercial scale and if Converteam can win this bid, perhaps facilities can be improved elsewhere across the country.

A spokesperson from Converteam said

We encourage new ideas, turning these into technical innovation.We draw strength from the talent of our employees and are confident about our performance.

The project is currently being aimed at anyone over 60, claiming benefits, with a disability or in ill health.

However at present the project is only open to those living in specific parts of Birmingham including Handsworth, Summerfield, Ladywood, Soho, Nechells, North Moseley, Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath, Alum Rock, Washwood Heath and Saltley.

However Samantha Jones says not to be put off by the specific criteria:

The project is open to a lot more people than you realise, it is just a case of phoning up and answering a few short questions to see whether you qualify

The “Green Doctors” have been out in force and are providing residents with energy saving lightbulbs, draught proofing around windows and doors, recycling paper and wood and showing people how to use their central heating efficiently.

With British Gas announcing record breaking profits last week there is definitely just cause for such efforts.

However, with the project only being open to such a select few, is it really going to make a difference?

The Family Housing Association said that “the project is due to run through until March 2011, and we are hoping to help 800 residents by this date’

We should be asking ourselves though, is it enough?  This target goal would mean that the “Green Doctors” are going to have visit three people everyday for the next year in order to achieve this.

With residents being asked to apply for these visits themselves and most of the campaign appearing online it seems as if it is going to be a tough year for the Housing Association.