The 'Good Life' beckons for villagers
Posted on 7 July 2011
They have launched an ambitious project to persuade householders in philanthropist Joseph Rowntree’s model village to get the most out of life at a time of rising cost of food, fuel and energy.
The Good Life Initiative is about providing new skills, sharing information and utilising local knowledge to make the most of the resources we have available to us
Dr Gary Haq
The New Earswick Good Life project will run over the next year and will help residents find smart ways to make the most of the people, places and resources around them. Working in collaboration with teams of local residents, the initiative will provide a series of challenges and events that cover the themes of home, living environment and wellbeing.
The initiative is designed to help residents make the most of their home, community and environment and to find and enjoy local produce, travel in cheaper, healthier ways and use energy more efficiently. It will connect local residents with the people and skills needed to live a healthier, happier, handier life in New Earswick.
Dr Gary Haq, SEI researcher and coordinator of the initiative, said:
“The Good Life Initiative is about providing new skills, sharing information and utilising local knowledge to make the most of the resources we have available to us and allow us to builder stronger more resilient local communities. It will connect local residents with the people and skills needed to live a healthier, happier, handier life in New Earswick.
“It will help residents meet the challenges in the economy, society and the environment that we face today. It seeks to find ways to maintain and improve quality of life in increasing economic and environmental challenging conditions.”
The Good Life Initiative continues the legacy of Joseph Rowntree who established New Earswick at the turn of century in the belief that the employees of his York cocoa factory should live in quality housing in pleasant surroundings, be they workers or managers.
The Initiative will start on Saturday 9 July when local residents will be invited to take ‘Tea on the Green’ from 10–4pm and enjoy the music of a brass band. This will be followed by an official launch on Wednesday 20 July at the New Earswick Folk Hall from 7–9pm.
Notes to editors:
- Stockholm Environment Institute is an independent international research institute. The Institute has established a reputation for rigorous and objective scientific analysis in the field of environment and development. SEI’s goal is to bring about change for sustainable development by bridging science and policy. Further information at www.sei-international.org
- Further Information on the Stockholm Environment Institute at York at www.york.ac.uk/sei/
- More information on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation at www.jrf.org.uk/
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