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Prince Charles’s garden party to teach us to be green... and take short showers
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent18 Aug 2010
Prince Charles is using his new green campaign to urge everyone in Britain to take shorter showers.
Start, an initiative from the Prince's Charities Foundation, has published 20 easy ways to go green as part of his 12-day festival of imaginative ways to promote a sustainable future.
The list of instructions includes: “Start having shorter showers.”
They will be promoted at the Garden Party to Make a Difference, a festival of music, talks and installations showing how small steps can help save the planet. A sculpture of sheep climbing a ladder to encourage home insulation with sheep wool will be one eye-catching feature.
Another exhibit will be a giant B&Q showerhead. Visitors can text a word and see it projected in a cascade of water — but the serious point is to save water.
The gardens of the Prince's home at Clarence House — as well as those of neighbouring Lancaster and Marlborough Houses — are being opened to the public for the first time to host the event. In his own households, the Prince cut carbon emissions by four per cent in the past year and increased use of renewable energy forms to 22 per cent.
Ian Byrne, deputy director of the National Energy Foundation, said: “If we're going to move towards a low-carbon economy we're going to have to do a lot more. But these housekeeping things are important.”
Ben Elton is the latest addition to the garden party line-up alongside Brian Blessed, Armando Iannucci, Rory Bremner and Sanjeev Bhaskar.
Elton said: “I was thrilled that the Prince of Wales has broadened his recycling efforts to include old comics. It's such a great idea — have a terrific time while picking up a few hints on leading a more sustainable life.”
A Garden Party to Make a Difference, September 8-19, adult tickets £15. startgardenparty.co.uk
Reader views (9)
Dee - if we also train the sheep to leap from the top of the ladder do we get wooly jumpers ?
- Doug, Barnet, 01/09/2010 09:38
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Humor:
What do you get when you put that giant lamb
under that giant shower?
A giant wet-blanket-to-be.
- Dee, Wilmington DE USA, 22/08/2010 13:53
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Wool insulation is not the best insulation. There are flammability issues as well as insect issues with wool insulation. Climate is a factor is considering which insulation to purchase. Do you want to retain hot air or eliminate hot air?
- Dee, Wilmington DE USA, 20/08/2010 11:59
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Another Idea: Eliminate all so-called "Beauty Salons" and Dog Grooming places. No salon shampoos or blow-outs or curling sessions. No salon coloring. Women, get your haircuts at barber-stylists. Shampoo at home in the shower. For long hair, this'll take more than 5 min. but there's no driving to a salon. Color or highlight at home. Haircuts ok, every 3 or 4 months. Beauty Salons don't do any good really. A woman over age 72+ with thinning hair can wear wigs. Save water.
- Dee, Wilmington DE USA, 19/08/2010 20:50
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His hypocrisy is staggering. When he stops travelling the globe by private jet and driving gas guzzling cars then I might consider taking a shorter shower. In the meantime go back to talking to your plants Charles.
- R.F.York, Yorks, UK, 19/08/2010 08:26
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I need an 'O' level sometimes for my brother's recycling drill, but it is worth it in the end.
- M, London, 18/08/2010 18:10
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You are all right bathing in Asses milk, but some of us have to use Water and as I pay the bills mind your own business.!!!!
- Davey_buoy, Chertsey, 18/08/2010 18:03
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People might take him more seriously if he got rid of his Aston Martin and private jets, silly fool.
- Sally, London, 18/08/2010 17:22
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Humbug!
- Diana Johnson, London, UK, 18/08/2010 13:37
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