Blogs

We might like to think we are environmentally friendly but what does it mean when we say we are ‘green’? In reality we probably mean different things which can be seen as a spectrum of colour… So what might this mean if applied to thinking about a low carbon Christmas?

Being Light Green is what might be termed acting in enlightened self-interest by taking small actions that are generally beneficial. For instance, changing to energy efficient light bulbs, turning down the thermostat or heating valves, recycling, wildlife conservation, saving water all help to reduce impact on the...

Don't make any plans until you have checked out our essential guide to what's on in and around Exeter this weekend:

THEATRE

English Touring Opera: Agrippina Friday & Saturday, 7.30pm, Northcott Theatre, Exeter Widely regarded as Handel’s first operatic masterpiece, Agrippina stands out for the quality of its music, full of freshness and musical invention. Sung in English. Tickets: £17-£32. www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

A Fool's Proof Friday & Saturday, The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter A Fool’s Proof takes inspiration from the true story of Jessica McClure, who at...

Pushing the envelope

“Pushing the envelope” is a phrase that originated with American test pilots like Chuck Yaeger and John Glenn in the 1940s. It described max stress situations for the metal skin (“envelope”) of a jet aircraft. In other words, the plane was designed to fly safely up to a certain speed for a certain distance at a certain altitude. The job of test pilots was to “push the envelope” by making the plane go faster, farther and higher. The term “pushing the envelope” came into popular parlance in the blockbuster book and movie (1983) “The Right Stuff.” Naturally, this...

Guido (Guy) Fawkes and his co-conspirators entered Parliament with honest intentions for an alternative long-term vision for England. In their case this was a Roman Catholic not Anglican future, and they were not successful. This leads to the question, ‘who looks for the future of our communities’? Who is really concerned about their well-being in 50-80 years time, or beyond? How will we travel, trade, resource and feed ourselves in 2063? In a society obsessed with instant gratification for individuals the prospects for community futures are not clear, so who does care? Probably not...