A happy recycling Christmas!

12.12.07

MP's Christmas Card says "re-use your hats"!

"Re-use your hats" is one of the imaginative messages of the winning design in Edward Davey MP's Christmas card competition this year.

Nearly 800 local children from 8 schools, as well as local Scouts and youth groups, entered Edward Davey's competition this year, designing cards to the unusual theme of "waste prevention". Edward is keen to promote the idea of reducing waste and recycling - especially at Christmas, when the average household's waste doubles. This year's card has also been designed inside to encourage people to cut down on waste, with ideas of how to re-use the card to send to someone else next year.

As always, Edward found it too difficult to choose just one winning design, so a member of his team helped choose the overall winning entry.  This year’s winning design was created by 10 year old Moses Senoga from St John's C of E Primary School. Christopher Vargas from Christ Church School and Heather Boardman from Tolworth Girls each won first prizes in their age category. Their designs, along with other highly commended entries will be on display at Café Chaud on Platforms 1 & 2 at Surbiton station over Christmas. In the New Year, Moses and his family will have tea in the Houses of Parliament with Edward.  

In another topical change this year, Edward had his cards produced by Springboard, the local NHS service that provides employment and training for people with learning disabilities and recovering from mental health problems. Edward is currently working with service users, carers and local charities to save Springboard from closure in the New Year.

Commenting on this year's Christmas Card Competition, Edward said:

“I wanted to encourage young people to think about reducing waste at Christmas. It's all about a totally different three Rs from school – it's the 3 Rs of the environment - reduce, reuse and recycle.

“Once again, Kingston and Surbiton’s young people lived up to the challenge and the entries this year were excellent. The imagination and effort that young people have is wonderful.    

“ I am also pleased that Springboard turned Moses wonderful design into this rather unusual Christmas Card! I hope people will follow his advice to "switch lights off" and "re-use your hats", even if they don't want to re-use the card next year. Thanks to all those that took part for your effort and imagination.”

1. Photos available on request - of the card, of the winner and from Springboard

2. Inside the card, there's advice linked to Friends of the Earth's website on re-using cards: "Save the cards you received this Christmas for re-use next year. Either keep the pictures to make your own creations, or order a pad of 50 re-use labels for £2 from Friends of the Earth and call to order on 020 7490 1555.