A secret garden in London

I just discovered a little gem.
True, unless you're a Chelsea resident or Friend of the garden you need to pay to enter, but everything else about this place is wonderful.
It's a small botanical garden at the Southern end of Royal Hospital Road, right next to the river, hidden behind tall walls, and dating back to 1673. The garden houses over 5,000 different plants in small beds and ancient little green houses, a pond, two beehives, and - best of all - a little cafe. There's ample room to sit and enjoy a lovely home made cake with tea. Unless you prefer coffee or cappuccino, which is really good too.
If I'd spotted a fairy I wouldn't have been surprised. I didn't but I'll keep looking.
http://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/

Never judge a book by its cover

...Or should you?

For my part, what I liked best about this year's Account Planning survey is the cover. Here it is:

Mon meilleur ami

Something to take your best friend to - a wonderful movie about the pricelessness of true friendship.

Daniel Auteuil really shines in this one.

And don't be scared of French cinema super-sophistication - Who wants to be a Millionaire plays a role in this movie too.

http://www.monmeilleurami-lefilm.com/

Speaking with David Milliband

I'm at the defra citizens summit for climate change today in the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster. The venue is fantastic - a bright airy Victorian hall not all that different in feel from the greenhouse in the Botanical Gardens in Kew.

Defra's summit is about how the government can better communicate climate change, and influence us to take action. 150 people are here - representatives of the UK population - , who have been through a lengthy consultation process in which they had to read lots on the topic, take part in workshops and experiment with proposed actions.

However many of the representatives still don't seem to feel very involved; there are nearly too many numbers and scientific proof for climate change and its causes. I think what people are looking for a small, everyday actions that they feel they can achieve without significantly changing their lifestyle - I've heard a lot of 'together we CAN make a difference.'
Not a bad start I think.

David Milliband gave me a quick interview on camera - which I'll post on www.myspace.com/actonco2 - and I have to say it's a great experience to be able to speak to a politician personally. Not an opportunity many of us get often, but if you do, go for it - it makes politics a whole lot more tangible than what you get in news coverage.

Shades of green

I used to work on very different campaigns for very different clients. I still work on very different clients but the campaigns now seen to come in shades of green - all of them. From public body to big oil companies to toilet paper - it's all about what they do, and what you can do, for the environment. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great; and about time.
But how long will the public interest last? Brands like Diesel already thrive on green cynicism.
Have we reached the peak already?
Will we look back in five years time and laugh at the ridiculousness of offsetting our flights?

Also, if anyone is going to the APG Groups 'Planning Green Marketing' with John Grant, let me know how it was - as I won't be able to make it