Children's party

Great fun: picked up children from Randwick School with my partners' daughter - both of us dressed as clowns - my partner's granddaughter, Lisa is 6 today - 12 children loose in my house for 2 hours of party - and all telling me how to be a clown - well I did say I was a "Learner Clown" - balloon blowing, magic, a shaving foam cake and plenty of tomfoolery as well as party games. Need a rest now - but what a wonderful time - all those great party games and innocent fun!

And talking of Clowns... Jo Wildings' book is out now - read more about her new book: "Don't Shoot the Clowns - taking a circus to the children of Iraq." Not sure my clowning is up to that yet...

Blow to 20 mph plans for Ruscombe and Randwick

Excuse this rather hurried Blog but wanted to get this news out before 12 five and six year old children descend on my house for a birthday party - scary or what!

Anyhow to this news - please do feel free to add comments at the bottom on this site:

Many of us have been requesting a 20 mph limit through much of Ruscombe, Randwick and beyond . We thought we were there with at least part of our request being accepted (see proposals on map): these plans were drawn up and the community consulted. No objections - just support since the consultations opened in the summer - that is until at the last minute the police apparently have said now they can't support the scheme without traffic calming measures. I find it strange that they were not involved more at the start - or if they were why only now the objections?

Humps and bumps are not possible on the hills and in any case I don't think they are the best way to reduce speed. I have asked to be involved with how we can get around this problem - basically regulations generally mean that if cars can go 30 mph then we are not allowed the 20 mph - but clearly there are ways we could get around this - road narrowing in places could for example reduce speeds - certainly there are not many areas that cars can get up to 30 mph.....

...but then one starts to wonder - if cars can't go faster why bother with all that expense - better to focus with limited resources say on getting The Plain right - it is unacceptable that people living in Whiteshill feel unable to let children go to the play ground because the main road is too dangerous to cross without an adult - to me we need a complete shift in how we look at traffic - like much of Europe all residential areas should be 20 mph - if they need to be faster then a case should be made by those wanting it - communities should not have to fight to get 20 mph zones.

It is also worth noting that 20 mph is by no means an answer - and the police are partly right - as Greens have been saying for a very long time we need roads to be designed for all users not just to speed cars through from A to B - it is no wonder we have the highest death rate for children in Europe on our roads and some of the fewest pedestrians and cyclists. Enforcement is another issue - but clearly getting a 20 mph zone would in my view start to change how people view the road and our community. I wont repeat all the discussions here - see elsewhere on this Blog....

More about the proposals and support for 20 mph coming from an A&E Consultant at Gloucester by clicking here. My most recent letter to press re general call for 20 mph here and discussions about the need for more measures beyond that being proposed here. In many ways parts of the The Plain and the main road through Randwick to Edge are in need of more attention than the area for the proposed 20 mph - it is good news that both Whiteshill and Randwick look set to get the flashing speed sign as a start to getting these problems tackled.

Project management and County Waste plan

This evening it was a training session on Project Management - I thought I might actually fall asleep in the first half-an-hour and was cursing that I had given up a precious evening - but things significantly improved and when we got onto how to do Project Management then there were some very useful ideas and models that are readily applicable - examples like the Dursley supermarket were considered - not one of the more successful projects due to many factors - made the point that Greens didn't think the project should have been embarked on in the first place - and certainly wont lead to more jobs - anyway it was interesting to see how certain key factors might have led to problems there - it is good to see Stroud adopting this approach to their projects.

Also today got a press release off re the County's Waste Strategy - haven't mentioned that in these pages but earlier in the month a fair bit of time was devoted to looking at issues in the consultation paper - not yet having Greens on the County Council make it more difficult to highlight these issues but look like we might be able to have some input.

Floods in Bread Street and sewage in the living room

My neighbour has had water run-off the road down her steps and into her kitchen on several occasions over the last few years. A week ago heavy rains again flooded her - Strange living so high up in the Cotswolds to find your home flooded! I've helped mop up on two occasions - and they were surprisingly dirty and yuccky! I luckily missed this latest occasion!

In the past we've been told it is the drains being blocked and the problem would be sorted: maybe - but it now seems clear after maybe 4 or 5 floods that the drains are not up to the job.

Highways this time have responded with sand bags (see photo) and promises to unblock. This is great but the sandbags are situation to divert water from my neighbours house further along the road...sadly barely 3 metres along is my house - I'm hoping they unblock the drains before more heavy rains make it into my front room!

Highways have said they will relook at it but I suspect a new drain or channel is needed to take the water. Indeed news in the last month is that we can expect many more occasions of extreme weather and particularly rains as a result of climate change. These "little" problems are likely to become more common.

And an email this weekend from a local Ruscombe Brook Action Group member who had her home sprayed with raw sewage:

"...had major sewage spillage spraying into my dining room and kitchen, and spent the day clearing up rather than writing the proposal. There was a major blockage in the main sewer that all my row of houses are attached to - many metres away from the houses, and it had backed up to my neighbours garden and was spilling out of the manhole cover there. He called in STW on the emergency line who said they would take 48 hours to get there. After some heated discussion he said this was unacceptable, and would engage a private contractor and send STW the bill. I was unaware of all this until the contractor pressurised the entire sewer to clear the blockage...which blew the soil pipe off my downstairs toilet and sprayed contaminated water in a 6 foot jet across my living space. The contractor was unconcerned about this because he had managed to clear the blockage - I hear it was sanitary towels and face wipes - and delivered a bill for £550 to my neighbour who has sent it to STW."

RBAG will be picking up on this issue and trying to improve the situation locally - infact had a call from a Ruscombe resident yesterday re sewage in their garden - clearly we need to encourage Severn Trent to sort the problems but we also need longer terms solutions. That is what RBAG are working to achieve - and to be fair Severn Trent and others are working with us - we will soon be highlighting fat traps and other measures that householders can take to reduce these types of incidents - more about them very soon!

Starlings, parish stuff and mobile phones

Love this time of year as autumn creeps in - particularly enjoy the Starlings coming together as they do at this time of year - fortunate that they use a phone line in Bread Street so I can watch them (see photo). A must is to see the hundreds of thousands of them as they congregate together later in the year at Slimbridge - nobody seems to know why - it is the most incredible site to see them wheel and flow like moving clouds or rolling seas into one another before roosting in the trees.

Anyway today has been a day of catching up: various local issues like asking a resident to park in a different place so that a disabled person can gain access to their home better - the resident was more than happy to comply but I am still looking at the matter with Highways to see if something better could be done. Plus a housing issue, lots on the brook, following up on an issue re mobile phone use and local schools, publicity at the local Community shop, numerous emails and phone calls and loads of reading including a wad of Cabinet papers for a meeting next week. Finished the day at a Green party councillors meeting - District, Town and Parish all together - great to share ideas and ways forward - a very positive and constructive meeting.

Ruscombe Brook - next steps and Severn Trent

Ruscombe Brook Action Group meeting

Bob Nightingale gave an excellent presentation this evening showing photos taken along the brook as part of a survey. This was hugely informative and very useful for us planning our next steps.

Photos left of some of the previous incidents and the tractor coming to the 'rescue' to remove blockages.

We also had a packed agenda including looking at the draft of the leaflet we are proposing to produce with Severn Trent and guidelines we have written re drawing up plans for the whole brook. Plus hopes to do dye testing in the stream in the future, plans to distribute 130 fat traps, a discussion re 'cattle poaching' (basically a term used by farmers for cattle disturbing the soil), frustrations re British Waterways plans for The Lawns and more - including Severn Trent - I've just thrown together a summary of outstanding issues which I'll enclose below. Comments welcomed!

Our next meeting will be 7.30 on 24th October at which we hope to have a brief presentation re the legal position and move forward the plans. If anyone who hasn't joined us yet is interested please let me know on 755451.

Email to Severn Trent re Ruscombe Brook

Please can you confirm receipt of this email. I understand that Barry Bridgewater has moved jobs so we would welcome news of who has taken over? We would be happy to talk with them and look forward to working with them on solutions.

We also have a number of points below - some outstanding from the unanswered August email to you. I hope by putting all these concerns together on behalf of Ruscombe Brook Action Group members it will save you time rather than answering many different people. We will be happy to pass on information to our network of members and supporters.

1. You were planning to cut regrowth in sewer pipes in August. It would appear this has not taken place. Please advise on when this will happen? At our RBAG meeting this evening concern was expressed that we will see a return to the very serious incidents of sewage on farmland and in the brook if action is not taken.

2. I would also welcome a note as to whether the CCTV camera work went as far up stream as the lake on the Charley's farm. I have in the last 3 months twice smelt sewage strongly near a gate up at that end. Access is difficult due to undergrowth but if problem is found again, hopefully in the autumn it will be possible to check.

3. We also asked in our August email if it might be possible to have the full results of the CCTV? And details of which sections appear to be worst effected? Are these near the brook?

4. What are your plans for fixing the sewers? Will work entail relining or replacing or both - or have you other plans? Taking into account your funding constraints etc when could work begin on this?

5. If there is a delay before repairs can begin how often will the roots need to be cut? If so could we please have a schedule of planned maintenance with dates etc?

6. The landowner of some of the fields notes that requests for access to the fields for this work, will not in future be agreed by her, if they are made with no notice and only the day before as has been the case in the past. She has understandable concerns that such short notice is a problem especially if she is away - on the last occasion apparently both herself and the tenant were on holiday. Can you please ensure that a weeks notice is given for these works to take place on this land?

7. Regarding the overflows, can you provide evidence of how frequently they have been checked and cleared? Looking at the one at A.S. Cooke's yard it seems doubtful if anyone has been near them for years.

8. Could you please provide a site plan for both the outflows and confirmation of the point of outfall into the brook? This will be useful for land owners and monitoring.

9. RBAG consider pathogenic sewage discharge to such a small watercourse in close proximity to livestock & human populations is unacceptable. We are keen to find alternative solutions to this. Would you be able to organise dye testing to determine extent of escape to brook?

10. I will be in contact re your publicity department re the fat traps.

11. I understand there are still 9 outstanding misconnections? This must be very frustrating for you as I know you have tried to tackle this. However we would like those houses checked as one of our group members reports what was very clearly soap in the stream very recently. Please advise on your plans.

12. I have written to the Minister re SUDS but have still not had a reply. I will write again.

All the best - Philip

Philip Booth, Secretary of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group

Volunteers and a Disability Action Plan

I joined a Volunteer and Community Action Group Forum meeting this morning to get a better overview of what was being provided locally - it is extraordinary how many different groups exist and operate. Once upon a time many of these activities would have been done by health or social services - times have changed and for many services are more flexible and often more led by the needs of the individuals - but the downside is the funding - so many projects operate for 2 or 3 years then lose funds or have to spend too much of their time either seeking further funds or promoting what they do to justify the funds...

The afternoon was a couple of hours devoted to Stroud District Councils' Disability Action Plan - some good stuff - the challenge is always how to engage with groups to get what is really wanted or needed. The other two key points - both of which I made at the meeting are re funding for the proposed activities and monitoring to see how the goals are achieved. I look forward to hearing more as the Plan progresses to the next stage.

Phil and Pam Hughes from the Stroud Access Group were also in attendence to give their views on access.

It was good to see things have moved on from my days as a Social Worker - then when I did my dissertation in the early 1980s I looked at what was then the pioneering "Social model of disability". We can still learn much from that. In this model the notion of discrimination is key, in other words, disabled people do not face disadvantage because of their impairments but experience discrimination in the way we organise society. This includes failing to make education, work, leisure and public services accessible, failing to remove barriers of assumption, stereotype and prejudice and failing to outlaw unfair treatment in our daily lives.

To read more I came across this website - not sure how useful but it gets the idea across in a rather simplistic way!

Ruscombe valley being sold in India?

The Guardian reports that lots of green belt land in England are being sold to Indians for thousands of pounds as one of the best ways to make money. They are being marketed on the basis that vast tracts of the English countryside would soon be covered in homes - and potentially make big profits for foreign investors.

Is our Ruscombe Valley being marketed by Gladwish in India? Certainly the land in our three fields is still being marketed in this country and there is evidence that Gladwish have already sold to people in India.

See more re our recent walk in the valley to highlight the fact that the fields were sold 2 years ago and see more background info. This is another example of why we must get the legislation changed.

Companies have apparently taken out full-page advertisements in Indian newspapers and also blitzed prospective customers with text messages saying: "Plot available in UK London (sic)". Investing in England's green belt, according to marketing material seen by the Guardian, is "one of the best ways to create real personal wealth". Landbanking firms typically buy fields for a few thousand pounds, divide them up, and then sell plots for £10,000 each on the basis that, with planning permission, they stand to reap substantial profits. However, local councils told the Guardian that "allowing homes to be built on the land would be contrary to all current, emerging and foreseeable planning policies".

Read full Guardian article.

A glorious morning!

What a glorious morning - a wonderful walk in Randwick woods - they are really special - heres a photo just taken - and the walk was very welcomed - have spent too long looking at this computer screen this week!

Local poet Davies sprung to mind - something about this poem touched me when I was a teenager - long before it appeared in the Centre Parks ads - and yes it is a little naff? But something about me - and indeed much of our modern life - not making enough time to 'stand and stare'...

Leisure by WH Davies

WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Read more about the extraordinary life of the poet WH Davies who lived for a long while in Nailsworth - infact his nephew who used to live in his old house was one of the Green party's greatest leafleters in Nailsworth. See also a local poet's variation on this poem and a friend of mines' poems. Time for a croissant and coffee in the sun.

Coffee House Discussion

Lebanon, Palestine and Israel - nearly 40 people in a very lively and interesting discussion - these evenings are great - and although Green party sponsored many others of all political persuasions and none come to the cafe to listen, debate and for the coffee and cake. Read more about them and the previous topics.

Health latest and Full Council

Stroud Maternity saved and Cheltenham midwife-led hospital saved. Good news but Weavers Croft looking v bad...

Tonight was Full Council - once every 6 weeks and on the agenda was various items like the RSS and Environment paper(see below and previous Blogs for details) - Greens spoke up on both and have already circulated comments - I congratulated the Council on it's RSS submission but apparently shouldn't have done it during 'questions' - that is for Discussion/Debate section - I still have protocol to learn!

We were also webcast - a practice session before hopefully going live in November - at least then you at home can watch us in the chamber - better still you can wind forward to the interesting bits. I have to say that Full Council is a rather strange affair - party politics rears its' head very visibly - not necessarily all bad but some of the debate left much to be desired with members seeming to repeatedly miss the point (intentionally or otherwise) that others were making.

Anyhow in terms of the Environment paper the hard work begins - we need to ensure their are targets so the Council is made to work and be held accountable. News last week is pretty dismal with the Government funded Tyndale Centre for Climate Change research saying successive Governments have been misleading us on what has been achieved and what needs to be done - they call for a radical rethink - and some say their calls for a 90% cut rather than the current 60% cut is also too inadequate...

Stroud must become a leader in tackling climate change - if we can't do it in this 'green area' then I fear for the planet. I would urge people to write in and make their comments re the Environment paper.

Anyhow Council also discussed much like audit and finished with a couple of Green party questions from Sarah Lunnon that challenged the Council to adopt higher energy efficiency standards in new build and more renewable energy. While the answer was positive, once again no definite timescale or commitment was given. We must all develop a new sense of urgency around this - there is not the time to dilly-dally - the Council has a responsibility to take a lead.

UPDATE: It is great to see Conservatives below reading this Blog! Thanks - I do believe we can work to make this happen but we still need Greens to give this some urgency and more. Neil Carmichael and David Cameron are right that 'protecting the environment cannot be the preserve of one party', but if we are to give climate change the seriousness it warrants then it should be taken into account in all policies - not some sort of fashionable add on. Both Tory and Labour leaders call for action on reducing CO2 emissions but in the same breathe they argue for business as usual, more road building and airport expansion and evermore economic growth (See Guardian journalist, George Monbiot on David Cameron).

As we all agree climate change is one of the greatest and potentially most catastrophic threats we face. Oil is also set to become increasingly expensive. It makes economic sense to build a strong carbon-light economy now. Indeed if we are to build a future for ourselves, our children and future generations then we need action: radical action now.

Stroud should be a 'green leader' that shows the rest of the country what can be done. It is great that Conservatives locally are waking up to what the Green party have been saying for many, many years. Locally for example Cllr Barbara Tait (Cons, Painswick), the council's cabinet member for planning, was quoted in this weeks' SNJ saying: "We have already expressed our concerns that airport expansions would wipe out environmental gains made by this council and the people of the Stroud district. It is also inequitable to require local businesses to reduce their CO2 emissions only to see rises resulting from aviation." Cllr Nigel Cooper, Environment portfolio and Cllr Chas Fellows, the Council's Leader have also made more than just the right noises and are genuinely pushing this initiative forward.

This is great indeed but I am not so sure that all of this would be happening if the Greens hadn't been getting such a vote and voice locally. One small example is the Greens submission to the RSS - read that on the Glos Green party website then look at the Councils version.

This is part of what makes me optimistic that we can work together for the benefit of all in Stroud and beyond.

I also have said repeatedly the Environment paper is to be welcomed and applauded - yes I have criticisms - so do some of the Tories I've spoken to - the point is this is a start - and yes I would have liked more proposals for targets so that people can debate the issues - there is hardly anything anyone would disagree with in this report. It seems a missed opportunity to spend money and time on consulting on proposals that everyone would agree with?

Climate change actually presents us with some interesting and hard choices – we should be consulting on these – to get guidance on which of the range of possible policies are supported by most people and which are not. What are the priorities? Wind turbines on our hills in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty? Increasing Council Tax to pay for energy efficiency measures? Nuclear waste to be stored at Aston Down? But we are where we are and now there is an opportunity to look at those issues in the next step. It is an exciting time - and a few more Greens elected in the Council elections next year will give us even more

More coming soon to this Blog!

International Day of Peace

See todays news release re Trident and link to Comment on the day.

Addition in light of comment below: there are many reasons for war - religious/ethnic differences play a part - see Martin Whitesides' piece in The Citizen today linked above - many other factors are also important - the arms trade, demand for resources like oil and water - and climate change - the situation in Darfur for example has been fueled by increasing drought cycles - the Sahara's southward expansion creating conflicts between nomadic and sedentary groups over shortages of water and land - there are other factors also at play but we'll save that for another Blog.

It is just not true to suggest nuclear weapons have helped with peace over the last 50 years - their production and environmental impacts of the nuclear industry itself are huge. There is also much evidence now about how close the US came to using nuclear weapons - can we really trust the likes of Reagan, Bush and others to come? And a world in which conflicts like the Congo (3 million dead), Iraq, Afghanistan etc etc rage cannot be a world of peace - many of these wars have been fuelled directly or indirectly by British and/or US policies - furthermore a world in which poverty is growing is not a world of peace :

• One third of deaths - some 18 million people a year or 50,000 per day - are due to poverty-related causes. That's 270 million people since 1990, the majority women and children, roughly equal to the population of the US.
• Every year nearly 11 million children die before their fifth birthday.
• 1.1 billion people had consumption levels below $1 a day and 2.7 billion lived on less than $2 a day
• 800 million people go to bed hungry every day.

History has also shown that any weapon allowed to be kept in existence will be eventually be deployed, and whatever weapon is deployed will be used. Even now, over a decade after the end of the Cold War, the Bush Administration has officially issued a new nuclear doctrine that envisions the use of new nuclear weapons, such as the mini-nuke and the bunker-buster, in a wide variety of circumstances against at least seven countries. Moreover, the world can’t forever endure a permanent double standard, where it’s legitimate for certain countries to possess nuclear weapons forever, but illegitimate for others ever to obtain them. Such a double standard is seen as hypocritical by the non-nuclear countries, and isn’t ethically or politically viable.

So long as tens of thousands of nuclear weapons, and tons of nuclear weapon grade materials, continue to exist, it is inevitable that nuclear weapons will be eventually be used—by terrorists who obtain them, by accident, or by states who feel their ultimate national interests are threatened. Global nuclear weapons abolition under strict and effective international control is the only way to prevent their future use.

See comments from Stroud's Mayor Kevin Cranston - a retired Lieutenant Colonel and Army helicopter pilot - made after a meeting with the Mayor of Hiroshima.

An excellent report on global security and sustainable responses can be found by clicking here.

Welcoming Stroud's submission to RSS

Strategy to raise CO2 emissions in SW

As regular Blog readers will know the SW RSS is a hugely influential plan for the next 20 years - yet it 'fails disastrously' to tackle climate change.

Tonight at Full Council, Stroud's submission will be agreed - basically a formality as it has already been viewed by all parties and agreed by Cabinet. It has been great to see Stroud politicians of all colours agree that this plan is inadequate re climate change - an issue first raised by Greens - indeed it is particularly great to see other councillors talking out publicly on this. Cllr Barbara Tait (Cons, Painswick), the council's cabinet member for planning, for example was quoted in yesterdays SNJ saying: "We have already expressed our concerns that airport expansions would wipe out environmental gains made by this council and the people of the Stroud district. It is also inequitable to require local businesses to reduce their CO2 emissions only to see rises resulting from aviation."

The SNJ also quoted a spokesperson for the South West Regional Assembly saying: "There remains some disagreement about the impact of air travel on carbon emissions with the aviation industry taking action to reduce CO2 emissions. Of course, any shift regarding climate change also requires a significant change in peoples' behaviour, and currently air travel is expanding due to high demand."

This is plainly utter nonsense. The SW are encouraging air travel by subsidising it and doubling /tripling airport traffic. Government and the SW have to take a lead on this - good on Stroud for seeing the clear economic and sustainability arguments.

The Citizen also kindly covered a 500 word comment from me today re the RSS.

Light an internet candle for victims

The innocent victims of Internet child abuse cannot speak for themselves. A campaign has been launched to highlight this - they are asking that you light a candle of support .

They're aiming to light at least One Million Candles by December 31, 2006. This petition will be used to encourage governments, politicians, financial institutions, payment organisations, Internet service providers, technology companies and law enforcement agencies to eradicate the commercial viability of online child abuse. They have the power to work together. This petition is about making them act.

Meeting new Highways Officer and more

A busy day meeting a Parish councillor outside my ward re a concern, going into Ebley Mill to see some planning applications and meet with officers, meeting a couple of residents with a particular issue and meeting Highways to discuss, on site, traffic calming measures and a possible Shared Space approach to Nouncell's Cross, Sub Rooms (pictured) and/or Lansdown Road. As Blog readers will know I am passionate that this approach cand the many benefits it can bring. More about this approach.

We are at early stages but it was good to meet the new Highways Officer who was quick and very good at listening and teasing out from councillors and residents what the real issues are in these locations. It felt possible to develop a very positive partnership.

Policy panel - a poss new scheme for tenants, Summer Street and canal developments

Policy panels are about sharing ideas and discussion - input into policy - now this is a difficult area as we need to be presented with stuff to discuss - but it seems to me that in the 3 or 4 Policy Panels that I've attended it is more about briefing councillors - this one was no different...

It kicked off with 'Choice Based Lettings' - yes I know that title got me excited too????!! As Cllr Hilary Fowles pointed out it would have been better to call it something like 'A new scheme to offer more choice in the allocation of housing' - perhaps then more councillors would have attended - anyhow the scheme has loads of benefits but as pointed out it does not provide any more houses - we are still in the dire situation with long waiting lists causing stress to many people.

Plus I can see a serious problem with access to the scheme - people at the moment go on a list and are contacted when a home comes available - this scheme will mean people bid for properties - I've not the time to go into all the benefits here but this is good in many ways - the downside is many people are not computor literate and are not able to find a computor terminal each week that can access this site - before I can support this scheme I will need reassurances that vulnerable people and others will not miss out - a paper version sent weekly would end up being too costly but other ways maybe possible - texting when a home is available or limiting paper versions to certain people....more work is needed.

That was only item one and booked for 20 mins - we ran over lots and clearly more time is needed - next up came the small plot of land at Summer Street (see photo) and plans for SDC to develop for housing - again many issues were raised - Cllr Sarah Lunnon picking up on many aspects of the draft plans sustainability. Again more work needed but at least that means - we hope - that we are more likely to get it right.

One of the other key issues of the meeting was the canal development plans - again we had a presentation outlining the key issues and stages. Cllr Martin Whiteside rightly raised concerns that the time scales meant proper consultation with public was being squeezed.

Tesco Bus Shelter

The lack of a bus shelter at the big Tesco in Stratford Park Road was raised by someone anonymously in a 'Comment' re one of my previous Blogs - I've not had a reply from my letter to Tesco - but then it's only been 10 days - but I have heard from the Town Council. As I suspected they had been pushing for this a while back but little has happened so the anonymous comment has jolted everything into action again.

Cllr Sheila Booth, a green party councillor but no relation, raised the shelter at 'Consultations' at Stroud Town Council last week on Monday. The committee was strongly supportive particularly as it was reported that regularly there can be 10 people waiting there. The Council will also write to Tesco and see what they can / will do. We must keep our eyes on this one.

Stroud Valley Project events along our brook

Here's some dates that might interest locals - come and find out more....

SATURDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER, 10am – 1pm:
HABITAT WORKSHOP AT HAMWELL LEAZE, CAINSCROSS
Come and join other volunteers from the community in making further improvements to the habitats of Hamwell Leaze. We will be clearing rubbish out of the willow copse and hand cutting the wildflower meadow. The cuttings will replenish the grass in the recently built grass snake maternity hotel. We will also sow yellow rattle seeds (semi-parasitic species which suppresses the grass growth – which in turn helps wildflowers to flourish), and plant wildflower bulbs to increase the biodiversity of the site.
Meet: at Hamwell Leaze, by the oak tree. Directions: turn right from Cashes Green Road into Hyett Road. At the end of Hyett Road turn right into Walter Preston Court. Hamwell Leaze is at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Contact: Ivi Szaboova, Tel: 01453 753358

SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER, 10.00am – 12.00 noon:
HUMPHREY’S CLOSE, CAINSCROSS
Do you want to make it easier for the birds in your garden to get through the winter months? At this workshop you can find out more about how you can help them. You will have the opportunity to learn how to make a bird box that you can take home or put it up on the trees at Humphrey’s Close.
Meet: at Humphrey’s Close, on the green. The site is off Cashes Green Road, next door to the Scouts’ hut.
Contact: Ivi Szaboova, Tel: 01453 753358

SUNDAY 18TH NOVEMBER, 10am-1pm:
HUMPHREY’S CLOSE, CAINSCROSS
The Scouts enjoyed the recent wildflower planting workshop so much that they decided to carry on with habitat improvements at Humphrey’s Close. This time they will plant spring bulbs to increase the diversity of the site. Please bring your own trowel if you have one.
Meet: at Humphrey’s Close, on the green. The site is off Cashes Green Road, next door to the Scouts’ hut.
Contact: Ivi Szaboova, Tel: 01453 753358

SATURDAY 2ND DECEMBER, 10am – 1pm:
HUMPHREY’S CLOSE, CAINSCROSS
Another chance to have a good workout at Humphrey’s Close, creating a new hedge on the boundary with Morehall Park. We will be planting native species such as wayfaring tree, buddleia, hazel, hawthorn and privet to create new habitats for birds and insects.
Meet: at Humphrey’s Close, on the green. The site is off Cashes Green Road, next door to the Scouts’ hut.
Contact: Ivi Szaboova, Tel: 01453 753358

FRIDAY 22ND DECEMBER, 10am – 12noon:
SOLSTICE WALK FROM HAMWELL LEAZE
Come and join us for another circular walk from Hamwell Leaze. We will be exploring the surrounding countryside and blowing off all the winter cobwebs. Bring walking boots/trainers and waterproofs. The walk will involve going over some stiles.
Meet: at Hamwell Leaze, by the oak tree. Directions: turn right from Cashes Green Road into Hyett Road. At the end of Hyett Road turn right into Walter Preston Court. Hamwell Leaze is at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Contact: Ivi Szaboova, Tel: 01453 753358

Whiteshill Credit Union to close but Paganhill opens

It is a great shame to hear that our Credit Union in the Whiteshill and Ruscombe shop is to close - for over 5 years it has struggled to keep going. Huge thanks to the volunteers - the good news is that a new one opens this month every Thursday 2-3pm in the Maypole Community Hall in Paganhill (the new Post Office behind Tesco).

I've been a member of the local Credit Union for many years and helped get the original Forest Green site set up when I lived in Nailsworth. Debt is a huge issue that politicians sadly seem to ignore or know little about - see my letter earlier this year re Parmjit Dhanda MP for Gloucester.

At a meeting last year in Gloucester (see photo) that I attended on Credit Unions there was exciting talk about merging the Credit Unions in Gloucestershire to build a stronger organisation. Certainly the organisation needs to build support.

I would strongly urge people to consider joining.

What is a Credit Union?

A Credit Union is a community-based network of savers and borrowers. Credit Unions aim to provide affordable loans, encourage savings and give members help and support in managing their money. It is not for profit nor is it a charity, but rather a service run by its’ members for its’ members.

CUs were once seen as a poor person's bank, but are now widely recognised as having the potential to make a serious impact on the financial lives of people in communities throughout the country. In the US around one in four adults belongs to a CU and in Canada it is one in three. So by contrast, many in the UK are losing out on the benefits gained from being in a CU.

Every year, one in 20 adults in the UK uses finance companies which offer credit door to door. This market is worth around £2bn a year. Loans are offered at annual percentage rates which average 177% but can be as high as an astonishing 900%. Many of the people signing up for such loans fail to under-stand the terms or how much they repay in total at the end of the loan. Many are caught into a cycle of seemingly-endless debt.

About half of all such customers live on less than £9,500 a year, two-thirds are women, often with children. Almost a third of customers were people who stay at home to look after their families. Provident Financial controls almost 50% of the doorstep loans market. The other 3 main lenders are Catties, London Scottish, and S&U.

How much do I have to save? Whatever you can afford - as long as you save regularly either by calling into a collection point or by Standing Order. Each pound saved purchases you one share in the Credit Union.

Can I borrow from the Credit Union? Yes, but you will be asked to contribute to savings whilst repaying your loan. Money can also only be lent after a short savings period, but the Credit Union will consider even the smallest of loans which are not of interest to most lenders.

What rate of interest will I be charged? I think current rates are 1% per month on the reducing balance. For example a £100 loan repaid in full over one year could cost you just £6.50 in interest.

Will I be paid interest on my savings? If the Credit Union makes a profit the surplus will be returned to members as a dividend.

What happens if I lose my job? In any event that you are unable to keep up repayments you should contact the Credit Committee who will make every effort to restructure your loan.

Who will know about this? All members affairs are treated in the strictest confidence with only the Credit Committee and Treasurer involved.

Is anyone paid for running a Credit Union? The members themselves manage the Stroud Valleys Credit Union. Officers of the Credit Union are unpaid volunteers. The Credit Union is always looking for people who may be interested in helping run one of their colection points, perhaps by offering 2 hours a month. Any necessary training and help would be available.

Is the Credit Union involved with any political organisations? No

How are my savings protected? Credit Unions are strictly regulated and members money is well protected.

How can I join? As long as you live in post code areas GL5, GL6 or GL10 you can fill in an application form. The Stroud Valleys Credit Union has other regular collection points in Stroud, Uplands, Ebley Mill, Stonehouse and Forest Green. Telephone 01453 752905 for further details.

Update on Lower Street

See previous Blogs for background. Latest news from a Senior Engineer re Lower Street, Ruscombe: apparently a ground investigation is planned. A quote has been obtained but appears to be very high so to ensure they have a competitive price they are currently seeking prices from other companies. The ground investigation will involve drilling two boreholes, one in the road behind the wall and the other at the base of the wall. Access for machinery is very tight but should be possible. Further sampling will also be necessary further down the slope (disturbance will be very minimal) and this will be discussed with the owners of the property whose garden may be affected. Once the ground investigation is done they can evaluate the situation. In short it looks like the disruption will continue for a fair time.

Whiteshill traffic and Ruscombe 20 mph zone

The Citizen reports today that drivers travelling between Stroud and Gloucester are facing a daily nightmare of traffic jams and long delays. A gas mains replacement between Salmon Springs and Pitchcombe means motorists have been held up by temporary traffic lights along the main A46 route for nearly two weeks - but as Gerri Kimber, Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council points out that means Whiteshill becomes a rat run - traffic there is worse than usual...

... but good news is that the 20 mph proposal that so many people have been working towards for some of Ruscombe's roads is now available at Ebley Mill to consider - I plan to take a look later this week - my initial view is that this should only be the start. I have long campaigned for more 20 mph areas - why should we battle for these in residential areas - 20 mph should be automatic and other users should have to justify there case for making it faster - a recent letter to The Citizen prompted a Consultant at an A & E to write offering support to the campaign. A draft of my reply is below - anyone wanting to help on the 20 mph campaign would be most welcomed:

I was very pleased to receive your letter supporting 20 mph zones for residential roads. The evidence in favour of them, as you know, is so overwhelming - I sometimes think it is a pity that Highways officers and politicians aren't encouraged to see more of the shocking 'evidence' that you no doubt see.

We desperately need a shift in policy from Westminister to make it easier for local authorities to support 20 mph - having said that local authorities could do very much more than they do. I am very keen to see if we can shift the way they view 20 mph.

I understand that in Britain we've got some of the safest roads in Europe for car users, but the worst figures for adult and child pedestrian injuries. There could be much gained by developing a wide local coalition of groups and people calling for 20 mph. I will explore this idea further with others: to succeed it is important that we can gain cross party support and involve community groups. Ideas welcomed!

An extension of the idea of 20 mph zones is 'Shared Spaces': an approach developed in Holland that reduces casualties and congestion, makes neighbourhoods more pleasant and increases walking and cycling - and isn't anti-car! We have managed to gain cross-party support for the idea at Stroud District Council and are now looking at sites for a pilot scheme locally. It is frustratingly slow but things are moving forward.

Read more about 'Shared Spaces' at:
http://www.resurgence.org/selection/booth0306.htm

Once again thank you for taking the time to respond. I will be in touch when I know more. In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or queries.

Yours Sincerely,
Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Council,

Back from hols to RSS, health and more

Just had a weeks holiday with my parents who live in Devon - my Mum's 70th birthday - so lots of celebrating. Back now to over 390 emails, phone messages and a stack of letters and just when I thought I was getting on top of it The Citizen suggest I write 500 words for them on the Regional Spatial Strategy - I'd phoned them some 4 or 5 times mentioning this important story - in my view it should be a front page story - anyhow read my 500 words before they are printed later this week.

Today also was the pre-Full Council meeting - a sort of briefing before the Full Council meeting on Thursday. It lasted under half an hour but is an important check if needed - also caught up on latest re health cuts - Weavers Croft looks set to close despite the best efforts of the community - the Maternity is also still threatened although news is better - we will have to wait to see - Stroud District Council could end up supporting a Social Enterprise Trust as an alternative way forward...we will have to wait and see..

...but good to hear that the CD is out with music to protest the cuts - it includes local children's author John Dougherty with backing vocals from other local authours like Kate Fforde, Sue Limb (who has stood as a Green party candidate in European and local elections), Jamilla Gavin and more - plus Ruth Royall - well known to the local music scene....

Talking of music - I was disappointed to be away for Stroud Fringe Festival - by all accounts it was extraordinary - a 101 bands - claimed as being Britain's biggest free festival and certainly according to reports in the SNJ "one of the most trouble-free and joyous". Stroud really is an extraordinary place....but rather than go on about that I'd better get back to those emails....

Stroud's Environment paper

I've just finished sending out our response to all 51 Stroud District councillors re the Council's Environment Green paper - we have put together a critical and constructive 9 page report - it has taken weeks to pull together from all those making comments. We wanted to ensure it was out well before Full Council debates it on 21st September so all those who wanted had time to read it.

This Environment Green paper is only the start of creating a green vision for the District. We have applauded this move by the Council to focus on critical issues like climate change and energy use - I might add it has taken them long enough for an area that is supposedly green!! The consultation could also have been much better. The paper has virtually no targets: it talks for example of improving energy efficiency. Is anybody going to disagree with that?

Climate change presents us with some interesting and hard choices - we should be consulting on these. What are the priorities? Increasing Council Tax to pay for energy efficiency measures that save money in the longer term? Wind turbines on our hills?

But this is a start and there is a recognition we need targets - the challenge will be to make them the right ones! This Environment paper is the first step. Then we need to move rapidly to develop a sound sustainable future for the District. Certainly Greens will be keeping the pressure on with reports like this, questions and more. There is still not enough urgency.

Consultationed out!!

Having completed submissions on various consultations over the last weeks I do always wonder how much of them are heard - it is pleasing to see that at least some of the issues raised in Stroud District Council have got into final documents like concerns re climate change getting into their submission to the RSS (see Blog 30th August).

Having said that a submission re nuclear decommissioning seems to have been ignored on some key points - and I know many people are feeling there is too much consultation and too little real listening. In Cotswold District I heard that Fairford Parish Council are proposing a resolution to the Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils - GAPTC AGM in October. The text is -

"While accepting that consultation with the public is a worthy aspiration, the GAPTC is concerned about the large number of such exercises in which the outcome appears to be anticipated, calling into question the value of any such exercise. It therefore urges local authorities and public bodies to refrain from organising consultation exercises unless there is a reasonable chance that the outcome can be effected by the opinions canvassed."

Enough said!

Today I was at a meeting of the Safe Water Campaign for Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire which I helped set up to raise awareness about the dangers of water fluoridation. We have been involved in many local campaigns - over 1000 signed petitions in Stroud alone. At this meeting a member from Bristol suggested yet another submission.....this time to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics - should we take part in their consultation? Some members of the group expressed doubt over experiences with them re GM but we decided that if we don't make our voice heard then they can claim there is no opposition - a job for next week perhaps!

Street lighting: turn off after 1.00am?

In my August 9th Blog I raised the issue of street lighting after Randwick Parish mentioned that it might be worth exploring turning lights off late at night.

On Monday the cabinet at Gloucestershire County Council endorsed the view that they should investigate street lighting reduction. Cllr Stan Waddington has already discussed this with the environment officers responsible and they have identified a unit that would switch lights off after say midnight and switch them back on again for the morning. They are also looking at dimmers for applications where switching lights off would not be appropriate.

Before implementation of a scheme they note the need to consult, initially with the Police to gauge their reaction both on Community and road safety grounds - then a public
consultation exercise as there are bound to be strong opinions in both directions. They are aware of Randwick's possible interest in exploring this further.

Essex is one step ahead of us having already undertaken public consultation. The plans in Essex are set to save the council a whopping £1million a year from its £3.8million electricity bill for street lighting and reduce the 19,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. The fact that the response was very positive from the public augurs well for Gloucestershire.

A night of gambling

Tonight a Green party planning meeting then a Policy Panel at Ebley Mill - this one on the new Statement of Principals re Gambling. Stroud District will be taking over various aspects of licensing and enforcement.

The government has produced much to welcome with their look at gambling - local councils should have a larger role - but sadly the government seems to have also failed in too many respects - powers for local Councils seem to be virtually non-existent outside the Government guidelines - it seems we are again doing the work of government rather than making decisions for and with our communities.

The policy is also only half written - the rest comes out next summer yet 1st September 2007 the Council fully takes over - there is also an assumption that gambling is a legitimate business that should not be refused a licence. Indeed? I am also not convinced that Councils have been given sufficient resources to take over this role that will require staff, training and much more.

We are rapidly becoming a nation of gamblers. Virgin Money says it has seen a rise in the average online gambling transaction on its credit card from £130 last year to £200 now. Britons spent £50bn on gambling last year, which works out at more than £800 per person on average. This is seven times what was spent in 2001, before the Government started revamping - and relaxing - gaming legislation.

The Government also plans to open a super casino with hundreds of slot machines and no-limit jackpots. Some 27 councils are competing for the licence. Still more are in the running to host smaller casinos - thankfully Stroud is not amongst them and Greens argued strongly in our RSS submission that the South West was not suitable for a casino. Tewkesbury Borough Council however has looked at this and made many supportive noises for developing a casino locally.

My grandfather - never met him - was a gambler and I've heard too many tales and know too much from members of my family to know what that can mean. We have 370,000 ‘problem gamblers’ at the moment, a figure that’s predicted to rise to 700,000 in the next five years.

30 million people regularly buy UK Lotto tickets in the second largest of the 192 lotteries across the world. Official figures tell us that a mere 1% of these have developed out of control gambling habits, Gamblers Anonymous are finding that they ve had an increase of 17% in calls for help. GamCare has also seen an increase in requests for their counseling service.

Worryingly with broadband access to the internet we are likely to see more on-line gambling. Not surprisingly, problems are expected to increase.

It seems to me that the Government and the big gaming corporations can only see a big jackpot ahead, instead of the accompanying social harm. At the meeting this evening I raised the issue of enforcement of the licensing regulations - it is something we should all keep our eye on when Stroud takes over.

Council's Home Buy scheme

SDC’s new HomeBuy Initiative launches this month - it is aimed at reducing the shortage of affordable housing. HomeBuy grants [interest-free equity loans] will help those who can’t afford the full cost of buying. Eligible applicants can buy a new home, or find one on the open market, and will need to fund at least 75% of the price using Mortgage and savings.

The HomeBuy grant covers up to 25% and there are no monthly repayments - but the equity grant must be repaid when the home is sold - or the purchaser can stay-put and buy-out the 25% grant. When a HomeBuy grant is repaid, the cost of the property is likely to have risen, so the individual benefits from 75% of the increase. The council’s HomeBuy budget is being called a Legacy Fund because when it is repaid, the original 25% investment is likely to have increased in value, and will be available for future reinvestment.

Gloucestershire Housing Association will run the scheme for SDC, using the Legacy Fund budget of £1.7m to provide up to 60 x HomeBuy grants over 2 years. The Association has set-up a special website that covers the different kinds of affordable home ownership schemes, including Stroud’s HomeBuy Initiative. People who are interested in the schemes do not need to be on the Council’s Housing Register. For more information or to check eligibility and apply online, go directly to the website at www.homebuy-southwest.co.uk

The website doesn't seem to have one other option which is being explored locally - for the Cashes Green Hospital site - that of Mutual Home Ownership. The Community Land Trust website has a paper that explores what they see as the differences between Mutual Home Ownership and Home Buy. Certainly much, much more is needed to tackle the issue of affordable housing. One key issue Greens have pushed for is an increase in the percentage provision of affordable housing in new developments - read more on the Glos Green party website.

Allotments? We need more.

A Whiteshill resident inquired about whether there are allotments available - this Blog answer grew much longer than I intended - but hope it is useful for future queries on this - and possibly lead to a discussion on how we could take this forward?

In Stroud District all allotments are managed by Town and Parish Councils. Each allotment authority decides for itself how much of its resources to devote to allotments. However, if an authority believes there is a demand, it has a statutory duty to provide a sufficient quantity of plots and to lease them to people living in its area. If local people feel there is a need for allotments which is not being met, they can get together a group of any six residents who are registered on the electoral roll and put their case to the local authority.

Further information and publications including ‘Allotments: A plot holders’ guide’ can be found on The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s website - see:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1127689

Local Government Guide re allotments:
http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/allotments/index.htm

Cainscross Parish has probably the closest allotments - or Stroud Town Council have some near Stratford Park road - contact their offices for further info. However I know from work with Cainscross Parish Plan that there is a waiting list for any allotments that might reappear at the old Cashes Green hospital site. Infact demand is returning in many areas and is likely to increase further as the benefits of allotments are rediscovered - community cohesiveness, healthy activities, educational purposes, a sustainable food supply - and in urban areas they are often particularly prized by communities for their access to wildlife and open spaces.

In this world where we face climate change and oil running out, having an allotment/growing our own food is possibly one of the most important moves we can make. Our current food supplies are wholly unsustainable, built as they are on fossil fuels. Some 40% of freight on our roads is estimated to be food, apples are flown in from New Zealand and beans from Zimbabwe, supermarket packaging - we know all this and more - plus the impact of fertilisers and pesticides which require huge amounts of oil to make - organic arable can be 35% more energy efficient while dairy 74% more efficient!

Catch if you can a new series on BBC Radio 4: 'Driven by oil' was last night and the first of four programmes on the subject. 'When Will The Tap Run Dry?' Tom Mangold explored the biggest debate facing the oil industry today - will we run out of oil, and if so, when? You can listen again to this online (usually on BBC website for at least a week):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml

This issue is still being ignored by other political parties yet the evidence about oil reaching it's Peak is growing not just within the oil industry - other countries are streets ahead - Sweden is aiming to be free of oil dependence by 2020. Read Michael Meacher on the subject:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1331&Itemid=106

So what about allotments in Whiteshill? Or Ruscombe and Randwick for that matter?

Firstly is there land available that is suitable? Allotments can lead to urbanisation of areas but can also have restrictions put on them limiting what can be done. Secondly what about cost? The price of even agricultural land has rocketed. And third is there a demand? I reckon so, but assessing the extent could be something for a Parish Plan in Whiteshill - in a quick glance at Randwick's Parish Plan there doesn't seem to be a mention.

Demand is often there - in Lincolnshire last year 60 plots went in minutes:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/4525021.stm

And what about other options?

Clearly finding a neighbours garden or other arrangement is not necessarily satisfactory. Box delivery schemes and Farmers Markets are great for local food but are not the same as growing your own.

Another possible option might be a Community Farm Land Trust - these are primarily for the purpose of sustainable agriculture and horticulture, controlled by and for the benefit of local communities. Would a local land-owner be interested? See my Blog re Community Land Trusts on 8th July for more on this.

Monthly Green news out

As noted in previous emails part of my role with the Gloucestershire Green party is to coordinate news releases, letters etc from Green party members across Gloucestershire. Each month I put together a summary of those in what we call GNN - our Green News Network - it has nearly been going 5 years. To give you a flavour here is the contents section of this month:

QUOTES OF THE MONTH
1. REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY: WHY IT'S CRUCIAL AND A DISASTER
2. OLDBURY REACTORS SHUT
3. CLIMATE CHANGE: AIR CON, RAIL SERVICES AND CAR CLUBS
4. RUSCOMBE BLOG: NEW STUFF
5. STROUD GREENS RESIST COMPULSORY REGISTRATION
6. MORE RE HEALTH
7. US GM RICE CONTAMINATED OUR SUPPLIES FOR MONTHS
8. DAIRY FARMERS: NO MORE COWS IN FIELDS?
9. LAST CHANCE TO ACT ON SEAL PRODUCTS
10. WRITE ANOTHER VERSE TO PROTEST SONG!
11. SAFER ROADS: STREET PARTY AND 20MPH CALL
12. OTHER NEWS: POLYTUNNELS, TRAFFIKING, CANAL, INHERITANCE TAX AND SAME SEX MARRIAGE
13. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'
14. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST
15. COFFEE HOUSE GATHERING: LEBANON, ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

You can get GNN free at the Gloucestershire Green party website, read back issues or read latest issue in full here.

Ragged Hedge Fair triumph

After 10 years the legendary Ragged Hedge Fair at Abbey Home Farm near Cirencester was back. I missed it 10 years ago but heard how good it was then. The festival ran yesterday and today - sadly missing it today - but got there yesterday it was brilliant - the rain held off pretty well all day and none of the mud of a Glastonbury festival.

The live music was great and varied in several different venues - dancing including Indian - and loads to do with children - infact I spent lots of time with my partner's granddaughter (her sixth birthday very soon) watching magic men, stunt bike riders and story tellers.

The cafes and food were also great - the legendary Buddhafield with a great curry, but also stalls and tents with pizza cooked in a woodfire in front of you, baked potatoes, crepes and more. Plus there were many, many stalls mostly recycling secondhand clothes and goods, but also the usual festival wonders from India and more.

The whole site was powered by renewable energy including the music and was completely free of corporate commercialism - a rare treat in these days when it is hard to walk or go anywhere without being assaulted by advertisements.

Satish Kumar was among the speakers at the Eco Forum tent - an inspiration but due to a 5 year olds need for a ride on the 'crazy bikes' (bikes with funny wheels so the rider bounced around) I had to leave early - nevertheless did catch Satish Kumar talking about the recent G8 conference where Tony Blair claimed climate change and Africa were top on his agenda - Satish Kumar was not having any of it saying how could he talk one minute about climate then plan 'industrialisation' for Africa - more roads, intensive agriculture etc etc. He asked how could this man (Mr Blair), a supposedly intelligent man follow this crazy path......

Anyway the whole event was wonderfully friendly - unsurprisingly I met many from Stroud area including several people from Randwick and a woman spinning wool who turned out to live in Whiteshill. I hope very much the organisers will consider making it annual or biannual - certainly they are to be congratulated on a wonderful event - many, many thanks!

Street party shows way to safer streets

Lansdown Road residents in Stroud held a party this afternoon that spilled onto the street. The aim was to draw attention to the problems caused by traffic and to explore possible solutions. I was invited as I had helped organise a report and conference last year at Ebley Mill on an alternative way of looking at traffic.

I got there a little late as a Green party councillors meeting went on - planning questions for Full Council, discussing priorities, responses to the Environment Green paper and more. Anyway it was in full swing with a live band and plenty of food. Read more and see more photos by going to:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk