BBC Politics Show, Points West and BBC Glos radio have all been running bits on Stroud going Green - it was initiated by Green Parliamentary spokeperson Martin Whiteside who approached the BBC to cover the story - elsewhere on this blog I've raised concerns re the Environment Green paper - but let's face it it is a start and the administration are working with all parties to improve it.Photo left of the moon over Whiteshill - some of these skies recently have been amazing.
Greens can clearly take a credit for pushing Stroud into acting - and of course we couldn't do it without those voting for us - some 20% across the District voting Green although the electoral system means we only get 9% of seats - but Stroud is not alone - where there are Green councillors you will see Green issues being taken more seriously - a few more Greens in Stroud and we can really paint the town Green and make Stroud a real Green leader!
That is not to say that Greens have a monopoly on Green policies but we have after all been calling for action on climate change for some 20 years - tempted to point out that if we'd acted then we wouldn't be in the mess we are now. Easy to say and of course the picture is more complicated than that.....
Greens have also been in contact with Countryfile who filmed yesterday and will be back next week - they are looking to see if Stroud is the Greenest of them all......ummmmmh....certainly we are doing well but some other places are also doing well. Infact have just helped organise a trip to Woking on Monday to look at their fuel cell - sadly I can't make that day but have offered a place to a Tory Cabinet member - hope they can go as it would be a great opportunity to see their successes.
Anyhow thought it might interest this Blog to enclose below one of my initial emails to Countryfile to encourage their visit - it was written in haste and picks on some key Green projects:
This is very exciting and I am sure you have come to the right place to look at Green issues here in Stroud - the area has a long history of radicalism: the anti-slavery arch (1833), the Tolstoyan anarchists who purchased land, then burnt the property deeds at Whiteway Colony (1898), William Morris had his Company were here, the Arts and Crafts movement flourished here, Stroud's first Health food shop was establish in 1927 and still popular today - in the 1980s Stroud was one of the first to elect a Green party councillors. Today it is the only Town Council with a majority of Green party councillors - and has had a Green Mayor for 9 or so years. Stroud's reputation as a “green centre” is expressed in many ways. There are lots of issues and ideas you might like to explore. I enclose some suggestions below and would be happy to talk more.
Issues and ideas to give flavour of area:
- Cohousing and CoFlats. I understand you have already spoken with David Michael, Green Town councillor re this project.
- Farmer Markets - Strouds has consistently won awards for this amazing market - it has now just gone weekly (Saturdays) - this is the way of the future - local, less food miles, organic, community, in season, local economy, local regeneration, information source, etc - all that is Green! Local Food writer Matthew Fort raves lots about this market.
- Community Composting project - a hugely successful local project - local artist in residence Dominic Thomas claims to be the first Community Compost Artist in the world!
- Art and crafts - micro-businesses and local economy - Daily Telegraph wrote “Stroud is turning itself into the artistic equivalent of bookish Hay-on-Wye” while local resident Jilly Cooper wrote “Stroud has always been an artists' place and is very bohemian.” There are several 'green' artist groups like "Walking The Land" plus many local festivals.
- Coffee House Discussions - in the 17th century the local coffee-house was the centre of urban life and indeed played a key role in the explosion of political, financial, scientific and literary change that took place in the 18th century; the stock market, insurance companies, political parties and the scientific symposium should all give thanks to the coffee-house. Today Greens have revived this with monthly discussions in a cafe on topics like 'Can we make poverty history?', 'The End of Oil?' and 'Is Britain a democracy?'. These hugely successful and popular talks are held on the fourth Friday of each month. Details on homepage at: http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk
- A massive canal regeneration project has got funding - work is just about to begin - a slower life style, low impact holidays and maybe future cleaner transport?
- Stroud District Council is in the process of consulting on it's new Environment policy. Green councillors are keen to see that it is radical but realistic.
- Community Supported Agriculture: a Community Co-operative pioneering a new economic model of organic and biodynamic agriculture - people pay a set fee regularly and get produce from farm weekly so ensuring farmers income. There are also days when all 'members' help the farm - see more of this 'green' initiative at: http://www.stroudcommunityagriculture.org
- Green technology - The Green Shop - award winning - a huge range of products plus the Green Shop is a leader in rainharvesting systems and solar technology. Other green businesses in Stroud include Ecotopia with a shop and large mail order business,
- Fair trade - Stroud and neighbouring Nailsworth were amongst the first in the country to become a Fairtrade town - businesses like Bishopston Trading and local cafes.
- Ecotricity - the world's first green energy company - based in Stroud - building wind turbines and selling electricity across the country since 1996 - one local turbine.
- Community Land Trusts - home to a number of local projects, in the spirit of Whiteway Colony - projects incl looking at a new way to provide affordable homes, community farms and more:
http://www.communitylandtrust.org.uk/
- Complimentary and alternative therapists - lots of them!
- Non- violent direct action - various local examples in past include at Fairford USAF base ('Weapons' Inspectors'), stopping the shipment of low level radiation from Sharpness dock for dumping at sea, saving Stratford Park Trees from Tesco, stopping the Stroud inner ring Road, sitting on High Street Buildings to stop their demolition. Today over 3000 marched this summer to save local health services like the Maternity Hospital.
- Car Club
No comments:
Post a Comment