Full Council meeting last night

Full Council last night - see it on webcast if you dare - while there were some interesting and important questions and issues raised there was also a lot of less than interesting stuff - one of the problems is that many of us if will have been to Scrutiny and Cabinet meetings and read the Council papers so for us we will be hearing it for the third time and already read it in the papers.

Photo: 6.00pm Snack in pre-Council meeting: all the political parties have their own meetings before full Council: a chance to discuss the agenda -many councillors come straight from work so sandwiches are provided.

Anyhow below is the agenda with a few quick comments - the full reports are available on the Council website...

1. Apologies (00:03:11)
2. Declarations of Interest (00:03:34)
3. Minutes - 17 May 2007 (00:04:51) - a contentious point arose as a large part of a discussion was not included
4. Announcements (00:11:35) - none!
5. Public Question Time (00:11:45) - 3 questions on Aston Down and why enforcement procedures on the businesses there is not happening quicker.
6. Annual Report of the Standards Committee (00:15:22) - a two page statement read out
7. Appointments to Committees for 2007/08 (00:23:27) - I nominated Cllr Martin Whiteside for the vacant post of Vice-Chair of one of the Scrutiny committees - it was accepted so Greens now hold both Vice-Chairs of those committees.
8. Cabinet Recommendations to Council (from 31 May 2007 meeting) (00:25:18) - there was a collection of these incl the Best Value Performance Plan (indicators on how well the Council is doing), Webcasting, meetings and whether that should continue (I think it was unanimous to continue), a Conservation Statement re Bisley, the Play Strategy and proposals to enforce cleaner neighbourhoods.
9. Statement of Accounts (01:22:56) - lots of questions and a comment from one councillor that was verging on the unreasonable re a question asked - it is always tricky to see where it is humour and where it is just plain wrong.
10. District Ward Boundary Review (01:58:08) - this is the proposal for Crystal Fountain to become part of Nailsworth ward - a dogs dinner has been made of this - the Electoral Commission took 20 or 22 months to respond to the Councils 2004 request then a consultation found both Parishes in favour of moving to Nailsworth but 36 signatures representing 29 properties (ie virtually all) wanted to remain in Woodchester Parish - I say why do a consultation if you are going to ignore the results - anyhow the Council then voted for no action - in the meantime apparently many of those properties now want to be in Nailsworth. Anyhow to cut this short the Council voted to move the boundary so they are in Nailsworth.
11. Gambling Act 2005 - Fee Setting (02:17:21)
12. Civic Timetable 2008-09 (02:20:26)
13. Matters for Information (02:29:50)
14. Members' Questions (02:30:09) - none
15. Local Government Act 2000 - Exclusion of the Public (02:30:12)

Also on the webcast if you do go and look is the Council’s May Cabinet meeting with the World-renowned American ecology journalist Professor Richard Heinberg. See Professor Heinberg’s presentation on Peak Oil theory by going here and clicking on the meeting at 7pm on Thursday, 31 May 2007. Now that makes for interesting listening if you haven't listened to him before when he came to Stroud or elsewhere on the web.

Randwick School celebrates 150 years!!

At Randwick School there is a wonderful exhibition that celebrates the 150 years of the school - it closes tomorrow Friday but I think it should be around much longer as it makes fascinating reading. The head teacher Mrs Montacute was responsible for putting it together and deserves enormous credit.

Photos: above: balloons released on Tuesday (sadly I missed the event and BBQ which was excellent by all accounts, next photo: exhibition room

I spent over 25 mins looking at the exhibition today and there was more to see - a wonderful collection of old photos, log books and more - these photos do not do credit to the exhibition!!

Photos: the log book started in 1862 - see also the arm-istice entry showing the school assembled to hear an address from the head




Photos: the front of an old geography text book then schoolchildren c1900 and other photo of children plus George Harmer son of the headmaster born 1751

Questions to author of this blog

The local community newspaper, the Randwick Runner, is kind enough to report on various local activities in which I'm engaged so I put the following together re this blogsite.

Photos: taken in Ruscombe Valley last week

Part One: Questions to local District councillor Philip Booth regarding his 'Ruscombe Green' blog that has been listed amongst the top Green blogs in the country.

What is it?
It is a collection on a website of comments and reports of meetings and events about very local issues as well as broader issues around my role as a local District councillor: the entries are written in chronological order but displayed in reverse chronological order. Ruscombe Green has been going for just over a year and has around 600 entries on a vast range of topics with new entries being added most days - plus many photos including local views. The entries are not crafted works of literature but often quick comments or write-ups of meetings or events or perhaps topical issues - often with links to other web pages. Comments, anonymous or otherwise, are welcomed on each blog item and displayed for others to also read.

Why do a blog?
The Randwick Runner is a wonderful community newspaper but it doesn't reach all the people in the ward or Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish which I also cover. A blog similarly also can't reach everyone but it is another forum where people can engage and debate on local issues. Local politics is in many ways not so accessible as it could be: this is one way to share what a District councillor gets up to and hopefully encourage more local participation. Of course I am also very happy to talk on the phone or talk with more local groups about my role on the Council.

Who looks at this blog?
The blog statistics can analyse in detail who visits: over 1000 people are visiting the site every month (more than visit the Councils' webcast which averages 536 viewers per month!). About 75% of those visiting are new visitors, some 370 people are returning to view the site regularly. The vast majority are from the UK but many visit from abroad: last month the site has seen visitors from a huge number of countries including Latvia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guyana, Ukraine, Thailand and even 9 visitors from the Ivory Coast. The stats can even tell you which town so I know for example 19 came from Melbourne, 11 from Los Angeles, 1 from Reykjavik and 17 from Watford! About 10% of people come direct to the site while some 30% come from other websites: for example 29 this month from Randwicks' website, 2 from the New Statesman, 160 from other bloggers. The remaining 60% come via search engines.

What do they look at?
This varies considerably: some spend time perusing through various local items while others just visit one specific item then leave. Popular this month has been items on the Open Studios, Mobile phone masts, a comment about the research on country walks reducing depression, a meeting I organised on Sustainable Urban Drainage and Richard Heinberg's talk to Stroud District Council's Cabinet regarding Peak Oil - this 'peak' is the point at which oil production rises to its highest point before declining and it is fast approaching with huge implications for all of us.

How do people find items on the blog?
There is a search facility: put in key words like 'art' or '20 mph' to find items or use the 'Archives' section in the right-hand column. There are also links to other local sites.

Is there life beyond the blog?
I do wonder sometimes about the time spent in this online world: the blog does take time to do but many of the items I will have adapted from other uses. A letter or report for example can quickly be turned into a blog item. There is also clearly lots that doesn't make the blog like meetings that perhaps aren't worth reporting or events that I just didn't get around to writing about. I would welcome comments and suggestions on how to improve within the limited time resources I have!

Next time in the Runner a report on some of the contents of Ruscombe Green

Visit Ruscombe Green at:
http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com
Or telephone: 755451

Part Two: Questions to local District councillor Philip Booth regarding his 'Ruscombe Green' blog.

Last week we looked at what was this Ruscombe Green blog, who reads it and what is it for, this week we look a bit at what Philip Booth writes about:

What are some of the local issues you've written about?
The Wap, local attempts to slow traffic, the National Trust woods, the local bus service and attempts to improve it, proposed footpath changes, street lighting and whether it should be switched off at night, Parish meetings, homelessness in Whiteshill, vandalised grit bins, reports on local events and future events, local artists, the Ruscombe brook and more. There are also stories like a Peregrine falcon seen in Ruscombe valley and even a local sleuths attempt to identify the house in a 1832 painting of Paganhill Cottage found in Canada.

What about some of the issues re the District Council?
The various Council meetings and policy panels get mentions and comments - and of course the many consultations and various reports. I air some frustrations like climate change not being tackled with the urgency it is needed - but there is also a huge welcome where things work well like the Councils consultation on the Environment Strategy paper and how they listened to opposition councillors and made changes. The Council have also made much welcomed changes to their submission on the Draft Climate Change Bill and regional planning documents following comments made. I also mention some key planning decisions like the loss of Cashes Green Vicarage: in fact I followed that up with the Diocese who kindly invited me to make a presentation to them last month in Gloucester. I understand this has led to questions being asked at Synod to see if new Vicarages can all be carbon neutral rather than what we will see in Cashes Green.

And County issues?
Numerous issues including Post Office closures, furniture recycling, affordable housing and trying to see more 20 mph zones in our residential areas. One key issue has been opposition to the proposed expansion at Staverton airport: it is astonishing that Councils who have signed up to cutting CO2 emissions should be seeking to see the airport increase its emissions, when every other business in Gloucestershire is being told to cut theirs significantly. The science is clear: we cannot countenance any further expansion of aviation. I've written to many other councillors and the press on this. Another big issue is the 39 year old Oldbury nuclear power station (16 miles from Stroud): whatever your views on new nukes, to me, it is quite clear this power station should close: it now has the most heavily corroded reactor core of it's type in the world and independent scientists have warned of the serious risks being taken, even internal reports released under the Freedom of Information Act show that is unsafe to operate through to its planned closure date of December next year.

Any other issues?
The blog covers a huge range of other wider topics like the Government's push for more GM crops, concerns about biofuels, the national breastfeeding manifesto, David Drews' very welcomed sponsoring of the important Sustainable Communities Bill, correspondence with Ministers, ID cards - and more - like this month another submission to the Panel looking at Weavers Croft arguing this service must not close. There are also blog entries about the exciting Transition Stroud and their projects to find local solutions to the twin threats of climate change and the forecast dwindling oil supplies. This is a hugely positive movement that only started last September and has taken off across the country: here in Stroud there is a hugely industrious, enthusiastic group of people looking at community renewable energy solutions, local food and even have a license to grow hemp for clothing. One of the key notions being that it isn't sustainable if it isn't fun.

Can you leave comments on the blog site?
Yes - on some issues there are many comments left and emails sent direct to me: some debate the issues or add extra information, some disagree, some are supportive, some are anonymous, some are not. One guy in Seattle has offered his particularly good photos for use on the site, another phoned from Australia with additional information to an item I'd written about Bee Colony Collapse Disorder, another was the author of the book whose ideas I was promoting, others have debated local issues like whether the campsite should reopen in Randwick woods. Another comment led to renewed pushes to encourage Tesco to put up a bus shelter outside their main store. While an item on Painswick library's threatened closure led to the editor of an International Library magazine visiting me in Painswick with another District councillor: he now plans a series of articles on the campaign to retain a library in Painswick. I welcome comment and feedback on how to improve the blog.

Visit Ruscombe Green at:
http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com
Or telephone: 755451

Over 1000 people visited this blog last month

It was only a couple of months ago that I managed to grasp how to add the blog "Analytics" tool to this blog - basically it can analyse in detail who visits. It makes some surprising reading....

Photo: A drink last night with Gloucestershire Green party members after a meeting in the New Inn in Gloucester

Over 1000 people are visiting the site every month - more I might add than visit Stroud District Councils' webcast (which averages 536 viewers per month!). About 75% of those visiting are new visitors, some 370 people are returning to view the site regularly.

The vast majority are visitors to the site are understandably from the UK but many visit from abroad: last month the site has seen visitors from a huge number of countries including Latvia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guyana, Ukraine, Thailand and even 9 visitors from the Ivory Coast. The stats can even tell you which town so I know for example 19 came from Melbourne, 11 from Los Angeles, 1 from Reykjavik and 17 from Watford!

About 10% of people come direct to the site while some 30% come from other websites: for example 29 this month from Randwicks' website, 2 from the New Statesman, 160 from other bloggers. The remaining 60% come via search engines.

Having just worked all this out yesterday I was at a Gloucestershire Green party meeting in Gloucester last night - it is a good a chance to meet up with other Green party representatives in the County and share ideas, thoughts and more about the way forward - anyhow I declared proudly that there was even a visitor from Latvia to my blog only to find that a new Gloucester Green party member whose family come from Latvia was that very visitor - his computors' network is based in Latvia although he lives here! Ah well am sure those foreign visitors can't all be Gloucestershire folk with networks overseas!

Why are councils even considering supporting irresponsible businesses?

I have to say I am a little horrified by the on-going support by councillors for the airport expansion at Staverton - the Citizen paper also repeatedly carries articles on the airport that fail to mention the expansion leading to an increased carbon footprint. Not always do they print a letter from people in response to those articles but they have been pretty good.

Photo: Citizen covers demo last year

Last week there was a substantial article which covered an aviation enthusiasts hopes for the runway extension to go ahead - again no mention of CO2 - heres my response yesterday:

Aviation enthusiast Roger Daniels claims the extension of runway will benefit Gloucester and Cheltenham and Staverton airport chiefs claim increasing flights to EU destinations will mean more efficient business jets (23/06/07).

Growth in flights cannot be sustainable however you look at it. Aircraft are amongst the most CO2 intensive methods of travel and CO2 emitted at altitude increases global warming by up to a factor of four. If aviation is allowed to grow at current projections it will account for all permitted greenhouse gas emissions - across all sectors - by 2045.

The article claims this expansion will benefit our local businesses and economy yet responsible businesses are looking to reduce their flying by video conferencing and other methods. Why are local councils even considering supporting irresponsible businesses? They are signed up to cut emissions - it is time they took that seriously. Already the people who are being hit hardest by climate change are among the poorest on earth: to make the situation worse is unjust in the extreme.

As I've asked repeatedly, why should this airport be allowed to increase its CO2 emissions, when every other business in Gloucestershire is being told to cut theirs significantly? The science is clear. We cannot countenance any further expansion of aviation.

Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Green Party.

In terms of aviation the local papers are understandably covering the run up to the world's largest Air Show at Fairford - again this has support from many local councillors - it is clearly a huge CO2 consumer but more worrying is the glorification of war and war machines - such Shows lend credibility and acceptance to these killing machines - in response I've helped put out a news release saying more on that - see it here.

But going back to Staverton - today I got a copy of letter sent by another local campaigner who runs his own blog and I thought it would be worth enclosing here as well:

It is easy for an aircraft enthusiast such as Roger Daniels to say that he is in favour of the airport expansion when he is 68 and enjoys reminiscing about the past. I have children who look to the future with foreboding and worry.

We need to think differently about the future and not simply be trying to recreate the past as he suggests. In the last few days we have seen much of this country flooded as a consequence of extreme weather, and extreme weather is becoming the norm for much of the planet.

Almost every country on the planet is currently being either baked or flooded. Warning bells are already sounding with world food reserves falling to their lowest levels as climate change bites into the productivity of our land.

The IPCC report and Stern reports are unanimous in their calls for CO2 cuts of 90%. Put simply this means we are entering into a new paradigm and that old assumptions of continued economic growth are no longer valid. This airport expansion will be a major emitter of CO2 and can not be allowed. Initial analysis of the business plan suggests that 1.5 million trees will be needed to offset the CO2.

Kevin Lister, Nailsworth

Meanwhile re Bristol airports plans to expand we are now waiting for them to submit their planning application to North Somerset Council. We anticipate this will happen some time over the summer and will be followed by 3 or 4 weeks public consultation, then 13 weeks of deliberation by the Council.

Transition Towns going viral

I just picked up news from Rob Hopkins blog site that some 90 towns are now interested in being part of the process - see list of all the communities who have been in touch and who are ‘mulling over’ becoming a Transition Initiative (see also Google map here - zoom in to see locations in UK) Plus 17 including Stroud who are now already officially Transition Initiatives. And this from there only being two (Totnes and Kinsale) last September.

As Rob Hopkins says: "The momentum is growing and feels really quite unstoppable." Transition Drinks tonight in Nine Bar from 8 - come and find out more about it - sadly I have another meeting so will miss the wonderful local beer!

Transport emissions are not most expensive to tackle

Items in this blog largely come from the excellent campaigning group, Roadblock.

Photos: Local bus and train

First in the first quarter of 2007 road traffic went up by 1.2% compared to last year. We are just not getting to grips with it - part of the problem is the Government sees it as the most expensive area to cut emissions - new research throws that into doubts - see below. There is also a reluctance to embrace sustainable choices...for example....

As Roadblock report the three year results are out for the three Sustainable Travel Towns and they show that "Smarter Choices" measures have had an enormous impact on reducing car trips, and encouraging public transport use and cycling and walking. The three projects at Darlington, Peterborough and Worcester mainly involved nothing more than simply telling people about public transport options, starting car share schemes and encouraging people to walk and cycle more. The first three year results show that:

* Darlington - public transport trips up 14%, walking up 29%, cycling up 79%. Car trips were down 11%

* Peterborough - public transport up 13%, walking up 21%, cycling up 25%. Car trips were down 13%

* Worcester - public transport up 22%, walking up 17%, cycling up 36%. Car trips were down 12%

This is better than any road scheme could do to cut congestion, and cuts CO2 and is healthier too! And it is a fraction of the price. Now why is all that money being poured into roadbuilding...?

Transport is not most expensive sector to tackle emissions

Another piece of interesting research is by MTRU for Transport 2000 - it has challenged the findings of the Stern report that carbon emissions from transport are more expensive to tackle than other sectors. The Government has been using this claim as an excuse for allowing transport carbon emissions to rise - including through creating traffic growth through road building. It shows that we have to tackle transport CO2 as we cannot rely on other sectors of the economy to make those cuts when they already have ambitious targets. It also reveals that to change travel behaviour will be more equitable also, and has other benefits such as improving air quality. The research and a summary are available on the Transport 2000 website.

Take action

Anyhow heres an action people can take: tell the European Commission to get tough on the car industry - deadline 30 June!

Over a quarter of Europe’s carbon emissions come from transport, the majority of these from cars. Car makers have failed to deliver on their own targets on emissions and now the European Commission is proposing legally binding targets. The car industry is fighting hard to avoid these mandatory targets but these targets must be tough enough if they are going to have an impact on climate change. The commission is asking for your opinion so tell them that you want tough mandatory and long-term targets that will significantly reduce the impact of the car on our climate. Take action before 30th June here.

Weavers Croft: the final stage of consultation

Yesterday one of the Council meetings I attended was on the "Consultation on the 'Later life' public service agreement". I caught the end of a session with staff and then joined representatives of various older peoples groups like from Sheltered Accommodation - all councillors had been invited but I was the only one to attend - it is very difficult especially if councillors are working - the number of meetings we get invited to could sometimes fill a weeks diary several times over.....

Photo: Last years march to prevent health cuts

....anyhow it was very good to hear the voices of older people clearly saying they want more done on pensioner poverty and their voice heard properly. Having been involved not so long ago in interviewing people re Cainscross Parish Plan I was able to chip in and reinforce several issues that were raised - particularly fuel poverty - better insulation/energy efficiency etc not only helps prevent hypothermia, it also reduces bills and tackles climate change - win, win, win! I also raised the issue about the importance of local services....but I wont use this blog on all that I really wanted to talk about Weavers Croft.

Background

Controversial plans to move mental health beds out of Stroud, Gloucester and Cinderford are now under review by an independent group of medical experts who will then advise Health Minister Patricia Hewitt on their findings. The Secretary of State has asked the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) to provide advice about existing plans to centralise facilities for older people's mental health to just one site at Charlton Lane in Cheltenham. This would mean inpatient beds at Weavers Croft in Stroud, Colliers Court in Cinderford and Holly House in Gloucester would all close.

The Panel are seeking new evidence about the services or information from those who feel that their voice has not been heard through the original consultation process - I've enclosed my submission below.

Previous blog entries on this topic include: Most recent update on health cuts: 30th April 2007, A Social enterprise for local health services: 15th November 2006, Previous consultations: 10th and 19th August 2006 and Previous Weavers Croft submission: 14th July 2006 and 23rd May 2006.

How to make your thoughts know?

The panel is asking anybody who has new evidence about the services or who feel that their voice has not been heard should not hesitate to get contact them. Anyone who would like to contact the panel and share their views before 9th July can call 01823 344 430 or e-mail <irp@southwest.nhs.uk>. Also write to IRP, Strategic Development, NHS Southwest, Wellsprings Road, Taunton, TA2 7PQ. Their final report with all its recommendations will be published on July 27 so comments need to reach them by mid-July at the latest. The final decision on changes to the services in Gloucestershire will be made by the Health Minister.

My submission to IRP

Re: the Independent Reconfiguration Panel consideration of plans to centralise facilities for older people's mental health in Cheltenham.

We understand that the Panel is particularly seeking new evidence about the services or information from those who feel that their voice has not been heard through the original consultation process. However the very fact that this proposal to close Weavers Croft was not thrown out originally is a strong indication that voices of our community have not been heard.

Last year there was uproar in these valleys at the proposed health cuts. You will be aware there were over 9,000 objections and an astonishing 3000 people marched in Stroud. Many more were appalled by the proposed cuts. We welcome news that Stroud Maternity Hospital is safe at the moment but are deeply concerned by the on-going threat to Weavers Croft. Closure of this service would be a serious mistake.

One of the most fundamental needs of an older person with a mental illness is the need to be in contact with familiar people, situations and places to reduce anxiety and increase the sense of wellbeing. To transfer the care of these older people away from their communities would be fundamentally wrong.

We know only too well that the proposed site is impossible to visit without a car from some places in the District and even from Stroud it requires three bus journeys. A lot of elderly people don’t like to drive out of their immediate vicinity or don't have access to a car. There appears to be only very poor consideration of those alternatives and what costs they might entail to individuals and the environment. The impact on climate change and the forecast considerable oil price rises in coming years appear to not have been given serious consideration at all: both these factors mean we should be developing local not centralised services.

Older or disabled carers will be far less able to visit: some maybe unable to manage the journey at all let alone on a regular basis. Fewer visits will impact detrimentally on the elderly person receiving services. For example carers sometimes help feed or just be with the patients: such benefits to the patient of a caring known person cannot be underestimated.

Information on financial savings is also poor with little or no assessment of the impact of these proposals on other bodies or service users. Costs do not for example seem to have been calculated for withdrawing services like day care, the additional transport, restructuring and more. There also does not seem to have been a proper analysis of costs longer term: for the over 65 year old age group for Stroud District is expected to increase over the next 20 years from the estimate for this year of 20,000 to 29,000 in 2026. This will lead to a significant increase in the number of people with problems like dementia.

The services at Weavers Croft are recognised locally as being excellent and are adjacent to other health services where additional support can be gained if needed. The proposed centralising of these services in Cheltenham goes against Government policy outlined in the White Paper "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say" published in January 2006, which has the clear vision of locating services within local communities and engaging with the people of those communities to ascertain their needs and wishes.

In short the case for closing Weavers Croft has not been made. I strongly urge that it remains open for both inpatient and day care services.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Philip Booth on behalf of Stroud District Green party

The case of the old painting of Paganhill in Canada

This is a story of an investigation by local sleuth Susan Freck who was sent this letter below. Susan has kindly allowed me to print some of the results here and a copy of her full dossier will now be with the Ruscombe Brook Action Group history file.

This letter was a plea from Canada for info about the house in the painting that was bought in 1832 or earlier - the plea came from someone who was intrigued that a family would carry with them such a painting to Canada, keep it in their family and then sell it - to take such a painting in those days would indicate that it held some special value to those that carried it all that way when they moved.

Photo: Painting labeled 'Cottage at Paganhill. This picture was brought by my Great Grandparents, Thomas and Margaret Armstrong Gillesby in 1832 when they came to Canada. My Grandmother Mary Gillesby gave it to me.'


Susan Freck did much research of the area and looked into the old mills - some of which produced the felted red and green cloth for which Stroud became famous - red for the soldiers, green for billiards.

Old maps like those shown here eventually helped Susan get closer to where the cottage was sited.


You'll see from this first map in 1824 the brook was known in this section as Ozel Brook - it is also known as Cuckhold's brook and Woosley's brook.


The second map shows in pink the Mill House and in purple Little Mill - the shaded blue areas are the Mill ponds and in brown are the footpaths as they still are today.


The old photo below from 1976 was where Susan first thought the cottage in the painting must be. However a more careful look at contours shows it is far more likely to be in the field behind Mill Pond Farm in the last photo.


Apparently the woman in Canada was delighted with this info and making connection with this part of the world. It is also good to hear that the painting is in safe hands!

Update October 2007: see comment - I've had several emails from this contact and been able to put them in touch.

Celebrate Clarence Willcock tomorrow!

In December 1950, PC Harold Muckle stopped a dry cleaner in Finchley named Clarence Willcock and asked him to produce his World War II identity card. Mr Willcock refused, saying "I am against that sort of thing."

On Tuesday exactly 56 years ago in Clarence Willcock's High Court appeal, the Lord Chief Justice said that "...to use Acts of Parliament, passed for particular purposes during war, in times when the war is past, tends to turn law-abiding subjects into lawbreakers, which is a most undesirable state of affairs." As a result of the Willcock case and Lord Goddard's attack on their abuse, identity cards were abolished by Winston Churchill in 1952 as part of his 'bonfire of controls'".

Indeed - it is a great pity that this Government including our local MP David Drew is supportive of ID cards.

Ten years ago Tony Blair passionately told Labour conference: "Instead of wasting hundreds of millions of pounds on compulsory ID cards as the Tory Right demand, let that money provide thousands more police officers on the beat in our local communities."

British subjects will now, for the first time ever, be made to turn up to be scanned, fingerprinted and registered on the largest biometric database in the world. Yet the technology is untested, biometrics don't work for everyone and the record of new IT projects by this government is extremely poor. The scheme will cost billions (and rising all the time) and wont tackle identity fraud, crime or any of the high-profile problems the Government has claimed they will address. This is an obscene waste of money.

Tony Blair was right ten years ago: the money could indeed be better spent on "thousands more police officers on the beat in our local communities." I am sure there will be many more Clarence Willcocks when we get these cards.

Click on 'Passport' Label below for info on our local campaign to resist compulsory registration re passports and Data Protection Day - but best resources for all of this can be found at No2ID and especially their arguments about why we should not have these cards here.

Puckshole closed - Ruscombe brook at its highest

Ebley Mill carpark today was half closed due to flooding - and several roads in the District were closed - forecasts are saying that an astonishing average of 50mm of rainfall could fall within 24 hours. See useful article here re weather worldwide.

Photos: Ebley Mill carpark today, then the mini-landslip that blocked Puckshole and below further down 2 photos of the Ruscombe brook at Mill Pond Farm

In Cheltenham the fire service has apparently been inundated with reports of flood water entering cellars in shops and homes, and in Gloucester fire crews were reported on the BBC to have rescued 50 dogs and 20 cats stranded in kennels.

While many local roads are opening Puckshole is still closed to traffic - the Ruscombe brook was the highest we've seen it - Puckshole completely flooded this morning, about 2ft of water in Cooke’s builders’ yard.

One email to me today noted a "massive discharge of a brown smelly water like content into the brook, going across our drive and taking with it substantial mud and plants from the bank. Further up - embankment from Folly Farm – landslide making Parkend impassable by car (yes indeed it could have been the new footpath!). We have taken photos and been busy for a good 1 ½ hour protecting properties. I have reported this to SDC and EA (the later was not too keen but no one knows what is stored at the builders yard possible chemicals or asbestos??!)."

The email continued: "The water has taken substantial surface covering from my driveway and the bank to the brook is ruined – many hours of work trying to improve it are gone!"

In another email a brook member further down the brook notes: "Water was torrenting out from our drive culvert and flooding the low areas all along the brook. Photos attached, you notice the boat was out!"

It is too early to say how much the river is overflowing and how much it is the sewers - if at all? Although I'd be surprised if they managed to cope with this level of rainfall without overflowing.....

Bike Week ends

Sadly the bike polo event planned for Stroud last week was called off for fear of it being underwater polo - however by all accounts the Bike film night put on by Transition Stroud went well. I haven't copied articles here in the past but came across this one that is a great way to encourage cycling...

Photo: By kind permission of Charles Roffey


"Free wheeling" from The Guardian - Emily Thornberry busts 10 persistent myths about this easy, green and healthy way to get on the move:

'You cycle to work? You must be mad," used to be the reaction when I told people about my commute. Today, especially in London, cycling to work is at last becoming "normal": it is no longer the reserve of Lycra-clad men. Joining the swarm of cyclists travelling south towards central London from Islington in the morning, I feel like I could be in Amsterdam or Copenhagen - where cycling accounts for a third of all trips. But in the UK, we still have a long way to go. Just 3% of commuters here cycle, with around 4 million people still driving less than three miles to work - a 20-minute bike ride each way. If all of these people swapped their cars for bikes it would save around 1m tonnes of CO2 a year. As a member of parliament, my four-mile round commute to Westminster takes under half an hour (with the trip back, uphill after the 10 o'clock vote, taking a bit longer). It is by far the quickest way to get to the House of Commons. In fact, most traffic in London moves at the same speed it did a century ago - barely 10mph. On a bike you can easily keep up with or beat that speed. If it's so easy and so quick - why aren't more of us commuting by bike? Here are some of the common myths that people claim prevent them. 1. "But won't I be killed?" The Department for Transport's own statistics show that, over the last three years, cycling is - per mile travelled - safer than walking. Indeed, the more people who cycle, the safer it becomes, because drivers get used to seeing cyclists on the road. As more people have taken to their bikes in London, so there has been a 50% drop in cycling casualties per mile ridden since the mid 1990s. We all need regular exercise and the truth is that most people do not get enough. Cycling is much more convenient than joining a gym or going swimming, and is a regular exercise that can be slotted fairly easily into most of our lives. I discovered in February that I have the cardiovascular fitness of someone almost 20 years younger. 2. "Don't I need lots of gear?" All you need is a bike, a lock and some lights. With a few outstanding exceptions, Lycra really doesn't do justice to the figures of most people over 30. If you feel most comfortable wearing a suit, then wear one and cycle slowly. You are going to work, not climbing Mont Ventoux. Helmets aren't compulsory and their benefit isn't proven outright. Indeed, recent evidence suggests that wearing a helmet may encourage drivers to overtake more closely - putting you at greater risk. 3. "Won't my bike get stolen?" A good lock and a secure area to park your bike will help. More enlightened employers will often provide the latter. Forming a bicycle user group in your workplace can improve your chances of obtaining decent facilities. Most police forces have started offering people bike registration schemes. They'll be able to enter details of your bike onto a database - this will help to recover it if it's stolen. 4. "I haven't done it for years" The government recently launched Bikeability, a series of three levels of cycle competency, which teaches children the skills and confidence to ride on the road. Local authorities - especially those in London - now offer a free or heavily subsidised adult version of Bikeability. Even if you think you are a good cyclist, professional cycle training will greatly help boost your confidence and can provide tips and skills to staying safe. I've had cycle training myself and, even though I felt very confident beforehand, I'm certainly a better cyclist because of it. 5. "The weather in Britain is too bad" In many cities in northern Europe, up to 30% of all journeys are taken by bike - often in places with wetter, colder weather than the UK. Some cities in this country have similar levels of bike-friendliness; a quarter of commuters in parts of York, Cambridge, Oxford and Hull cycle to work. In my city, Transport for London claims that the average cycle commuter will only be caught in the rain 12 times in the average year. This is, as any cyclist will tell you, quite obviously a lie - but you'd be surprised how infrequently it actually does rain. My policy is - if it rains, the bike stays at home. No one wants their MP turning up looking like a drowned rat. 6. "I live in a hilly area" You can't tackle hills without gears. The worse the hill, the more serious the gears needed. But, frankly, no one is going to blame you if you get off and push. And then you've got a free-wheel downhill. 7. "There's too much pollution" Pollution levels for cyclists are lower than you might think - on hot days when pollution levels are highest, cyclists are exposed to less pollution than commuters sitting in their cars. 8. "Bikes are expensive" There's now a tax incentive, which means that you could buy a bike for a substantial discount through your employer. Find out about the scheme here: tinyurl.com/zob7l 9. "I can't carry anything on a bike" Some people have moved house by bike, and transported furniture - even pianos - by bike. Modern panniers are adapted for files and laptops. You can buy huge panniers and removable baskets that can carry shopping - and even David Cameron's shoes! 10. "There are other reasons" No there aren't. Get on a bike and give it a week. Chances are you'll soon join the ranks of converted cycle commuters: green, healthy and just a bit smug.

An evening on water

Last night the Green party-sponsored Coffee House Discussion at Star Anise Cafe in Stroud asked is there a water crisis? It was a good evening - reminding us again how we need to move from our 'flush and forget' attitude to treating water as the wonderful resource it is.

Photo: Mayor John Marjoram looks at a drainpipe water filter

As we've said before it is unacceptable to allow sewage discharges into our brooks, it is crazy to develop expensive energy-intensive sewage treatments when solutions like reed beds can be cheaper, more effective and more sustainable and it is madness to continue to build homes without water saving measures and in flood plains, yet we know climate change will bring many challenges in terms of drought and floods.....

The informative evening started with Martin Whiteside, Parliamentary candidate for the Green party and an International Aid and development worker, who set the scene with a look internationally at the problems: during the 2 hours of the Coffee House Discussion he noted that some 300 people died around the world from poor water. He also shared experiences of his work in other countries like during a trip to Afghanistan where a village had been burnt to the ground by a neighbouring village over a dispute about water.

Photo: Martin Whiteside, Elinor Croxall (Chair) and Julian Jones show plans for reed beds in Stroud

Julian Jones, from Water 21 shared some of his projects with sustainable solutions to managing out water and sewage including examples locally and a project in Sudan based on work done in Stroud. He also shared his work with Cranfield University looking at health implications of sewage in our water - many millions of litres of sewage escapes into our waterways and he talked about the serious health implications of this.

Photos: Julian Jones and Roger Budgeon with toilet and Paul Munns demonstrating a water filter

Paul Munns and Roger Budgeon from the Green Shop in Bisley then gave a presentation about what could be done in homes to use water better - particularly roof water. A toilet that only uses a fraction of the water use of others was brought into the cafe as part of their demonstration.

Last up was me a look at sustainable solutions along the Ruscombe Brook. I talked briefly on how the group had learnt over the last two years about the many issues relating to water quality, the numerous meetings, a conference, 2 local seminars, talks to schools and local groups, clean-ups and a local school doing water sampling. Plus noting much has improved by working with organisations and that there have been none of the major incidents of sewage getting into the brook in recent months. I also noted there is currently a £3000 grant to look at the next stage to improve water quality and biodiversity and a MSc student from Gloucestershire University has just embarked on a project to help with this - but regular Ruscombe Green blog readers should know all this - click on 'RBAG' label below for past correspondence and meetings and reports and more - click here for article on brook.

The talk was then followed by lots of questions and comments, while all enjoyed cakes and coffee from the Star Anise café. Next Discussion will be Friday 28th September as we take a break over the summer - the topic will be: 'Is Capitalism Sustainable?' and Green Economist Molly Scott Cato will be one of the speakers. 7.30 to 9.30pm at Star Anise Arts Cafe at the Painswick Inn, Gloucester Street, Stroud. For more info on the Cafe Discussions click here.

Draft Climate Change Bill - Council's submission welcomed

The Government's Draft Climate Change Bill has been out for consultation (see blog entries on 10th May and 25th May) - I helped put together the local Green party's response but also submitted comments to the District Council.

Photo: Side of the road, Bread Street

The consultation closed on 12th June and while I have seen draft's of the Council's response and been able to make further comments by email it was only yesterday that councillors got a copy of the final report. I have to say it is to be hugely welcomed and again the Council seems to have taken on all the key points Greens have made - the comments also reflect many of the comments from a whole host of organisations. I enclose the Councils summary below - but first a few particular comments re the submission....

Key points:

1. It was particularly good to see that the Council noted international flights and shipping should not be excluded from targets.

2. The Council also made clear it wanted an early review of CO2 targets. Stroud District Council adopted the national Friends of the Earth target of 3% per annum earlier this year - and deserve credit for being one of the first Councils to do so. However FoE now acknowledge that their original suggestion of a 3% annual target is now insufficient - they've commissioned a report from the Tyndall Centre which shows 9% is more valid (i) - which incidentally is Green party policy. The point I made in one of my emails was:

It is critical to point to the urgent need for the target to be reviewed, particularly in light of the last couple of weeks which have seen a number of key reports that make grim reading:

- IPCC notes that we must act to tackle climate change within 8 years: global emissions must peak by 2015 for the world to have any chance of limiting the expected temperature rise to 2C, which would still leave billions of people short of water by 2050. See more here.
- International scientists report last week that worldwide CO2 emissions rose at a faster rate in 2000-2004 than the worst-case scenario imagined in this year's UN reports on climate . The rise over the first four years of this century is also greater than in the 1990s - 3.1% a year between 2000-2004, up from an average of 1.1% a year during the 1990s.
- International researchers found that the oceans are losing the capacity to soak up rising man-made carbon emissions: this could be increasing the rate of global warming by up to 30 per cent.

I would like to see in the Councils' Climate Change Bill response a clear and urgent call for the Government to review their targets.

3. Another key point I considered very important was that the issue of equity was not included in the list of factors for the Committee on Climate Change to consider. As we know very deep cuts in CO2 emissions and the restoration of natural sinks are needed globally, quickly and organised in a globally rational and equitable mechanism. It has been widely recognised that the emissions reduction mechanism that can be best deployed fairly is Contraction and Convergence as devised by the Global Commons Institute. This has been endorsed by the European Parliament and advocated by the UK Royal Commission on the Environment (2000), many businesses, environmental groups and the All-Party Climate Change Group who note that "Contraction and Convergence is the only credible global framework within which we can organise to do enough soon enough to avert the worst of global changes already underway.” (see my correspondence with Ministers on this issue: blog entries 20th April, 10th May and 22nd May).

I was therefore delighted to see Contraction and Convergence get a mention in the Councils response: some other Councils have not been so willing to specifically push this measure which in my view is the only measure that I've seen that offers a just and sustainable solution. Here's the Councils response on that issue:

Issues of international equity are not included on the list of factors and needs to be. In particular, deep cuts in carbon dioxide emissions and the restoration of natural sinks are needed globally, quickly and organised in a globally rational and equitable mechanism (see Question 7 and the call for sustainability appraisal). Similarly the Committee could maintain a view on the applicability of developing approaches which potentially provide more transparent, accountable and equitable ways of trading emissions, including for example 'Contraction and Convergence' as devised by the Global Commons Institute. An approach endorsed by the European Parliament and advocated by the UK Royal Commission on the Environment (2000), many businesses, environmental groups and the All-Party Climate Change Group.

I could write more but more importantly we want to see the government now adopt these points. Anyhow here is the Councils final comments at the end of their submission:

We welcome this draft bill, and think it is a very positive step forward. The UK's approach in this area could be incredibly influential, and this is a good opportunity for us to have a significant and lasting global impact. We are potentially the stewards of the route map that the rest of the world will need to follow. But only if central and local government is willing to accept the leadership position and responsibility that goes with it.

The principles and concepts behind the Bill are sound. The accompanying regulatory impact assessment is also strong and thorough, covering all the different areas comprehensively. However, we do believe that long-term certainty is crucial if all sectors are to be enabled to respond effectively.

We would like to see five main issues addressed. The first is the need to incorporate all greenhouse gases in due course, not just carbon dioxide. The second is that aviation and shipping emissions should not be excluded from the scope of the bill.

Thirdly, we believe it will be important for the developments set out in the Bill to be kept focused on the real scale of the problem we face over time. As such we would encourage the Government not to unduly delay undertaking an early review of the 60% target, particularly given recent evidence emerging from the IPCC. Any review should fully undertstand the implications of the diminishing availability of carbon based fuel resources (as production plateaus and goes into decline - so called 'Peak Oil') as well as the impacts of climate change. The combination of these things provides this generation of decision makers with an unprecedented risk management challenge. National and local Government will need to work together at international, national, regional and local levels if our communities are to be led into a low carbon future.

Fourthly, we would like to see the powers and duties of the Committee on Climate Change broadened to enable them to advise on a wider vision for a low carbon society and scrutinise integration between key policy areas, such as transport, energy, waste and finance (including bringing emissions budget setting into line with the Comprehensive Spending Review cycle).

Fifth and finally, we would also like to sound a cautionary note. The improvement of international and national emissions trading mechanisms is clearly important but the UK needs to be seen to abide by the 'word' and the 'spirit' of any rules. It must take all reasonable steps to ensure that trading by the UK does not result in either a reduction in the UKs potential response (i.e. we end up doing less than we might) or perhaps more importantly perverse outcomes, such as the loss of carbon sinks, which will further undermine the global communities climate change response. As such we would like to see a robust sustainability appraisal of any credits, which are purchased by the UK.

Notes:

(i) Research by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change note the Government's current targets are not sufficient to limit global average temperatures to no more than 2 °C above pre-industrial levels: even with the Climate Change Bill’s current neglect of aviation and shipping, the emission pathway it describes correlates approximately with an 80% and 60% chance of exceeding 2°C and 3°C warming respectively. Friends of the Earth and others are calling for a cut of at least 80% by 2050. To put it into perspective at 3% per annum, it would take 30 years to achieve a 60% cut in total emissions, where as at a 9% rate of reduction it would take only 9.7 years. Also achieving the target in 9.7 years would result in a 70% reduction in total emissions due to the quicker time taken to achieve the end result.

Walking the Land collective art exhibition

Another exhibition that I managed to get to today was by the Walking the Land collective - Gloucestershire artists inspired by the close relationship that walking engenders - 25 artists with paintings, poetry and more.

Photos: exhibition - the great picture to the right is a painting by Stroud artist Carolyn White while below was an interesting exhibit that hopefully produces some thoughtful reflection! It is time for a land tax!

See more about this group here including photos and videos - The exhibition runs until 30th June at The Space Lansdown, Stroud 10.30 am to 4pm Mon - Sat.

Stroud College art exhibition finished today

The new Stroud College had it's first exhibition of art work from adults on HND, HNC and Access courses plus younger students doing foundation coureses or work towards BTec national Certificates in art and design.


Photo: Liked these photos and more of airport runway and road markings

I've enclosed in this blog various photos of art that took my interest for a variety of reasons - some for humour, some for the message they had about our world and some just because I liked them.....huge apologies but I lost my bit of paper with most of the artists names on...


Photos: 'The Deconstruction of the Process of Making Tea' was by Luke Nairn - the next photo had a message about our society and recycling and more - and the photo after that was this cyclist peddling hard with a film behind of bushes and trees and a message about the need for us all to cycle more - that was by Isabel Lyster. The rest I'm afraid I lost the names.

Environment strategy and Randwick Parish meetings

This evening two meetings - the first looking at the District's Environment Strategy at Ebley Mill - a presentation by the Strategic Director - sadly only 12 out of 51 councillors present - mind that is good compared to some meetings! Lots of good stuff talked about re Stroud - and better than many Councils but oh dear oh dear how little it all adds up to - but having said that it is a start - and there are opportunities to make some serious changes - I came away with a list of things to follow up - no doubt more of that in future posts...

The meeting finished earlier enough for me to catch the last hour of Randwick Parish Councils meeting - was able to update on recent meetings with Highways and various other bits like the Ruscombe Brook memo of cooperation (see blog 6th June) which was passed unanimously by the Parish.

I was also able to catch up on progress around a number of items - the Randwick Runner will have a report soon - but they may not cover the fact that the post of Snow Warden for the Parish remains vacant at the moment! They are hoping to decide the post next month! There was also news that Highways will not be tackling Sandpits Lane - the plan now is to see if the Care Home staff and residents might be able to help....anyhow I would write more but I've got a glass of wine left over from the weekend to drink....

Time for a Living Wage

I just got this request below to sign a Downing Street petition re a Living Wage - I woulds urge people to sign:

I am Nick Wall, a GMB member and political activist from Merseyside. I am running a petition on the 10 Downing Street website in support of a living wage and an end to poverty pay, which now has over 700 signatures, including Polly Toynbee, Frank Field MP, Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert MEPs and many anti-poverty campaigners, councillors and trade unionists. Here's the link for the petition : to sign it, click on the link below and fill in your personal details:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/living-wage-2007/

The number of people living below the poverty line in the UK is higher than the EU average and continues to increase. The Living Wage is a simple idea which is long overdue. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow and needs to be addressed - a national living wage would go someway to improve the lives of those on low pay and tackle poverty.

Our trade union movement and others have brought many successes, but more is needed - especially in an increasingly globalised economy where production will tend to migrate to where costs are lowest. Profit-hungry corporations will seek lower paid staff overseas. This is the very essence of globalisation and will lead to the final demise of British manufacturing industry. Labour, Tory and Liberal Democrat politicians alike tell us globalisation is inevitable. It isn't. It is a consequence of deliberate decisions made by corporate bosses encouraged by government policy-makers.

We need instead a full range of policies including tax to build a balanced and stable economy with sustainable jobs; putting people before profit as the slogan goes. Why is our primary objective of economic policy the privilege and interests of business? We need policies that encourage and support localisation - for example to develop Britain's manufacturing industry by implementing a Green industrial strategy - tackling climate change, building a stable and sustainable economy, and creating meaningful jobs all at the same time - a "site here to sell here" policy would mean companies like Dyson keeping their UK factory open for the British market. This will also avoid the havoc traditionally wreaked on local communities and regions whenever an industry on which they are dependent moves abroad.

Those, like Peter Mandelson, Tony Blair and David Cameron, who believe that Chinese competition presents no threat to Europe - since we can give up what’s left of our older manufacturing base and concentrate instead on knowledge-intensive industries - are in denial. China and India are fast developing their own low-cost but highly-skilled expertise in these areas too: 20 per cent of China’s exports are already 'high-tech', and with two million graduates a year there’s every reason to believe that this percentage will grow.

Chinese costs are artificially low because of its appalling record on the environment and it's failure to protect workers from exploitative pay, long hours and industrial accidents: some 100,000 deaths in industrial accidents every year, and over 100 million Chinese living on less than a dollar a day.

The free trade model just isn’t working; it is running wild. Economic globalisation is creating a "race to the bottom", in which corporations move to the lowest wages, lowest environmental protection and weakest health and safety laws. Labour's zeal for furthering economic globalisation has meant they are reorganising Britain for corporations, at the cost of the old social justice values. Unemployment may be less, but people now travel further to work for longer hours with less favourable contracts in less secure jobs. The rich are getting richer and the poor have got poorer - huge numbers of British children and pensioners remain in poverty.

We must build a trading system based on high social and environmental standards, with quotas where necessary. This would be both fairer and more sustainable for workers everywhere - it is vital we don't loose consideration of the wider picture. Hey I didn't mean to write all that but got a little carried away - want to rework it a little but meetings now so forgive the slight repetition and ramblings off topic...

Nick Wall also has set up a blog to run alongside the petition, with recent news, comments and resources, including information on what the living wage campaign is about. From that blog site comes this info:

Why a living wage ?

The national minimum wage does not allow many workers to escape poverty. The Low Pay Commission do not take into account peoples actual needs in setting the NMW. In the UK 4¼ million adults aged 22 to retirement were paid less than £6.50 per hour in 2006. Two thirds of these were women and a half were part-time workers. A living wagecould ensure that no workers receive poverty pay or have to rely on benefits, and could allow contract workers to lay claim to the same pay and conditions as staff directly employed by government and local councils.

Some say that a living wage would actually harm poor people by losing vital jobs. This is exactly the same argument that was trotted out innumerable times against the introduction of the NMW. And what was the effect of the NMW ? According to the government's own evidence last year to the Low Pay Commission, "UK academic research to date has not found any firm evidence that the adult minimum wage has reduced employment rates or raised unemployment; this is consistent with the available international evidence."

"British people work some of the longest hours in Europe yet 7 out of 10 people working over 48 hours per week say they would like to work fewer hours. For many however this is impossible as they simply cannot afford to do so. It is currently possible for someone to work more than 60 hours a week and still be paid less than £11,000 per year. The number of people living below the poverty line in the UK is higher than the EU average and continues to increase. The long hours culture is endangering our health and acting as a detriment to our family life. We can't have a culture that says you can not rest. We need a national living wage immediately to ensure this changes and everyone can make ends meet without working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
Jean Lambert MEP, Green Party

Why now ?

In the USA since 1994, over 120 city and state governments have passed living wage ordinances following pressure from local campaigners. Living wage campaigns have raised levels of pay and provided benefits like health care for thousands of workers. Studies there have shown that the living wage has had no significant adverse impact on jobs, business or the economy.

Following pressure from campaigners, London mayor Ken Livingstone has given his backing to a living wage in London. A living wage unit hasbeen set up in City Hall, through which figures for the London living wage are calculated and published. Implementation has so far proved athornier problem, but the publication of the figures has already started to change the pay bargaining landscape. It follows on some notable victories for low paid workers, in particular cleaners in East London Hospitals and cleaners in Canary Wharf and the City of London thousands of whom have secured a living wage. Last year QMUL became the UK's first first living wage campus, and in March 2007 the LSE agreed to pay its cleaners a living wage.

London's problems are not unique. Everywhere you go around the country, there is poverty pay, and there is a need for a living wage. A living wage in every region in the UK would be a huge boost to millions of low paid workers. This is something that ordinary people can help to bring about, by following the lead of campaigners in the USA and in London, and setting up living wage campaigns in our own towns and workplaces.

"I welcome the rise in the Living Wage to £7.05 [in May 2006]. This seems to be the bare minimum to ensure that the basic dignity of workers and their families is respected. While our nation benefits economically from the presence of undocumented workers, too often we turn a blind eye when they are exploited by employers."
Cardinal of Westminister, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Conno

Where are the celebrations over the Sustainable Communities Bill?

The Sustainable Communities Bill passed through its third reading debate in the House of Commons last week and this should be cause for much celebration - it has the potential to really change the way communities work.

Photo: Voting? To some it is not worth it - graffiti expression in Stroud

Certainly there has been press coverage but not enough!! This is a huge success - many of us have campaigned over four years to see this happen - meetings in Stroud, numerous letters and even phone calls - an unprecedented level of grassroots support was created.

Of course it still isn't quite over - we still have to get it through the House of Lords - but the Government has now stated that it supports the Bill.

The list of special thanks from the originators reads as follows (and includes Stroud's MP David Drew and Green MEP Caroline Lucas):

- Unlock Democracy's Campaigns Director and Local Works Co-ordinator Ron Bailey
- Sue Doughty
- Julia Goldsworthy MP
- Oliver Heald MP
- Gregory Barker MP
- David Drew MP
- Elfyn Llwyd MP
- Dr Caroline Lucas MEP
- Nick Hurd MP

While this Bill is an important step in the right direction it is clear that we urgently need to renew our democracy - from the way the Iraq War was executed, to cash for peerages, to the insufficient constitutional reforms which Labour has introduced, there is a growing sense of a failure of government and a deepening public distrust in politics. Gordon Brown has now promised to renew our democracy - but for this to happen in any meaningful way the constitutional change must take place democratically through the direct involvement of citizens. I would urge people to add their comments here to help the campaign.

Update 29/06/07: Good article on what this Bill means here

The top 20 Philip Booths?

While looking for some other info on the web I was surprised to find another Cllr Philip Booth - a Tory up in Wakefield. I dropped him a line as I'm also Philip Booth and also a District councillor - although Green party.

Photo: Ruscombe Green Philip Booth at election time last year

By another coincidence I heard as just before I was emailing him that that areas famous rhubarb crop is suffering because of climate change? Of course also an excuse to ask how far their Climate Change Working group had got in terms of recommendations and push the urgency of the need to tackle climate change. Anyhow had a nice reply - maybe run into him in one of the LOcal Government Association events.

I was always intrigued by Dave Gorman who set out to find other Dave Gormans - read more here - I was slightly cross he did it first as I always thought it would be a fun thing to do for a TV show - anyhow he met 54 other Dave Gormans and there is a DVD of what he got up to....

But well Philip Booth? I did a google search for a bit of fun - and here they are in the order they came up in the first 130 entries - some of course got several mentions but I've ignored those and only listed them in order they appeared:

1. The famous New Hampshire poet is rightly at number one
2. Professor of Insurance and Risk Management at Cass Business School in the City of London
3. A knifemaker in the states
4. I get a look in as Press Officer for Gloucestershire Green party writing an article "Green Streets are Naked Streets" in Resurgence - this Ruscombe Green blog site comes up as a link at number 8 but it is 12 before Stroud District Council and Glos Green party list me then Ruscombe Green comes in at 14th along with my submission to the Government re the recent Post Office consultation and brook group and others coming in later.
5. Conservative Wakefield councillor
6. Doctor in Town and Regional Planning at Sheffield University
7. A Professor at the Institute of Economic Affairs - whose views on free trade in the article that came up are not close to mine.
8. The 2nd Baronet Booth, of Allerton Beeches, City of Liverpool who dies a year and 20 days before I was born - he was a television director and producer.
9. No2ID cards campaigner Phil Booth
10. A US music review journalist on the Bass Player who has his own website which came up later here and blog here.
11. Sculptor who apparently even showed in Stroud in 1998 plus teaching posts like visiting lecturer and professor.
12. Author of a 1970 book on Cambridge New Architecture
13. Film critic on Rotten Tomatoes website and part of the Florida Film Critics Circle - I'm guessing he could be the same Philip Booth who comes up later as a Florida film journalist in an article in St Petersburg Times online. Or could this also be the same Philip Booth as number 10 in this list as he also writes in that paper? Too much of a coincidence but then this possibly other Philip Booth does do lots on films - I think they are likely to be two people!
14. Co-author of the online book: "Understanding Reality: A Commonsense Theory of the Original Cause"
15. A Tory candidate in 1997 election in Houghton and Washington East (got 12.9% of vote) - or is this the same guy who is now a councillor in Wakefield?
16. A guy who works in films including as an Assistant Director of a couple of films.
17. A Heart of England Visit Britain link person based in Birmingham.
18. Author of report on 'Moving the preterm infant' writing in BMJ - likely to be the guy who came up next - a Consultant in Medical Paediatrics at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.
19. A guy running environmental courses in Bali - an interview with him on Byron Bay radio in Australia - ironically I was on phone to a friend who lives there last night - a special place indeed.
20. A cyclist apologising for misusing a motel.

Interestingly I've not come across many other Philip Booths in my time - one left a message on this blog previously, another I saw advertising massages in Bristol and another came up as a Green party member in Bristol - mind those could all be the same person? Not sure if I plan to update this but if there are Philip Booths either in the list above or not do please leave a comment?

Oldbury nuke failures: questions that need answering

In the light of Oldbury's denials of serious safety problems in the Bristol Evening Post on Monday it was good to see my letter in Western Daily Press yesterday - the risks are far too great to restart this 39 year old dinosaur.

Here is a list of questions for starters that we hope to get answers to:

1. If a reactor trip failed to extinguish a single-channel fuel-fire, in a worst case example how quickly might adjacent channels catch fire? Please outline the sequence involved here. Please refer to issues of brittleness in the corroded graphite bricks and how hot gasses might or might not seep through cracks created by a fuel fire.

2. Nuclear Installations Inspectorate papers state that the risk of a single channel clad-melt (or fuel fire) is one chance in a thousand or 10(-3). Please say in statistical terms what is the chance of multiple channel clad-melt following single channel clad-melt.

3. There seem to be mixed messages in the media as to whether reactor 2 was tripped manually or automatically after the generator fire on 30th May. Which was it?

4. NII papers state that the Burst Clad Detection system is periodically overridden. Are all designated automatic trip systems functioning as such or are some modified or overridden and subject to operator interpretation of alarms or instrumentation?

5. How much more quickly would a Failed Fuel Trip System detect and trip the reactor compared with existing safety alarms and trip systems?

6. NII internal paper ‘Graphite Safety Case 62/07’ states Oldbury had identified this as an ALARP modification, ie reasonably practicable. Could Oldbury operators confirm this was and remains their position? If so why was the modification not applied? Are there future plans to install the failed fuel trip system?

7. Please state the current status of reactor 2 since the 30th May generator fire. Some newspapers report Oldbury’s view that a restart does not require NII consent.

8. Please confirm or deny that 400 staff would be made redundant when Oldbury shuts down at the end of next year, as reported in the Bristol Evening Post.

Click on the 'nuclear' label below for more background info.

New local tool and equipment sharing scheme

Buying new tools, especially power tools, means lots of energy used in manufacturing these. Each time a tool or piece of equipment is made energy is used, yet we probably don't use the tools enough in each household to wear them out before they rust or otherwise become unsable. So it is better to borrow what you need from somebody else and they can borrow what you have.

Photo: a photo from friend Charles Roffey who has the most amazing selections of photos of his travels here and blog here.

Sharing tools we already have, which generally rust or become obsolete without seeing a decent amount of individual use, would be a good step towards energy reduction. Hence one of Transition Strouds' latest projects is a tool and equipment share..

If you are local please add your offerings to the toolshare and equipment share pages of the wiki website - and if you don't own any tools or equipment remember you can borrow from here. For each tool you are prepared to share, please give brief details, your name, where you live and your phone number. You can negotiate details of payment for maintenance or fuel when somebody rings you up.

This is a kind of extension of freecycling and similarly reduces new consumption and replaces it with sharing.

"Everyone in the U.S throws away enough aluminum every three months to rebuild our entire commercial air fleet."

"Incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates 1 job, land filling the same amount creates 6 jobs, recycling the same 10,000 tons creates 36 jobs."

"When you recycle one glass bottle, you save the amount of energy needed to light a 100 watt bulb for 4 hours."

Freecycling

Infact if you haven't come across freecycling - then take a look at the UK site here with it's links for Gloucestershire. Stroud already has 1936 members while Cheltenham 2763 members, Forest of Dean 711, Gloucester City 2178, North Cotswold 767 and Tewkesbury 739 members.

As they say on the website: "The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by clicking on the region on the left. You may then go directly to your local group by clicking on "Go To" or you may immediately join by clicking on "Join." The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!

When you want to find a new home for something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door -- you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local Freecycle group. Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure. Our main rule: Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages.

Grassroots at its best!

SUDS: latest correspondence

I've just sent off a couple more letters re Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems to OFWAT and Defra. SUDS is mandatory in Ireland and Scotland - why not here? Things are moving in the right direction but far too slowly.

Photo: view across to Ruscombe

My original letter to OFWAT (see my blog on 17th April) produced a prompt reply which only now am I adding to this blog below along with my response. I've also written to Defra in response to their last letter (see also blog on 17th April) along similar lines to the letter to OFWAT and urging a lead from the Government - see also blog on 17th June for most recent moves to promote SUDS.

Dear Mr Booth,

Thank you for your email dated 17 April concerning the Ruscombe Brook and seeking Ofwat's views on the use of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS). SUDS can, of course, take many forms. Ofwat recognises the merits of so-called 'soft engineering' solutions to drainage problems which by attenuating surface water flow can provide a degree of flood alleviation and also yield benefits to water quality. SUDS also have the potential to improve water quality indirectly by better exposing the existence of misconnections of foul sewerage to the surface water drainage system such as those that you say have impacted on the Ruscombe Brook. There are, however, current barriers that need to be overcome before the use of SUDS can become more widespread.

In our November 2004 response to the Defra consultation 'Making Space for Water' (see home page), we acknowledged that SUDS may make a valuable contribution to a cost-effective approach to urban drainage once the various technical and legislative obstacles are tackled. A group led by the Environment Agency, including representatives of major stakeholders, is considering both the technical standards and legal issues required to underpin the future adoption of SUDS. In the Government's 2002 water strategy document, Directing the Flow (see pdf here), Defra highlight its ongoing examination of the extent and nature of urban diffuse pollution, together with the policy options for addressing it; and the scope for SUDS to manage surface water run-off.

You may be interested to learn that Defra is currently consulting on non-agricultural diffuse water pollution in England and Wales (available here). The consultation paper, to which responses are requested by 28 May 2007, identifies sewage as being a potential cause of diffuse pollution as a result of misconnections to the sewer system, sewer leakage or unintended escapes due to blockages by fat or other solid material. Stakeholders' views are invited on whether five priority areas, including sewage, are the right ones on which to focus and on the more immediately obvious mechanisms to address pollution arising from them. Some options for new legislative and voluntary mechanisms are outlined and again initial views are sought on these. Interestingly, the list includes a review of the 'right to connect' provide by s106 of the water Industry Act 1991. Defra expects this would lead to the promotion of SUDS, a reduction in overloading of sewers, improved protection of surface waters and more effective management of surface water in urban areas overall.

You may wish to submit your views on the issues based on your knowledge and experience of a local 'case study'. We understand that such mechanisms will be considered and developed for a second consultation by Defra on the basis of stakeholder endorsement of the priority areas, the emergence of sufficient supporting evidence and an assessment of the cost effectiveness of each mechanism. Defra expect this second consultation to take place towards the end of 2007. I hope this reply has been helpful.

Yours sincerely, Dr Rowena Tye, Head of Quality Enhancement

My reply:

Apologies for delay in replying - thank you for your response - unfortunately the very short time constraints meant we were unable to make a submission to the consultation paper you mention but we would be keen to input into the second stage of the Defra consultation later this year.

Another route we are pursing is to encourage Councils to insist on SUDS with new planning applications - I understand it is mandatory in Scotland and Ireland. We have already met with some planners and several SUDS experts.

Defra have suggested that "the principle obstacles to the implementation of SUDS are ones of adoption of the infrastructure by an organisation which can undertake its long-term maintenance and renewal, together with the securing of a long-term, sustainable funding regime." The fact that SUDS is nearly always cheaper should make section 106 conditions on planning applications possible. To me the problem seems to be a lack of understanding about the importance of SUDS and what is possible: many myths abound about sites not being suitable for SUDS or the cost being prohibitive.

It is frustrating that things do not seem to move despite the urgency of ensuring our water supplies and tackling climate change. I would welcome your views on why this is the case and whether there is anything a small group like the Ruscombe Brook Action Group can do to speed the process! Is there also not a more direct line that OFWAT can take re insisting on SUDS?

All the best - Philip

Click on RBAG Label below for further correspondence and info re SODS and the Ruscombe Brook Action Group.

Scrutiny meeting this evening

Several meetings this week like a Green party District councillors meeting where we look at priorities and plan next month - several important issues came up but rather than type away here I'll write about them as they come up - of course you could always join the Green party and get our minutes sent to you?

Cartoon: new councillors enthusiasm?

This evening was my first scrutiny meeting - again rather than go into too much details I'll let you either read the minutes on the Council website or watch the webcast - it started just after 6 and I wasn't home until 10.00pm - several new councillors joined the committee so there was a bit of time spent clarifying the role and more - the huge piles of papers clearly can be a bit intimidating(see cartoon)!

To give a flavour - one item was the 'Annual Audit Letter and Use of Resources' - a presentation was given to the committee although I'd already heard it at Cabinet - however this is a time to ask more questions - I asked about how they assessed regeneration was good in the District - interesting and need to do more work as clearly their ideas are not always the same - Dursley supermarket is a good example - this was recently approved and supported by all the other parties - and auditors appear to view it as great - yet I have some serious questions about that - supermarkets also have a significant negative impact on the environment and local economy - where is the analysis???? Basically it doesn't seem to be there...that in my book is not acceptable - need some more Greens on the Council!!

In terms of 'Regeneration' - Sarah Lunnon, the other Green councillor on this committee and Vice-Chair spoke about how Cornwall view their Regeneration department as the best opportunity to tackle climate change - she got a very welcome response from Officers and the Cabinet member who said they would look at how they might learn from Cornwall. Both Sarah and I have been allocated Regeneration (and the Planning Department) to scrutinise the senior officers re their work. Hopefully it will be a good way of taking that forward.

While talking about climate change I also raised an issue re wording - see my follow up memo below - often documents like this can be crucial so it is important to get the wording right - we'll see. Hey has anyone managed to keep awake this far?? And I haven't even got to the Best Value Performance Plan, the Forward Plan, Statement of Internal Control and more...

...infact before I go to bed I will mention the Smart Rent Private Sector Leasing Scheme - a good way to encourage empty homes back into use - an issue the Green party raised in the press a week or so ago - private landlords are encouraged to rent through the Council with a whole range of incentives - there are apparently 600 to 700 empty homes in the District so getting them back into use would be a v important action to reduce our homelessness figures - sadly this scheme is v small and hopes are that 10 homes a year will be bought back into use - wholly inadequate but a start...this is again an issue on which the Government has sadly and badly let us down.

Re: Corporate Delivery Plan 2007-11

At Scrutiny I welcomed the Cabinet's amendment/clarification to include in the Environment section of 'Priorities and Focus' the replacement of the second bullet point with "Helping the community to reduce CO2 emissions and to mitigate the affects of climate change." (p22 Cabinet papers 31st May).

I am wondering if that amendment/clarification could be extended and used as the wording for the 'Area of Focus' (CO5) (p9 Cabinet papers 31st May). The current line suggests that we will help the community to tackle the consequences of climate change rather than reduce CO2 emissions. While also important the main focus should be on CO2 reduction - I suspect that is what intended as the 'Measure and Performance' section looks at CO2 emissions.

You may well have already made this clarification - I would welcome comments - thanks - all the best - Philip

More about Scrutiny Committee is available on 7th June 2007 blog.

Terminator is dead but beware of Zombie GM

Zombie GM crops get their name because farmers will have to pay biotech companies to bring seeds back from the dead - the shock is that they are being developed with British taxpayers' money as part of a £3.4m EU research project.

This is clearly an attempt to get round the worldwide UN ban on GM "terminator technology" - a technology that even Monsanto has said it will not use. Terminator technology was designed to modify crops so that they produce only sterile seeds - and would have forced the 1.4 billion poor farmers who traditionally save seeds from one year's harvest to the next to instead buy new seeds from biotech firms - great for biotech profits, increasing poverty and increasing hunger.

Amazingly since the ban was agreed seven years ago, companies and pro-GM countries have pressed to have that law overturned - the United States and Britain leading the fight - yes Britain is very much at the forefront despite overwhelming opposition to GM from the public. This new technology promises to offer companies an even more profitable way of achieving dominance.

Zombie crops would be engineered to produce sterile seed that could be brought back to life with the right treatment - almost certainly with a chemical sold by the company that markets the seed. Farmers would therefore have to pay out, not for new seeds, but to make the ones they saved viable. The Canada-based Action Group on Erosion Technology and Concentration in their report, "Terminator: The Sequel" call this "a dream scenario for the Gene Giants" - saying: "A scenario in which farmers have to pay for a chemical to restore seed viability creates a new perpetual monopoly for the seed industry."

Call from Australia on Colony Collapse Disorder

I just had a phone call from Australia re the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) Bee problem - the guy had picked up some info on my blog item on 26th April 2007.

Photos: Buttercups in Ruscombe valley

This guy was wondering if I could forward the info below to those who attended the recent Bee Keeping course and make it more available. I have to say I have no idea about the accuracy or otherwise about this information but the guy was clearly very genuine and wanting to help.

The Ecologist has a news item and comments on mobile phones and bees online here but also their June edition which is in print has an excellent very detailed article that goes into considerably more depth - from memory it considers many factors are leading to the sudden collapse of hives. The article by excellent journalist Pat Thomas will probably be online next month if people are unable to get a print version.

Anyhow here was the info I was sent - which I've already forwarded to others - and below some facts that bring to life the wonders of this amazing creature:

With reference to our phone conversation 19-6-07 CCD Bees problem. There is no CCD problem in Australia due to the cell phone towers having been treated with a frequency that alters the dangerous radiation from the cell phones. Scientists Prof. Jochen Kuhn Landau University Germany and Dr. George L. Carlo Science &Public Policy Inst. Washington DC USA have researched the radiation from cell phones & found that it affects the bees navigation system. I have tested bees in Australia & they show no reaction to cell phone radiation. However when the Australian bees are shipped to USA they suffer the same as the American bees. The device that we have treats the cell phone frequency & also restores the immune system in animals. It also changes the dangerous radiation from the on- board computers & alternators in the transporting trucks. It stands to reason that the CCD bee problem in USA Europe & New Zealand is a cell phone problem & is causing the bees to get sick & not be strong enough to overcome the Varroa Mite as well as having their navigation system interfered with. Those countries do not have their cell phone towers treated & Australia has. Especially when New Zealand is on our door step & their bees are also in trouble. Do reply as I know this huge problem can be solved, I know we have the answer

Best regards Bob Usher USHER INDUSTRIES PTY LTD Research & Development Dept Email: rp.usher@westnet.com.au

Interesting facts about bees....

- Bees produce the only food that will never spoil. Honey found in Egyptian tombs is still edible.
- Honeybees fly backwards out of their homes so they can see how they look from a distance.
- Honey has been used to embalm bodies (Alexander the Great being a notable example) as decay-promoting microbes cannot live in it.
- The hexagonal compartments that make up the structure of honeycombs are mathematically proven to be the most efficient means of storage possible. An absolute minimum of material is used to create hives.
- Honeybees have a dance ‘language’ that alerts other bees where nectar and pollen are located. The circle and waggling dance explains direction and distance. Bees also communicate with pheromones.
- Once the male drones have fulfilled their summertime role of mating with the queen, they are expelled from the hive because they are of no further use.
- Both the Egyptians and the Welsh have at some time used honey to pay taxes.
- The giant Indian bee (Apis dorsata) builds a single comb as much as five feet by three feet big, and which is attached to rocks, trees or buildings.
- In Ghana a good honey harvest is said to be related to beekeepers’ relationships with invisible hairy dwarves. In Sweden failure in apiaries is blamed on the influence of trolls.

Bee numbers...

150 million - years in which bees have been producing honey
45,000 - bees can live in a single hive
30,000 - number of bee species
11,400 - strokes of a bee's wing per minute
80 - percentage of insect crop pollination performed by honeybees
25-40 - percentage rise in crop productivity resulting from bee pollination
12 - bee colonies needed to pollinate one acre of cotton
1 - the size in mm3 of a worker honeybee's brain

Thanks to Ecologist articles for interesting facts on bees

UK's only weekly climate radio show

I meant to give a plug to this radio show a while back - I met journalist Phil England at the recent Transition Network conference and this is an excellent resource that he has helped put together – one of the best informed and challenging views on climate change. It's got all the latest discussions on Transition Towns, the Climate Change Bill and more. Tune in here.

US Colleges and Glos County sign climate pledge

Wanted to share some good news from the states - following the success of Mayors in the US signing up to tackle climate change we now have 280 institutions signing on to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. It is modeled after the pact so far signed by 532 mayors (representing 66 million US citizens) across the country - the agreement commits schools to promoting research on global warming, keeping track of emissions, and aiming for carbon neutrality. The effort is being led by President Michael Crow of Arizona State University, which plans to turn down the AC, increase solar power, and provide free bus passes to students, faculty, and staff. Read more here.

Meanwhile at last Gloucestershire County Council have signed a pledge to tackle climate change - read more here - the Nottingham Declaration was also signed earlier this year by Stroud District - and Cheltenham in 2005 when I attended their launch while Stroud Town signed back in April 2001. Most scientists indicate the targets the Declaration suggests are now wholly inadequate - nevertheless it is important to make a public statement to tackle climate change.

Lastly in Iceland artist Katie Paterson set up last week microphones submerged deep in a glacier - by dialing a number you could hear live the glacier in it's death throes. See glorious photos and more details here - sadly numbers are not working now but we shouldn't need this to make us act - but good on this artist for bringing this issue to a wider audience....

Kensington High Street is the way to go

A visit to London like I had Fri/Sat should not be complete without a visit to see how Shared Spaces at Kensington High Street is getting on?! New comers to this blog may like to see a brief summary of Shared Spaces here and article here.

Photo: people crossing between cars at junctions: accident rates have been cut

The above pic is from The Times but not so easy to read - basically Kensington High Street is a move towards Shared Spaces - as photos above and below show this includes elements like guard rails being removed, cycle parking in the middle of the road to encourage people to cross any place, straight-across crossings rather than those staggered ones that have you cross one road then go one direction before crossing the other half, signage has been removed - and much more...

Photo: 600 metres of guard rails were removed in Ken High St - results have discredited the belief that railings prevent accidents: in the 2years after they were removed, pedestrian casualties declined three times faster than the London average.

As I've noted before this approach was first developed in the Netherlands, where pedestrians, cyclists and cars are encouraged to mingle. Kerbs in several Dutch towns have for example been removed and the boundaries between the pavement and road blurred deliberately to prevent people from assuming they have right of way - some roads have what are called 'wriggle room' - this can for example be a drain area under a meter wide that is made of a different surface - thus narrowing the road to slow traffic but enabling it still to use the area when say lorries need to pass each other.

In Holland traffic lights have also been removed and drivers must negotiate their way across junctions, forcing them to slow down and establish eye contact with pedestrians. In the town of Drachten, the removal of traffic lights at one major junction has resulted in accidents falling from thirty-six in the four years before the scheme was introduced to two in the next two years. The average time for each vehicle to cross the junction fell from 50 seconds to 30 seconds, despite a rise in the volume of traffic.

Photo: cycle stands in the middle of the road

The Shared Spaces approach is the opposite of the 1960s ethos of separating cars and pedestrians. By removing road signs and traffic lights and changing the appearance of the road, you avoid the impression that areas are designated just for cars. You in effect create a mild anxiety among everyone so they all behave cautiously. No one drives along thinking that they have priority.

But read the article linked above if you want more - basically Ken High Street is looking good - what a pleasure compared to before where pedestrians were herded behind guard rails...click on 'Shared Spaces' Label below for info about hopes for local schemes.

Roger's 80th birthday

Saturday night saw a seriously good party in Horsley - veteran peace campaigner Roger Franklin had his 80th birthday party - family and friends descended on the village hall for some great dancing and an exceptional spread of food.

Photo: Party invite

Roger has campaigned tirelessly against nuclear and war - especially with the Trident Ploughshares campaign - his home in Tickmorend is famous for it's signs celebrating it is a "Nuclear-Free Zone", he has written many letters to the local press, helped set up Resurgence for which he wrote occasionally, has been a great support to local Green party media work, been on numerous demonstrations like at Faslane and gone to prison for his refusal to pay for war.

Roger was unfortunately not his usual bright self due to an illness but still managed to get around and talk to lots of people - I really admire this guy and the courage he has to take on the establishment - I remember years ago when I first met him properly - I lived in Walkley Wood not far down the road from his home and was invited to call in for tea - which we had in his homemade mugs in his kitchen with some great debates and conversations before going off canvassing.

Anyhow I could go on lots more - a seriously monster-sized chocolate cake with the CND symbol was cut by Roger - it tasted amazing!!! There were several speechs including from John Papworth - who was one of the original group that set up Resurgence and then went on to establish the Fourth World Review - he was famous in 1999 for being the Reverend that was ticked off by the Church of England for preaching to his congregation that it was okay to steal from supermarkets if you were poor and hungry. At the time much of the press treated his comments as 'beyond the pale' but he struck a chord with many who were fed up with the supermarket consumer culture.

After being in London I had to leave a little early so missed the rest of the dancing and all but it apparently got better and better!! Meanwhile the same night Transition Stroud were celebrating at Slad farm with a day of events and party in the evening.

Gormley exhibition at South Bank

On Friday I went up to London - back Saturday - I still have an absurd number of emails to return to but before I get to them properly I did want to add an item on the Antony Gormley exhibition at the Hayward that I was fortunate enough to see.

Photo: Blind Light postcard

Antony Gormley had an exhibition a while back with hundreds of his small clay figures at Gloucester Cathedral - a great site - this time there were many wonderful pieces - the strangest perhaps the large glass room filled with thick fog and bright light - entitled 'Blind Light' (also the title of the whole exhibition) - you get a health and safety warning before you enter this strange space - visibility is barely 40 cm - a great way to meet people as I found it strangely very friendly as people bumped into one another - but also almost a meditation in the quiet spaces.

Photo: Postcard of another piece of work - entitled acupuncture man by the 13 year old I visited the gallery with!

In another piece he used slices on Mothers Pride bread with bites taken out to create pictures, there were also amazing metal figures - some bearing witness to torture and execution - very powerful stuff.

Photo: Event Horizon

The exhibition also included one of the largest ever urban public art commissions, Event Horizon, which features sculptural casts of the artist’s body on rooftops and public walkways across central London, dramatically transforming the city skyline - over a 1.5km squared area - loved this disconcerting piece...

...how many of these life size figures were there staring at the Hayward Gallery and me??! Some only slightly visible in the mist across the Thames, others much nearer high on the top of buildings...much food for thought...

The exhibition runs until 19th August.

I hadn't been in London for a year or so - lots of fun but tiring - used to live there and have many very happy memories of the place but am very glad I am in a very much greener place now!!!

Shocking risks taken at Oldbury nuclear plant

The Independent on Sunday yesterday revealed shocking safety risks taken at Oldbury - the info was gained under the Freedom of Information and only confirms Green party calls over the last weeks to close this dinosaur - you can see my press release yesterday here which also links to our previous calls and the recent fire there.

I am pleased the national press have picked this up - a couple of local Greens have done much to try and get this covered more widely - indeed I've forwarded info to Geoffrey Lean, the IOSs' Environment Editor who wrote the story - I hope it will lead to some sanity over this plant. It really is quite extraordinary tale - despite the Nuclear Installation Inspectorate casting doubts on the nuclear company's ability to cope with exceptional circumstances they still allowed the reactor to start up last month. The documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show that there was a one-in-1,000 risk of a fire in the highly radioactive nuclear fuel yet the plant has been restarted. This is wholly unacceptable.

Anyhow read the news release for more info - the Western Daily Press have today also picked up on the story.

I was also pleased to see today that Green Stroud Town Cllr Dave Cockcroft has written a response to the letter in the SNJ last week claiming we need nuclear - his letter is an effective answer that pointing out flaws in the argument and showing that nuclear is not the way to go - see it here. He also shows why the local 'No to Plastic Bag' campaign is important.

Last chance for Open Studios

Several meetings this week but far more intersting is the annual Site 07 visual art festival, involving 250 local, national and international artists, runs until June 30 here in Stroud and the surrounding valleys. As I've noted already on this blog (see 2nd and 11th June - click 'Art' Label below for more) the heart of the festival is the Open Studios weekends: the last of these is this weekend (16-17th) - don't miss it.

Photo: Grizelda pastel - bought a card of this one.

I mentioned that one of my favorite artists this year was Grizelda Holderness - yesterday I managed to get out to see her paintings at a barn in Frampton and her wonderful studio crammed full of works in progress and books and more books. In the garden their are tents with more works. Well worth the visit this weekend - although the barn exhibition closed today - a great pity as another artist worth seeing was Gillian Keightley - she was exhibiting some great landscapes and I don't think she has opened her studio this year.

I heard mention of Grizelda's father, Hardwicke Holderness who had died recently - it was only after leaving that I realised he was one of the greats in Rhodesia who stood up to Ian Smith's racist regime - and was a decorated pilot.

Cashes Green hospital site update

Front page of the Citizen today brings news that the first affordable homes in the UK to be built by involving a community land trust look set to be built in Stroud.

Photo: consultation afternoon last year that I attended

The 50 homes should be available to buy at about 40% less than open market value in only a couple of years time assuming that the project gets planning permission. An additional 27 homes are due to be sold on the open market.


Photo: Hospital site

The idea of the £8.75m pilot, proposed on the old Cashes Green Hospital site, is to bridge the gap between low wages and spiraling house prices. See my comments and background info here and blog on 5th September 2006.

After four years of preparation and much much waiting this innovative scheme has at last been given the go-ahead by the Government's regeneration agency English Partnerships.

More camera work and root cutting in our sewers

Severn Trent contractors are again in Puckshole and surrounding area. One of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group members spoke to them - apparently they have been working down the sewer and have again found joint erosion and root in-growth.

Photo: Contractor arriving in Puckshole yesterday

The view of the guy in charge was that STW could not expect to do root-cutting on such a regular basis and were therefore putting together the case for re-lining of the sewer, which would, in his opinion, "fix the problem".

I was on the understanding that they had already put a case together - but maybe this is more evidence - at least they are being proactive - and no known major incidents of sewage escaping into the brook for many months now.

More on SUDS: every development needs them

Yesterday evening I met with Bob Bray, an international Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems expert (and more info here) and a top Planning Officer from another local Council who has an interest in SUDS - we met at the Co-Housing project in Stroud where they have an exciting scheme.

Photo: Co-housing

As blog readers will know SUDS is one of the areas I have tried to get more noticed - we have an extraordinary cavalier approach to our water supplies and the way we treat our water - things must change - already in Ireland and Scotland the practice is mandatory - here it is not - our local Council has a policy but the reality is that it needs tightening up and planners, developers, councillors and more need to know more about this approach.

Many myths abound like SUDS can't be used if there is no green area and that they are more expensive - both nonsense - infact maybe it's time to develop a SUDS Myth Buster leaflet?

Photo: water cascades down the tiled walls

Anyhow we started with a look at how the system works at Springhill - developers had said it was impossible to do a SUDS scheme there but it is up and running and working well. Water cascades down tiled walls in between timber and stone gabions. Then rills and swales collect and store the rain water allowing it to seep away before it can put an extra load on the local drainage system.

Photo: main pedestrain street with rills - seen as controversial as they are open water ways - children might get hurt - however they have been made safer by covering key sections and planting others - grills are another option but were seen as more expensive

Under the main pedestrian path are tanks that will take extra water if necessary. The village green is shaped like a basin so it can fill up with rain when it is very heavy - apparently it has only had a little water in the bottom in the past years.

Anyhow we then want onto a more suitable location to explore how to get SUDS accepted more by planners and all - various ideas discussed and I will be pursuing some of those - indeed in future blogs I hope to carry more on this issue.

Anyhow for those unfamiliar with the Springhill Co-housing in Stroud - it is the first co-housing community in the UK and is certainly a model for future sustainable communities - indeed already in Stroud there is now a Co-flats project with it's own wind turbine.

The Co-housing comprises of 35 households plus a Common House where people cook and eat together about three times a week. This substantial additional space makes it easy for people to have smaller private dwellings with a safe pedestrian street through the middle of the site.

Here's more info:

Designed by Architype, specialists in timber frame houses, the project shows how a small, inconvenient sloping site can be transformed into a new community. Recycling, community composting, high-intensity insulation, PV panels, a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS), and a car-sharing scheme all contribute to an environmentally sensitive scheme. Something in the overall attitude of the site minimises negative and enhances positive environmental and social impacts.

Co-housing promotes a very strong sense of belonging and encourages friendly, co-operative and helpful behaviour, including self-policing. The residents all became directors of the development company so were involved in commissioning the construction. Three out of the 35 units are subsidised in perpetuity at 15% below market value.

In Denmark 3-4% of the population live in co-housing. The high level of single parents at Springhill (nearly half the families with children) shows how co-housing responds to their need for safety, services and social interaction close to home. A third of the residents of Springhill work from home and the nature of the community means there is lots of business support sharing, offering a glimpse of a possible future for home-based enterprise integrated with more sustainable living.

In Stroud they are already working on schemes for co-flats and actively looking for other sites to develop. As UK households continue to change and shrink co-housing may be an answer more widely.

Demeter baby foods banned for being too natural

The Biodynamic Agricultural Association, as a signatory to the Earth Charter, is part of a worldwide network of civil society organisations seeking to uphold the dignity and integrity of human beings and of all life on earth. In Europe and indeed throughout the Western world,
individual freedom of choice is being increasingly curtailed and threatened. Please consider signing this petition:
http://www.eliant.eu/lang/en/

Incredibly Demeter Baby Foods are to be banned - No Demeter products contain artificial additives and yet addition of artificial vitamins to baby foods is now a requirement under the EU Vitamin Regulation! The continued availability of Anthroposophic and homeopathic medicines is also threatened. They can only survive legally if current medicines legislation is amended.

Already over 60,000 people have signed up but there is a long way to go. Non-EU citizens can also sign. A petition form can also be printed off. They need at least a million signatures by 15th July deadline.

In praise of highway verge cutters

Last week our grass verges in Bread Street were cut and to my delight the verge cutter carefully went around clumps of wildflowers like these poppies in this photo - at least 4 other people have commented to me on this. I wrote to Highways today to thank them.

It is a pity they have been so savage with the trees - see 'Label' below for previous blogs on verge-side trees that have been lost.

How great is capitalism?

In response to a question about capitalism in an email today from a blog reader I thought I'd throw this in for starters...

Capitalism fills our shops with all manner of things but for every happy East German who can buy more ice cream at the corner shop, a parent in Uganda will bury a child who has died of AIDS - directly because of the monopoly power of pharmaceutical companies who refuse to allow affordable copies of life saving drugs.

Derek Wall, the Green party's Co-Principal Speaker writes: "Capitalism can only exist by selling us more and more things at ever accelerating rates. Corporations that drive capitalism have a legal requirement to maximise short term profit. Thus, while it is wrong to talk of wicked capitalists and design caricatures of evil cigar smoking bosses, the very DNA of modern capitalism leads to a number of severe problems. The drive to cut costs leads to out sourcing where companies with monopoly power can drive down wages to a few cents equivalent an hour, so workers and small producers like farmers suffer from low incomes. The infinite economic growth required by capitalism where we produce, consume and waste at accelerating rates is ecologically impossible on our finite planet."

Critics of capitalism include not just the Greens but John Gray, a conservative academic who used to support Mrs Thatcher, Joseph Stiglitz who once headed the World Bank, and even financier George Soros. Some critics believe that capitalism can be modified, others want to create a new economic system.

Photo: Green party member Jonathon Porritt talks in Cheltenham last week

Practical alternatives exist in many places - each with their own strengths and weaknesses: cooperative control of factories is big in Argentina and much of Latin America, open source production of software is growing globally and I read that Yochai Benkler's concept of social sharing is being applauded by academics as a substitute for the market. There clearly needs to be more of a debate between those who believe that capitalism can be adapted to reflect ecological and social realities and those who seek alternatives.....

- Read Molly Scott Cato's Green Economics blog for more:
http://gaianeconomics.blogspot.com/
- And Dr Derek Walls' latest blog site where he has started to put his latest published book, "Babylon and Beyond: Anti-Capitalist Economics":
http://babylonandbeyond.blogspot.com
- Jonathon Porritt calls for better capitalism - others take issue with his arguments - see here
- Green call for Localisation here
- Three Guardian articles on the death of growth-economics here

Top 15 Green actors?

I'm really not sure about these sort of lists or for that matter all this cult of the celebrity - see here Grists' top 15 Green actors. There is even a blog site which delves more into celebrity greens - see here for more - and some stars even have their own websites devoted to green stuff - see here.

Sadly too often there is too little analysis of what is really going on...but then isn't that the way around such 'news' items...and as I've noted before the media often helps build someone up then gets into seeking out hypocrisy or whatever - see my blog item a while back on this - as I noted then every time a "green hero" is shot down in flames, we all feel that little bit more cynical about politicians, leaders and society in general.....

site07 open studios: don't miss them

site07 open studios first weekend has just been - it is also open next weekend and I strongly recommend that you don't miss it - a festival which features the work of 250 local, national and international artists. Here's a sample of stuff that I managed to get to over the weekend....

Photo 1 above: This is me - Nadine Faye James has a variety of work on show and for a £1 will also do a portrait of you on her typewriter

Photo 2: Nadines' mum Noela Bewry shared the gallery space - and what a space - views across the 'Heavens'

Photo 3: Angela Findlay - love her work and use of mud with the paint

The festival began earlier this month (see my 2nd June blog). I love how you can also see the artists homes - the many wonderful things they've collected but also as you'll see from these photos piles of shoes and washing-up and more. For more information visit www.sva.org.uk

Photo 4: Cleo Mussi - very well known locally and now nationally for her work - interestingly she also has an exhibition at Bovey Tracy in Devon which my parents saw this same weekend - it was also good to see photographer John Heseltine's work (see my previous blog on 2nd June for one of his photos)


Photo 5: Another favorite is Judy McKenna - ended up with some of her cards but would loved to have also bought a real painting! She shared her arts sapce with Wendy Morgan who also had some great oil paintings.

Photos 7 and 8: Pam Harmer - some great sculptor pieces in slate including this Chrysanthemum and amazing sunflower - the sunflower has for years been the Green party's logo - appropriate in that her husband, Chris Harmer, narrowly missed gaining the Nailsworth seat in the recent elections for the Green party.

A great way to lose anxiety about speaking in public

Saturday saw a group of 8 Transition Stroud folk including myself attending a day's 'Speaking Circle' training.

Photo: coffee break

This is all about standing up in front of an audience and delivering a speech....ugh! Some love this - I do it and do it quite often in relation to Council work and other stuff but it is not really my cup of tea - nerves, anxiety etc - yet I want to share ideas about Transition Stroud, about Green politics and more.....So this course seemed a good way to try and get over some of those fears..

However it's not about techniques to present speeches better - but rather about being authentic and focusing on the most important — the connection between speaker and listeners. This relationship-based approach is about inviting connection rather than trying to connect. It was wonderfully refreshing with speaking exercises all day. One of the websites says of this technique that it "rapidly dissolves speaking anxiety and allows you to reach hearts, minds and souls from a natural place of ease and power."

Certainly by the end of the day it was very wonderful to be able to listen to others talking - and really talking in a compelling way - and also to get up without so much fear - practice is now what I need!

If you are interested in speaking Circles locally call Nicola on 751419.

Peregrine falcon seen in Ruscombe valley

A Peregrine falcon has been seen in Ruscombe valley - the confirmed siting occurred about two weeks ago. I suspect he or she is a visitor to the valley rather than making a home here? Certainly quite a sight to see - they eat medium-sized birds like pigeons and small ducks and usually need a rocky cliff or high point to nest - maybe Whiteshill Church?

Down in Exeter there is a webcam on a Church there where there is a Peregrine nesting - see here.

Photo: Above Peregrine falcon and left the award winning photo by Italian Manuel Presti

One of the best photos I've seen of them was the 2005 Wildlife Photography winner - infact several lucky friends got postcards of the picture - a swirling image of the falcon after a flock of starlings. It is very sad that this great photography competition has been sponsored by companies with dodgy environmental records - see press release from 2006 and this year one of my blog items on 30th January re Twigworth exhibition.

Photo: Swans in Bibury and duck at the Garden Centre in Nailsworth

And talking of wildlife....these swans in Bibury a week or so ago - and have you seen a duck has made her nest on one of the raised beds directly outside the front of the Nailsworth Garden centre - car park and tarmac all around - she has at least 4 ducklings now and staff put an umbrella up to give some protection from the weather!

Transition Stroud meeting

Transition Stroud Local Government Liaison Group meeting this morning at Star Anise cafe. For more see here. It is great to be working with this group on following up the Heinberg visit (see previous blogs) - and seeing how best we can develop strategies for tackling peak oil and climate change.

Photo: Meeting today: Fi, Simon, Martin and Mike

Council seeks 10% cut in staff energy consumption in on year

Stroud District Council in conjunction with the Gloucestershire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre have this week put up a display on the ground floor of Ebley Mill aimed at Council staff and members. The 'My Energy' project hopes to involve every member of staff participating in behavioural change to reduce the amount of energy that is wasted in our Council buildings. Energy Champions have been selected to advise fellow colleagues and monitor progress on each floor/building, and they will be carrying out regular audits of their designated location.

Photo: posters from the Ebley Mill display

The Senior Sustainable Energy Officer, Lisa Wilkes writes: "If we all work together to do our bit, we should easily reduce our energy consumption by 10% in one year! But don't stop there, take your energy saving activities home with you too and save yourselves some some energy and money off your bills!"

Below I've enclosed the 40 useful no-cost ways to save energy in your home that has been circulate to all staff. This is an important initiative as all of us need to be made aware of our energy use - hopefully this will also impact on the actions and policies being made by staff....my own view is that this is only a start - if we are to seek real changes then more input and training will be needed for staff. One example that comes to mind is how on earth did the recent Environment Green paper get to be posted around in a big brown envelope when an address could have been put on the side of it and saved all those envelopes - similarly DCC papers still come out with large amounts of shaded areas - a waste of ink - an issue raised by Cllr Ken Stevens on several occasions. Why no action?

I am optimistic that all these measures will start to really have a significant impact but we mustn't get away from the need for all the big changes to....why are developments still going ahead without renewables on them? Why are the Council supporting a supermarket being built only 3 miles from another supermarket in Dursley? I could go on but thats another blog......

40 FREE ways to save energy

Start changing your energy wasting habits now! Your efforts will be rewarded.

HEATING

1. Close all curtains at duskto keep the heat in and open sunny rooms’ internal doors to let the warmth travel through your home.

2. Never open windows or doors to cool a room, turn down the heating instead.

3. Make sure your heating system is only on when you need it: adjust the timer/programmer until your heating is only on for the hours you need warmth. Try switching it off ½ hour before you go out or go to bed, saving both money and energy.

4. Turn down the room thermostat by 1ºC and save up to 10% on your fuel bill- 21°C is recommended for your living room and 18°C for your hall. If you are elderly, sick or very young you may need extra heat, but take care not to over-heat babies.

5. If hot water is heated separately to the central heating, turn off centralheating pilot light in the summer.

6. Boilers operate more efficiently and safelywhen serviced regularly.

7. Reflective panelsbehind radiators can reduce energy consumption and shelving over radiators and storage heaters can deflect heat into the room.

8. Furniture which is in front of heaters/radiators blocks the heat from the rest of the room and can damage it – so move furniture (and curtains) away from heaters.

HOT WATER

9. Check that your hot water tank thermostat is set no higher than 60ºC: this is hot enough for hot water; setting it higher increases the risk of scalding and wastes fuel.

10. Only heat water when you need it.Don’t leave water heaters on constantly day and night and the use of a timer with an immersion heater will help to control how much electricity you’re using.

11. Lag your hot water tankwith an 80mm jacket.

12. Make sure hot water taps are always turned off properly. Dripping taps waste water and energy.

13. Put the plug in the sink or use a bowl when washing hands or dishes: running the hot tap can be very wasteful.

14. Having a 5 minute shower costs approx. 5 times less than a bath.

INSULATION

15. Free advice on energy saving:if you would like advice on insulation or any energy-related topic (e.g. specifications and grants available for loft/cavity wall insulation):

COOKING

16. Cook as much as possible at the same time: using divided pans or steamers. Also, cook several dishes at the same time in the oven and freeze extra portions.

17. Choose the right sized pan and cooker ringfor what you are cooking – on a gas cooker the flames should not cover the sides of the pan.

18. Always put lids on pansand once boiled, turn down the heat to a gentle simmer.

19. Try not too use too much water– most vegetables only need to be just covered.

20. Cut food into smaller piecesas it cooks quicker.

21. Cook small things like chops under the grillrather than in the oven.

22. When baking or preparing food, use manual utensils whenever possible.

23. Pressure cookers and slow cookersare more energy efficient than convection ovens and microwave ovens are especially efficient for heating single or small portions.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCES

24. Never put hot/warm food straight into the fridge/freezer.

25. Defrost fridge/freezer regularly– this keeps it running more efficiently (you can use a refrigerator thermometer to keep an eye on this).

26. Site fridge/freezers away from the cooker– if this is not possible leave a good gap.

27. When replacing a fridge/freezer, choose one which is not too big for your needs.

28. Always load/unload fridges/freezers quickly: for every minute the door is open it takes 3 minutes to regain the lower temperature.

29. Keep your fridge/freezer as full as possible– fill unused spaces with bread or paper.

30. When using a kettleonly use as much water as you need.

31. If you have a dishwasher, wait until you have a full load before using it and preferably rinse plates first with cold water, before using the economy or quick wash setting.

32. When washing clothes, wait until you have a full load or use a half load/economy cycle. Also, wash lightly soiled clothes on a lower temperature setting.

33. Dry washing outside if possibleand if you are drying it indoors, give it an extra spin.

34. When buying appliances look for an energy efficiency label: these are cheaper to run.

35. Iron clothesdamp, on a low temperature setting where possible and do fewer, longer sessions.

36. Turn TV’s/video recorders/stereos off properlywhen not in use – leaving them on standby wastes energy.

LIGHTING

37. When a light bulb goes, replace it with an energy efficient bulb which lasts up to 12 times longer and uses about one fifth of the energy.

38. Turn out lightsin empty rooms (but make sure that areas like stairs are adequately lit).

39. When decorating choose pale colours for walls/ceilings: you may need less lighting.

GARDENING

40. When gardening/DIY use manual tools wherever possible.

For more information call 0800 512 012

Why would I want to join the Green party?

Also in this post the local Green party meeting this week and Caroline Lucas MEP has beaten Gordon Brown and David Cameron to be named ‘politician of the year’

Wednesday night saw the first local Stroud District Green party meeting in our new venue - Star Anise on first Wednesday of the month - a chance to also get coffee and cake - very nice indeed - it also could accommodate the numbers we are now getting at this business meeting - this week we had 30 people there - in the first hour or so there are various bits of business like feedbacks on press, finances, Parish, Town and District councillors plus other key issues - and also feedback from some of the other local meetings.

Photo: break in meeting for more coffee

The second half of the meeting sees a discussion topic - this week we looked at how we could take forward ideas that Professor Heinberg raised in his visit - there was also lots re Transition Stroud - TS is not party political and is completely separate from Councils or political parties - but the issues it raises have clearly attracted many Green party members and indeed at least 8 people in the room were participating in TS in some way. We also heard that on Tuesday night Transition Wotton-under-Edge had their second meeting in two week - 15 people turned up and much enthusiasm.

There was also a discussion about the need for political change - and roles of pressure groups and political parties - here's something I helped write 4 years ago about why people might want to join the Green Party of England and Wales....it could do with an update in the light of all the main parties claiming to be green but basically it still makes the case...

Voting Green is not enough

Voting for the Greens is essential, but not enough. We need members and strong, active local branches in order to stand increasing numbers of candidates at each election. Without candidates it is impossible to register a vote for green politics and therefore impossible to keep the pressure on the Grey Parties - Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat - to become green.

The power of a full slate of candidates combined with a strong Green vote cannot be understated. In the 1989 European Elections we fought every seat and won two and a quarter million votes. Immediately afterwards the Grey parties drafted emergency tranches of 'green' policy to attract the Green vote in future elections. Even Margaret Thatcher declared 'I am Green' and replaced her then Environment minister Nicholas Ridley with the supposedly more eco-friendly Chris Patten.

Supporting a Green pressure group is not enough

Supporting organisations like Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace is important, but not enough. The Establishment encourages pressure groups because they divert dissenting skills, energy and money from the political sector. To change the structure of society - the cause of the present environmental and social crisis - it is essential to also put pressure where it has most impact - within the electoral system.

Grey fraudsters

The 'green' policies of the Grey Parties are a sham. Representing at most 5% of their policies overall they will be totally obliterated by their 95% of Grey profit- based policies. It is essential that Greens continue to fight elections at both national and local level to expose this deceit. The long term strategic approach of Green politics putting people and planet before profits - can guarantee a future for our children. Their future depends on us. If we want air we can breathe, food we can eat and water we can drink - for all the world's people - we must act now.

Giving Green politics authority

Green politics is not just about fighting elections. Successful national and local campaigns to make all of our lives better continue throughout the year. The more members we have the more campaigns we can run and the more elections we can fight. But more than that. The more members we have the more authority Green politics has with both the Government and the media.

Each of us must act and decide

Each of us can make a difference. It is no good waiting for someone else to act or decide for us. That attitude - encouraged by those in power - is what has kept us controlled and exploited throughout history. Each one or us must take responsibility for the future, for our children and our children's children. We believe that the best way is to join the Green Party and fight to change the system from within.

Work with like-minded people

When you join the Green Party you are joining a global community of people - people with vision, people with principles - who believe, like you, that people and planet must come before profits. The sense of belonging, of purpose and of being part of a global movement for change, is exhilarating, and empowering.

Making your mark

The Greens have no leaders and no hierarchy. No closed doors. No whips. No smoke-filled rooms. Policy and strategy are formulated by the members and agreed in open conference. Local branches are autonomous. Members can work within their local branch or within the national party to make their mark. On their town or village, and on the country.

Where do you sit?

An interesting test to see where people sit politically is available at: http://www.politicalcompass.org/

It is by no means comprehensive but is a fun way of looking roughly at how our views fit with the political scene.

Indeed other parties claims to be 'green' can seem laughable when looked at closely: Tories and Labour both supporting more road building, doubling airports, Trident, the war in Iraq and nuclear power and even blocking EU Environmental legislation. Indeed Scottish Friends of the Earth earlier this year said the Tories have the least firm commitment to environmental policies and that only Greens have policies to address the issues.

In fact just today I've seen a Green Party news release calling on Cameron to bring his Cllrs actions into line with his Green rhetoric, after Conservative-run South Cambridgeshire Council rejected plans for a wind farm on 'visual grounds.'

Green Party Principal Speaker Siân Berry said: "Approval rates for onshore wind- farms have plummeted in recent months to the lowest level ever, with two in every three projects turned down by Labour, Tory and Lib Dem councillors. At the same time, these councillors are backing new roads and supporting the government’s plans to double aviation over the next
two decades."

Siân went on to talk about how failure to back renewables was damaging our economy: "It is not just the climate that is losing out from this approach to tackling climate change. There are also thousands of potential jobs at stake - especially in the energy generation sector. To date, over 4,000 jobs are sustained by companies working in the wind sector, and the Department of Trade and Industry has estimated that the next round of wind farm developments could bring a further 20,000 jobs for Britain. But this needs councils like Cambridge to adopt a fresh approach to renewables. Green councillors around the country are already delivering climate change solutions at a local level - such as renewable and energy efficiency schemes. Thanks to Greens councillors, Huddersfield in Kirklees is now responsible for generating 5% of the UK's total solar energy. Action on climate change is achievable, can make life fairer for everyone, and can generate hundreds of thousands of jobs. Only Greens are consistently delivering the real changes we need on the ground."

That is not to say that others are not a little bit greener than others green - and in terms of 'green' the District's Tory administration along with Council Officers are to be given enormous credit for the new Environment strategy which as I've noted before, they consulted over in an exemplar fashion. The fact that they were willing to take on board Green party and others recommendations is hugely welcomed and democracy at it's best. However without Greens on the Council it would not be the policy it is now.

Furthermore the challenges are still ahead. We need more Greens to ensure the policies are delivered and continually improved: this is only the first small step to taking seriously the threat of climate change and dwindling oil supplies. Sadly there still seems to be a lack of urgency and understanding about what we face. Other parties need to realise this is not 'just' the environment we are talking about this is about our economic future, social justice and much more.

GREEN Party Euro-MP Caroline Lucas is ‘politician of the year’

The MEP, who serves on the Parliament’s Environment, International Trade and Climate Change committees, was chosen ahead of the other two shortlisted politicians by readers of the Observer. She was presented with the award last night at a central London ceremony hosted by TV presenter Simon Amstell.

Dr Lucas, who is also a Vice President of the RSPCA, said: “I am delighted to have been named ethical politician of the year – but of course this award isn’t really about me. It’s about the Green Party, its policies and its fresh approach to politics. People are increasingly disillusioned with the three main parties and are looking for a progressive alternative which genuinely has social and environmental justice at its heart. While the other parties might be beginning to wake up, to the issue of climate change, for example, only the Greens have both the radical policies needed and the political commitment to deliver them. Cameron and Brown may talk green – but its only the Green Party that’s doing green, as an increasing number of people up and down the country are realising.”

For a full list of winners see www.observer.co.uk/ethicalawards from Sunday, June 10th.

Update- here is Observer report on the awards.

Safe Water Campaign meets

This afternoon a meeting of the Safe Water Campaign for Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire - 8 core members met but no one from Wiltshire this time. No doubt there will be something on our blogsite soon re this - fortunately another member has now taken over updating that.

Photo: Todays meeting in Stroud and below Citizen with scary photo!

We discussed a variety of issues - including feedback from our successful AGM meeting and the launch of the beermats (although have to say I'm not so happy with photo in Citizen last week re the launch - scary guy!!). Also a secret - it's not beer - it was an organic cola - borrowed from one of our members sons. The first batch of beer mats are already out - we have another 200 on order - so plan further distribution in coming months - if you know a pub that will take them do contact us.

We also discussed the latest nationally - wont go into all details here otherthan to say the group expressed concerns re Manchesters' bid to put fluoride in water - they are looking at various schemes arguing that adding fluoride to the water supply could help improve dental health. As anybody with even a basic look at the science will see this is nonsense - the research just does not stack up - even if you don't take account of massively increased rates of fluorosis.

If primary care trust bosses in September decide any of the options are viable, NHS North West will hold a public consultation - expected to last four months - into the plans. Anti-fluoride campaigner Paul Cline has commented in the press: "I am not against the health authority providing fluoride toothpaste or sprays to children with poor dental health but they cannot justify mass medication of all children, their parents, grandparents and neighbours."

Meanwhile one issue we also discussed was the Chinese research - see photo left - they have not surprisingly stopped fluoridating like most of the rest of the world. It seems ironic that the university cities of Manchester and Southampton are first to be looking to lower IQs!

Have your questions re water fluoridation answered here or leave a comment on this blog item.

Hitching: have you seen the big Green thumb?

Big Green Thumb is up and running in Stroud (See my blog on 7th April). Transition Stroud's Molly writes: "It is a semi-formal hitching club to encourage car sharing and cut carbon emissions. Also a way of raising awareness of the environmental benefits of hitching. The idea is to link hitching with saving the planet in people’s minds. Rosa’s idea (my daughter) was to have a big green thumb to stick out into the road. This would convey to people the link so they would be learning even when they didn’t stop."

Apparently the Mighty Boosh (a cool comedy show?) which includes a hitcher who has a genetically inherited Big Green Thumb may have helped inspire this idea - hopefully the Green Thumb will help people feel more confident about accepting lifts which will only be given on a ‘friends of friends’ basis. The cards are small plastic ones you can stick in your car or carry with you. There is also a list of hitching tips and safety information.

We have a long way to go before we can really restore hitching as a safe and convenient way to travel - but this is a start - it has certainly been a long while since I hitched - remember a competition to hitch the furthest in 36 hours - I ended up near Dover - one wrong lift and I was spending a large part of the night in a telephone box with a partner (or at least that is what I was hoping she would be) - I was more frozen than I think I have ever been - a fisherman rescued us at about 6 in the morning when we flagged his car down in desperation - he let us wait in his car for 2 hours and even shared his coffee - can even now remember how wonderful that sweet coffee tasted! It strangely didn't put me off hitching but it was the end of that relationship or rather it never begun.....where are you now Julie Parker?!

Anyhow if you are really ambitious you can make yourself a green thumb to stick out into the road when trying to get a lift. As Molly who is also in the Textile sub-group of Transition Stroud notes: "Stroud is famous for making that lovely bright green cloth they use to cover billiard tables, so offcuts of that should be being transformed into oversized thumbs as you read! So: happy hitching."

Local news: Chelsea Flower Show success and more

Chelsea Flower Show success

Several local people have been involved with the recent Chelsea Flower Show like Jayne Morris from Nailsworth and Natasha Webb whose studio is in Brimscombe, but no mention yet in news that artist Simon Packard whose daughter goes to Randwick Primary School had a beautiful metal pergola in the Daily Telegraph garden that won a Silver medal. Listen to BBC report on this garden here - what I like about the designers of this garden, Gabriella Pape and Isabelle Van Groeningen, is that they are gardening with nature - and taking account of climate change.

Randwick Scout Rummage

9th June 2pm at More Hall

Jazz at the Vine Tree

Sun 10th June 8pm 'till late - don't forget our great village pub also has a whole host of other activities like Quiz Night, a Music Marathon and more.

Next Year's Wap

Meeting at 7.30 at Vine Tree on 12th June to form committee.

Sense and Sensibility

The extraordinary Jenny Wren Productions bring Jane Austin to the garden at Court Lodge, Randwick on Fri 20th and Sat 21st July. Call 765401 or 763485 to book - if last year was anything to go by you should not miss this event.

Peter Pan

Sunday 29th July in Court Lodge Garden, Randwick there will be two performances of this by Beaufort Productions. Tickets from 765401 or 763485.

The Thistledown Project

Not quite so local but an exciting new project - just beyond the Tinkley Lane wind turbine between Nympsfield and Nailsworth there is a new centre that is an attempt to help people understand more about the countryside. Opening day is 9th June with Woodland Trails, building without concrete & farm animals including kune-kune pigs and Gloucester cattle. They hope to offer an educational and engaging day out for all the family (take a picnic!) and hope to grow and grow… Open Wed – Sun 10am – 5pm during the summer. Artists! If you’re interested in exhibiting your sculptures, call Richard on 860420. More at: www.thistledown.org.uk

Scrutiny training

I'm now on the Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee - this is one of the two Scrutiny Committees: basically their function is to scrutinise the Council’s business to ensure that the decisions made and actions taken meet the objectives set through the budget and policies and if not so, suggest ways in which the Council may achieve this. You can see minutes of those public meetings here.

Photo: View across to Morehall Convent (on right) before meeting today

This afternoon was an opportunity to learn more about how Scrutiny works - part of the role on the committee I sit on will be to discuss a particular area of service - for example Regeneration, Planning, Environmental Health, Housing or Customer Services. There are many others and 2 councillors each take two areas and quarterly quiz the Officers in that area - a series of questions to see if they are meeting targets etc etc. If they don't respond they can be called to the Scrutiny committee to answer questions publicly.

Clearly this is a great opportunity to work on key areas - and allows us to some extent to hold the executive to account, review policy and improve performance of the Council. I'll let you know how it goes in this blog....

We also learn about the Eco-Management & Audit Scheme (EMAS) - this is a voluntary environmental management system to help local authorities manage their environmental impacts in a systematic and considered way. To gain registration under the scheme an authority must demonstrate "continuous improvements in environmental performance" by following a whole set of requirements. Stroud began developing an EMAS accreditable system in May 1996 and achieved formal registration on 31 March 1999. We are still signed up and it is annually verified to ensure we have maintained the required standards. It has bought many advantages but it is clear there is also work still to be done....but bedtime now for me...

Another email to councillors re 20 mph

After news of Portmouth planning a city-wide 20 mph I emailed all Gloucestershire County councillors and locally some District councillors and officers to tell them about Portsmouth - see more here re Portsmouth and my blog item on 2nd June (click here to also get previous correspondence and stuff re 20 mph).

Photo: 20mph at Callowell School with signs designed by local children

As I've said on many occasions travelling more than 20mph is inappropriate on many of our roads - the idea in Portsmouth is to promote a culture of tolerance and respect for children and the elderly in particular for whom it is their living space. There are many other advantages (see a recent letter of mine here).

The Portmouth scheme shows the importance of phasing in the system area by area, with support from local residents, and without the cost and inconvenience of road humps - there are better ways than humps to calm traffic. Its about reclaiming our streets as shared space, where people make eye contact with each other and can acknowledge each other as equal human beings.

The reaction from Portsmouth residents of areas where a 20mph speed limit is in place has been overwhelmingly in favour. I would argue that Gloucester city centre, Cheltenham centre and indeed even town centres like Stroud should automatically be 20 mph. Where this occurs in some countries like Norway the culture can be changed.

I was interested to see that the Speed Limits Bill supported by Lib Dems and others incl our local MP David Drew is due for a second reading on June 29 2007. See more here about that.

Anyhow it will be interesting to see any responses from councillors - at the moment I've only had a few questions to clarify what the Portsmouth scheme entails - have to say though that so far the County do not seem so interested - indeed todays SNJ has an article noting that Nailsworth Town Council's hope for a 20 mph on the rat-run Park Road has been dashed - yet anyone who knows this road (I used to live in Nailsworth) knows something needs to be done about speeding cars there.

Memo of Cooperation to sort out our local brook

This morning I finally got out the Memo below out to various organisations - it is amazing how time consuming jobs like this can be - but it is a move to get more clear support for the project to improve our brook.

Photo: Plans for Hamwell Leaze from mid-90s that never received funding: this project in contrast has slowly been building community support and support from key organisations - see blog on 5th January for a summary of our project to date.

I also sent an email noting how we have now have started looking at ways the brook can be further improved: an MSc student from Gloucestershire University and Water 21 have begun a 'scoping exercise' to look at what options might be possible (see previous blogs by clicking RBAG label below). When the first draft is completed we would like to discuss and share this with all stakeholders.

Photo below: me at Hamwell Leaze

RUSCOMBE BROOK GROUP MEMORANDUM OF CO-OPERATION

The parties listed in section 6 have agreed to an informal memorandum of co-operation that will collectively be referred to as the Ruscombe Brook Group.

1. VISION STATEMENT

The Ruscombe Brook Group aims to improve the quality of water in the brook, to increase biodiversity in and around the brook corridor, and to promote the amenity value of the brook environment through community involvement. The Group intends to achieve these through stakeholders working co-operatively together, sharing expertise and communication in the development of sustainable solutions for Ruscombe Brook.


2. PURPOSE OF THIS MEMORANDUM OF CO-OPERATION

2.1 To provide an agreed understanding of the aims and objectives of the Ruscombe Brook Group.
2.2 To ensure a common understanding of the roles and commitments of the various organisations involved in this memorandum of co-operation.
2.3 To provide a framework for the implementation of agreed works following on from the scoping plan.

3. REASON FOR THE MEMORANDUM OF CO-OPERATION

Ruscombe Brook Action Group became concerned about the poor water quality in the local stream, and were aware that raw sewage had been leaking into the Brook from the sewer system over a prolonged period of time. However, it was soon apparent that poor water quality was due not to this single problem alone, but to a number of factors. This complex interplay of factors was not the responsibility of any single organisation or authority, so it was clear that sustainable solutions would require a co-operative joint approach.

Co-operation will:-

• give access to wider expertise and resources than single organisations acting alone • enable shared learning which can act as a model for similar problems in other watercourses • promote an integrated, more efficient and cost-effective approach to activities. • promote a positive image to the wider community

4. KEY AIMS OF RUSCOMBE BROOK GROUP

4.1 Water Quality– to bring about significant improvements in the water quality of Ruscombe Brook through reducing pollution and consider establishing a Ruscombe Brook Standard for measuring water quality within watercourses
4.2 Flood Prevention– to ensure that Ruscombe Brook acts as an effective means of drainage for local flood prevention
4.3 Community Awareness– to inform public understanding of the impacts of poor practice in the use of the sewer network, and promote more responsible usage
4.4 Wildlife Improvements– to develop in-stream and other habitat enhancements to improve biodiversity
4.5 Quality of Life– to promote public access to and enjoyment of Ruscombe Brook through greater community understanding, involvement and consultation on issues relating to the brook
4.6 Sustainable Development– to promote the use of sustainable drainage systems, rainwater harvesting and possible sustainable energy generation. To provide information to the community about their impact on the local environment.
4.7 Health Improvements –to support local research projects involved in investigating potential health impacts of sewage in watercourses.

5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS OF RUSCOMBE BROOK GROUP

5.1 All members to use their expertise and knowledge to support this memorandum of co-operation.
5.2 All members to support the scoping exercise to be carried out by Water 21 (see appendix).
5.3 A meeting of stakeholders will be called to look at the first draft of the scoping exercise to consider the proposed engineering works, to agree implementation and management arrangements.
5.4 All members to support the agreed engineering works.
6. CURRENT SIGNATURES

Ruscombe Brook Action Group
List of prospective partners: to be included

7. PLEASE RETURN THIS SLIP

We agree to the Ruscombe Brook Group’s Memorandum of Cooperation.
Signed:
On behalf of:
Address:

Please return this slip to: Philip Booth, Secretary of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group, Lark Rise, Bread Street, Ruscombe, Stroud, Glos. GL6 6EL

APPENDIX: SCOPING EXERCISE The Ruscombe Brook Action Group set up the framework (below) for work needed to assess what might be possible for the Ruscombe Brook. This framework has since been accepted by Water 21. It will be the basis of the work they will soon start to carry out. Requirements of Ruscombe Brook Action Group for commissioning a plan to achieve improvements to Ruscombe Brook
AIM Ruscombe Brook Action Group is seeking to commission a plan of practical proposals to achieve three aims: To improve the water quality in the brook by significantly reducing pollution To improve and increase biodiversity in and around the brook corridor To seek community involvement and participation in improving the quality of green spaces around the brook in order to improve the amenity value of the Ruscombe Brook area.
PURPOSE OF THE PLAN This plan will be a clear set of practical proposals to be used for the following purposes: As an essential tool for seeking financial support from appropriate funding bodies to pay for the work to be done As a set of practical proposals to take to stakeholders and the local community to gain local support, consultation and to make amendments. As a set of plans to show to prospective contractors to give RBAG a basis for negotiation and commissioning. It will be used to publicise the details of proposed work, to enable contractors to place bids as part of the commissioning process and support RBAG in managing the costs.
HOW THE PLAN IS TO BE CONDUCTED The plan will be an end to end consideration of the entire length of the brook from the springs in Ruscombe down to the Lake at the Lawns in Cainscross. It will take any existing information / surveys / data and adapt what has been done already to produce a new plan which is appropriate to the current state of the brook. This should also include information and suggestions received by RBAG from the Bournestream Partnership and any other similar organisations such as Bristol City Living Water scheme. It will take into account any progress / agreements / negotiations that have been made by RBAG with stakeholders such as the Environment Agency, Severn Trent Water, British Waterways, Parish Councils, Stroud Valleys Project etc.
GOVERNANCE AND PERFORMANCE Ruscombe Brook Action Group must be able to assess the success or otherwise of any work carried out on the Brook as a result of implementing this plan of action. It must be able to judge whether the aims stated at the beginning of this document have been achieved. In order to do this, the following two things are required: 1. Baselines – assessments of biodiversity, water quality and amenity prior to work starting 2. Measurable Outcomes – re-assessments of biodiversity, water quality and amenity value after works to the brook have been completed The commissioning of work on Ruscombe Brook will be governed by the following principles: Prioritise practical projects that produce the greatest benefits for the least cost All measures to be cost-effective and value for money Reasonable timescales Proportionate costs in relation to funding RBAG will make a written evaluation of achievements and costs on completion of work.
CONTENT OF THE PLAN The following issues are to be considered within the plan (not exhaustive) Problems including consented overflows, outflows, silt build-up, flooding at Puckshole and elsewhere, misconnections and rainwater and surface water overloading the sewer in times of heavy rain. Solutions including reedbeds / ponds or other installations to improve water quality, the role of Highways Department, the role of landowners, the Yellow Fish Scheme, developments at Hamwell Leaze as an amenity areaand proposed developments by British Waterways at the Lake at the Lawns. Baselines could included (possibly sub-contract these assessments to specialists in these areas): Biodiversity baseline, Water Quality baseline and Amenity baseline Helen Patrick on behalf of the Ruscombe Brook Action Group 26.September 2006

Planning training incl mobile phone masts dangers?

This morning I poured through the Schedule of Applications coming up for Development Control Committee (DCC) next Tuesday - I wont be on DCC anymore as the committee size has been reduced from 17 councillors to 12 and Greens only have one place - this will allow me to go on the Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee - something I've been needing to understand - hope it is more exciting than it sounds!

I'll miss DCC but will still be talking to Officers about items I've picked up in the Schedule - this month for example I would like to see a waste minimisation condition added to one application and of course Sustainable Urban Drainage conditions to several - when are the Council going to add them as a matter of course - I'm planning to look even more into this issue as the whole system around SUDs is deeply unsatisfactory......moree of taht in another blog...

Anyhow the afternoon saw compulsory training for those on DCC - I joined them as it is important to keep up to date with changes and also still have stuff to learn - some interesting discussions around enforcement...

Mobile phone masts - perceived health risks can still be taken into account

One particular point I was pleased to have clarified was that with mobile phone mast applications councillors can take account of fear that residents have about possible ill-health caused by masts. This is something that I tried to get accepted last year when an application came before DCC.

Basically telecommunications base stations use and transmit electromagnetic waves and there is considerable public concern that such waves may have adverse effects on health. In 1999, the Government asked the National Radiological Protection Board to set up the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones. This group, under the chairmanship of Sir William Stewart, published its report in 2000. The report concluded that 'The balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of the guidelines. However, there can be indirect adverse effects on their well-being in some cases.’ The report also said that the possibility of harm cannot be ruled out with confidence and that the gaps in knowledge are sufficient to justify a precautionary approach.

Health issues and public concern can in principle be material considerations in applications for planning permission and prior approval. It is for the local planning authority in the first instance (and ultimately the courts), having regard to the Stewart Group’s report and Government guidance, to determine what weight to attach to such considerations in any particular case. See more at Campaign for Planning Sanity here.

Mast and phone dangers

To me it is extraordinary that we can still put up these masts in residential areas when there is still so much doubt - indeed the disturbing evidence that emerges about mobile phones seems only to grow - for example 6 weeks or so ago The Times ran a report arguing that officially recommended limits on radiation exposure should be cut to 1/1000th of those in force. The suggestion has not been taken up by the company or by regulators.

The Times reports that "Campaigners claimed T-Mobile’s handling of the report was part of a wider pattern of behaviour by the industry in its efforts to keep discussion of the health risks off the agenda. The Ecolog Institute, which has been researching mobile phone technology since 1992, was paid by T-Mobile to evaluate evidence on its potential dangers. But Dr Peter Neitzke, one of the authors of the report, has accused T-Mobile, which has about 17m British customers, of diluting the findings by commissioning other studies from which it knew “no critical results or recommendations were to be expected”.

The Ecolog study, drawn up in 2000 and updated three years later, has only been published in Germany and was unknown to British campaigners until it was recently leaked to the Human Ecological Social Economic project (HESE), which examines the effect of electromagnetic fields on health. Andrea Klein, a member of HESE, said: “T-Mobile tried to dilute and bury it.”

Ecolog’s report, which analysed dozens of peer-reviewed studies, stated: “Given the results of the present epidemiological studies, it can be concluded that electromagnetic fields with frequencies in the mobile telecommunications range do play a role in the development of cancer. This is particularly notable for tumours of the central nervous system.”"

We need people to take this issue more seriously - the Government note possible dangers but seem to do nothing - too afraid of those big phone companies? Locally I've tried to raise the issue - in particular to curb use of mobiles in Glos schools - see my most recent letter here. Still little or no action from the County on this - why?

We should also not forget mobiles have an impact on the developing world - see my letter that was in The Ecologist magazine (Nov 2001) here. Also attempts to stop the marketing of phones to 4 year olds and under - see here. Plus Greens challenge various mast applications - see for example here and here.

New planning laws are dreadful

I've been meaning to cover in a blog for a while the proposed new Planning laws. Below is a link to a Friends of the Earth petition and more info - here's what they write: "The Treasury has decided that the planning system is a barrier to business. They want to remove what they see as obstacles – including you and your community getting involved. Our town and country planning system plays a crucial role in protecting our environment and communities. We believe that involvement from local people improves the decisions made and is the key to successful developments. We work to safeguard your rights and to protect your environment."

Photo: view across to Archway School from Randwick

If the recommendations from these reviews are implemented, it could mean:

• Reducing public involvement in inquiries to speed up major projects like airports, incinerators, M-way expansions and nuclear power stations or nuclear waste stores
  
• Increased domination of supermarkets in town centres at the expense of local shops
• Reducing your right to have a say in plans
• Wildlife, habitats and green belts under threat from development

I have to say I'm angry about the new Government proposals to take even more planning powers away from local councils - already the situation is dire and here they are taking more powers away - one minute they talk about local democracy but however you dress this, this is a bad move.

The Government’s new White Paper on Planning offers a vision of destruction by inappropriate development. Already we have seen unaffordable, energy inefficient and water wasting housing are hallmarks of this Government. Homes across the country (including in Stroud) have been built on floodplains and at lower standards than those to be found in many other European countries. Not content with the haste and environmental recklessness of this process since 1997, it seems the Government now proposes to speed up the rate of its failures - housing remains priced way beyond the reach of many people at present. They continue to neglect for development northern regions with better water supplies and more brownfield sites - we urgently need more balance to the countries economic policies rather than concentrating all growth in SE and to a lesser extent SW.

Yes I am angry - and talk of environment then see they've now limited energy grants to
£2500 per household - this undermines the domestic solar and wind turbine industries, and contradicts claims of concern about climate change. The Government also still insists that the UK contribution to greenhouse gases is just 2% of the global total, when 12-14% is a more accurate figure - see Christian Aid in 'Coming Clean: revealing the UK’s true carbon footprint' (London, February 2007).

And talking of badly built new homes threatening any green plans, The Observer had a good article by Juliette Jowit and Nick Mathiason (20th May 2007) with details of a report by the Sustainable Development Commission - in its first official 'watchdog report' on the government, the Sustainable Development Commission claims the rush to build nearly 200,000 new homes a year is leading to too little consultation, poor design standards and too few facilities such as public transport links, parks, shops and community halls. Although there were some 'impressive pockets of practice', too many homes are also being demolished or built in areas of 'severe' water stress in the south-east, instead of spending money regenerating areas of deprivation in the Midlands and the north of England, says the report, 'Building houses or creating communities?'

As a result, the plans will generate huge emissions of greenhouse gases and massive quantities of demolition waste, forcing residents to become dependent on cars, and make it hard to build communities.

The report praises some improvements by government, including a shift away from demolition and a promise to make all new homes 'zero carbon' from 2016, but says 1.5m new homes will be built before that date. Homes built from today will make up one quarter of Britain's housing by 2050.

The report calls for tougher standards for energy and water saving designs, and any increases in carbon emissions and water use to be offset by improvements to existing houses. Other recommendations include higher density developments to support bus links and local shops and other services, more effort to connect new housing to existing communities, removing the zero-VAT incentive to demolish and rebuild homes, better co-ordination of long-term funding for services, public transport and green spaces, and more community consultation.

Lastly before I finish this blog item the recent report, "Confronting Climate Change" from an international panel of scientists has proposed that all countries cease building on coastal land that is less than a metre above high tide so as to avoid some of the worst impacts of climate change. The recommendation comes from experts from 11 countries, working for the UN, who have spent two years devising a blueprint to allow countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change in the next century. The Government's new advice, PPS25 on flooding is good but goes no where near far enough - we do need our Government and others to wake up to what the scientists are telling us and start planning properly....

Take action: http://www.planningdisaster.co.uk/

Ruscombe action group continues to tackle landbanking

The Ruscombe Valley Action Group (RVAG) hadn't met for 6 months as there has not been any key issues. However last night we met at the Whiteshill Village Hall to review where we were at - the meeting was wonderfully short - out and home in almost under the hour.

Photos: Fields being cut yesterday - likely to be for silage this early

Progress nationally against landbanking has been slow - however Parish councillor Rebecca Charley is still in conversations with our local MP about possibly doing a presentation to MPs re the issue - CPRE also have launched a national campaign since we last met officially (see my blog on 30th December 2006) - and we are still in conversations with a Lib-Dem MP over possible legislation.

Photo: Whiteshill Village Hall yesterday before meeting

Locally there is little we can do other than keep a close eye on the fields - we are however now considering to accept the land back from Gladwish for the community - would he do this?? Surely he can have little use for remaining plots - the plots will not get planning permission in the foreseable future and surely no one will be silly enough to purshase any further plots?? And if they did what developer would want to deal with 180 different plot owners? Anyhow the next Parish Council meeting will look at this.

The issue for us is about maintenance - sadly the contract is not for grazing (this is better for land) - however at least it is being cut - in fact it was started yesterday.

Lastly we are looking at repeating last years walk along the footpaths - again the Parish Council will look at this next week - I'm hoping we can either end in the Star or perhaps a glass of wine and a Parish meeting??

G8: Will poverty and climate change really be on the agenda?

From 6-8 June 2007 the G8 summit 2007 will take place in a hotel in Heiligendamm next to Rostock at the Baltic Sea, Germany. Despite the promises made at the 2005 G8 meeting, aid to Africa has actually dropped since last year. Following the pattern of previous G8 summits, the promises made by world leaders seem to have been quietly abandoned once the TV cameras were turned off.

One of the main G8 goals was to double aid to Africa by 2010. A report published on 3rd April, by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), says that, barring large rises in aid during 2007 and 2008, the goal of doubling aid 'will not be credible'. For all the OECD's desire to soften the news and give European politicians a get-out clause, the report's authors must know that sudden huge rises in aid during 2007-8 are extremely unlikely.

This may come as a surprise to those who took the platitudes of the G8 seriously. Celebrity campaigner Bob Geldof famously gave the 2005 G8 'ten out of ten' on the topic of aid. During the 2005 summit Prime Minister Tony Blair and his heir apparent Gordon Brown both basked in media adulation, based on their apparent ability to sort out global poverty issues. See our report at the time: "G8: We Roared, they Whispered". And my letter a year on here.

News now that their flagship anti-poverty initiative is sinking may well embarrass them – although it will almost certainly not get the media attention that their initial grandiose promises did. Similarly any meaningful moves re climate change are missing from the agenda - sign petition here to see if we can change that - already 265,000 signatures and apparently a great atmosphere of hope amongst demonstrators who are already there.

Last week thousands were on the streets of Hamburg to protest against the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), another shindig during the run-up that brings together EU and Asian bureaucrats and business leaders. Greens were amongst them. European Green party spokesperson, Philippe Lamberts said: “The right to demonstrate peacefully is one of the hallmarks of a democracy and we think it is extremely important that those people who are critical of the G8 and want to promote an alternative vision of globalisation should take part in the demonstration in Rostock. The type of globalisation which is currently advocated by the G8 relies on an unfair relationship between industrialised and developing countries and threatens the conservation of the planet’s natural resources for the next generation. One of the things worth noting about G8 summits in recent years is the way in which the towns hosting the summit are transformed into fortresses, which in a sense is evidence of the growing abyss that separates world leaders from the people they represent."

EGP Co-Spokesperson Ulrike Lunacek continued: “One of the most crucial tests of the G8’s credibility is whether or not agreement will be reached on what measures to combat climate change the G8 nations will commit to. It looks likely that German chancellor Angela Merkel will not be able to convince the US and China to agree to a commitment to raise overall energy efficiencies by 20% by 2020 and to cut emissions to 50% below 1990 levels by the year 2050. President Bush‘s latest proposal on this issue, which is that the world’s 15 leading emitters of greenhouse gases should spend the next 18 months trying to reach a consensus on what measures they are prepared to take to combat climate change, is nothing more than a cynical delaying tactic which President Bush hopes will derail any prospect of a climate change at the G8 summit. If no agreement is reached at the G8 summit, Chancellor Merkel and the other EU leaders must make a commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% by 2020 as scientific analysis shows that only such a reduction would prevent the most disastrous effects of Climate Change.”

This year's G8 meeting might still make the odd press release re African poverty, but it's been tabled under 'any other business'. This conference will be more about expanding corporate and social control. As the German organisers have said: its time to "get back to the roots of the economic summits of the 1970s...returning the group to its focus on the global economy."

As SchNEWS report: "A session on the 'imbalances in the global economy' is not a drive against the inequalites that leave the rich elite richer and the many billions of poor ever poorer, of course - rather the G8 is concerned about the fact that so much money is ending up in China; and now Europe, the USA and Japan are beginning to feel the pinch. A plenary session on 'sustainable uses of resources' will not focus on cutting carbon emissions, but instead will give priority to the 'challenges to profitability' that a re-branded eco-capitalism must address."

The help Africa is set to receive is mainly through a 'partnership for reform' that will give an initial focus to the privatization of the African health system. All very sad but perhaps some more loud protests re this G8 will bring some concessions??? Will they be enough?

Recently I was pointed to look at a news item regarding Stroud campaigners in Edinburgh for the G8 protest in 2005 - according to our local SNJ, Stroud protesters "were swept up in a riot, in which 100 arrests were made. Concrete slabs, boulders and park benches were uprooted and hurled at police, with seven officers and 22 protesters being injured in the brawl."

One of those protesters wrote to me angered by this report - certainly the national press do not seem to give a fair report of events - too often wanting to focus on the odd incident or exaggerating incidents - I enclose his comments here:

"The only thing that I saw being hurled at the police were flowers from the gardens which resulted from (notably a small minority of) the people contained in the park's frustration at being completely surrounded by riot police in full combat /riot gear, and being kept in the relatively small confines of the park area , and so preventing them from joining the demonstration which was going on in Edinburgh on the day...We were contained in the area for at least three hours without access to toilets or food and water, on a very hot summer's day! I believe I've been misquoted several times in the report too. I would see the police's action as being what was quoted by your reporter, from the acting chief constable Ian Dickinson as "wholly unacceptable and threatening" to be made to feel like criminals/prisoners and to be under siege by those who are presumably there to protect our best interests, in full riot gear which is of itself very threatening! The report also refers to the demonstrators who were in the park as being a "500 strong mob" which is completely inaccurate and misleading There may well have been three hundred people contained in the park, the vast majority of whom were peaceful protestors, of whom I would like to count myself as one! You also say that we, the peaceful protestors that is, "grappled with mounted police", not only were there no mounted police in the park at the time but grappling with horses would be incredibly foolhardy!"

Country walks reduce depression - is this really news?

The Independent and Guardian reported recently on the results of several studies at the University of Essex that showed that country walks can help reduce depression and raise self-esteem - indeed walks in nature yield better results than anti-depressants - and prisoners with a view of nature are less violent, older people find their mental health improves when a pet or small child comes to visit, children relax and become cheerful in a school garden and patients heal faster when a tree is outside their window..

Photo: Godsell cows overlooking Stonehouse

And this is news?? Dear oh dear what a world we live in...As Ecotherapist Linda Buzzell-Saltzman writes in her newsletter: "How have we come to the absurd place where such simple, eternal verities are 'news'? Didn't we know that a walk in nature raised our mood? Surely we noticed that babies and puppies trigger joy in our hearts, bringing warmth to our souls even in dark times?"

In the era of 'evidence-based medicine' we must have scientific proof - well at last that research is available - but it is still too narrow - what about simple touch? Research is now showing the profound healing effects of soothing hands on skin and that time in the garden calms blood pressure and anxiety while raising spirits....and more!

I was also intrigued to read that new research at Imperial College London shows a significant link between environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviours and personal well-being: people who live a more eco-friendly lifestyle have improved well being.

The comprehensive survey of 700 anonymous individuals analysed people's levels of 'greenness' by examining their awareness of environmental issues and their behaviour, for example the amount they cycled or walked rather than drove. The participants then reported their subjective well-being by assigning scores to statements about their life satisfaction, personal development and social well-being. The research revealed that those people who live more 'eco-lifestyles' tend to score significantly higher in subjective well-being assessments. The report's author Matthew Mellen explains: "It is really common sense, human culture is found within the natural world. At a fundamental level harm to the environment is harm to us. Conversely healthy, secure human societies require healthy, stable eco-systems. A growing body of research links planetary and personal well-being. It is fascinating to note that the solution to global warming is likely to be equitable sharing of 'carbon rights' which should contribute to making the world a safer, happier place."

Matthew added that although traditional economics suggests that well-being is a function of increasing consumption and that continuous economic growth is required for on-going increases in well-being. This study suggests the opposite - he said: "On going economic growth seems to be responsible for the twin ills of environmental degradation and declines in human well-being."

"How does health care change when symptoms are seen as signals from the larger world or signs of disconnection from it?"
Sarah A. Conn, Ph.D., The Ecopsychology Institute at the Center for Psychological & Social Change; Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School

For more evidence of natures healing powers visit here.

Song donated to Green party

A guy called Rob Gordon who is based in Stratford, Ontario asked if the Gloucestershire Green party locally could use his song called ‘Wake Up’ about our environmental degradation and how we can change it.

Photo: view across to Randwick

He wrote: "I wrote this song in response to the most important issue that faces all of us and all of our offsprings. Music can cut across all cultural lines. A song can reach the people and the people, together, can reach the governments and the corporations. We are all in this together and together we can work it out."

Very true words and a good song - listen to it here:
http://www.robgordon.ca/CD_Songs.html

Local talks and events plus artist Nick Williams

Last week I managed to get to Abbey Home Farm and their great shop and cafe there - it is inspiring to see this farm continue to work it's wonders - not just in selling the food but also helping us all understand why it is important to eat local good food - talks, festivals, farm trails and more.

Photo: organic shop

Artist Nick Williams has a series of great pics at Abbey Home Farm near Cirencester - I don't want to detract from the local open studios here in Stroud - see previous blogs re the 250 artists that are exhibiting this year locally - but if you are Cirencester way it is worth a visit.

Photos: Nick Williams paintings

Also worth noting is that on the 16th June Satish Kumar (editor of Resurgence magazine) is introducing the extraordinary Dr Vandana Shiva - I can't make that date but it should be a great evening. See details here.

"I don't think we need to talk about free trade and fair trade. We need to talk about honest trade. Today’s trade system, especially in agriculture, is dishonest, and dishonesty has become a war against farmers. It’s become a genocide".
Dr Vandana Shiva

Another event on Sat June 16th, 10am till Late which I'll also miss - is "An outdoor extravaganza at Stroud Slad Farm" - Celebrating Community Supported Agriculture & Local Food! Organised by the Transition Town Food Group and Stroud Slad Farm - Workshops(donations)10am-4pm including:

Composting with Biodynamic Gardener Florian Schneider
Food For Free with Ecologist Dan Gordon-Lee
Building Compost Loos with Woodland Manager Alun Hughes
Nutrition & Consultations with Nutritionist Helen Nightingale
Medicinal Herbs with Herbalist Nathan Hughes
Preserving and bottling with Expert Bill Marlow
And for the kids...Storytelling with Kelvin Hall, Horse Riding, Face Painting & Treasure Hunt
PLUS! 8 -11pm Ceilidh with C e l t i c Co n s p i r a c y plus late night revelry around the fire with Ceilidh Jo & Friends. Camping£3adults/£1under12's this event only - Evening Tickets£6 advance only from Kane's Records & Stroud Deli. FFI 756615 / 07791 670674

The same night which I will also miss is the US author, Jeffrey Smith giving a talk on "GM Food: the real facts about the health risks" at Acton Court near Bristol. He is described as: "the best science communicator alive today." Space is limited, so please phone (01454 772285) in advance if you intend to come.

Jeffrey Smiths' book is claimed by reviewer Claire Robinson to be "the final word on GM health risks.....the definitive answer to those who don't know, those who don't want to know, and those who know but don't want anyone else to know." It will come as no surprise to many that contrary to what the industry would have us believe, there are a considerable number of findings that show GM causes harm. Smith uses much previously unavailable material obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and has trawled through piles of industry submissions and government documents.

Claire Robinson writes (see GM Watch for more) on one of the issues he raises: "...ever wondered why a certain batch of GM crops is called an "event"? Smith explains that each batch is produced by inserting the transgene into the host plant cells either by the gene gun method or by infection with a bacterium. So random and disruptive is this process to the host cells that the results are different with each insertion. The process is neither repeatable nor reproducible. Scientists tell me, however, that repeatability and reproducibility are generally viewed as prerequisites to any process that claims to be scientific. In this light, the GM process as it is currently practiced is not scientific. Nor does it even qualify as engineering, as the engineering equivalent would be to try to build the Forth Bridge by tossing an assortment of girders, nuts and bolts in the general region of the Firth of Forth and letting a bunch of monkeys fiddle with them: an intelligence of a sort is at work, but the result is utterly unpredictable. Thus, even if government regulators had a road-to-Damascus conversion and actually started policing GM technology as they are supposed to, any safety tests performed on one "event" of a GM crop would have to be repeated on all other events before the crop could be pronounced safe. Cheap GM crops for the third world, anyone?"

Lastly see Stroud festival events here - some particularly interesting discussions and films planned re peace. Lastly another event worth considering is Monday 18th June, The Sub Rooms Café, 7-10.30pm Free / Donation to celebrate National Bike Week, Bicycology Stroud presents a ‘Bike Film Night’ -an evening of short films about cycling. More info:

The event will also function as a launch night for Bicycology Stroud. The film ‘The Humble Magnificent’ (30 mins) explains a little about the group Bicycology: “The bike is a humble yet magnificent form of transport, and it symbolises a way of life that can be both fulfilling and sustainable. Bicycology is a grassroots collective who promote cycling as both a form of transport and a source of joy. This film follows their 2006 Roadshow, in which the group pedalled across England, teaching people how to fix their bikes, and discussing the things we can all do to help fix the planet”

The headline film, ‘World Naked Bike Ride’ (45 minutes) is a bit of fun. Narrated by Channel 4’s Jon Snow, it delves into a worldwide annual phenomenon, focussing on an event in London in 2005 “Hundreds of cyclists get naked and ride en masse through the streets, simultaneous with rides around the world. This is a film celebrating both the bike and the human body, protesting against oil dependency and climate change, and illustrating the vulnerability of cyclists on city-streets” Other short films about bikes, in particular, bike recycling projects, will also be shown. The group are also planning other events for Bike Week, including a game of Bike Polo (on Friday 22nd) and a stall at the Farmers’ Market. Those interested can log on to www.bicycology.org.uk

Critical petition to sign: Oil Depletion Protocol

We were hoping to set up a petition but found one already exists - please sign this petition:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Oildepletion/

As we move into an era of oil depletion and energy constraint, everything from transportation to medicine to food to climate change response strategies will be affected. Almost everything we do is dependent on oil. The transition to a future of reduced oil supply will require the development of clean, reliable, and renewable energy sources and reduced oil production and consumption. The Oil Depletion Protocol will allow us to accomplish both - simply, conservatively, and cooperatively. It is a plan for a sensible energy future.

After Professor Richard Heinberg's visit to Stroud last week we are keen to get a momentum behind this issue - he spoke to 400 people in Stroud, attended an excellent Transition Towns conference (over 30 places represented) and spoke at various other meetings including specially to our District Council's Cabinet members (see many previous posts on this) - great to see their faces - apparently he is also talking to civil servants today and our local MP, David Drew is now in moves to get him to talk to a cross-party group of MPs.

In Stroud we are looking at ways to get local Councils to also adopt the protocol - a great model is Portland, Oregon - the local Government there has produced a great document which should be essential reading for all local Government councillors and more.

See more re Oil Depletion Protocol here:
http://www.oildepletionprotocol.org/

Please sign this petition:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Oildepletion/

'We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Adopt the Oil Depletion Protocol. We urge the PM to adopt the Oil Depletion Protocol (as developed by Richard Heinberg and Colin Campbell )for the UK and to take a lead role in growing a consensus of European adoption, and in turn global adoption, thereby averting oil wars, terrorism and economic collapse.'

Oldbury nuke - fire inquiry

Good to hear that an inquiry will be under way re the fire at Oldbury last week - let us hope that they see sense and don't restart this 39 year old dinosaur - Greens had warned that restarting the reactor after 2 years of problems was an unacceptable risk - see news release here for more info.

6/06/07: See Gazette report here.

Road-pricing debate

'Keepmoving.co.uk' is hosting a debate between Green Party Principal Speaker, Dr. Derek Wall, and Peter Roberts who launched the previous Downing Street petition on the issue of road pricing.

Photo: poster from war years

'Road Pricing - Mean or Green?' asks viewers to comment and vote, once they have read the different sides of the argument. Dr Wall talks of the need to wean ourselves off petrol, and asks what London would taste like on a hot summers night were it not for the congestion charge.

As I've noted (see blog on 13th Feb 2006) as part of a joined up policy framework that makes it easier to be green, road pricing will work. Without such a framework it will be unlikely to succeed but the ostrich approach of doing nothing will lead to huge environmental costs and slower journeys.

Dr Wall writes: "Any attempt to replace Jeremy Clarkson as patron saint of our green and pleasant land will lead to controversy. Yet the growth in car use in Britain is simply unsustainable. Transport contributes a fifth of greenhouse gases..."

To read more, view the debate, and vote, please see www.driversvoice.co.uk/debate.php

National Trust - Randwick/Standish woods update

As noted previously there have been concerns about the damage to the ancient barrows in the woods - particularly by mountain boarders and mountain bikers - who often don't know that they are using ancient monuments for the tricks and all.

Photos: woods near Ash Lane

The National Trust, are stretched in terms of time and resources but would welcome working with the community to improve knowledge about the monuments, reduce damage there, improve some of the biodiversity and also maintain access to all users of the woods.

I've had several conversations with them and things seem to move very slowly - they are meeting again very soon with English Heritage over what might be possible. I have also noted that Randwick Parish Council and Cllr David Preece in particular is keen to work with them on solutions and possible info boards - David has already been out looking at the area more closely. I also noted that at present any discussions about the campsite reopening were on hold - the Parish are still planning to look at this issue but it is not a high priority.

One option for the woods that is not popular (and is expensive) is to fence off the barrows. NT are also reluctant at present to put boards up again at the Ash Lane site due to repeated vandalism - however they are putting a board up v soon along the Cotswold Way from the other side - apparently near some round barrows that I don't think I've ever noticed.

Another option they suggested was for us all to leaflet or talk to boarders and bikers as part of an awareness raising programme. This has worked in other areas but is time-consuming and needs planning.

The NT will get back to me after their meeting with English Heritage about poss options - ideas welcomed. This all seems to take so long but think we are moving ahead - and all seem very positive about possibilities.

New arts centre is a triumph beyond all expectations

Yesterday evening in addition to the preview at the Sub Rooms which launched the annual Site 07 festival - see previous blog - I was also invited to the opening of the new £1.2 million arts centre in Stroud.

Photos: opening in courtyard, stairs and textile studio

The refurbished Stroud Valleys Artspace (SVA), in John Street, will be the focal point for the festival which features the work of 250 local, national and international artists. For a month there will be events and exhibitions, as well as the popular Open Studios, in which more than 80 artists welcome visitors to their workplaces.

Photo: me at the studios

I had seen the new building a wee while ago but now it is full of the artists - the semi-derelict drafty old mill has been transformed by nationally renowned and award-winning Tony Fretton Architects - the very wonderful thing is that they have as one artist I spoke to yesterday said, "released the potential of the building" - somehow they have retained the wonderful quality of the old mill with its wooden floors and uneven brick work - yet it is now a great light modern warm space - makes me want to be an artist....

Photos: art in the loo and art on the stairs

Anyhow a ribbon was cut, there was a dancer dressed in a costume made of shattered glass, Mayor John Marjoram made a speech as did Nick Capaldi, executive director of Arts Council South West. There was also wine, nibbles and some great music.

I have to say if blog readers hadn't gathered already this building really is a triumph - and a tribute to the many dedicated individuals who have laboured long and hard over many years to bring this remarkable project to fruition.

"Stroud already enjoys an enviable reputation for the quality and range of artists living and working locally. This new centre brings added impetus to the growth of this reputation."
Nick Capaldi

Photo: Work left by Clare Hudson and right by Alison Cockcroft

Stars Neil Walker and Jo Leahy, of SVA, secured funding for the refurbishment from a variety of sources, including a £665,000 grant from Arts Council England. Fundraising is still under way for the final £400,000 required to complete the refurbishment.

The Site 07 arts festival runs from today until June 30. The Open Studios will be held on Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, and on June 16 and 17. For more information visit www.sva.org.uk

Open studios: 250 artists in Stroud

Last night I was fortunate to be invited to both the preview of Artspace (see next blog item coming soon) and the Open Studios festival opening at the Subscription Rooms in Stroud - Stroud really is incredible and lives up to this quote:

“Stroud is turning itself into the artistic equivalent of bookish Hay-on-Wye”
Daily Telegraph

Photos: Subscription Rooms preview above, festival signs going up in town and below two of my favorites in the taster exhibition there: Grizelda Holderness and John Heseltine - but loads more I could have included.

More than 80 Stroud artists are now poised to welcome visitors to their studios in venues from garden sheds to Cotswold cottages. The annual Site 07 visual art festival, involving 250 local, national and international artists, runs from today until June 30. At the heart of the festival is the Open Studios weekends, which take place on June 9-10 and 16-17.

“Stroud has always been an artists' place and is very bohemian.”
Local resident Jilly Cooper

I would urge people to get around as many of the studios as you can - it really is very special - click on the link above for more info or pick up a brochure in the town.

First 20mph city: Congratulations Portsmouth!

Thanks to Dorothea for pointing out this great news which I'll be circulating locally to encourage Gloucestershire County.

Photo: When will residential areas become areas for residents not transport corridors?

Dorothea writes yesterday in her blog yesterday:

Portsmouth today becomes the first city in Britain to introduce the tough new measures. And campaigners say it is only a matter of time before the 20mph limit is rolled out across the nation. The Government has given all local authorities the power to cut residential speed limits to 20mph, and Liberal Demo­crat-run Portsmouth City Coun­cil became the first to take up the offer. The £475,000 scheme was launched in the south-east of the city today, with other residential roads to follow by the end of the year...

Portsmouth City Council; “Cllr Alex Bentley, Executive Member for Environment and Transportation, said: "On most of our residential roads, it's not safe or appropriate to drive at more than 20mph, because they're narrow and lined with parked cars. What we want to do is target the small number of drivers who drive at inappropriate speeds without regard for road safety or respect for anyone else. A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 20mph is likely to suffer slight injuries, but at 30mph they are likely to be severely hurt. At 40mph or above they are likely to be killed. This scheme, which is funded by the government, has won Portsmouth lots of attention for its boldness in improving safety for our residents. I'm sure it could save lives, particularly those of children and elderly people, and get more people cycling. We believe the scheme will be mainly self-policing. If the new limit isn't respected on some roads, we will look at other measures or get police involved. We want to change the culture in the city so that speeding in residential areas is seen to be what it is - dangerous and anti-social."

Read newspaper article here. Click on 20 mph label below to see my previous correspondence over 20 mph in Gloucestershire.

More on transition conference: the adventure begins!

I thought I'd finish these series of blogs with a few bits and bobs and mention a few more of those who made the day possible.

Photos: Peter Lipman and Naresh Giangrande and participants between activities

But first I loved the story that Ben Brangwyn from the Transition Network told us about his youth and how he travelled and found people had already been there - so he sought more adventure and traveled more - but every place people had been. However now that he is part of the Transition Network every day is new territory - every day is going places people have not been before!

Photo: Duncan Law (Brixham) and Sara Drew (Ottery St Mary, Devon)

Photo: participant author David Strahan - see his excellent website: www.davidstrahan.com

"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."
Buckminster Fuller

Photo: participants after the 'Whoosh' at the end

Most people I've mentioned but also thanks must go to Ben Brangwyn, also for organising the day and lawyer Peter Lipman from Sustrans who is one of the Networks initial three trustees - and Naresh Giangrande who helped (see his article re Totnes here) - and Stories for Change for making the film about the day - and two freelance journalists who are doing an article for Resurgence - and the Tudor Trust - two of their staff were attending the day and in talking to Grants Manager Laura Bowman it was great to hear their positive endorsement of the project.

Photos: Jennifer Gray (Penwith, Cornwall)and Shadiya Kingerlee (Wolvercote, Oxfordsee Guardian article that she disliked about herself here) and other shot of coffee break in morning

Infact it is crazy trying to make a list - everyone who was there made the day what it was - this is the start of something very big.

Photo: Anne Solgaard, one of two people from Norway who hope to take the idea there and Teresa Anderson, food group coordinator in Totnes

Peak oil: involving wider community and avoiding burn-out

At the Transition Network conference - see other blog entries for today - there were a series of workshops in which groups explored particular issues. All of this work will be available soon but I thought I'd post here some of the issues raised.

Photos: groups in action - all the while we were being filmed so that the discussions and issues can be shared with a wider audience.

The first group I joined was about how to involve wider communities - those people who appear less interested or are indeed not interested. This proved an interesting discussion - with lots of useful ways forward - the tow flip charts shown don't do justice to the quality of comments made and examples given...


The second workshop was the issue I bought to the Open Space - how can we avoid burning out and keeping the whole project sustainable - see the three flipcharts for some of the comments - remembering that without fun and some tangible gains for individuals will not be sustainable for long - again lots of great thoughts, advice and more.

Richard Heinberg on oil running out

See last few blogs for info on Professor Heinbergs visit to Stroud: talk in Subscription Rooms to 400 people, the workshop at Ruskin Mill and his presentation to Cabinet last night.

Photos: Richard presenting his material to Transition Network conference yesterday

As Richard Heinberg made clear the truth Governments and the media seem to be either unaware or in complete denial of the fast approaching 'Peak Oil' - this 'peak' is the point at which oil production rises to its highest point before declining. Almost all expert opinion already agrees that it is fast approaching: Heinberg acknowledged that there is evidence to suggest the Peak was this year - certainly it is likely within the next years, and few scientists suggest it will not occur within fifteen.

The significance of Peak Oil can hardly be overstated, as oil is the fundamental underpinning of our economy. When the oil runs out the economic and social dislocation will be unprecedented. The global economy will be forced to make radical changes as the world competes on price for ever-dwindling levels of production.

Former CIA Director Robert M. Gates said in 2005: "The American people are going to pay a terrible price for not having an energy strategy." Similarly in Britain the main parties are failing and failing dismally to even debate how we can manage the transition to a low-energy lifestyle.

Things are slowly changing - in the US while Exxon-Mobil deny a problem Chevron oil have launched a campaign "Will You Join Us" - that website is worth a visit just to see the oil barrel counter. Hopefully Heinbergs presentation to the local Council will also have an effect. Locally in the Transition Stroud group and within the Green party we have plans to push the issue more - already all District and County councillors in Gloucestershire and Parish in Stroud had a flyer or email about the Heinberg talk - we hope to get the issue into everyday language and also take the fear out....

Peak Oil', like 'Climate Change', demands, rapid and radical policies now, not the current pathetic tokenism towards renewable energy and energy conservation. Business-as-usual will not work, but we can meet the challenge if we act now. Indeed as Heinberg has said this provides us with an opportunity - we must take it!! See his slide of the different scenarios.

Photo: Heinbergs slide of different scenarios depending on peak and when we act

For me his talks were hugely useful and dispelled the myth that new oil discoveries mean we have nothing to worry about - also that, as the EU showed recently, even coal is running out and hasn't got the 150 years that was once talked about - and we can't reopen closed mines - not that we would want to with climate change ever more threatening.

Resources

Richards' website has some info - especially his two books - but I wanted to point out a few key resources and points that Richard himself endorses:

The Post-Carbon Institute (close to being like Transition Towns here):
www.postcarbon.org/

Rob Hopkins excellent blog:
http://transitionculture.org/

Daniel Learch has a new book out soon on Post Carbon Cities (a guide for local governments):
http://postcarboncities.net//

Hirsh report for US Government: "Peaking of World Oil Production: Impacts, Mitigation and Risk Management"(Feb 2005) - see here.

An excellent report by Oregon, Portlands' Peak Oil Task Force for the City Council:
www.portlandonline.com
The two best websites for up-to-date info:

Energy Bulletin:
http://www.energybulletin.net/
The Oil Drum:
http://www.theoildrum.com/

Introductions to Peak Oil

Peak Oil primer here.

Richard Heinbergs lecture on 'Peak Oil and the Crisis in World Agriculture' delivered to the E F Schumacher Society in Stockbridge, Massachusetts on October 28 2006. See here.

Other articles re Peak Oil here especially Green MEP Caroline Lucas' report on oil and food security here.

Inaugural conference: Transition Town network is unleashed

The inaugural conference of the Transition Town network was yesterday, 31-May-07.

Photo: getting ready for Whoosh at end of day.

I've enclosed the programme below with some brief comments added - a full report will be coming soon but wanted to get at least something out to share this exciting day - over 80 of us squeezed into Ruskin Mill...

Photos: Aonghus Gordon opens the days, a sub-group explores more about moving forward Transition Towns, Oddie from Transition Stroud outlines where Stroud has got to and Rob Hopkins, from Transition Network makes the opening address.

There was a huge buzz and I feel very privileged to have been part of it - it was particularly good to hear Rob Hopkins speak - see his excellent blog here - I first came across his work in 2005 in Kinsale when I was looking for good examples of local plans for helping with Cainscross Parish Plan. See Kinsale stuff here. Anyhow the other highlight was meeting and hearing Richard Heinberg - I'll add a separate blog item on that.

Of course best of all (apart from the cakes) was meeting all those people from around the country - Isle of Man, Cheshire, Bristol, Totnes, Isle of Wight, Brixton, Oxford and more - wonderful to hear their stories - am now brimming full of ideas but also wondering about how best to proceed to ensure activities are sustainable!

9.00	Coffee, tea and mingling	Great opportunity to start getting to know some of the 80 plus others present - some 15 Transition Towns represented and a further 15 or more due to be 'unleashed'.
9.30-9.40	Welcome to Ruskin Mill – Aonghus Gordon	Aonghus, founder of Ruskin Mill Educational Trust (and Glasshouse and Freeman Colleges in Stourbridge and Sheffield) was our host on the day. Aonghus was instrumental in bringing Richard Heinberg over and "donating" him to this conference.
9.40 - 9.55	Opening address – Rob Hopkins	An introduction to Transition Towns.
9.55 - 10.30	Getting to know each other	Each Transition Town, city, hamlet, island and penisula gave a brief account of where they were at.
10.30 – 11.00	Break and refreshments	Wow are the cakes good at Ruskin Mill cafe!
11.00 – 12.40	2 Open Space Sessions	In Open Space for this and the next item 24 topics/questions were picked by anybody present and then that person would lead a discussion on that topic - anybody could join any one of those tables and participate or move onto another table.
12.40 – 1.00	Recap on Open Space	The two topics I got involved in were involving people who appear disinterested in these issues and then the question I asked was about how can we sustain the groups and avoid burnout - I'll add a blog later about these but also there will be full notes available from the day.
1.00 – 2.00	Lunch in the canteen: buy it or bring your own	The canteen is organic and very scrummy - soup, a huge roll and more cake!
2.00 – 2.45	Workshop 1 – Peak Oil briefing (Heinberg)	A chance to equip ourselves with the facts, figures and irrefutable arguments that'll convince even hardened sceptics that Peak Oil is a reality
	Workshop 2 – Post peak Healthcare	Running at the same time which I missed was Dr Pamela Gray, from Transition Penwith "health & medicine" group: industrialised healthcare and oil addiction; tips on how to build the health group in your own community; options for an efficacious post peak healthcare system. Also includes Dr Vav Simon, Isle of Wight, discussing resilient healthcare systems for the animals we breed for food, for working (shire horses, oxen) and for company (pets). Again write-ups will be available from TT Network soon.
2.45 – 3.30	Workshop 3 – CSA and food	Stroud is leading the country in sustainable (and profitable!) integrated community food systems. Could it work for your community...? Nick Weir led this workshop which I missed as I was at the Heinberg one at the same time.
	Workshop 4 – Relocalisation initiatives worldwide (Heinberg)	The topic was what can we learn from other communities around the world that are taking their own imaginative steps into the unknown to design a lower energy and more resilient future?
3.30 – 4.00	Break and refreshments	More cake! But first TT Oxford wanted to grab a 5 min video of my experiences and thoughts of Transition Stroud - feeling exhausted by now so hope my enthusiasm still came across!
4.00 – 5.00	The "12 First Steps" for a Transition Initiative	Rob Hopkins and TT Totnes gave an inspiring talk with many stories about the process - plus the 12 steps they have devised to help others- again these will be available soon - here are the earlier 10 steps.
5.00 – 5.20	Transition Network	A discussion on how the Network can support us and we can support each other.
5.20 – 5.30	Wrap up and closing WHOOSH!	All outside for a 'whoosh' and photos and more - the whoosh being a large circle and a load whoooooooosh - all filmed - infact a film is being put together of the day.

Cabinet, Heinberg and Economic strategies

The Cabinet meeting last night at Ebley Mill started with a 15 minute presentation by Professor Richard Heinberg - hopefully this will be archived with the rest of the meeting here so people can catch it on the webcast - it is well worth viewing as he covers the issue of oil depletion theory very comprehensively - and it is great that one of the worlds leading experts was able to speak on this issue - all credit to Chas Fellows, leader of the Council and especially Aunghous Gordon from Ruskin Mill for making it possible.

Photo: one of Heinberg's slides showing declining Saudi production.

A sound credible voice of reason so that no one can or should ignore this issue. Greens of course having been saying it for a while but it takes the rest of the world a wee while to catch up!

As noted I will also add here some details of the day I spent yesterday with Richard Heinberg and others looking at steps we can take to prepare for a world with much, much less oil. Anyhow the Cabinet had a full programme including the Play Strategy (see blog 25th April), Stratford Park and more. Of particular interest were the item on the Council's submission re the Climate Change Bill - I have had various correspondence on this with Officers and councillors - very pleased to see most recommendations being taken on - it will be sent off by the Council very soon - so I'll post more on that when it does go.

The other key item was the "Provisional Gloucestershire Urban Economic Strategy (UES)" - you will see my email below sent very early yesterday morning - I have to say I am not happy with this strategy and can only hope that we can get significant changes. I did ask at Cabinet this evening as to whether the promised Environmental Assessment would be able to take account of the issues raised by Heinberg. I didn't get the most helpful answer - a comment from the Cabinet member about 'my script writer', the time I sent the email and more - see it on the webcast - what is he on about?

Anyhow that aside I do think the issue re oil depletion is set to be taken more seriously by the Council - and I hope that further consultation will allow more comments and sanity to prevail - although I fear that in some the mantra of evermore economic growth is too deep in their bones to change - but change they will have to - I only hope it is not the scenarios suggested by Heinberg if we don't act - 'Mad Max' or 'Easter Island'.

Re: Provisional Gloucestershire Urban Economic Strategy

I accept this is a draft strategy and that no decision is being made regarding the final report but even in my brief consideration of this report I have very serious concerns. In it's current form this strategy, while having some very good parts, would nevertheless be seriously damaging to our local economy and environment.

I applaud the Councils call for a comprehensive environmental assessment. The version of the report that I have seen appears to play little more than lip service to climate change and long term sustainable development. I enclose some initial comments below that maybe useful - all the best - Philip

Cllr Philip Booth

1. Strategic Objective 1: To create and sustain successful and competitive businesses that can take advantage of urban Gloucestershire's strength to compete globally, nationally and regionally. Why is this the objective? Even conventional economists are now addressing the happiness agenda, i.e. maximising well-being rather than going for maximising profit. Why should the primary objective of an economic policy for the citizens of Gloucester privilege the interests of business like this?

2. Strategic Objective 2: To deliver strong social cohesion in urban Gloucestershire in which the maximum number possible contribute to and benefit from the economy. This could be interpreted to support localisation ie more local production for local use: Farmers' market as an excellent example. However I would welcome this being spelt out more clearly. Northumberland County Council for example increased the amount of money circulating in their area by 400 per cent by examining how they spend their money, and fostering links with local suppliers: a ten per cent increase in their council's annual procurement spent locally meant £34 million extra circulating in the local economy each year. Stroud has also made some good moves towards this but County-wide this has huge potential.

3. Strategic Objective 3: To provide a quality of life in urban Gloucestershire that attracts and retains a highly skilled and entrepreneurial workforce. This relates back to point 1, except that the emphasis seems to be on keeping people in the area who will make more money, rather than looking at quality of life.

4. Cross Cutting Theme 1: Deliver the Urban Economic Strategy in a sustainable manner and within a stable ecological footprint. Many economists now question how the commitment to competitive business model is consistent with stable ecological footprint. What is meant by competitive businesses? How can businesses compete without out-sourcing to China, which obviously generates more CO2? And surely we should be looking at reducing our footprint significantly?

5. Cross Cutting Theme 2: Provide strong, collaborative and consistent leadership that embraces the whole of urban Gloucestershire. This is surely our chance to show the green leadership that is being demonstrated increasingly in Stroud? Where are the targets to tackle climate change in this report? Indeed the only suggestion I can see to reduce our ecological footprint (section 66) is "by the use of technology". Technology has it's very important part to play but there is so much more that is needed if we are to really develop a sustainable economy - transport policies, energy efficiency measures, public awareness and more - but also we need to have as a part of the strategy how we will adapt to the changing climate which is forecast to bring more weather extremes and other effects. Plus we need to take account of the issues that will be arise this evening re oil depletion theory.