Government's latest claim on emissions

I was disgusted by the Government's move at the weekend to try and evade it's responsibilities over renewables - see news release here - also today I commented on the Heathrow protests last week here and haven't mentioned comment re seals last week here - but for this blog more on emissions....

Photo: Larch trees in Standish woods

The Government is claiming (again) it has made great strides towards reducing emissions with the provisional figures for 2007 showing a reduction in the Kyoto basket of gases and CO2 of (both) 2%. If these reductions prove to be confirmed, it is clearly welcome. However, there is little for Labour to jump up and down about.

Firstly, the figures are provisional and tucked away at the end of the Government's press release is a note that this year's figures are unusually uncertain.

Secondly, if the reduction proves real, it means that UK CO2 emissions (CO2 being the most important greenhouse gas) has fallen by just 0.8% since Labour came to power in 1997.

Thirdly, a large proportion of the 2007 fall is due to switching fuel supplies in powers stations from coal to gas ie it is not a structural change in the economy.

Finally, what is much more significant is that the figures that the Government continues to use are highly inaccurate. The National Audit Office recently produced a report criticising the accurancy of the figures used by the Government. The figures exclude international aviation, shipping and UK imports. FoE estimate that the missing CO2 from international aviation alone is depressing the total artificially by a range (varies year to year) of 20 to 40 million tonnes per annum.

Indeed the National Audit Office investigation shows Britain's climate change emissions may be 12% higher than officially stated. They also strongly criticised the government for using two different carbon accounting systems - saying there is "insufficient consistency and coordination" in the government's approach. See more here.

In addition to the NAO paper, there's another couple of very readable academic papers worth a quick read on this topic - they look at carbon emissions from a consumption point of view and suggest that the UK's supposed carbon cuts are significantly to do with the fact that we use a production-based accounting convention at the same time as offshoring all our manufacturing - so it looks like our carbon's falling because it now shows up in China's totals where all our goods are now produced. That shows how ridiculous it is when people trot out the old line about the UK only being responsible for 2% of emissions and claim that it therefore doesn't matter what action we take to cut carbon emissions here.

The papers are at
http://www.dieterhelm.co.uk/publications/Carbon_record_2007.pdf and
http://www.fcrn.org.uk/researchLib/PDFs/druckman_paper.pdf

Also while I am on this topic - transport is a very large producer of CO2 and is growing fast as car use rises (outside London) and lorry activity continues to grow at large rates - see my previous post today on the cuts to the no.46 bus service. Some have said to me, that well now there are lower carbon fuels and better engines (e.g. 120g/km of CO2) - however we need to remember that trends like longer distances to shop and work and reducing average vehicle occupancy can cancel out CO2 gains. Consumption defeats technology.

The Lancaster bypass will generate 24,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. New roads, extra lanes etc add to the problem. We have a massive road building programme that locks us into a carbon-rich future

Aviation is clearly one key area that we need to tackle - dozens of blog entries on this topic - also shipping which as noted gets neglected - but we need to be careful about just having the high speed train substitution for aviation as some have argued. If we get people out of aircraft and onto trains this frees up slots at airports that can be used for more flights to the Seychelles or air freight

If we had a "decent" carbon audit linked to budgets we would find that this dreadful government gives preference to spending that increases CO2 rather than the other way round......enough for now - need a cup of tea....

Dr Newton's way gets a make-over

For many years the underpass below Dr Newton’s Way at Wallbridge has been blighted by graffiti, often using offensive language. Indeed last year I chatted to several of the 'artists' and asked them about whether having permission for a mural would be good - some were cagey, a couple said it would be a good thing - certainly evidence from other areas is that it is positive move - see my previous blogs on the topic...

Photo: mural

It is great to hear that the Town Council working with others plus a group of four street artists have in three days transformed the entire underpass - go see it! Apparently almost 100 cans of paint have been used for the mural - and local businessman Oliver Jelf, proprietor of the Illustration Gallery in Middle Street, co-ordinated the team. He is quoted saying: “These are renowned street artists, as this was a really difficult thing to produce. It takes years of practice to be skilled enough to do this sort of very detailed work. I think people will be surprised at what they see.”

Stroud Mayor John Marjoram said: "Standing next to the canal, and alongside the cycle trail, this forms a key gateway into the town for hundreds of people every day. A top priority for local residents is to make Stroud a cleaner, safer place. We hope this will be a good example of how this can be achieved."

Colin Peake, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for the Stroud Safer Stronger Community Partnership, is keen to find more sites to turn the people into better artists - contact him on 01453 754297.

Latest on number 46 bus cuts

First up is the county response to my letter re the cuts - also had one from the Cabinet member - then below is my response to their letters.

For many years there was no evening service on route 46. With the opening of the Stroud cinema complex we were asked to consider putting some evening journeys on so, in partnership with Stagecoach, we organised the current service, which started in November 2005. We realise that it takes a little while for new travel opportunities to become well used but, sadly, the service is only carrying an average of 3 passengers per journey and it is therefore difficult to justify its continuation especially when the operation costs continue to rise.

The cost of the current contract is £46K and that is fixed price, meaning Stagecoach keeps the revenue. To renew the contract would have cost in the region of £60k. I take your point about the diversionary route but even before last July floods loadings were poor, for example in June 07 the average loading was 5 passengers per trip. You would have though an evening service from Nailsworth - Stroud - Painswick to Cheltenham would be well supported; unfortunately the patronage has been very disappointing.

We have a finite budget available for bus service support and it is important that we focus these resources on journeys, which carry and thus benefit significant numbers of users. At the present time it is difficult to justify providing an evening service.

Public Transport Planner, Integrated Transport Unit, Gloucestershire County Council

Here's my reply:
Thanks for reply. I have a number of queries below, but first I give a huge welcome to your plans to look to see if a Night Bus service can be included on this route. I accept that the withdrawal of the rural transport grants by the Government and the poor handling of the free pass scheme for the elderly have greatly contributed to the problems facing the County. However while I understand resources are limited, the County is also not doing enough to improve the bus services to encourage greater usage.

Stroud 'Bus Station' for example remains an unpleasant place to wait, while routes and timetables could be significantly better advertised. When the Randwick village service was stopped it took several phone calls and over two weeks before timetables were changed: residents were left waiting for buses that never turned up. Another example I have raised before is the failure in my view to capitalise on the closure of the A46 to encourage greater public transport use.

I know you know that the more services are cut, the more it makes it difficult to use the remaining services - I have only used the evening service twice in the last year - both times when I was late from a meeting in Cheltenham. I will have to think now about whether to use the bus at all if there is a possibility I will be delayed. We urgently need the County to engage with community groups, local councillors and more to increase usage of public transport.

I am sure you will have seen the work of the Campaign for Better Transport - see their key aims. One you will note is the need for routes to have evening services.

1. I would welcome your analysis re these cuts. It seems strange on the basis of your passenger figures to be cutting all three evening services. At the very least why not cut one service? But before even that why are you not using the media and other resources to publicise the bus better? Painswick Parish made that point in the SNJ.

2. I would welcome further information on how you have consulted. The publicity re the cuts has been minimal - my brief conversation with two Parish Councils suggests they have not had the info long enough to discuss at a meeting (most only meet once a month) and the first press coverage was last Wednesday in the SNJ. Several other councillors note they have not had any information. Two local residents phoned me yesterday after I sent out some info - both have used the route in the past and had no idea it was being stopped in the evening.

3. The County is making progress in some limited areas regarding transport but overall there is very much more needed if we are to cut our CO2 emissions by 80% as latest research indicates. Transport is the fastest growing source of climate change gases in the UK; road transport alone now accounts for 26% of emissions. I would welcome understanding more about how the County is planning to put public transport at the heart of their transport policies as at present I do not see enough evidence of this. The Campaign for Better Transport has many good examples of good practice - I would love to see more of these applied locally.

I wish you well in your efforts to find ways to continue and expand this service - all the best - Philip

Motion to Council on Post Offices

Full Council on 17th April so councillors have been trying to agree a motion re post offices - unfortunately as the deadline is noon today it appears a couple of motions are going in that are very similar - emails and phone calls have been flying around - hopefully still a chance to sort, possibly into one motion or at least one statement...Tomorrow's Scrutiny will be discussing the issue and I can make part of that meeting - it might even get a mention on Thursday's scrutiny as well which I will also be at....we'll see...

Scary photo: putting up more of those posters

The motion below is a draft of John Marjoram's which I am signing along with other Greens and others who have already offered their support. Labour have put in another motion which I would also support - it is well put together but only focuses on the issue of getting Councils to support post offices like in Essex - to me the wider picture is v important....anyhow here is the draft...

Draft Post Office closure motion to the District Council

Recognising that this council is:
1, Committed to the sustainability and social cohesion of all the local communities within the District
2, Working to cut social deprivation of all people within the District
3, Committed through our Environmental strategy to cut C02 emmisions within the District

This Council will take the further action by:
1, Sending a letter or delegation to the Secretary of State condemning the Government in their action of directing Post Office Ltd to close 2500 within the country and with special reference to the Post Offices in the District, namely Ebley Stroud, Forest Green Nailsworth, Highfield Dursley, Horsley nr Nailsworth, Sharpness, South Wodchester,Uplands and Uplands Stroud and the effect it will have on current outreach services.
The rational for this representation is that it contravenes the stated objectives of our District, as above and the Government’s overall stated policy objectives
2, That we send a letter of congratulation to our MP, David Drew in voting against the closure of post offices in the debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 19th March.
3,That the Chief Executive makes contact with the other five District Councils in Gloucestershire stating our representation and encouraging them to take similar action
4, That this Council works with the County Council (who have already passed a resolution opposing closure of 39 Post Offices within Gloucestershire)
5, That a cross party Councillor’s working group with administrative support, be set up forthwith to investigate a support programme for Post offices under threat in this District and to open up discussions with Post Office Ltd to find options of retaining these current services.

Easter art sessions for children

I've just been sent details of these sessions in Paganhill - Mon 7 – Fri 11 April - 9.30-12.30 & 1.30-4.30. 6-12yr olds £8 per session £7 3+ sessions. Book now for a place Val 01453 759296
vsaunders@toucansurf.com

Learn new skills & have fun!

Photo: Randwick woods last month

Tibet update

Many of us have seen the terrible images of violence and repression in Chinese-occupied Tibet - today I was sent a link from a Canadian news service claiming Britain's GCHQ (the government communications agency that electronically monitors half the world from space) has confirmed the claim by the Dalai Lama that agents of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the PLA, posing as monks, triggered the riots that have left hundreds of Tibetans dead or injured.

Photo: This was taken from the report - it is apparently not an uncommon 'tactical move' from the Chinese government as could be seen from the 2003 annual TCHRD Report

GCHQ analysts, according to this report, believe the decision was deliberately calculated by the Beijing leadership to provide an excuse to stamp out the simmering unrest in the region, which is already attracting unwelcome world attention in the run-up to the Olympic Games this summer. I have found it hard to confirm this report - there is lots on the web about it but little in the way of sources....nevertheless this fits with other evidence and the photo is interesting and indeed chilling in itself if it really is what it looks like...there is indeed lots of hard evidence of the shocking Chinese tactics - see the Free Tibet and Amnesty websites.

It was however great to read that the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, yesterday became the first world leader to decide not to attend the Olympics in Beijing. European leaders have rightly condemned human rights abuses in Burma and Zimbabwe, but it seems that it is increasingly difficult not to conclude that the desire not to upset trading relations with China is persuading the West to put money before morality.

In 1986 I spent a month in Tibet that was very special indeed - and two months in China. I have taken a keen interest in this issue since then and strongly consider that we need to hear our governments using every possible political and diplomatic instrument to change China's policy in Tibet. We need an end to violence in Chinese-occupied Tibet, and the recognition of Tibet’s right to self determination.

People supporting China's hosting of the Olympics have argued that it gives us leverage to influence China on human rights. If that is the case, we need to use that lever and be prepared to boycott aspects of the Games unless China acts. The Chinese government must end human rights abuses, release political prisoners, and allow full media access within Tibet.

Still a chance for a referendum on EU Treaty?

There is still a chance we can get a referendum on the EU Treaty - slim but a chance - it only takes 30 seconds to try and stop a Lib Dem U-turn...and below why Greens are for a referendum...

Following the debate in the House of Commons, in which most MPs voted against a referendum on the EU Lisbon Treaty, the I Want a Referendum campaign has turned its attention to the House of Lords, where the parliamentary arithmetic is more favourable to a referendum. The Lords are expected to vote on whether or not there should be a referendum in early June, and will discuss the issue for the first time on Tuesday 1 April.

In the House of Lords, the key to winning the referendum vote lies with the Liberal Democrats. If they stick to the line they took in the Commons and abstain from the vote in the Lords, then the referendum vote could well be won. There are 216 Labour peers, most of whom are likely to vote against a referendum, 202 Conservative peers, many of whom will vote for a referendum, and 196 crossbenchers, around half of whom may vote for a referendum. So that means that if the 78 Lib Dem peers abstain, there could well be a majority to trigger a referendum. It could be that the one Green peer, Lord Beaumont, will play a central role in this as the voting margins will be tight.

Lib Dem U-turn threatened

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg is coming under pressure from anti-referendum peers like Shirley Williams to allow them to vote against a referendum, rather than abstain. And there are rumours that Nick Clegg will cave in to this pressure, which would torpedo the prospects of a referendum. Please email Nick Clegg to urge him to stick to the line he took during the vote in the House of Commons - it took me less than a minute. Tell him that:

1) The Liberal Democrats should really be voting for the referendum which they promised at the last election.
2) At the very least Nick Clegg must not allow his peers to vote against the referendum, which nine out of ten people in Britain want.
3) It would be hypocritical to do one thing in the Commons,and then do something completely different in the Lords.

You can contact Nick Clegg by email: cleggn@parliament.uk. If you can, please copy in susannah@iwantareferendum.com Read more at: www.iwantareferendum.com

Green view (adapted from Caroline Lucas)

It is ‘perfectly possible’ to take a progressive pro-European stance in the debate over the Treaty of Lisbon while at the same time opposing the Treaty itself. Political leaders throughout the EU have shown extraordinary arrogance and disregard towards their citizens in refusing to hold referenda on the Treaty, as well as in trying to pass off what is essentially a repackaged Constitution as a new ‘Lisbon Treaty’.

Even one of the key architects of the original text, Valery Giscard D'Estaing, has admitted that the proposals in the original constitutional treaty are practically unchanged. As he says, “they have simply been dispersed through the old treaties in the form of amendments.

I don't oppose the principle of a constitution. But I oppose this particular one – and the Treaty which reproduces it. While the Treaty of Lisbon includes some positive measures these are outweighed by negative ones - the further militarisation of the EU, for example, as well as measures to promote increased free trade and economic liberalisation. Worse still, it squanders a unique opportunity to put sustainability and climate security genuinely at the heart of the Union, and fails to bring the EU institutions closer to European citizens.

The Green Party's vision of the European Union is one based on peace, democracy, and social justice. We have a vision of a Green Europe, which enforces ambitious policies for a more sustainable future, and which allows for rich cultural and social exchange between nations and regions.

Boycott Heinz?

Heinz can keep their "Farmers' Market" brand name despite protests - see previous blogs on this here.

Yesterday the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rejected 25 complaints, including mine, that Heinz TV and press adverts implied the soups' ingredients came from farmers' markets. Stroud Farmers' Market organiser Clare Gerbrands is quoted in The Citizen saying: "How disappointing. I still think it (the Heinz soups) is nothing to do with farmers' markets. Farmers' markets are direct from the producer to the customer. Maybe the law needs changing?"

Nineteen members of the public (see my complaint on previous blogs) joined food and farming organisations, including Hampshire Farmers' Markets Ltd and The Real Jam and Chutney Co, in complaining to the ASA. But the ASA said the adverts, inviting the public to "taste the countryside", had been unlikely to mislead. Heinz apparently had lent clarity to the nature of the ingredients used by stating that they were sourced in the UK and other countries. The panel concluded: "We noted that, although one respondent thought that the soups were inspired by farmers' markets, none of the respondents had expressed confusion about the source of the product's ingredients. We considered that most viewers would understand that it was unlikely that a canned product, distributed on a national scale by Heinz, would be made from ingredients sourced locally from farmers' markets."

As Clare says, the law needs changing - farmers' markets are about fresh and local, this soup is neither and not even made or sold in farmers' markets. A marketing gimmick that makes a mockery of labeling products. I don't buy Heinz stuff anyway - at least I can't think of anything - but their attitude leaves a nasty taste that will no doubt guide me well away from their products in future!

Ethical politician of the year comes to Stroud

Caroline Lucas to speak at Sub Rooms in Stroud on 11th April on 'The Future of Food'

Stroud District Green Party were delighted to announce today that Dr. Caroline Lucas, Member of the European Parliament and a Green Party Principal Speaker, will be visiting Stroud for the first time on Friday, April 11th. She is brill and I strongly recommend people don't miss her! Here is the press release I've just sent out - do please pass this onto others.

Dr. Lucas, is also the Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion and has an excellent chance of becoming one of the Party’s first MPs at the next General Election. During the day, she will highlight the closure of local Post Offices in Nailsworth and in Stroud, while in the evening she will speak at a public meeting at the Subscription Rooms along with Stroud’s own Parliamentary candidate Cllr Martin Whiteside and Nick Weir from Stroud Community Supported Agriculture. They will talk on ‘The Future of Food’, covering many aspects of this subject from a local, national and international perspective, and with reference to the largely rural nature of Stroud constituency.

Martin Whiteside said: “The Future of Food concerns us all; Climate Change and Peak Oil pose massive challenges to feeding the World - already far too many people go to bed hungry. If we don’t act now this could get much worse, with wars over food, mass migration and chaos that will affect us all.”

DETAILS: 'The Future of Food' will be at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud at 7.30pm on 11th April 2008. Free entry but donation to cover costs welcomed.

Caroline Lucas was first elected to the European Parliament in 1999 and was re-elected in 2004. Several recent polls have named her as a leading opinion maker and among the country’s most influential politicians. In last year's Observer Ethical Awards she was named Politician of the Year and this January was named one of the Guardian’s ‘Top 50 eco heroes’.

Her many successes include forcing the European Commission to undertake legal investigations into the British nuclear industry, and the promotion of safe renewable energy as its alternative. One of the Green Party’s most charismatic figures, she affirms that its aims are, “To be progressive, to be competent, and to bring honesty and integrity back into politics.” She has worked with numerous charities and other NGOs, including the RSPCA, Oxfam and CND. Read more at: http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/

Stroud Town Mayor and District Councillor John Marjoram said, “Caroline has chosen to come to Stroud because she recognises it as a significant place in which a Green MP could be elected, and because it is a hugely important centre for Green Party activity.”

For more information or to arrange interview contact: Rosie Reed 01285-760508

Protest at loss of evening bus service 46

A resident this morning has alerted me to the fact that Gloucestershire County Council are proposing to withdraw the evening service for 46, currently financially supported by Gloucestershire County Council.

This is what they wrote on their website: "When we introduced the evening service in 2005 it was well supported. However recent analysis of the route has been disappointing indicating poor passenger support over the last six months. We therefore cannot justify continuing to fund the evening service balanced against passenger usage. The last day of operation of the evening service will be 29th March 2008."

Please email your protests to:
busconsultation@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Or telephone:
01452 425985

Here is what I wrote just now:

News that the County are planning to stop all three of the number 46 evening bus services between Nailsworth, Stroud and Cheltenham is a serious blow. Apparently passenger numbers which have been good, have dropped over the last six months. Interestingly this period coincides with the A46 closure and the poor publicity of re-timetabling which may well have added to problems, but it is also an indication that our County needs to do much more to promote public transport.

Our rural bus is an increasingly endangered species. Nationally research reveals the hidden problem of rural bus cuts and the devastating impact the cuts have on people and communities: elderly villagers left isolated, hospital visitors and workers without a public transport option, schoolchildren without school buses and tourists inconvenienced by rerouted buses (i).

This is a wrong decision by our County Council, but our Government is also to blame. They should be seeking to revive and strengthen the fragile and endangered rural bus by giving local authorities more powers over buses, creating a more stable and secure funding regime and establishing a bus passenger watchdog.

Our countryside is increasingly becoming a ghetto for the rich, completely inaccessible for those without cars. Good rural buses need to be an alternative for people with cars as well as a lifeline for those without. Please think again before stopping these buses.

Philip Booth

(i) Case studies, covering every region of England: http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/system/files/Rural_buses_case_studies_0.pdf

Report: http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/system/files/rural_buses.pdf

Gully cleaning lorry in Ruscombe on Tues

Since my last blog on drains I've been having further correspondence with Highways and the GCC Cabinet member responsible. Infact strictly speaking we are talking road gullies not drains (see below).

I'm still pushing for SUDs (see previous blogs/label below), but also for a review - maintenance is at best poor and many need redesigning or improving to cope with the short sharp quantities of water - apparently Highways will be looking at the issue.

Photo: Gully cleaning lorry in Ruscombe on Tues

I've also now heard that our call for action on Humphreys End has been accepted - although there is no date yet - this is great as flooding there can get bad - several times this year it has been more than 20cm deep.

Lastly I made a note of several blocked gullies over the weekend and was going to phone on Tuesday after work - as I drove back, there was the lorry cleaning all the drains through Ruscombe and more - they are now perhaps anticipating my moves??! Don't forget if you see a Gully blocked you can call the emergency gully clearance service on 08000 514514.

What is a Gully? Road gullies allow water to drain away from roads and pavements. They consist of a gully grating and a gully pot underneath, and are situated at the side of the road by the kerb. They are meant to be a quick and efficient removal of rainwater from the highway. See more from SDC here on drains and from GCC on gullies here.

Whiteshill Playgroup raise money for shop

Great to read in Stroud Life about Whiteshill folk raising money for our village shop - see article reproduced below:

Youngsters are helping their arson-hit village shop get back on its feet. Whiteshill Playgroup children pulled on their wellies for a sponsored walk around the village - and raised £400 to boot. "It was fantastic," said play leader Sarah Vines. "We raised £400, which is a lot for 20 children." The Whiteshill and Ruscombe Village Shop suffered around £8,000 damage in November last year in an arson attack. The temporary building in Lower Street suffered around £2,000- damage and the toilets next door, which have disabled facilities, need £5,000 to £6,000 spending on them to out right the damage.

The playgroup is next door in the Scout hut and wanted to help out. Mrs Vines said the children did the walks on four different days.

"We had great fun - some of the children wore oversize wellies and everyone got into the spirit.

"What happened to the shop was awful and we wanted to help out," added Sarah.

Tory leaflet fails to recognise others role in A46

I have to say I was a little miffed by Neil Carmichael again claiming credit for traffic calming measures in Whiteshill - this time in his fancy newspaper delivered to all homes in the area - as far as I know he only attended one meeting there and didn't even talk to the Parish Council - and the local County Councillor has not been seen once by Parish councillors at any meeting. Anyhow I wrote (see below) to Neil, the County councillor and the Cabinet member Stan Waddington - the latter was at least in regular contact with the village and worked hard to help put in place measures.

It is a pity that you have not recognised in this leaflet the work others have done to tackle traffic in Whiteshill - I had at least three onsite meetings with Highways and local councillors regarding this matter. Various others including David Drew and staff at the school also put in time. The Parish Council led the local campaign and even held an open morning to look at traffic issues.

The County did indeed respond well with emergency measures to the serious challenge the A46 closure created but I was deeply disappointed that more was not done to promote alternatives to the car at that time. This would have been a perfect opportunity to get people out of their cars permanently and reduce congestion. I made a number of suggestions re advertising the car share scheme on the route, better bus time tabling, reduced fares and more. None of this translated into action. I also wrote several times to First Great Western who eventually responded positively by producing reduced peak fare rail tickets - but all too late.

I would welcome news that if such a road closure occurs again, alternatives to the car will be looked seriously at as a matter of priority. I also hope that we can count on your support for further important traffic calming measures in the village? The situation has clearly improved with the reopening of the A46 but serious traffic problems still persist. Already a number of measures have been proposed and there is particular support for 20 mph - the speed that not only saves lives but also leads to an increase in cycling and walking.

As I've been quoted saying before, we want our village back and an end to it being a transport corridor.

All the best - Philip

Sign up for Councils email alerts?

If you want to know about jobs at the District Council, planning applications that may affect you, Council news and events (incl Sub Rooms, museum etc) then you can sign up to their new email service:
www.stroud.gov.uk/alerts

Photo: Nailsworth in snow on Saturday - shame it didn't settle - itching to get on sledge again this year!

Volunteer Car Drivers needed

The Village Agent Judith Newman asks: "Would anyone be prepared to offer their voluntary services as a car driver for the elderly and infirm? This would be on a non-profit-making basis, the drivers acting as good neighbours. There are many elderly people living in Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill who have to rely on infrequent bus services and have no other means of getting around. This is even a problem for those wanting to get to events in the village or the surrounding area, a difficulty increased by the hilly nature of the villages and the scattered housing which exists in its upper reaches."

Photo: Red egg at Easter - representing the blood of Christ and rebirth. I still have loads of choccie ones to eat.

If anyone feels they could generously offer their time and service please would they contact me, Judith Newman, your Village Agent on 07776245791

Climate Change is a symptom

A letter sent to 'Stroud Life' below hopefully for next week's edition - plus a cartoon from Russ in response to Martin Kirby and others seeming denial of climate change...

...indeed in today's Citizen Martin Kirby is again having a go at Greens for seeing every extreme weather event as climate change - infact I said the exact opposite - see here - he perhaps does have a point if that were the case but he has clearly failed to read what I had actually written - extraordinary that the editor allows it to be printed - at least they did print my letter last week and today another strongly criticising Martin Kirby's view.

It is views such as Mr Kirby's that damage the case being made for action on climate change. Does he not see that? Or perhaps he doesn't believe the scientists that climate change is real? Even if he does have doubts is it really a risk he wants us to take? He has the privilege of a nearly a whole page in a daily paper every week and instead of using it for good he tries to ridicule those trying to achieve positive change. I don't understand - if you are reading this Mr Kirby let's meet and talk?

Many of us are trying to live greener lifestyles, but we must also challenge our political establishment who are trying to inhabit two parallel worlds. It simply isn't possible to infinitely increase economic growth and simultaneously reduce carbon emissions to safeguard our future.

Climate change is a symptom of our economic system that is based on increased work, consumption and inequality. Our economics encourages rampant consumerism that we use to distract ourselves from meaningless lives that no longer connect to the rhythms and abundance of the natural world. While many have higher 'standards of living', almost all of us are poorer, when it comes to quality of life. Indeed Oliver James's book 'The Selfish Capitalist' shows how our obsession with economic growth has led to extraordinary increases in people's insecurity and unhappiness.

We need to move away from the obsession with free markets, privatisation and accumulation of material wealth to safeguard not just the environment, but also our physical, emotional and mental welfare. It is exciting to see more of us seeking ways to challenge our current economic system. Transition Stroud, our Farmers Market, local currencies and local food initiatives are some examples. Let us hope such visions gain ground to coalesce into a critical mass in time to divert a catastrophe.

A zero carbon future doesn’t have to be a future shivering around a candle in a cave – it can be a comfortable and a more secure one. We need to push for some serious political will for real change and to use the best science to build a secure future for all rather than profit for the few.

Philip Booth

Let's get a real debate going on climate change

Let's Talk, Gordon is a new grassroots campaign urging the Prime Minister to make a televised address to the nation on climate change. They believe that an address from Gordon Brown would be the ideal way to start a national debate on climate change, and through that debate, Britain could develop an effective action plan responding to this threat in which Government, business and normal people all play a full and active role. I'll support almost anything positive that is trying to wake this Government up to climate change although I fear it could end up with yet more spin from them - talking they are good at, action is what we need. However with a real debate and dialogue action can often follow - we have not had those conversations we need.

It was good to see Chas Fellows, Leader of Stroud District Council start a debate on wind power this last week (see my blog on 20th March 08) - it is a debate Greens have long called for - indeed the Environment Green paper consultation was hugely lacking because it failed to address issues like that. Anyway to find out more re this new campaign visit www.letstalkgordon.org.uk or to sign up, go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/letstalk

Caroline Lucas on The Transition Handbook

The Transition Handbook, was launched at an event that was also Green Books‘ 21st birthday party. Caroline Lucas MEP sent a DVD as she couldn't be there in person. In it she describes the Transition movement as “the most exciting, most hopeful, most inspirational movement happening in Britain today”. It is worth a look as she also covers the latest on Peak Oil and how the EU are failing to tackle it.




At least Peak Oil is now getting talked about a little more - even Sir Richard Branson acknowledges it - although in an interview he told journalist David Strahan that aviation could be made “truly sustainable” at the launch of test flight fuelled in part by coconut oil. He did though concede that meaningful supplies of alternative fuel might not be available before the advent of peak oil, which he said could happen within six years. See more here.

Cinderford in Tesco offer free parking!!!!

I've long opposed Tesco plans for a store in Cinderford - see for example here when we thought the proposals were to be thrown out - and here - of course these mega companies are pretty persistent - I now read in today's Citizen that councillors are welcoming Tesco's offer of free parking to the rest of the town.

Photo: Homemade hot cross buns yesterday - not from Tesco

Here is the comment I left on the Citizen website: "Tesco's offer of their parking free to Cinderford is not so generous as councillors suggest. If they ever get to open their town-destroying store, there will be no other businesses left in a few years to need parking."

Another example of Big Brother Britain

In this week's SchNEWS there is aother worrying report about Big Brother Britain - now I don't always go along with the style of SchNEWS but they do bring news that others don't report - read below about these two campaigners stopped under Terrorism laws.

Cartoon: ID card cartoon from Russell (remember Eminem?) and photo below Mist over Ruscombe valley

As they travelled through the City of London on private business on 31st July 2005, two peace campaigners - John Catt, an 80 year old pensioner at the time and his daughter Linda (with no criminal record between them) - were stopped and their vehicle searched under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 by City of London police. They were both threatened with arrest if they refused to answer police questions.

Unbeknown to them the vehicle in which they were travelling had triggered an alert as it passed an automatic vehicle number plate recognition camera - part of the cops' 'Ring of steel' around the City of London.

After they made a complaint about both the manner and the circumstances in which they were stopped, it was revealed that it had resulted from a police marker being placed against their vehicle on the Police National Computer (PNC) by Sussex Police.

A follow-up formal complaint to Sussex Police discovered that the PNC marker had been placed against their vehicle as a result of being spotted near EDO MBM demonstrations in Brighton. The marker stated "OF INTEREST TO PUBLIC ORDER UNIT SUSSEX".

Sussex Police justified the big brothering stance on the grounds that the vehicle had been seen at three demos outside the arms factory, which "were associated with a campaign which gives rise to crime, disorder and the deployment of significant resources. Sightings of the vehicle may give rise to crime, disorder and the investigation, prevention and detection of crime" . A damning verdict indeed. The complaint was rejected - guilt by association is all in a days work.

Last week their appeal to the IPCC has also fallen on deaf ears with the independent body ruling that this type of harassment is just the ticket for Supreme Leader Gordon Brown's busy bobbies. You have been warned.

Will petition just shift lorries elsewhere? No to mega trucks

A number of locals have been supporting the petition in Painswick to stop the HGVs going through the town. I've already sent off a page of signatures and given out other forms for folks to complete, but one key issue has been raised several times...

Photos: Megatruck that the Government threatens to unleash on our roads and below lorry in Stroud

Aren't we just shifting the problem? The petition originally didn't include concerns of neighbours - new wording was added "In order that the problems of the A46 are not merely shifted, the A4173 (Stroud Road, Edge) and B4070 (Slad Road) must also become subject to weight restrictions." However one person summarised concerns: "but are you not in danger of just increasing the road miles of freight transport when we are supposed to be reducing it?"

Indeed to me the focus would probably have been better on reducing HGV altogether - see below various proposals that sadly have still largely not been adopted. Many HGVs use routes to cut through, however without figures I could not say if this was the case in Painswick. Nevertheless it is true if HGV use longer routes that will mean more emissions as I doubt it will (at the moment) lead to a rethink and make them use alternatives - however if many roads ban HGV it may lead to the rethink needed? I am not sure! What is needed is a strong message to Government that communities are fed up with HGV....

It is essential to cut HGV and slow traffic on the roads identified (and many more) as those are two reasons identified by research that discourages pedestrians and cycling - so cutting HGV could cut emissions if more stop using the car. I have read of research showing this from a group of Dutch towns - clearly any plan would need to ensure the trouble is not just shifted someplace else..

Worse still is that there are now plans for even larger trucks which Greens are fighting in EU - see more below...

Lightening the Load: Green HGV traffic reduction action plan

Britain lags way behind Europe in terms of HGV traffic reduction. Each 40 tonne truck causes tens of thousands of pounds more damage than the average car and is often half full or empty - yet the Government has allowed HGV traffic to increase by 38% over the last 10 years. The Green party produced a report a couple of years ago that demonstrates how a few Green local authority measures - like those implemented in European cities - can bring Real Progress in HGV traffic reduction. Green local authority measures in Kassel, Germany, for example led to a 70% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled. If UK local authorities followed suit - and implemented the Green HGV traffic reduction plan - we could see this kind of progress in our cities.

The plan includes:
* Setting up loading and redistribution centres outside cities - and send fuel efficient vehicles into city centres to deliver the goods instead
* Promoting partnerships and "chains" between companies to cut down on unnecessary trips
* Provide "Best practice" manuals to companies, so that they can maximise loads and minimise journey times

See report here.

The Threat of mega trucks

An opportunity for the European Parliament to make clear its opposition to the use of 60-tonne 'monster' trucks was lost last year when MEPs voted to adopt rules under which the lorries could, in future, be allowed to operate. Considering a report on improving freight logistics across the EU, MEPs in Strasbourg failed to reject provisions which stated that 60-tonne trucks could be allowed to cross EU borders only with the agreement of the country
concerned - and where roads and other infrastructure allow. But the Greens had argued the proposed clause should be scrapped, as it opens the way for future relaxation of the maximum size rules, which currently limit trans-European fright trucks' weight to 40 tonnes.

At the time Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for South-East England, said: "While it's important that the EU establishes minimum standards of efficiency and sustainability for Europe's logistics, there can be no role for monster trucks thundering up and down our roads, guzzling fuel, damaging infrastructure as they do so. We felt the clause about 60-tonne trucks opened the door to their use on Europe's roads in future - and therefore demanded it be voted upon separately. I am somewhat surprised and deeply disappointed my colleagues in other parties wanted to support the introduction of these monster trucks in their regions: it marks a real missed opportunity to make a statement about the role of the EU in shifting freight off the roads - and onto our railways."

The group 'Freight on Rail', perhaps unsurprisingly with a name like that, also believes that these longer and heavier lorries (LHVs) are totally unsuited to our roads on a number of safety and environmental grounds and should therefore be rejected on the following grounds. See more here.
• LHVs will mean more lorry-miles not fewer because demand will be stimulated if transport becomes cheaper at point of use
• Seriously damage rail freight, a low carbon option, resulting in major modal shift from rail to road leading to more road congestion and carbon emissions as lorries replace trains - Freight trains emit five times less carbon dioxide per tonne mile than road haulage
• LHVs have safety dangers due to their size and lack of manoeuvrability
• The claimed environmental benefits rely on very high levels of load utilisation – in excess of that routinely achieved within the haulage sector. At lower levels of utilisation the environmental performance is worse
• Restricting LHVs to dual-carriageways and motorways simply will not work as there is no mechanism to keep them to this. The reality is that these vehicles will need local access to distribution hubs
• The poor record of compliance with existing road regulations needs to be factored into any decision on increasing the existing weight and lengths of HGVs
• A national Opinion Poll (NOP) survey in August 2007 shows that 75% of the general public is opposed to the introduction of ‘super trucks – known as LHVs – onto UK Roads. The survey further revealed that 80% of the general public favoured the Government encouraging more freight to go by rail instead of by road

At a time when the Government claims to be committed to reducing carbon emissions it seems perverse for them to now be considering allowing trials of these travelling warehouses which will cause such problems and are so unwanted. Already many HGVs are not following existing road regulations, ranging from exceeding speed, weight and drivers' hours limits, thus putting the public at extra risk.

The fast route to reducing transport’s carbon footprint is surely to increase rail freight - what about longer heavier trains instead?

Parish meeting, Easter Service and mast update

The day started very nicely in Star Anise cafe discussing SDC Regeneration policies with another Green councillor, then catching up on emails before the Randwick School Easter Service and fair then this evening's Parish meeting...read on for more info re that and the latest on the mast proposal.

Photo: Easter Service

The Easter service included a recorder group, the infants choir, singing and a play by class 3 of the Easter story - also it was announced that Head mistress Mrs Montecute has got to the finals in the SW best head teacher competition - huge applause erupted around the church - this was followed by an easter egg hunt - all the school children managed to find one each - then it was a fund raising fair in the school - wind too strong outside - I was once again on the "Play Your Cards Right" stall - at 20p a go we raised £5 on the stall.

Later in the evening I was nearly late for the Randwick Parish Council meeting - 12 residents came and asked questions about the traffic calming proposals and there were several strong objections to the proposed mast - see below. The rest of the meeting I was able to raise issues like grit bins (investigations underway about replacements), watercourse wardens (Parish have now appointed Jane Godsell), free running (my hopes for Stratford Park course and more locally), the cultural services review and more - the Parish covered many other issues - heard from Mort re the great news re the village hall possibly being the first carbon neutral hall in the District maybe even region - anyway they will be writing a report.

Mast proposals

See my blogs on 4th, 11th and 17th March - or click on Label below. Firstly I have to make a correction - a big one - the mast is not where I thought it was!! This is partly because I did not receive the map that others got. In my first blog on this topic I had a photo of the map where the entrance was - I assumed the mast was there - in fact it is much further away - see new map.

Photo: Map of mast site - Ash Lane is still marked there but the mast is in the fields

The good news is that it is further away from homes than I had thought - although we still do not know the direction of the beam - however none of this makes my objections any different. I still do not think it is in the right place - it is still visually intrusive.

This evening several residents made objections - the Parish had had 4 letters objecting but 3 verbal comments saying they did not mind. I noted my objections. When the Parish came to discuss the mast later in the meeting there was a lengthy discussion - noting that health concerns could not really be taken into account - a proposal to object to the mast was not accepted - a counter proposal was put forward - much less strong noting they want to see improvements to the designs (some masts are like trees), planning gain like a foot path and a more attractive entrance.

Photo: Taken from earlier blog - rather than showing mast site it shows changes proposed to the gateway

I was disappointed this was passed although I do not believe it completely rules out an objection in the future. I also emphasised concerns that a new gateway off Ash Lane could lead to people stopping there at night to eat their burgers, drink their lager and whatever else - sadly this occurs at several other similar sites - it would be better to gate up to the road and make vehicles stop in the road and then open the gate.

Anyway we now await Orange's decision - some residents tell me they are still thinking of starting a wider campaign to stop this mast - they are still very unhappy. For now we still want questions answered re alternative sites, direction of the beam etc.

Crumbs cafe gets to keep pavement tables

Crumbs cafe in Stroud (see photo) was threatened with losing some of it's tables - Highways had a complaint from the Stroud Access Group - however rather than suggest tables should be positioned better they said the number of tables should be reduced - after meetings with John Marjoram on the Town Council a compromise was made but temporary barriers are needed around the tables.

In my view tables can easily be placed to ensure access for push chairs and people with disabilities on that wide pavement. The temporary barrier around tables is unnecessary - a point I made to The Citizen. Pavement cafes have been shown to act as a traffic calming measure and increase the sense of vitality of an area. We should be doing more to support such businesses not making it harder for them.

Freddie calls for politicians to listen to young

It was great to see Youth Council leader Freddie Whittaker who lives locally and was involved with the Ruscombe Brook Action Group in it's early days, in the SNJ yesterday. He is keen to make politicians listen more to young people.

Photo: taken from review of Cuckoo Row here

Great stuff - Stroud is fortunate with the Youth Council and the active role it plays - but too many of us 'older' councillors have not got as involved as we perhaps could. Yes I've met with several classes at schools and various other youth groups but most of my contact with the Youth Council has been via SDC Officers. Indeed for example one issue I am currently supporting is Parkour/Free Running - see previous blogs on this - I'm hoping the Youth Council will be able to support the local young people who have ideas about a taster day, poss film and maybe sessions at Stratford Park - anyhow more of that another time I must dash now - the SNJ article on Freddie reads:

Freddie Whittaker wants to make adult politicians to sit up and listen to youngsters not yet able to vote. The 18-year-old heads a body of members from schools, colleges and youth forums who ensure youngsters are involved in decisions in Stroud.

"We're a bridge between young people and Stroud District Council," he said. "If you see litter on the streets in a certain place, maybe the youth council could ask some questions about it. Maybe if you think there are certain places that can be improved or if you think you aren't getting a good enough bus service, then we can help."

The councillors also control an £8,000 youth initiative grant for youth groups, a sports grant for budding Olympians and has received £20,000 to install and run litter recycling bins around Stroud. The council of 11- to 18-year-olds, which meets each fortnight in Stroud Youth Centre, has shadow member for each adult cabinet member, from regeneration and tourism to community safety through to environment and rural affairs.

Freddie said: "Young people would probably not approach the district council and councillors would probably not listen to young people because they're not tax payers, so that's where we can help."

The Archway School pupil, who is studying A-levels in music, music technology and English literature, is the longest serving youth councillor after being elected by his school for four academic years.

"I liked the idea I would be be representing every person in the school," he said. "I've always liked having my say and I wanted to take that to a democratic level. I then realised that I liked taking leader rolls. I liked organising and delegating."

But Freddie, who plays saxophone in the Five Valleys Senior Orchestra and guitar in the band CuckooRow (see elsewhere on this blog for more on Cuckoo Row), wants a career in journalism rather than politics.

"Journalism and politics are very closely linked," he explained.

To contact your youth councillor, you can approach them directly, email them on youth@stroud.gov.uk or fill in the form on www.youth.stroud.gov.uk

London Labour/Green pact

I am supportive of the Labour/Green election pact in the coming London Mayor elections.

Photo: Berry and Livingstone

Green party candidate for London Mayor, Cheltenham born, Siân Berry yesterday unveiled an election pact urging Green supporters to join forces with Labour in an attempt to defeat the Tory candidate, Boris Johnson. Siân Berry, asked those who planned to vote for her on May 1 to pick Livingstone as their number-two choice, while at the same press conference the mayor urged his voters to put the Green party candidate second.

Here is my comment on it: "London's progressive and environmental agendas are under threat from Johnson. London must continue to be in the forefront of tackling climate change for the sake of everyone's future. Ken Livingstone and Siân Berry alone are committed to implement of further environmental initiatives such as the £25-a-day CO2 charge on gas-guzzlers. We cannot afford to let Johnson who supported George W Bush in opposing the Kyoto treaty take on this important role."

Ken Livingstone has by no means been 'green' but is streets and streets ahead of Johnson - he is taking many of the measures necessary to lead on climate change in a way that our Government is failing dismally. See our local Green party news release here. See Green party London Assembly member Cllr Darren Johnson's comment on this move here.

Join Facebook Forest and help plant a tree

Ecotopia.co.uk, who have been based in Stroud and supported the first leaflet by Ruscombe Brook Action Group want folk to join their Facebook Forest group. They are planting a tree for every 50 members of its Facebook Forest group and another tree for every 50 customers.

The first Facebook Forest is being planted on a small plot of land just outside Minchinhampton (see the site on Google Earth) on the edge of what is to be the first carbon neutral market garden. This is the first of many planned sites where Ecotopia will be helping to create new woodlands in the UK. They are hoping to find more projects to get involved in. Steve Jones, director of Ecotopia says, “We are delighted to establish our first forest. By planting indigenous species, forests can support themselves and after a short period of time will begin to support an entire ecosystem which will benefit the local countryside. We would be delighted to hear from any organisations and groups who would be interested in benefiting from having their own small Facebook Forest.”

Wind power in the local news this week

Several local items on wind...

Photo: Nympsfield Turbine near Nailsworth

Turbine to be repaired
Several people have asked after the Ecotricity Nympsfield turbine (more below re turbine). The blades had stopped turning more than a month ago.

An Ecotricity spokesman in the SNJ has responded saying: "The turbine was damaged in a recent storm when the wind reached speeds of more than 60mph. Sophisticated sensors detected a possible crack in the main carrier, which a visual examination confirmed. We have new parts and cranes to fit them on order and are expecting to compete the work and have it back up and running by the end of this month. This machine has been working day in and day out for the last 11 years. In fact it works more hours per year than a typical car does in a 20 year lifetime. The odd breakdown in effectively 220 years of car lifetime equivalent is perhaps to be expected. Wind turbines are amazing machines when compared to any other machine in the modern world. This one has another 20 years left in it, once we get it fixed."

Wycliffe College turbine
The college is one step closer to having a wind turbine after Stonehouse Town Council supported their planning application. The trouble is, it is only going to power a lap top - we need the big ones.

Views on turbines sought
Chas Fellows, Leader of Stroud District Council has asked for views on wind turbines in the latest issue of The Citizen's "Stroud Life" you can respond to his article by leaving a comment or emailing: stroudlife@glosmedia.co.uk

Here is what I left: "No secret that I'd love to see more wind turbines. The UK has a terrible record on renewable energy. Let Stroud take a lead. The simple reality is that reducing CO2 emissions and increasingly expensive fossil fuels require us to use less energy and switch to renewables. Wind is clean, safe, economic and in many cases beautiful. It has to be part of the answer."

Randwick Wind
This week I spoke with a local householder re the project to open homes for people to look at renewables - see 7th Jan blog - like all the households I've spoken to they were very positive about taking part. I'm now looking at funding for leaflets etc and hope to establish a website - someone has already kindly offered to help with that. Are there any other homes in the District with renewables that people could view - we are talking 13th/14th September this year.

More on the Nympsfield turbine
The single 42m turbine generates enough electricity to meet the requirements of approximately 400 homes ie between half and one percent of all residences in Stroud district. It was constructed in 1996 after 4 years of planning. In 2001 an application was made to add a further 4 turbines - a 1998 survey shows 70% of locals supported the idea but the Council voted against. Since then support for wind has grown stronger than ever - I am hoping the time is right for some more turbines in the District soon.

Drains and climate change denial letter

I came home from work and amongst the 97 emails (all today) waiting was an email that the two drains at the bottom of Red House Lane were blocked, as are the two drains at the bottom of Ruscombe Road/Bread Street. They have apparently been blocked since the weekend - so this does not seem to fit with the statement that after rains the drains are cleared each time in key locations (see previous blogs and photos by putting drains into search facility!). Highways have been informed - we await with interest.

Photo: Ruscombe valley

Meanwhile I've just dashed off a reply to The Citizen re the correspondent Martin Kirby - sometimes he is spot on but articles like the one this week are seriously damaging - too many people today still don't believe climate change exists - how on earth can we begin to tackle it when that view is widely held? Anyhow here is my letter:

Martin Kirby had another go at Greens on Monday calling us the 'loopy league' for reiterating what the scientists are saying about climate change (17/03/08). In a comment piece, that Mr Kirby seems to deny climate change exists, he dismisses concerns about recent weather. I'm not so sure others would agree; like perhaps Longford residents whose homes were flooded again or the businesses that lost many thousands of pounds at Cheltenham races?

No one is pretending that the science around climate change is fully understood or that every piece of bad weather is a sign of climate change. Indeed it is also important to note that our vulnerability to flooding is going up mainly due to flood plain developments.

However the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and it's analysis by 2,500 of the world's top climate scientists shows our role in causing global warming and that our weather is set to become more extreme. They paint a scary future if we don't act. Furthermore not one of the 928 climate change-related articles published in peer-reviewed journals in ten years has doubted the cause of global warming, yet more than half of the published articles in the popular press have done just that.

We need responsible journalism. Climate change is deadly serious and critically urgent. We can tackle it together, but the longer we leave it the more devastating are the consequences.

Philip Booth

International Day of Action For Rivers: brook leaflets now out

Last Friday was International Day of Action For Rivers and I've had emails from various actions around the world - sadly we missed organising anything for the Ruscombe Brook Action Group (RBAG) - but we have now completed delivering virtually all the 4,000 leaflets we had printed (see pic).

Please let me know if you are in the ward or neighbour the brook and have not had one of our leaflets (kindly paid for by Severn Trent Water). Anyhow here's a couple of actions that I've tried to support:

- Saving Iceland built a small dam in front of Landsvirkjuns office entrance so the workers had either to step over the dam to get inside or use a different entrance. With this peaceful demonstration Saving Iceland wanted to protest upcoming three dams that Landsvirkjun,
the national energy company, hopes to build in lower Þjórsá river. It the first time International Day of Action For Rivers was celebrated in Iceland. Read more here.

- Jean Lambert, a Green MEP, called on the Turkish Government to halt the development of the controversial Ilisu dam project which will devastate the local environment and communities. 78,000 people are likely to be displaced, the historic town of Hasankey will be lost forever and serious pollution is expected to be produced. There are other ways to meet energy needs than this. It isd outrageous that European countries are supporting it. Read more here.

Say no to £5bn M25 widening

The Department for Transport has just confirmed that the Highways Agency will push ahead with a £5 billion road-widening scheme of the M25 rather than a greener scheme to use the hard shoulder. See The Guardian article here.

Environmental campaigners said the DfT had not done enough research on the cost-effectiveness of hard-shoulder running on the M25. Converting hard shoulders for traffic use costs between £5m and £15m a mile, while widening a 63-mile stretch of the 118-mile M25 will cost £79m a mile. Amazingly one proposed motorway widening project is set to cost £1,000 per inch!

The excellent campaigning group Campaign for Better Transport said: "The more the government expands the main road network and generates traffic on it, the more surrounding roads will jam up. The biggest argument in favour of hard-shoulder running is that it manages the traffic much more carefully."

Please use this form here to write to the Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly, and ask her to include the M25 in the feasibility study and seriously consider ATM as an alternative to widening.

How quickly should refuse be removed from our streets?

Stroud District Council is in the process of applying new Government guidance to its street cleaning service.

Photo: Shopping Trolley

See Defra stuff here:
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/litter/code/pdf/cop-litter.pdf

There used to be 11 categories for purposes of keeping public land clear of litter - all with response times - now we are getting only 4 - while I am sure this will be an improvement it is yet again Government telling local councils how to do it - I am awaiting guidance on how to tie my shoelace - yet when it comes to the big issues like putting renewables on all new developments and higher insulation specs it seems we wait for ever - and indeed have things put in the way to make it difficult for local councils to go their own way....enough moaning here are the categories with examples from this ward - let me know what you think...

This is about response times rather than frequency of cleans which will go for wider consultation with Parish Councils etc...

High intensity eg shopping areas - none in ward - response within half a day
Medium intensity eg residential areas - most of Whiteshill, the top end of Ruscombe nad central Randwick Village are included in this - response within 1 day
Low intensity eg industrial areas - well that is the example they give but it included Bread Street, Lightwood Lane and other bits of Randwick and Ruscombe - response within 14 days
Special circumstances eg employee health? None in ward - Response 28 days or as soon aspracticable

I will be asking for the other bits like Westrip, Bread Street and other residential areas to be included in the one day response - 14 days is not acceptable.

Tricorn House - at last a future?

Stroud District Council wants to use a compulsory purchase order to seize Tricorn House from its present owners - yippie!

Photo: Tricorn with trees recently cut down

As diligent blog readers will know a long while back I raised the issue of compulsory purshase of Tricorn House (see various previous blogs) - this was in response to work I had been doing on Cainscross Parish Plan - it was overwhelmingly one of the most important things that could be tackled to improve the area. Time and time again in the interviews I was conducting for the Parish Plan this issue was raised unprompted.

Now of course I'd like to say have the Council listened to me - but then again they may have just come to the same conclusion? After all it is pretty obvious and as many have said why has it taken so long?

Anyhow an emergency motion was tabled at a cabinet meeting last Thursday to seek possession of the former Department of Social Security building - known as one of the region's ugliest - via a compulsory purchase order. The building was last occupied 10 years ago by the DSS and has been empty ever since despite a relatively buoyant commercial market in recent years.

Updated: Photo below from guy who left comment - see comment to understand!

Here's some of what the Council papers said: The decline in the physical appearance and fabric of the building has accelerated over the past year. The Council has been obliged to address issues created by the vacant building. The Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Officer has liaised with the owner and local residents over a range of community safety and anti-social behaviour issues. Apart from the growing community safety concerns, there are important environmental and economic considerations. The property is prominent on one of the ‘gateway’ routes into Stroud. As such, it has an impact not only locally but also to the District, in the eyes of investors, tourists, developers and residents. Whilst the site is not protected for employment purposes under policy EM5 of the adopted Local Plan it is generally protected under policy EM4 that sets out a series of criteria which have to be met before permission is granted. The Regional Spatial Strategy Examination in Public report has re-emphasised the need to generate local employment opportunities in the District, as part of reducing out-commuting and creating sustainable communities.

Wellfair Property Investment Holdings Ltd. is the owner of Tricorn House. According to its agents, offers were made by 3 prospective purchasers in July 2006. None of these were taken forward. The Council has sought the District Valuer’s assessment of current market value. As at December 2007, the valuation is in the region of £1.3 million.

Ecotricity, a national renewable energy company with headquarters in the District, has approached the owner and the Council. Its interest in acquiring the site has since been reported in the local media. It is understood that the company wishes to expand and create new jobs. Ward councillors have expressed interest in the company’s plans and the prospect of employment opportunities. Ecotricity has indicated that it would be willing to negotiate with Wellfair Property Investment Holdings Ltd. The Chief Executive offered to introduce the parties to one another but Wellfair Property Investment Holdings Ltd considered this inappropriate. Instead, separate meetings have been held with both companies.

It is increasingly evident that, without the Council’s intervention, the property will continue to deteriorate and the employment potential of the site will remain unrealised. In the circumstances, it is proposed that the Council acquire the site and building, using its Compulsory Purchase powers and subject to a ‘back to back’ agreement with a party willing to purchase from the Council. This will minimise the Council’s risk and financial exposure.

The Council used such an approach with 15 High Street, Stroud. This building was having a detrimental impact on the town’s investment potential and creating environmental and community safety concerns. Following the Council’s decision to use its compulsory purchase powers, a commercial solution was identified and the building is currently being redeveloped.

The motion will now go before the Full Council on April 17.

Mast opposition grows

I have had copies of a couple of letters and emails plus comments from people opposing the mast proposed by ORange for Ash Lane in Randwick - the letters include one from a 6 year old who wrote apparently of his own initiative to me saying "I am furious about the mast. It is dangerous to me and my family."

Cartoon: Local Scribbler Russell gives his take on the mast

Here is one of the letters printed by permission here:

Dear Sir,

Re: Proposed mobile phone mast at Ash Lane, Randwick, Gloucestershire. Ref. GL0136.

We are writing in response to the articles in this weeks Randwick Runner, regarding the proposal by Orange to install a mast adjacent to Ash Lane.

We are devastated to learn of the plans and wish to voice out complete opposition to the proposal.

Our family which includes children of 4 and 6yrs, live in the village. We are extremely concerned about the effect which such base stations and electrical installations have on human health, young children in particular.

Numerous scientific studies suggest such base stations are responsible for many adverse effects including:

-Severe and persistent headache
- Depressive illness
- Loss of short term memory
- Downs Syndrome in neonatal exposures
- Myeloid Leukaemia’s in adults
-Increased incidence of lymphoma and solid tumour formation if the brain.

Major studies reporting these findings can be found at www.cogreslab.co.uk/base_stations.asp

By our reckoning, the proposed site is approx. 600m from Randwick Primary School and approx 500m from Cashes Green Primary School. These are well within the 750m ‘fallout’ zone of highest electromagnetic radiation from such masts.

Studies indicate that children under 11 yrs are at greatest risk of developing adverse effects because of the thinness of the bone in their skulls. This mast would potentially put at greater of ill health, all 218 pupils in addition to the even younger village children who live here.

While we appreciate that these health effects are rarely given consideration in planning matters, can we urge you to please raise them as a concern, since surely, the more people that do, the greater the chance that the ‘powers that be’ will actually sit up and act responsibly.

From a planning point of view, the suggested location is within the Cotswolds AONB boundary, and the AONB Partnerships policies and guidance state:

‘Telecommunications apparatus should be placed on existing masts where possible’

There are at least 3 masts in this area that we can think of; Cashes Green, Bird in Hand and near the junction with Beacon Lane to Hares field. Also ‘Where new masts are unavoidable, they should be placed so that they do not adversely affect the views across, to and from the prominent skylines and thus damage the sense of remoteness and open vistas. Masts …. should use existing masts/structures where possible’

It also borders a Conservation Area where visual consideration should be given to reduce the visual impact upon it.

We are also extremely concerned about road safety issues at the junction of Ash Lane with the road from Cashes Green through Randwick. The road at the point is on a blind brow and becomes very narrow. We are concerned that if this proposal goes ahead, it will increase the volume and type of traffic entering and exiting the village and Ash Lane, at this blind and dangerous section of road.

There will be increased traffic due to the construction and later, ongoing servicing and maintenance of the installation. The traffic will invariably consist of larger vans and lorries which are totally unsuitable for such a narrow lane and junction.

Only last year, our 4 and 6 year old children suffered a near miss when a vehicle travelling up the hill, had to swerve to avoid a vehicle exiting Ash Lane, narrowly missing us as we walked along the road at this point.

Not only does the proposal fall within the Cotswolds AONB, but it is also in close proximity to and would be visible from, the Cotswolds Way National Trail. This Trail has been declared by the Secretary of State because of its outstanding Natural Beauty and is one of only 12 such routes in the Country.

Should such a visibly intrusive structure be encouraged near such a nationally important recreational site? Many walkers enter and also exit the Trail at this point and walk down Ash Lane to stay at various B&B’s within the Village. Again there is increased risk of conflict with telephone mast associated traffic. We urge you to please strongly oppose this proposal by Orange and encourage all villagers and users of the village to do the same for the sakes of conserving the Natural Beauty of this area as well as out physical and mental health.

To this end we will lend our total support to any efforts to ensure that this proposal does not go ahead.

Yours faithfully, Mr. Mrs Julie and Julian Bendle

Princess Day in Randwick

Before joining the Post Office march on Saturday (see previous blog) I joined the Randwick Wap Princess Day announcements.

Photos: Princess Day - crowd assembling for first announcements then out-going Mayor Sheila Bliss reading the new proclamations in the Vine Tree

This is the day that the names of Princesses, Flag Boys, Mop men, Mayor and more are announced in advance of Randwick Wap (click on label below to read more about Wap).

The whole group move through the village making the announcements at various points - first stop after the Memorial is the Vine Tree for food then down the road to the Carpenters Arms, stopping on route.

Over 100 march for Post Offices: is Paganhill PO also at risk?

Padre Brian (Randwick and Whiteshill churches) on Saturday led well over a 100 people marching from the top of Stroud High Street around the town to finish at the Sub Rooms for speeches - all political parties spoke about the need to retain these post offices.

Photo: March - sadly my camera expired again so no more pics than this one!

John Marjoram was particularly eloquent when it came to talk of the bonuses of those cutting the post offices will receive if they make their target - sick - do they really have so little understanding of climate change, peak oil and the vulnerable users of POs?

The next date for diaries is Wednesday the 26th March at 9am there is going to be a demo outside County Hall - when the the County Council will be discussing Post Offices - whether to follow the Essex Model (see earlier blogs).

I have also just seen the submission by Stroud Town Council which has investigated the grounds for closure provided by Post Office Limited in its Branch Access Report for Uplands. The report by Cllr Andy Reed is an excellent summary of the issues and makes what should be a full-proof case against closure - particularly as it has also judged the proposed closure against the government's published access criteria.

The access criteria aims to avoid undue hardship for individuals. In addition to setting distance criteria for access in urban and rural areas, the government has stated that Post Office Ltd has to "Consider the availability of public transport and alternative access to key services, local demographics and the impact on local communities."

Here below is some of the Town Council's 5000 word report - point 10 will be of particular interest to our ward as the Paganhill Post Office may well be put at risk by closure of Uplands.

Uplands Post Office is an exceptional case in many ways. We strongly submit that in relation to the proposed closure of Uplands, Network Change has failed to fulfill the requirements of the access criteria on ten separate grounds. In particular, the proposal to close a profitable operation, lies in direct conflict to its stated objective of using the Network Change programme to make the Post Office network sustainable.

When asked in Parliament if he would give an assurance that no profitable Post Office would close. (Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee; Third Report - Post Office Closure Programme - Feb 2008), Mr Alan Cook, Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, stated: "It is clearly pretty illogical that we would want to close something that is making a profit ... We need to be sure that every one we close, produces a material saving to Post Office ltd. There will be no post office that closes, that does not produce a material saving to Post Office network."

In light of the first 11 Area Plans, the Rural Shops Alliance completed an evaluation of Post Offices where the consultation process concluded that closure was the wrong option. Their document highlighted the access grounds on which it was argued that closure was not acceptable. We have used these grounds as the basis on which to judge whether Uplands Post Office meets the access criteria. Of the 23 Post Offices offered a reprieve in these first 11 Area Plans, of the 14 access grounds given, no single office hit more than four. The submission of Stroud Town Council is that Uplands Post Office fails the access criteria on eight of the 14 grounds, plus two other unique factors not mentioned elsewhere. At the public meeting held in Stroud on February 27th, both Postwatch and Post Office Ltd urged respondents to provide factual information to support any objections. The main body of the Town Council's response provides such evidence, underpinning each reason supporting our case that the closure the Uplands Post Office contravenes the government's Access Criteria.

The ten reasons are as follows: 1. Public transport is not available. 2. The topography of the town makes access on foot impossible for many existing users. 3. The distance to the nearest alternative will be considerably above one mile for a high percentage of existing users and mean that approximately 20% of people in the Stroud urban area will be more than a mile from a Post Office. 4. Access to the suggested alternative office by car is poor, making it particularly inaccessible to disabled and business customers. 5. The existing community served by the Uplands office has significant areas of deprivation and a high percentage of vulnerable customers. 6. 50% of the Post Offices serving Stroud have already closed in recent years. 7. The suggested alternative Post Office is unable to cope with any extra business. 8. Around 700 new homes are to be built in Stroud in the next few years including 165 on a site opposite Uplands Post Office. 9. The existing office is profitable and sustainable. 10. The unusual structure of Uplands Post Office means that closure will risk the viability of the other sub post office in the town.

Uplands Post Office is a unique facility, which provides a profitable and sustainable service to a community with a high percentage of vulnerable people. These will be unable to get suitable access to the nearest alternative. It has provided a valued and essential service to the community for more than 150 years. Instead of closing its doors forever, Post Office Limited should be working with its customers, the current Postmaster and the town council to develop and secure its services for the next 150 years.

Staverton: meeting planned

Last week the discussion by Gloucester City Full Council of the Airport expansion plans was deferred at, it seems the request of the Airport. See my letter today to press here.

Cartoon: another cartoon from local scribbler Russell

This is disappointing as the only sane option open to the Council is to knock the plans on their head for good. However at least with the extra time we now have a commitment that the Council will meet protesters to hear their side of the story - something the Joint committee completely failed to do - a shameful disregard for democracy, real consultation and more - anyhow Alison Parfitt had this letter below in The Citizen on Saturday - it covers the issue well:

Throughout the bitter controversy surrounding the development proposals at Gloucestershire Airport, local councillors, especially the Lib Dems, have consistently claimed they would not allow the airport to expand. The airport itself has also claimed its plans don't amount to expansion and that noise levels would stay the same. These claims have always been ridiculed by protesters.

In case you ever believed the 'no expansion' statements from the airport I refer you to Cheltenham Borough Council's Cabinet announcement on February 12, when it relayed news from the airport that a cap of any less than 100,000 flights a year could limit its viability.

The current figure for flights in the business plan is 88,000 - 12,000 extra flights a year is a big expansion in anyone's book. So the airport, using your money and mine, has briefed us incorrectly throughout this sorry episode. But full marks to the Gloucester City Council scrutiny and overview committee for rejecting the airport's proposals on March 3.

How revealing it is that in response, an airport spokesman suggests that the airport will press the council to see the "right" decision is made (Citizen, March 5). So just who is calling the shots - the airport's staff or our councillors? We should not let the airport hijack democracy like this, and we should certainly not give the airport a one-way ticket to expand.

Alison Parfitt, Cheltenham

Petition Brown to meet Dalai Lama

The Prime Minister it appears is refusing to meet the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, when he visits Britain in May, clearly concerned at the displeasure this would cause to the Chinese government and subsequent trade implications.

Image: Tibetan flag

This is an issue I feel very strongly about - in the early 80s I spent a month in Tibet and also heard the Dalai Lama speak in India - since then I have supported the Tibetan people's hopes for more independence.

It seems shocking to me that Brown is happy to condemn the governments of Burma and Zimbabwe, but remains silent on the appalling human rights record of China, specifically in Tibet. The Chinese government is subjugating the whole population of Tibet, and attempting to destroy the whole Tibetan culture - the current protests in Tibet and suppression (China is sending in troops and sealing off the region today) is deeply worrying - I would also like to see our Government support the Dalai Lama's call for an immediate end to the repression of Tibetan protestors and support the Tibetan peoples' demands for national independence.

In a year when China is hosting the Olympic games and doing all it can to present a clean image to the world, it is essential that this image is challenged and the real brutality of the China regime is exposed. Please sign the online petition, it only takes a minute. Already over 8,100 have signed - we need loads more to make an impact. Please pass this link on.

The Canadian and Australian prime ministers have agreed to meet the Dalai Lama in spite of the anger this will cause to the Chinese government.

See the on line petition at:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/DalaiLama/

See also Avaaz petition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/6.php

To find out more about the situation in Tibet:
http://www.freetibet.org/

Glos floods not caused by climate change?

A recent analysis of the severe floods which hit us here in Gloucestershire last July found that they were exceptional events that cannot 'readily be linked to climate change'. Many of us including experts and even Gordon Brown suggested they could be due to climate change and a harbinger of similar summer-time flooding to come.

Photo: Ruscombe view

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, analysed flooding trends for the last 40 years and found there appears to be a trend for less summer flooding, but more rainfall in winter. Terry Marsh, of the centre said: "Due to the inherent variability of the UK climate, any extreme hydrological event cannot readily be linked directly to climate change." He went on to say that a historical perspective showed how extraordinary last summer's floods were.

However the increase in winter flooding would fit with predictions from some climate modellers for wetter winters and drier summers - but this research says it is impossible to say definitively that the apparent trends in the data are down to global warming. Sadly some media reports seemed to shift focus to say there was no proof of climate change - a point made by a Labour party supporter who phoned me from Gloucester today on this issue. He was disappointed by the reports and the failures in the media to even report on the research properly....

Anyhow while important, this research should not be taken in isolation - it only looked at 40 years and other research indicates that with climate change we will see more extreme and more unusual events. This research is definitely not evidence that climate change is not real! It may well be that this is not one of those events which is directly linked to climate change. The report suggests on the basis of the 40 years of records that the risks maybe lessening in a hydrological sense, but we should not forget that our vulnerability is going up massively due to flood plain development - a point recognised by the authors of the report. It is possible and indeed likely that with wetter winters, the frequency of ground water flooding in vulnerable areas may increase.

Willow Elfins saved

A couple of weeks ago the Woodcraft children's group (6-9 year olds) that I have been helping with hit a crisis - the wonderful leader, Catherine, who had been running the group had always warned us that she was leaving but then had to leave 5 weeks earlier than planned.

Photo: Woodcraft badge and climbing wall in Gloucester

We had a crisis meeting for the group which currently meets in Uplands hall but used to meet in Randwick Village Hall. Those of us at the meeting divided up the tasks and we each took it on ourselves to lead one of the sessions - at the moment only 12 children are registered but we will go up to 20 but wanted to be sure we were totally confident about running the sessions first. There are always 2 leaders (CRB checked etc) and often more than several other parent helpers - children come from across from Cashes Green, Randwick, Paganhill, Uplands and more. We have a waiting list but there maybe room in the summer - call the Stroud Woodies membership line on: 07504 349199.

Anyhow last week I took the easy option and offered to help with a puppet show project - the only trouble was that just before we were to start the two 'Venturer' helpers who had been organising the session dropped out - help! It was OK - puppets had been made the previous week and I was well used to playing games - the puppet shows themselves also worked out - one group following a Cinderella story while the other making their own up about fighting over toy cars and the need for sharing.....

This Thursday was the big trip - a session in the Warehouse Bouldering room in Gloucester - lots of fun indeed - in fact almost as many parents there - although they were not as adventurous as the children! Next week it is Cookie cooking.

Read more about Woodcraft here.

Post Office demo tomorrow

Don't forget the Post Office demo tomorrow in the High Street, Stroud from 12.45.

Cartoon: another from local scribbler Russell

Anyhow Sports Relief is on - I just discovered when the cartoon arrived - have to wonder about these 'extravaganzas' as they do so little to really look at why people are poor in the first place - where for example is the analysis of our unfair trading system?

It seems almost an abuse of people's good will - yes I am sure the money is spent well and this is great - very great for those receiving such life-changing funds but I would love to see us really analyse and work on how we can make a permanent difference - no doubt too threatening to those with much too lose - OK abuse is too strong a word but surely we should be looking at the whole picture? OK I'm too tired for this blog entry - another day - See my comment re Live Aid a couple of years ago here.

Eco-Warrior? Moi?

'Stroud Life' the new paper from The Citizen stable (see last two blog entries) features Green Mayor Cllr John Marjoram as an Eco-Warrior alongside wind entrepreneur Dale Vince and myself. Read my entry below and John Marjorams here.

Photo: Who is that guy?

I have to say I'm not so convinced I am worthy of the title - Green activist and campaigner maybe, but I do not have the glorious history or tales to tell about swimming with whalers or climbing coal-fired power stations. Certainly direct action is wholly legitimate in certain situations - read more below - and I have been a part of that but eco-warrior conjures up more glamorous activities. Although talking exotic I do remember once distributing Kanak independence leaflets over a weekend in the 1980s in New Caledonia - a Pacific island that remains a French colony today.

The French police took a very, very dim view of such activities - such literature I was informed was banned and I was inciting violence - far from it - I was advocating non-violence - sadly the issue remains one that virtually no one in this country is aware of....anyhow enough of this perhaps more of that in a blog another day...

Philip Booth, 47, has been a community activist and campaigner since his teens. His recognition of the need for urgent social and environmental change led to him being elected in May 2006 as the Green Party District Councillor for Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill.

Philip moved to the Stroud area from Bristol in 1993, brought by the countryside, the creative energy and work. Then, he was managing services for adults with learning disabilities, but Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME meant he was himself disabled for a number of very difficult years. As health slowly returned the pen was the main tool of action. Seven years ago he became the Green Party's Press Officer, and still makes daily updates to the Green Party's website as well as keeping his own blog, Ruscombe Green (2000 visitors a month). He also works part time as a Community Mental Health worker.

Philip passionately believes that social justice is central to environmental justice and much of his work is based upon the green principle of acting locally while thinking globally. His enthusiastic involvement in a wide range of local activities includes a vigorous campaign to stop the expansion of Gloucestershire Airport, promoting energy efficiency and renewables, improving the water quality of our brooks and fighting the introduction of ID cards.

Philip has supported many non-violent direct actions and sees them as a legitimate form of political activity when traditional forms are blocked. Citing the example of airport demonstrations, he points out that scientists are virtually unanimous in saying we need immediate action on climate change, yet the Government still plans massive airport expansions.

Philip thinks that many eco-warriors and 'greens' could do more to focus on the positives of a greener life. He says we're sometimes seen as concentrating on negative campaigns such as being anti-nuclear, when in reality we are about creating a greener, more just and more enjoyable world. He is convinced that stronger communities, secure energy supplies, warmer homes, healthier food, and clean, safe, reliable public transport are all possible.

He sees eco-warriors as coming in many different forms and guises. He says the clock is ticking on climate change and whether eco-warriors are championing local food and insulating their homes, or demonstrating in trees, they are needed more than ever for a better world.

Philip's blog has been listed amongst the top Green blogs and linked to sites like the New Statesman, and is found at: http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com

(you are already at the blog if you are reading this!).

'Stroud Life' hits the news stands

'Stroud Life', the new paper from The Citizen, mentioned in the previous blog entry had an item by Green party Euro candidate looking at where are the decent knickers - well that was largely what it was about - see Molly's full version here. There were several other features of interest - and it had a refreshing feel to the paper and covered a fair few positive stories - lots about why folk are proud of Stroud including the Farmers Market (see photos) - the editor even wrote:

"I would say that Stroud is arguably the proudest town in Britain with its unique sense of community. Its people, of course, are at the very heart of that pride. They are proud of their town, the surrounding countryside and the music, art and culture which are its lifeblood."
Ian Mean, Editor

One comment I tried to leave on the website was regarding the question "Is Stroud the Greenest?" - for some reason it wouldn't register so here is what I tried to leave:

Stroud can claim to be green in many areas but we do have a very long way to go. Many other Districts are doing better than us in for example recycling rates, public transport, home insulation or putting renewable energy on new developments. Nevertheless there is a whole host of exciting local projects like the co-housing, the country's best Farmer's Market, Bisley's Community Composting project, the Coffee House Discussions, Transition Stroud initiative, the Community Supported Agriculture project, the award winning Green Shop, Fairtrade status, demonstrations against war, the energy company, Ecotricity, Community Land Trusts and so much more.

Indeed the whole area has a history of radicalism like Paganhill's anti-slavery arch (1833), the Tolstoyan anarchists who burnt the property deeds at Whiteway Colony (1898), the Stratford Park Trees saved from Tesco and in the 1980s electing one of the countrys' first Green party councillors. All this is an excellent basis for becoming the greenest town and leading the way for a better future for all of us. Let's work together, let's do it! Cllr. Philip Booth

Communities want streets not transport corridors

Here's a letter sent early this morning before I went to work - 'Stroud Life' is The Citizen's new paper - they've also been giving it out free around the town today.

Cartoons courtesy of 'Local Scribbler Russell'

A big welcome to 'Stroud Life'. One issue I am sure future editions will cover is traffic. Indeed every local paper reports communities across the Five Valleys like Whiteshill, Randwick, Chalford, Nailsworth and more are trying to cut speeds while others like Painswick are petitioning to end huge HGVs thundering through their Parish.

The Citizen reports a 17% rise in county traffic between 1997 and 2006 - five percent higher than the national average (i). The forecast is 5.7m more cars on British roads by 2031(ii). For many, our roads are already "traffic hell". We know we can't go on like this. Traffic is destroying our communities, our health and our environment.

The government must end it's huge road building programme, which their own research shows only leads to more traffic. We should reward responsible motorists by abolishing the Road Tax, which provides no incentive for less polluting travel choices. Instead shift the responsibility onto fuel duty. Money can then be invested in good alternatives to driving (iv).

Forward-thinking Councils are planning town or Borough-wide 20 mph zones: a pedestrian has a 50-50 chance of surviving being hit by a car driving at just above 30mph, but a 95% chance at 20mph. Isn't this justification alone? Yet research also shows 20 mph leads to more pedestrians and cyclists using our roads.

We need a shift in thinking: 20mph should be normal. We need better road designs and enforcement, but most of all we need leadership to make it a reality. Communities want streets not transport corridors.

Cllr Philip Booth

Notes: (i) See The Citizen 18.01.08 (ii) See The Guardian: 'Warning of roads hell with 6m more cars by 2031' http://www.guardian.co.uk/transport/Story/0,,2165914,00.html (iii) Lewisham Borough's full report 'Alternatives to Individual Car Use in Lewisham', which contains the committee's recommendations, can be found at: www.lewisham.gov.uk/overviewandscrutiny (iv) The 20mph speed limit was one of a number of measures to encourage people to ditch their cars and use healthier, safer and cleaner transport such as cycling, walking, car clubs and public transport. We also need new planning rules to guarantee showers in new workplaces for cycling employees, more tax-free loans for workers to buy bikes, expansion of free cycle training for children and adults, more parking for car club vehicles, and police must do more to tackle reckless motorists and cyclists.

A seedy business

The Green party recently organised a Seedy Sunday in Stroud - a chance to swap seeds and eat cake - it also raised a little money in donations but also hopefully highlighted why it is important. I've for some years tried to save seeds but it is a little more complicated than just collecting them - there are different ways for different plants and some need to be grown certain distances apart to guarantee they grow true ( I had an excellent book which I lent and it was never returned - can now only see it secondhand for £99.99!!).

A recent issue of SchNEWS covered much of the story - see here article and copied mostly below.

"Seeds are the very beginning of the food chain. He, who controls the seeds, controls the food supply and thus controls the people."
Dominique Guillet, Kokopelli

Amazingly last month in France, the independent seed-saving and selling Association Kokopelli were fined €35,000 after being taken to court by corporate seed merchant Baumaux. Their crime was selling traditional and rare seed varieties which weren't on the official EU-approved list - and, therefore, illegal to sell - thus giving them an 'unfair trading advantage'. As the European Commission met this week to prepare new legislation for seed control, due in 2009, which will further restrict the geographic movement and range of crop varieties, this ruling will set a dangerous precedent.

Kokopelli, the non-profit French group set up in 1999 to safeguard endangered seed strains, may be driven out of existence by the fine. Their focus is biodiversity, food security, and the development of sustainable organic agriculture and seed networks in the 'global south'. They have created one of the largest independent collections in Europe - with over 2500 sorts of vegetable, flower and cereals. Other non-government seedbanks are held by large agro-industrial companies like Limagrain, Syngenta and Pioneer - and guess what their main interest is money rather than starving subsistence farmers.

You may think that in an era of mass extinction it would be a no-brainer that we need to protect biodiversity and the heritage of the crop varieties which have been build up over centuries... but no. Since the 1970s, laws in the UK and Europe mean that to sell seeds, the strain needs to be registered - and everything else becomes 'outlaw' seeds, illegal to sell. In the UK it costs £300 per year to maintain the registration and £2000 to register a 'new' one - which all disadvantages smaller organisations.

Garden Organic in the UK run a Heritage Seed Library (www.organicgardening.org.uk/hsl), and they get around the law by not selling 'outlaw' seeds, but getting individual gardeners to become 'seed guardians' who pass around seeds for free to other members of the Library (I've been one of those and it is amazing the seeds you can get). Unlike other seedbanks, seeds are not kept in cold storage, but are living species which are continually grown and allowed to adapt to new environmental factors.

Another law-busting approach is seed swaps - which in recent years have sprouted up and down the country. People freely share seeds for another year's growing - a co-operative way of maintaining genetic diversity. Most are around February - see www.seedysunday.org for the remaining events this year.

DIGGING THE DIRT

There's so many types of potato - why not just use the best ones and forget the rest? Seed varieties which have been developed over the centuries have adapted to environments, and the genepool has to survive unforeseen factors such as pests and diseases - or climate change. The Irish potato famine was caused by an over-reliance on blight afflicted spuds, or, to take another example, a variety of cauliflower grown in Cornwall was abandoned in the 1940s for a French cauli which gave a higher yield, but turned out to be vulnerable to fungal ringspot - but the old ringspot-resistant Cornish type is now extinct. Limiting the varieties means limiting the genetic base - presumably to leave GM technology in the clear as the only option.

While mass extinctions are taking place in natural ecosystems, the same has taken place in domesticated seeds. Today there are only half a dozen apple types grown in the UK, down from 2,000 a century ago. Over 90% of crop types listed in the US have been lost in 80 years, and China now grows fifty types of rice, down from 8,000 just twenty years ago. The whole human population is supported by just 30 main crop varieties - a recipe for disaster.

LIFE INC.

Originally laws regarding seeds were brought in during the 1920s - mostly to regulate quality and make sure they did what they said on the tin, and not disease ridden, full of stray weed seed or stones. At the time these laws were a good thing but guess what! It's all been twisted around and now companies use these and subsequent laws to get control of the market. By cutting out the independent networks of farmers, gardeners, and independent seed-sellers - on a worldwide scale - ten companies now control two-thirds of seed distribution. And which companies are we talking about? It's yer bio-tech giants like Monsanto and Syngenta. Unsurprisingly governments around the world are building up the legal framework to support these firms.

When you register a seed type, potentially anyone growing it is liable to pay you royalties - making 'intellectual property' out of plants which have evolved over thousands of years. These companies take an interest in the myriad of varieties with a view to splicing genetic traits into other types, and take out patents on the genetic content. Monsanto have a European patent on a type of wheat which is derived from a traditional Indian one, the sort used to make chapatis.

These same companies are narrowing the market down to the few mono-culture crops they are flogging, reducing diversity. Once farmers limit theirs to these few types - often hybrids which produce defective seeds - they are forced to return to 'the man' to buy next year's seed rather than being able to save and use last year's. This is the next thing down from the prospect of 'terminator' seeds - genetically modified to be sterile, and deliberately unable to supply future yields. The farmers were in a far stronger position with their traditional varieties which were open-pollinated, carrying a wider genepool, and better able to adapt to new conditions and diseases.

SEWING WILD OATS

Seeds - and ultimately the control over production of food - becomes another front in which communities and individual farmers across the world have to fight against the forces of neoliberalism and corporatisation. Via Campesino - the international peasants movement - held a gathering last weekend in Austria, bringing together small farmers from sixteen countries on 'food and power'. They are increasing networking and solidarity amongst farmers across the world both to protect biodiversity and increase the sharing of crop choices and farming techniques. And it's not just the corporations and large-scale agro-industry they are up against - due to climate change they are being forced to adapt quickly to new environmental factors and more than ever need to pool knowledge and resources. For more see www.viacampesina.org

JUDGEMENT DAY

But don't fret - whatever catastrophe, armageddon or ecocide befalls us, measures are at hand to make sure that if we survive a nuclear winter or total desertification, we'll be able to recreate a bucolic paradise: On 26th Feb Norway opened the Svalbard Global Seed Vault on the island of Spitsbergen in the Arctic circle. The vault is over 500 feet inside a mountain, and 130 metres above sea-level - in case the polar ice caps melt. Seeds are stored at below -20 degrees in moisture free packs and it is claimed that many will last a hundred years - longer for some cereals. Maybe after all the cyborg mutant terminator seeds have all long since sprouted legs and run off into the sunset, the traditional common-or-garden varieties will be the ones saying, "I'll be back". See www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault

Post Offices: update on District Council's view

I can't make Cabinet meeting tonight so in haste I put together some comments re the item re Post Offices. Non-Cabinet members are allowed to ask questions but this is not a forum for discussion so in someways it is easier to raise the issues in an email.

Photo: Glorious pheasant - OK nothing to do with post offices but he was splendid

Tonight they vote on delegating writing the report re post offices to a Council Officer and endorsing an investigation into supporting village shops and post offices. See also my post on 6th March re Saturdays protest in Stroud.

I would like to give a huge welcome to SDC for looking at this important issue. Post offices provide so much more than access points for postal services – they are a community hub, especially for the elderly, disabled and less mobile. Closing them will force many of our most vulnerable and isolated residents to lead more difficult lives – and push many local people into their cars.

I would like to make a number of initial points below re the District Council's response to Post Offices Ltd and in their considerations about the ways forward - no doubt most of these you will have in hand already - all the best - Philip

Cllr Philip Booth

1. The Councils previous response to the consultation re Post Offices made some important points but missed mentioning Climate Change and Peak Oil as reasons to support local services. I am sure these will be mentioned in our next response.

2. Of interest is the New Economics Foundation's Local Multiplier analysis applied to post offices in Manchester. It reveals that:
- For every £10 earned in income, the post office generates £16.20 for its local economy – including £6.20 in direct spending on local goods and services.
- Based on in-depth analysis of Manchester post offices, this means that each post office contributes in the region of £310,000 to the local economy each year, of which £120,000 is direct spending on local goods and services.
- In addition, nef’s analysis reveals that each post office saves small businesses in their direct vicinity in the region of £270,000 each year.
While clearly the figures will differ significantly for our local post offices, this is still an issue to raise. The new economics foundation study from a few years ago is at:
http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/lastpost.aspx

3. Explore the moves made by Essex County Council (which apparently are also being looked at by Gloucestershire County Council) to save their Post Offices by offering community postal services alongside ‘one-stop shops’ for council services. We could be negotiating with Post Offices Ltd and the Government to develop a new financial model to keep these post offices open, on a self-sufficient basis, into the long term.

4. Explore further options to support small local and especially rural businesses. Ideas that were raised at last years Policy Panel included reduced business rates, more help with diversification, possible help re the formation of cooperatives to take over existing enterprises and a review of the current grant system that is considered by some as too small to be of value.

My previous personal response to consultation here.

Can China ban the color Orange?

German Green party member Cem Özdemir has emailed Green lists regarding an appeal to support the initiative The Color Orange - a global manifestation for human rights during the Olympics in China - wear something orange - read more here:
http://www.thecolororange.net/uk/page21

See also Peter Tatchell today on airp ollution in Beijing here.

Time2Talk in Cashes Green

The Community Hub has been renamed TIME2TALK and relocated to Cashes Green. TIME2TALK is a range of free housing related support and advice for the over 60s with support needs. We can help with advice on benefits, finances, dealing with councils and other organisations, form filling, safety in the home and accessing other services.

Photo: Ruscombe fields one morning last week

This service is provided by Scheme Managers and available to everyone over 60 with housing related support needs who live in Cashes Green. Contact: Pam Pemberton 754173

Update on mast proposals for Ash Lane, Randwick

See my blog for 4th March 2008 for more info on the proposals re the mast for Ash Lane Randwick. My response to Orange is enclosed below - this is only an initial consultation but I already have had two letters and six emails expressing dismay at the plans for a mast at that site.

Photos: Entrance to site for mast at Ash Lane - new gateway maybe of concern re cars using it to park in at night to eat take-aways etc.

It is interesting to recall that Cainscross Parish were 'consulted' last year about a second mast opposite the Prince of Wales on Cashes Green Road, this was a T Mobile one (my blog has more details). The Parish responded that they couldn't see why that chosen site was any more favourable than the alternatives that they listed. However the mast folk still followed on with an official notification several months later, so it would appear that like the post offices, the initial consultation is unlikely to make any difference to their decision.

As noted in the previous blog they don't need planning permission but they still have to give a
'prior notification' which is dealt with by SDC in a similar manner to an application in that they send it out to us for comment.

In the case of the Cashes Green mast there was already one mast on the opposite pavement - rather than being a reason for not having a second one, it seems to have set a precedent for
siting an additional one in the same location. As a local person commented to me, the second mast seems even worse because it is on the pavement by Sunny Hill but the bungalows are set up on the bank making them practically level with the mast head. However diagrams of the beams viewed at the time strangely appear to show it at its highest intensity further out than that...

Anyhow the Local Plan encourages mast sharing but many of the Local Plan policies also seem to have loopholes and according to the company in the Cashes Green case it wasn't feasible to share the existing mast. Whether that would have been a good idea or not is debatable because it would still have doubled the output from the health point of view, but perhaps we can surmise that in order to share they would have had to make the existing mast bigger or replace it with a single larger one which would have needed planning permission, whereas the different companies can install any number in one place as long as they are all under 15 meters even though the Local Plan says they should share to discourage a proliferation of masts.

Cainscross Parish is very densely populated - the most dense in Stroud District - and the only bit that isn't, is the bit that's in the AONB which is Doverow Hill, so the Parish Council understandably responded that they would prefer it to be located in the AONB because at least it would be away from the residential area and they also requested it be disguised as a tree like some masts have been.

PPG8, the planning guidance on phone masts, of course directs companies away from the AONB and as some claim they can't oppose masts on health grounds, the LPA can only comment on the visual aspect, so the Local Plan also says that they shouldn't be visually intrusive and talks about the impact on the local countryside without specifically mentioning the AONB, which is why they get away with putting them in built up areas. So it's a bit ironic to see that another company is now applying to put one in the countryside up above Randwick.

T Mobile's agent's response to Cainscross was apparently that the mast met all the official guidance on the health risks so there was no point in meeting them to discuss other locations if they chose to ignore the guidance. It is also worth noting that the Cainscross mast is quite neat - the one proposed for Ash Lane is meant to have up to 5 dishes (3 initially if I remember right)....anyway here is my response to their initial consultation:


Radio Base Station proposed for Ash Lane: reference GLO136 Atten: Martin Grey, Orange PCS Limited, The Point, 37 North Wharf Road, Paddington, London W2 1AG

I have received your letter that Orange mobile phone network hope to put a 15 metre mast at land adjacent to Ash Lane, Randwick. I have sought initial comments from a few residents and have received several very strong letters arguing against this site.

Firstly, having considered this site I believe it would be very visually intrusive for a mast - not from all angles but particularly looking east/west. As you know this is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and this proposed mast will impact on views from many sites.

Secondly you note that you have tried to find alternative sites. I would be very interested in knowing where you have considered as I would imagine there are a number of sites that are less visually intrusive than this site and further from people's homes.

Thirdly it was my understanding that the Government's Stewart Report sets out that the maximum beam of intensity should not fall on any part of a school premises. I hope you can confirm this is not the case, but equally I am very concerned that a number of homes will be effected by the beam.

I would welcome your views on this. I hope very much that you will reconsider this proposal and look instead at other more suitable sites. Yours sincerely, Cllr. Philip Booth

Happy 100th birthday to new Green party member

Kathy Dimock who just joined the Green party (see here) - the first political party she has joined - celebrated her 100th birthday last week.

Photos: Citizen report of Kathy joining the Greens last month

Kathy had two crowded celebrations the day after each other, and a church service. Her daughter commented in The Citizen: "She enjoyed every minute of it. She had a bit of a rest in the middle of the day on Saturday. Then on Sunday there was the service for Mother's Day at Holy Trinity, she went straight on to the party and stayed until 9pm at night. She slept most of following Monday but now is as spritely as ever."

Family and friends from all over including Australia, Bangkok and Spain travelled to be with Mrs Dimock.

Born in 1908, she has lived through both world wars and the reigns of 19 British prime ministers. It was a great privilege to meet her at the recent Green party AGM.

Don't forget shipping emissions

The Guardian's report last month reveals shipping's contribution to climate change. In short: it's big and growing. Below is what Paul Kingsnorth says on his new blog about it - he has a point...

Photo: Advert in shop highlights our consumerist culture

But in defence of local airport campaigners and others let us not forget that aviation is the fastest growing and the emissions at higher altitude make them very much more dangerous - plus for Glos folk, aviation is a big local issue - we have local Councils owning an airport that hopes to expand - whereas we don't have coal-fired plants planned here yet or major shipping - having said that he has an important point and as regular blog readers will know, issues like coal-fired power stations have featured on this blog.

Forests great - but we need more than that - we must change our lifestyles and economies - shipping like aviation is basically about consumerism - and the message? Buy less, consume less, reuse more etc - isn't that again about telling people what to do - certainly as I've said before and many times we need to get across the message in a more positive way...anyhow here is Paul Kingsnorth...what do you think?
This is interesting because, in the ongoing battle to target the villains in the global emissions game, shipping has escaped almost unscathed. Keys have been scratched down the paintwork of SUVs, camps held outside airports, power station chimneys climbed and locked onto. Yet all the time the world's vast container ships, backbone of the global economy, have been going about their merry business polluting the planet in order to bring us the latest straight-to-landfill must-haves. And nobody's said a thing. But the most interesting thing about this story, to me, is this: This graph - which is also badly-scanned, not to mention wonky - is the big story. It compares the relative emissions of aviation and shipping - and look which comes out on top. Shipping produces 4.5% of global industrial emissions; aviation just 2%. For a while I've been increasingly uncomfortable about the green movement's intense and, I think, irrational focus on airline emissions as a major target for their climate change campaigning. I think environmentalists have made a big mistake in making this such a major issue, and I think they're going to regret it. Why? Firstly because, as this report shows, aviation is not the biggest problem. Car traffic is a bigger problem. Home energy wastage is a bigger problem. Forest destruction is a bigger problem. Shipping, it seems, is a bigger problem. Aircraft emissions may be the fastest-growing cause of emissions, but they're not the biggest, by a long chalk. And how fast are shipping emissions growing? Does anyone even know? I doubt it. But this is not the main problem. The main problem is a typically green refusal to try and grasp human psychology. Flying is, I think, to most people, one of the great unalloyed benefits of 'progress.' People love it - not the journey itself, perhaps, but the destination. We can go to places our grandparents never dreamed of, cheaply and fast. People love this. They will cling to it, and do. Going all-out to tackle flying, in this context, is effectively an attack on peoples' aspirations. Once again, the greens end up looking like they want to stop people enjoying themselves. Out comes the puritan instinct, so badly-hidden, and suddenly we're all playing I-fly-less-than-you in public. It turns people off. It's dull and lentilly and counter-productive. So why do it? It's not politically sensible. It's not tackling the biggest problem out there. It alienates people. If you really want to stop climate change (and in my view it's too late, but feel free to try) this is a suicidal way to do it. It resurrects all the old doubts people have about the greens and, instead of inspiring them, makes them feel guilty. If I was running Greenpeace, say, or Friends of the Earth or any other big cheese green NGO, I know what I'd do. I'd take virtually everyone off my aviation campaign, and stop beating the public around the head with their desire to take their kids on holiday (oh, and did I mention that most of the environmentalists I know fly far more than Joe Public ever will?) I would put all of those people to work on my forests campaign, and I would shift the main focus of my climate change work from something negative to something overwhelmingly positive: protecting the world's rainforests. This is a win-win-situation. The great forests of the world are falling, still, at a rate of knots. Climate change or no climate change, this is a planetary tragedy. Stop the destruction and you help stop climate change anyway. You also save thousands of species, the homes of tribal peoples and the last untouched wildernesses of the Earth. Best of all, you give the public a positive message: 'help us save the great forests and stop climate change', rather than 'don't go on holiday and stop climate change.' That would make sense to me. Granted, it wouldn't give us the familiar thrill we get from telling people what not to do - but it does seem far more likely to actually work.

Save Your Sorry Arse

The planet said environmental campaigners should change their slogan from 'Save the Planet' to something more relevant such as 'Save Your Sorry Arse'. See more here.

Brook latest and drinking water

Last week we had another Ruscombe Brook Action Group meeting. Things are moving ahead nicely - Severn Trent are now doing flow monitoring in sewers along the Randwick Tributary - this could lead to relining there as well. Other projects like improving grit bins, advice to householders and more are also moving forward. We also have a walk planned along the brook for 5th April to get to know it better and see any new problems - anyone want to join us?

Cartoon: Ruscombe Brook: now without sewage for most of the time - cartoon courtesy of "local scribbler Russell"

The other news is that a research student, Ilaria Pretto, from Trento University in Italy, is looking to take on to produce a report on a holistic water management scheme for both Slad and Ruscombe Brooks. She will be undertaking a Masters degree in Environmental Management, looking at traditional land management, community control, renewable energy, public health issues etc. She will build upon the work already done by Ismaila, the previous Masters student. The work will cover the upper reaches survey, consultation and costings, which are actions for this project. She will have additional academic support from Professor Lindsey McEwen at University of Gloucestershire and will complete work by September 08.

Anyway while on water, blog readers will know I have had a go at bottled water on this blog. Stroud District Council is alright as they don't use it, but Panorama recently found that councils spend a staggering £5 million a year on bottled water. High spenders in the South West include Bristol City Council (£53,000, including the cost of sanitising water coolers and dispensers) and Swindon Borough Council (£34,668) and Herefordshire (£25,000). The Western Daily Press quoted Green Party councillor Charlie Bolton who slammed Bristol City Council for spending so much on bottled water. He said: "I go to council meetings and at every one there are upturned flagons of water in plastic bottles, dispensed in plastic cups by the dozens. It's totally incompatible with being a Green Capital of Europe."

How good is drinking water?

Yet drinking water does not appear to be as clean as we are led to believe. In the US a vast array of pharmaceuticals including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans. See article here. The concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose. Nevertheless we have to ask what are the long-term consequences to human health?

Interestingly the Stroud Water Research Center, in Avondale, Pa., (no relation as far as I know to Stroud, Gloucestershire) has measured water samples from New York City's upstate watershed for caffeine, a common contaminant that scientists often look for as a possible signal for the presence of other pharmaceuticals. Though more caffeine was detected at suburban sites, they were struck by the relatively high levels even in less populated areas.

Users of bottled water and home filtration systems don't necessarily avoid exposure. Bottlers, some of which simply repackage tap water, do not typically treat or test for pharmaceuticals. The same goes for the makers of home filtration systems. Pharmaceuticals also permeate aquifers deep underground. The article points out that contamination is not confined to the United States - and indeed we know of fish in UK waterways that have changed sex and more. Our waterways are I am sure very similar.

All this leads to yet more support for using reedbed systems that can help remove pharmaceuticals from our sewage. This is something the brook group have been advocating for the problems locally. Clearly we also need more research in this area to establish what risks, if any, there are from these traces of drugs.

New 'deep green' website

Here is a new website which seeks to give a 'deep green' analysis of the world as well as provide resources for all those fighting to protect it. its address is
http://www.ecological-sustainability.info/

I've found some useful stuff - although dislike the fact that it has to be downloaded to read - especially the cartoons which take a while on my slow broadband - but great to see them there - it was only last week I was bemoaning on this blog that there were not enough 'green' cartoons around.

Here is what they write about it: "There is considerable material posted already and lots more to come. The Ecocide bibliography, for example, will help the Earth's friends to refute the 'denialists' who think that there is no real danger and that environmental conservation is some minor luxury. By contrast the The Sustainable Society bibliography gives what may well be the most detailed set of references to the means by which a more ecologically durable and socially fulfilling way of living might be constructed. It covers a huge range of sub-topics from wildlife conservation to urban design. Green Roots. essay provides a very accessible overview of the growth of environmentalist thought. As you can see, book reviews will be a major feature of the site. A string of cartoon add some variety.

The theme of overpopulation runs across the site. Soon-to-be-posted bibliographical studies includes ones on 'Energy', 'Agriculture', 'Transport', 'The Built Environment', 'The Crisis Within Society', 'Education', 'Mass Media', 'Political Ideas', and War and Peace'. A major essay on the mismatch between existing political units and the underlying biogeophysical regions is also nearing completion. Future book reviews include Ben Barber's Consumed plus a feature review on 'econovels'. An appreciation of the great photographer Ansel Adams is scheduled. Feedback about specific material and the site as a whole will be most welcome. We really would appreciate any publicity you can give us. The file 'About Us' gives some background about our project. Best wishes Sandy Irvine (Mr.)

Great Bustard spotted at Oldbury

Many will know I have numerous concerns about the operations at Oldbury (click label below for more info) - but here is some good news - the largest flying bird in the world has moved into the grounds of a nuclear power station. A female great bustard, a species once extinct in Britain, was spotted yesterday at Oldbury Power Station, South Gloucs - and already it’s been nicknamed Nuke.

The birds, weighing up to 20kg, are being re-introduced to the UK by the Great Bustard Group, based at Salisbury Plain. Apparently Great bustards became extinct in Britain in the 1840s due to overhunting.

Randwick Village hall £35K eco-renovation

A couple of weeks ago the news was out that Stroud District Council has awarded £34,840 towards the ambitious £71,000 village hall revamp.

Photo: Wap last May with village hall in background

Hopefully a further £19,000 will come from the Low Carbon Buildings Fund - more grants also submitted - all this will go towards double glazing, upgrading of loft insulation, installation of photovoltaic cells on the roof and a ground source heat pump to power a modern central heating system by extracting heat from the earth one metre below the playing field.

The scheme will eliminate £1,200 heating costs a year - indeed with forecast energy prices it will be much more of a saving. Plus it will produce £500 pa through selling the excess electricity back to the grid - again this could be more in future.

The hall will be a showcase for low carbon technologies - the two schemes will save 7,500kWh of commercially generated electricity per year. Huge congrats to the committee who have worked so hard on this - a huge achievement.

The hall will hopefully ready in September?? This could possibly tie in with the plans I am working on with Transition Stroud to open homes and other buildings to the public - see my blog of 7th Jan this year.

War costs reach astonishing £3.297bn: march on Saturday

In the same week when the UK sees a major anti-war demo (15th March in London) the Commons reports on the financial costs of such exercises.

Photo: Banksy message

This is, of course, only one of the costs of the war - others include collateral damage, the death and maiming of thousands both here and abroad etc. But it is thought provoking when the same government is driving through cuts in the welfare and health budgets, how much these foreign adventures cost.

The Commons defence committee said operational costs for this financial year were now forecast to reach an amazing £3.297bn - a 94% increase on last year. See BBC report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7287525.stm

Kate Hudson, the chair of CND, is quoted as saying, "The human cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are clear with an estimated 655,000 dead in Iraq alone, but the opportunities lost by spending these billions on further destruction rather than on humanitarian reconstruction adds to the long list of tragedies unleashed by Bush's wars."

Joseph Stiglitz, the former chief economist for the World Bank and a Nobel laureate, recently estimated that the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would be somewhere between $5 trillion (£2.5 trillion) and $7 trillion for the US alone - with another estimated $6 trillion being spent by other countries.

Join the march

The World Against War demonstration in London will be on Saturday 15 March - called by Stop the War Coalition (of which the Green party is part of), CND and British Muslim Initiative to mark the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion - sadly it is so necessary - especially as the problems seem to be growing.

- Six years of war in Afghanistan has brought ever increasing levels of death, destruction and chaos to its people - a top intelligence officer in the US military blurted out the truth: the war is a disaster and the invading forces are facing defeat. (See http://tinyurl.com/26wraq)

- Despite British troops being effectively confined to barracks, the death of another British soldier in Iraq reminded us that Gordon Brown continues to sacrifice people's lives to bolster his political support for George Bush's "war on terror". Meanwhile, Bush's poll rating in the US has sunk to 19 per cent, the lowest ever recorded for an American president. Read more from Paul Rogers here including re the virtually unreported missile attacks on Somalia.

- It was also extraordinary to read the Government getting the High Court to issue a gagging
order on ex-SAS officer Ben Griffin, who revealed how extensively involved Britain is in the kidnapping and torture policies used by the US in secret prisons around the world. (SEE video of Ben explaining why he has spoken out: http://www.stopwar.org.uk/)

I would strongly urge support for this march on the 15 March to ensure that the voice of the
majority is heard, specifically in the call to bring all troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan now and for an end to the atrocities that Israel inflicts every day on the Palestinian people.

Waste: IVC or AD

Glos Friends of the Earth Network made a very useful contribution to a Cabinet meeting looking at waste - in reply to a question from a Cabinet member they were asked for details of the green waste collection at St Arvans.

Photo: View across to Doverow Hill and Severn from Paganhill

Basically St Arvans is already reaching very excellent targets but they need to be looked at closely as they pick up green waste - and as I've noted on this blog many times that is not the best way forward...In April 2007 their recycling/ composting rates were :- Recycling 22%, Green waste 55% (including cardboard and food) Refuse 23%.

Basically green waste collections at St. Arvans are collected with cardboard and food because this collection is taken for In Vessel Composting. FoE in their letter said they understood "that green waste is needed for the efficient performance of In Vessel Composting systems (IVC)."

See my email to Officers and councillors in response re IVC and AD (anaerobic digestion):

Just a note regarding the FoE letter re St Arvans -green waste is not, as suggested by the letter,needed for 'efficient performance in IVC's- infact many view them as a poorly performing option in terms of the carbon footprint. The EUNOMIA report expands on this in detail - their findings are consistent with my understanding of SDCs current position ie that green waste should not be collected -if you have a big enough garden to produce it, you have a big enough garden to compost it in - the best environmental option by a long way.

Howeverwhere it has to be collected[for reasons of political expediency mainly] it should be windrowed - it doesn't need to be IVC'd, and you add anextra carbon burden if you do.

Also, the food waste doesn't need the green waste - after all, green wastecarries a far lower gate-fee, and you don't need to ensure the pathogen kill that you do with food waste - so why tie up expensive infrastructure treating a material that doesn't need treatment to that standard?

Food waste is best AD'd -infact I have seen figures that 30kt of food waste sent to IVC means a net avoidance of 450 CO2 tonne equivalent emissions whereas AD means 6,450 tonnes. Given that collection arrangements are the same AD offers a considerable CO2 saving.

I understand St Arvans may use the Wormtec facility at Caerwent which some consider is not a 'bona-fide IVC' - it uses time and lowest temps possible and probably need the green waste to sop up liquid coming off food waste? However purpose built plants do not do this.

GCC have already signed a contract woth Cory for IVC. What room, if any, is there for SDC using AD? All the best - Philip

Campaign to save bees

I've written a fair few blogs re bees so just to keep folk up to date here are a couple of useful links:

The British Beekeepers' Association have called for for a five-year £8m research programme to save the insect from colony collapse disorder. See here.

Pat Thomas has done an excellent article re bees which was in The Ecologist last year - a shorter version is now online here.

60 months left for action on climate change

The Royal College of Physicians had a conference recently entitled "Climate Change and its Impact on Health" with a top flight range of speakers.

Cartoon: courtesy of local scribbler Russ - it is time we embraced wind turbines and much much more

The good news is that the entire thing including the speaking to go with the slides is available online - grab a look while it is publicly visible:
http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/event/ArchiveEvent/0801Climate.aspx

Speakers included Tom Burke (RTZ), Sir David King (ex Govt Chief Scientist), Lord Adair Turner (ex CBI head), James Hansen (NASA) as well as senior medical professionals. I hear that as they were speaking away from their usual cautious parent bodies there was a broad
consensus that things are far more serious than any of the 'official' (eg IPCC, never mind govts) bodies have dared to say publicly.

The news seems to be that all of these people from a broad range of industry and govt 'get it' and see we have a very serious problem. 60 months (now just over 58) is suggested as the window of opportunity for serious action to be in progress to avoid disaster. That means that the present shower of politicians have got to be made to act, and act fast - no good waiting for an election to change things, we simply have to engage with and work with what we've got. Even waiting to see if a new US president an offer some changes in 11 months time is wasting precious time.

The formal speeches to listen to on the website apparently give a good flavour of the event - I hope to catch up with them over this weekend. The good news is that there is still optimism that we can turn things around - 59.6 months to get going.

Dark biofuel cartoon

I came across this dark cartoon by a local cartoonist - even he wasn't sure about it - but I'm not so sure if it isn't getting a little too close to the reality - I have only just got around to reading the recent report from a coalition of environmental groups highlighting the dangers of palm oil production for the global monoculture biofuel industry.

The report, Losing Ground, published by Friends of the Earth, Sawit Watch and LifeMosiac, highlights the social and environmental problems that often arrives in areas of the world allocated for growing biofuel crops.

This report addresses the very critical issues surrounding the global rush to large-scale agrofuels - and let me point out that is what I am talking about here. Indigenous communities around the world would eventually be threatened with severe food shortages since there will be no space left for subsistence farming. Furthermore, every litre of palm oil from a former rainforest does more damage to the environment than a litre of petrol. The benefit of producing biofuels is negligible compared to the havoc it wreaks.

The report's conclusion finds that the unsustainable expansion of Indonesia’s palm oil industry is leaving many indigenous communities without land, water or adequate livelihoods. Previously self-sufficient communities find themselves in debt or struggling to afford education and food. Traditional customs and culture are being damaged alongside Indonesia’s forests and wildlife. Human rights – including the right to water, to health, the right to work, cultural rights and the right to be protected from ill-treatment and arbitrary arrest – are being denied in some communities. If palm oil is to be produced sustainably, the damaging effects of unjust policies and practices in the Indonesian plantation sector must be addressed.

Dr. Derek Wall the Green party Principal Speaker commented at the time: "Local people need land as sources of sustainable economic activity, we all need the forests to absorb CO2 and indigenous species, like our cousins the orangutan, needs them simply to survive in. This is often a matter of life and death for the world's poorest people, and we must keep up the pressure to ensure that biofuels come from sustainable sources which don't damage people's lives or our climate."

Now all that is very dark....To read the summary of the report, go to: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/losingground-summary.pdf

Benefit take-up campaign welcomed

One issue I have tried to push locally is ensuring people are claiming what they are entitled to...

Photo: Whiteshill today

.... our benefit system is a hugely complex and disempowering mess - in the past I have missed out on benefits when I was ill due to not understanding the system - anyhow locally the District Councils Benefits team is targeting pensioners in a focused take-up campaign.

At the moment, they are concentrating efforts on pensioners who already get pension credits and people who live in the Council’s sheltered housing schemes. The first hurdle is to help folk understand that Housing and Council Tax benefits are not ‘handouts’, they are genuine rebates to which many pensioners are entitled.

One example is a pensioner from King’s Stanley, who was reluctant to allow a visiting officer to see him. When they did they were able to give him almost £4,000 in backdated benefits and be £80 a week better off! This is money coming into the District and hopefully being spent locally to benefit our local economy - plus will tackle some of the 4.5 million people who are now in fuel poverty.

If you have elderly friends or relatives in the area with less than £16,000 in savings who don’t claim Housing or Council Tax benefits, ask them to give the team a call on 01453 754054.

£3 Million Unclaimed!

Let us not forget a whopping £3 million in Council Tax Benefit could go unclaimed every year in the Stroud District, according to the Government's own estimates. More than 40% of pensioners who are entitled to help with their Council Tax are unaware of it. More importantly it’s thought that half of those “missing out” are in the poorest fifth of the population.

One issue I raised a while back is regarding the complexity of the forms - simplification has been looked at - certainly the 40 page forms should be scrapped. In my view the rebate automatic should be automatic - I was hoping to see more improvements resulting from the Lyons Report - but I don't think I should hold my breathe - it notes 53% of eligible pensioners are not claiming - calling it a rebate rather than Benefit would help...

Many other Benefits also go unclaimed - clearly getting those entitlements would bring significant benefits to lower income people and more money circulating in the District. Greens advocate a Citizens Income (CI): an automatic, unconditional payment sufficient to cover basic needs to every individual, working or not with specialist benefits, such as disability and incapacity benefits paid on top. A CI is the most efficient way of circulating wealth, allowing maximum possible economic activity (within ecological limits), whilst eliminating unemployment and poverty traps (see more re policy here).

Neighbours now in Spain

My ex-neighbours Anne, Alan and their dog, Peppie moved out last summer to Spain - many local folk will remember them and they have now just sent me a link to their wonderful "Olvera Diary" blog.

Photo: Alan and Anne taken from his blog

They do an excellent job of showing us that area of Spain and I loved photos of the villages and the ones of the caterpillars and moon were also great. A very good luck to them in their new life - I look forward to reading more!

Here is how they started their blog: "My wife Anne & I and our old dog Peppie moved out to Olvera, Cadiz, Spain on Sunday 23rd July 2007 from Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, having sold up completely. At the outset I must say that this blog is not going to be a daily account of our lives here, just an as and when update of events and pictures of Olvera and it's surrounds. I hope it will enhance your knowledge of what is a truly beautiful place."

Painswick officially declared a Fairtrade town

Congrats to Painswick which has been officially declared a Fairtrade town after a four-year local campaign. The community now has enough shops and businesses offering Fairtrade products to meet the criteria for the status.

As regular blog readers will know the Fairtrade movement aims to give economically-disadvantaged producers from developing countries a fair price for their goods. Already locally Nailsworth and Stroud have signed up a while ago. You can read my comment to the papers about fairtrade from a couple of years ago here.

I remember well that when I was recovering from serious illness I got involved with the campaign in Nailsworth - and enclose below one of my first ever news releases - to get the press interested we turned it into a race between Nailsworth and Stroud for Fairtrade status - Nailsworth just won! More recently I ended up researching Fairtrade in London for a Green Hackney councillor to see if the last few Boroughs could be persuaded to make London completely Fairtrade - the campaign now has it's own website here: http://www.fairtradelondon.org.uk/

Anyhow it was very sad news to hear that Stroud will loose Bishopston Trading - a great shop - they will keep their other stores but Strouds will close - this is on top of the two Fairtrade shops closing in Nailsworth a year or more ago - the good news is that there is a lively bunch of folks who are working to put together another Fairtrade shop in Stroud. Good luck to them - we need such examples to make people aware of the unfairness of most of our trade.

Fairtrade has come a long way indeed - and it is also great to see them tightening up on their eco-criterias - although they do need to go further - read Guardian article here.



STROUD AND NAILSWORTH RACE TO BECOME FIRST FAIRTRADE TOWN IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE 12th May 2002

Both Stroud and Nailsworth Town Councils have passed resolutions supporting Fairtrade. Now to qualify they need to ensure a range of Fairtrade products are readily available in the towns.

Philip Booth, member of the Nailsworth Fairtrade towns group, says, “The race is on between Stroud and Nailsworth to become Gloucestershires’ first Fairtrade town. It will be a matter of who can first meet the criteria laid down by the Fairtrade Foundation. Both of us are well on the way, but I think Nailsworth is likely to get there first. The rules that govern trade are written and policed by the world’s eight richest countries, on behalf of powerful corporations. As consumers in Nailsworth we benefit from the exploitation of workers in many countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa. By choosing Fairtrade, people can show their commitment to a fairer world that enables producers to satisfy their basic needs.”

Freya Gledhill of Bishopston Trading and a spokesperson for Strouds’ Fairtrade towns group says,”Getting Fairtrade status wont be the end of it. We want to encourage more businesses and organisations to participate and get the whole of Gloucestershire County involved.”

450 words on why Staverton airport must not expand

The press rarely beat a path to the Green party's door so a lot of work is needed to get a Green perspective across - indeed debate is now missing on many topics as the three main parties have such similar views - but I am not writing about that now - The Citizen have asked for 450 words on Staverton Airport and the plans for it to grow...

Of course it comes when I am ultra busy and a deadline only a few hours away - anyway you can see what I wrote below - it is due to be in The Citizen on Saturday as the days' Comment piece - after all the Airport's views have been repeatedly expressed in the paper. However I have to say I was surprised they asked as the demonstration on Monday (click on 'Airport' Label below for more info) was well reported in the papers but the headline read: "Shock decision puts airport in jeopardy" and there has been a stream of articles supportive to the Airport for years.

Also many is the time the Green party's name has been dropped from the list of protesters - indeed Monday night we were not explicitly listed despite members coming from Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud Green parties - the only mention was the quote of Bryan Meloys as a Green party spokesperson - infact ridicule was also thrown at me on several occasions in the early days from the Echo and Citizen comments and quotes from the Airport - it was 5 years ago when I first challenged the airport's plans - see that original news release here - and a different picture to the one today - there is a now much greater awareness of climate change - still a long way to go though!

Anyhow delight occurred this week when for the first time the Citizen (who as noted have seemingly supported the Airport's plans) have come out against the growth in their editorial!! They talk lots of using the land for housing instead - although let us not forget it is greenbelt. Anyhow The Citizen also ran an online debate and filled a page yesterday with comments - including one of mine - see my comment here. Indeed I know many people have been incensed that our Councils could be supporting Airport expansion - I've had various emails - here's two:

Do you think the following statement is : 1 - true 2 - possible to defend 3- accurate 4- all of the above 5 - none of the above Staverton is an airport with 87000 flights per year, mainly by private planes. New services, introduced since safety concerns were raised (prove their is no real safety concern), provide very limited passenger flights to the tax havens of the Isle of Man and Jersey and at around £200 to Isle of Man and £150 to Jersey, those flying are not ordinary Gloucester tax payers like myself but perhaps rich tax exiles - ironic that it should look like the airport want public money to expand air services and make tax evasion even more convenient than ever. Bryan, Gloucester

We have to look to the future of limited air travel in order to reduce greenhouse gases leading to climate change. If every airport continues to expand there is no hope for reduction targets of carbon emissions in the UK being met. The cumulative effect of emissions from airport expansion makes the aviation sector the fastest growing source of carbon emissions in the UK. The Government has to move on from predict and provide of air travel and give stronger encouragement to alternatives of short haul air travel to rail. Hilary Burn, Bristol

One other comment I had recently from a Green party member is about the fact that we should also be focusing on Aviation Fuel Tax - as even if airport expansions are stopped flying will still increase - maybe not as much but still too much - pricing it properly is the only way to reduce flying. How can governments be serious about climate change when they subsidise flying at the expense of other forms of transport. It's not fair to motorists! BA announced this week that fuel prices will reduce profitability this year: BA paid a total of £900 million for fuel in 2002, but with oil at more than 100 US dollars a barrel, this figure is expected to be around £2.1 billion in 2007/08. It may be that fuel prices will cripple the airlines within a few years anyway but fuel tax is only fair (when compared with other modes of transport) and would bring the day of reckoning closer......anyway.....


Here's the 450 words on Staverton Airport:

Will Staverton's Airport expansion plans be remembered as a defining moment? The point we recognised that in a world with climate change and ever fewer oil supplies 'business-as-usual' is doomed?

The rejection of the Airport's proposals by Gloucester City's Scrutiny committee along with a County-wide derision of the Airport's report denying manmade climate change, shows a positive shift is taking place. Growing numbers see the planets future as more important than cheap flights and recognise the sheer nonsense of allowing Staverton's emissions to rise when every other business is expected to cut their emissions. I am hopeful this is the forerunner of real change and that rejection of the Airport expansion will be confirmed by Full Council.

Some may still peddle myths that climate change is not serious or urgent, but the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and it's peer reviewed analysis of 2,500 of the world's top climate scientists shows no such doubts. Climate change is deadly serious and critically urgent. Indeed many now view the IPCCs most recent and shocking report as being "too conservative'. Morally no one can support growth in aviation if they have read that report.

Even if we set aside the watertight environmental arguments against airport expansion there is also a watertight economic case. Why are taxpayers, who are already increasingly stretched, being asked to support and be liable for assets of an Airport? The risks for taxpayers having to bail out the Airport will increase with rising fuel costs and the introduction of taxes that ensure air travel pays for the damage it causes. Responsible businesses are looking at alternatives to flying, like video conferencing.

Disturbingly Staverton Airport have tried to mislead us, not just on climate change, but also by claiming the work is safety related rather than expansion. This contradicts the evidence of their own Business Plan which endorsed more and larger planes.

Equally disturbing is the councillor's Joint Airport Scrutiny Working Group report, which reads like it was written by the Airport itself. It contains no real analysis of the economic and environmental issues or consultation with the community. And what about the noise impacts of more planes? I applaud Gloucester councillors for seeing the report for what it was and recommending no expansion.

This week the Airport claims that the Cabinet have delayed a decision on the Airport expansion because of their private meeting with senior Council representatives. Let us hope this is the last spasm of this dying proposal. The extra time will surely only confirm the reality that the airport proposals must not go ahead. It is now time for an open discussion about the alternatives to airport growth.

Gloucestershire has a proud aviation heritage, let us now take a lead in common sense.

Cllr. Philip Booth (Green party)
Stroud District councillor for the Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill ward

Stroud Save Our Post Offices Protest

Just a note to publicise the protest on Saturday 15th March at 1.00 at top of pedestrian High Street, Stroud. Below are more details from the local campaign. See Green party views here.

Photo: Cainscross PO: one of the spared POs

Fight The Post Office Closures
The announcement by the government and the Post Office that 2,500 post offices are to close nationally will have a devastating impact on our communities, especially on the elderly, disabled and those with small children. In the Stroud area Ebley, Uplands, South Woodchester, Horsley and Forest Green post offices have been targeted for closure with 39 post offices and related services under threat in Gloucestershire. While our communities face these attacks and we are being offered the prospect of longer queues and journeys, Royal Mail’s directors have received £4.5 million in bonuses on top of their £2.5 million salaries. It is reported Alan Cook, managing director of Post Office Ltd will be paid a bonus of £1 million for delivering the post office closures on time. It’s time our need for good public services is put before the greed of big business.

Post office closures are part of the government attack on public services, allowing big business to boost their profits. Since the government brought in the Postal Services Act of 2000, the Royal Mail Group, the Post Office parent company, is run as a publicly owned commercial organisation, rather than a public service. Now Post Office Ltd tell us the postal network is losing money and has fewer customers and are proposing ‘Network Change’, a modernisation programme meaning huge closures. But the government are deliberately making the post office unviable. People were pressurised to accept payments of pension and benefits through bank accounts rather than post offices. Now we can’t buy TV licences, pay water rates and some gas bills at the post office and fewer post offices deal with passports.

Consultation or PR Exercise?
The government and Post Office Ltd claim a national consultation took place before the announcement of the 2,500 closures. We are told there will be an ‘in depth analysis’ of how post offices serve the community before any are earmarked for closure. There is a 6 week period of ‘consultation’ but the overriding criteria is profitability. Although the rigid Post Office formula means some post offices that make a profit, like Uplands, are also threatened with closure.

A letter was sent by the Post Office to those sub postmasters and mistresses under threat, saying they could lose their compensation if they discussed the closure with anyone. A 71 year old Northamptonshire sub postmaster refused to sign this ‘gagging order’ and it has now been withdrawn. The Post Office also admitted that the government has instructed them not to implement closure decisions in the run up to the local elections this May.

The consultation process appears no more than a PR exercise, for the Stroud area it officially ends on March 17th, but our fight will continue, as we saw with the Maternity Hospital campaign, it’s public pressure that forces a change in decisions.

We Need A United Campaign
This announcement of 2,500 post office closures is highly unlikely to be the last. Six crown post offices have been franchised to WH Smiths with plans for 70 more. Richard Handover, a Royal Mail director, was chairman of WH Smiths until 2005. The government is only committed to a measly £150 million per year to meet sub postmasters and mistresses salaries and infrastructure costs up to 2011. Then there’s no limit on the number of closures. In the last ten years 4,500 have closed. We are fighting for the very future of our postal service. The Post Office say if one post office is saved another must close, so it is vital for the campaign to unite against all closures. We do not want to be picked off bit by bit, our communities are worth more than big business profits.

Only by uniting campaigns regionally and nationally can we hope to challenge the government policy. In London 169 closures have just been announced, if a demonstration was called in the capital it could become national and unite campaigns across the country. The Post Office is deliberately rolling out the closure programme, with different areas affected at different times, making it harder to build a united national campaign to fight to save them. But if we don’t fight we will lose our postal service as we know it and public pressure can force policy changes. If the government can subsidise and nationalise the bank Northern Rock, why can’t it fund our postal service? Royal Mail’s directors bonuses alone could keep hundreds of post offices open.

Want to help the Save Our Post Offices campaign? E mail chrismoore61@yahoo.co.uk or phone 07810 732379

Floods inspire epic fable

While we are on the SNJ it was good to see some responses re the previous letter about population..

Photo: London digitally altered to show how floods might effect the City if the Thames barrier didn't hold

....anyhow another SNJ item that caught my eye was that the Stroud Theatre Company (whose registered address is in Ruscombe) has been commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council to produce a new play about young people's experiences of the flooding in Gloucestershire in the summer of 2007:

The play, to be written by playwright Mike Akers, will tell the story of the flood through the eyes of the young people who experienced it. The company are looking for 4 to 18 year olds who have a story, a memory or an experience about the floods that they would like to tell.

The story might be sad, funny, hair-raising or heroic. A professional playwright is going to write the play and in the summer the play will tour to local communities. Stories can be sent by post, e-mail, or can be onto a tape or CD and posted in. Or for groups, for example a class or a scout group, the writer can come and meet them and work with them directly. All the stories are needed by the end of March at the very latest.

To contact Stroud Theatre Company call 07950833190, e-mail phscg@tiscali.co.uk or write to us at Stroud Theatre Company, Lyonesse Cottage, The Close, Ruscombe, Stroud, GL6 6DE.

The Space Cinema Club

This week's SNJ had a good little piece on The Space Cinema Club - it was set up five years ago to show good films locally - and apparently in that time they've shown 7,740 hours of cinema!

Photos: Nothing to do with cinema but a wee while back I saw this artist Madeleine Town who lives Bath way (but at one point she did try to move to this area but the house fell through )- anyhow I love her use of pastels so much that I ended up having one on my wall

Rick Vick of The Space Cinema Club, who lives just in the Whiteshill and Ruscombe ward (although I think he is moving) gave a good quote about cinema which I've copied here - indeed they make you want to book to go to the Cinema Club right now....

"I THINK good films are more than entertainment. They have the potential to change your life. There's something unique about the cinema experience that is missing from just sitting on the sofa at home and watching a DVD. The lights go down and there's the flickering screen. People get entranced by the moving image and properly pulled into the mystery of it. And the atmosphere can be incredible. Sometimes people sit there right to the end of the credits, because a film has really grabbed them."

"Commercial films tend to focus solely on the feel good factor, but the sort of films we show offer that plus a real element of catharsis. They can get your guts in a bit of a tangle. And they can be cleansing in a deep soulful sort of way."

The club's new season starts this Sunday with Into the Wild. Directed by Sean Penn, it's "an exquisitely shot and deeply felt eco-road movie exploring wanderlust and the human spirit".
Coming up at The Space Cinema Club are Singer (Quand J'Etais Chanteur) with Gérard Depardieu, The Kite Runner, Lust, Caution, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and Bamako. Films are shown on Sunday nights. Annual membership of The Space Cinema Club is £2 and tickets are £5 on the door. Doors open at 7.30pm and films begin at 8pm. For further information call 767576. See more here: www.the-space.org

Concerns about patient records

Back on 21st November last year on this blog I raised concerns about patient records. I have now come across the NHS Confidentiality campaign which was set up to protect patient confidentiality and to provide a focus for patient-led opposition the government’s NHS Care Records System. This system is basically designed to be a huge national database of patient medical records and personal information (sometimes referred to as the NHS ’spine’) with no opt-out mechanism for patients at all. It is already being rolled out and is objectionable for many of the same reasons as the government’s proposed ID database. Here is what Helen Co-Founder of The Big Opt Out, wrote:

YOUR PRIVACY
Your medical confidentiality is at risk from this new database, as over a million NHS employees and central government bureaucrats will have access to not only your medical records but also your demographic details—name, address, NHS Number, GP details, phone number (even if it’s ex-directory) and mobile number. There is no opt out whatsoever for your demographic details. You can only have them hidden in special circumstances if the police or social services request it—if, for example, you are a celebrity or on a witness protection scheme. Many public and private sector workers will otherwise have access to your address and phone number, from social workers to pharmacists.

You will eventually be allowed to ‘lock down’ some of your medical details (though the security mechanisms haven’t been built yet). But although you can keep some of your medical details confidential from some of the doctors involved in your care, they can override this if they think it’s necessary, and there is no way for you to keep your information confidential from civil servants. You will no longer be able to attend any Sexual Health or GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) Clinic anonymously as all these details will also be held on this national database, alongside your medical records. For the first time everyone’s most up-to-date and confidential details are to be held on one massive database.

Every time you attend any hospital appointment or are admitted all your identifiable clinical details are sent to BT, without your consent. Yes BT the people who send you your phone bill! These details include your full demographic details, diagnosis, treatment, GP details, Hospital, Consultant details, whether you will be seen again, how long you were in hospital etc etc. Even your most sensitive details such as gynaecological surgery, sexual problems, prostate problems, cancer treatment etc are sent to BT. These details are put on a database that BT runs called SUS. BT then sends these clinical details out to the DH, PCT’s, Strategic Health Authorities and even Dr Foster. When the NHS Care Records go live this will include everything you tell your GP too, even your marital problems will be sent to BT.

This is nothing new it has been going on for years but the DH does not want patients to know it. Prior to BT taking over the database it was run by a private company in Warwick. The DH fully acknowledge that there is no secure basis in law for the use of this highly sensitive data without patient consent yet they are continuing to refuse to allow patients to opt out of this database. In one set of DH minutes the DH state they do not want a patient to legally challenge them over this.

See Helen’s story http://www.nhsconfidentiality.org/?cat=2 this is how I was labeled as an alcoholic. My MP had to get a debate in Parliament to get this completely incorrect data removed.

Radio Base Station proposed for Ash Lane

I have just received, recorded delivery, news that Orange mobile phone network hope to put a 15 metre mast up at land adjacent to Ash Lane, Randwick (UPDATE: I did not have the accurate location of the mast - see 20th March) I have until 13th March to comment to them on this proposal: similarly the Parish Council have been invited to comment along with any residents who may also want to express their views. I have therefore hurriedly thrown together this blog entry for the Randwick Runner....

Photo: Site for entrance to mast on Ash Lane and below diagram of mast

Orange have not yet put a planning application into Stroud District Council but will do so, after the response they get in this initial "consultation". I, along with the Parish and several residents have contacted some local people but clearly there maybe many others who also want to make their views know. The time frame is very tight indeed, but this is only 'consultation' by Orange and not part of the local authorities consultation process. Although it is worth noting that generally it is only masts over 15 metres that require full planning permission.

Orange note they have tried to find alternative sites but as far as I understand it seems they consider this site best meets their requirements. They have not let us know where else they have looked.

My initial view is that this site would be very visually intrusive for a mast - not from all angles but particularly looking east/west. I plan to view the site more closely but wanted to meet the Runners deadline so that residents can also make comments if they wish. Visual impact, particularly in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is the strongest argument against this mast. I would be interested to hear how people consider it will effect them/

Health risk?

As many will know masts have been linked to health risks. The mobile phone companies are very good at putting forward evidence that shows there are no risks. However the Government's Stewart Report took a more cautious approach and sets out that the maximum beam of intensity should not fall on any part of a school premises. The Government guidelines in my view fudge this by leaving loop holes that allow masts to be built even on school buildings. Furthermore planning regulations make it very difficult to challenge masts on health risk fears: indeed I have been told by some planners that it is not worthwhile raising health concerns.

A couple of years ago I attended a national Mast Awareness Forum in Dorset that included experts from the Government's Regulatory Body, the National Radiological Protection Board and a number of independent scientists and other experts. The evidence of risks is still mixed, but in my view there is sufficient evidence to be concerned. Some scientists for example consider that children under the age of 11 are at greater risks from masts as their skulls are not developed properly. In one previous Orange application, a mast beam of greatest intensity was quoted as having a range of 750 metres. I have not yet looked at a map to see which homes in Randwick that range might include, nor have I been able yet to interpret the pages of data sent to me by Orange.

Many of us have long called for more action on this issue and at the very least called for the precautionary principle to be applied (the Precautionary principle states that in the event of doubt, risk should be avoided or minimised). I will view the site in more detail but will most likely be raising concerns with Orange about the visual impact and asking about what other sites have been considered.

If you want to comment on the site please use reference GLO136 and write to Martin Grey, Orange PCS Limited, The Point, 37 North Wharf Road, Paddington, London W2 1AG - or email comments to:

I, the Parish and some residents have more detailed plans of the site and proposals. Do please contact if you want further information. I would also welcome views from residents. All the best - Philip

Update on bits and bobs

The last week has been as busy as ever and I've not really kept the blog up to date - also lots of bits like following up on Scrutiny stuff, making recommendations re Planning Applications etc - but here is a taster of some bits which I've missed plus some other local items;

Photo: Todays' Transition Stroud Business and Government meeting

Transition Stroud - I've had a couple of meetings regarding the Open Homes idea (see my blog on 7th Jan for background info). However today it was the Business and Government Group - feedback from the Think Tank and a recent local businesses meeting - much discussion on how best to reach more people re climate change and peak oil - astonishingly around 50% of smaller businesses don't see climate change as an issue - thankfully in contrast most of the big businesses have it as their number one challenge and opportunity. There is also still a failure to understand we need to break away from business as usual - anyhow lots of ideas and a strategy is being developed. See more at links on blog: http://transitiontownstroud.blogspot.com/

Photo: Mike Gallagher, local photographer produced a local calender - ironically February had a pic of the old Whiteshill Post Office - it was also the month the Government announced all the latest round of PO closures.

Local Post Office meeting - I didn't get to this meeting - but you can see more here. Stroud Town Council are also looking at how Uplands might be saved - possibly looking at supporting them.

Safe Water Campaign for Gloucestershire - with the news full of the Government pushing fluoridation I met with other campaigners at the end of last week (see my comment here) - we plan an open public meeting for 1.00 on Saturday 17th May in Stroud plus we are putting together a detailed response to the Strategic Health Authority. The biggest and most immediate concerns are Southampton who are pushing ahead with water fluoridation (see comment here) - if they win then it will make it easier for others to follow - please join us via our blog site here: http://safewatercampaign.blogspot.com/

Photo: Photo shoot last week - Green councillors met at Ebley Mill to have our photos taken for the leaflet being put together for the May elections - already meetings taking place to decide how best to get the Green message across to locals.

Prayers for Our Earth - Randwick Church have cards at the back of the Church prepared by the Diocese of Newcastle on a whole host of issues from climate change to light pollution. I came across them through the Gloucestershire Churches Environment Justice Network and passed them on for those interested.

Earthquake - last Wednesday's quake, one of the UK's biggest earthquakes for 25 years, seems to have awoken most people in the night but caused little other concerns - although one parent at Randwick School said a squirrel fell out of the tree onto their house roof. The British Geological Survey said the epicentre of the 5.3 magnitude quake was near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire - and was more powerful than the 2002 Dudley earthquake that registered as 5.0 on the Richter scale.

Start Growing Your Own Food - a local woman will be running two 6 week courses starting 11th and 26th March daytimes - call Helen Pital on 762957 for info.

Cashes Green children's centre - Families had their chance to influence services at their new £360,000 children's centre at Cashes Green. A stream of potential users of the new centre apparently dropped into an information event to add their ideas. Sheila Gallagher, who lives in Ruscombe, will manage the centre - she said people were interested in toddler sessions and access to health visitors to family learning, a toy library and a Dad's group. Ms Gallagher also runs the Ofsted-graded "outstanding" Park Children's Centre in Stonehouse (indeed they could make no recommendations it was so good!), said the Cashes Green centre will serve a wide area with families and children at the Foxmoor, Callowell, Whiteshill, Cainscross and Randwick primaries as well as at Cashes Green School. Parenting classes, food for families sessions and first aid courses were all requested, as were creative play sessions, space for child minders' meetings, and access to speech and language therapists. The building was finished and handed over in November. It has a large playroom that can be divided, an office, kitchen and toilets.

Gloucester Scrutiny sees sense over Staverton

This evening I joined some 25 protesters outside Gloucester City Council's North Warehouse on the docks where the Gloucester City Council Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee was meeting - we held a candle lit vigil for common sense.

Photo: protesters start arriving to be earlier enough to greet councillors

Amazingly they decided against supporting the Airport's plans tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I say amazingly because all the evidence pointed to their failures to properly scrutinise the airport's report - but it seems they have - and as we've known all along I cannot see how any fair person could come down in favour of airport expansion if they look at either the economic or environmental arguments. However we have not won yet.....

As councillors arrived we handed out beautifully wrapped presents - some words of common sense and copies of the CASE response to the JASWG report (see previous blog entries on this by clicking on 'airport' label below). Then many of the protesters went inside for public questions.

Photo: me in middle of protesters from three Glos Green parties, CASE, FoE, Plane Stupid, residents attached to no groups and the Glos Airport Action Group.

The case against holding the Airport debate in secret was made strongly, and the committee agreed to distribute a redacted version of their report to the public. The airport discussion, originally item 15 on the agenda, was also moved to the top of the list. The first part of the debate was held in public. It consisted of a presentation of the JASWG report by it's author, Cheltenham Councillor Steve Jordan - a report which I have to say is very poor indeed by any standards - it completely failed to address very reasonable questions raised by protesters.

Photo: Protest sign was still in foyer when I had to leave for another meeting

There then followed a question and answer session. Firstly Steve Jordan answered questions from the Committee. Then, bizarrely, the Committee put questions to the protesters in the public gallery. The second part of the debate, and the vote, were held in private. We assume that the issues surrounding the value of the airport land were discussed.

When the public were readmitted the Chairman informed us the the Committee's recommendations to Cabinet were (and these are notes gleened this evening from other protesters - hopefully minutes out soon to read in detail):

1. The Cabinet and Council agree that it is not in the City Council's best interests to provide land for the Runway Safety Project.

2. That the Cabinet and the Council agree that the City Council should not undertake borrowing for the Airport Company or provide guarantees for any borrowing undertaken directly by the Airport Company.

3. Whilst the Committee were not tasked with examining the environmental impact of the airport they are concerned that the impact has not been evaluated. The committee noted that the Council is highly concerned about global warming and that the airports contribution to global warming had not been taken into account.

The Gloucester City Cabinet will now meet on Wednesday 5th March to consider these recommendation of the Scrutiny Committee. The Cabinet could accept the recommendations, or make a completely different decision.

Grit bins: am I really writing about these?

OK recent blogs have covered drains now I'm on grit bins again - exciting stuff!!??? However it is often such things that give an impression of a neighbourhood - and sadly in my view our bins are not giving a good one. It should be Highways responsibility but they clearly have chosen the economy version....

Now both Randwick Parish and Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish are looking at Grit bins to see if things can be improved - good on them - blog readers from a while back will remember this is an issue I have raised before - not just aesthetic concerns but also the number of spilled bins - the salt washing away and having an adverse impact on wildlife and watercourses.

Photo series:
1. Puckshole bin rolling around in road after being vandalised along along with two other bins damaged.
2. Whiteshill yellow bin (ugly colour) and Ruscombe Road bin with salt contents spilt in the road.
3. Randwick bin salt leaking and unattractive and another spilt bin.
4. Missing bin in Bread Street and another leaning precariously.

Some of the bins have been vandalised - but how much more tempting could one of these bins be - often cited on corners they are almost waiting to be pushed over!

I have been trying to get details from Highways re their contracts - after being shown some very ugly bins I have been pointed to a number of possibilities however the yellow bins in my view are still v unattractive - there are other options - deep green sounds better - but I have seen some horrendous greens! I have now requested info on colour as the websites don't appear to have a good photo of the colour.

Clearly if both Parishes are buying it is possibly cheaper to buy together and may look better if they are the same or similar - also they can do a logo - could poss incl Highways hotline? Anyway more on this topic soon......

Eddie The Eagle, Hinkley deaths and Freeconomy pilgrim

I caught Points West online this evening - don't know how long it will be on the website but the three news items are worth a look...first up is the child deaths at Hinkley nuke (more below), then Eddie The Eagle Edwards returning to Canada (a couple of weeks ago he was plastering my next door neighbours house) then last up Mark Boyle who was hoping to walk from Bristol to India without bringing or touching any money - sadly he didn't make it this time but his ideas about freeconomy communities are worth a look here and are getting talked about lots.

Anyhow to view the BBC report go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/ Scroll down to find the icon titled "West" on the right hand side. Click on the link Watch the latest edition in full to run the video on your computer.

The first item yesterday (29th February 2008) features new research showing leaks of radioactivity from Hinkley Point nuclear power station near Burnham on Sea, Somerset in 1994 preceded a peak in infant mortality.

Earlier studies in Burnham on Sea showed increased breast cancer after the accident. The first leak was caused by corroded pipework. The second was caused by a failure to replace one part of the suspect pipe. When prosecuted for this "error of judgement" in 1995 station operators Nuclear Electric described the leaks as "insignificant" and "at the bottom of the scale".

The conventional radiation risk model predicts no discernible impact on cancer at such levels of exposure. Infant mortality is not officially considered as an effect of radioactive pollution. Radiation is thought to cause anomalies in the sex ratios of births - the proportion of boy babies born compared with girls. Normally, in England and Wales five percent more boy babies are born. The Green Audit report studied sex ratios in the data for Burnham North, the ward nearest to the most contaminated mud in the study area. The sex ratio was found to be abnormal, with nineteen percent more boys born, similar to the ratios found in the Hiroshima atom bomb studies.

In the report you can see Dr. Julia Verne, the current head of cancer registrations in south west England, claiming she found nothing when she re-tested the data "using the best methods". Her predecessor, Dr. Derek Pheby, disagrees: "This is a serious finding, and most unlikely to have arisen by chance. The likelihood is that something happened environmentally at the beginning of the period in question and it is very likely, although this would be difficult to prove, that the accidental releases of radioactive material in 1994 to which the authors [of the study] draw attention is implicated in this. Clearly this is a serious matter, which warrants further investigation. The South West Public Health Observatory [formerly the SW Cancer Registry] ought to take this seriously."

Julia Verne has denied the existence of radiation effects before and had ignored refutations of her flawed analyses. Curiously, after her earlier reports, she was appointed to COMARE, the UK Government's advisory Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment.