Humphrey's End garden open next weekend

Saturday and Sunday next weekend from 2 to 6pm the garden at Humphreys End House (Randwick) will open again - well worth a visit - and great to see them in the double-page spread in The Citizen on Saturday.

Here's how the Yellow Book describes it: "Different areas of contrasting mood and interesting planting surrounding listed C16 farmhouse (not open). A wildlife friendly garden. Pond area, old roses, grasses and organic vegetables"

Admission £2.50, Children free Open for charity.

Green bees graffiti for Green party

I just came across the Bristol Graffitti website - great stuff - they also carried a piece of work painted for the Green Party office in Old Market by Mark “Skip” Courtney - see here article and photo left pinched from that website - he calls them wasps but infact I am assured they are bees! The site is worth a look at some of the other blogs - and of course Banksy - liked this one here in the light of expenses row about wanting to be an MP!

Photo: Green party wasps and below a piece I saw and liked in Cinderford recently

Interestingly one of my previous blogs about art or graffiti is still the one being hit most - not sure why!! See it here - I wrote it in a hurry and wish I'd now spent more time writing something more useful and interesting!!

Eat lunch in the street

The Big Lunch - is an idea being promoted by the Eden Project for Sunday 19th July 2009. They are inviting you and all 61 million people across the UK to simultaneously sit down to eat lunch with your neighbours, in the middle of your street as a simple act of community.

Photo: Bread Street Street party last year

This is a great idea that a resident in Randwick pointed out to me - she is hoping to get a lunch going there - here's more below of what it says in the Big Lunch promotion. I have to say we are v lucky in this area with community events from the Wap, pancake races, the recent art exhibition in Whitesill etc etc - and later today the 'Hands Around the Lake' in Randwick at Court Lodge from 12 (sadly I will miss that) - they need 200 people to link all the way around then songs, words and bring your own picnic.

A new initiative run by the Eden Project, The Big Lunch encourages communities to come together through growing food and flowers; creating street music, art and theatre; dressing the street and, of course, cooking and eating together. The day after the Big Lunch, people will walk down their street and know someone in most windows. However, the legacy of The Big Lunch is much bigger than just the day after... The aim is to give people the tools to strengthen their communities through activities such as neighbourhood-watch; improving local amenities such as youth centres; taking care of the elderly or disabled; making imaginative improvements to the local environment; sharing resources from lawnmowers to cars; and supporting local charities both with money and volunteering time.

Organising a Big Lunch in your area is really easy. Available from April, The Big Lunch website and printed Ideas Booklet will take you through the process step by step, giving you the tools, templates and resources to make it as simple as possible. You’ll find inspirational ideas and top tips from our ambassadors on the website and you can find others planning a Big Lunch in your street or area by simply entering your post-code on our Big Lunch map.

To find out more visit www.thebiglunch.com or call 020 7636 8152.

We had a great street party in Bread Street, Ruscombe last year - see here. Not sure what plans this year - some noises being made about another - poss a lunch this time? We also had a great couple of days juicing in Humphreys End last year - see here. So if anyone has thoughts I think just go for it - we had a great response to the street party last year - I think 3 houses were away but over 35 homes participated.....so go knock on those doors!

I see others locally are also doing meal shares like Transition Stroud - see here - and in Whiteshill and Ruscombe there is one of those meals where you have a different course in each home...

'Water for Today' conference in Stroud

You will see from this flyer that Stroud's Communiversity has a whole day dedicated to the crucial issue of water - Tuesday 23rd June at The Exchange. You will also see that I have a slot to talk about the Ruscombe Brook Action Group.

We must start taking this issue of water more seriously - this conference is a chance to look at some of the key issues in more depth - water resources are under huge pressures even in this country; some 25 million people live in areas where there is less available water per person than Spain or Morocco. The average Briton now uses 148 litres (260 pints) every day. Climate change is expected to reduce the amount of water available in our rivers by up to 80% by 2050 in the summer, yet we face population increases. The transport, heating and treatment of water accounts for over 6% of the UKs carbon footprint. Using less water means we take less from the environment and cut the energy needed to treat it.

It is also crucially about the way we look after our brooks and streams. We need water management strategies that look to store and infiltrate water to protect us from floods and drought. This is about improved wildlife and water quality in our brooks, an end to sewage leaks and a joined up approach to water that includes changes to planning, farming and house building. It means an end to those of us upstream dumping on those downstream.

Worldwide around 800 million people don't have access to safe drinking water, and 2.5 billion do not have decent sanitation. By 2030, according to an OECD report, 3.9 billion people, around half of the world's population at the time, will be living in bad water scarcity.

And that doesn't even take into account the likely impact of global warming.

Changed weather patterns will cause rain and snow to fall away from the traditional areas where they feed rivers and lakes and are captured by dams - or are held back by flood dikes and levees. By 2050 forecasts indicate there will be nine billion of us, compared with 6.5 billion today. How will we feed them? How will we provide water for them, given that we waste and pollute so much of the precious substance today?

Book now for your place on the day.

Staverton Airport yet another step closer to expanding

The Bank View Farm redevelopment was approved by the Tewkesbury Borough Council's Development Control committee today, despite the planning officer’s recommendation for refusal. Shameful. This means Staverton Airport's plans to expand are yet another step closer. See my most recent blog here.

As regular readers of this blog will know, the Airport's four planning applications were discussed at the April Planning Committee meeting. The Committee decided to permit three of the applications. A decision on the Bank View Farm application was deferred until a later date to allow council officers time to assess the Airport's recent revision to their application. The revision has reduced the size of the replacement agricultural buildings.

The deferred application was looked at today and passed. Below is a letter from one of the campaigners earlier this month - I am not sure if the Airport now has the crucial bit of land? However apparently campaigners still have a few things up their sleaves.

On 1st May you reported me and other demonstrators opposing the expansion of Staverton airport. I was proud to be opposing the unpopular developments which have been widely rejected by communities, such as neighbouring parish councils. It is also worrying that Liberal Democrat Councillors, even from Churchdown, have betrayed people who elected them by approving the expansion plans. This is NOT a good example of local representative democracy. Your report, thought, missed a grand irony in all this – that the airport do not own or have access to crucial land it needs for one of its developments. So there has been all this struggle, Councillors in long meetings, much expenditure on consultants and Council officers time. But the airport actually applied for one of the developments on somebody else’s land. And that person has sent an objection to the development plans. Does this extraordinary arrogance from the airport indicate what we can expect in future? Where will it all end? Meanwhile, - the airport expansion plans will mean more jets roaring above us, coming lower over Cheltenham, and yet more helicopter hell. Liberal Democrat councillors do not seem to care about this or any of the other concerns about emissions, value for money etc. Luckily, plenty of good citizens still do, even if they have not been properly represented in this decision making. Alison Parfitt

Stroud Festival of Nature

Saturday 18th July is Stroud Festival of Nature - I sadly can't be there but wanted to give it a little plug here on this blog - it is going to be bigger than last year with many more contributers looking at all aspects of the environment from renewable energy and recycling to wildlife and conservation. There is room for more stalls if you are interested...See more at:
http://stroudnature.co.uk/

Cashes Green Hospital site: make your comments known

Cashes Green Hospital site planning application is in - view papers here - comments etc need to be in v soon - the proposal includes the 'erection of up to 78 dwellings, parking, open space (allotments, local area for play and ancillary open space), ancillary uses and associated access works'.

Photo: the old allotment site

Two weeks or so ago I went the Cainscross Parish Council AGM and haven't had time to catch up here. Firstly it is excellent news indeed that it has now been agreed that 50% of the housing should be affordable. Originally the whole site was going to be but this has been seriously threatened to the point where I was starting to think we would get the minimum. It is also exciting that it is an innovative project putting together the affordable bit....it is clearly quite difficult getting the thing to stack up financially - especially when there will already need to be a substantial amount of grant funding to build the properties.

However despite all the probs - it would be wonderful to establish a housing project with higher levels of sustainability, land for food growing, community gardens, orchards and open space...however there are a number of issues I raised at that meeting...in v brief here are a couple of key issues below that spring to mind re the plans...I will be talking to Officers next week to find out more re other issues I will raise...

- Allotments - we can call for restoration of all the original site of allotments - already Cainscross is the highest concentration of houses and has the least green spaces in District. We need more areas to grow food.Indeed their is now a petition out to collect signatures to protect this site of allotments.

- I am not convinced that traffic measures on the Cashes Green road have been properly considered - we need a 20 mph on all surrounding roads esp Cashes Green Road

- I am also wondering if there cannot be a better way of integration with Hollybrook - I thought at one time there was talk of changing boundaries

Joanna Lumley says vote Green

Joanna Lumley, who shamed Ministers into changing their minds over immigration rights for Gurkha veterans has asked people to cast a vote for the Green Party in the European Elections. She said "I urge you to cast a positive vote for a better future by voting Green in the European elections."

Ricky Knight, lead candidate for the South West and on course to become an Member of the European parliament said, “It is an honour to be endorsed by Joanna Lumley. She has been named as the female personality the public would most like to run the country. Her campaign to get just treatment for Gurkha veterans was overwhelmingly supported by the public.”

Joanna Lumley concluded, "Greens were most likely to bring about real change."

Philip Booth commented: "Abolutely Fabulous!"

Two other 'celebs' who I have time for have also endorsed Greens recently - comedian Mark Thomas - see his video here and in a short film, Frank Cottrell Boyce, the Liverpool-based screenwriter and author - whose acclaimed films include "24 Hour Party People" and "Welcome to Sarajevo" - explains why after voting Labour all his life, he's backing the Greens in this election to stop the BNP in the North West of England.

See links to some of the national coverage re Joanna here.

Letter to SNJ re MPs expenses

Here's my letter below which went out this evening - not sure if they'll print but they have printed other parties views on this issue so I'll keep fingers crossed.

Cartoon: not sure where this came from but was in amongst emails - thanks to whoever created it!

Letters in the SNJ critical of some MPs expense claims, remind us that politics is not naturally corrupting (27/05/09). Some have claimed the row is creating "an anti-politics mood", but is it politics the public are against, or the behaviour of some self-serving politicians?

Campaign group Open Europe have just rated Caroline Lucas MEP, leader of the Green Party, as the best British MEP on transparency, accountability, democracy and waste, while Britain's Green Party MEPs were ranked above the groups of all other British parties. Indeed the Greens have been instrumental in trying to make the information about MEPs’ expenses public. Outrageously their efforts were blocked by representatives from the other political groups and the information was kept under wraps.

It is perhaps not surprising that a YouGov survey this week says the Greens are the most trusted politicians and viewed as least likely to put financial interests before the interests of their country. While a YouGov poll found 34% said they were either definitely going to vote Green or would consider voting Green in the European elections (iii).

Britain needs a new vision. Greens are the only party in this campaign that have presented a positive vision for the future. Perhaps the Green Party's million-jobs manifesto, for tackling the recession and the climate crisis at the same time, has struck a chord with the voters? These elections might yet signal a desire for positive change.

Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Green Party.

Local archaelogical project gets funding boost

I was delighted to hear that Gloucestershire amateur archaeologists will get £12,000 grant towards their LIDAR project - this is something I have supported - see more on previous blogs here including it's use in Whiteshill, Ruscombe and Randwick. Below is how the SNJ reported it yesterday....

Photo: Painswick Beacon taken from SNJ site

AMATEUR archaeologists will be able to make new discoveries in the Stroud district by using cutting edge technology to look through dense woodland thanks to a £12,000 Lottery grant.

Ancient earthworks, burial mounds and habitation sites, roadways and even Civil War emplacements are just some of the features that can potentially be revealed by the latest airborne laser technology called LIDAR. In the past, aerial photography has been a way of detecting features in the landscape but its weakness is its inability to see what lies beneath dense woodland. But LIDAR uses laser beams to detect and measure physical features on the ground covered by trees and undergrowth. Gloucester and District Archaeological Research Group brings together amateur archaeologists with professionals at the County Archaeological Service and local heritage groups and individuals interested in archaeology.

The lottery funding, from the Awards for All scheme, means they can now use LIDAR to discover and research undetected features in Gloucestershire. A LIDAR survey covering certain parts of the county has recently been carried out and the data is now available for recording and interpretation. Parishes for which LIDAR data is available include Painswick, Woodchester, Cranham, Upton St Leonards and Standish.

Work is initially planned to concentrate on land belonging to National Trust. The grant will pay for the raw LIDAR data to be processed, for the equipment needed to assess the evidence on the ground and to provide training for volunteers. It will provide hands on experience in interpreting the LIDAR images and recognising and recording potentially interesting sites on the ground through a range of activities such as field-walking, geophysics and earthwork surveying and documentary research. Training and supervision will be provided in all the techniques required.

Anyone interested in being part of the group or for more information can contact either Tony Roberts at the County Archaeological Service on 01452 425705 or Ann Maxwell of GADARG on 01386 751662.

Cameron rejects electoral reform

David Cameron's sudden conversion to the parliamentary reform agenda is very welcome, but his outright rejection of proportional representation suggests he is not serious about the revival of democratic accountability. See our local Green party news release here with a comment from me urging support for the Make Your Votes Count campaign which has just been launched this week - please consider joining me and many others in lending your support for an electoral system that means your vote will count: www.makemyvotecount.org.uk/ref2010

See also my comment here re news that Greens are most trusted to put Britain before self and are now polling at 11% plus with 34% of voters saying they will consider voting Green.

Greens ranked top on transparency, accountability, democracy and waste

I've just returned from a camp with 96 other Woodcraft Folk in Nailsworth at teh wonderful Thistledown Centre - loads of fun but it is back to the last days of the Elections campaign and today the story is about Caroline Lucas MEP, leader of the Green Party, who has been rated best British MEP on transparency, accountability, democracy and waste - plus Britain's Green Party MEPs were ranked above the groups of all other British parties.

I've just helped to put together a press release to help get this info out - there is so much disillusionment with politics it is important that folk know there are those in politics who believe and act on accountability. Anyhow see here comments by myself and Ricky Knight, Lead-Euro Green party SW candidate.

The research was done by Open Europe who have published a ranking of all 785 Members of the European Parliament, scoring their record on promoting transparency and reform in the European Union over the last five-year term. While Greens were at the top the bottom nine places in the Open Democracy survey were occupied by four Conservatives and five UKIP MEPs - with the tenth-worst British MEP slot being held jointly by UKIP leader Nigel Farage and an MEP each from Labour, the Conservatives and the LibDems.

The revelations about MPs’ expenses is just one more symptom of how far the system is failing us. As I've said before "Greens want to change this fundamentally, to make the system fairer, more open and more accountable. We want politics to work with the community, for the community. The natural place for decision-making is as close as possible to the people affected. The current crisis offers a wonderful opportunity to make this happen!"
You can see more comments re each party on the MPs election expenses scandal here plus a brief statement video re Greens on expenses here.

A Guardian poll found 27% of voters are planning to support a minority party. It puts Greens at 9% of the total vote, while Ukip is on 10%, leaving the BNP way behind on just 1% – considerably down on the 5% the far-right party achieved at the last European elections in 2004. Ukip's standing is lower than its 16% vote share in 2004, and still surprising given the party has been beset by infighting, MEP expense scandals, resignations and a low profile during recent years. Our 9% share is three points up on our performance last time and suggests we could be set for our best performance since 15% of the poll in the 1989 European elections.

I've just heard a new poll which we can release on Thursday puts Greens at higher than 9%.

Swine Flew and flu

Loved this photo - not sure where it came from but great stuff! I last mentioned Swine Flu here - an equally good photo there - Greens have been for some while echoing scientists concerns that factory farming helped lead to swine flu - another factor which is just coming to light is that the man who helped develop the Tamiflu flu anti-viral drug believes the swine flu epidemic has been caused by human error.

This guy, Adrian Gibbs says the H1N1 virus may have been man-made and was passed to humans after a handling mistake at a laboratory. He suggests it has escaped from the laboratory - the strain apparently mutates three times faster than the most closely-related viruses found in pigs, which suggests it had evolved outside of swine.

This, of course, is not the first time a virus has ‘escaped’ from a laboratory - just this year the avian flu virus made its way into a consignment of seasonal flu vaccines, which were destined for around 18 countries in Europe. Some scientists also suspect that the Russian flu outbreak of 1977 was started when a virus was accidentally released from a laboratory.

Tory defeat on committee numbers

Full Council last night - I got there just after 6pm and we didn't leave until 11.15pm - a long meeting with some interesting moments...there is much, much I could write but have little time before work so a few highlights...

Photo: Ebley Mill from Randwick

Chas Fellows was again elected Leader of the Council despite some rumours about other Tories trying to take over.

The Tory amendments to the constitution on planning were withdrawn after much vocal opposition - as noted before on this blog changes are needed to planning but not the ways that are being proposed - furthermore other measures could be taken without in my view diluting democracy. I have already mentioned this and will again.

The Tories were also surprisingly defeated on their plan to cut some Members committee sizes from 12 to 9. It is rare the Tories are defeated when they have 31 of the 51 councillors. However there seemed no real reason for this change that would dilute the richness and experience in committees - anyhow a couple of Tories voted against, a couple abstained, and several Tories didn't attend and so the move was defeated. So then we had a long drawn out process of electing Members to each committee.....

The Members Allowances were then voted on and cuts to sandwiches for members were made along with some other measures - I had previously taken part in the consultation on this - and have to say I was disappointed that the Green party amendment to cut petrol allowances from over 56p a mile to 25p a mile was voted out by Tories and a few others. The 25p was on the basis of that is how much Parkers calculate it costs to run a car if you own one anyway and do some mileage. It would also stop rewarding gas guzzlers.

The civic timetable (ie when we have our Council meetings) was up next and Cabinet meetings have moved from evenings to mornings making it very difficult for those of us who work daytimes to attend - a point I made at the meeting.

Last up came the Housing Revenue Budget and the £1.2m overspend - no answers yet but some angry councillors - and rightly so - this is public money - but let's wait for results of inquiry before pointing fingers. Apols for being so brief - must to work now!

More about Gloucestershire Green party County candidates

This last week I've been adding stuff to our local Green Party website - you can now see more about all our Gloucestershire Green party County candidates here and about our SW Green party candidate here.

Photo: Sarah Lunnon, Leader of Green Group on District Council and candidate in Stroud East where we have a very good chance of getting a Green elected if all our supporters come out to vote.

What do you think of Stratford Park?

Twelve volunteers are being sought to help shape future services at Stroud's Stratford Park Leisure Centre. As noted on this blog the present contract for managing the centre is set to run out in October 2011, Stroud District Council is looking at what activities and facilities should be provided under a new deal and what developments might be possible.

If you are interested and are an existing or potential customer then contact Ray Figg, council head of cultural services at Ebley Mill. See here most recent blog which includes concerns re their lack of looking at sustainability - indeed just got minutes through from that Policy Panel mentioned in the blog and in my view the minutes played down councillors concerns that Sustainability should be a priority - also should we really be looking at Stratford Park in isolation from all other leisure services - I don't think so - I'll be writing again to Officers and Cabinet members on this.

Whiteshill and Ruscombe Art Truimph

Wow and wow again!!! Last Saturday was the first Whiteshill and Ruscombe Arts and Crafts Exhibition for parishioners - I managed to get along in the evening after the Levellers Day in Burford and what a great evening -apparently it was busy all day with folk and the evening had a lovely atmosphere where people chatted, enjoyed the art and amazing cheese selection and wine - great fun and a great community event.

Photos of the exhibition courtesy of one of the exhibitors Maggie Booth (no relation) - see her website for seriously great wedding photography!

Anyway huge congrats to John Rogers who conceived the idea of this exhibition and helped with colleagues to make it a reality.

I can't possibly list all the talents that were there during the evening but they included at least three Parish councillors....plus....

Louise, trained in Psychosynthesis and still working as a therapist had some great water colour life drawings - poss my favorite of the exhibition - she will also be exhibiting as part of the Open Studios this year - see them at her website: http://www.louisevision.com/

Jenny Nixon at The Old Vicarage on The Plain had some amazing glass pieces - then there was Dorte Shelley from the Old School on The Plain who had some paintings - she has opened previously as part of the Open Studios (see here). Sue Condie from Ruscombe was another of my favorites - some great pics - she has designed sets like those for the Rachel Carson play and helped us with our Woodies banner.

Lesley Young was also there - picture framer, ceramic repairer and restorer to the stars - well after 10 years of acting she used to work in Primrose Hill and apparently had clients to the shop there like Jonathan Miller, Sadie Frost, Jude Law and Sharleen Spiteri. She tried to source green products - uses the Green Shop in Bisley - and had various frames on show - quality stuff and v local - so call her on 762481 or email on lesleyyoung (at) waitrose.com

This is just a taster - there was lots more including Keith Bates with an impressive array of paintings in different media, glass and ceramics.

Also during the evening we heard the amazing Roz sing (see picture taken from her video) - this really was quite extraordinary - see more re Roz incl video here. Also see my entry to the exhibition here.

How does the EU voting system work?

The Green party video attached is from the North West but is worth a link as it has an animated video about how the vote is counted. It also has relevance here as the BNP are seeking a seat in the South West.

Parish AGM reports: a brief summary of what I have been doing

Both Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish and Randwick Parish have their AGM's on this Thursday 21st May 2009. As I will be at SDC's AGM I have sent a statement to them - see below - I had wanted to write more but all done in haste as meeting in Cheltenham tonight.

Photo: me outside Randwick Village Hall during the Open Homes weekend

Statement from District Councillor Philip Booth

Apologies that I cannot join you this evening for our Parish AGM. Tonight is also Stroud District Council’s AGM. The District Council meeting looks set to be interesting as many councillors are seeking answers as to how the District’s Housing Revenue Account could be overspent by £1.2m and why there are moves to curtail District councillors and Parish and Town Council powers to challenge local Planning applications.

Below I’ve included some of the local issues I’ve been working on during the last year - however first I wanted to start by saying a big thank you to all the Parish councillors and Parish Clerk for the great job they are doing.

Where to begin? Well I was delighted to find my Blog, Ruscombe Green, was voted in a national poll, 5th Best Green Blog. I started it when I was elected in 2006 - an online diary with comments, copies of my letters to the press, info about meetings, local events, campaigns, photos and more. There are over 1,800 entries and over 3,000 unique visitors each month. It has been a good way to keep in touch and debate with local residents. See it at: http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com

One highlight of the year was the Eco-renovation Open Homes weekend in September that I organised. Over 750 visits were made to 12 homes in the Stroud area to see renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in action. In addition to this over 400 people visited Randwick Village Hall to see the eco-exhibitions and the official opening of the hall. See more re this years plans for over 20 homes to open at: www.stroudopenhomes.org.uk/

Council’s environmental targets - I have been trying to ensure, through my role on a Scrutiny committee, that the District Council meets its environmental targets - and indeed improves those targets. Much is needed for example the future of Stratford Park is now being discussed yet in ten criteria used to evaluate delivery, sustainability was not even mentioned (it is now!). I am also sitting on a new small inquiry team looking to maximise funding from utility companies to tackle climate change.

Action on forecast fuel prices - Prices are fluctuating, but longer term they are set to rise. I have sought more action by the District Council to prepare for this, including pushing specific actions like a pool cover for Stratford Park Leisure Centre and greater promotion of special tariffs for those facing financial difficulties.

Planning issues - I’ve met a number of people locally and have tried to support them where they are having problems with the planning system or when inappropriate development is proposed. We managed to get rejected both the planned telecom mast near Ash Lane and a proposal by Highways to remove large parts of the roadside bank in Ash Lane.

Ruscombe Brook, Water and Flood action - I have just initiated and helped establish a forum of local flood and brook groups so that we can work more closely to ensure improvements to planning policy. Our local Ruscombe Brook Action Group that I helped set up still meets monthly and has successfully reduced sewage incidents in the brook. We have seen improvements locally by Severn Trent, organised a morning cleanup of one section of the brook and are working with the District Council to see measures at Puckshole to reduce the occasional severe flooding there. I have also been appointed to represent the District Council on the Wessex Water Customer Liaison Panel.

Allotments wanted - we have a Parish working group to explore finding a location for allotments. We are close to putting forward a proposal for a small site.

Basketball hoop - I managed to obtain a hoop following requests from younger residents, the Parish are now looking to install it in the Whiteshill and Ruscombe Playing Field.

Stratford Road Bus shelter - for some time now I have been working to see a shelter put in place by Tesco outside their store. Tesco have agreed but it still has not appeared: there is now a petition locally to see if we can encourage them to act.

Building communities - after initiating a street party in Bread Street last summer with local residents I have supported other communities to plan their parties. I am also working with a local land owner to establish a community-run orchard. We have already had two very successful picking and juicing days last Autumn. Events that bring people together are vital to communities and we are fortunate to have many in this Parish like the Pancake races, the amazing Wap and the excellent Whiteshill and Ruscombe Arts and Crafts Fair last Saturday.

County Council issues - I have also tried to support the Parish and address County Council issues like Slowing traffic - we urgently need traffic calming. The good news is that the ‘20 is Plenty’ scheme looks finally set to happen as a first step to more traffic calming (but not more humps!). Road Gullies and Grit bins - I negotiated with the County Council to see improvements at several key locations. However there are still problems like vandalised grit bins that lead to problems like salt getting into the local water courses.

Housing needs - support to people with various housing needs in the ward.

Recycling - calling on our Councils to improve recycling and prevent the construction of a huge waste incinerator at Stonehouse.

Climate Change talks and articles - I have written regularly in the local press and spoken at several local groups including two churches about the threat of climate change. The science is clear that we need to act and act very quickly. Yet the prospects of climate change are very scary and many, including politicians, seem paralysed or unclear about what measures they can take. It is vital we all get the message across about what is possible; fear disempowers us but there are signs of hope. We can all play our part in ensuring necessary actions are taken. I have just heard that my proposal for libraries to issue energy monitors like books has been accepted. A pilot will begin later this year so that people can borrow these and see how they can reduce their energy use and costs.

Other issues - I am also involved in a whole host of other issues locally including helping run the monthly Coffee House Discussions in Stroud where topics from the decline of bees to discussing tidal energy projects that are more sustainable than a barrage, getting the Rainbow Flag flying for Glos Pride, coordinating the Glos Safe Water Campaign, helping run a campaign to stop expansion of Gloucestershire Airport, supporting various Transition Stroud initiatives like a local currency and leading a weekly Woodcraft Folk group for 18 children aged 6 to 9.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have a query.

Cllr Philip Booth, Stroud District Councillor for Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill ward, 2 The Laurels, Bread Street, Ruscombe, Stroud GL66EL Tel: 755451 Email: philip.booth2@virgin.net

'A Farm for the Future': watch here

Rebecca Hosking’s programme, ‘A Farm for the Future’, shown on BBC2 recently looked at her father’s farm in Devon, and the changes that will be needed in the light of peak oil. It is an excellent film that I strongly urge folk to view - I've just come across it on Youtube so have added the five segments below. See Rob Hopkins review here.

Who is challenging the Greens in Euro elections?

Greens polling is very encouraging - up from 6% a few days ago to 11% today - and the YouGov poll we commissioned indicates that 34% will either definitely vote Green or would consider voting Green. Plus some good national coverage last week.

If you haven't already contacted your local Green party do please think about it as leaflets, canvassing and more is needed. Life for many Greens is now super busy with the campaign - and here I'm responding to media requests regularly - although the absurd thing is that local press stop reporting most politics before an election - just at the time when people get more interested - see our website for some of the news releases and comments I've been adding.

Below is some of the news coverage plus a list of those competing against the Greens for votes in the Euros:

'Caroline Lucas: There's light at the end of the tunnel. After years of infighting and unworkable policies, the Greens are at last presenting a united front – and their leader might even become her party's first MP. Geoffrey Lean meets Caroline Lucas' - see here.

'Two in five shun three main political parties: After 10 days of headlines that have devastated Parliament, The IoS reveals the strength of the public revolt against mainstream politics' See here.

Party funding: Top donors turn against Labour over MPs' expenses. See here.


Whose on the ballot?

In order, as on ballot paper, below, are the parties for the EU elections with some initial comments and thoughts... it seems clear that there is no way the LDs and Lab will gain a second seat in the SW. The only way therefore that folk can prevent the right-wingers from maintaining their stranglehold on SW representation at Brussels is to vote in the Green Knight.

It is also worth saying again that in terms of the planet's future (and it's inhabitants) we must remain within Europe (and indeed the world community of nations) as we have serious global problems that cannot be fixed without international structures and restrictions. To walk out of Europe now would be to kill any hope of either stopping severe resource exhaustion or climate chaos. More below...

Anyhow here is the list...

1. BNP. I've written before on this lot - see also Richard Lawson's blog here. Also UNISON highlighted a few of their key policies: BNP would kick out everyone not born in Britain (if other countries kicked out Brits a staggering 5.5m people would be returned incl 800,000 from Spain who are mostly pensioners), if Black and minority ethnic people were kicked out many services like the NHS would simple collapse (16% of nurses, 40% new dentists and 58% of new doctors are from ethnic communities), the BNP would introduce apartheid to Britain with their policies of white's being given preference in housing, education and jobs (like in South Africa's policies of apartheid which the BNP supported),BNP opposes any racial integration - mixed race relationships would be outlawed and in their 2005 manifesto their answer to violent crime is to allow every household to have a gun. The good news is that today's PoliticsHome poll reflects intelligence on the ground that the anti-BNP message from mainstream parties may be working. Searchlight, an anti-fascist organisation, reports a shift to Ukip in the BNP's top target seat, the northwest. As the Green MEP for the northwest, Peter Cranie, argues, this election is the BNP's "last hurrah": if it cannot win a seat in such favourable circumstances, it may implode. Indeed as Peter has said - and Ricky Knight, the lead Green in SW, a vote for Green is the best way to ensure the BNP don't get a seat. See here.

2. Christian Party. All list members with London addresses - I don't know much about this lot and their websites have virtually nothing - they have some green mentions but their news items have only 5 items - and one of those is joining the Daily Mail's campaign against Alan Duncan MP for a week offensive quip he made on 'Have I Got News For You'. Two of the other news items were about their bus and billboard campaign????

3. Conservative Party. They will be looking to increase vote from forecast relative decline of UKIP so seem to be playing down their pro-EU angle. However see Cameron's Tories very poor record on environment in Europe here.

4. English Democrats Party. The tag is 'putting England First' - while I understand their wish to address the West Lothian question - withdrawl from the EU as they want is not the best way to achieve a better democracy - see comments under UKIP below - plus I have real concerns about where they are coming from - their London Mayoral candidate Matt O'Connor withdrew shortly before the 2008 election, claiming that the English Democrats had agreed with the England First Party - an avowedly racist breakaway from the British National Party - not to stand against one another. The EDP denied a link.

5. Fair Pay Fair Trade Party. I don't know about this lot despite knowing one of their candidates - again little info and while they may have some great policies they do not appear holistic in their approach. Again it is hard to find anything about their policies.

6. Jury Team. So it is hard to find policies about some of the above well this lot claims to want 'politics without parties' yet they are standing as a party - this makes little sense to me? What are we voting for here?

7. Liberal Democrats. See their poor voting record on environment here.

8. Mebon Kernow. These are good folks - Greens are closer to their views than others but we have a v v much better chance of getting elected plus we will prioritise some of their key issues.

9. No2EU:Yes to Democracy Party. Another party hating the EU but sounding less UKIP? See my comments below re UKIP.

10. Pensioners Party. Why develop another party when Green's have had standing ovations for their policies at Pensioners Conferences - and we have the full range of policies - see local Green party letter here.

11. Pro-Democracy:Libertas.eu. Broadly pro EU - but again where are the policies?

12. Socialist Labour Party. Party leader Arthur Scargill who wants more coal-fired power stations - not a great idea if you want to take climate change seriously - indeed I can barely find a mention of climate change on their website.

13. The Green Party. Who is this lot? Full list headed by some bloke from North Devon called Richard Knight. See more at: www.thinkagainvotegreen.org.uk

14. The Labour Party. This lot seem a little in disarray? Apparently have already failed to turn up at two hustings so far - are they in disarray? See Labour's dire voting record in Europe here.

15. UKIP. Anti EU, pro business with authoritarian tendencies - here are a couple of letters from last Euro elections here and here. UKIP calls for us to be out of Europe, yet they want more free trade agreements. These are no protection of British sovereignty or our own economy. UKIP seem to think that withdrawing from the EU, will mean we could still engage in full trade with our European partners without the political entanglements of belonging to the Union itself. Switzerland has been quoted as an example, yet the Swiss people still have to follow most EU regulations. If almost all your products are sold within the EU, then you have to meet EU rules. If Britain withdrew we would still be bound by EU regulations, but would have absolutely no say in formulating them. The UK Isolation Party, as they have been called, have also, in the past been strongly criticised by Friends of the Earth UKIP for failing to vote for a single environmental improvement measured. The way forward must be for the radical reform of the EU that Greens want - greater decentralisation - but with EU-wide decision-making on issues that cross national boundaries, like safeguarding basic standards of human, civil and animal rights, regulating multinational companies and resolving disputes between member states. Greens want to see the EU work for the benefits of all it's citizens, which is why we are working to see greater accountability and democracy in the EU with issues like trade and economic policy left for member states to deal with. Having said all that UKIP also don't have a great record with their MEPs - one resigned for beneifit fraud, another for allegations over expenses - then of course there was Kilroy-Silk splitting off, several racist incidents - and from 16% of the vote in 2004 their support plummeted to under 1% in the London Mayoral race. However I don't write them off; their simple message appeals to some who are switched off by politics - and no wonder with the recent nonsense over expenses. There is even a UKIP Watch website! Anyhow I didn't mean to go on here but wanted to address some of the issues that are being thrown around...

16. WAI D. This seems to be something about getting folk to tell their MEPS how to vote by using the internet - that immediately excludes a large section of the population...

17. Katie Olivia Hopkins, Independent. A list of one - apparently was in the TV show the 'The Apprentice'...and on I'm a celebrity get me out of here...her blog has little in the way of policies and the media section on her website appears to be all about losing weight after giving birth.

Stroud Woodies at Levellers Day

Woodcraft Folk members from various Elfin, Pioneer and Venturer groups across Stroud, joined other Gloucestershire Woodcraft groups, Greens, socialists, Cooperative groups and more for the Levellers Day yesterday in Burford.

Below is a bit more about that plus my article saying more about Woodies from The Citizen's blog - reproduced here as some have said they couldn't find it and wanted to know more about Folk.

On route to Burford we also happened to glimpse Elizabeth Hurley in Barnsley near where she lives - they had an Open Garden day - would have loved to stop and talk about her organic pigs and how her move has led to good press coverage about improved farming methods - but that her support for fur is just not on - see my previous comments here.

Oh dear I am getting side tracked...

I am a 'Woodcraft Folk Willow Elfin Leader' - that's a mouthful - anyhow I set off with my step-granddaughterwith and a group of other Woodies to Burford. For those unfamiliar the Levellers were radical idealists with strong beliefs in civil rights and religious tolerance - they have been called early socialists although of course they had no concept then of capitalism. They fought for their ideals and over 300 of them were captured by Cromwell’s troops and locked in Burford church.

On 17 May 1649 three were shot as ringleaders. This is the 35th annual Levellers' Day in remembrance of these three Levellers - it is about reclaiming a piece of history that seems to be missing from school books."

Photos: various pics from Levellers Day march including the local Indian restaurant waiters looking on at us all. Below is the commemoration at the Church and the Church yard plus a big circle of Woodies saying goodbye to each other.

The day was full of speeches, debate, stalls, and a procession through Burford which ended with a ceremony in the churchyard music and more.

The theme of the day was 'Energy Poverty Crisis: What's the solution and can we afford to ignore it?' The wonderful Tony Benn was among the speakers but sadly I missed him as Woodcraft had some games planned for a playing field - dozens of children running every which way in a complicated version of tag.

Anyhow this day was a great and ever more important reminder of the Levellers and the importance of holding on to ideals of justice and democracy. The sun shone and our large group of Woodies made plenty of noise singing with their colourful banners in the procession. Infact I had some many queries re the banner we had that I've put a blog entry on how to make one - see here.

I must also note that we got there and back with the wonderful Gloucestershire Minibus Scheme which allows organisation's to share minibuses with not-for-profit organisations. I would strongly urge others to consider joining it as it is a great way to have access to minibuses without all the hassle. Anyway here is that article saying more about Woodcraft Folk.

Woodcraft Folk in the Five Valleys

The Five Valleys are alive with various groups for children. Perhaps amongst the best known are the Scouts, Girlguiding, The Door and Sea and Royal Marine Cadets. Transition Stroud also have plans for a new Youth group and of course there are those groups linked to Churches, sports and music.


However in this blog I want to cover one group that has not had so many mentions locally: the Woodcraft Folk. There are now about 12 local Woodcraft Folk groups for various aged children in the Stroud District. I help run the Willow Elfin group that meets in Uplands Hall on Thursdays for 6 to 9 year olds and despite the name we do not under normal circumstances, hug trees or craft wood.

Photos: raft making last summer, Woodcraft Folk logo, Chalford, Sausage Sizzle, World peace Flag ceremony and Den Making

The Woodcraft Folk was started in 1925 by Leslie Paul who was disillusioned with the militaristic approach of many other youth groups at the time - the name 'woodcraft' can be traced to the influential writer, naturalist and pioneering youth worker Ernest Thompson Seton who at the turn of the twentieth century used the term to mean the skill of living in the open air, close to nature.

In Stroud, Woodcraft Folk started some 12 years ago and as our website describes we are "a unique progressive educational movement for children and young people designed to develop self-confidence and activity in society, with the aim of building a world based on equality, peace, social justice and co-operation....through its activities, Woodcraft Folk tries to give its members an understanding of important issues such as the environment, world debt and global conflict, with a key focus in recent years being sustainable development."

Indeed the official slogan of The Woodcraft Folk is "Span the world with friendship", although it also uses "Education for Social Change" in its publicity. The group is not based upon any particular religious belief or national identity, but has from its start received substantial support from the Cooperative Movement and is part of Cooperatives UK.

So what do we do?

Well as mentioned, there are a number of Stroud District Woodcraft Folk groups who meet weekly or fortnightly with varied programmes including games, projects, crafts, singing and educational stuff. Most of the groups like to be outside as much as possible.

To give examples of what we do in the last year our Willow Elfin group has helped with a radio show on Stroud FM, joined the Stroud Goodwill Evening Carnival procession, been to the Gloucester climbing centre, made rafts (see photo above) and tried to float them down the Chalford brook, had various nature walks, done litter pick-ups, made dens in Standish Woods (see photo below), presented nearly 200 flags at the World Peace Flag ceremony in Stroud (see photo left) on the International Day of Peace and more.

There are also various regular activities through the year where we have come together with other Woodcraft groups like the bonfire night, Conker walk, Levellers Day, Sausage Sizzle on Selsey Common (see photo above) and the hugely popular annual camp where all the groups come together for a big camp locally every May. All great fun indeed.

Who runs the groups?

We don't have regular leaders who run the group but rather all parents participate and help to varying degrees. Locally we usually have a minimum requirementfor parents to help with two sessions a term. All adult members are CRB checked.

Interested in finding out more?

The official telephone number for Stroud Woodies membership enquiries is 07504 349199. There are some spaces available in some groups but sometimes there can be long waiting lists. At my local group, the Willow Elfins, due to a number of children going up last month into older groups, we do have some spaces. This Thursday we have some potential members coming along to see whether they want to join us regularly: if you read this before then do call me on 01453 755451 for further info. There is also lots more about the philosophy, international activities, history etc at: www.woodcraft.org.uk

How to make a banner?

I've had so many folks ask about how the Woodcraft banner was made that I am going to put the instructions here - I have to say the design was nothing to do with me but rather Sue, one of the Elfin Woodcraft parents who had us last week making this banner. A wonderful fun event.

Anyway start off with canvas, then every child was issued with masking tape and set about sticking various shapes onto the canvas - the parents helped with the letters.

Then came the paint - a waterproof acrylic - thought we were going to need that as the weather forecast was for rain - infact it was sunny.

The children mixed and merged the paints on the canvas - some thought about colours for particular bits like a sun being more yellow but others just went for whatever colour - the whole canvas was painted.

It took two days to dry and then the fun of picking and peeling away the masking tape to reveal the banner.

Lastly came the dowel or hazel sticks to hold the banner up.

Whiteshill resident in Gloucesteshire has Talent

This evening I went to the Arts and Crafts exhibition at the Whiteshill Village Hall - more of that in another blog later but just wanted to mention Ros Bremercamp - at least I think her name is Ros - I am now wondering if I spelt that right - she sang this evening between all the amazing choice of cheeses, wine, art, chat and more - a quite extraordinary voice that brought a shiver to the spine - anyhow she has made it through to the next stage of Gloucestershire has Talent - the finalists will be on stage on Friday 29th May at Gloucester Quays.

Heart FM - formerly known as Severn Sound - are organising the event and I'd urge folk to vote to support our local talent - apparently there will be an internet vote soon - quite incredibly she has never had a singing lesson in her life!! Anyhow see her third in on this video here - the video sadly does not do her justice. Thanks for singing indeed. Infact thanks for a great evening.

Rainbow Flag not to be flown on IDAHO

I was disappointed to learn this evening that Stroud District Council will not be recognising IDAHO by flying the Rainbow Flag - but welcome news that the flag will again fly for Gloucestershire Pride day. I had been pushing for the flags to be flown - so some joy and some disappointment - see my full news release yesterday here.

Photo: Lock-keepers in Stroud which very sadly will close in a while as the hotel is becoming flats

Great short video from FoE for politicians

This Friends of the Earth movie is worth a watch - do pass the link onto others and make sure all politicians see it! We want politicians that take climate change seriously and act - not just hot air.

Aung San Suu Kyi stands trial: urgent email action

There are huge concerns at the news that Aung San Suu Kyi is to face trial on Monday. Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested yesterday and is now being held in Insein Prison, a prison notorious for its terrible conditions and horrific treatment of prisoners.

It is well known that political prisoners in Burma are routinely subjected to torture and often denied medical treatment. Aung San Suu Kyi’s health is already poor and she was denied medical care by the regime. She is going to face trial for supposedly violating the terms of her house arrest, after an American man, John Yettaw, swam across Inya Lake uninvited to her house and refused to leave. She faces a prison sentence of between three and five years.

Now more than ever Aung San Suu Kyi needs our help. Over 8,000 people have already emailed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and ASEAN leaders calling for immediate action to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. Please join them and email from here:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/ASSK_action.html