Tricorn House - still a way to go

Latest news is that plans to compulsory purchase Tricorn House by Stroud District Council appear to have got a hitch - the inspector has laid out more evidence required - personally it appears to be a straight forward case - there are no other suitable sites for Ecotricity within a community - and we must sort this monstrosity out - there are few within the community who don't want to see this site developed - indeed when I was interviewing residents as part of a local Parish Plan it was overwhelmingly the main issue that came up. Let's hope this does not delay what surely must be the inevitable?

Photo: Clover the busker in Stroud courtesy of Stroud artist Simon aka Vietnamthemovie - although I had intended to use his great image of 'Save Tricorn House' but it appears to have been removed from the web - anyhow catch Simon at Stroud Farmer Market.

Update 1st Nov

A blog reader sent this pic in they found on the web - a thumbnail of original from Vietnamthemovie - big thanks.

Ruscombe photographer exhibits

Last night I was delighted to attend the opening of an exhibition of five local photographers in The Space - "Made To Look" - including Mike Gallagher, a Ruscombe resident - well worth a look before it closes on Thursday.

Photos: Pics from preview incl Rainy Stroud by Mike and great one of this 90plus year old guy from one of the other photographers

I really enjoyed seeing this quality work - always like Henri Kyriacou's work - well the stuff I've seen so far - this was a little different to her previous work like the wonderful Middle Street garage - see links to that here. Anyhow here's how the advert describes the artists:

John Daniell: Film and digital monochrome and colour photography. Mainly interested in light, atmosphereand patterns in landscape and seascape. Also expert in stereo photography.

David Murray: Traditional monochrome silverprint photography with a particular emphasis on toning. Local Landscapes and portraits.An obsessive interest in the transfiguring effects of light.

Henri Kyriacou: Film and digitalcolour and monochrome photography, interested in people and their environment.

Gary Canning: Digital colour and monochrome photography. Has a vast stock of railway photography but produces an eclectic body of work.

Mike Gallagher: Digital colour and monochrome photography. Photoartistry if you like. Loves the Cotswolds.

Incinerator article featured on My Zero Waste

Today I have an article featured on My Zero Waste about Gloucestershire County Council’s Waste Core Strategy Site Options Consultation and large incinerators - you can read it here. It also covers the recent controversy over the previous consultation.

Photos: Marchwood Incinerator, Hampshire 2007 - photo by Green party Waste expert Chris Harmer

The My Zero Waste website which is based in Gloucestershire has grown since I first came across it - indeed last month it saw 100,000 page views - my blog only manages around 7,000 with over 3,000 unique visitors. Anyhow their numbers are well deserved - it is an excellent resource.

Bee photo exhibition

This blog has seen plenty on bees - like last weekend's successful efforts to get 350 beehouses made here in Stroud - see latest here.

Cartoon: from Russ - his take on bees and
Halloween

Well this blog is to advertise the Foto Forum Photography Exhibition in the Sub Rooms - only until Saturday - and the pics below are from the exhibition - one section by Margaret Lister is on bee keeping - worth a visit - also great pics of cheese making and a very moving pic of a dead deer - beautifully portrayed by Carlos Ordonez.

Meanwhile below here are a couple of interesting articles on bees:

Organic beekeeping in the US - from urban rooftops to backyard hives, the world is abuzz with interest in homemade honey. An interview in Grist with the former president of the Vermont Beekeepers Association, Ross Conrad. He’s sold bee stuff and led organic beekeeping workshops throughout North America for many years. See article here about pesticides and more.

Honey is not made toxic in hot water - see here.

Agri-chemical companies are both breeding and killing bees - See here my blog a few days ago on this.

Waste week: Parish councillors meeting in Whiteshill

Three events for next week:

3rd Nov. 7.00 p.m. “Effects of waste incineration and alternative technology available.” at Whiteshill & Ruscombe Village Hall, The Plain, Whiteshill, Stroud is an event for Parish councillors - sadly I have a long standing commitment so I have been unable to take up the offer of chairing this event.

Dr Simon Pickering, a former Green District councillor has agreed to be the Chair. Claire Sheriden Gloucestershire Vale against Incineration (GlosVAIN- representing 12 Parish Councils) will introduce then John Beatty (Gloucestershire , Safety in Waste and Rubbish Disposal, SWARD & UKWIN) will talk on Incineration and its effects followed by Mary Newton (Glos Friends of the Earth Network) on Incineration and the alternatives are holding a presentation for Parish Councils on Tuesday 3rd November to:

• highlight the health, environmental and financial impact that this technology would have on the people of Gloucestershire, and
• outline some methods of dealing with waste that do not involve incineration, and
• enable you to ask questions and express your views.

6th Nov. Signing of the Pledge and Petition being organised by Glos Friends of the Earth Network on the steps of Shire Hall at 11ish.

7th Nov. Cycle day - see above poster for this event.

Remember also the Waste Site consultation out now - see here.

Clean-up banks petition

I'm supporting a campaign to clean up bailed-out banks like RBS. Currently public money is being invested in all kinds of projects around the world which fuel climate change and human rights abuses. Owning the bailed out banks is an opportunity to make them act to protect the environment and benefit people. Please sign the petition now:
www.38degrees.org.uk/RBS

Logos for Randwick Parish Council

The 'lone ash' of Randwick (pictured with Ash Lane cutting across middle of the photo) was seen as the image for the logo - you will see below it was used in the past.

Local artist Russ has worked on thoughts and ideas put forward - below are some of the drafts going to the Parish for consideration. I have to say I really think they are a significant improvement.

Great stuff indeed and all donated to the Parish! We are very lucky to have such generous folk living in the area!

Stroud 350 day: 350 trees, 350 beehouses and 350 numbers on people

Today October 24, is a global day of action around climate change, organized by the folks at 350.org. The site already has photos of many of the over 5,000 events. And as you'll see below today in Thistledown near Nailsworth I've been planting 350 trees with Woodcraft Folk and previously helping organise the making of 350 beehouses with various local groups. Also in Stroud Woodcraft are making 350 pictures. More on those in a mo but why 350?

Photos: all from Thistledown today

Well that’s the parts per million of carbon that scientists think is the ‘safe’ level that will keep the planet at least somewhat recognizable. What are we at currently? Something like 390, and climbing! So time is short. With a new round of global negotiations scheduled for Copenhagen in early December, today's actions will help build popular pressure on all those politicians to do something real.

We still have a chance to turn away from the disaster. We can still build a world that offers abundance, hope, lives of beauty and health and freedom for those who come after us. But the window of opportunity is closing. We must act.

Here is some of what the Western Daily Press quoted me saying earlier this week "Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity. We've reached 386 parts per million and have to get back to 350. Copenhagen is a successor to the Kyoto protocol and has been widely seen by many scientists as the last chance for humanity to get to grips with soaring greenhouse gas emissions. We can do it, but we need to keep the pressure on politicians in the coming weeks. The 24th is all about actions we can take. Already on this day around the globe there are lots of projects like church bells ringing 350 times to 350 paellas cooking with solar energy. Near Stroud we are planting on that day 350 trees with children aged 6 plus from the local Woodcraft Folk group. We have also been building 350 bee houses with adults and children in Stroud."

Climate change is often framed as somehow our personal problem - like we should drive less, consume less, change our lightbulbs - and yes of course all those things are important. But nothing we do individually will solve the problem. We need to work together, to influence policy. We need to be clear about all the things we do want otherwise we just leave a trail of despair and apathy.

Planting 350 trees

Well first big thanks must go to Mel Trievner who got this project going but also to Helen Kay and many of the others like Stroud Valleys Project who loaned the shovels and more.

We arrived at Thistledown in the rain and started with a brief talk about the trees, how to plant and where the wood was going - of course being Woodies we also started with a song. It was then planting time

We all split up into smaller groups and I have to say I was totally impressed by the childrens dedication o digging and getting the plants in the ground - I think we had a selection of Rowan, Birch, Crab Apple, Ash, Field Maple, Hazel, Guelder Rose, Wayfaring tree and Dogwood. But maybe not all those - we did stop for some lunch and tea - very welcomed as some of the ground was pretty tough indeed. I can't quite believe we got them all in the ground and stacked and protected from rabbits!!

We will no doubt return to see how they are growing - what a great morning!

More about 350 beehouses

See more here plans for 350 Beehouses. See here how to make beehouses but also see photos of the many other designs made by different groups - see here Guideposts, here the workshops in town and here Elfins - plus here leafcutter bees in my house and here how Stroud is to become the first Bee Guardian town.

Here's what Jessie Jowers said of the day: "There are 20,000 different species of bees worldwide, and only 500 species are honey producing bees, many bee species are much better pollinators than the honeybee. They are all in decline and need protecting too. We rely on bees for two thirds of the food that we eat. A healthy diverse environment needs a diverse population of different bee species. Bees are responsible for the pollination of many of the plants that grow to absorb the CO2 from the atmosphere. We need to be aware of how our agricultural practices effecting bee and plant diversity, whilst also remaining as the largest contributor of CO2 into the atmosphere. The Global Bee Project and the people of Stroud have come together to make 350 bee houses for cavity nesting solitary bees. The houses will be placed around the town to protect, conserve and encourage a variety of vital bee species."

350 Picture share

I had hoped I might get along but the tree planting took longer - but see hopefully stuff on the blog for this here: http://livingonsunshine.blogspot.com/

Apparently the Woodcraft Venturers group have made a brilliant contribution to the 350 event in Stroud today. They painted numbers 1-350 on 350 people, explaining the concept to hundreds of people on the high street in a most articulate and convincing way, and not just the previously converted. The town was buzzing with interest about what they were doing despite the dreadful weather. They are also making a video of the 350 photos they have taken of each number to put on Issies blog - livingonsunshine.org.uk, and hopefully we will have an article in the SNJ, so look out for it.

Agri-chemical companies are both breeding and killing bees

This blog title was the title of an article by Tom Levitt in The Ecologist last week - see it in full here.

Photos: New exhibition with the preview this evening and below Stroud's Jehanne Mehta's poem and more submissions to the 350 beehouses made earlier today at Guidepost Trust in Stroud - crucial to helping our wild native bees - see earlier blogs on that like here

I was interested to learn in the article that companies like Syngenta don’t just make the chemicals that have been blamed for the decline in bees but they also breed the bees that are being used as a replacement for wild pollinators.

The new documentary, ‘Vanishing of the Bees’ is now out in UK cinemas - and it tells the story how neonicotinoid pesticides weaken the honeybee populations and lead to more disease and possible collapse of colonies (see here my previous post with link to the petition on those pesticides). Sadly the agri-chemical companies don't seem to be interested in researching the risks - instead as the article shows they are more interested in developing the multi-million dollar industry breeding bees in captivity. Factory-reared bees are used by farmers to pollinate soft fruits and other crops - but they are ignoring the dangerous threat they pose to native bees. Here is what Tom Levitt has to say:

Pollination experts have identified three main risks

If the factory-farmed bees are better at food collecting they can out-compete local bees and establish themselves as a dominant species. They can also inter-breed and gradually dilute native gene-pools. But most significantly, they can act as a vector for diseases by the shared use of flowers to collect pollen. The manufacturers say the bees are used in polytunnel production systems for soft fruits and vegetables like strawberries and peppers, and as such are only ever released in an enclosed area. However, ecologist and pollinator expert Dr Claire Carvell from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), says that even in these circumstances bees do escape and mix with the native population and as such, ‘the large-scale commercialisation of bumblebees poses a risk.’

Disease outbreak

Dr Carvell points out that Japan has previously banned the import of bees because of the threat of disease. A batch of queen bees from Australia in 2007 was found to have been affected by the nosema parasite. The United States provides an even more worrying example of what can go wrong when we mass-produce and ship bees around the world. In 2004, the US relaxed laws on importing bees and allowed farmers to bring in bumblebees from Australia to use on almond crops. Many scientists believe that these bees brought in a disease - Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) - which subsequently spread to the native bee population and contributed to a sudden and catastrophic collapse in honeybee numbers.

Import ban The UK Government department responsible for wildlife, Defra, claims the industry is small and that, 'all bumblebee imports already need to receive a health certificate from the exporting country so they don’t spread disease, and we work with industry on the risks to native species and safeguards.' Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BCT) director Dr Ben Darvill says the industry is far from small and that the UK imports upwards of 50,000 bee colonies every year - equating to millions of bees. As well as Syngenta Bioline, the other major companies involved in the UK market are Koppert and Biobest. Dr Darvill says the sector lacks proper controls and that to minimise the risk of disease spreading, Defra should ban imports. ‘The problem comes when you move bees over a scale of countries. You are moving genes and species to countries where they have not been. We’re in favour of breeding in the same country rather than a global hub. There is no good reason in the UK why we couldn’t produce our own,’ he says.

Helping wild bees Some argue that the very presence of a bee-breeding industry indicates a misguided focus away from increasing the native, wild bee population, and towards selling a product. ‘We don’t know whether the pollination service works or whether it is just clever marketing,’ says Dr Darvill. ‘It may be that just looking after your hedgerows will bring you more native bees and instead of relying on a factory to produce your bees. Getting a wild pollination service from a synthetic pollinator seems very odd.’

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Needed

If you are interested in becoming the Neighbourhood Co-ordinator for the Middle Spring Ruscombe area please contact Stroud Police Station on 07734 068276. We have a network of other coordinators in the area but this vacancy is about to occur.

The photo is of one of the many motorbikes that have taken to trying out in the valley and across the fields. Now I usually take a pretty tolerant view to a little bit of noise but it has been reported to me that these bikes are using the fields several times a day - sometimes for over an hour. I've missed this but want to remind folk the Police have asked to be informed if this occurs and they have already been out on occasions to tackle the behaviour.

I personally would love to see the Neighbourhood Watch Schemes become more like Neighbourhood Care schemes that look out more for the less able or more vulnerable in our communities.....certainly that is part of their role.

Most people ever in Stroud FM

Here is a plug for our local radio station Stroud FM - tune in at:
www.stroudfm.co.uk

Well a couple of weeks ago our local Woodcraft Folk group went along to talk on air about 'Woodies' - we did just that and even sang a couple of Woodcraft songs - with over 30 children and adults in the tiny studio we reckon we hold the record for the most people in that studio - you can read more about Woodies in this post here.

We also managed to talk about our plans for this Saturday when we will plant 350 trees at Thistledown near Nailsworth as part of the 350 Climate Change day - more on that soon - and also a new event in Stroud High Street - see here.

I also got a plug into the radio show after our bit about Woodies about the launch of the energy monitors in local libraries - see here.

Stinchcombe wind turbine mast refused by Labour and Tories

Last week's decision at Development Control Committee was just plain wrong. DCC turned down the application for a mast to monitor wind despite Council Officers arguing it fitted with our policy. Martin Whiteside has written the letter below which sums up feelings many of us have - See also here a letter from him which picks up the similar thoughts in looking at how to beat recession.

Photo: Windmill in Norfolk

Within weeks the World’s leaders are gathering in Copenhagen to address the greatest challenge of our time - Climate Change - which threatens our very survival. Meanwhile, last week, the planning committee of the Tory controlled Stroud District Council, in their wisdom, refused Ecotricity permission to put up a single wind monitoring mast in Stinchcombe! This decision was contrary to the advice of council officers, who considered the mast in accordance with national and local planning policy. The mast is needed to assess the suitability of the site for future wind turbines which could generate around a quarter of Stroud’s electricity needs.

The Stinchcombe site, alongside the motorway, is one of very few in the District that has sufficient wind, is outside the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is not ruled out through interfering with aircraft radar or other constraints. The nearest house to the single slim monitoring mast is over 400 metres away.

There were only two Councillors who bucked the trend, a Liberal Democrat and a Green. All of the Labour and Conservative members voted for refusal - which is interesting, for while David Cameron and Gordon Brown attempt to woo green voters, their foot soldiers block the very actions scientists say are so urgently needed.

Even if some people are not convinced about the imminent threat of climate change to our landscape and food supplies, it is certain that our energy supply in this country is going to become critical in the next decade. Currently we import around 30% of our energy. Due to the decline in North Sea oil and Gas, by 2020 we will import around 80%. This puts us in a very vulnerable position, as we can be held to ransom by other countries.

As a country we have some of the World’s best wind resources - but we ignore them. Gloucestershire is the worst performing county in the South-West in developing renewable energy - it is a disgrace. On-shore wind is the cheapest and quickest way to bridge the energy gap – and investing in wind could stimulate our local engineering heritage and create thousands of jobs. Wind turbines can even be taken down and moved elsewhere if no longer needed – they have a temporary and very limited environmental impact.

The Green Party has the political will and policies to lead – and our elected councillors don’t just talk green – they vote for the things that really matter for our children and our planet. Where do you stand?

Martin Whiteside,
Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Stroud

More beehouses being made

You will remember perhaps that we are aiming for 350 beehouses by Saturday - in the Woodcraft Elfin group I run we made over 30 towards the 350 - see here. There have also been bee workshops - see here - I managed to get along to one of those last week - we are now getting very close to 350 - see some of the pics below of the many houses being made in allsorts of styles!

Photo: Russ cartoon - made me smile!

I missed alot of the beehouse making but did have a fascinating time talking to Tony Taylor who is the County Bee Aculeate (see left with Jessie Jowers of the Global Bee Project). He walked into the shop and both Jessie and I talked lots with him - I have to say I didn't even know what an aculeate was or that we had one in the County - see more here - so it was fascinating to learn about this volunteer post who records bees, wasps and more - there was lots of talk about the Global Bee Project and how to develop it more and work together - they are going to meet again.

Anyway to those beehouses - you will see several styles being made - next year there will be trials to test which are more effective - the block ones or the various bamboo and dried cow parsley bundles.

See here on my blog how to make a beehouse.

This time for insulation we were using carpet offcuts - in the workshops children had made many different types and colours - some choosing the brighter colours or like me the more muted to blend in withe the nature when we put them outside.

Anyway more coming on bees soon but folk will be pleased to know we can make the 350 target by Saturday. As noted before we are also planting 350 trees at Thistledown near Nailsworth and a new even in Stroud High Street - see here.

Waste Core Strategy Site Options Consultation

Waste Core Strategy Site Options Consultation is open until 30th November and it would be great if more people could respond. There is an e-questionnaire but it doesn't really allow for a full response so I have written an initial letter below.

There is a link to the relevant webpage on the GCC website home page: http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/

The County Council is consulting on 13 possible sites for waste disposal. However, the consultation does not cover methods/technologies, which might be installed on those sites. Nor does it ask whether we want one big facility or several small ones. The County Council says it is 'technology neutral', but as noted before, many of us fear the outcome will be a large incinerator on one of these sites.

Already a number of Parish Councils, SWARD, Gloucestershire Friends of the Earth and local Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Party representatives are opposing a large incinerator on any of the sites. Instead we support more recycling and other technologies, such as Mechanical Biological Treatment including Anaerobic Digestion, that are less polluting, better for the environment and for climate change, better for health and better for the taxpayer. We also support several smaller sites to reduce the transporting of waste.

There are 13 sites listed and these have been identified from a list of more than 300 sites using strict criteria including transport links and prevention of flooding. The consultation is a statutory process. We are told clearly that there are no plans for any of the sites, indeed there’s no guarantee that a site would be used just because it’s included in the plan. This is a planning process that has to be gone through. The results of the consultation will be analysed then a report is scheduled to go to Cabinet next summer for approval. The final document will be ratified by the Secretary of State before it is finally adopted in 2011. Anyway here is my initial letter:

Minerals and Waste Planning Policy
Environment Department
Gloucestershire County Council, Shire Hall
FREEPOST NAT8320
GLOUCESTER
GL1 2BR

Dear Sir or Madam,

I write to object to the use of all 13 of the sites listed below for possible waste treatment in Gloucestershire (i). I do not feel the questionnaire or information provided allows me to comment in the way I wish, so I trust you accept this as an objection. If not please let me know well before the closing deadline.

I recognise that sites are urgently needed for waste treatment but it is hard to consider sites if we are unaware of what sort of facility or the size of the facility that could be on those sites. My key objection to all these sites is on the grounds that any of them could be used for a large incinerator. I do not consider that form of waste treatment suitable for any of the sites.

Incineration creates toxic fly ash residue which has to be transported and landfilled increasing risks to watercourses and nearby residents. Incineration contracts will be for at many years, locking us into a 'solution' which does not take account of the expected substantial reduction in the volume of waste nor of any newer more efficient and effective technologies which are being rapidly developed.

I have no doubts that the long term costs to the taxpayer and the environment will be higher with incineration. Even if we maximise recycling to 80%, incinerators can act as a disincentive to reduce, reuse and recycle. Mechanical Biological Treatment (including Anaerobic Digestion) technology is a proven alternative that better satisfies the criteria you are obliged to use and is better for the environment and for the taxpayer. I would be happy to consider that at a number of the sites you identify.

Yours faithfully,

Cllr. Philip Booth,
Stroud District councillor for the Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe ward

Notes:
(i) Sites: Three areas at Wingmoor Farm West, Tewkesbury Easter Park, Ashchurch/Tewkesbury Industrial Estate, Tewkesbury Javelin Park, Haresfield, Stroud Land adjacent to Quadrant Business Centre, Quedgeley Land at Moreton Valence, Stroud Land north of Railway Triangle, Gloucester Nastend Farm, Stroudwater Business Park, Stonehouse, Stroud Netheridge Sewage Treatment Works, Gloucester The Park, Wingmoor Farm West, Tewkesbury Foss Cross Industrial Estate, north of Cirencester Hurst Farm, Lydney Land at Lydney Industrial Estate, Lydney

Hog alert: care with bonfires needed

A while back I visited the Brimscombe Hedgehog Hospital and was delighted by the enthusiasm of 'Hog Mother' Annie Parfitt - I've just helped get the press release out below warning about bonfires - but also hear from her that she has been doing several talks recently....Randwick Cubs after hearing her talk raised a huge £100 for the Hospital while Tetbury Scouts all brought a tin of dog food.

Photos: a cartoon from Russ inspired by the Hog Hospital, one of the rescued hogs and two pics from the Hedgehog Hospital display in Stroud Valleys window at the moment

As I've noted before shockingly Hedgehogs are dying out at a rate of about a fifth of the population every four years so we need to do all we can. See here previous release re hospital and underweight hogs.

CAMPAIGNERS WARN BONFIRE SITES CAN BE HEDGEHOG HOTELS

Annie Parfitt of the Brimscombe Hedgehog Hospital said that hedgehogs were likely to seek out bonfire sites because they were a perfect habitat for taking shelter. She is urging people to look out for any sleeping visitors as too many have been burnt in the past.

Annie Parfitt said: "Hedgehogs are nocturnal and sleep during the day. Bonfires are an ideal place offering protection. They look like a home - or rather they look like a five-star hotel to hedgehogs. But unfortunately when a bonfire is lit, the hedgehog's natural defence mechanism is to curl up in a ball rather than escape the fire. Ideally items to be burnt should be moved to a different site or a few feet away before being lit."

Annie Parfitt added: "If you do find a hedgehog then it should be collected in a box, given cat or dog food and water, and kept in a quiet and dark place until the bonfires are over and have been dampened down."

For more information or if you have concerns about underweight hedgehogs or hedgehogs who may not be hibernating please contact Annie Parfitt on 01453 886424 or annieparfitt (at) sky.com

HEDGEHOG FACTS
Hedgehogs tend to hibernate between November and mid March
The Hedgehog is known as 'the gardener's friend'
They like to nest under sheds, hedges and brushwood
Their backs are covered with rows of short prickly spines and their bellies are covered with soft fur
A relaxed hedgehog lays down its spines