Sat, 29 Apr 2006
Say NO to incineration
Friends,
You will be aware of the plans to build an incinerator near you (Hedon). The application is to be considered in the next few weeks.
If this happens we will have no control over waste being brought here from other areas, and potentially lethal air pollution. There is an alternative...its called thinking and planning, but authorities find that difficult and try to take the easy way out (making money along the way) - unless people stop them.
other areas have managed to stop incineration on their patch - we need to do the same
Please see below for the opportunity to sign a FOE petition against incineration of waste, and please send this on to others if possible.
best,

Shan

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Thu, 27 Apr 2006
Councillors to consider wind turbine plan
Seen in the HDM recently:
Councillors will be asked to back an in‑depth study into the use of wind turbine technology in the city.
Although they are the subject of controversy in some parts of the East Riding, the turbines have yet to make an appearance in Hull.
However, next week councillors will consider a report on options for alternative energy sources.
They range from wind turbines to wave and tidal power in the Humber.
The report, written by city council energy officer John Bell, said three large turbines could produce the electricity required to power all the council's buildings.
It suggested such a scheme would cost about £6.7m but would pay for itself within five years.
Alternatively, smaller turbines could be developed at school sites with the support of grant regimes.
The report said: "Machines need to be sited away from houses, roads, air fields, Ministry of Defence establishments, telecommunications installations and ecologically important sites.
"Therefore, within the Hull boundary; the scope is limited to three or four areas around the city perimeter, such as the river frontage or north‑east boundary"
Among the other alternative energy options being examined by the council is the use of biomass heating.
Trials using wooden pellets as a replacement for coal will take place at a school in the city later this year.

Article chosen by
David Penrose Callaghan

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Thu, 27 Apr 2006
ONE LAST PUSH TO BEAT THE BNP

Dear All,
Hull Unite Against Fascism has arranged the following leafletting this weekend. We are urging all our supporters to join us in one last push to keep the BNP out of the Guildhall.

Martin Deane

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Thu, 27 Apr 2006
Change the Government’s mind!
The Government is currently reviewing its waste strategy for England and has unveiled a draft strategy which promotes a huge increase in incineration as the answer to our waste crisis. We already know of at least 22 new incinerator proposals throughout the country.
Please help us change the Government’s mind!
DEFRA is holding a consultation on the waste strategy review which closes on the 9th May. This provides a crucial opportunity to tell the government that the public does not want an increase in incineration. The next review will not be until 2010.
Please follow this link to submit an email response to the consultation:
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/
waste/press_for_change/strategy_
review/index.html

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Wed, 26 Apr 2006
Cleckheaton Folk Festival
30th June, 1st & 2nd July 2006

About the Festival
For the past 19 years, the market town of Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire has been the backdrop for one of the county’s longest running and popular folk festivals. Spanning the weekend of Friday, June 30th to Sunday, July 2nd, it is the premier event in the town's social calendar, attracting and involving both residents and folk aficionados alike.
Whilst the weekend is primarily given over to the music, with concerts, sing-a-rounds, music sessions, workshops and dancing, a good part of Saturday is taken up with the traditional Festival parade and various kinds of street entertainment. In addition, there is the popular Farmer's Market and Craft Fair.
Over the past nineteen years, the Festival has played host to some of the most influential names in traditional and contemporary folk music, including Martin Carthy, The Albion Band, Eric Bogle, Vin Garbutt, Vikki Clayton, Jez Lowe and Roy Bailey.
This year's event is no exception, with headlining acts Frances Black, The Emily Smith Band, Harvey Andrews, Kieran Halpin and Anthony John Clarke already booked to appear, supported by the some of the best of Yorkshire’s home-grown folk talent.
On behalf of Geoff Pickles and his term of organizers, we’d like to invite you to get into the spirit of this year’s Festival by making regular visits to our online newsletter. We think you’ll find it a ripping little read!
By the way, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@cleckheatonfolkfestival.org. They will be published online, along with our answers for the benefit of yourself and other visitors to the site.
Guest Artistes so far...
Frances Black
Emily Smith Band
Anthony John Clarke
Harvey Andrews
Keiran Halpin
Dan McKinnon (Canada)
Tom Napper & Tom Bliss
Blackstone Edge
Black Velvet
Martin Browne & Elizabeth Padgett
Dom Collins
Copper Kettle
Flossie
Ian Gartside Band
Joyce & Danny McLeod
Sarah & Geoff Nemec
Ray Padget
Colin Ramage
Shellback Chorus
Tiny Tin Lady
Margaret Walters & Danny Spooner (Australia)
Weekend tickets Friday 30th June - 2nd July 2006

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Fri, 21 Apr 2006
WASTE NEWS
INTERNAL NEWS
BRIEFING ON RESPONDING TO THE WASTE STRATEGY CONSULTATION
Friends of the Earth have produced a briefing outlining the policies we want to see the Government to include in the new England waste strategy. It can be found here:
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/
briefings/englands_waste_strategy.pdf
This briefing can be used as a guide to sending in your own consultation responses so please feel free to use as much or as little of it as you want. We have not attempted to provide a comprehensive answer to all the questions so please also use your own knowledge and experiences when writing your response. Remember that the deadline for responding is 9th May.
You can submit a response to the consultation online at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/
environment/waste/strategy/review/
Alternatively, please contact Dialogue by Design on 020 8683 6602 or facilitators@dialoguebydesign.com.
Please also remember to forward this press for change action email to as many people as possible:
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/
waste/press_for_change/strategy_
review/index.html
Please get in touch if you would like me to send you a template consultation resonse letter to print out and ask people to sign.

POWER UP! REMINDER
Has your waste campaign entangled you in the planning system? If so, Power Up! is for you. At Friends of the Earth's unique residential training event experts will fill you in about the new planning system, public inquiries and going to judicial review, using the environmental information regulations and your rights to protest. It's in Birmingham on 19-21 May and it's a great opportunity to network. For more information and to register see:
http://community.foe.co.uk/
resource/events/power_up/

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH SLOVAKIA WIN INCINERATOR BATTLE
The Slovakian Ministry of the Environment has supported the calls of local residents and campaigners and Friends of the Earth and opposed plans for a hazardous waste incinerator project in the southwest of the country. The project, which had been submitted by the regional government, was deemed flawed and unsafe. The project was expected to be financed through the EU Cohesion Fund and would be used to dispose of the waste of private industry.

EXTERNAL NEWS
MOLE VALLEY COUNCIL TO FUND LOCAL ACTION GROUP
Mole Valley Council is going to fund Capel Action Group to fight off the threat of yet another incinerator proposal. Please see:
http://www.letsrecycle.com/
info/localauth/news.jsp?story=5505

NORFOLK COUNCIL REFUSES FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
The Norwich Evening News has tried to use the Freedom of Information Act to get detailed information on the different waste treatment proposals considered for Norfolk. However the council is refusing to disclose further information about bids rejected by the council in favour of Waste Recycling Group (WRG)'s plan for an incinerator on the outskirts of the city. It claims the information would prejudice the commercial interests of the companies. The full story can be found here:
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/
content/News/story.aspx?brand=E
NOnline&category=News&tBrand=en
online&tCategory=news&itemid=NO
ED06%20Apr%202006%2010%3A13%3A5
1%3A570

Best wishes,

Becky Slater
Campaign Assistant
Waste and Resource Use
beckys@foe.co.uk
020 7566 4079

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Thu, 20 Apr 2006
HELP THE ENVIRONMENT AND BUY GOATS FOR AFRICAN FARMERS
Don't forget that the Beehive is running a printer cartridge recycling scheme to raise funds to buy goats for African farmers. For every 50 cartridges recycled, we can provide an African farmer with a goat which makes a great deal of difference to him and his families lives. To help the project and the environment please recycle your ink cartridges, unfortunately we cannot recycle Epson cartridges.

For more information, click onto
http://www.thisisrecycling.co.uk
Contact the Beehive team on 0870 2403508 for pre-paid envelopes to send in your cartridges and stand a chance of winning a free printer, digital camera or 5 free inkjet cartridges.

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Wed, 5 Apr 2006
FEAST
Food, education and social transformation.
To facilitate, stimulate and push along the agenda on the food debate locally.
To provide a forum for debate and education, where social interaction between veggies, vegans, meat eaters and raw food enthusiasts can happen, in a friendly atmosphere. Food, education and social transformation
What do we do?
Organise a FOOD/SOCIAL GROUP coming together to enjoy each other’s company, whatever our dietary preferences: veggies, vegans and meat eaters, raw fooders, and people of no particular dietary beliefs or habits.
Promote EDUCATION on all aspects of food, covering nutrition, and all radical dietary theories, as long as they are independent of state and commercial interests.
Promote and develop ORGANIC FOODS in our meals, depending on availability.
Work towards the goal of a more progressive and RADICAL AGENDA on food, and to stimulate the debate on food.
feast4web.pdf

Contact Arthur Wood Telephone 348645

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Wed, 5 Apr 2006
Anti-Incinerator Cards
Hi.
How are you getting on with collecting signatures on your batch of cards?
There are around 3000 cards in circulation, so we'd like to see a few more coming back!
Could you let us know how many you have signed, and when you'll be getting them back to us.
If you'd like us to pick them up (within easy cycling distance of HU5 area!), please send details.
Many thanks.
Stephen, pp Carole Noreiko
for Hull FoE
6 Briarfield
Hull HU5 4HX

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Wed, 5 Apr 2006
Scunny Wind poll
Hello Chaps,
Take half a minute to vote for wind power in my area. see if we can turn it around.
Lots of Nos at the mo.
http://www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/
displayNode.jsp?command=newPage&node
Id=152647
Cheers

Martin

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Sun, 2 Apr 2006
Southcoates lane WIildlife area
After some investigation , it seems that the wildlife area in question behind Burma Drive & Southcoates lane has been let to the Preston Rd NDC.
Someone called Jan Boyd is in charge of the area and wants to remove a lot of undergrowth and generally tidy it up so that it can be used by local school children for planting etc.
I've suggested to William Rhodes that he tries to work with Jan ..maybe they can come up with some compromises ( I get the feeling that he thinks its going to be too tidy).

Sue

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Sun, 2 Apr 2006
IPCC Alder death report concerns
Local Green Party concerned over IPCC Alder Death Report
The recent IPCC report on the death in custody of Christopher Alder finds that the police officers displayed ‘unwitting racism’ towards Christopher and ‘neglect’ leading to his death.
Martin Deane, Hull Green Party spokesman says, “Our hearts are with Janet Alder and Christopher’s family today. He died eight years ago in police custody and now, finally, in 2006 a Chief Constable of Humberside has actually managed to apologize to the family for Christopher’s death.”
April 1st was the eighth anniversary of Christopher’s death in custody in Queen’s Gardens Police Station, Hull. Christopher Alder, who served in the parachute regiment, in Northern Ireland and the Falklands, was arrested after a fight outside a nightclub.
“We know Mr Hollis' apology is not sufficient for Janet, and we are aware she is calling for prosecutions. Those responsible have still not been held to account and Janet Alder wants a public inquiry,“ says Mr Deane.
IPCC chairman Nick Hardwick described the behaviour of the five officers as "disgraceful". He said, ‘All the experts agreed that, at the very least, the officers’ neglect undoubtedly did deny him the chance of life.’
“We must continue to demand the highest standards of our police officers, “ says Mr Deane, “So we must also question how the IPCC chairman can clearly say that neglect cost Christopher his life and that being black stacked the odds against him.’”
“Apparently, the five policemen have refused to co-operate with the IPCC inquiry and have never given their version of events. This is unbelievable”, says Mr Deane, Parliamentary candidate for Hull North in 2005.
“Where is the honest account from all those concerned that will help the family reach closure? Meanwhile the officers involved have moved on to new lives. We note [Chief Constable] Tim Hollis’ undertaking to pass on video footage still withheld from the family despite longterm requests. We hope this happens soon.”
Four of the five officers have been allowed by Humberside Police to retire early on medical grounds with pensions and lump sums of up to £66,000 each.

NOTES
The IPCC review was sparked by a BBC documentary “Death on Camera” in April 2004 which showed CCTV footage of a motionless Mr Alder face-down with his trousers and boxer shorts around his knees making loud rattling sounds as he choked to death on his own blood and vomit,
in the custody suite at the Hull police station.
July 2000: a Hull inquest jury returned a verdict of ''unlawful killing''. The five officers took the stand but all refused to answer any questions, repeatedly using a ‘no comment’ phrase.
April 2001: CPS would not bring manslaughter charges against the five officers, who were subsequently charged with misconduct in public office.
October 2001: CPS announced the officers would face manslaughter charges, following several reviews of the evidence, which concluded Alder could have been revived.

Martin Deane,
Hull Green Party: 01482 471467, 07812838701

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Sat, 1 Apr 2006
Cllr Hale and accurate information!
I note that Councillor Hale's letter was published on 1 April: I never thought he had that much of a sense of humour!
On the other hand, if he was serious about his attempt to discredit the British Society for Ecological Medicine's report on incineration, he ought to have read the evaluation by Dr Broomfield to which he refers.
22 000 tonnes is the quantity of PM10s (tiny particles of soot) produced by electricity generation. The figure for dioxins and furans is given in paragraph 8 of the evaluation, and it is much much smaller (fortunately for us!).
As for his boast about the quality of information provided by the Council, it rings hollow. In his case, it should read "careless with the facts".

Stephen Noreiko

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Sat, 1 Apr 2006
No time to campaign?
Jusst sent this off. feel free to nab but do adjust it to taste -
Martin

................................................... To: yhpanelsecretary@goyh.gsi.gov.uk
No to renewable energy target cuts

Panel Secretary
Room 1103
City House
New Station Street
LEEDS
LS1 4US

Dear Panel Secretary,

Re - proposed cuts in targets for renewable energy

I urge the Panel to press forward with existing targets for renewable energy production in this area, because;

Living in Hull or East Yorkshire, the threat of climate change makes us think of what drastic effects any sea level rise would have for this area. Most people's wealth would be destroyed, built in as it is to their house prices which would be shattered by any real flooding, whuich the environment agency projects across our area on its website. Getting our energy from renewable sources should be a national priority for us.

Cutting these targets treats climate change as a joke. It mocks the threat to the ice caps, or that most glaciers are retreating, or Siberia losing its permafrost. It overlooks the Gulf Stream which has dropped by a third in 20 years, and it ignores especially the fact that oceans take 40 years to heat up globally and the climate change we are experiencing so far will continue for 40 more years even if we do not add further emissions to the system. This is why it is a "far greater threat than terrorism".

The UK is one of the windiest locations in the Europe, but we are well behind many of our European neighbours in terms of successfully delivering renewable energy development. We need to maximise renewable energy contribution in those areas that have the potential and capacity.

The Energy Act 2004 requires 10% of UK electricity by 2010 should come from renewables and 20% by 2020. The Act outlines the approach needed to ensure progression towards a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, when renewables will hopefully contribute at least 30% -40% or our electricity generation. Increased development of renewable energy resources is therefore vital to facilitating the delivery of the Government's policy commitments on both climate change and renewable energy.

Yours sincerely,

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Fri, 31 Mar 2006
The Waste Question
Letter published in Hull Daily Mail on Friday 31st March 2006
When there are no easy answers, a good rule to follow is, look at the question again.
In the case of waste, are we sure we are asking the right question? For example, before asking how can we recycle more, landfill less, and so on, we really should be asking how can we create less waste.
The top term of the waste hierarchy is Reduce. It is easy to forget, when the pressure on councils is usually in terms of percentages of total waste, but reduction should come first, and this applies not just to householders but to suppliers and manufacturers. And it also needs a lead from government.
We buy a lot of things that are hard to recycle but which could be designed and manufactured with recycling in mind. It's starting to happen with cars. It should be on the way with mobile phones.
And whatever we buy, we could probably do with less packaging, packaging that is easier to open, and packaging that can be recycled. I got a fragile parcel not so long ago. The contents were packed with paper cushions. They rotted down nicely with my compost. You can't do that with polystyrene pellets. What about biodegradable plastics that can be made from crops grown on land not used for food crops?
There are possible solutions if we look for them, but sticking to the old answers like incineration and landfill is storing up trouble for the future.

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Sat, 25 Mar 2006
New Nuclear Power? No thanks!
Dear Non-Nuclear Friends,
The moment is upon us to attempt to derail Blair's nuclear witch project! March and April are key months as they vote on it in May. Please copy and paste the info below and follow the instructions - especially if you are in Prezza's or Alan johnson's constituency. DOOR KNOCKING has been going on on this issue across the country, and people have been generally receptive and prepared to write a letter.WHO might join me one evening in either of their patches?
Cheers
Martin

The government is currently reviewing its energy policy in relation to climate change. It seems Tony Blair wants to build 10 new nuclear power stations around the U.K. Apparently he thinks this is a solution to Britain’s need to cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 and 60% by 2050.

In reality, even if we doubled nuclear power in the UK, it would only cut carbon emissions by about 8%. It would also prevent money and government support going to real solutions (efficiency and renewable energy); double the amount of radioactive spent fuel in the UK (still with no safe storage); require billions of pounds of public subsidy ; deeply undermine the renewable energy sector, and increase the number of terrorist targets in the UK. The link between nuclear power and nuclear weapons proliferation remains. The same enrichment facilities can be used to make 3% enriched uranium for power station fuel or 90% enriched uranium for nuclear warheads. In addition to all of this, there is only enough uranium ore for the next 50-100 years of nuclear generation if it remained at current levels.

If Britain genuinely wants to make the necessary cuts in carbon emissions it must support renewable energy production and energy efficiency. Only so much money is available for government and private investors to put into developing electricity generation systems. If it goes to nuclear it won’t go to renewables and efficiency. The UK gets enough wind alone to meet our energy needs nine times over! As tidal, wave and solar technologies develop, a diverse renewables industry will emerge. Combined with 30% reductions in energy demand through such efficiency (including reducing air travel and car usage) as identified as possible by the government 2003 Energy Review, there is no need for nuclear.

If we act by April 2006 we might be able to stop the government setting policy in favour of nuclear power. Please get active.

First and most important - Write three letters. They can be as simple as you like, but need to be in your own words to be effective. The address is: House of Commons, London, SWIA 0AA. In order of priority these should go to:
1/. Gordon Brown. As Chancellor of the Exchequer he will have the casting vote in the cabinet as to whether nuclear power should be supported. As the Prime Minister in waiting he also has a vested interest in not annoying the public.
2/. Margaret Beckett, Minister for the Environment. As the head of the government’s own environment department, if she says nuclear is not a solution to climate change it would make a real difference. She is anti-nuclear but currently bending to pressure and needs support.
3/. Your own MP asking them to put pressure on the cabinet (especially Gordon Brown). If your own MP is in the cabinet then they should be top priority.
4/. George Osborne MP. As the shadow Chancellor of the Conservative party which is considering coming out against nuclear power he can make it clear that if they get back into office they might not support the nuclear power industry (who are saying that they need ongoing support).
The website www.newnuclearpowernothanks.org has information on nuclear, renewables, energy efficiency, cabinet ministers, and suggestions for letter writing. Second – ask 10 of your friends to write and to ask their friends to as well.
Third – if you are willing to mobilise people locally on this issue please get in touch with the New Nuclear Power? No Thanks! Network which is trying to get a U.K.-wide campaign going on this issue.
For further information contact the New Nuclear Power? No Thanks! Network:
www.newnuclearpowernothanks.org Tel 0116 210 2294

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Mon, 27 Mar 2006
Southcoates Lane Wildlife Area
I've had a call from William Rhodes. The wildlife area, which is part of the Trans Pennine Trail, has been trashed by kids on motorcycles etc and is used for drugtaking. 62 lights have been taken out in the last 3years. The police haven't enough manpower to cover the area so the council cannot keep up the maintenance. William Rhodes and other residents would love to clear the area up and are prepared to put in the effort but need a bit of advice and wonder if there any groups out there who can help. Apparently there are newts and lots of other wildlife. Any thoughts?

Sue

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Mon, 27 Mar 2006
It's the YHREF spring conference 2006!
What happens if you put the environment first? and what happens after lunch!
YHREF Spring Conference 2006 | City Hall Ballroom, Sheffield
Friday 28 April, 09:30 - 15:30

I would be delighted if you could join us for our second YHREF Conference, at the City Hall Ballroom, Sheffield, on 28 April. It promises to be a stimulating and challenging day that will be of interest to environmentalists, decision-makers, business people and community representatives (booking form and flyer attached). The conference is free to attend.
Confirmed speakers/panellists
Sir Martin Doughty - Forthcoming Chair of Natural England
David Andrews - Chief Exec of the Yorkshire Tourist Board
John Taylor/Guy Rubin - New Economics Foundation
Inderjit Bhogal - The Regional Faiths Forum
Maxwell Ayamba - Sheffield Black and Ethnic Minority Environmental Network

The purpose of the day is to explore the role of the environment in pursuing sustainable development – particularly in addressing the diverse needs and aspirations of different sectors of the community. By asking the question, ‘What happens if you put the environment first?’ the morning session of the conference will see a range of experts giving their interpretation of how tackling environmental goals as a top priority for the Yorkshire & Humber region might affect economic prospects, social inclusion and cohesion. There will be a panel discussion where you will have a chance to question our excellent line-up of experts.
After lunch, there will be a series of smaller presentations, in which individuals from the region will describe their experiences of trying to put the environment first in changing an aspect of their own day-to-day lives, such as travelling or shopping choices.
During 2006 we will be reviewing our strategy, Enhancing the Region’s Environment, and this conference will start that process by exposing key issues for the region from diverse points of view. The event will be an ideal opportunity for you to meet a wide range of representatives from environmental organisations, government agencies and local authorities, and to discuss some of the opportunities and challenges involved in making decision-making better for the environment.
Please return the attached booking form by the 10th April. We look forward to seeing you.
Best wishes

Andrew Wood - YHREF Coordinator

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Thu, 23 Mar 2006
When will it end?
Letter published in the Yorkshire Post on Thursday 23rd March 2006
I read today with dismay that Hull City Council officers have been unable to prepare adequate accounts for year 2004/5. The District Auditor is very concerned about abysmal financial procedures.
I am concerned about one particular aspect of the matter.
For six and a half years, I have opposed the plans for an incinerator intended to burn our household waste. A contract was signed, in great secrecy, by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council in 1999, allowing WRG to manage our household waste. Even at that time, the contract was worth £one-quarter billion.
Since then, control has passed annually from Hull City Council to East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and back.
I note that the Auditor is perturbed that Hull has inadequately prepared grant claim certificates for up to £141 million it receives from the Government. These grants include money for waste recycling.
If the officers are incapable of preparing these documents showing how money has been spent, how can anyone, (Hull/East Riding resident, East Riding officer/councillor, or Government official), believe that the waste contract was negotiated properly? Where is the slightest evidence that (incompetent?) officers were up to the task of protecting residents’ interests?

Both councils are absolutely determined to allow WRG to build a 326,000 tons capacity incinerator at Saltend, yet none of us can have any faith that the original contract was handled competently.

Barry Robinson

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Tue, 21 Mar 2006
National FOE’s Waste Campaign
I’ve received a lot of stuff related to National FOE’s Waste Campaign. Its taken me a week just to get round to opening it. It all looks very relevant good stuff. The most relevant thing is that they want us to do a day of action before the 24th April. We can obviously discuss it at the AGM but I think it would help if some of us had got our heads round it before then so that we can make suggestions to the meeting. Is anyone willing to look at it and think how we ought to use it? I don’t mind if anyone interested wants to meet at my house or their’s or if they want to take it away to look at if they are going to come back with ideas, but I don’t want to be left to plan it all myself.

Hilary J Byers

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Sat, 18 Mar 2006
WASTE NEWS
INTERNAL NEWS
FRIENDS OF THE EARTH CONDEMNS UK POSITION IN EU WASTE DEBATE
On 9th March, the Environment Minister Elliot Morley met with his European counterparts to discuss a new European Union Strategy on Waste Prevention and Recycling. To coincide, Friends of the Earth sent out the following press release condemning the UK Government for opposing the creation of minimum standards for disposal and recycling facilities across Europe:
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/
press_releases/friends_of_the_earth
_conde_09032006.html

FoE IRELAND CALLS FOR DOUBLING OF PLASTIC BAG TAX
The number of plastic bags being bought in Ireland is rising steadily as more people choose to pay the tax rather than reuse bags. FoE Ireland is calling for the tax to be doubled in order to protect the original success of the tax:
http://www.foe.ie/FOE%20Ireland/
News/double_plastic_bag_tax.html

EXTERNAL NEWS
TOWARDS ZERO WASTE CONFERENCE - SATURDAY 25TH MARCH
A one day conference on recycling and composting solutions for our waste without incineration is being organised by the Zero Waste Chartists, and hosted by Oxford Friends of the Earth.
It will be held from 10.30am - 4.30pm at The Wesley Memorial Hall, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford OX1 2DH (5 minutes walk from Oxford's train/bus station). The cost including lunch and refreshments is £15 each or £10 concessions (NUS/UB40/OAP).
Speakers include Dr Michael Warhurst, Friends of the Earth Senior Waste Campaigner. To find out more and book your place please see
www.oxfoe.co.uk
or email zwconference@oxfoe.co.uk
or contact Andrew Wood, Oxford FOE 07973 953 446.

NEW YORK INVESTIGATES POSSIBLE WASTE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES
In New York local community opposition to building incinerators had meant that this option was ruled out, so alternative technologies have been evaluated. A decision will now be made between anaerobic digestion and gasification:
http://www.edie.net/news/news
_story.asp?id=11174&channel=0

COUNCILS SET TO FINE FOR WRONG RUBBISH IN BINS
The Observer has reported that householders face fines of up to £2,500 for putting the 'wrong rubbish' in their bins. More than 10 councils have introduced penalties for those who put recyclable matter into general waste, or 'contaminate' recycling boxes with other rubbish. Dozens more councils have expressed an interest in introducing similar measures as they struggle to meet targets to reduce landfill waste and increase recycling. Please see:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/
uk_news/story/0,,1729034,00.html

SPLIT IN LIBERAL DEMOCRAT CAMP OVER ENERGY-FROM-WASTE
Liberal Democrat policy officers have distanced themselves from views expressed by the party's House of Lords transport spokesman Lord Bill Bradshaw in favour of incineration. On the same day new leader Sir Menzies Campbell appointed his leadership rival Chris Huhne as shadow environment secretary, Lord Bradshaw described those campaigning against incineration as holding "alarmist views". However, his party voted to campaign on precisely these views - and push for a ban on the thermal treatment of waste - at its Annual Conference in September 2003. The full story can be found here:
http://www.letsrecycle.com/
legislation/news.jsp?story=5413

NEW CAMPAIGNING WEBSITE LAUNCHED
A great new website,
http://www.CampaignCreator.org, provides a series of easy-to-use tools that will help anyone to set up and manage their own local campaign, on any issue that's important to them. It's a pilot project run by Bristol City Council, and helps you set up a website, e-newsletters, online surveys and e-petitions, as well as 'offline' materials likes posters and leaflets.
Best wishes,

Becky Slater Campaign Assistant
Waste and Resource Use
beckys@foe.co.uk Tel 020 7566 4079

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Tue, 14 Mar 2006
Student Debate on Biodiversity
Dear all
I thought I would alert you to the following debate, which should be both educational and entertaining:
Earthwatch York Student Debate on Local Biodiversity: Wild Species and Wild Spaces
Friday 24th March, 1.00pm-3.00pm, Central Hall, University of York
Proving that you are never too young to do your bit for conservation… Earthwatch and the Environment Department at the University of York have issued a friendly challenge to Yorkshire schools in the form of a student debate on local biodiversity. Admission free to the general public, but by ticket only, with the audience voting for the winner of an Earthwatch conservation grant.
For more information, see:
www.earthwatch.org/europe/getinvolved/
events/yorkdebate.html
Or contact Earthwatch on (01865) 318856;
events@earthwatch.org.uk
The students have put a good deal of work into this, so If you could find some way of passing on this information to colleagues, contacts and friends, (the general public are very welcome to attend), or find the time yourself to come along and support them, I would be very grateful.
Best wishes

Simon Laman
Events Officer
Earthwatch Institute (Europe)
Prama House
267 Banbury Road
Oxford, OX2 7HT
U.K.

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Mon, 13 Mar 2006
Expert Slams Waste Plans
A leading expert in waste management has questioned East Riding & Hull Councils’ joint waste strategy which could see an incinerator built at Saltend.

Alan Watson, internationally respected waste expert, (Public Interest Consultants), was commissioned by two local pressure groups to assess the [councils’] Draft Joint Sustainable Waste Management Strategy. Target 45+, published last year. The document is undergoing consultation.

Mr. Watson has written raising a number of issues about the strategy.
In his report he says, “It is not at all clear what could change as a result of consultation. The flexibility that remains in the consultation document appears remarkably limited”.

He goes on to criticise the process by which a figure of 45% recycling with large-scale incineration was reached.
He writes: “The BPEO, on which most of the strategy is founded is a deeply flawed modelling exercise whose credibility was totally undermined by the convenient revision to suit the revised proposals for a single large incinerator. The reality is that the consultants never presented models that would give any result other than incineration as the favoured option”.

Mr. Watson has [been successfully] involved in several public inquiries in the UK and been involved in defeating a scheme in Kidderminster and opposing the infamous Byker incinerator. He was approached by members of Communities Against Toxics and East Yorkshire EYE.

Barry Robinson from both groups said: “Mr. Watson’s comments are those of an internationally respected consultant. I believe that [the] new [waste] strategy is a vital step towards legitimising the proposed Saltend incinerator. I consider the present consultation was played down”.

The firm behind plans to build the 240,000 tonne per annum incinerator WRG have left sufficient land available in their proposal to increase the waste burnt for energy to 326,000 tpa. This figure is not included in the strategy

Mr. Watson said: “Not doing so could easily be interpreted as an intention to mislead the public about the actual size of the proposals & to hide the extent of the commitment of the authorities to this scale of incineration”.

A spokesman for the 2 councils said: “The consultation is asking for comments on how we can achieve 45+% recycling. The BPEO followed the ODPM’s Wisard model for best practice & this came up with the 45%. Regarding the 240,000 tonne figure should WRG need to increase capacity in the future they will have to submit another planning application, which will be subject to the rigorous planning process. By 2012/13 we expect to hit a ceiling for waste produced as new recycling facilities come online so we do not expect any further capacity to be required”.

A planning application is expected in the summer.

(from the Holderness Gazette published on March 9th 2006)

This article took up the full front page of the Holderness Gazette. It refers to the ERYC / KHCC draft joint waste plan which has just been available for public consultation. It was important that the document be approved in order to legitimise incineration of our household waste. I believe that the lack of necessity for incineration is becoming clearer.

Barry Robinson.

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Sat, 4 Mar 2006
Blair's quiet desperation
Dear Friends,
Surely a mark of desperation that Mr Blair turn up on Parkinson, something no other serving Prime Minister has done. His present crop of hard-working spin doctors will have thought long and hard and decided this is where his gifts really shine - pulling the wool over the eyes of "some of the people you can fool all the time".
He speaks, at will, with a catch in his voice about any scenario he is given. He describes, at will, his conscience and the trials he has gone through. How hard his soul searching must have been in order to commit British troops to killing, dying, war and death.
How heavy was his heart signing off on the September Dossier of Saddam's WMD, the proof of the danger Iraq was to world peace. How great the regret as he ensured the 45 minute threat against British troops be included FOUR times so even the laziest of reporters would have a headline. How heavy was his heart when he saw the Downing Street memo earlier in 2002 saying St George would attack Iraq and that evidence was being fixed around policy. How saddened was he when the UN could not see what was so plain to any child.
But be not deceived. It is a bleak Gospel according to Tony. We cannot live in a world of peace. We must have enemies. Yes this is incredibly sad, and so highly regrettable, but unfortunately true and means we have to make the hard decisions. The world is unstable: the great enemy we were all taught to hate, fell apart in 1990.
But it is written that we have to hate. Luckily the Revelations of George reveal the new enemy for those who have ears to hear: Militant Islam - those we armed and bankrolled (CIA, MI6), who brought down the Soviet Union, have now turned against us, and so promoted to the Apostolate of Enemies - to be followed soon by Iran, Syria, North Korea (and the C word, China).
Tony knows that St George has been patron of Britain since the 1270s! It is propitious. The time is now. Ancient History shows the devotee that the desire to attack Iraq was made at least in 1997. With St George in the White House the writing was on the wall. The single greatest gift that Tony has is being able to fix his conscience around the policy. Tony preaches also the Good News of Britain's advanced economy, number four in the world. The esoteric teaching for true disciples includes that Britain is the second arms dealer to creation, a necessary corollary to the doctrine of Eternal Enmity.
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Blair is an absolutist - as is Bush. Their way or the highway. We are with them or we're with the terrorists.
Thank God life is so black and white. If there were any complexity we would have to think.
Don't be decieved. St Blair of the New World is as dangerous as never before.

Yvonne Kinghorn

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Fri, 3 Mar 2006
Taking Aim
Dear Broadband Friends,
I commend this radio site - and its audio archive - to you, run by a pair of veteran investigative reporters.
http://www.takingaim.info/
For anyone not quite convinced the CIA killed Kennedy I commend the interviews with author Joan Mellen.
For anyone undecided on the 9/11 question check out the interviews on that subject. They dove tail nicely with my own investigations in 2004. And if you are convinced you know what happened on 7th July and the London Bombings, at least give the programmes on that subject an airing. I havent heard them yet but after my first week investigating the bombings Im certain that we actually know only a fraction of what really happened that day.
And a final note - If it all sounds too conspiratorial remember there is a big difference between conspiracy theory and conspiracy FACT. We know this well after Iraq. From 1997 (at least) the Project for a New American Century: Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz, have actively conspired to get a war against Iraq. WMD was a smoke screen - there were none, this was known; Saddam a threat to world peace, a smokescreen, he could not "project his power"; Regime change, a smoke screen, Saddam was ok while killing Iranians and then his own people - We armed him and continued to arm him. The real reasons: domination of the Middle East, oil, Iran, Saudi and preparations to face off China. AND WE LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT. - We are, after all, a democracy. Will we be equally fooled OVER IRAN???

Yvonne Kinghorn

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Thu, 2 Mar 2006
Our Energy Challenge - Have your say!
The City of Hull & Humber Environment Forum (CHEF) and Kingston upon Hull City Council invite you to a public meeting to discuss the government’s national consultation on energy. The event will take place at 1pm, concluding 3pm on Tuesday 7 March 2006 at The Guildhall, Hull. Free, all welcome. Disabled access. There is no need to book.
On 23 January 2006 the Secretary of State and the Minister for Energy launched the consultation document "Our Energy Challenge: securing clean, affordable energy for the long term". The consultation has a broad scope and considers all aspects of the energy system including both energy supply and demand. It sets out the energy challenges we are currently facing, and invites responses to the evidence presented and to what should be done to secure clean, affordable energy for the long term. The 12-week consultation period is intended to ‘stimulate a wide-ranging and informed debate on energy policy issues’. Said a government spokesperson.
Currently, the UK generates over 40% of electricity using Gas, 33 % from coal, 19% nuclear and just 4% from Renewable sources. The UK is now a net importer of gas and coal. (Source DTI 2005). The meeting will be led by John Bell, Hull City Council’s Energy Manager who will give an overview of the consultation followed by national, regional and local perspectives. For further detailed information about this national public consultation visit:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review
‘This meeting is a real opportunity to look at our energy needs both now and in the future. It is all about stimulating debate so that people can make their own comment to government.‘ Said John Bell, Hull City Council’s Energy Manager.

The City of Hull & Humber Environment Forum
29 Anlaby Road
HULL
HU1 2PG

(01482) 324223 Mobile: 07985917923
Charity number 1075172. Company number 3623588.

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Thu, 2 Mar 2006
Waste strategy review group action
WASTE NEWS
INTERNAL NEWS
SIGN UP FOR LOCAL GROUP ACTION ON WASTE STRATEGY REVIEW
The review of Waste Strategy 2000, the national strategy for England, is expected to be published for consultation on 14th February. This provides a crucial opportunity to show the government how the public feel about plans to increase incineration.
In order to get this important message across we need you to take part in an action during March and April. We will be providing campaigners with a suite of actions they can take part in to collect people's views and voices about plans for more incineration. Please speak to your group about taking part and sign up soon to receive more information. To register your group's interest please reply to this email with your name, local group, address and telephone number.

ACTIVE TRAINING DAY IN MANCHESTER
Friends of the Earth NW and the NW Waste Forum are organising an 'Active Training' Day for NW Waste Campaigners in central Manchester on Saturday 4 March 2006.
The objectives of the day are to:

• raise awareness of the National and NW Regional Waste Strategy consultations and opportunities for community input;
• assist in preparing Friends of the Earth's and NW Waste Forum's responses to these consultations;
• discuss the environmental and social implications of the key options for resource use and waste public planning and
• provide the opportunity for networking among voluntary and community campaigners and practitioners concerned with waste planning issues.

EXTERNAL NEWS
NEW LOCAL AUTHORITY RECYCLING FIGURES 2004/05
DEFRA have released the local authority recycling figures for 2004/05. They show that people in the East of England continue to lead the way, with residents in St Edmundsbury (50.6%), Forest Heath (48.6%) and South Cambridgeshire (46.8%), helping the region recycle and compost 29.8% of its waste.
Broadland had the highest rate of dry recycling in the country, recycling 38.3% of household waste, while Solihull had the largest drop in waste generation, down from 502 kg per person in 2003/04 to 370kg. The national average is 518kg per person.
The lowest amount of recycling took place in the North East (16.4%) followed closely by London (17.7%) with residents in Newham (6.2%), Tower Hamlets (7.4%) and Liverpool (7.6%) recycling the least. The most improved authorities - Harborough, Cherwell and Vale Royal - experienced dramatic improvements, with percentage point increases of 31.1, 24.7 and 24.6 respectively.
Friends of the Earth's press release can be read here:
www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/
recycling_rates_increasing_23012006.html
The DEFRA press release and full table of results can be found here: www.defra.gov.uk/news/2006/060123a.htm

GLASS RECYCLING REACHES RECORD LEVELS
Glass recycling hit record levels in 2005, according to provisional figures released by glass industry confederation British Glass. The amount of recycled glass used in making new containers in the UK increased by an impressive 67,000 tonnes during 2005 to an all time high of 742,000 tonnes. This means that UK manufactured bottles and jars contained an average of 35.5 per cent of recycled glass.
More information can be found here:
www.britglass.org.uk/NewsEvents/BGNewsCurrent/
GlassRecycling-RecordLeve.html

LONDON WASTE ACTION STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP
London Waste Action are holding a stakeholder workshop on 28th Feb at the Imperial War Museum. They are talking about the alterations to the London Plan which will change how Borough's plan for waste and manage waste and also a non-municipal waste strategy for London. Please get in touch with me if you are interested in attending. Best wishes,

Becky Slater
Campaign Assistant
Waste and Resource Use
beckys@foe.co.uk
020 7566 4079

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Mon, 27 Feb 2006
I find recycling more and more confusing
According to the article in the Hull Daily Mail (17 February 2006), shoes and leather goods are not accepted in the Hull black boxes, and I should remove lids from plastic bottles. According to the Hull City Council sticker with the black box collection dates for 2006-7, what can go in the box includes pairs of shoes and leather goods, and there is no mention of removing lids and caps from plastic bottles. If the Council is really keen on increasing recycling, then we need clear unambiguous instructions. If the Council tells the public one thing and the press another, then we risk having the recycling boxes filled with unsuitable stuff. Or is there a sinister plot to prove that Hull folk can't be trusted to recycle properly so that the Council can claim the need for more and bigger incinerators to burn everything?

Carole Noreiko,

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Fri, 17 Feb 2006
Working Against New Nuclear Power
New Nuclear Power? No Thanks! Network
12 Bartholomew Street
Leicester
LE2 1FA
0116 210 2294

I’m writing from the New Nuclear Power? No Thanks! Network. We are trying to get a strong anti-new nuclear power letter-writing campaign going in each Cabinet Minister’s constituency, and also the constituencies where new nuclear power stations are likely to be built. Ideally groups in each of those areas would work together to make this successful.
As you know, a massive PR campaign is currently being run to help support Tony Blair’s conviction that nuclear power is the answer to climate change and relying on imported fuel for electricity. In reality it won’t solve these problems and it will, as ever, be expensive and dangerous. Moreover, it will hoover up resources and scupper proper investment in energy demand reduction (including essential curbs on road and air travel) and renewables: the things that we need to act on right now that will really cut our carbon emissions and give us a sustainable and secure energy future.
If people and groups around the country work together we might be able to stop the government from starting a new nuclear power programme, but we need to act fast. If you want to voice your opposition it has to be before April, as the Government hopes to push this through by the Summer. Would Hull FoE and the Hull Green Party, anyone in them, or anyone else you know, like to act on this?
Below are ideas for action. If you’re already doing something – great! If not, we hope you’ll decide to take some time now to act. We’ll have a website with resources by Mid February, or we can send you information direct (see below). I hope you’ll join us, spread the word, and let us know who else in your area we should contact. My e-mail address is zinazelter@yahoo.co.uk or you could ring me on 0116 210 2294 (do leave a message – I will reply).

What you can do:
Phone/email your members asking them to write letters to their MPs on this subject and each to ask 10 friends to do the same. Write to Gordon Brown (chancellor) and George Osborne(shadow chancellor) as a group to oppose the building of new nuclear power stations – send a copy to the local press. Make a strongly anti-nuclear submission as a group to the public consultation on the government Energy review before the 14th April. Get as many local organisations as possible to get their members to do 1, 2 and 3 above - for example religious groups, peace and environment groups, the local Green Party, youth and university groups. If you are in or near a priority constituency, then join with other local groups to find people who will go door to door within that constituency to get those constituents to write to their MP asking them to oppose the building of new nuclear power stations. Go and see your MP as a group and get your members to do the same as individuals.

We can provide arguments for you to use and resources available include:

• A skeleton letter to your target Cabinet Minister/MP
• A draft petition to your Cabinet Minister/MP
• A draft press release to your local media
• A draft text for a leaflet to take door to door or to events
• A guide to organising a public meeting

You can provide arguments for you to use and resources available include:

• A skeleton letter to your target Cabinet Minister/MP
• A draft petition to your Cabinet Minister/MP
• A draft press release to your local media
• A draft text for a leaflet to take door to door or to events
• A guide to organising a public meeting

We can also help with:

• Lists of MPs addresses, and the contact details for their local surgeries
• A priority order for letter writing (in case people want to write to more than one person)
• Information on the risks, problems and costs of nuclear power as well as the alternatives for tackling climate change
• A way of linking up / making contact with people in your constituency who would like to lobby your MP in person but as part of a group rather than alone

These resources will be available from mid February on the website www.newnuclearpowernothanks.org which we are working on now. Some of them are also available on paper.
ring me on 0116 210 2294 if you need a copy of something.
Best wishes,

Zina Zelter

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Thu, 16 Feb 2006
Packed conference vows to stop BNP in May
What you can do * Days of action - 25 February, 25 March, 29 April. * Register to vote: deadline is 13th March. Play your part in stopping the BNP in the forthcoming local elections. * Vote on May 4th - stop the BNP in their tracks. * Contact UAF to set up a local group. * Join UAF and make a donation. * Join our email list.
Over 600 anti-fascist activists, trade unionists and young people from around the country met in London on 18 February for the national Unite Against Fascism conference organised by UAF and SERTUC.
The conference was the largest of its kind for many decades. Significantly, there was a large turnout of young people and students.

• Dominique Walker gave a moving speech to the conference which highlighted the ultimate price paid for the rise of racism and received a standing ovation. Her brother, teenager Anthony Walker, was murdered by racists in Liverpool last July. She paid tribute to anti-fascists who had helped organise a concert in Liverpool for black and white unity in the wake of Anthony's murder. "Love Music Hate Racism would have been really special to Anthony," she said. "It's something the family are behind in a big way."
• 'Bend it Like Beckham' and 'Bride and Prejudice' film Director Gurinder Chadha, TUC gave a moving speech, saying: "I was a teenager in London when Rock Against Racism was formed. I had heard about it and really wanted to go on the first big march and concert in Victoria Park, but my Dad wouldn't let me. I told him I was going shopping instead and left the house. Of course I headed for Hackney and arrived at the park just as the march was arriving. I stood there amongst thousands of people wide-eyed with my mouth open and my brain buzzing. It was a day that changed my life. We cannot stand back and let people be killed because of their skin colour. We cannot allow a younger generation to feel scared that they cannot stand up, protest and be counted. It is all our responsibility to fight and protect our Britain, a Britain for all of us. I would urge everyone to get involved with LMHR and UAF, and use their voice and be counted."

Ken Livingstone, chair of Unite Against Fascism, spoke of the BNP attacks on Islam and Muslims as the theme of their campaign for the local elections. He said: "Their aim is to use Islamophobia to try to make the kind of breakthrough which the far right has achieved elsewhere in Europe. This conference will unite all of those threatened by the rise of the far right - trade unions, religious faiths, diverse communities, lesbian and gay groups, disabled people, students, and many others - in a broad alliance to stop the BNP." He highlighted the importance of mainstream parties to confront racism and oppose the BNP, referring to past experiences in Tower Hamlets and other parts of London, where policies of main parties laid the ground for advances by the fascists.

In the 2005 general election the BNP got the largest vote for a fascist party in British history. Conference highlighted the surge in electoral support for the BNP over the last decade. Speakers urged activists to raise awareness of this threat and urged everyone opposed to the BNP to register to vote, and turn out to vote in the local elections on May 4th. This is the only effective way of stopping them making a breakthrough with the council seats they seek to gain. Speakers and participants outlined the worrying growth of the BNP's vote and effective strategies to stop them before they make a major national breakthrough.

The key theme of the conference was the critical need for unity in the face of one of the greatest threats in history: the threat of the physical annihilation of millions of people at the hands of fascists. It is clear that, while this threat is not yet equivalent to the 1930s, the last 20 years have seen growth across Europe of fascist parties, gaining electoral ground and influence in mainstream politics. In Britain, such advances have not yet occurred but should the BNP's electoral trajectory continue, a breakthrough could also happen here. It is therefore crucial that the anti-fascist movement grasps what is at stake and implements the best and most effective strategy to stop the BNP.

Speakers at the conference reflected the breadth of support for Unite Against Fascism, including the trade union movement, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu and other faith communities, Black and Asian communities, lesbian and gay organisations and the disability rights groups, students and young people, MPs and MEPs, artists and many more. Many pointed out that the vast majority of British society is opposed to, and united against the mortal threat that the growth of fascism represents.

The conference highlighted how the BNP was seeking to exploit the current climate of Islamophobia, especially in the wake of the publication of the anti-Muslim cartoons and the recent acquittal of BNP leader Nick Griffin on six incitement to racial hatred charges. Participants were called on to ensure a big turnout at the date of the retrial on May 15 in Leeds on the remainder of the charges.

The attempt by the BNP to turn the May elections into a "referendum on Islam", in order to exploit the current wave of Islamophobia that is sweeping across Europe was raised by several speakers.

Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive of Stonewall, called for unity against the rise of fascism and Kirsten Hearne, from the LGBT disability rights organisation Regard reminded us that the far right target the vulnerable – today it is asylum seekers and Muslims, but during the Holocaust this was also people with disabilities. She also highlighted the dangerous legitimisation that far right gay Dutch leader Pym Fortuyn gave to fascism. Imaan the LGBT Muslim group also addressed the conference.

95 year old Leon Greenman OBE spoke of his promise 60 years ago when he survived Auschwitz to tell everyone about what the Nazis did, so the systematic extermination program of the Nazis would never happen again, closing the conference to rousing applause.

Packed seminars on the role of music in stopping racism and fascism, the rise of racism since the London bombings, the lessons of the Holocaust, the trade unions' role in the fight against fascism and challenging the homophobia of the BNP brought new layers of activists into the campaign and highlighted important issues and ways of campaigning against the BNP.

The meeting was supported by UNISON, AMICUS, CWU, NATFHE and PCS as well as the National Assembly Against Racism and Love Music Hate Racism on stopping the British National Party (BNP) at the 4 May local elections.

Speakers included Ken Livingstone, trade unionists Keith Sonnet (Deputy General Secretary of UNISON), Billy Hayes (Communications Workers Union General Secretary), Barry Camfield (TGWU Assistant General Secretary), Mark Serwotka (PCS General Secretary), Paul Mackney (NATFHE General Secretary), Michael Meacher MP, Sadiq Khan MP and Linda Riordan MP, Dr Daud Abdullah Assistant Secretary General Muslim Council of Britain, Dabinderjit Singh from the Sikh Federation and Sikh Secretariat UK, LGBT rights organisations such as Ben Summerskill Chief Executive of Stonewall, Kirsten Hearne from REGARD and representatives from Muslim LGBT group IMAAN, Kat Fletcher (NUS President) and Glyn Ford MEP, as well as Holocaust survivor Henry Guterman MBE and Auschwitz survivor Leon Greenman OBE.

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Mon, 13 Feb 2006
War on Iran
Dear Friends,
The USA is determined to make war on Iran.
Iran has been in the firing line, just as Iraq was, from the earliest days of the Project for a New American Century (Bush & friends). Scott Ritter and Seymour Hersh both talked of attacks possible on Iran as early as summer of last year. Now Scott Ritter reports the intelligence is being fixed on Iran.
]West Hartford News - News - 02/02/2006 - Former weapons inspector ...
Former United Nations weapons inspector and ex-marine intelligence officer Scott Ritter told a crowd "...the Bush administration is fixing intelligence around policy on Iran... There is nothing to prevent the president from going to war in Iran. He has no respect for checks and balances. We're heading toward Tehran." Ritter predicted the matter will wind up before the U.N. Security Council, which will determine there is no evidence of a weapons program. Then, he said, John Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, "will deliver a speech that has already been written. It says America cannot allow Iran to threaten the United States and we must unilaterally defend ourselves."
http://www.radicalleft.net/blog/_archives/
2006/2/7/1749652.html
"How do I know this? I've talked to Bolton's speechwriter," Ritter said. Ritter also predicted the military strategy for war with Iran. First, American forces will bomb Iran. If Iranians don't overthrow the current government, as Bush hopes they will, Iran will probably attack Israel. Then, Ritter said, the United States will drop a nuclear bomb on Iran. The only way to prevent a war with Iran is to elect a Democratically controlled Congress in November, said Ritter, a lifelong Republican. We should note that the reason the IAEA and El-Baradei got the Nobel Peace Prize was precisely because they would not let nuclear issues become a cause for war, ie they defied Bush - which is why Bush tried to get rid of him. So campaigning for peace for Iran is as vital as campaigning for Iraq ever was in 2002-3, and to strengthen the campaign to bring the troops home. Meanwhile, Israel has 100 new F-17 fighter bombers capable of Iran and back - as it makes no secret about. And to listen to the Moral Maze (R4) you would think the only decent thing to do would be to bomb Iran now! The decision has been made. So has Britian's decision to back it. Organise. What can you do? What will you do?
Ritter goes on to claim that -

• The U.S. military are sending spy aircraft over Iran on a regular schedule.
• The U.S. is working with the Mujahadeen el-Khalq to run CIA-backed operations inside Iran.
• MEK is an Terrorism organization officially labeled as such by the U.S. State Department, and for U.S. officials to work with an known Terrorist organization goes against everything this war is supposedly about.
• The U.S. is working with Azerbaijan to operate "forward bases" that can be used to stage supplies and troops to enter Iran. Also, in the immediate term, those forward bases act as CIA-sponsored training grounds to work with the Azeri of Northern Iran to infiltrate and set up geurilla units inside Iran.
• The U.S. of course already has extensive materiel located nearby (Iraq, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, etc) to apply to Iran should open hostilities begin.
• The combination gives a very different invasion strategy than had been considered before. Instead of landing at some towns along Iran's southern coast, they would invade from the North in Azerbaijan and have a relatively short route to reach Tehran.

Martin Deane

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Sat, 11 Feb 2006
Air Pollution & Management
Air Pollution & Management
Hull Business Centre, Guildhall Road, Hull
10am, concluding Noon
Friday 24 February 2006
*Free, but you need to book. Places are limited.
Disabled access, refreshments.

As part of a season of short courses looking at a variety of environmental issues, The City of Hull & Humber Environment Forum (CHEF) in partnership with Hull City Council presents an event focusing on Air Pollution & Management.

This short course looks at the role local authorities have under The Environment Act 1995 to review air quality and assess air quality objectives. The Act requires a National Air Quality Strategy for the control of Air Quality. The course will be led by David White, Air Quality Officer, Public Protection Division, Hull City Council.

You will initially look at how this Strategy establishes a framework for air quality improvements. The role of Local authorities is to carry out reviews and assessments to identify those areas where it is considered likely air pollutants are at levels that may cause harm to our health. If so an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) must be declared. Although Hull’s air quality is generally regarded as good the City’s first AQMA was designated on the 1 August 2005 in the Castle Street area. This is due to the levels of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The second part of the course will look in detail at this local example.

'Air Quality aspects us all and this event is about raising awareness and developing an understanding of the issues.' Said Adam Fowler, The City of Hull & Humber Environment Forum (CHEF). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

The City of Hull & Humber Environment Forum
29 Anlaby Road
HULL
HU1 2PG

Tel (01482) 324223 Mobile: 07985917923
Charity number 1075172. Company number 3623588

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Tue, 7 Feb 2006
Attack on Iran
Dear Friends, some snippets from www.whatreallyhappened.com
- a recommended site. Note the latest start date for attack on Iran as March 28th.
Will we acquiesce, or will we resist?
Russian Ultranationalist Leader Expects U.S. to Attack Iran in Late March
“The war is inevitable because the Americans want this war,” he said. “Any country claiming a leading position in the world will need to wage wars. Otherwise it will simply not be able to retain its leading position. The date for the strike is already known — it is the election day in Israel (March 28).
ISRAEL: Iran is world's most serious threat since WWII
Israel's Ambassador to the United States Danny Ayalon said on Tuesday morning that Iran is the biggest problem facing the world since World War II.
Juggernaut Gathering Momentum, Headed For Iran While Congress was voting for war on October 10, more candid observations came in highly unusual remarks from a source with excellent access to the White House. Philip Zelikow, at the time a member of the prestigious President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, spoke at the University of Virginia: Why would Iraq attack America or use nuclear weapons against us? I'll tell you what I think the real threat is and actually has been since 1990 - it's the threat against Israel. And this is the threat that dare not speak its name ... the American government doesn't want to lean too hard on it rhetorically, because it is not a popular sell.
Regards,

Martin

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Fri, 3 Feb 2006
WASTE NEWS
SIGN UP FOR LOCAL GROUP ACTION ON WASTE STRATEGY REVIEW
The review of Waste Strategy 2000, the national strategy for England, is expected to be published for consultation on 14th February. This provides a crucial opportunity to show the government how the public feel about plans to increase incineration. In order to get this important message across we need you to take part in an action during March and April. We will be providing campaigners with a suite of actions they can take part in to collect people's views and voices about plans for more incineration. Please speak to your group about taking part and sign up soon to receive more information. To register your group's interest please reply to this email with your name, local group, address and telephone number.

ACTIVE TRAINING DAY IN MANCHESTER
Friends of the Earth NW and the NW Waste Forum are organising an 'Active Training' Day for NW Waste Campaigners in central Manchester on Saturday 4 March 2006.
The objectives of the day are to:

• raise awareness of the National and NW Regional Waste Strategy consultations and opportunities for community input;
• assist in preparing Friends of the Earth's and NW Waste Forum's responses to these consultations;
• discuss the environmental and social implications of the key options for resource use and waste public planning and
• provide the opportunity for networking among voluntary and community campaigners and practitioners concerned with waste planning issues.

EXTERNAL NEWS
NEW LOCAL AUTHORITY RECYCLING FIGURES 2004/05
DEFRA have released the local authority recycling figures for 2004/05.
They show that people in the East of England continue to lead the way, with residents in St Edmundsbury (50.6%), Forest Heath (48.6%) and South Cambridgeshire (46.8%), helping the region recycle and compost 29.8% of its waste.
Broadland had the highest rate of dry recycling in the country, recycling 38.3% of household waste, while Solihull had the largest drop in waste generation, down from 502 kg per person in 2003/04 to 370kg. The national average is 518kg per person.
The lowest amount of recycling took place in the North East (16.4%) followed closely by London (17.7%) with residents in Newham (6.2%), Tower Hamlets (7.4%) and Liverpool (7.6%) recycling the least. The most improved authorities - Harborough, Cherwell and Vale Royal - experienced dramatic improvements, with percentage point increases of 31.1, 24.7 and 24.6 respectively.
Friends of the Earth's press release can be read here:
www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/
recycling_rates_increasing_23012006.html
The DEFRA press release and full table of results can be found here:
www.defra.gov.uk/news/2006/060123a.htm

GLASS RECYCLING REACHES RECORD LEVELS
Glass recycling hit record levels in 2005, according to provisional figures released by glass industry confederation British Glass. The amount of recycled glass used in making new containers in the UK increased by an impressive 67,000 tonnes during 2005 to an all time high of 742,000 tonnes. This means that UK manufactured bottles and jars contained an average of 35.5 per cent of recycled glass.
More information can be found here:
www.britglass.org.uk/NewsEvents/
BGNewsCurrent/GlassRecycling-RecordLeve.html

LONDON WASTE ACTION STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP
London Waste Action are holding a stakeholder workshop on 28th Feb at the Imperial War Museum. They are talking about the alterations to the London Plan which will change how Borough's plan for waste and manage waste and also a non-municipal waste strategy for London. Please get in touch with me if you are interested in attending.
Best wishes,

Becky Slater
Campaign Assistant
Waste and Resource Use
beckys@foe.co.uk
020 7566 4079

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Wed, 1 Feb 2006
Seeing other councils' waste management schemes in action
Well, as you may know from Zero Waste Chartists emails, we are hoping to run a 'Towards Zero Waste' one-day conference at Oxford on Saturday 25th March. I have invited both LibDem Roger Symonds of ZW Bath & NE Somerset and Labour elected mayor Martin Winter of Zero Waste Doncaster to speak. They are the ones I know about. You should ask if Martin Winter will invite a delegation to visit Doncaster and see how he is getting on. Most counties are already signed up to or are going to sign contracts for 25 or 30 years for either massburn incineration or MBT/RDF + incinerators to burn the RDF. They admit it is going to cost huge sums to the council taxpayer, but don't admit that doing so will mean Britain and they will be fined for not complying with the Packaging Directive statutory recycling by December 2008: 60% paper, card and glass; 50% metals; 22.5% plastics and 15% wood. Complying with the Landfill Directive is easy - to reduce biodegradable waste (garden waste, paper, card and foodwaste) going to landfill in easy stages, to a final reduction of two-thirds by 2020, which Mersea already complies with. Complying with the Packaging Directive is not at all easy and requires separated kerbside collections of paper, card, glass, cans and plastics in order to comply. Mersea, although recycling 60%, has not complied with any of these yet, except possibly plastics, by collecting 71% of available plastic bottles at the kerbside, but not the other plastic containers.

Paula

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Fri, 27 Jan 2006
Why incinerate our waste?
For a long time, I have tried to understand why so many local authorities such as Hull, and the East Riding of Yorkshire, are keen to incinerate our household waste. Doing so against the wishes of so many residents doesn’t make voting sense. There are far better, cheaper, safer, less environmentally-damaging treatments. Why alienate voters? Why run the risk of a disaster on the lines of the Capper Pass smelting works at North Ferriby, which has caused cancers in workers? Regularly reading the Yorkshire Post has provided some clues. Incineration is Government-driven. John Prescott’s department, that of Deputy Prime Minister, (responsible for the final, ‘Yes’, or ‘No’), stands accused of staff bullying, and, I believe, lack of direction. John is proud of not passing his 11+. I have complained loudly about the lack of public consultation on incineration, (we have not had one Council-driven public meeting since the results of the consultation were announced). Surely, this is a form of bullying? Unbelievably, no politician I have spoken to shows any surprise at this. They consider me naïve. ‘This is the way things are done’. An East Riding of Yorkshire councillor told me that incineration is more expensive, but it is the easy option. I have been studying official Council documents for 17 months. I believe from the evidence, that where high levels of incineration are involved, the costs and the health hazards / damage to the environment, are higher. Oh yes, and I forgot to say, a reluctance to listen is involved. So, poor education at the top + a bullying culture + a reluctance to take notice of expensive consultation documents + ‘democracy’ as it really works = large-scale incineration of household waste.

Barry Robinson

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Thu, 26 Jan 2006
Proposed Recycling Plant - Old Goole
Evening all!!
This application is before ERYC at the moment.
http://www.eastriding.gov.uk/publicaccess/
dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?
caseno=IR0WWBBJFA000
I think , unless anyone can find any good planning reasons why we should oppose, it that we should be publicly supporting it (though "deadline" for reps. has passed). The locals are revolting as you'd expect and the Town Council have gone with the nimby tendency and objected (They won't see the irony when the incinerator proposal resurfaces, no doubt!!) So if we support it we need to write in pdq.
Your thoughts would be welcome.
Cheers

Steve

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Tue, 24 Jan 2006
Democracy in the East Riding of Yorkshire
Oyez, Oyez, Oyez.
Dear councillors in the rest of Yorkshire, Cheshire, Sussex, Essex, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. Each day, over a short period, I wish to draw your attention to the concept of democracy a la East Yorkshire. Let’s talk about waste management, and that wonderful, cutting edge technology, incineration. Take a deep breath, ---- well, maybe not.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has, I believe, spent £36,000 on a con, con, con, ------ sorry, consultation. I understand that they are going to spend, or have spent, another £4,000 on another con, con, con, sorry, consultant. I believe that one can drive a wheelie bin through the justification for incineration. We’ve not had a single, council-driven, public meeting on the matter. (We have of course had several workshops which (was it?), 1 out of every in 2,500 residents attended). Apparently, residents such as I, a 69 year old pensioner, could disrupt proceedings. (I could of course cause a stir by falling over due to my Parkinsons).
More, tomorrow.
(I believe in fair play, so have copied in the Chief Executive Officer and the Cabinet Member responsible for waste).

Barry Robinson

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Tue, 24 Jan 2006
Democracy in the East Riding of Yorkshire
Here's something to make you smile/laugh/weep.
Apologies to those who might get it twice: I haven't weeded the lists (CBA, that's why).
I have before me a copy of "a report by Enviros consulting limited: November 2004, Hull & East Riding (yada yada) BPEO appraisal (yada yada)" on pages 107 & 108 it says
"the most favourable technologies are composting and anaerobic digestion", and "the overall most preferred technologies, composting & anaerobic digestion (yada yada) less strength of opinion on these" This last remark to be put alongside what is said in the preceding para: that opinions on incineration were highly polarised. So there. When someone says that the pople of Hull & ER were consulted...

Stephen

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Mon, 23 Jan 2006
Funding for Playing Fields, Playgrounds, Village Halls and similar local facilities
Dear all
Please find enclosed details of a new grant scheme administered by the Humber Playing Fields Association and funded by WREN (Landfill Tax Credits).
This is a unique local fund. The project would need to be located in the Humber Sub Region. Please contact the Graham Betts on 01430 430904 DIRECTLY not WREN or myself.
Kind regards
Adam Fowler
The City of Hull & Humber Environment Forum (CHEF)
Chair - WREN (Humber Panel)

IT'S A GIFT WITH LANDFILL WINDFALL!
The Humber Playing Fields Association (HPFA) have received a trash cash boost in the form of £74,300 from Waste Recycling Group Ltd's Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) Gift Aid money, administered and distributed by WREN.
The funding will go towards Playing Fields, Playgrounds, Village Halls and similar local facilities through a brand new locally based grant scheme, the 2006 WREN AWARDS, giving up to £5,000 for a variety of eligible improvements.

County Secretary of HPFA, Graham Betts, explained: "The Association has worked very hard to obtain this grant aid for local groups and organisations. It is now up to them to match our efforts and apply for grants for their individual projects", adding, "We want to see some good quality applications for projects that will really make a difference". "If any organisation wants to know more about the grant scheme and check their eligibility we are available to help on 01430 430904".

Stephen Parr, Managing Director of WREN, commented: "Gift Aid money has allowed WREN and WRG to help many nationwide and countywide organisations with funding and I'm delighted that communities in the City of Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North and North East Lincolnshire have benefited in this way."

WREN, the UK's largest Distributive Environmental Body, has funded over 3000 community and environmental projects with £80 million since 1997 from the landfill tax money of Waste Recycling Group.

The Landfill Tax Credit Scheme currently enables landfill site operators to divert a proportion of their annual landfill tax liability to Environmental Bodies.

For more information about WREN and the availability of LTCS funding visit www.wren.org.uk or contact 01953 717165.
For more information about the 2006 WREN AWARDS contact HPFA County Secretary, Graham Betts on 01430 430904.
The grants up to £5000 will be available for projects developing playing fields, playgrounds, skate parks, pavilions, multi use games areas and up to £2500 for Village and Community Hall energy efficiency improvements.

The Humber Playing Fields Association is a Registered Charity No. 505466 established in 1975 to protect and promote the development of playing fields for the benefit of communities in the former Humberside.

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Mon, 23 Jan 2006
Y&H regional spatial strategy
Hello everyone and a very Happy New Year to anyone I haven't spoken to yet.
The planning section of our website is slightly tucked away - but the easiest thing to do is to go to www.yourplanningrights.co.uk which cuts right through to it.
(For the curious among you, you can get to this from the front home page: by going to the Get involved section in the right hand column, clicking on Act local, scrolling down and then clicking on the Planning website) This is the link to the latest public briefing on RSS that we have
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/
regional_spatial_strategy.pdf
We are currently updating it to have the climate change focus, as Anthony says, and we are expecting the final version to be online on 10 Feb.
At a more local level, we also have the Local Development Frameworks briefing Action Pack 5 (456k) - Getting climate change targets into your Local Development Frameworks, which is here...
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/guides/
bigask_actionpack_five.pdf
I hope this is helpful.
Raoul

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Mon, 23 Jan 2006
Y&H regional spatial strategy
We have now reached an important stage in our work on the RSS. The Regional Spatial Strategy will have a major influence in what happens across a wide area of sustainability activity of the next 15 years; furthermore it has statutory force, and will automatically form the first part of your local development plan without you having any opportunity to discuss it at that stage. We have to get it right now.

[At this point I'd like to give the link to the FOE planning website and the RSS policy brief which will tell you about our current approach, but (i) I can't find the planning website on the main website; and (ii) the version of the RSS brief I can find is the old one, I think it's been updated now to reflect the focus on climate change. Sorry]

After 18 months of previous consultation on RSS drafts, in which FOE has been fully involved, we have now reached the stage of the final draft - it is called the Submission Draft. This is now out for consultation for a period of three months. You can find out all about this process, and download a copy of the document at
http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk/index.
cfm?routine=content&channel=YHPlan&
view=summary
You can also download a copy of the sustainability appraisal of the draft RSS.
If you want to get a paper copy of the document contact:
Yorkshire and Humber Assembly 18 King St Wakefield WF1 2SQ tel: 01924 331598

If you would like to go to some evening meetings to explain RSS, you will find the details on the site: Hull 1st February; Sheffield 7th February; Leeds 22nd February and Harrogate 28th February.

The timetable through to the public inquiry that is held into RSS has also been announced (see below). There is only a 5 months gap between the closing of the consultation and the opening of the RSS public inquiry in September, which will create some additional pressures.

Because from experience I know that it is essential that we establish as soon as possible the coordination arrangements for our collective input into RSS, and in the continued absence of a Y&H RCC for at least the next three months I am taking the unilateral decision (sorry - staff) to nominate myself as the coordinator for the RSS process, on the basis that I have prepared the FOE consultation statements and evidence, and appeared at the public inquiries, for the last two RPGs/ RSSs; and I also sit on the three Regional Assembly bodies (Planning commission, Sustainability commission and Transport forum) which comment on RSS.

Having said that, I think the first task will be to call a meeting in February for those campaigners or local groups who want to participate in the process or submit consultation responses. So maybe you should start by letting me know whether you are interested in any of this.
Thanks

Anthony Mae
Y&H Regional Campaigner

*Broad Timetable*
Public Consultation on the draft Yorkshire and Humber Plan

# Consultation period starts – 16 January 2006
# Consultation period ends – 13 April 2006

Provisional Programme for the Examination in Public
# Publication of draft list of matters/participants – late May 2006
# First Preliminary Meeting – late May 2006
# Second Preliminary Meeting – early August 2006
# Deadline for Written Statements – mid August 2006
# Examination Starts - week beginning 11 September 2006
# Examination Ends – mid October 2006
# Panel Report - published early 2007
Finalising the Yorkshire and Humber Plan
# Proposed Changes - published Spring 2007
# Final Plan (the revised RSS) - published Autumn 2007

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Sun, 22 Jan 2006
Urgent concerns regarding Government incineration sne to Hull MP
Dear Ms Diana Ruth Johnson MP
Don't support incineration!
Contrary to what the Councils say, people in Hull don't want an incinerator. I was extremely concerned to see a BBC report claiming that the Government is planning to force through a big increase in incineration capacity in the UK. I do not consider that incinerators are part of the answer to the UK's waste problems, and believe that the government should be focussing instead on a massive increase recycling and composting.
I urge you to write to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ben Bradshaw MP, asking him to:
- Deny that the Government is planning an increase in mass-burn incineration and instead give support to smaller scale more flexible technologies for dealing with residual waste.
- Commit to increasing recycling rates to 75 per cent by 2015.
- Put in place a process which will both minimise the amount of waste produced and over time lead to the designing out of residual waste.
For more information on an alternative vision for waste in England please see the "Waste to Resource" briefing, which is supported by a wide range of environmental organisations:
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefing_
notes/waste_to_resource.pdf
Please send me a copy of any reply you receive. Thank you for your attention.
You can contact me by email or at the following address:
170 Victoria Avenue
HULL
HU5 3DY

Yours sincerely,
Hilary Byers

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Sun, 22 Jan 2006
WASTE NEWS
URGENT ACTION!
In a couple of weeks the Government will publish a draft England waste strategy for consultation. The BBC has just reported that this strategy is going to propose a massive increase in incineration, with up to a quarter of the England's waste being burnt:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4621710.stm
and
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4624700.stm
PLEASE HELP US CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT'S MIND!
We need you to help us make it immediately clear to the Government that expansion of incineration is not an acceptable way forward. Please follow this link to email your MP:
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/waste/
press_for_change/incineration/index.html
Although this review relates to England, it will influence policy in the other regions, so please do take part even if you live elsewhere. Please also forward this action to others who may be interested.
The two press releases Friends of the Earth have sent out regarding plans to increase incineration can be found here:
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/
press_releases/government_faces_tough_
bat_19012006.html
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/
press_releases/government_plans_to_
increa_19012006.html
Ben Bradshaw was interviewed about the Waste Strategy review and recycling on Radio 4's Westminster Hour programme on Sunday 15th Jan. You can listen to the interview by following the link on this page:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/
the_westminster_hour/4615170.stm
However, this page may expire this Sunday so listen soon!
NEWHAVEN INCINERATOR ACTION
Campaigners in East Sussex really need your help: The Newhaven incinerator application is in and we have UNTIL 27TH JANUARY to object. Please send in your own and get as many other people to do it as possible - you don't have to live in East Sussex to respond.
There is a straight forward system for sending an objection via the Friends of the Earth website:
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/
local_groups_and_campaigns/se.htm
But obviously you can write your own letter which is even better and this can be sent to newhavenerf@eastsussex.gov.uk Either way please make sure you add in your full name and address otherwise it will be returned and discounted.
Many thanks

Becky Slater
Campaign Assistant
Waste and Resource Use

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Thu, 19 Jan 2006
Recycling exhibition/ anti-incinerator campaign, Princes Quay
We’ve got the following people helping on Saturday:
Setting up, 9.00- 10.00 am then ’as and when’ until pack up : Hilary and Chrys
10.00-12.00 Arthur
approx 13.00 onward Steve Whitmore
approx 14.00 onward if her mum is OK, Helen Etherington
This should ensure that there is at least 2 of us on all the time but people have chance of a break. However, if anyone else wants to join in they are very welcome, just turn up and offer. And there will be plenty of other opportunities! Evidence so far is that people are very willing to sign postcards when asked.

Hilary J Byers

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Thu, 19 Jan 2006
The Friends of the Earth Northern Gathering 2006
Hello!
This April 1st and 2nd will see the biggest Friends of the Earth regional local groups event ever to have been organised in the North of England. The Northern Gathering is a residential weekend in Langdale youth hostel in the Lake District. This beautiful venue in a stunning location will, we hope, help inspire you to take a fresh look at campaigning.

Come along and you'll find:

• In-depth specialist skills workshops with group and staff input
• Surgeries with key staff figures
• Chances to meet, network and learn from other group members in open and structured sessions
• Your chance to hear an update on key campaigns and what’s coming up
• Opportunities to get out in the open countryside, socialise and hopefully join in a site visit

It’s the first time we’ve put on an event this ambitious. Although we’re sure it’ll be popular we have to limit the number of places for financial and logistical reasons so please get your booking in early.
We see this event as a real chance for groups to invest in their members and their skills. Because of that we’re asking groups to pay for their members to attend (just £20 each) and to cover their travel expenses to get there. But don’t worry if your group doesn’t have much money or already has plans for what you do have. We want you to come along so we’ve organised a special grant for groups that don’t have the cash to pay for it. You can apply to cover all or some of the cost of attendance and travel and we’ll pay you the money in advance - you won’t have to be out of pocket. For more details and/or a bursary form, get back to Neil Kingsnorth (contact information below). This grant is on top of the heavy subsidy we’re already giving the event, which allows us to charge just £20 each and, we hope, reflects how keen we are for you to come along.
With easy access to nearby Windermere train station and a special shuttle service to the hostel it should be easy for groups from across the North to get there and back.
All food, accommodation, entertainment and events will be organised in advance for you so you just need to turn up raring to go.
We'll be sending out booking flyers to the co-ordinator of your group soon, so please ask to have it on the agenda for your next meeting so that you can decide who's going from your group. If you've never been to anything like this, please do consider coming along. Give Neil a call if you’d like to know a little more about what to expect, or log on to http://community.foe.co.uk/resource/events/northern_day06
Best wishes,
Neil Kingsnorth (Northern Network Developer)
Frank Kennedy (North-West Regional Campaigns Co-ordinator)
and Carole Zagrovich (North-East and Yorkshire and Humber Regional Campaigns Co-ordinator)

-- Neil Kingsnorth
Northern Network Developer
Friends of the Earth
Leeds office : 74 Kirkgate, LS2 7DJ
Tel : 0113 3899952
E-mail : neilk@foe.co.uk
Mobile : 07818 091739
Web :www.foe.co.uk

Join us : www.foe.co.uk/join_index.html?web_home
Visit Friends of the Earth's local activism site - http://community.foe.co.uk/
-----------------------------------------
Worried about climate change? Think the Government isn't doing enough? You're not alone. Write to your MP at:
http://www.thebigask.com

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Sat, 14 Jan 2006
Reduce Resource Use consultation paper on draft revised strategy
Dear Campaigner,
The Resource Use and Waste team is revising its campaign strategy for 2006-2008 and we would like to invite your views on the changes that we are proposing. We know it is very short notice but we would need to have your views back with us by Thursday 26th Jan so we can discuss your comments with the Resources and Waste Advisory Group that is due to meet on Tuesday 31st Jan. We have also attached a guide to the Resources and Waste Advisory Group, so you can see who is on it. What would we like you to do?
Please read the attached consultation paper. It sets out why the team is proposing changes to our strategy and the background to our work on waste and then asks for your views on

• The overall vision for our work
• The key activities we plan to carry out on our waste work

Please note that this consultation paper is internal to Friends of the Earth activists and staff; we don’t want to give extra opportunities to our opponents!! What will we be doing next?
We will be discussing your responses with the Resources and Waste Advisory Group on the 31st January. Following on from this discussion and discussion with key staff at Friends of the Earth the strategy will be finalised in February. If you would like a final copy of the revised strategy please can you indicate this in your consultation response.

Please send your responses to me at beckys@foe.co.uk by the end of Thursday 26th January. Alternatively, post them to me at:

Becky Slater
Resource Use and Waste
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood Street
London N1 7JQ

Many thanks in advance for your response.
Best wishes,

Becky Slater
Campaign Assistant
Resource Use and Waste
Friends of the Earth

Tel: 020 7566 4079
Fax: 020 7490 0881

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Sat, 14 Jan 2006
Reduce Resource Use consultation paper on draft revised strategy 2006...
Read through quickly. Seems fine to me.
Using a positive message is a good idea -- but then, we're already using the slogan "Let's go 100%" ;
No other comments (except that the typography is amateurish and FoE should be using sustainable open source software...)!

Stephen

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Thu, 12 Jan 2006
The latest consultation on waste


Have your say on waste
Forty five per cent is the level of recycling the public selected for the councils to achieve by 2010 and is at the heart of the joint sustainable waste management strategy being produced by the joint authorities.
To help the councils produce the strategy we want your views on how your rubbish should be collected in the future.Give us your views. Comment on the first draft of the joint sustainable waste management strategy.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council would like your views on the first draft of the waste strategy and how we can achieve a 45 per cent recycling rate. A copy of the first draft of the joint sustainable waste management strategy is available in the downloads section on the right of the screen: Please email your comments to
http://target45plus@eastriding.gov.uk or target45plus@hullcc.gov.uk

http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/wastemanagement/

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Wed, 4 Jan 2006
Princes Quay
Dear All,
Volunteers wanted!
We have a stall booked in Princes Quay for Saturday 21st January to promote recycling etc and to get signatures on the ‘lets make it 100%, no incinerator’ postcards. I’m hoping we can get enough of us taking part that each of us will have plenty of time off, but this sort of thing can be fun! If you can only spare an hour that’s fine. Please pass the message on to anyone else you think might help, anyone you’ve got on your lists that I’ve missed, feel free to bring a friend, partner etc. Please let me know, preferably by email, or phone 445747, saying what times you can do.
Many thanks

Hilary

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