East Kent FOE Oct Meeting

EAST KENT FRIENDS OF THE EARTH GROUP

Our next meeting will be held at  Deal
on Monday 3rd October  2011 at 7pm.

AGENDA.

1)   Coordinators Update.
2)   Report from FOE Conference.
3)   New FOE Energy Campaign.
4)   Members/Supporters Survey
5)   Housing development at Sholden
6)   Any other matters.
7)   Date and Venue of the next meeting.


Stuart Cox, Group Coordinator
Tel 01304 363729, email sfcox@cooptel.net

Camp Frack could be staged in Kent, say protesters

From the Your Deal online newspaper:


"Climate activists who staged ‘Camp Frack’ in Lancashire as part of a mass protest against hydraulic fracking have refused to rule out similar action in Kent.

The campaigners said there was “every possibility” protests would be staged if tests for coal in Woodnesborough, near Sandwich, led to the controversial extraction method, which involves firing high-pressure liquid into rocks to force gas out.

The process was blamed for sparking earthquakes near Blackpool earlier this year and is believed to pose a threat of contamination to ground water supplies.

Last weekend, around 150 people set up camp in Lancashire in protest against moves by company Cuadrilla Resources to drill 3.5km deep to extract shale gas. 

A similar planning application by Welsh company Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd has been submitted to Kent County Council to drill an exploratory borehole in land at Woodnesborough.

Although director of the firm Gerwyn Williams stressed it was a simple test of the coal, activists fear the activity will lead to hydraulic fracking if gas is found in shale rock at the site.

Phil Thornhill, national co-ordinator for Campaign Against Climate Change, said the group was waiting on the planning decision, which is expected next month ....." read more here

Victoria's Green Matters 29th Sept 2011

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:

More evidence, if any were needed, on the devastating effects of climate change has come from daily satellite maps of Arctic sea ice. These show that the ice has melted to a level not recorded since these observations started in 1972 and thought not to have occurred for at least 8,000 years.

It is difficult to believe that if these trends continue, the Arctic will mostly be free from ice in the summer months within 30 years. This is some 40 years earlier than previously predicted and the last time it occurred was 125,000 years ago, during the last interglacial period.

Another area of the world where climbers and local inhabitants have noticed melting ice, is the Himalayas. The climb up the mighty Everest has changed considerably since the first ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. Now climbers hardly need crampons to climb, there is so much bare rock. People who live with the mountains know that change is happening; they see evidence of climate change everywhere from trees growing at higher latitudes, house-flies living at 5,000 feet and monsoon rains arriving at unusual times. Melting glacial ice runs into milky lakes in the mountains and threatens to deluge villages below but scary though this threat is, even greater is the prospect that a quarter of the world’s population will lose the supply of water that it relies on each year to survive.

Cutting carbon emissions has become an urgent necessity if we are to have any chance of halting these dramatic changes.

DWI Recycle meeting 27th Sept

We had Brian Rumbelow from Dover District Council to speak to engaged audience of about twenty tonight at the Deal With It monthly meeting on the Council's new collection and recycling contract.

There has been a lot local comment on the scheme which has been understandably focussed on the practicalities of the 'wheelie bin' rather than the positive step to reduce our waste going to landfill. Brian gave us some good information on the positive recycling levels achieved in Shepway (it is a joint contract with DDC) in the last few weeks.

A lively set of  questions on the scheme and how we need to go beyond just recycling and look at reuse 'waste' and reduce our consumption. See details at DDC website

Amber Bytheway also spoke on her national petition campaign to stop the use of plastic bags and what happening locally - she is approaching several of the large supermarkets to take up her initative (if you have not signed please follow the link here)

Hawkeshill Freedown Conservation next Sunday

the volunteers who look after Hawkeshill Freedown, (the hill that borders Walmer Castle to the south) - will be meeting again to do practical nature conservancy stuff this first Sunday of October 10.30 - 12-30 strong shoes needed; protective gloves provided - newcomers very welcome

Sunday Beach clean

A big thank you the 12 volunteers who did our beach clean on Sunday - Wendy reports that you collected 12 bags weighing some 25.8kgs.

The next Deal beach clean will be on Sunday 26th Feb 2012.... More details soon

Thanks to Rose for the pic

Next Deal Beach Clean Sunday 25th Sept

The next Deal Beach Clean is on Sunday 25th September, meeting at Deal Pier for 9am Start.

This one is part of the MCS National BeachWatch campaign.

Collecting materials and gloves provided

Victoria's Green Matters - 14th Sept 2011

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:

Despite the lovely sunny weather that we are having at the moment, it is very noticeable that autumn is on its way. The shorter days give a clear indication that the season is changing and colder days will be following.

Before the winter properly sets in it is important to check that heating your home is not costing you any more money than it needs to. In many cases, if you are lucky enough to have photovoltaic panels, generating electricity from the sun, your home is making money for you.

It is important to check that your home insulation is sufficient in relation to the rising cost of fuel. It is much cheaper to add extra insulation in the loft than to pay extra heating bills. If you have an old house with floorboards, especially if they are stripped, don’t forget to insulate underneath them. If your home does not have cavity walls, you can still insulate them, either inside or out. If you have open fireplaces not in use, fit a piece of insulation board in the chimney so that you do not lose your warm air.

If you can possibly afford to, invest in a good eco-condensing boiler. These have come down in price recently and will reduce your heating bills considerably, as they are so much more efficient than old models.

Obviously, draughts are bad news so fit draught seals on exterior doors and enjoy winter in your warm home, which is not costing the earth!

Date for Fracking Planning meeting is 11th Oct

Fracking in Kent: 

On Tuesday October 11th, the application for Test Drilling for Shale Gas at Woodnesborough will be considered at by the Planning Committee of Kent County Council at Maidstone.

The licence owned by Coastal Oil and Gas Ltd who is making this application covers an extremely large area of East Kent, including Deal, Walmer, Sandwich, Eastry, surrounding villages and stretching towards Canterbur.

We believe it represents a huge threat, not only to our environment generally but that the quality of life in the whole district could be affected by potentially 24 hour noise from drilling, contamination of water supply, and loss of amenity.

More will follow on this very soon …..

Transition SE Camp 7-9th October

Transition Camp south east 7-9th October

Join us the beautiful Wowo organic farm campsite in the heart of
Sussex for a very rich and fertile gathering!

A time to gather together and create a family friendly event to
celebrate, share our skills, visions, our hopes, fears, tell tales,
sing songs, discuss plans, ideas, dreams, to relax, share food, have
fun, reconnect and just be with and support each other. Marvel at dark
starry skies (hopefully!), sit round open fires, and enjoy a sauna.
Workshops include bushcraft, kids magic, foraging and a great deal
more plus whatever skills you bring to share. See the programme here
http://there.is/transitioncamp/programme.html

Prices includes camping, workshops and food plus a set volunteer slot
in kitchen.

Early bird - adult £35 (before 14th September)
Full price - adult £45 (before 5th October)
On the gate: £50

Kids 10-18yrs £25, kids below 10yrs £20/or donation

Family ticket:
2 adults + 2 kids = £100 early bird, £120 after
1 adult + 2 kids = £65 early bird, £85 after

Day tickets £20 (£9 child)


More details and booking here
http://there.is/transitioncamp/

Also on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=249826498374857

Recycle, Reuse,Reduce Meeting 27th Sept

Deal With It's September is on Waste - We have Brian Rumbelow coming along from Dover District Council to talk about the new collection service but we also want to discuss how our community also Reuse and Reduce its waste was well as recycling.

tuesday 27th Sept - 7:30pm
Dealability
43 Victoria Road
Deal CT14 7AY

ALL WELCOME

SE Coop Community awards

Don’t Delay – Nominate Today for the prestigious South East Co-operative Community Awards !

The Co-operative is calling on people to salute the stars of the local community by nominating them for a prestigious South East Co-operative Community Award. The awards will celebrate the individuals, community groups and projects that have made local neighbourhoods a brighter place to live and work in 2011.

The awards open to public nomination:

• Green Project or Group of the Year
• Green Schools Initiative of the Year
• Contribution to Arts and Culture
• Volunteer of the Year
• Young Volunteer of the Year
• Community Group of the Year
• Co-operative and Inspiration Award
• Community Hero 2011
• Community Achievement Award

Three entries from each category will be short-listed to attend the glittering awards finale at London Zoo’s Prince Albert Suite on Saturday 12^th November where the overall winners will be revealed!

So far this year, The Co-operative’s Community Fund has already donated over £200,000 to community groups and projects across the South East; we know from first-hand experience there are some amazing community initiatives out there that ought to be honoured.

Everyone knows a friend, neighbour, colleague or relative who has gone the extra mile to help their local area or someone who is involved in a community group that has really captured the imaginations of local residents. These people deserve your nominations and I urge everyone to download a nomination form now!

Nomination forms can be downloaded at http://www.co-operative.coop/membership/local-communities/whats-happening-near-me/celebrating-community-achievement/ or to request a postal version, contact 0800 015 1147. The deadline for nominations is Monday 3^rd October at 5:00pm so make sure you take the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of local heroes and reward those behind the scenes that make it all happen!

If you would like any extra support for your nomination or have any queries – please do not hesitate to contact Stephanie Mizon on 01322 312311 or email communityaward@co-operative.coop

Victoria's Green Matters 1st Sept 2011

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:

The battle is on to stop the expansion of Lydd Airport. Shepway Council has approved plans to develop the airport but in the face of opposition from concerned residents, environmental and wildlife conservation groups the government has referred the matter to the planning inspectorate. The final decision will rest with the secretary of state for communities and local government, Eric Pickles.

Lydd Airport is tiny and situated close to Dungeness nuclear power station.  It is used by private jets and cargo planes and plans to extend it will change the area completely. Next to the dramatic buildings of the nuclear power station is situated one of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) most important sites in Europe. Expanding Lydd Airport will change the marshland atmosphere in an area of outstanding natural beauty and destroy this amazing habitat for thousands of birds, many of which rely on Dungeness as a food stop on their migratory path. There are dangers from pollution and there are security concerns for the power station.

Some residents want the airport to provide jobs for the dying town but others know that this is a short-term option. The key is in the new name for Lydd Airport – London Ashford. Passengers arriving in larger planes from other countries can be transported to Ashford International station for their train journey into the capital.

As cheap oil becomes a thing of the past and cheap airfares disappear, flights into Lydd will no longer be viable and an important habitat will have been destroyed for nothing.