Age of Stupid @ the Deal Maritime Folk Festival

This Year's Deal Maritime Folk Festival which runs between 16th-19th September has a special showing of Franny Armstrong's 'Age of Stupid' film.

This will be on Saturday 18th at 2:30pm in the Studio at the Astor Community Theatre in Stanhope Deal - Free/Donations
www.dealmaritimefolkfestival.org.uk

LATEST NEWS: Looks like this is postponed until Nov because of license issues - we will show the 'In Transition' instead....

Deal With It @ Miners Festival 30th August

We had a good turnout for our stall at the Fowlmead Miners Festival on Bank Holiday Monday - Many thanks to Vicki, Tony, Rosemary, Sarah, Charles and Steve for helping.

Lots of interested folk especially in the Transition Day on the 4th Sept, Chicken Count and Garden Share schemes -  it also was great to put faces to many names on our supporters list!

Great event and very well supported

Victoria's Green Matters - 26th August

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:
Climate change is already with us and we have had plenty of evidence of this during recent weeks. We have seen heart rending pictures of the disastrous floods in Pakistan, landslides caused by heavy rain in China and fires in Russia resulting from the heat wave there when temperatures reached 38⁰C and caused many deaths from choking smog. Closer to home, France suffered a minor heat wave in July and the UK had the driest first six months of the year since 1929.

All over the world there are extreme weather conditions caused by global temperatures being the hottest, for the first six months of this year, since records began more than 100 years ago. Evidence that periods of heavy rain are getting heavier is consistent with our knowledge of the atmosphere where warmer air holds more moisture and shows us that a warmer world results in extreme rainfall. Changes to the effects of the jet stream, which normally moves to the north, have also resulted in the high temperatures in Moscow and caused the worst drought for 130 years.

It is easy to feel helpless in the face of such horror when news teams can bring vivid pictures into our homes. We feel that all we can do is to send as much money as we can afford to try to save homeless people and help them to reconstruct their lives. But that is acting after the fact and maybe, if we all take small actions now, we can try to limit climate change for a future world.

It seems that nothing we can do from our cosy sitting rooms could possibly have any effect on the bigger picture but if we try to cut our energy use we will also cut our carbon emissions and if all of us do this we may well bring about change.

Free Trees for Deal - Kent CC Free Trees scheme...

This scheme offers individuals and organisations up to 25 native trees each, free of charge. All you have to do is collect them, plant them and care for them as they grow.



It is easy to apply for your free trees, and make your personal contribution to Kent's natural environment.

Why are KCC giving trees away for free?

Trees have a positive effect on the landscape and biodiversity of Kent's towns and countryside. The planting of trees in our local environment improves health and wellbeing long term. By planting 25 trees, up to 7 tonnes of CO2 can be absorbed in their lifetime.

What are the trees like?

The trees are two-to-three year old 'whips', typically up to 1metre tall. They may be supplied bare-rooted. Twenty-five trees will easily pack into a bin bag and fit into the boot of a car. The trees can be planted as single trees or used to create a woodland, copse or hedgerow.

How do I apply for my free trees?

The 2010 Free Trees Scheme is open from 12 July, with a closing date for applications on 30 October 2010. The trees will be ready for collection at the beginning of December. more details here

Faversham Transition Towns visit Deal....

A big thank you to Anna, Tina and Judith making the long trek along the A2 from Faversham to come to our monthly Deal With It meeting tonight.

It was really great to hear of the fantastic progress the Faversham TT has made in such a short time - very interesting to learn of your apple press co-op, community alottment, plastic bags campaign, food mapping and planned schools campaign. Lots of great ideas which we will recycle in Deal!

Read more about Faversham Transition Town at their website here or at their facebook page

Government announces 15 new Marine Protection Areas

Marine Conservation Society welcomes new UK Marine Protected Areas but  urges  Government not to lose site of deadline for a wider network  

 
Following the Government announcement on 20th August 2010 of the designation of fifteen new Marine Protected Areas around the UK coast, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS)  says it’s delighted at the move but believes further protection is still necessary if the seas are to be given a chance to fully recover after decades of mis-use and bad management.
 
The latest protected sites, including Land’s End and Cape Bank, Lyme Bay and Torbay as well as Lizard Point and Margate and Long Sands, have been selected  on the best scientific evidence available and will mean protection to habitats like reefs, sea caves and sandbanks where marine life thrives.
 
MCS Senior Policy Officer, Melissa Moore says she welcomes the new designation: “These are an important step by the Government towards their commitment to produce a full network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012, a deadline that the UK must not let slip to 2016, as is being discussed by Ministers at the North-East Atlantic Environment Summit in Bergen next month.”
 
“ 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and an opportunity to firm up commitments to conserving our seas, not detract from them. Government must also ensure such sites have strong conservation objectives of recovery where damaging fishing and extractive industries are halted, otherwise they will just be ‘paper parks’. It has taken sixteen years since the EU Habitats & Species Directive came into force in 1994 to designate these sites, so let’s now make the wait worthwhile for marine wildlife.”
 
The Marine Conservation Society  is running an online voting website to allow the public to have their say on where Marine Protected Areas should be. MCS has selected 73 sites around the UK coasts chosen to protect rare and threatened species and habitats from over 20 years of dive surveys by volunteer divers.
 
“We’re the only voice for the public in this process.” said Melissa Moore “We would urge them to visit our website www.yourseasyourvoice.comand vote either for or against our proposed sites or suggest areas they think should be protected. There is so much to lose if we don’t protect our seas.”

Deal With It at the Walmer Picnic on the Green 21st August

 Deal With It had a great time at the Picnic on the Green and it did not rain !

Big Thanks to Sarah and Sandra for setting up and volunteers Jeremy, Rosie, Viv, Charles and Steve for helping during the day.

We meet lots of interested and interesting people - Thanks to Freegle (The District's local free recycling organisation) on the neigbouring stall for their support & and a bit of their table!

The stall travels next Saturday for a twinning event in St Omer with Sarah and then on bank holiday monday we are at the Miners' Festival at Fowlmead

Trains4Deal : Talk to the Rail Managers on the 19th August

From our colleagues at Trains4Deal - If you're travelling to London tomorrow, Thursday 19th August, via  St.Pancras - this is your opportunity to show the railway company that  there is a real demand from passengers for direct high-speed trains to  Deal.

 From 8am to 10am, Southeastern managers will be on the platform at St 
Pancras, waiting to hear what passengers have to say.

If you can, please make sure they hear about the problems of  travelling to and from Deal, and ask them WHY they won't stop the high- speed trains at Deal - especially the morning and evening ones that 
run through empty.

http://www.trains4deal.com

ps If you cannot make thursday, the will next opportunity to talk to SouthEastern will be at Charing Cross on 23rd  September, also 0800-1000.

Things you don't need: Power up your mobile with your Wellies

Just come across Ecoterra.com website - the strange love child of environmentalism, tech and the fashion world. Lots of clever bits of recycling, tech and clothing for things you dont really need.

A great example is the wellies that can power a mobile (it was either this or the dancepants that can power an mp3 player!).

The sole of each boot contains thermoelectric modules that convert temperature differences—say the warmth of your foot versus the cold of the ground—into electric voltage. When a sizable charge accumulates, simply plug in your phone into the power output at the top of the wellies.

I do not really think they get the consumption issue...

The Majestic Plastic Bag - A Mockumentary

A short & moving film .... guaranteed that you will have a tear in your eye by the end - if only because its all unfortunately true!



In case you cannot see the embedded video ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw

Small Business looking for free advice on cutting your Carbon?

If you are a small business with less of 250 employees + a turnover of less than £30m - you could be getting some free expert advice on cutting your company's carbon footprint.

The bottom line is that ‘good for the environment ‘is also good for business. Businesses that the Hub has  worked with have saved, on average, £1,800 and six tonnes of CO₂ per year.
Using their services, you too could benefit from:

• Reduced costs.
• New business.
• Compliance with environmental legislation.
• Enhanced reputation.

The SE Business Carbon Hub is supported by KCC, EU. Joining the hub does not cost anything. All you need to do is contact the South East Business Carbon Hub on 01622 696950 or email us at carbon.hub@kent.gov.uk.

Kingsdown Butts - Marine 'National Park' ?

A set of reefs built by humble worms off Kingsdown could be one of the New Marine Protected Areas - a 'Marine National Park' - but only if you support it.

The nearly 3sq km site just off Oldstairs bay at Kingsdown and running towards St Margarets is known as Kingsdown Butts. It is one of 73 sites the Marine Conservation Society has put forward as a possible 'Marine Protected Area'.

These 'Marine National Parks' are being setup by 2012 after the passing the Marine Bills in Scotland & the UK.  Currently on 1% of the UK Seas are protected - the Marine Protected Areas have come after a long campaign by the MCS to protect the bio-diversity & habitats of our amazing coast.

As part of their Your Seas, Your Voice campaign they are asking to vote online so we can influence the Government's priorisation of the sites.

You can Vote for Kingsdown Butts here

Kingsdown Butts

Ross worms build their own tubular homes out of tiny bits of shell or sand.When thousands of worms build in the same area they can create a rich reef habitat. This reef is teeming with life including fish, starfish, mussels, sponges and anemones.

Observations on use

Damage to the ross worm reef suggests that there could be some trawling in this area.

What difference would protection make?

Complete protection for this site could help protect the seabed and the sea life that relies on this important habitat for food and shelter.

Protect Kent concern over 'New Homes Bonus'

Protect Kent - the county branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England - Has expressed concerns over impact on local communities of the Coalition Government's 'New Homes Bonus'

(From Kent News:) The fears have been voiced by Protect Kent following the announcement of the proposed New Homes Bonus, which could see local authorities and communities that build new houses receiving substantial extra funding to spend how they wish.

The scheme looks to ease the house building decline, which is at its lowest level since 1924 with 4.5 million people across the country on council house waiting lists.

But while the New Homes Bonus is being greeted with delight by town hall chiefs, Protect Kent – the county branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England – is remaining wary.

Chairman Richard Knox-Johnston said although he welcomes the move to give local people more power, cash incentives to councils could cause problems.

"Firstly, we’re pleased with the decision to discard the centrally imposed housing figures for the area," he said.

"We also welcome the decision to give local councils and local people the control to make decisions about how many houses are built instead of using these centrally-imposed figures.

"The concern, however, is that cash-strapped councils needing money may be encouraged to promote housing schemes that will damage the environment.

"Even if there is opposition from local people, a council will be the one to make the final decision. If it decides the opposition is not strong enough, the development could still go ahead." read more at Kent News

2nd 'Open Chicken Run'

Despite the weather we had a good turnout for the second in our Deal With It 'Open Chicken Run's - with 18 people attending. Again a wide experience or no experience of chickens. Hope you all got something out of it!

Many thanks to Sandra Lee, her Chickens and Berty the chicken hound for hosting. Check out our 'Chicken'Page for useful links especially for those of you interested in rescued battery hens.

We will be having a third 'Open Chicken Run' in Deal's Middle Street at a date to be agreed - so watch this space. If you are interested in going please drop an email to Steve at Dealwithit2010@gmail.com or phone 01304 37 26 73.

The 'Great Big Deal Chicken Count' is going strongly in its 2nd week, with Thirty responses - interested from hearing from you if you either keep chickens or are considering it.  The Chicken Count can found here

The intention is have the first 'Deal & District Chicken Group' meeting late September - emails will go out to who have registered an interest on the 'Count' or at the 'Runs'

Beach Clean on Deal beach 14th August

Today's Beach Clean went ahead despite the showers with volunteers from Deal With It, MCS and local Rotary Club

As well as 'cleaning' the rubbish from the beach the group also logs what rubbish is found for the Marine Conservation Society.  

Wendy Boorman  Beach Warden for Deal beach said "it was a great turnout but it is always disappointing to see how much there is to pick up - especially the plastics which are so toxic to marine life"

The next Beach clean for Deal Beach is on Sunday 26th September  9:30-2pm and is being jointly organised by the Co-op as part of their 'Your Seas, Your Voice' Campaign. There will be an educational film from the MCS plus a breakfast/lunch. Please contact the Coop for this specific event at 0800 015 1147 or email membership.southeast@co-operative.coop

Wendy organises the Cleans throughtout the year for the MCS & Deal With It and can be contacted at andarta12@hotmail.com

Wind Turbine at Duke of Yorks School Dover

First wind turbine on Defence estate installed in South East!
The first grid-connected wind turbine to be installed on the Defence estate is up and running at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School near Dover. 
The wind turbine, installed by PriDE, will provide the school with a long-term sustainable electricity supply. It also creates an educational tool for the school’s pupils to learn more about carbon reduction technologies and renewable energy.

Over its installed life, the turbine is expected to generate about 269,000 kWh of ‘green’ energy for the school and to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by over 145 tonnes. Additionally, the wind turbine will result in cost savings of around £27,000.

The turbine is a three-bladed, Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) with a 5.4 metre diameter rotor mounted on a freestanding tower, 15 metres high.

Prior to its installation, the collaborative safeguarding team investigated the proposed site of the turbine and confirmed it did not adversely affect any MOD operations. The planning application was lodged with the Local Council in August 2008.

The project was funded by the Army HQ (Land Forces) together with a 50% grant towards the installation costs from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP).

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2268008/wind-change-delivers-mod-first
http://pride-serp.co.uk/press/press-april2010.asp

Carbon auditing course at The Pines

Understanding Energy and Carbon Auditing Explained 8th September, Free to South East businesses (normally £280)
This course aims to give learners an introduction to the principles and practices behind energy and carbon auditing for those who are new to this field or in the early stages of being involved. It will provide a practical foundation for those needing to develop skills and understanding of energy and carbon auditing for buildings and property portfolios.
How to book: email your name, company and contact details to: info@suscon.uk.net or telephone: 01322 312065

Course is at the Pines Calyx in St Margaret's at-Cliffe http://www.pinescalyx.co.uk

Green things for Little ones over the Summer...

Looking for somewhere fun, safe, and affordable for your children this summer?
Then why not book your child into Rippledown’s Holiday Club, which is guaranteed to provide your child with a fun and action-packed week.
•  Holiday club for children aged 8-12
•  Based at Rippledown in Ringwould, Deal
•  Three themed weeks available:  Adventure and Discovery (2/8–6/8), Sport and Outdoor Games (9/8–13/8), Outdoor Pursuits and Adventure (16/8–20/8)
•  5 days of fun outdoor adventure and discovery including at least one great excursion each week
•  Price £25 per day or £80 per week
•  Places limited, therefore BOOK NOW

To book a space on the course please call 01304 364854 or email office@rippledown.com

First Deal 'Open Chicken Run' ...

We had our first 'Open Chicken Run' today at Jill's in Walmer - very successful afternoon ; a great mix of people who are either thinking over keeping hens at home plus a variety of experienced chicken keepers who keep chickens in different situations. Lots questions and sharing of experience... I never knew chickens liked watching tv for instance!

Many thanks to Jill Cliff & her Chickens for hosting

The next 'Open Chicken Run' is next Saturday 14th August in Deal between 2-4pm - Our host Sandra has been keeping rescued battery hens for just over six months.  If you are interested in going please drop an email to Steve at Dealwithit2010@gmail.com or phone 01304 37 26 73.

The 'Great Big Deal Chicken Count' is going strongly in its 1st week, with over twenty responses - interested from hearing from you if you either keep chickens or are considering it.  The Chicken Count can found here

Samphire Hoe wins Green Flag

Samphire Hoe in Dover - the habitat created with the waste of the construction of the channel tunnel - has won a Green Flag for its work for bio-diversity. This is the fifth time the scheme has been honoured with the award.

Special textiles have been used as a barrier, many salt-resistant plants have been added and the park recreates the sort of chalk grassland which is found locally.  The site is now home to at least 198 species of plant and the site has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.  There are also a huge number of birds on the site.

More information on Samphire Hoe can be found here

The Green Flags are awarded by a consortium of the following organisations:

• Keep Britain Tidy - an environmental charity and the anti-litter campaign for England. Keep Britain Tidy also run programmes such as Eco-Schools, Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards for beaches and the Green Flag for parks

• BTCV - an environmental conservation charity which supports and promotes volunteering throughout the UK

• GreenSpace - a registered charity which works to improve parks and green spaces by raising awareness, involving communities and creating skilled professionals.