EFoE news

June 2009

www.ealingfoe.org.uk

Next Meeting

Wednesday 17 June at 7.45pm

The Rock Room, St John’s Church, Broomfield Place, off Mattock Lane, West Ealing W13 9LB

Subjects for discussion to include: Get Serious Campaign, FoE Local groups Conference

Get Serious Campaign

Climate science now suggests that rapid cuts in CO2 emissions are needed. The Government’s Climate Change Committee has recommended a cut of at least 34% by 2020. Decisive action by all our institutions is vital.

Local authorities are key players here. They employ 2 million people, spend around £110 billion every year and run 3.5 million homes. They can influence emissions from homes, transport, business and energy production in many ways: planning, grants, transport policies, enforcement, publicity, procurement, by setting a good example and by taking their own initiatives to set up energy efficiency schemes or low-carbon energy systems.

Although there is a wealth of information and advice for local authorities, councils are not implementing best practice across all the relevant policy areas. As part of the Get Serious campaign we will target local councillors and council leaders and put pressure on them to commit to a 40% cut in CO2 emissions by 2020. We will also seek public support through a postcard campaign.

Find out more at the meeting this week.

Stalls

Alastair, Catherine and Virginia ran a stall at the Litten Nature Reserve in Greenford last week. We had some “feely bags” with things like pinecones, leaves, and snail shells to identify by touch, and a game of matching seeds to their plants, both of which proved quite popular. There seemed to be fewer visitors than last year, probably put off by the weather, which was threatening in the morning, though most of the afternoon was fine. Apart from various activities on the stalls, visitors could enjoy a guided walk through the reserve and pond dipping (lots of newts).

We will be having a stall at the Hanwell Carnival this Saturday (20 June) where we’ll be asking people to sign the Get Serious postcards. If you can help contact Alastair on 020 8567 3302 or pmaclachla@clara.co.uk

On Sunday 28 June we will be joining Hounslow & Brentford FoE on their stall at Osterley Day in Osterley Park, getting signatures on Food Chain postcards. If you are able to help out please contact Virginia on 020 8847 0016 or vfassnidge@yahoo.co.uk It’s a good day out (as long as the weather is kind). There will be various entertainments and activities and an opportunity to visit the house and gardens free of charge.

We have been invited to a Fun Day organised by Ealing Homes. It’s on Saturday 18 July at Trailfinders Sports Club in West Ealing. Another chance to get support for the Get Serious campaign.

FoE Local Groups Conference

This year it’s 12-13 September at the University of Nottingham. Who wants to go? See FoE website for further details including programme: www.foe.co.uk/events/conference

Gunnersbury Park

Last month we talked about the plans to build housing on part of Gunnersbury Park. The two councils jointly responsible for the park, Ealing and Hounslow, say they do not have the money for restoration of the site’s historic buildings and landscape features, and are looking at the housing development option as a means of funding the restoration and regeneration of the site. The preferred area for development is on the western edge of the park along Lionel Road North. It would mean the loss of a considerable number of trees.

Bounded as it is by the North Circular to the east and the Great West Road/M4 to the south, Gunnersbury Park and its trees provide a green lung for the area. It is designated as Metropolitan Open Land and a Nature Conservation Site of Borough Importance, Grade II. Public open space in urban environments is very precious, and it seems a drastic solution to the problems of the park’s dilapidation (the result of many years of insufficient maintenance) to lose some of it to buildings. It may be only a small proportion of the total acreage but it would set a very dangerous precedent.

However there is a great need of funds, not only to maintain and restore the crumbling buildings but also to maintain its rare specimen trees, now threatened because of lack of care in the past.

The Gunnersbury Park Regeneration Board have announced that they will be conducting a consultation during the summer before any decision is made, and there will be a Stakeholder Forum Meeting on Thursday 30 July at 7pm. To receive further information, contact Richard Gill, Gunnersbury Park Development and Regeneration Manager, Gunnersbury Park Museum, Gunnersbury Park W3 8LQ, 020 8992 1612 or email richard.gill@hounslow.gov.uk

You can read comments on the proposals and add some yourself at: http://www.yourlocallondon.com/editors-blog/ealing/

The Council wants your views

You only have until Friday 19 June to let the Council have your views on how to spend the £40,000 grant awarded to Brent River Park under the Mayor of London’s Priority Parks scheme. Email any ideas to parks@ealing.gov.uk

To date proposals include: improving the animal centre at Brent Lodge Park, improving walking routes, undertaking new planting, installing a fitness trail, installing more bins, and developing new signage.

The Parks Team will be holding an event in Brent Lodge Park, Church Road, Hanwell on Sunday 5 July from 11am – 1pm so that people can find out more about the final plans. For more information email parks@ealing.gov.uk or call 020 8825 6999.

The Council is proposing to build a £200,000 skate park in Elthorne Park as part of the borough’s £1 million Youth Fund created after a residents’ survey showed that many people think there should be more on offer for young people.

They welcome feedback on the proposals from Ealing residents. You can read the consultation document and fill in an online questionnaire at the Council website www.ealing.gov.uk Consultation closes on 17 July.

Eco Village at Kew Bridge

You may have noticed this if you have been past the empty site at Kew Bridge (due to be developed by St George) recently. A group of activists are establishing a community eco village with gardens and public amenities, hosting workshops during the day and at weekends. You can see a clip from BBC London about the village on www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZR6E8MgWvk

They plan to hold public meetings every Thursday at 7pm, and are having an Open Weekend on June 20/21, to introduce themselves to the locals, gather views on the site and discuss sustainable living, but they welcome visitors at any time. If you have any spare plants or unused tools they would welcome those as well!

Whether St George will let the village remain is unsure.

Eco Shopping Online

A local distributor for an eco-friendly/green product small company has sent us details of the company Wikaniko’s website. It’s www.myecogreenshop.co.uk in case anyone wants to have a look at it.