May 2010
No
Third Runway!
It’s certainly good news that the new government has announced that they will scrap plans to expand Heathrow, also Gatwick and Stansted, although expansion at other airports has not been ruled out. Proposals to reform Air Passenger Duty should encourage airlines to use their planes more efficiently. Friends of the Earth would like to see a new aviation strategy which makes carbon reduction a priority and goes at least as far as Labour’s target to limit aviation emissions to 2005 levels by 2050. (FoE press release 12 May 2010)
What we’ve been doing
We have been pretty busy over the past couple of
months. In March, Nic gave evidence on
behalf of Ealing FoE at the public enquiry into the proposed Blue NG biofuels plant
in Southall. Jules also spoke against the development. The outcome of Blue NG’s
appeal is pending and an announcement is expected at the end of June.
Our stall at the Animal Welfare Bazaar was a good
opportunity to get Food Chain postcards signed, as was the Ealing Farmers’
Market.
Also in March, we joined members of Ealing Recycling
Team at a road show in Ealing Broadway, where we gave advice on composting.
Unfortunately the weather was not very kind that day and although this gave us
the chance to wear our FoE-branded raincoats, it was not ideal for engaging the
public. Still, quite a few people stopped to talk, including one man who called
the green box collection scheme “medieval” and refused to have anything to do
with it. (We were afraid to ask what he
thought of compost heaps – expect he thought they were middens.)
The sun shone brightly on 23 April when we
joined Hounslow and Brentford FoE group for the
Perivale Wood Open Day on 25 April was another good
event for us. We had an information stall, with feely bags and a Make a Food
Chain activity to engage children (and some adults too).
We also had a stall at the Ealing Community Network
annual conference on 15 May.
What we’re
going to be doing
Our
next event is Litten Nature Reserve Open Day (Sunday 6 June from 1.00 to
5.00 pm), where we’ll be offering some children’s activities – and maybe also
engaging the adults in the Food Chain Campaign.
The Litten in
Then there’s Hanwell Carnival in
We’ll be joining Hounslow & Brentford FoE again
on Sunday 27 June for Osterley Day - another good opportunity to engage
with the public in a beautiful setting.
Nothing fixed so far for July and August, but Sunday 5 September
sees us once again joining forces with H&B FoE for the Brentford Festival
in
Sunday 12 September (date to be
confirmed): showing of the film Food Inc at St Mary’s Church,
Needless to say, help with all these events
is very welcome, whether manning a stall on the day or spreading the word
beforehand. Please contact
Friends
of the Earth Greater South East Regional Gathering
Saturday 5 June 10.30 – 17.30 (introductory session for people new to Friends of the Earth at 9.40 am)
Bonhill
House,
Agenda includes: Implications of the election
results; skills workshops; campaign sessions; chance to network with other
local groups. For more information and
to book place (free) go to http://www.foe.co.uk/community/news/gserg_jun10_23252.html?ic_number=792065&m_sourcecode=CB0803LNAC&product=REGACTL
Or call Tom
Wright on 020 7566 1673
Food
Chain Campaign
FoE is
hoping to get one of the MPs drawn in the Private Members’ ballot to adopt the
Sustainable Livestock Bill. Even if one of our MPs is not drawn there are still
ways in which we can support the campaign.
The ballot
is due to take place on 3 June, and there are then three weeks before the
chosen bills are presented to Parliament, so there is only a very short time
for us to bring influence to bear on the MPs. Last month we decided to meet on Friday
4 June to discuss plans. Time: 7.45 pm, place: Crispin’s Wine Bar on Ealing
Green. Do please come if you can.
Meat-free Monday
Animal Aid
has produced a short film (1 min 50 sec) called “What a difference a day makes”
to encourage people to re-think their meat consumption and its impact on the
planet. Even one meat-free day a week can make a difference. To view the film visit www.meat-free-monday.com and if you
like it pass it on to friends, family and colleagues. Last year Ghent City
Council in
Permaculture – a
revolution disguised as gardening
Ealing Transition is hosting a talk by Hannah Thorogood on Thursday 20
May at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church Hall (The Polygon) St Mary’s Road,
Permaculture
ideas underpin the basis of the
For
more information on Ealing Transition visit their website www.ealingtransition.org
Bicycle
Maintenance Lessons in Ealing
Would you,
or someone you know, like to learn how to look after your bike?
Ealing Cycling
Campaign is meeting popular demand by holding regular sessions in bike
maintenance.
On the
first Saturday of every month, they run a number of courses to help people get
to grips with bike maintenance. The main course is a session on the basics of
the bicycle, how to diagnose simple problems, remove the rear wheel and fix a
puncture. All tools and parts are provided and friendly volunteers are on hand
to help you work on your bike and put the theory into practice.
Places are
limited to a maximum of 8 people, cost £5 and so far have been fully booked.
Lessons
are held at the Greenford Park Residents Association Community Hall,
The group
also collects bicycles to practice on and resell to help fund the project, so
if you have an old battered bike cluttering up your shed it could be very
useful.
Big Garden
Birdwatch Results
Back in
January, nearly over half a million people took part in the RSPB’s survey of
garden birds, and the results have now been published.
Top twenty
birds for the Greater London Area were (most frequently seen first):
Wood
pigeon, starling, house sparrow, blue tit, blackbird, feral pigeon, robin,
great tit, magpie, collared dove, goldfinch, chaffinch, carrion crow, dunnock,
ring-necked parakeet, long-tailed tit, greenfinch, coal tit, wren, jay.
How many
of these visit your garden regularly?
Most of
these species, apart from the parakeet and the jay, also featured in the
overall results, although in different order. House sparrows topped the list
for the seventh year running, but their numbers are still in decline, having
dropped by 17% in the last five years. Jackdaw and song thrush also made the
overall top twenty.
For more
information on the BGB and other bird-related matters, go to www.rspb.org.uk
Spring
into Summer
On the weekend of 22-23 May, Walk London is running over fifty free
guided walks. Many of these celebrate the scenery and open spaces along the
For more
information visit http://www.walklondon.org.uk/ where you can also download guides to various
routes.
Nature Walks in
and around Ealing
John Wells is continuing his very
interesting nature walks, which are free and open to all.
Thursday 27 May:
Sunday 6 June:
Saturday 26 June:
And more to follow!
Ealing LETS
LETS stands for Local Exchange Trading Scheme - a way
for people to exchange their time and skills with each other using a local
currency. Such a scheme ran successfully in Ealing for several years, but
became dormant. It has recently been relaunched.
You can
find out more at www.ealing.letslink.org
The answer is a lemon
Don’t
throw out lemon rinds. Friends of the Earth suggest discouraging moth larvae by
placing dried lemon rind in clothes drawers, or wrapping rinds in thin cloth to
hang in cupboards and wardrobes where they will deter unwelcome grubs without
the need for formaldehyde-laden moth balls (and they will smell better too!)
Another FoE tip is to soak whites in a solution of water and lemon juice and
then hanging them in the sunshine. Natural light and citrus juice will combine
to give a gentle bleaching effect.
A few
drops of lemon juice applied to minor cuts and grazes will help to stop
bleeding and disinfect the wound. It may sting a little but should ensure
healthy healing.
Lemon juice added to bicarbonate of soda makes a good
stain remover for sinks, and lemon peel will clean stainless steel taps.
Please
send contributions for the next issue to the Editor, 6 Willow Close TW8 8DE or
email vfassnidge@yahoo.co.uk