Reporting Hydrus Decision

We got into the Newbury Weekly News. They have the picture below and a video.


I was interviewed last night and this morning on BBC Radio Berkshire, the Andrew Peach Show at about 7.30 am.

Only one West Berks councillor, Lib Dem Alan Macro, voted against the plan. He said he was unhappy with such a facility being built so near a populated area.

AWE Project Hydrus Planning Decision

I went to the West Berkshire planning meeting this evening where the fate of AWEs Project Hydrus was decided upon.

The were a few other protesters, we had some banners, and though it rained it was still a nice evening. When the meeting was due to start we went in to listen. Below are my notes from the meeting, its just an impression of what was said, not word for word accurate. My comments in italics.

The Council had received 1331 letters of objection, which they ignored completely. They only seemed concerned with an objection from English Heritage, and I expect will do some landscaping to Hydrus won't be seen from nearby heritage property.

Speaking Against
Dr Rebecca Johnson spoke passionately about there being no need for Hydrus. It circumvents nuclear non proliferation treaty. Hydrodynamics facility is a fire risk. Exploding volatile substances is an appalling safety risk. MOD and AWE won't give a proper assessment so you Cllrs must refer back to a full inquiry.

Questions
Cllr Tim Metcalf Conservative: no planning reasons to object. Fire risk not justifiable.
Harvey Tadman spoke of sustainability for future generations.
Cllr Metcalf said not within remit.
Perhaps the remit needs to be changed if they can't consider sustainability.

Speaking For AWE
This is the 8th and final application of the project that includes Orion & Gemini. He said there were no technical objections or objections from local communities! LIAR
Questions
Cllr Law Conservative; asked what are risks. And what hydronymics meant. It was to verify effectiveness of warheads. H&s risks designed out but there are hazardous materials.
Cllr asked are they radioactive elements? Yes.
Cllr Law ; asked if independent regulators were sufficient. Yes a full safety case is made to them, they are fully cleared and can ask questions.
Cllr Linden Conservative; asked if fire service procedures had unhindered access. We regret fire in Aug but we think procedures worked well. NOT
Independent investigation is proceeding so can't give details.
Cllr Webb Conservative; Current facilities were put together 50s, these buildings will be safer.

Cllr Mollie Lock Liberal Democrat; people can only object on planning grounds.
David Pearson; AWE has a long established use. We can't consider use.
Cllr Lonk; We can approve or refuse application, no link to inquiry in law.
Chair Cllr Brian Bedwell Calcot Conservative. Correct this is not in our remit
Cllr Macro Liberal Democrat; this could go to a planning public inquiry.
David if we refused application it could go to inquiry. Called in by sec of state Chair: so plan matters only.
Cllr Irene Neil Conservative; Regulators of site are experts, we are not. It would be safer so I recommend it passes.
Cllr; happy to second.
Cllr Lock; If it fails AWE would appeal.

Cllr Macro; Would not support application due to proximity to populated area. Planning point para 6.8 additional construction jobs & employment opportunities. You could say this about any project.
Hazel Evans said; There will be 5 years employment which is a lengthy construction period.

Cllr Tim; regarding planning, AWE looks ugly anyway, its a carbuncle so one more ugly building wont make any difference. So votes for it.

In the vote only Cllr Marco objected, all other Cllrs voted for it.

I was amazed that these elected Cllrs feel happy to ignore thousands of residents who objected, and the recent news about the fire that AWE kept hidden.

I was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire after and made the points written above. How can Cllrs ignore public opinion, where is democracy?

West Berks Council has:
Conservative - 36 seats
Liberal Democrat - 15 seats
so there is no opposition, a bit of a one party state.

Unfair Planning Systems

A few years ago I was campaigning against the Tesco in the Oxford Road.
I had about a thousand signatures on a petition and Tesco didn't even send someone to speak for them. They didn't need to, they still won. The cllrs for the big three parties all supported the plan.

Unfortunately many things I predicted have come to pass. Local shops have closed, traffic has increased. The Cllrs were not interested in my opinion, one verbally attacked me, the others ignored me. They all felt that they could not fight Tesco, they were too big. Some even felt that Tesco would help the local shops, as people could park there and go to them.

In the Castle Douglas Tesco planning process in Scotland claims were made that the system is wrong.

I have witnessed other planning applications; if the person is articulate and can make a presentation they are taken seriously. If they have trouble speaking in front of a rather intimidating crowd they will probably be ignored. So those with better educations and jobs are more likely to succeed, those with learning difficulties, poor educations, manual jobs or unemployed will probably fail.

We have a most unfair system.

Firefighters 'lost control' of blaze at Aldermaston

In response to questions asked this month by Green party MP Caroline Lucas, the Ministry of Defence revealed that since 2006 there have been four incidents at AWE Aldermaston where the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been requested to attend. The RBFRS was also requested to act as a stand-by on a further three events.

Last months major fire at AWE where the UK's nuclear missiles are assembled was contained only after local fire crews requested back-up from emergency services outside the county, according to record logs of the incident.

The logs, obtained by the Observer under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that the scale of the blaze was far bigger than has previously been acknowledged and have raised new concerns about safety at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston base in Berkshire.

They show that the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) was forced to request a high-volume pump from London as it battled to contain the blaze in a protected building housing high explosives.

There was also a danger of asbestos. The HSE investigation into the incident continues.

Tim Carroll RIP

Reading Green Party supporter Tim Caroll, 51, died this week. He passed away on Sunday 19 September sometime in the morning after an acute heart attack.

There is a facebook tribute page, where people are sharing memories and photographs of his eventful life.

Rob White said "As well as my political image consultant and the reliable provider one of our election day committee rooms, Tim was passionate about fighting injustice, a source of inspiration and a good friend. I miss him."

Lynelle Murray has A message for Tim...
"Tim you were-are the very sweetest, loveliest and most wonderful man I’ve ever met and I truly wish that having met you again a few short weeks ago that time was still on our side. Everybody whose path you crossed is the richer for knowing you and I’m so very sorry for Jess and all your family and special friends who must be hurting so very much. On a clear, cloudless night Tim you will be the very brightest and most beautiful star in the sky and my precious memories of you will stay in my heart forever."

Karen Rumbol said : "I first met Tim when he drove a group of us to S Wales during the miners strike...and then again during Caramba days....(oh my god he was a hard taskmaster and wasn't impressed with our flyposting and cake making!..but the events were fantastic)..to a more mellow Tim, letting us use his house for Green party HQ during the election..v inspiring light bulbs and garden pond! I ..will remember his political passion, generosity and huge warm presence."

Catherine Truscott said: "Always remembered for his tremendous skills in celebration and bringing people together, filling a space with his big smiling eyes and even bigger heart. So sad he is no longer sharing his life with us, but what a way to go. Here's to the greater party awaiting us all. Rest in your perfect party Tim. xx"

Eloise Murray-Robertson said "I was lucky enough to see Tim about a month ago at his house. I hadn't seen him for probably years and we had a good catch up. He gave me a tour of his house and we talked about the green cause and all his wonderful plans for his already amazing garden. He appeared well and on form !! He told me about going to the Isle of White festival when he was a child and being inspired to live his life the way he did. He certainly inspired me and I came home full of creative ideas.. The planet has lost one hell of a lovely man."

For the last couple of elections we welcomes the Green Party into his house as a committee room. All day people were coming and going, leafleting, knocking on doors and telling outside the polling station. It was always a pleasure for volunteers to return to his lovely house for a cup of tea.



We miss you Tim, RIP.

Changing face of detention limits

Recent history of detention limits from here

24 hours. Before 2000, terror suspects were covered by ordinary criminal law.

7 days. The Terrorism Act of 2000 brought in a seven-day limit – if police could get the support of a judge.

14 days. The new maximum under the Criminal Justice Act of 2003.

28 days. The current limit, which has been in force since the Terrorism Act of 2006.

42 days. The period championed by the former home secretary Jacqui Smith, but abandoned in 2008 in the face of certain defeat in the Lords.

56 days. Floated by Gordon Brown's government in 2007.

90 days. Tony Blair's preferred limit, thrown out by MPs in 2005 after a Labour rebellion.

The ConDems are said to be considering lowering the 28 day limit. I would expect LibDems to want to reduce it, but I have not seen much on this yet. Greens want to reduce it .

LibLabServatives Shinfield Road Traffic Scheme

Many residents of Reading will know about the traffic problems caused by the recent changes to Shinfield Road. For those who don't, some background.

Labour had run the council (RBC) for decades, and have a history of spending far too much money on road schemes that don't work. This culminated in the disastrous one-way IRD scheme which helped bring them down. Almost everyone in Reading was against it, just a few Labour stalwarts on the losing side. People were against it for a variety of reasons, speaking for the Greens we want money spent on more sustainable transport, buses, trains, pedestrians and cyclists.

The local Conservatives campaigned in the local elections to change traffic lights into roundabouts. To me its like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, the problems are deeper; we need to get people out of cars. However some people thought this was a fine idea and supported the Tories.

So its with some surprise that one junction, the Shinfield Road Traffic Scheme, has just has some new traffic lights. In its first week it seems a disaster, the traffic grinds to a halt, many people are complaining, there is talk of bus passengers turning to cars to avoid the junction.

Tory spokesman Cllr Richard Willis says:

Since the traffic lights were switched on there have been increased delays, partly resulting from initial problems with the lights themselves and partly from continued works being undertaken in the area.

He says that he inherited this from Labour, and it would have been too difficult to change it. He announced a comprehensive review of the scheme including the traffic-lighted junctions in six months time, so those who voted for him will be very disappointed he is choosing to stick with Labours plans rather than his own.

When I said this to him on his blog, he responded that I was supporting Labour! He does seem confused.

The contract was let and the works started under Labour’s control and before we took over. Under those circumstances it is very difficult or impossible just to stop the scheme as people wanted.

I responded saying "Blaming Lab or saying its difficult is like saying you cant cope." Why does he not have the courage to do what he promised before the election?

He responds "I suggest that if the Greens wish to be taken seriously you resume your previous constructive opposition and stop parroting Labour’s tired lines and providing them with cover for decisions they took while in office."

But he is the one sticking with Labours policies. Once more its the Greens that are effectively the opposition to the big parties.

Blairalike Contest Clegg-Cam-Miliband

Listening to Nick Clegg at the LD conference this week is a bit like watching him in a "who can be the most like Tony Blair" contest with Cameron and Miliband.

On PR, Trident, nuclear power, and many other issues the answer is the same. Clegg says he been campaigning for years on this subject. So why does govt policy still echo the Tory manifesto? Because Clegg caved in to Camerons demands and gave up the best chance to change the system in generations. Clegg could have insisted on PR as a condition of any alliance, and the Tories would have given it to him. Instead he settled for very little change to Tory policy but lots of power for LD MPs. They do say power corrupts.

Huhne’s speech today reveals “combination of half-hearted measures and bad policy” said Green MP Caroline Lucas.

Not long ago Vince was hailed as a saint for claiming to have predicted the financial disaster and talking about casino capitalism, now he is the dealer. A little less talk and more action baby.

Clegg sounds so good on the environment, but just like Blair there is no action. Emissions went up with Labour though they also made fine speeches. Clegg seems as duplicitous. He boasts that govt buildings will cut CO2 by 10%, but this is just what has already been promised by the 1010 campaign under Labour! Lets make some progress before bigging up claims to be the most green government.

Greens are concerned that cuts in investment in renewables will see us continue to be one of the least green countries in Europe. LD are following the Labour failing example, all talk and no action. Cut emissions not services.


Pic from cafebabel

Nearly 1 Million for GMO Ban!

The EC has recently allowed GM crops into Europe, ignoring the concerns of the public. I've signed a petition for independent research and a moratorium on GM crop development. With 1 million citizens' signatures, we can make an official legal request to the European Commission. Sign here and let's get to 1 million:

The European Commission has recently approved growing genetically modified crops in the European Union for the first time in 12 years! But already 800,000 of have signed up to oppose the move.

A new initiative allows 1 million EU citizens to make official legal requests of the European Commission. We are nearly there -- Let's build a million voices for a ban on GM foods until the research is done; they will be delivered to the President Barroso of the European Commission.

Allotment Early Day Motion 687 Transition Towns Campaign

There is significant unmet demand for allotments in the UK. In Reading the Tilehurst Allotments are under threat.

Transition Towns did a survey of allotment waiting lists in England earlier this year, and you can access figures for any principal local council with allotments on our database .

Theres an Early Day Motion (EDM 687) for debate stating "That this House welcomes the big increase in home-grown vegetables, with seed sales up 14 per cent last year; is pleased that the number of people wanting an allotment has increased by 20 per cent in the past 12 months; is concerned that according to the National Society for Allotment and Leisure Gardeners there are 100,000 people on waiting lists for an allotment; and calls on the Government, local authorities, other public bodies and private landlords to make land available for new allotments." To-date 28 MPs have signed the Motion.

Check if your MP has signed the motion here.


The picture of allotments near my home in Reading.
Transition Towns have an open meeting tomorrow (the 20th of Sept) at 7.30 pm at RISC

Save Our Services Thursday 23rd September Reading Town Hall 7pm

The fight against cuts continues. Some people are demonstrating outside the LD conference now and the Conservatives conference on the 3rd October.

In Reading theres a meeting at the Town Hall, all sorts of groups are part of the fight. Unions, politicians, faith groups and more. Join in and help defend services for people that need them, not bonuses for those that don't.

Germany Aims At 100% Renewables

I found a great article on renewables in Germany. Their attitude is in sharp contrast with a local group in Reading.

The article is from the Global Arab Network. It says something when a region famous for fossil fuels is looking to the future.

Renewable energy had passed a critical threshold, with Germany nation taking another step in the transition from nuclear and coal to renewable energy. This came seven months after Germany had received an unusual Christmas present. Heavy winds on December 26 delivered free electrical energy, and wind turbines produced up to 20.100 megawatts of power, pushing the price for electricity into the negative: It cost up to 20 cents per kilowatt hours to produce power. Coal plants had to pay for power instead of selling it.

The two days sent a signal – the goal of providing Germany with 100 percent renewable energy is reachable.

For decades the environmentalist movement, blossoming wind and solar industries, as well as Germany’s Green Party dreamed of switching completely to renewable energy. Now political support reaches across the political spectrum. Even the conservative minister for the environment, Norbert Röttgen of the Christian Democratic Union, supports it.

Unlike our Conservatives, who like Labour and the LibDem are very mixed up.


In Reading Partnerships for Renewables has teamed up with the University of Reading to produce plans for four wind turbines at Rushy Mead, which is between Arborfield and Lower Earley.

A small number of residents are concerned about the visual and noise impact on house prices the turbines could cause.

Visit www.rushymeadharm.org for the NIMBY view. And leave a comment of their message board.


See also here and here.
Germany 100 Percent Renewables by 2050.
And this book.

One-off Tax On The Rich Would Stop ConDem Cuts

A one-off tax on the rich in Britain should save the need for planned cuts in the economy, says Greg Philo, research director of Glasgow University.

Personally I wonder why so few people mention that UK public sector net debt £903.0 billion while £850bn was the official cost of the bank bailout. Why not link these two things together, get the Banks to pay back our money and pay off the debt. No more excuse for cuts.

I was on a local LD blogger last night during BBCQT. The LDs and Tories all think cuts are the answer to all problems, it has become the cure for everything. Labour say they are against cuts but their economic plans are similar to the ConDems and so would have had similar cuts.

The Greens, Professor David Blanchflower and Professor Greg Philo, have a different view. I hope the media allow more time for people to hear this.

Professor Blanchflower argues, with characteristic donnish circumspection, that cuts "will do terrible and probably irreversible damage to the British economy. I am now 100 per cent certain these actions will push us into double-dip recession."

He accuses those who disagree with him of "political opportunism". Further, the Professor's opinions have since given succour to union bosses like Brendan Barber who warned this week that, "The coalition obsession with slashing jobs and services to reduce national debt risks hurtling us into a dangerous double-dip."

Cut Trident, and AWE, things that are of no benefit.

Reading Second in Clone Town UK List

A staggering 41% of UK towns are clone towns according to the widest ever Clone Town
survey results released today by leading independent think-tank nef (new
economics foundation).

There is a debate on Reading Forum about my town being second placed on the clone list here. This is linked to having 11 Tescos in town.

Only 36 per cent of the high streets surveyed retain their distinctive character with more than two thirds of their shops being independents. The nef report, Re-imagining the High Street: Escape from Clone Town Britain, also brands the multiple chain outlets as "fair weather friends" who have either abandoned the high streets entirely or given up so-called secondary locations.

The report says that overall trend towards "Clone Town Britain", continues, despite widespread publicity about the loss of local identity following the 2005 Clone Town report.

Cambridge is the UK's most cloned town, managing only 11.6 on the diversity scale (out of a possible 100). Only nine varieties of shops are found on the main high street. Reading comes in at joint second place with 15.4. The huge number of Tescos has a lot to do with it

Paul Squires, the co-author of the report said: "The towns most dependent on the big chains and out of town stores have proven to be most vulnerable to the economic crisis. The government's "Big Society" idea cannot be built on these fractured local economies, represented so clearly by the empty shop fronts along our high streets."

"It's not all doom and gloom," Paul continued; "we found many towns that are thriving with initiatives to retain local diversity. The local currency schemes in Lewes and Brixton, for example; community buy-outs of post offices and pubs from Yorkshire to Cornwall; and loyalty cards for shopping at independent retailers from London to Penzance."

Elizabeth Cox, co-author of the report added: "We need to completely re-evaluate what we use our high streets for now that the age of mass retail is juddering to a halt. Our high streets could become places where shopping is just one small part of a rich mix of activities including working, sharing, exchanging, playing and learning new skills. As the hub of our communities, the high street could become the place where we begin to build a more sustainable world."

Top Green UK Blogs Aug 2010

Last month I compiled a list of Green Bloggers.
The rankings are from Wikio.co.uk.
It proved to be a little controversial, most Green Bloggers are not registered with wikio.co.uk, some are even on wikio.com! This is at least an alternative to the list provided by Top Tory Blogger Ian Dale.

1 (=) 145 The Daily (Maybe)
2 (+1) 198 Third Estate
3 (-1) 222 Another green world
4 (=) 229 Random Blowe
5 (+1) 249 two doctors
6 (-1) 308 philobiblon
7 (=) 362 greenpeace blog
8 (+2) 351 bright green scotland
9 (-1) 554 green reading
10 (+10) 606 flesh is grass
11 (new) 650 deptford dame
12 (+2) 678 ruperts read
13 (-2) 730 greenerblog
14 (-1) 769 jonathonporritt
15 (-6) 848 green ladywell
16 (new) 865 Cabbages and Kings
17 (-2) 934 ruscombe green
18 (-2) 971 gaian economics
19 (=) 991 the only green room
20 (-8) 1050 transition culture
21 (new) 1104 carolineld
22 (new) 1157 green left blog
23 (-6) 1196 green gabbles
24 (+6) 1232 barkingside21
25 (-7) 1420 bloggyblanc
26 (+11) 1505 recycle this
27 (-2) 1634 gayle o'donovan
28 (-7) 1913 adrian hollister/
29 (+4) 1915 matt blackall
30 (new) 2025 peter cranie
31 (new) 2028 anglo buddhist combine
32 (-10) 2015 greener leith
33 (new) 2057 stuart jeffery
34 (-5) 2414 week is a longtime
35 (new) 2655 Weggis
36 (-13) 2682 wessex equality trust
37 (new) 2727 suitably despairing
38 (new) 3038 bean-sprouts
39 (new) 3409 earthpal
40 (-9) 3866 croydon greens
41 (-14)3974 green despatches
42 (-10) 4327 earthenwitch
43 (-9) 4361 greenmans occasional
44 (new) 4536 greens engage
45 (-10) 4848 ecomonkey
46 (-10) 4923 dickon edwards
47 (-9) 5133 coventry green party
48 (-8) 5180 porgythecat
49 (-12) 5304 recycle
50 (-11) 5323 Andy D'Agorne
51 (-9) 5376 human ecologist
52 (new)16074 climate-cassandra

See also top 10 cision
Ice Rocket

Green Party Conference Birmingham

I have just missed this weeks Green Party Conference in Birmingham. But my fellow bloggers have covered it.

Its Janes first GP Conf.
Jim is now too involved to do so much blogging but has contributed here.
Molly on economics.
Adrian Ramsay Speech
Peter Cranie
Bright Green Scotland
Rupert's Read
John Reardon
Caroline Lucas conference speech

And on twitter follow #gpconf

Transition Reading

In a few weeks Transition Reading has been growing.

Since the first event two local ‘Transition Neighbourhoods’ in East Reading, and South Reading have started. Also ideas and firm plans for practical projects are germinating all the time.

Links:
Reading West Yahoo, Reading East Yahoo,
transition network principles
ecoteams
Barracks Lane Garden, Oxford
Oxford Road Community Garden



Next meeting September 20, 2010 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm @ RISC, 35-39 London Street, Reading, RG1 4PS.

In Early people have been questioning the councils policy on allotments. They closed the waiting list, though some people may have been waiting seven years!

"The decision was taken to close the waiting list for the time being as it was felt that the Town Council would be doing a dis-service to its residents by continuing to keep the list open knowing that those most recently added to it were unlikely to be offered an allotment plot within the near future.

According to the SMALL HOLDINGS & ALLOTMENT ACT 1908

"(2)On a representation in writing to the council of any borough, urban district, or parish, by any six registered parliamentary electors or persons who are liable to pay an amount in respect of council tax] resident in the borough, urban district, or parish, that the circumstances of the borough, urban district, or parish are such that it is the duty of the council to take proceedings under this Part of this Act therein, the council shall take such representation into consideration."

So come on people of Early, lets get our council acting as they should. Allotments provide healthy local food, reduce emissions, create a great community.

Berkshire Blogs August 2010

It's back! Check out the risers and the fallers with Green Reading exclusive monthly chart of the top blogs in the area (compiled using Wikio.co.uk). This used to be done by http://bythemuddybanksofthethames.blogspot.com/ but he has stopped.

Of course no ranking system will ever be definitive so if you want to get listed don't forget to tell us about your blog in the comments section - the more the merrier!

Here are the Berkshire Blog rankings for August 2010. July is here.

1 (up 1) 46 John Redwood MP
2 (down 1) 50 Mark Rekons
3 (=) 164 Boulton and co
4 (=) 165 Liberal Burblings
5 (=) 166 left outside
6 (=) 222 another green world Derek Wall
7 (=) 244 bracknell blog
8 (=) 295 babyrambles
9 (=) 426 cartoon church
10 (+1) 554 green reading
11 (-1) 559 the salted slug
12 (+4) 565 Jane Griffiths
13 (+15) 746 Richard Mckenzie
14 (-1) 776 Cons Cllr Richard Willis
15 (=) 780 Neville Hobson
16 (+1) 879 oy va goy
17 (+5) 886 LD Cllr Glenn Goodall
18 (-4) 932 church times
19 (+1) 957 LD Cllr Swaine waswasere
20 (-2) 1045 Mr london street
21 (+2) 1196 http://greengabbles.wordpress.com/
22 (-1) 1306 Rob Fisher
23 (+3) 1420 Green Cllr Rob White bloggyblanc
24 (=) 1468 gco2e
25 (+10) 1480 Peter Henley
26 (-1) 1526 NYOOTW
27 (+4) 1724 Alvin Finch
28 (+2) 1776 sean greens blog
29 (+35) 1915 Matt Blackall
30 (+2) 2012 LD Cllr Ricky Duveen
31 (+8) 2022 wendyhome
32 (+1) 2029 the armchair sports fan
33 (+29) 2108 Gideon Mack
34 (+3) 2128 Bucolic Frolics
35 (+60) 2235 http://sheepdrove.wordpress.com/
36 (+2) 2397 http://carocat.co.uk/
37 (+3) 2682 Wessex Equality Trust
38 (+4) 2722 Want to be a free...
39 (+4) 2763 scary duck
40 (+5) 2883 naws
41 (+5) 2931 the flashing blade
42 (+5) 3065 Greening St Johns
43 (+5) 3173 Marketing By Permission
44 (+5) 3263 the red rocket
45 (+5) 3339 the open bracket
46 (+5) 3366 Morgan PR
47 (+5) 3573 Thoughts of chairman bill
48 (return) 3603 Jones Indep
49 (+4) 3668 Sourceress
50 (+4) 3675 The Virtual Victorian
51 (+3) 3790 Katesgrove Libdems
52 (+4) 3798 http://lastdjango.blogspot.com/
53 (+11) 3848 Sheabutter Cottage
54 (+3) 3903 James' Two Cents
55 (+3) 3957 Lab Cllr John Ennis
56 (+3) 3987 Reading Geek Night
57 (return) 4300 LD Cllr Prue Bray
58 (+3) 4306 puglia2010
59 (-18) 4360 internet psychologist
60 (+3) 4547 jszuryn
61 (+4) 4601 berkeley pr
62 (+5) 4932 Lab Cllr Rachel Eden
63 (+5) 4967 slouching towards thatcham
64 (+5) 5593 http://www.britishroyalwedding.com/
65 (+5) 5667 http://windsorfirestation.co.uk/blog/
66 (+5) 5857 DTTs Memoirs
67 (+5) 5919 through-a-peep-hole
68 (return) 5996 grasp the mettle
69 (+4) 5997 David Burbage
70 (+4) 6014 thames valley mums
71 (+4) 6458 groovy-yank
72 (+4) 6607 106 points
73 (+4) 6934 diggestive
74 (+4) 7323 http://pheasant-plucker.blogspot.com/
75 (+4) 7324 Berkshire Websites
76 (+4) 7326 Escort Sophie
77 (+4) 7327 the age of stupidity
78 (+4) 7328 the timber yard
79 (+5) 7329 Will Hughes
80 (+5) 7330 Treetops Newbury
81 (+6) 7332 hang on artists
82 (+6) 7334 eco search global
83 (+6) 7335 woz writes
84 (+8) 7387 Andy Peacock
85 (+8) 7389 Magic Photography Reading
86 (+9) 7390 Reading toy run
87 (+9) 7391 jazz from geoff
88 (+10) 7392 dadmzungu
89 (+11) 9868 rg9
90 (new entry) 11,692 Marlow bottom acoustic club
91 (return) 17,234 martinsnottheone

Inactive for over a month
715 http://bythemuddybanksofthethames.blogspot.com/
1162 http://www.redlandslibdems.org.uk/
2036 http://bythemuddybanksofthethamesbbr.blogspot.com/
Josh Harsant MYP
http://berkshireborn.blogspot.com/
http://www.philspray.co.uk/
http://readingsikhyouthassociation.blogspot.com/
http://wordpress.crawfordrussell.co.uk/
7386 http://beasleysplace.blogspot.com/
7331 http://roul47.blogspot.com/
1913 http://www.adrianhollister.com/
1469 http://amuseinnerme.blogspot.com/

Koran Burning Islamophobia

This has been an anniversary of 9/11 to remember. The Rev Terry Jones has made the world a less safe place, caused a riot and is now famous the world over. All because he promised to burn Korans, then backed down.

"We're not going to go back and do it," Jones said "It is totally canceled." The pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, which has fewer than 50 members, had named Saturday "International Burn a Koran Day".

In Muslim countries his message of intolerance has caused trouble, and a man is dead. In Afghanistan the Taliban have been distributing pamphlets decrying Jones' plans, claiming they showed the Americans were in Afghanistan to wage war against Islam. Several hundred protesters rallied Saturday outside the giant Bagram Air Field, a major NATO base north of Kabul. The protest ended peacefully after about an hour, Afghan officials said. At least 11 people were injured in similar protests across Afghanistan on Friday.

In 2005, 15 people died and scores were wounded in riots in Afghanistan sparked by a story in Newsweek magazine alleging interrogators at the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay placed copies of the koran in washrooms and flushed one down the toilet to get inmates to talk. Newsweek later retracted the story, too late.

“This is a desperate man seeking the attention of the better part of the world,” said Press Secretary Robert Gibb. “I think we would all be served, for the safety of ourselves and for those that protect us each day, to cover something besides him every hour on the hour.”

As the week wore on, many mainstream news outlets made public avowals of their intention to approach the story with an emphasis on context, and a minimum of visuals. The AP declared that its policy is not to cover events “that are gratuitously manufactured to provoke and offend,” which obviously this was.

The pastor called off the Koran-burning event after claiming he had commitments from Muslim leaders that a mosque would not be built near ground zero in New York.


There are no plans to build a mosque at ground zero. They want to build an Islamic center two blocks from ground zero. 'New York being a densely populated city, there are lots of other buildings and businesses within two blocks of Ground Zero, including a McDonald's and a Burger King, neither of which has yet been accused of serving milkshakes and fries on hallowed ground. 70% of Americans are opposed to the "Ground Zero mosque", doubtless in many cases because they've been led to believe it literally is a mosque at Ground Zero. According to a recent poll, one in five Americans believes Barack Obama is a Muslim, even though he isn't.'

The question is why does the media let extremists set the agenda, there are people that will say anything to gain publicity. The media are mainly interested in making money, but they have responsibilities. This was a bad day for them.

King's Meadow Baths At Heritage Open Day

King's Meadow Baths on Napier Road, Reading will be open for public viewing from
11-4pm This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The campaign committee are very keen that as many people pass to visit as possible. 'We would like to clock up the most visitors of any venue open within this Reading event.'

Reading Borough Council missed us out of their plush booklet and we are having to make up for it now.

KMC wants to save those Baths for you and future generations. PLEASE SUPPORT!

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Sunday 12 September Venues across Reading
Explore Reading as a whole host of buildings open their doors to you to mark
this year's Heritage Open Days. There are also a variety of drop in sessions, walks, talks and tours to choose from.

Call into the Hindu Temple, knit candles at Jacksons, attend a talk about the Father Willis Organ at the Town Hall, catch a glimpse of the Kings Meadow Swimming Baths, see RISC's edible roof garden or visit the Royal Berkshire Medical Museum.

For a full programme of events and activities visit RBC website or pick up a guide at council venues.

Reading Pride And Diane Abbot

Reading enjoys 'biggest ever' Pride event. Organisers said they were confident Saturday's event in Berkshire attracted more than the previous 12,000 record set last year.

Labour leadership hopeful Diane Abbott MP also made an appearance as she was appointed as Reading Pride's first patron.

"I am absolutely thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to become a Patron of Reading Pride. So many towns and cities across the country see local pride events as an important part of their summer calendar – and for the first time this year, my own constituency of Hackney North and Stoke Newington will host its first Pride event in its history."

"It wasn't easy being a gay rights champion in the 80's but I'm pleased to have backed the rights of LGBT people whenever and wherever I had the opportunity. I hope that the next few years brings us greater equality – gay marriage, greater protection for trans people, blood service reform and gay families being seen as as equal and important has heterosexual families. And I hope that by working with Reading Pride we can do our bit to make this a reality.

Chairwoman Lorna McArdle said: "It was absolutely brilliant.
"There definitely seemed to be more people here than last year, but it is a bit early to know exact figures, but I believe it is the biggest ever.
"Each year it grows and grows and goes from strength to strength.
"I even managed to get my picture taken with Scooch."

The family festival is aimed at celebrating diversity in the Thames Valley

They marched from the Civic Centre along Broad Street and through Forbury Gardens to the site of the seventh Reading Pride event.

Reading Heritage Weekend, Green Park Tour

As part of a Heritage Weekend with several buildings open.....
Green Park and Turbine Talk and Tours, Green Park, Reading, Berkshire

Be sure to book your place on this exciting talk and tour of one of
Reading's most prominent landmarks. The children's tours will encourage them to talk about Global Climate Change and where we usually get our energy from and will also feature an interactive session at the base of the turbine where the children can get involved with a couple of experiments to reinforce what they have learned from the talk. Opening Times
Thursday 9th September: Children's session 1630-1800
Saturday 11th September: Adults' session 1430-1600
Pre-booking is essential. Call 0118 937 2373.
Great news as Britain's wind farms generated record levels of power on Monday, providing 5 per cent of all power supplied to the National Grid over course of the day. The Grid confirmed that 40.5GWh out of a total 809.5GWh was provided by wind farms over the 24-hour period, with wind output peaking at 1,860 megawatts at 8.30pm.

RISC roof garden is open 12:00 until 16:00 on Saturday 11th September 2010

Sonning Exposed! A Heritage Trail: Open Day

Thameside villages of Sonning & Sonning Eye has a walking trail is ideal for all the family. Alternatively there will be one guided tour of Sonning starting from the St Sarik Room at 1400. Booking will be required for this.
Sun 12 Sep:1330-1600, Tour 1400. St Sarik Room, St Andrew’s Churchyard, High Street, Sonning Berkshire RG4 6UP.

Wokingham Town Hall is a fine Victorian Grade II* listed building which was opened in 1860 in Gothic design. On Saturday 11 September, the market traders are being invited to enter a ’best dressed Victorian trader’ competition. Sun 12 Sep:1100-1600. Free Entry. For more information and last-minute updates, please visit the Heritage Open Days website

Parents in East Reading are “livid” at Maiden Erlegh School Catchment

Parents in East Reading are “livid” at the news some children from the borough may not be able to go to Maiden Erlegh School in the future.

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) is reviewing its catchment areas following the closure of Ryeish Green School and a recommendation by an independent adjudi-cator states the present catchment areas are no longer “fit for purpose”.

As a result the council will be carrying out a consultation on new catchment boundaries in September and October.

Although the consultation document has not been published yet it appears one proposal is likely to affect children from Alfred Sutton Primary School in Wokingham Road, East Reading, many of whom will no longer fall in the Maiden Erlegh catchment area.

Reading’s only Green councillor Rob White has set up a Facebook group called No To Maiden Erlegh Catchment Area Changes.

He said: “The set up of schools as they are at the moment with Reading children going to Wokingham secondary schools dates back to when Berkshire County Council looked after education. I think it is massively unfair for Wokingham council to use its control of these schools to disadvantage Reading children who have as much right to go there.

“I will fight the corner of Reading parents and children.”

Rachael Wardell, head of strategy and partnerships in children’s services at WBC, said it was “absolutely not the case” that there were any proposals to exclude Reading borough children or children from Alfred Sutton from Wokingham schools.

She said the review of catchments included all kinds of factors including the size of the school, distance from the school and whether the children would have to cross major roads.

While children with siblings at a particular school would have preference, she acknowledged the review would result in changes to the Maiden Erlegh catchment boundary and might affect some children at Alfred Sutton.

She said Maiden Erlegh was an oversubscribed school which had expanded as far as was possible, adding parents were entitled to put any school as their first preference even if they did not live in the catchment area.

She said the matter was being discussed with Reading Borough Council officers and added: “We know that there is going to be a continuing significant need for secondary places for children from Reading borough in Wokingham borough and are well aware that we will be continuing to take children from across the Reading borough boundary.”

She said the consultation would be conducted on both sides of the boundary and would be followed by a statutory consultation based on the decisions made in November.

Labour Ex Cllr Richard McKenzie has started a petition here. He doesnt mention that he was part of the ruling group in Reading for years that failed to provide enough schools so that we have to rely on neighbouring Wokingham. Knocking on doors in Park Ward thats an issue that often comes up as a concern for parents.

Hydrus protest four arrested

After a weekend of action four were arrested this morning.

One group affiliated with Trident Ploughshares closed AWE boiler house gate for a couple of hours by four people locking themselves together. Meanwhile another group of Catholics cut through the fence and they were arrested.

Trident ploughshares has been giving training this weekend to about 20 people on non violent direct action and peaceful protest. Also we went to Newbury, Thatcham, Reading and surrounding villages with a letter of protest about the new AWE developments such as Hydrus. About 90% of the citizens of Thatcham were shocked at the 3 million pounds a day spent on AWE. Particularly as the ConDems are telling us we will be getting cuts to services.

Chris Bluemel, who came from Southampton to chain himself to the gate, said: “We are fundamentally opposed to nuclear weapons, particularly at a time when the poorest in society are struggling as they are.
“It seems totally immoral to commit so much money to [Project Hydrus] and I feel that the argument that Trident is a deterrent that cannot be maintained.”

AWE spokeswoman, Rachel Whybrow, said: “AWE recognises the democratic right of individuals to participate in lawful and peaceful protest activities.
“On site security as well as the Ministry of Defence Police will ensure that safety and security at AWE sites is not compromised as a result of the protest action.”

Trish Whitham, of Berkshire Greenpeace, said: ““AWE has not lifted a finger to consult the public on this major new development, so we weren't surprised to find that the majority of people had no idea about the plans for Project Hydrus and the concerns that they raise. Many of the people we spoke to were angry that the government plans to spend hundreds of millions of pounds on a major new facility for research into building new nuclear weapons at a time when local services are facing big spending cuts, and we had no difficulty in persuading people to sign up to oppose the development.”

Ann Kobayashi, 70, a retired social worker from Wickford, Essex, said: "We don’t need new nuclear weapons, but we do need the skills and knowledge of the AWE workforce to address the significant challenges of decommissioning existing nuclear weapons and nuclear waste disposal, which will affect future generations."

Daniel Viesnik, 35, from London, said: "I am blockading today because I refuse to stand idly by as the Government presses ahead with its £3 million-a-day programme to modernise the nuclear warhead-making facilities here at Aldermaston without so much as a public consultation or parliamentary debate. I firmly believe that Trident and its planned replacement are illegal, immoral and a shameless waste of resources."

Steve from London, said: " 'Deterrent' cannot be anything like an appropriate word for the possession of a nuclear weapon: by analogy, if I were walking around with a knife to protect myself, not only must I be living in fear but also at the ready to use the weapon I am carrying. The only real deterrent is not to carry a weapon. It makes no difference whether it’s a hoodie with a knife or a so-called great nation-state."

The cold war is over, nuclear weapons proliferation is illegal. Time to cut the nukes.

Burfield Vigil

Sunday morning at AWE's secret (nuke bomb factory) sibling at Burfield. This is where the weapons convoys gather carrying nuclear missiles across the country to faslane. AWE Burghfield is the final warhead assembly facility. Its very close to Reading. Taking photographs, and even sketching, is illegal here.

Burfield is the start of the weapons convoys; bombs are transported from there to faslane in Scotland. Nukewatch is an organisation that watches the bombs being transported. They have followed them around the country, while convoys have skidded on ice, broken down, had breaks in laybys. Most people dont even know about this deadly cargo going past most of the country. No radiation warning symbols are carried and neither the public nor local authorities are warned of these nuclear convoys.

If you see a convoy on the move, or passing by your house, be ready to phone us by having these numbers already on your phone...
South: 0845 45 88 364
North: 0845 45 88 365

The nuclear warheads these convoys carry are Weapons of Mass Destruction owned and wielded by the UK Government. Deploying Weapons of Mass Destruction is fundamentally wrong, illegal under international law, deeply hypocritical and flawed in its approaches to the modern world's challenges.

Wikio Environment Blog Ranking September 2010

After posting about Green Blog rankings a few weeks ago, Wikio contacted me to say they are now doing it themselves. So see below a table of Green Blogs for September 2010. Please be aware that many Green Blogs don't appear on Wikio, and that their way of measuring suits some blogs better than others. This is not a competition.

Wikio.co.uk - Environment Ranking Preview - September 2010

1	Greenpeace UK blog
2	Jonathon Porritt
3	Green Ladywell
4	Ruscombe Green
5	Gaian Economics
6	Transition Culture
7	The Rubbish Diet
8	Barkingside 21
9	How can I recycle this?
10	Adrian Hollister
11	Greener Leith
12	Stuart's Big Green Spot
13	Hippyshopper
14	Suitably Despairing
15	Greenconstructionuk's Blog
16	Bean Sprouts
17	Scorched Earth
18	MARC ROBERTS CARTOONS
19	The Compost Bin
20	YouGen Blog

Ranking made by Wikio

AWE Campaigning Against Project Hydrus

With friends from Trident Ploughsgares,CND, Berkshire Greenpeace, Aldermaston Womens Peace Camp and the Lib Dems I was campaigning today about AWE. We were getting people to sign the letter below objecting to the to AWE's new planning application. There were enough of us to be in Reading, Thatcham, Theale & Mortimer; hundreds of people signed this letter today.

The Atomic Weapons Establishment has submitted a new planning application to West Berkshire Council as the latest step in its proposals to upgrade the AWE Aldermaston site in preparation to build a new generation of UK nuclear warheads.

The application is for an installation known as Project Hydrus which will conduct experiments to gather information which can be used in warhead design.

It's important that as many people as possible write to West Berkshire Council to register objections to the planning application. The easiest way of doing this is by visiting the CND website.

It will only take a matter of seconds to send a message of objection from this webpage to the council and to AWE, so please click on the link and have your say - and do please ask members of your networks and local groups to visit the site and send a message, too.

Here are some of the reasons for objecting to the planning application:
- Key information about Project Hydrus, its impacts, and the risks it poses has been withheld from the public by the Ministry of Defence, which claims that releasing such information into the public domain would be "contrary to the interests of national defence".
- Radioactive plutonium will be used in some of the tests conducted in the facility, and so radioactively contaminated wastes will be generated, which will be stored on site pending development of a National Repository for the UK's radioactive waste.
- Explosives will also be handled and detonated as an integral part of the experimental programme.
- X-ray radiation from the high powered x-ray machines used to record images during experiments poses a potential hazard to human health.
- Hydrodynamic experiments generate noise and vibration. AWE is concerned that disclosure of specific information on noise and vibration signatures could be used to help enemies gain an understanding about warhead configurations.
- Construction traffic will have an impact in the local area, particularly upon Aldermaston village.

The application will be heard by West Berkshire Council's Eastern Area Planning Committee on 29 September 2010 so objections will need to be submitted in good time before this.

More information about the development, including a technical briefing, is available on the Nuclear Information Service website at http://nuclearinfo.org

A copy of the planning application and supporting documents can be found on the West Berkshire Council website.

The car that runs on human waste

The Bio-Bug is a conventional 2 litre VW Beetle convertible, which has been modified to run on both conventional fuel and compressed methane gas (from human waste).

The car is started using unleaded petrol but automatically switches to methane when the engine is "up to temperature". If the methane tank runs out the Bio-Bug reverts back to petrol.

GENeco is part of the Wessex Water group of companies and operates one of the largest sewage treatment works in the country to recycle waste, produce renewable energy and provide the agricultural industry with a nutrient-rich fertiliser.

With support from the South West Regional Development Agency, GENeco fitted equipment to treat gas generated at Bristol sewage treatment works so it could power the VW Beetle in a way that doesn’t affect its performance.

Mohammed Saddiq, GENeco’s general manager, said: “Our site at Avonmouth has been producing biogas for many years which we use to generate electricity to power the site and export to the National Grid.

“With the surplus gas we had available we wanted to put it to good use in a sustainable and efficient way. We decided to power a vehicle on the gas offering a sustainable alternative to using fossil fuels which we so heavily rely on in the UK.
If you were to drive the car you wouldn’t know it was powered by biogas as it performs just like any conventional car. It is probably the most sustainable car around.

GENeco claims 70 homes flushing for a year can power one Bio-Bug for 10,000 miles - the average annual mileage for a UK motorist. So that would power 285,714 cars, less than 1% of the 32m on the road.

Like other alternative motor fuels from compressed natural gas to dimethyl ether to even hydrogen, bio-methane could gain acceptance as a fuel for auto fleets or buses, which need a centralized location for refueling.

Mohammed Saddiq added: "Previously the gas hasn't been clean enough to fuel motor vehicles without it affecting performance"

Related stories, hydrogen Vs electricars c, Carrot Powered cars, taxi by lotus

Elections In Norwich

The final week of the campaign is about to begin in the Norwich elections.

With some more last minute support, we could see the first Green Council in the country.

I helped in the Norwich North by election last year and was very impressed. I wish I could be there to help, unfortunately I cant make it this time.

If you want to help but can't go theres pledgebank.