tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283886692009-11-10T23:05:20.194ZPhilip Booth was elected, May 2006, as Stroud District councillor for Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Green Party. Use the search facility above to find a particular issue. Philip does not accept payments for posts but welcomes comments. Over 3,000 unique visitors a month to this blog - thanks!Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.netBlogger2063125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-48685725779529601412009-11-10T19:44:00.004Z2009-11-10T23:05:20.209Z2009-11-10T23:05:20.209Z

Join the UK's biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change.On Saturday 5 December 2009, ahead of the crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen, tens of thousands of people, all dressed in blue, will flow through the streets of London to demonstrate their support for a safe climate future for all......and Stroud is sending a coach to take part in the demonstration called 'The

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-54197588342954104722009-11-09T20:05:00.002Z2009-11-09T20:25:36.330Z2009-11-09T20:25:36.330Z

A picnic is being planned to be held at Tricorn House on Tuesday 17th November at 12 noon. This is to draw attention to the misguided decision to allow the rights of a Guernsey-based property company to prevail over those of a local business. See more here. It was also good to see that Ecotricity are still game to go for the Compulsory Purshase Order - see Citizen here. Join us for the picnic!Pic

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-60276965716188185512009-11-09T19:22:00.004Z2009-11-09T19:34:40.227Z2009-11-09T19:34:40.227Z

'Resilience Thinking' is an article I read while in Wales these last couple of days from the latest issue of ‘Resurgence’ - I have cheekily copied the article below from the author, Rob Hopkin's excellent blog - see here.It is a useful article - and an issue Greens have been pushing locally - one previous suggestion was instead of a Regeneration Department at SDC we need a Department of to build

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-15265921701770579112009-11-09T15:28:00.004Z2009-11-09T15:50:25.761Z2009-11-09T15:50:25.761Z

I've just had a few days in Wales - wonderful break - but it does mean I am a little behind with emails - please bear with me - as for the blog well I'm back with a post to highlight Martin Hancox's new website about badgers which now has more information on - Martin is Stroud-based and has a huge wealth of knowledge on this issue - see more about him on the website.Photo: Tony Meeuwissen has

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-53157469371496654882009-11-07T06:12:00.010Z2009-11-07T06:12:00.389Z2009-11-07T06:12:00.389Z

A couple of weeks ago I was in Bath for the Wessex Water Joint Customer Liaison Panel meeting on which I sit on behalf of Stroud District Council - you will see stuff re previous meetings by putting Wessex into the search facility.Photo: diatoms - read on to see why they are here.I will come to the four key questions I raised at the meeting in a mo but also wanted to cover some of the other stuff

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-46047838810518348122009-11-06T07:01:00.002Z2009-11-06T07:01:00.548Z2009-11-06T07:01:00.548Z

The Conservative Party's Shadow Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, made a speech in September where he promised that a Conservative government would increase government support for arms exports. They are barmy - already the Government gives very generous and completely unwarranted support to arms exports. Apart from the moral arguments against the arms trade, government subsidies are a huge waste of

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-38951920463666837062009-11-05T07:08:00.000Z2009-11-05T07:08:00.158Z2009-11-05T07:08:00.158Z

I just picked up an article about new research from the University of Rochester suggests that nature-connection makes us less selfish and helps us care more for each other - plus another about how cities hurt you and what to do about it.Photos: Randwick woods two weeks agoFirst the Rochester research - here is what ecotherapist Linda Buzzell says:Journalist Tom Jacobs, on the Miller McCune

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-64469808995751525282009-11-04T06:28:00.004Z2009-11-09T08:31:29.151Z2009-11-09T08:31:29.151Z

Updated 9th November 2009Activists from the South West Green Party including myself have been writing to the Members of the European Parliament elected in June of this year asking them to press the European Commission to prosecute an international oil company for breaking European laws in dumping toxic waste in Africa. Many got ill - an illness that was clearly more serious than a short bout of

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-46424486195940717712009-11-03T06:01:00.000Z2009-11-03T06:01:01.112Z2009-11-03T06:01:01.112Z

Copenhagen in 60 seconds: key facts and figures from The Ecologist - see here. As Greens have been out and about collecting signatures for the petition - see more here (incl Issy going to Copenhagen) - I thought it could be useful to say a bit more about what it is all about...I hope the current pre-talks continue to progress - some encouraging noises....Do you know your COP15 from your CDM? Your

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-75548004033243276192009-11-02T07:46:00.000Z2009-11-02T07:46:00.398Z2009-11-02T07:46:00.398Z

I was asked recently re my views regarding the postal strike - well it is clear that Royal Mail workers and management have been on a collision course since the private sector has been forced on the service. I have to say the more I learn about this the more angry I get about how this is being handled. The Green party have been supporting the strike although I have not had time to join any of

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-46910885267258696042009-11-01T08:36:00.007Z2009-11-01T08:36:00.615Z2009-11-01T08:36:00.615Z

It's World Vegan Day - more of that in a mo - plus more about Tesco burning 5,000 tons of meat - but first an astonishing £10 billion of food is thrown away in Britain every year - that's 6 million tonnes of food wasted - £400 per year for the average family and a huge impact on the environment - indeed if we all stopped that would be like taking 0ne in five cars off our roads. It is no wonder

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-51538645636021047202009-10-31T22:07:00.005Z2009-11-01T09:47:25.815Z2009-11-01T09:47:25.815Z

Latest news is that plans to compulsory purchase Tricorn House by Stroud District Council appear to have got a hitch - the inspector has laid out more evidence required - personally it appears to be a straight forward case - there are no other suitable sites for Ecotricity within a community - and we must sort this monstrosity out - there are few within the community who don't want to see this

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-79023446422279369902009-10-31T14:08:00.002Z2009-10-31T14:24:48.595Z2009-10-31T14:24:48.595Z

Last night I was delighted to attend the opening of an exhibition of five local photographers in The Space - "Made To Look" - including Mike Gallagher, a Ruscombe resident - well worth a look before it closes on Thursday.Photos: Pics from preview incl Rainy Stroud by Mike and great one of this 90plus year old guy from one of the other photographersI really enjoyed seeing this quality work -

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-15181667700552565822009-10-30T08:40:00.002Z2009-10-30T08:59:30.061Z2009-10-30T08:59:30.061Z

Today I have an article featured on My Zero Waste about Gloucestershire County Council’s Waste Core Strategy Site Options Consultation and large incinerators - you can read it here. It also covers the recent controversy over the previous consultation.Photos: Marchwood Incinerator, Hampshire 2007 - photo by Green party Waste expert Chris HarmerThe My Zero Waste website which is based in

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-50425933093991426302009-10-29T22:28:00.002Z2009-10-29T22:57:21.019Z2009-10-29T22:57:21.019Z

This blog has seen plenty on bees - like last weekend's successful efforts to get 350 beehouses made here in Stroud - see latest here.Cartoon: from Russ - his take on bees and HalloweenWell this blog is to advertise the Foto Forum Photography Exhibition in the Sub Rooms - only until Saturday - and the pics below are from the exhibition - one section by Margaret Lister is on bee keeping - worth a

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-37966451400681452922009-10-28T19:18:00.005Z2009-10-28T19:43:30.995Z2009-10-28T19:43:30.995Z

Three events for next week:3rd Nov. 7.00 p.m. “Effects of waste incineration and alternative technology available.” at Whiteshill & Ruscombe Village Hall, The Plain, Whiteshill, Stroud is an event for Parish councillors - sadly I have a long standing commitment so I have been unable to take up the offer of chairing this event.Dr Simon Pickering, a former Green District councillor has agreed to

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-36082748845293865932009-10-27T06:51:00.001Z2009-10-27T06:51:00.260Z2009-10-27T06:51:00.260Z

I'm supporting a campaign to clean up bailed-out banks like RBS. Currently public money is being invested in all kinds of projects around the world which fuel climate change and human rights abuses. Owning the bailed out banks is an opportunity to make them act to protect the environment and benefit people. Please sign the petition now:www.38degrees.org.uk/RBS

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-11402829395689932112009-10-26T06:56:00.003Z2009-10-26T06:57:12.771Z2009-10-26T06:57:12.771Z

The 'lone ash' of Randwick (pictured with Ash Lane cutting across middle of the photo) was seen as the image for the logo - you will see below it was used in the past.Local artist Russ has worked on thoughts and ideas put forward - below are some of the drafts going to the Parish for consideration. I have to say I really think they are a significant improvement.Great stuff indeed and all donated

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-87301500745141182842009-10-24T14:00:00.002+01:002009-10-24T16:53:18.137+01:002009-10-24T16:53:18.137+01:00

Today October 24, is a global day of action around climate change, organized by the folks at 350.org. The site already has photos of many of the over 5,000 events. And as you'll see below today in Thistledown near Nailsworth I've been planting 350 trees with Woodcraft Folk and previously helping organise the making of 350 beehouses with various local groups. Also in Stroud Woodcraft are making

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-15784999300754478222009-10-23T21:09:00.000+01:002009-10-23T21:44:14.245+01:002009-10-23T21:44:14.245+01:00

This blog title was the title of an article by Tom Levitt in The Ecologist last week - see it in full here. Photos: New exhibition with the preview this evening and below Stroud's Jehanne Mehta's poem and more submissions to the 350 beehouses made earlier today at Guidepost Trust in Stroud - crucial to helping our wild native bees - see earlier blogs on that like hereI was interested to learn in

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-64506519952645396632009-10-23T18:44:00.005+01:002009-10-23T18:53:10.867+01:002009-10-23T18:53:10.867+01:00

If you are interested in becoming the Neighbourhood Co-ordinator for the Middle Spring Ruscombe area please contact Stroud Police Station on 07734 068276. We have a network of other coordinators in the area but this vacancy is about to occur.The photo is of one of the many motorbikes that have taken to trying out in the valley and across the fields. Now I usually take a pretty tolerant view to a

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-47467946947762090252009-10-21T06:25:00.002+01:002009-10-21T06:25:00.352+01:002009-10-21T06:25:00.352+01:00

Here is a plug for our local radio station Stroud FM - tune in at:www.stroudfm.co.ukWell a couple of weeks ago our local Woodcraft Folk group went along to talk on air about 'Woodies' - we did just that and even sang a couple of Woodcraft songs - with over 30 children and adults in the tiny studio we reckon we hold the record for the most people in that studio - you can read more about Woodies in

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-56588390735425858402009-10-20T09:27:00.000+01:002009-10-20T09:27:00.458+01:002009-10-20T09:27:00.458+01:00

Last week's decision at Development Control Committee was just plain wrong. DCC turned down the application for a mast to monitor wind despite Council Officers arguing it fitted with our policy. Martin Whiteside has written the letter below which sums up feelings many of us have - See also here a letter from him which picks up the similar thoughts in looking at how to beat recession.Photo:

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-1196113402642250802009-10-20T06:19:00.001+01:002009-10-20T06:19:00.309+01:002009-10-20T06:19:00.309+01:00

You will remember perhaps that we are aiming for 350 beehouses by Saturday - in the Woodcraft Elfin group I run we made over 30 towards the 350 - see here. There have also been bee workshops - see here - I managed to get along to one of those last week - we are now getting very close to 350 - see some of the pics below of the many houses being made in allsorts of styles!Photo: Russ cartoon - made

Philip Boothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135990144492521067philip.booth2@virgin.net0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28388669.post-58201332487151554432009-10-19T14:51:00.003+01:002009-10-19T17:47:03.752+01:002009-10-19T17:47:03.752+01:00

Waste Core Strategy Site Options Consultation is open until 30th November and it would be great if more people could respond. There is an e-questionnaire but it doesn't really allow for a full response so I have written an initial letter below.There is a link to the relevant webpage on the GCC website home page: http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/The County Council is consulting on 13 possible

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