Sam Lister - Coastguards `Were not Gagged`, 25 May 2011 at www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk .
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
More Coastguards
The coastguards campaign (see past articles) has turned unexpectedly acrimonious, as this article illustrates ;
Sam Lister - Coastguards `Were not Gagged`, 25 May 2011 at www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk .
Sam Lister - Coastguards `Were not Gagged`, 25 May 2011 at www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk .
Bolton Libraries Camaign
Without wanting to spend too much time on the same few issues, here`s an interesting article ;
Unsigned - 15,00 Join fight to Save Libraries, 21 May 2011 at www.theboltonnews.co.uk .
Unsigned - 15,00 Join fight to Save Libraries, 21 May 2011 at www.theboltonnews.co.uk .
Monday, 23 May 2011
Regional Round-Up and Miscellaneous Updates
Demands on my time and energy are getting to be a bit much at present, so please excuse the brevity of these postings. In an ideal world I would present your enraptured gaze with a collection of gleaming literary pearls, complete with the effective use of bathos, pathos and irony. Sadly, I`m much too busy for that, so these entries are fairly minimalist ;
NORTH YORKS - Save North Yorks Libraries
Joe Willis - Public Outcry Forces North Yorkshire County Council to Reconsider Library Plans, 5 May 2011 at www.thenorthernecho.co.uk .
This news has met with an understandably cautious response from the campaign group. Further comment can be found on their website.
NORTH YORKS - North Yorks Waste Action Group
This group are currently waiting for the company Amey Cespa to submit a planning application before taking any further action. In the meantime, they are asking those who`ve not already done so to visit their site and sign the petition.
NORTH YORKS - Save North Yorks Libraries
Joe Willis - Public Outcry Forces North Yorkshire County Council to Reconsider Library Plans, 5 May 2011 at www.thenorthernecho.co.uk .
This news has met with an understandably cautious response from the campaign group. Further comment can be found on their website.
NORTH YORKS - North Yorks Waste Action Group
This group are currently waiting for the company Amey Cespa to submit a planning application before taking any further action. In the meantime, they are asking those who`ve not already done so to visit their site and sign the petition.
AMBER VALLEY - Amber Valley Against Incinerators
Unsigned - Campaigners Fuming as Waste Plant Gets Permit, 13 April 2011 at www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk .
AMBER VALLEY - Lodge House/Smalley Action group
Chris Mallett - Stud Manager`s Fury as UK Coal Tells Her to Buy Farm or Move, 14 March 2011 at www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk .
Chris Mallett - Concerns Over Noise Lead to Objection About Coal-Mining Plan, 22 April 2011 at www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk .
The latter article follows a decision by Amber Valley Borough Council planning committee to object to the proposed extension of Lodge House mine after hearing submissions from Nigel Mills MP and Cllr Kevin Parkinson, both of whom oppose UK Coal`s plans.
SPONDON AND SINFIN - Spondon and Sinfin Against Incineration and others
Chris Mallett - Now Gasification Firm Heads for Court to Fight City Planning Rejection, 5 May 2011 at www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE - Emergency Services Campaigns
Fire Service ; Dom Howell - Stations to Stay Open for a Year Says Authority Member, 2 March 2011 at www.thisisnottingham.co.uk .
Police Service ; Unsigned - Police Station Closure Fears After Front Counters Shut, 28 April 2011 at www.eastwoodadvertiser.co.uk .
That`s all for now !
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Update - Save Newark Hospital
Well, it`s a short time since the UK elections/referendum. Commentators have commented, analysts have analysed, pundits have punditted and bloggers have blogged. No doubt their scintillating wit and insight has enriched the lives of many.
Back in the real world, I`m a bit pushed for time, so I`ll confine my own efforts to a series of short updates on matters we`ve touched on in the past, with the odd new arrival thrown in for good measure.
First up, Save Newark Hospital.
This campaign, as I`ve mentioned before, has brought together Conservative MP Patrick Mercer with a campaign group which features many prominent local Labour activists.
The latest development can be found here ;
Unsigned - Campaign Joy as Committee Calls for Hospital Review, 4 April 2011 at www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk .
A link to the campaign group`s web site is on this blog already and carries a link to their Facebook page, which is the main vehicle for news from them.
Back in the real world, I`m a bit pushed for time, so I`ll confine my own efforts to a series of short updates on matters we`ve touched on in the past, with the odd new arrival thrown in for good measure.
First up, Save Newark Hospital.
This campaign, as I`ve mentioned before, has brought together Conservative MP Patrick Mercer with a campaign group which features many prominent local Labour activists.
The latest development can be found here ;
Unsigned - Campaign Joy as Committee Calls for Hospital Review, 4 April 2011 at www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk .
A link to the campaign group`s web site is on this blog already and carries a link to their Facebook page, which is the main vehicle for news from them.
Meanwhile, Back in the States...
... a coalition of environmental groups is calling for a fuel economy standard of 60 miles to the gallon by 2025.
In a letter to their President, they cite global pollution, rising fuel prices, political considerations, the need to invest in clean energy and job creation as reasons for their call.
Their website addresses Americans directly, giving four reasons to support the initiative ; to save money, to reduce air pollution, as a step towards energy independence and to "spark innovations that create new jobs".
Their target may sound a touch ambitious but there again, a target date 2025 does allow generous time for that to be achieved. Those of us who live in manufacturing areas of the UK (Aerospace and Toyota both have plants in Derbyshire), will be aware that the UK is already heading in the direction of fuel efficient technology, with Aerospace in particular having introduced a number of innovations.
The G60 campaign can be found at ;
www.go60mpg.org .
Organisations involved in the campaign include the Sierra Club (the US sister organisation to the UK`s John Muir Trust) , an umbrella group called Environment America and scientific group UCS. For full details see www.go60mpg.org/about-us .
In a letter to their President, they cite global pollution, rising fuel prices, political considerations, the need to invest in clean energy and job creation as reasons for their call.
Their website addresses Americans directly, giving four reasons to support the initiative ; to save money, to reduce air pollution, as a step towards energy independence and to "spark innovations that create new jobs".
Their target may sound a touch ambitious but there again, a target date 2025 does allow generous time for that to be achieved. Those of us who live in manufacturing areas of the UK (Aerospace and Toyota both have plants in Derbyshire), will be aware that the UK is already heading in the direction of fuel efficient technology, with Aerospace in particular having introduced a number of innovations.
The G60 campaign can be found at ;
www.go60mpg.org .
Organisations involved in the campaign include the Sierra Club (the US sister organisation to the UK`s John Muir Trust) , an umbrella group called Environment America and scientific group UCS. For full details see www.go60mpg.org/about-us .
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Bentham Library - Protest Walk From Bentham to Settle - 7 May 2011
Save North Yorkshire Libraries is a campaign which aims to keep open all local libraries in the N. Yorks area.
Campaigners accept that some changes may have to be made, but are urging the North Yorks County Council to find ways to deliver library services throughout the county. They are at pains to stress that they do not wish to see one library saved at the expense of another.
At present, they are working with Andrew Jones MP, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough to promote petitions in support of two libraries in his constituency, Bilton and Starbeck.
Elsewhere in the region, they are planning a protest walk on 7 May 2011, which will involve participants walking from Betham Library to it`s equivalent in Settle. The route will be along a mixture of roads and local footpaths, which sounds thoroughly enjoyable.
Further information can be found at http://benthamlibrary.blogspot.com/ and http://ny-libraries.org/ .
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Coastguards Update
Further to my earlier article (Coastguard Kerfuffle, this blog, 22 Feb 2011), there have been new developments as regards the proposed cuts to the coastguard service.
The MCA have announced a 6 week extension to their public consultation, which will now end 5 May 2011. Most observers have taken this as a sign that the government is having second thoughts. Additionally, the Transport Select Committee have announced an inquiry into the proposals.
Coastguards representatives are taking the line that reform and modernisation of the service is to be welcomed, but that these particular proposals would be damaging. Their campaign, and those of a number of local newspapers, have attracted cross-party support.
In a fairly changeable situation, it`s almost impossible to provide an up-to-date guide to media coverage as new articles appear frequently. Here`s a quick overview ;
The Western Telegraph has printed a number of spirited articles in support of the campaign to save Milford Haven Coastguard Station. These can be viewed at www.westerntelegraph.co.uk .
Coverage of the campaigns to save both Milford Haven and Holyhead Coastguard Stations can be found at www.theonlinemail.co.uk , an umbrella site for two newspapers which together cover the Bangor, Holyhead and Anglesey areas.
The Milford Mercury is running a Save our Coastguard Station campaign in respect of Milford Haven and their site provides a number of useful links - www.milfordmercury.co.uk .
The Hexham Express has been running a similar campaign in respect of Brixham, with details appearing at www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk .
My earlier article provided links to the coastguards` websites, Facebook pages and petitions and also contact details for the Transport Select Committee and a link to the MCA site for anyone wishing to read/respond to the consultation document. These are still current.
It seems unlikely now that the cuts will go ahead in their original form, but at the same time it`s not a good time to get complacent. This is a second opportunity for interested parties to inform themselves and make their voices heard. Make the most of it.
The MCA have announced a 6 week extension to their public consultation, which will now end 5 May 2011. Most observers have taken this as a sign that the government is having second thoughts. Additionally, the Transport Select Committee have announced an inquiry into the proposals.
Coastguards representatives are taking the line that reform and modernisation of the service is to be welcomed, but that these particular proposals would be damaging. Their campaign, and those of a number of local newspapers, have attracted cross-party support.
In a fairly changeable situation, it`s almost impossible to provide an up-to-date guide to media coverage as new articles appear frequently. Here`s a quick overview ;
The Western Telegraph has printed a number of spirited articles in support of the campaign to save Milford Haven Coastguard Station. These can be viewed at www.westerntelegraph.co.uk .
Coverage of the campaigns to save both Milford Haven and Holyhead Coastguard Stations can be found at www.theonlinemail.co.uk , an umbrella site for two newspapers which together cover the Bangor, Holyhead and Anglesey areas.
The Milford Mercury is running a Save our Coastguard Station campaign in respect of Milford Haven and their site provides a number of useful links - www.milfordmercury.co.uk .
The Hexham Express has been running a similar campaign in respect of Brixham, with details appearing at www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk .
My earlier article provided links to the coastguards` websites, Facebook pages and petitions and also contact details for the Transport Select Committee and a link to the MCA site for anyone wishing to read/respond to the consultation document. These are still current.
It seems unlikely now that the cuts will go ahead in their original form, but at the same time it`s not a good time to get complacent. This is a second opportunity for interested parties to inform themselves and make their voices heard. Make the most of it.
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