invitation to an exceptional event, 20 March

From: Sally Cooke salcooke1@gmail.com
Sent: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 11:24
Subject: invitation to an exceptional event, 20 March

Dear friends, neighbours and colleagues,
I’m writing to invite you to an event that I think will be exceptionally interesting. It is only a week away! ….. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more advance notice.
It is an evening with ‘’, aka , an international and finance expert, formerly a Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Studies and director of an agri- association in Canada. Her at last year’s international Transition gathering was described by Shaun Chamberlin (author of Transition Timeline) like this: “As she spoke, the room was hushed and fiercely attentive, and you could see people absorbing the implications of what she said ….” 

Nicole Foss Transition Towns Conference 2010

Nicole Foss at Transition Towns Conference 2010

I’ve heard her talk and I’m convinced that her grasp of world energy resources and financial markets is something out of the ordinary. She has some thought-provoking ideas on how we can best help ourselves as the oil era comes to its close. Continue reading

Portland Public Reject Biofuel Plant At Packed Public Meeting

Standing room only at the nope meetingA Portland NOPE ( No ) sponsored public debate on the proposed biofuel plant at Portland Port at Easton Methodist Church Hall rejected the arguments of Richard Gudgeon, Chief Executive of W4B,that the plant was sourced sustainably and ‘no risk’ to peoples’ health on the island, at a public meeting on Wednesday 7th April. Continue reading

Portland Palm Oil Plant: Debate

palm oil plantation

plantation

A Public Debate at EASTON METHODIST CHURCH
HALL on WEDNESDAY 7th APRIL Doors Open 7pm for a 7.30pm start

Speakers :-

Robert Palgrave BIOFUELS WATCH
Richard Gudgeon W4B (The palm oil plant developers)
Julie Samouelle LOCAL RESIDENT
Richard Denton-White LOCAL COUNCILLOR and PORTLAND NOPE CAMPAIGNER

Chair : Anthony Moore HEAD OF THOMAS HARDYE SCHOOL, SIXTH FORM Continue reading

Welcome to the Energy Group

Here is a film highlighting the conundrum:

We run Weymouth Centre [WEAC] in Weymouth library every week on Monday and Wednesdays mornings from 10am to 12.30pm. We provide free and impartial advice about energy efficiency in the home, e.g. loft & cavity wall insulation and domestic scale systems e.g. solar hot water and solar photovoltaics. We are trained and supported by Dorset Energy Advice Centre [DEAC] in Poole. We are keen to recruit new volunteers and training will be provided.

We run an outreach programme of energy advice and information to events and shows in Dorset. The first one this year, 2010, will be in Sherborne on 10th April. Again, volunteers will be very welcome.

We also will be running a series of energy seminars in different venues around Weymouth this year. The first one will be on solar thermal & solar PV systems, with examples of local systems being used. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR DATE, TIME & VENUE.

The group normally meets every other month and the next meeting is on 22nd April 2010.

Please contact John Tomlyn for further information on 01305 832180 or click on the link: jvtomblin@aol.com

facebook group against “green” palm oil myth

W4B are trying to build oil power plants all over Britain – We , on Portland are the Guinea-pigs. They are only doing it because they get huge Government subsidies. Don’t let this happen.

Please join us on facebook and check back here regularly for news. Why not also join our Transition Town group?

Willow to Burn

Jonathan Pitt wrote:

I am interested to find out more about ”short rotation crops” for fuel such as willow. I know there is a fair amount going on in the Midlands but wondered if W&PBC had any initiatives/plans or opinions on this form of fuel to use for boiler heating or logs etc?”

Pete West, Development Officer, Dorset County Council, Tel: 01305 228530, wrote:

As far as I know the only crops planted in Dorset are 3 hectares of willow at Kingston Maurwood College and some miscanthus on the Somerset/ Dorset border. The Dorset Group has prepared  a guidance leaflet for farmers with useful weblinks (see attachment). Continue reading

Palm Oil Power Station Action

Palm Oil Seedling replacing virgin forest

Seedling replacing virgin forest

Please object to a large biofuel power station in Portland, Dorset.

W4B had their original application for a biofuel power station in Portland rejected by Weymouth & Portland Council in September, amidst concerns about the impact of biofuels in general and palm oil in particular on the climate, on forests and other ecosystems and on communities in the global South, as well as concerns over air pollution and public health in nearby areas. This was one of three similar planning applications recently rejected by local authorities in England and Wales. Continue reading