14th February 2007 - Meeting Date Changed

We have have had to move the next High Peak FoE monthly meeting to Thursday 1st March, still at Chalkers in Newtown at 7:30pm. I hope some of you we don’t often see will be able to come along, you’ll be most welcome.

It is being moved because there is a meeting clash with a meeting about the hydro-electric scheme proposed for New Mills that many of us want to also attend. (See above)

February 2nd 2007 - Humans Blamed for Climate Change

Global climate change is "very likely" to have a human cause, an influential group of scientists has concluded.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said temperatures were probably going to increase by 1.8-4C (3.2-7.2F) by the end of the century.

It also projected that sea levels were most likely to rise by 28-43cm, and global warming was likely to influence the intensity of tropical storms.

The findings are the first of four IPCC reports to be published this year.

"We can be very confident that the net effect of human activity since 1750 has been one of warming," co-lead author Dr Susan Soloman told delegates in Paris.

Read the full story on the BBC web site.

January 18th 2007 - Torrs Hydro-electric Scheme

You might have seen in the local papers, there is a public exhibition of the proposed hydro-electric scheme in the Torrs at New Mills.

It is on at the Heritage Centre in New Mills this weekend (20/21st), there will be a working model plus display boards. Times are Saturday between 11am and 3pm Sunday between 11am and 2pm

We are very supportive of this scheme and I hope that this project might lead the way for renewable energy generation in the High Peak

December 2006 - Support A Local Windfarm!

Sustainable Energy Alliance (SEA) a pro renewables campaign group have been supporting the proposed Lindhurst wind farm (south of Mansfield), if built this will produce enough energy to meet the demands of between 4700 and 5100 households each year and prevent the release of some 18,900 to 20,600 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Newark and Sherwood council will make the decision on planning permission, possibly as soon as early December, so now is the time for action! SEA have so far lobbied 15 Mansfield councillors, Alan Meale MP, Paddy Tipping MP and has issued press advisories to the local media with positive results. We will shortly be contacting councillors for Newark and Sherwood asking them to back the project.

If you live in the area, and want to make your thoughts on the wind farm known, you should write to: Claire Pendle Principal Planning Officer Planning Department Newark and Sherwood District Council Kelham Hall Kelham Notts, NG23 5QX or email planning@nsdc.info Please quote the planning application reference number (06/01014/FULM) and your name and address when writing to the planning department in reference to the wind farm.

Friday 8th to Sunday 10th December 2006 - Leeds Schumacher Lectures

The Leeds Schumacher Lectures 2006: Building Sustainable Communities, hosted by Leeds Metropolitan University, are focussed on turning the deep ideas of sustainable urban development that have emerged over the years from the Schumacher community into practice. To achieve this, it has been decided to link the lectures to a series of follow-up weekend workshops, organised by Gaia Co-Operative Leeds, that engage real-life issues in Leeds.

For further information and bookings please visit the Sustainable Futures Leeds website by clicking this link.

November 2006 - The Big Ask Climate Bill - Success!

First of all - it was great to finally have it confirmed by the Queen that we have got our Bill in the Queen's Speech. I know it has been a long drawn out process - with first hints and then gradually increasing certainty we would get it over the last 6 weeks or so - but to finally see it announced amid all that ridiculous pomp and ceremony was still really special.

To set against this, Government spokespeople are today saying we need 5-year targets, and that annual ones are "misguided". But a 5 year target would last longer than most Governments (7 of the last 10 Parliament's have been 4 years or less) and would almost certainly end up with half the period in one Government and the other half in another - perfect for buck passing and blaming the previous administration when you fail. Not only that, in the last 4 weeks, similar unnamed spokespeople have argued for just having a 2050 target, then for 10 year targets and now for 5 year targets. This is still all to play for.

Wednesday 22nd November 2006 - One Night Only!

An Inconvenient Truth is showing this Wednesday at 6.30pm at the Stockport Cineworld.

A feature film that basically consists of the man who “used to be the next president of the United States of America” giving a PowerPoint presentation really shouldn't make for good viewing, especially given the grim topic: global warming. However, An Inconvenient Truth manages to be informative, compelling and even entertaining, after a fashion. Using material ranging from Futurama clips to before-and-after style photos of rapidly shrinking glaciers, Gore lays down the scientific consensus on climate change. His examples of unprecedented storms, floods and droughts are “like a nature hike through the Book of Revelations.” It's scary as hell, but you can only hope the film will play a part in waking up the slumbering or merely reluctant powers that be.

Sunday October 29th 2006 - Buxton Freecycle name change

We've been asked to let you know that the BuxtonFreecycle Yahoo group has changed it's name slightly to BuxtonFreecycleUK.

The group is open to all who want to "recycle" that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it's a chair, a fax machine, or an old door, feel free to post it. Or maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself! Everything posted must be FREE, legal and appropriate for all ages.

Sunday October 29th 2006 - Halloween nature walk in Swallow's Wood

Save Swallow's Wood and Alternative Proposals for Transport will lead a halloween-themed nature walk around the Swallow's Wood nature reserve, Hollingworth on Sunday 29th October. Dress the kids up and come along! The walk will start at 1pm. Meet at the entrance to the nature reserve (near the public footpath sign) on Arnfield Lane.

There is no charge, but a hat will be passed around at the end for donations. Please contact Emma on 0845 226 3392 or e-mail info@saveswallowswood.org.uk for more information.

Friday 22nd September 2006 - European Car Free Day.

From stands and stalls in Glossop, New Mills and the Hayfield County Show, High Peak Friends of the Earth collected pledges from the public to replace a car journey on European car free day (22 September) with an alternative method of transport.

Their coordinator, Richard Body, said: “We had a terrific response; people understood the symbolism and were willing to give up their cars, if only for a day. We have saved a significant amount of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere. Thank you to all those who pledged - it shows that together we can make a difference no matter how small our individual contribution is. One boy, Sam, was walking a mile to school. Another person, Karen, walked from New Mills to Disley.”

The group collected personal pledges from people who were going to replace car journeys with walking, riding a bike, taking a train or bus or working at home. The final total of mileage saved was 1898.5 miles, which equates to an enormous 512.5 Kilograms of carbon dioxide saved, over half a tonne.

Friends of the Earth are calling for a Climate Change Bill to be passed in Parliament, which will make year-on-year cuts in carbon dioxide a law. The Big Ask campaign (www.thebigask.com) is now calling for the bill to be included in the Queen’s Speech in November.

Saturday 16th September 2006 - Hayfield County Show

We shall be having a stall at the Hayfield County Show (and sheepdog trials) on 16th and 17th Sept. Also, we shall be at Hope show on 28th Aug (Bank Holiday Monday). Usual problem, we need people to volunteer to help on the stall, a gazebo, table and notice board. Can you help? Contact Richard.

Friday 8th September 2006 - FoE National Conference

The FoE National Conference is being held on 8-10th Sept in Nottingham. We can have a maximum of 5 attendees. There are still a couple of places up for grabs. The subsidised cost is £60 (standard) or £70 (ensuite) that includes 2 nights accommodation and all meals. There a host of speakers and workshops that will inform and motivate. I need to get our booking in now, so if you want to go let Richard know ASAP.

Saturday 26th August 2006 - Climate Camp

There is a camp for climate action, www.climatecamp.org.uk planned for 26th Aug to 4th Sept near the Drax power station (near Leeds). Several of us have said they would like to go. If you are interested, let Richard know.

Sunday 6th August 2006 - Youth Group and Schools Education

Maggie Cole is now registered as the education rep for the High Peak FoE group, and she is in possession of the Shout About education pack.

Any youth clubs / schools that have registered with FoE will be included in a 'post code match' in September but there is also the opportunity to add our group to the FoE Learning website. The group name, Maggie's name and a link to her email address will be available to any youth group leader, including teachers checking out the site.

If someone else from the group would like to help out in the event of us being contacted, Maggie will be returning the necessary form by August 18th.

Sunday 6th August 2006 - Glossop Meetings

We are going to start meetings in Glossop for a Glossop branch of High Peak FoE soon, a date in September is planned but that will be confirmed later.

The Glossop branch will be able to tackle the issues concerning Glossop and Glossopdale more effectively, while also giving the opportunity to people unable to attend our monthly meetings in New Mills a chance to attend a meeting. We are very fortunate to have Julie Devall from Glossop willing to run this branch. You can email her on Glossop@highpeakfoe.org.uk If you are interested in attending these meetings, please contact Julie Devall or Richard Body.

Glossop will be the first town to have its own branch, but I would like to see other towns have branches. I am thinking in particular about Buxton, Hope, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Whaley Bridge. Things won’t happen overnight, but let me know if you are interested in helping a local branch.

Thursday 6th July 2006 - Woods Mill, Glossop

Due to the successful start of the newly formed High Peak Friends of the Earth Group, High Peak FoE is looking to strengthen their support by setting up a number of branches across the High Peak area. Initially Glossop will be the first town to have its own branch where issues like the proposed Woods Mill development and what this will mean for the community of Glossopdale can be discussed in an open and relaxed environment. The Glossop branch will be actively campaigning on issues that effect Glossop and its area like transport, planning and recycling, while joining the rest of the High Peak FoE activities on issues that effect the whole of the High Peak.

Our monthly meetings are due to start mid-September 2006. Meetings are planned to take place monthly at the George Hotel opposite Glossop Railway Station at 7:30pm and last approximately 1hr/2hrs. If you are interested in any of the above issues and wish to discuss them further with like-minded people who care about the local environment, please contact Julie Devall on 01457 868640 or Richard Body on 01663 746747.

Saturday 24th June 2006 - High Peak FoE Newsletter

High Peak FoE's latest newsletter is now available for you to download. Packed with information about the prescriptive renewal energy policy that we want High Peak Borough Council to adopt, plus news on lighting the Torrs Riverside Park, The Big Ask campaign, the Miller's Parade, the Mottram/Tintwhistle bypass, and news of upcoming events.

Get your copy by clicking here. (1.3Mb)

The article on the prescriptive renewable energy policy can also be found on this website by clicking on the 'campaigns' button, and then following the link to sustainable development.

Saturday 24th June 2006 - Updated

One World Festival, High Lea Park, New Mills.

A successful day for High Peak FoE, we made a lot of new friends. We look forward to seeing you again at future events or meetings.

Friday 16th June 2006 - Authorities Given Renewals Edict

Planning and housing minister Yvette Cooper delivered a parliamentary statement last week to strengthen guidance on renewable energy, following a review of emerging local plans. The government will now "expect all authorities" to include on-site renewable energy policies in their development plans and it will write to all chief planning officers urging them to do so. The move follows heavy lobbying by planning and environmental organisations over efforts to combat climate change. The government said there has been a strong take-up of on-site renewable policy in forthcoming regional spatial strategies and local development frameworks. Twenty-six new-style plans include such a policy, most of which are for a ten per cent renewable target, in-line with that pioneered by the London Boroughs of Merton and Croydon.

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) said that the statement on PPS22 is a "welcome and major step forward" in tackling climate change. Policy officer Robert Shaw commented: "This will help maximise the potential of the planning system to incentivise the market for small-scale renewables."

But Friends of the Earth planning adviser Hugh Ellis argued that it does not go far enough and said the government should insist that microgeneration systems provide most of the energy for new developments.

Cooper's announcement coincided with a microgeneration conference held by the TCPA and the Renewable Energy Association. Speaking at the event, she said that the government also aims to reduce planning restrictions on small-scale microgeneration for people's homes by giving such equipment permitted development rights.

Saturday 10th June 2006 - Updated

High Peak FoE will have a walking entry in the Miller's Parade in New Mills this year. The parade starts at 1pm and finishes 2 to 2:15pm. Please come and support us as we highlight the palm oil compaign.

At the time of writing (5th June) we are still in need of volunteers to hand out leaflets, etc. So if you would like to help out, please call Richard.

(29/06) Another event that turned out well - lots of interest in our Orang-Utans! More photos on the Palm Oil campaign page.

Friday 9th June 2006

There's a public meeting coming up on Corporate Responsibility organised by the Manchester FoE group. It's called "Profits: Who Pays?" and will be held at the Lord Mayor's Parlour, Manchester Town Hall. 7pm for 7:30pm.

Thursday 27th April 2006

High Peak Friends of the Earth have issued a press release confirming their objection to the Mottram/Tintwhistle bypass.

Read it here.

Monday 24th April 2006

Here's the latest update on how The Big Ask campaign is going:

• Massive cross-party support - in total, 357 MPs have signed EDM #178 in support of our Climate Change Bill: click here for more info. And it's backed across all the major parties - 97% of Lib Dems, 48% of Labour and 45% of Conservative MPs.
• Stacks of postcards - MPs across the country have received 33,000 completed Big Ask postcards to date.
• Online actions - about 20,000 people have either signed the on-line petition at www.thebigask.com or emailed their MP through the site.
• This all means 53,000 people have taken action on the Big Ask in the nine months since we launched it...that's one action every six minutes
• Packing them in at the pictures - an estimated 500,000 people have now seen The Big Ask cinema advert in their big screen. As well as the 3 week run in major cinemas back in June / July, we've managed to persuade 60 independent cinemas to carry on showing the advert for free

Saturday 25th March 2006

The issue of the Mottram/Tintwhistle bypass is still with us. Objections need to be raised prior to May 5th. If you have concerns over this important environmental issue, and want them aired, come along to our next meeting and discuss them with the group.

To find out more about the scheme, read the following document:

Action Alert from Save Swallows Wood campaign (pdf 480Kb)

Writing in to object will only take about 5 minutes and does not commit you to appearing at the public enquiry, which should take place in the autumn. Guidelines from the Friends of the Peak Park of the type of information you may want to include in your objection are available from Callie Lister at calliel@foe.co.uk.

Monday 20th February 2006

We have company! A new branch of FoE is being created for the Stockport area.

The group will engage in all sorts of activities to raise awareness of and campaign on the big environmental issues. The types of things you could expect the group to do include stalls, letter-writing, media work, research and lobbying politicians.

For more info contact Les Leggett on 01625 858645, or Neil Kingsnorth on 0113 389 9952 or at neilk@foe.co.uk

Saturday 12th November 2005

High Peak FoE joined with Manchester FoE to staff a 'table' at the Fair Trade Christmas Fair at Stockport College on Saturday, 12th November. Adele Shaw and Maggie Cole learned some very useful tricks of the trade from erstwhile Manchester campaigner Dave Coleman and another Manchester lad, Paul. Adele getting the most practice on our behalf, staffing the display throughout most of the Fair that ran from 10:30am to 3:30pm.

The priority campaign for the day was the 'Big Ask' , in which MPs are being lobbied to commit to a parliamentary bill requiring 3% year on year reductions of carbon dioxide emissions through to 2050. During the event just under 100 people signed Big Ask postcards destined for their local MPs. In addition, around 60 people - perhaps attracted by the orang utan pictures - signed the 'Palm oil' postcard campaign, raising awareness about the environmentally destructive source of much that is used in the UK. It was nice to see some familiar faces from High Peak and four people attending the event expressed an interest in joining the local group.

The FoE presence there also proved a useful link with other groups arranging their own events to raise awareness of the various issues, with leaflets and postcards being passed on to be distributed elsewhere. Ann Coffey, Stockport Central MP, attended the event and agreed to meet with Dave and others at a date still to be arranged. He will let us know of developments.