Saturday, March 29, 2008
The Case for Weekly Food Waste Collection
Winchester's Tory-run City Council has decided that weekly collection of food waste is too expensive. That's what they tell us whenever a Lib Dem has the temerity to raise the subject in Council and that's what they've been saying in their leaflets too. Strangely, we don't agree. Next door Lib Dem-run Eastleigh are in the process of rolling out weekly food waste collection following a successful trial, and we think that if Eastleigh can do it successfully and affordably so can Winchester!
My eye was naturally drawn to the title of this very recent Defra Press Release "Weekly food waste collections can benefit the environment and save money". Rather a different message to that we're hearing from Winchester Council.
The Press Release includes the following quote from Environment Minister Joan Ruddock "Food wastage is an increasingly important issue, on environmental, sustainability, climate change and equity grounds. There is also the real loss to the economy of so much potential value. This research shows that much more can be done cost effectively to prevent food wastage and to recover value from what is thrown away. Food waste recycling was targeted by our Waste Strategy, and current studies show how local authorities can make real advances. European and UK legislation to divert municipal biodegradable waste from landfill rightly imposes tough targets. Food waste recycling has an important role to play in helping Britain meet its international obligations."
When Liberal Democrats re-take control of Winchester City Council, weekly collection and recycling of food waste will be one of our top priorities.
My eye was naturally drawn to the title of this very recent Defra Press Release "Weekly food waste collections can benefit the environment and save money". Rather a different message to that we're hearing from Winchester Council.
The Press Release includes the following quote from Environment Minister Joan Ruddock "Food wastage is an increasingly important issue, on environmental, sustainability, climate change and equity grounds. There is also the real loss to the economy of so much potential value. This research shows that much more can be done cost effectively to prevent food wastage and to recover value from what is thrown away. Food waste recycling was targeted by our Waste Strategy, and current studies show how local authorities can make real advances. European and UK legislation to divert municipal biodegradable waste from landfill rightly imposes tough targets. Food waste recycling has an important role to play in helping Britain meet its international obligations."
When Liberal Democrats re-take control of Winchester City Council, weekly collection and recycling of food waste will be one of our top priorities.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
The Winchester Passion - report
The Passion happened last night (Good Friday) and brought thousands of people onto the streets of Winchester to see this dramatic re-telling of the Easter story. Apart from a sudden downpour during the early stages at Oram's Arbour, the weather was cold but dry. We visited all three main locations but spent most of the time in front of the cathedral where we were able to watch the action elsewhere on the "big screen". We also had a perfect view of the crucifixion and resurrection scenes which took place on the balcony over the cathedral's west doors.
The performance by professional actor Israel Oyelumade (see picture) as Jesus was outstanding and he was well backed by a local, amateur cast. This really was a once in a lifetime event which I found engrossing and deeply moving. The rest of my photos of the evening can be found by clicking here, please take a look.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Winchester Passion - this Friday
Come along to a truly amazing event on Good Friday 21st March 2008 from 6 p.m. Invite your friends and relatives from far and wide to see the dramatic re-enactment of the death and resurrection of Jesus on the streets of Winchester, with a cast of hundreds. The production will mix modern and classic styles and will include some spectacular effects.
It all starts at Oram's Arbour with a festival from 5 p.m. The Passion itself begins at the Arbour around 6 p.m. reaching the Great Hall and Law Courts around 6.30 p.m. and the Cathedral grounds around 8.30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Greening Oliver's Battery
Last Thursday I attended the inaugural meeting of a group of individuals who were interested in setting up a "Greening Oliver's Battery" campaign. This would be a local community initiative as part of the wider "Greening Campaign" which aims to "Green the country, community by community".The Greening Campaign was set up in response to the threat of global warming. It is an innovative idea to help motivate people to reduce their energy consumption and therefore lower their personal and community carbon footprint. In a nutshell it's about informing people of ways in which they can cut their own CO2 emissions, involving them in the process and measuring the results.
We were fortunate to have Terena Plowright, former manager of the Sustainability Centre in East Meon along to talk to us. Terena is the founder of the Greening Campaign and was able to tell us about successful campaigns being run in other communities.
I think this is an interesting, exciting and useful project for Oliver's Battery and I look forward to being involved with it as it moves forward. There will be a further meeting, with wider participation, on Thursday 13th March, so watch out for more news about Greening Ollie B.
