Next month GNN will be 5 years old!

GNN is a free monthly summary of news from the Gloucestershire Green party - it covers the news releases and letters sent by party members. You can subscribe easily by clicking on the box in the top right hand corner of this page.

A free monthly newsletter that provides green news and views from the Gloucestershire Green party so that together we can create a better world.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH
1. CLIMATE CHANGE: RALLY, GORE FILM, TORIES, LIB DEMS, AVIATION & HURRICANES
2. NUCLEAR: REPORT PUBLISHED AND BLAIR
3. STROUD DISTRICT COUNCIL'S ENVIRONMENT PAPER: GREEN RESPONSE
4. WASTE: COUNTY SUBMISSION, "PAY-AS-YOU-THROW', FURNITURE RECYCLING & CAR BOOT SUCCESS
5. HEALTH: CUTS, NHS PRIVATISATION, MRSA AND JAMIE OLIVER
6. GOVERNMENT PLAN TO ABOLISH PRIVACY
7. PEACE: APPEAL TO BLAIR, TWO FAIRFORD TRIALS, TRIDENT AND CORRUPTION
8. GREEN PARTY CONFERENCE: STANDING OVATION AND NEW SLOGAN
9.  GOVERNMENT REJECTS OUR RIGHT TO KNOW ON DANGEROUS CHEMICALS: PLEASE ACT NOW!
10. LIB DEMS STEP TO RIGHT WITH LOSS OF THEIR 'FLAGSHIP' POLICY
11. GREEN BLOG: ALLOTMENTS, STREET LIGHTING SWITCH OFF & CREDIT UNIONS
12. OTHER COUNTY ISSUES:PRISONS, TUITION FEES, GULLS, CEMETERIES, STROUD FM AND MORE
13. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'
14. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST
15. NEXT COFFEE HOUSE GATHERING: DE-THRONING KING CAR
16. FREE AD: CAFE MAITREYA - BEST MEAL OUT EVER!

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QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"Jeannette Armstrong, a Native American from the Okanagan tribe from the Northwest, had a wonderful word for insanity. She told us that it had four syllables and each syllable had a different meaning. The first meant 'talking, talking inside your head'; the second meant 'scattered and having no community'; the third syllable meant 'disconnected from the land'; and the fourth syllable meant 'cut off from your whole earth part.'"
Sarah Conn

"The law in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to beg in the streets, steal bread, or sleep under a bridge."
Anatole France

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
W. B. Yeats

"We have become accustomed to identifying a wide range of physical and social disorders – everything from war to ethnic intolerance, stress and trauma disorders, epidemic disease and the vague dissatisfactions that lead to addictions and suicide – as weaknesses in the social, political, or technological order, rather than evidence of a deep ecological dissociation from our genetic core."
Paul Shepard in his book "Coming Home to the Pleistocene"

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1. CLIMATE CHANGE: RALLY, GORE FILM, TORIES, LIB DEMS, AVIATION & HURRICANES

RALLY against hot air! Cheltenham and Cirencester Coach organised for Climate Change Demo. A coalition of groups such as Oxfam, Christian Aid, WWF, FoE, Greenpeace and the Green party have all now joined up with Campaign against Climate Change to make this year's Climate March on Saturday 4th November in London huge. Around the world people will be protesting that more needs to be done and like last years hugely successful demonstration. Phone 01242512626 to book a place on the coach."

AL GORE'S documentary, "An Inconvienient Truth", on global warming has been showing at Cineworld in Cheltenham. The Campaign against Climate Change and Cheltenham Green party members have been handing out leaflets to film-goers every night since Friday to raise awareness about what actions people can take. Read more re disappointing turn out:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1504&Itemid=115

County Lib Dems support airport expansion:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1516&Itemid=2

AIRPORTS across the UK look set to be exempt from air quality laws designed to save lives and improve health, paving the way to their further expansion - thanks to an amendment supported by the UK Tories and Lib Dems. Euro-MPs resisted Green calls and voted to weaken and relax the EU’s role in preventing pollution from industry and exhaust fumes - and airport expansion:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1502&Itemid=115

SOUTH WEST Regional Assembly's 'Draft Regional Spatial Strategy' (RSS) plans to increase climate-changing CO2 emissions in the region over the next 20 years! Read Cllr Philip Booths' comment piece in The Citizen:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1466&Itemid=115
And letter in Standard supporting moves for wind-turbines on Shire Hall. A recent DTI commissioned poll shows 67% are strongly in favour of wind power in the West Country:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1489&Itemid=116

HURRICANES are due to human activity:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1468&Itemid=115

BRANSON plans to fight global warming and greenwash:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1496&Itemid=115

TORY voters are less likely to consider the impact of lifestyles than other parties: a widening gulf is developing between Cameron and the Tory in the street:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1506&Itemid=115

Cllr MARTIN Whiteside on Monday on BBC Radio Gloucestershire said something along the lines: "We need a new type of economic policy, based on a high quality of life NOT ever increasing economic growth. I am talking about quality and happiness, not ever more and more quantity because you can never satisfy that. Only this way can we share the earth resources between rich and poor - and the poor need a bigger share than they are getting at the moment. Despite the rhetoric from the other parties, the only party that is thinking along these lines at the moment is the Green Party!"

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2.  NUCLEAR: REPORT PUBLISHED AND BLAIR

A GLOS Green party report was one of only 21 reports on the work of two public bodies with significant responsibilities for nuclear decommissioning and clean up, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). The Trade and Industry Committee published their final report including the Gloucestershire Green party submission. Read more at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1454&Itemid=115

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS Environmental Audit Committee, whose Sixth Report (March 2006) refuted the arguments for new nuclear power. They write that the 'history of the nuclear industry gives little confidence about the timescales and costs of new build'; that 'nuclear can do nothing to fill the need for... new generating capacity... by 2016, as it simply could not be built in time'; that 'uranium mines can only supply just over half the current demand for uranium, and the situation is likely to become more acute'; whilst 'nuclear power can justifiably be regarded as a low-carbon source of electricity... the level of emissions associated with nuclear might increase significantly as lower grades of ore are used'; and that 'no country in the world has yet solved the problems of long-term disposal of high-level waste. The current work being conducted by CoRWM (the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management) will not be sufficient to address the issue.' Unsurprisingly its conclusions received very little coverage in the national press. Meanwhile the British public continues to pay to be covertly propagandised with the message that nuclear will keep the lights on and save us from global warming.

Yet it was Tony Blair who attacked Tory climate change policies in 1988 by saying: "What is unbelievably depressing about the government's response is that they see, in the evidence about greenhouse gases, not an opportunity to promote environmental concern, but a chance to make the case for nuclear power." Read more:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1501&Itemid=116

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3.  STROUD DISTRICT COUNCIL'S ENVIRONMENT PAPER: GREEN RESPONSE

Stroud District Green councillors welcomed the Council's Environment Green paper in a 9 page response which was sent to all District councillors ahead of the Full Council meeting on 21st September. At that meeting Greens welcomed the paper as a first step and made many recommendations about how it could be improved:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1459&Itemid=115

Cllr Sarah Lunnon at Full Council asked a formal question about plans for new build to incorporate renewables and energy efficiency measures in Stroud. Greens were disappointed with the response:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1494&Itemid=115

The Stroud District Green party are now looking at how the policies, suggestions, targets and more they can put forward to the Council. A working party of over 10 members are looking at key sections. A draft will then be circulated for further comment. Contact Philip Booth on 014543755451 or Martin Whiteside on 01453757874 for further information.

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4. WASTE: COUNTY SUBMISSION, "PAY-AS-YOU-THROW', FURNITURE RECYCLING & CAR BOOT SUCCESS

The first stage of the County Council's consultation on how it deals with our waste has ended. Stroud District Green party were among those who contributed a submission. Read more at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1497&Itemid=115

Cllr Philip Booth comments on Cotswolds plan to consider 'Pay-as-you-throw' with so-called 'spy-chips' in the wheelie bins:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1507&Itemid=115

News that the Stroud Furniture Recycling Project (FRP) will cease trading this month has disappointed Greens. Over 400 tonnes will be saved from landfill by FRP from its three shops in the county this year alone primarily from Gloucester and some 14,000 items reused:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1515&Itemid=116

Cheltenham Green party car boot success:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1473&Itemid=115

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5. HEALTH: CUTS, NHS PRIVATISATION, MRSA AND JAMIE OLIVER

News this week is that the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting, the Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust were asked to undertake an impact assessment of their proposal to centralise Older People's Mental Health Inpatient services at Charlton Lane Cheltenham. It is probably good news that the matter did not get referred to the Secretary of State for Health as had been indicated - that leaves that move as a last resort.

Greens welcome sanity regarding Stroud Maternity Hospital but condemn Weavers Croft decision and increased privatisation of health service. Read Martin Whitesides' letter:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1493&Itemid=116
See also comment re NHS being handed to private sector:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1513&Itemid=116

DAVID CAMERON at the Conservative Party conference played on Labour's slogan, "Education, Education, Education" with his own version of "three letters" - NHS - but what does this really mean:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1512&Itemid=116

MRSA, nurses uniforms, battery chickens, phages and more:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1477&Itemid=116

JAMIE OLIVER food for the elderly: Greens applaud proposals last week by Labour County councillors to improve food for older people in care homes:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1487&Itemid=115

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6. GOVERNMENT PLAN TO ABOLISH PRIVACY

35,000 are already on the County DNA list. Read more about ID cards and why Greens renewed their passports:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1475&Itemid=115

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7. PEACE: APPEAL TO BLAIR, TWO FAIRFORD TRIALS, TRIDENT AND CORRUPTION

Anya Whiteside writes a powerful and very moving letter here to Mr Blair on terrorism, peace and a plea over Iran:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1510&Itemid=116

Two peace activists who argued they were justified in disabling trailers used at USAF Fairford to transport bombs for US jets and fuel tankers in order to prevent war crimes in Iraq, walked free from Bristol crown court when the jury failed to reach a verdict on charges of conspiracy to cause criminal damage:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1499&Itemid=115
Read more about Green Stroud Town councillor Dave Cockcroft, who was a witness for the defence for Dr Margaret Jones and Paul Milling:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1452&Itemid=115

That trial was followed by two more of the Fairford Five who also faced trial at a Bristol court. Toby Olditch and Phil Pritchard were originally arrested while on their way to disarm USAF B52 bombers, stationed at USAF Fairford in Gloucestershire before the attack on Iraq in March 2003. Read Stroud Mayors' comments:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1505&Itemid=115

International Day of Peace on 21st September: Martin Whiteside, International Development Consultant and Stroud Parliamentary Candidate for the Green Party wrote the Comment piece for The Citizen:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1479&Itemid=115

Greens supported the launch of a new website campaigning to secure a full public and parliamentary debate on the replacement of Britain's nuclear weapons system, Trident. Show your support now:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1481&Itemid=115

Greens condemned North Korea’s announcement to carry out a test of a nuclear weapon:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1503&Itemid=115

Letter re David Drew's article countering his view that corruption is 'the single greatest obstacle to global development':
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1464&Itemid=116

Cafe Discussion for September was on Lebanon, Israel and Palestine. What are the underlying causes of the conflict? Is there a just and sustainable solution? A fascinating and lively debate with nearly 40 people including contributions from people from Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Cllr Brian Oosthuysen on behalf of the local Amnesty International group. A wonderfully positive experience.

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8. GREEN PARTY CONFERENCE: STANDING OVATION AND NEW SLOGAN

At the party conference in Hove the new slogan was unveiled: "One World. One Chance. Vote Green." John Marjoram who was among those attending from Stroud and was surprised and delighted to gain a standing ovation from the whole party for 20 years as a Green party councillor - the country's longest serving Green:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1490&Itemid=115

The conference also saw an experiment in a way of enabling people from all over the country to meet and discuss with zero added CO2 emissions: a virtual conference online. After a slow start the discussions got going amongst party members. Details of motions that passed or fell at conference have now been added to the site, but it is due to close when the main Green party site is updated. Green party members may still be able to log on at:
http://crosborne.co.uk/greentalk/index.php

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9.  GOVERNMENT REJECTS OUR RIGHT TO KNOW ON DANGEROUS CHEMICALS: PLEASE ACT NOW!

Greens join European email campaign - Europe's governments and the European Parliament are about to finalise their negotiations on new laws concerning the use of chemical substances in everyday products sold in Gloucestershire. The proposed laws are aimed at protecting our health and the environment from the impact of harmful chemicals, but European governments have so far rejected our "Right to Know" about these chemicals present in everyday products.
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1455&Itemid=115

UPDATE: On 13th November 2006 the EU Parliament will take its final vote on the new law. The last campaign led to 17,000 emails being sent to the EU Commission. We need a really strong vote on substitution again in Parliament to get the Council to shift its position. A coalition of groups are now aiming for at least 40,000 emails to our parliamentarians to help achieve a toxic-free future! Please take action now - at the moment only one of the 7 MEPs in the South West are planning to vote our way:
http://www.chemicalreaction.org/

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10. LIB DEMS STEP TO RIGHT WITH LOSS OF THEIR 'FLAGSHIP' POLICY

Read more at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1478&Itemid=116

See also an update at the bottom of the old report: 'Too Yellow to be Green':
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=436&Itemid=72

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11. GREEN BLOG: ALLOTMENTS, STREET LIGHTING SWITCH OFF & CREDIT UNIONS

Read Philip Booths Blog - loads of local issues to his ward plus more general bits including this month Blogs on allotments, County proposals to switch street lighting off, credit unions, 20 mph zones - a letter to local press on 20 mph which led to an A&E Consultant writing in support - plus Tories joining the discussion with comments on 21st and 22nd September Blogs re Trident and the Environment Green paper:
http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com/

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12. OTHER COUNTY ISSUES:PRISONS, TUITION FEES, GULLS, CEMETERIES, STROUD FM AND MORE

Incidents of inmates harming themselves at Eastwood Park, a Gloucestershire jail remain "extremely high", according to the Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Cowers:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1463&Itemid=115

The University of Gloucestershire has improved its standing in a list of Britain's best facilities - but news that it is to offer a discount to students and parents who pay the £9,000 tuition fees for a three-year course up front has been condemned by Gloucestershire Greens:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1474&Itemid=115

Gloucester has won a top South West award for the way it deals with seagulls but the problems are still growing in Gloucester and the problem is also getting worse in Cheltenham:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1480&Itemid=115

A Cheltenham Greens' protest song has been listed by the Centre For Political Song on the Glasgow Caledonian University website (i).
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1488&Itemid=115

HSBC bank plans to set up business in the main shopping area of Stroud have now been turned down:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1498&Itemid=115

Choice Based Lettings scheme proposals were adopted by Stroud District Council Cabinet meeting:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1509&Itemid=115

An ECO-cemetery has been set up in Gloucester. Greens comment:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1508&Itemid=115

Brockworth and Barnwood supermarket jobs not good for community or planet:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1465&Itemid=116

Greens call for mobile phone use curb in schools:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1492&Itemid=116

Green support for StroudFM:
Stroud District Green party have written a letter of support for StroudFM and their application for an extended licence. http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1514&Itemid=116

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13. NEW ON 'BIG ISSUES'

Here's a sample of links to articles that have caught the eye of the editor or GNN readers - see them under Big Issues on our website:

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14. WEBSITES THAT MIGHT INTEREST

Dr Caroline Lucas MEP was a panellist on 'Iconoclasts' on Radio 4 debating the urgency of climate change with 'iconoclast' Bjorn Lomborg, Richard North, Fred Pearce and Dr Michael Northcott. Listen on:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/iconoclasts/prog3.shtml

The Happy Planet Index: we are accustomed to comparing countries in terms of crude riches or what they trade. There are international league tables for performance on a range of issues from corruption to football. This website addresses the relative success or failure of countries in supporting good life for their citizens, whilst repecting the environmental resource limits upon which our lives depend. The Happy Planet Index (HPI) is an innovative new measure that shows the ecological efficiency with which human well-being is delivered. Calculate yours:
http://www.happyplanetindex.org/survey.htm

Student animation re humans and resources:
http://www.stashmedia.tv/gsaa/movies/Humans.mov

Asda Watch:
http://www.asdawatch.org/

Help stop cruelty to pigs by signing this on-line petition:
http://www.piggles.org.uk

The Cotswold Canals regeneration project now has its own dedicated website:
http://www.cotswoldcanalsproject.org

Green votes are on the up this month in Europe: in Sweden Greens took 2 more seats to now hold 19 (5.2%) and in Stockholm up to 9.4% in local elections, in Berlin state elections they now hold 22 seats (13.1% up 4%) and good results in Czech Republic. You can keep abreast of Green party news around the world by subscribing to regular emails at:
http://www.ecquologia.it/sito/pag706.map?action=all&field.joined.id=39450

Ad in The Independent - turns out to be Rethink ! Airport Watch Campaign with a very witty and effective web site:
http://www.unlimited-spurt.org

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15. NEXT COFFEE HOUSE GATHERING: DE-THRONING KING CAR

Friday 27th October: De-throning 'King car'  Cars: freedom to move or a blight on our communities? Shared Space - a radical new way of reclaiming our streets and reducing accidents. What can we do locally to get the balance between cars, people and the environment? Open to anyone - 7.30 and 9.30pm at Star Anise Arts Cafe at the Painswick Inn, Gloucester Street, Stroud.

Read more about the previous coffee house discussions at:
http://www.glosgreenparty.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=606&Itemid=96

Details of other Gloucestershire Green party meetings can be got from John Marjoram on 01453 751189

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16. FREE AD: CAFE MAITREYA - BEST MEAL OUT EVER!

Philip Booth writes: I'm taking the liberty of advertising my brothers vegetarian cafe in Bristol - largely organic and winner of best Veggie Bistro/Cafe award several years running and now in the 2007 Good Food Guide. Only one restaurant in Bristol gets a higher ranking than them and it is in my completely unbiased view that it is the best food you can eat out. With Autumn they'll be cooking with lots of wild mushrooms, squashes and autumn fruits. Many of their staff have been harvesting damson, sloes, elder and rowan berries (amongst other things) either wild or from gardens and allotments and their chefs been preparing delights such as damson ice cream and an absolutely fabulous elder and blackberry sorbet.  So if you are going to Bristol contact details are: tel: 0117 951 0100 / email:thesnug@cafemaitreya.co.uk  www.cafemaitreya.co.uk
Opening hours: evenings only - tue to sat from 6.45pm (last orders 9.45pm)

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GNN has grown out of a Green news service first established on 13th November 2001. To contribute to this news service (or to subscribe or unsubscribe) - contact the editor Philip Booth on:

press@glosgreenparty.org.uk