Action Briefing Feb 2005 - Mar 2005
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

A Tribute to Steve Wheeler

We are sad to report that Steve Wheeler, a committed campaigner for both Birmingham and Redditch & District Friends of the Earth local groups, lost his long battle with cancer on Friday 31st December 2004.

Steve worked on a wide range of issues including GMOs, transport, climate change and trade justice, and took part in many FoE events and actions over the years. In particular, Birmingham FoE campaigners will remember when Steve graced the cover of the June-July 2003 Action Briefing dressed as the ‘GM Reaper’ during the Government’s ‘GM Nation?’ public consultation on GM crops, and his memorable demonstration of vermiculture for the 2003 Birmingham Adventure Game.

Steve was an active fund-raiser for FoE as well as helping to produce the groups’ newsletters. He was looking forward to participating in Redditch & District Friends of the Earth’s Annual General Meeting this January. As well as Friends of the Earth, Steve was involved with the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, CND, Global Resistance, and the Stop the War Coalition. He also subscribed to and promoted Oxfam’s ‘buy a goat for Christmas’ scheme.

Despite his illness, Steve never gave up trying to change the world for the better and he was active right up to his last few days. Steve’s funeral was held on Wednesday 12th January at Redditch Crematorium. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

James Botham and all at Birmingham FoE