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

Warehouse News

Harnessing the Sun
After many years of talking and dreaming, we have finally taken the plunge and begun installing solar power in the Warehouse. Weather permitting, the installation should be complete by the time you read this.

Our water will be heated directly by eight 'thermal evacuated tube' solar panels and stored in a standard (but very large) hot water cylinder. Until now the Warehouse didn't have a hot water 'system', but relied instead on instant gas or electric water heating at each individual appliance. This has meant quite a lot of extra plumbing to get the water to the building's eight sinks and one washing machine.

In theory we should have plenty for our needs for almost nine months of the year - time will tell. We intend to have a display panel, probably in Reception, so visitors can see how much energy we are generating. We’ll keep you informed in future editions of Action Briefing.

The total cost of the scheme is about £11,000, half of which we are due to receive in the form of a government 'Clear Skies' grant. Two other large donations have come from keen supporters. We are hoping to raise the balance of around £2,500 from the rest of our supporters - so we'd greatly appreciate any donations, no matter how small.

If you decide that you can support us, please send a cheque (payable to Birmingham Friends of the Earth) for the attention of the Secretary, here at the Warehouse, address on our Home Page. Receipts available on request.

We hope you can support this project, as it means that we are another step closer to making the Warehouse a beacon of urban environmental sustainability in working practice.

Dave Clare

Annual General Meeting

Friends of the Earth (Birmingham) Ltd.
Mon 9th May 2005, 7.30pm
the Warehouse, Allison St. Digbeth

• Full report of the year’s campaigning activities
• Developments within and around the Warehouse
• Presentation of the Accounts for 2004-2005
• Appointment of an Auditor (if required) and election of Committee Members.

All Supporters welcome. A buffet will be provided. For more info, contact Dave Clare on 0121 632 6909.