Friends of the Earth Birmingham Action Briefing Feb 98/Mar 98

Hello From The Editor

Welcome to a new look Action Briefing and my first as Editor. Well, OK, it's not drastically different but the observant readers amongst you will notice that one or two changes have been made.

Over the next few issues we hope to make more improvements to Action Briefing as a medium of communication for B'ham FOE members, campaigners and other interested parties. I know that many members cannot attend the weekly meetings and I hope that Action Briefing can continue its role of keeping everyone informed on what's been going on and perhaps provide you with a bit more of a picture in future issues.

As part of this development I'd like to put some faces to FOE names that you see in the newsletter and let them tell you more about themselves and what they do. To get the ball rolling I'm putting my own neck on the line- that's me in dodgy photo (top). I've been a local and national FOE member for around three years and a bit of a "lurker". Before now my involvement has been occasional so taking on the role of newsletter editor is my way of taking a more active and regular part in B'ham FOE's work.

What does being Editor involve? Well, the newsletter gets published bi-monthly and in order for that to happen we need material to put in it; sometimes people need a little reminding (thank you Terry!) Ideally material arrives in the form of a file on a PC diskette, but clear handwriting on the back of a (recycled) envelope is fine. I have to read these through and correct or edited them if necessary before inclusion. The newsletter is subject to the same laws of libel and copyright as any other publication and must follow general principles laid down by national FOE, so part of my job is to make sure that this is the case. Regular features like the cover, the diary and contacts need to be updated then articles are "poured" in and juggled to fit using the computer. Beverly works her wonders on the artwork and the whole thing passes via Dave Clare to an outside printer. Back comes a pile of printed paper that has to be sorted, assembled, folded and stamped by Vernon's Little Helpers the following Monday night. All done and ready for distribution- off we go again!

I would very much like to hear from anyone with material they would like to submit. Comments or letters are very welcome- send them to me or to "Action Briefing" at the FOE address.

It's B'ham FOE's 21st Birthday this April and I'd particularly like to hear from long-standing members who may have memories and photographs to share from years past. Please send them in! Deadline for submission to the next issue is March 16th.

Richard Partridge, Editor