Friends of the Earth Birmingham Action Briefing Aug 98/Sep 98

Ed Line

By rights, this is our "Summer" edition. My diary and the calendar tells me that's what season it is but my senses and the view from my window seem to tell me a different story! Ironically, despite these appearances I hear on today's news that July's rainfall is below the average and that water levels in many regions are still seriously threatened. See Andrew Medley's water article on page 4 for more thoughts on this and the water research that local teenagers are undertaking as part of the University of the Third Age Project.

As our cover articles indicate, waste and recycling are now firmly on the Council agenda thanks to the (rightfull) pressure that you have brought to bear on our paid and elected officials. Well done! Don't relax yet though- there's still a long way to go, so pressure needs to be maintained. Perhaps a short letter to your councillor reminding them that you're watching developments closely? Please keep us informed of correspondence that you receive: copies addressed to 'Waste Campaigners' at The Warehouse are very welcome.

I'd like to echo Andy and Beverly's thanks to everyone who joined us at the Glastonbury Festival this year (hope that you've all got your laundry clean by now!). Everyone who I spoke to enjoyed themselves despite the adverse weather. I certainly did- even after ten days in that mud! Thanks to everyone's hard work Birmingham FOE's campaign funds have swelled significantly- more details in the report opposite. One thing not mentioned is all the hard work that Beverly (and others - you know who you are) put into organising the lock-ups in the months beforehand. There's a lot of advance work and negotiation involved, without which it simply wouldn't have happened. This work not only made it possible for seventy of us to have a free and fun festival but it gave FOE a very valuable fundraising opportunity. Thank you Beverly and everyone else who took part in making it happen!

At time of writing The FOE 21st Anniversary Little Green Gathering is upon us. It's looking like being a fabulous afternoon so I hope that you made it! For those of you who didn't make it we'll have a report in the next issue.

Meantime I'd like to leave you with an important request. Enclosed with this issue is a postcard advertisement for Birmingham FOE. Please will you display it at work or in the window of your local newsagent, shop, etc? The latter might require a small charge, but think of it as a very valuable contribution to FOE and the work that we're all striving to achieve.

Thank you very much for your support. Look forward to seeing you at the Little Green Gathering!

Richard Partridge Editor