Action Briefing Oct 2005 - Nov 2005
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Warehouse News

I have recently returned from my holiday in Slovenia. It was a pleasure to visit a country so full of superb scenery, friendly, helpful and trusting people, good food, and beer for less than the equivalent of £1 a pint. Any guesses as to where it might be? Answer in the next issue.

With the help of an expert botanist I was able to explore Slovenia's mixed woodlands and forests - we even found one of the rare areas of prime(val) forest. As for the urban centres, recycling facilities abound and (bi)cycling is the norm. The country has so little crime that, on one occasion when I hired a bicycle, the owner told me not to worry about getting it back for 6pm closing as I could just leave it outside the shop for him to collect in the morning! On the down side, I got a few mosquito bites, and I flew there.

Back at the Warehouse, emboldened by our successful installation of a solar water heating system, we are currently installing a medium-sized photovoltaic solar panel, donated some years ago by Dave Manning, which should give at least some lighting in one of the dark corners of the building.

One of our tall Reception chairs - the type where the seat is about 28 inches (70cm) from the floor - like some typists' chairs, bar or kitchen counter stools - has finally given up the ghost. Does anyone have an old one they no longer want and could donate to us? A chair like this comes in very handy when training new Warehouse Receptionists.

Finally, you can now leave you spent household batteries, along with used CD-Roms, at the Warehouse Reception for recycling. There's also a recycling bin for used batteries on the ground floor of the Central Library, Chamberlain Square, courtesy of Groundwork Birmingham & Solihull.

Tenants News
From 1st October, the Warehouse Cafe is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, from 6.30pm-10pm (last orders 9pm). The Christmas menu, featuring cashew and carrot roast, mushroom and ale pie and super special secret roast, all served with traditional trimmings, will be available from 18th November. You are strongly advised to book your table (call 0121 633 0261) as some days are already fully booked. By the way, the Cafe now takes credit/debit card payments.

You can receive advance notice of Cafe events, news and exhibitions by joining the mailing list. Send your details, ideally including an e-mail address, to the Warehouse Cafe, 54-57 Allison Street, Digbeth, B5 5TH or e-mail news@thewarehousecafe.co.uk.

Sprocket Cycles, the new bicycle shop in our End Bay, is now open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm, and taking orders for Christmas. Do drop by if you can or, alternatively, leave a message with Warehouse Reception (0121 632 6909) and Adrian will call you back. Don't forget: Birmingham FoE supporters receive a 10 per cent discount in Sprockets and in the Cafe. Not a supporter? Click here!

Dave Clare, Building and Information Manager