It has been proposed that, from April 2012, Surrey County Council should cease to host the Lower Mole Project, the Downlands Project and the Heathland Project. This means they'd no longer employ project staff, provide HR and IT support, payroll services or insurance.
It's suggested they could be hosted by charitable trusts, although this has not been researched. An enormous amount of work is done throughout Surrey by project volunteers, and it will be a serious loss should these groups cease to exist.
There are grave concerns that this important decision will be taken by only 2 people, one an elected member and one an officer. Please consider signing the petition (Deadline 2nd June), asking the council to carry out a proper investigation.
Phil O'Donoghue, manager of Norbury Park Wood Products, has confirmed that the sawmill has been given a six month reprieve from closure, whilst discussions are held as to its future.
Several parties have previously shown an interest in buying the sawmill, along with the possible management buyout, and Surrey County Council has said that it doesn't wish to see the sawmill closed.
Following Transition Bookham's 'Gardening For Bees' open meeting, it's worth pointing out two forthcoming beekeeping training events this May.
On Sunday 8th May 2011, Epsom Beekeepers Association will be hosting their Introduction to Beekeeping 'Taster Day', in Ewell.
On Friday 20th May 2011, as part of the Co-op's Plan Bee campaign, their members can attend an introductory training session at Brooklands Hotel, in Weybridge.
Both these events have limited places, so book early to avoid disappointment!
See The British Beekeepers' Association website for beginners' guides and interesting info.
Norbury Park Wood Products, at Mickleham, is due to be closed by Surrey Wildlife Trust, unless a buyer can be found by March 31st 2011.
Staff have worked hard to make this woodyard viable, against adversity, and are succeeding. The order books are full, there are plans for expansion and more training opportunities, and further community use. Seven people will become unemployed, and two made homeless, staff would like a management buyout to keep it working as a functional woodyard.
There is a petition requesting Surrey County Council to halt the closure, allowing time to consider its implications and give due and fair consideration to the buyout proposal. 20,000 signatures will ensure a debate, at the time of writing it's less than 500, the deadline is 10th April.
For more on this story, and related news items, see ThisIsSurreyToday, for details of concerns with Surrey Wildlife Trust, and to be kept up-to-date, see SWTAction.
Opinion polls suggest over 80% of the public wants to keep our woodlands in public hands for future generations; yet the government is only consulting us on how the woodlands should be privatised.
Nevertheless, it is possible to make your views known. On the survey you could neither agree/disagree with the 'options' but make your views known in the comments fields.
The Forestry Commission consultation page lists the relevant documents, and tells you how to make your views knwon.
There are three forests within Mole Valley being considered for sell-off (map), all classified as 'small commercial'. That they are small increases the chance that they will be considered as candidates for sell-off ('prioritizing (the sale of) woods which are outliers on the estate').
The Close the Door Campaign is asking retailers to conserve energy by keeping their front doors closed. In the UK, businesses spend about £1.6 billion on energy a year, 20% of it is wasted due to sloppy habits. If two-thirds of the nation's shops took part, the saving in carbon emissions would be the equivalent of taking more than 1.1 million cars off the road.
Retailers are being asked to close their doors and display the campaign sign, with answers to objections, like "it's too hot inside, the shop next door has an open door, and customers won't come in.", being backed up with scientific research.
Customers are encouraged to ask stores to join the campaign, speak to managers, support shops and restaurants displaying the logo (and boycott ones that won't), or to just close the door!
A study they commissioned found an average shop with its doors open emits 91kg of CO2 a week, if all retailers kept them shut UK energy usage could drop by 2.5%. Air curtains have little impact on emissions, being one of the biggest users of energy, typically consuming 24kWh a day.
The biggest-ever day of positive action on climate change will take place on Sunday 10th October 2010 (10:10:10). Around the world people will take simple steps to reduce their emissions, cutting carbon and sending a powerful message to world leaders.
From sumo wrestlers cycling to training in Japan to 10,000 schools planting trees in Croatia and Russia. From a carbon-cutting telethon on national TV in the Netherlands, to the president of the Maldives installing solar panels on his roof, events are already planned in over 140 countries.
World Carfree Day is an annual celebration of cities and public life, free from the noise, stress and pollution of cars.
Every year, on September 22nd, people around the world organize events to remind us that we don't have to accept our car-dominated society, and to urge planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport.
Westcott villagers have put forward plans for a nature reserve to take the place of a proposed housing development.
Residents have submitted proposals for a community nature reserve to Mole Valley District Council. The scheme suggests that Springfield Meadow, which developers Taylor Wimpey want to turn into a 34-home estate, should be transformed into a village amenity. The meadow plans have been backed by Westcott Village Association, the Surrey Wildlife Trust Green Spaces Project and the National Trust.
The application proposes the development of Springfield Meadow into a Community Nature Reserve. Plans proposed involve enhancing the existing meadow and wetland habitats, whilst planting trees to link existing woodland habitat found surrounding the site. A range of protected species, such as kingfishers, kestrels, badgers, reptiles, and bats (amongst many others) are known to the site and the habitat enhancements for the Community Nature Reserve could greatly increase this wildlife value.
You can find out more on the Westcott Meadow Action Group's web site here.
As part of The Co-operative's Plan BEE campaign, to help combat the effects of Colony Collapse Disorder and varroa mite infestation, the Co-op are giving away packets of seeds for wild flowers that provide essential nutrition for bees. Don't forget to pick yours up from the Bookham branch whilst stocks last!