Andy D'Agorne

Well we are now in the new college building at last - phones working, boxes being unpacked students arriving to enrol in the morning. My (and many other peoples) complaints about the lack of recycling have been heeded and we now have split bins with categories for paper, cans and plastic bottles. Students will have a lot to learn in our new building! Even though space is at a premium, it certainly has a 'wow' factor that we will have to work hard to ensure results in a bit more respect for a smart workplace (Ive taken note of the pleas of colleagues for a tidy desk!) While it is sad to leave the old tree covered site, this building will certainly be more energy efficient, modern and stylish. One other small victory was finding a home for all the old cycle racks we were about to leave behind - they will help 'Bike Rescue' in their efforts to recycle old bikes and provide start up provision in the proposed secure city centre cycle park - because it will be inside, it doesnt matter that these are the old style ' butterfly wing' racks that only grab the front tyre, and they are ideal for displaying bikes for sale. Some of the other furniture from the place has gone to a good home, including a container that went to a school in Ghana.

No, contrary to many expectations, I havent left York for Heathrow this week, but I was impressed and humbled by the interview this morning on Radio York. A 'Scarborough housewife' being interviewed about her reasons for going to the camp explained that she had not intended to go until she saw the media coverage of the heavy police presence, then decided that she had to support the right to protest in the interests of future generations who will bear the consequences of our actions today. I am glad that, despite media hype suggesting that the protest would take police away from tracking down terrorists, many people did make the sacrifice and support the camp. In the same way that action against nuclear weapons in the 80's and roads and the poll tax in the 90's provided a focal point for young and old activists to keep our democratic protest alive, climate change is now the biggest threat to our way of life and the future of the planet. How ironic that a so called 'Labour' government is presiding over military action in Iraq and Afghanistan, arms sales to Israel, massive spending plans to replace the Trident submarines and ageing nuclear power plants. Even the Green Party seems to be losing its way a bit, with a big internal debate about whether it should be like the other parties and have a 'Leader' rather than the two principal speakers (male and female) who currently front the media presentation of policies.

 With so much at stake on a global front, it sometimes seems hard to appreciate the relevance of sorting out the bread and butter issues of local councillors - blocked drains, lost bins, inadequate recycling arrangements, yet these are all important aspects of everyday life for those affected. Even efforts to get the council to 'do its bit' to address climate change seem frustratingly difficult. Recycled paper for the new monthly civic paper? Oh that would cost extra, but we'll use 'paper from sustainably managed forests' - er is that in N Yorkshire, Norway or Canada? and what about all that paper we keep collecting and dont get a very good price for?? To quote from the climatecamp website (which I would endorse)

  From Sustrans

"As we start to realise it's no longer about trying to prevent 'Devastating Climate Change' but *'Catastrophic Climate Change'* all kinds of different actions are desperately needed to create the fundamental change in behaviour to move to low carbon living. Dramatically reducing carbon emissions from transport and aviation MUST be part of the solution."

From the local community on the 2006 camp

"On behalf of the staff at Barlow Common Nature Reserve, we would like to express our thanks and gratitude for the efficiency and managerial aptitude displayed during your recent encampment. There was no mess, litter or damage found on the reserve attributable to the campers which in itself reflects the high standards you set out to attain. Many of the campers we met were friendly, genuine and committed people. There is a markedly strong affinity between the Reserve staff and yourselves over environmental issues and we believe you made your point. Look forward to seeing you again next year!"
- Barlow Common Nature Reserve Staff, Nearest Neighbour to the 2006 camp, email to Camp for Climate Action.

From supporters and well-wishers

"I am so proud of you all for what you are doing and want to thank you."

 And what were Yorkshire activists up to??

Offering Yorkshire puddin's to venture capitalists Bridgepoint, 'new owners and would be expanders of Leeds Bradford Airport' according to the Climate Camp website.

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING IN YORK? Contemplating 'Future York' report that says we need to double our local economy and improve road links to the nearest airport (Leeds Bradford) !!

The view from our attic window! If you want see more photos, see the photoblog or www.flickr.com -'greensambaman' is me!

There are literally millions of cool images out there in cyberspace, and with flickr many are free for non commercial use if you are producing your own newsletter or website. Have a look, but not when you are in a hurry to get some work done!

©Andy D'Agorne

City of York Council's cycle strategy recognises the need for additional secure cycle parking in the city centre, preferably not far from the station. Ideally, this should include a repair and hire shop.

The former sub station at Lendal Bridge is ideally located for this, yet as reported (Cycle Park Plan ditched 18/10/06) officers are recommending selling this off on the open market, with officers 'looking for alternative locations'. Where might these be? Why will they be any more viable?  

Yet again the council is to sell off assets needed for a community facility, purely because they dont have the vision to look beyond the short term financial return. Before selling on the open market, the council should be looking nationally and locally for an operator who wants to use these premises to provide the facility identified as needed in the cycle strategy. A significant proportion of the costs identified in the study will need to be spent by any occupant of this building eg for disabled access and service connections - these enhancements will increase the value of the property and should not be set against the likely income of the operation (as they have been in the study to suggest it would not be viable). 

I urge the Liberal Democrats to grasp this opportunity, not send it the way of the Barbican pool and the Bonding Warehouse!

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Posted by: andydag    in: Being Green

Going on holiday means a bit of a gap on your blog... and lots to tell the world about when you get back! For busy people, it seems that the week before is spent trying to arrange what happens in your absence - post, emails and phone at work, cancel the papers, cat/ rabbit feeding and watering plants at home, council enquiries and post etc. Then you need some clothes, brolly, tent, camping gear etc to take with you (allowing for most weather eventualities) not to mention 'luxuries' like a book, radio, camera etc. Once you finally arrive and get the tent up, bedding sorted etc you are ready for a well earned rest! Then there are the difficult decisions about getting the balance between catching up on sleep, fresh air and rest, or rushing round buying postcards, presents and seeing people and places. All too soon its time to pack it all away again and trek back to the ancestral home where you need to sort the washing, dry the tent, check through the post, emails and phone messages and find out if anything dramatic has happened in your absence. Just as well we havent been away for too long, especially as work is really busy, what with packing to move and dealing with anxious students who are hoping to go off to university if their A level results are good enough! Well, Im looking forward to the weekend so can sort the photos and try to remember the exciting ideas that were developing when the brain was uncluttered, sat in the sunshine by the tent!