TTIP Day of Action - April 2015

We held a stall in collaboration with Global Justice on Saturday 18th to raise awareness of and take action against TTIP. It went really well with over 300 signatures in 3 hours. Thank you François for organising this.

François has been attending TTIP meeting on behalf of the group. His first meeting was 2 weeks ago and he will carry on attending.and feeding back information to the group. It is hoped future actions will take place later in the year.

See https://www.foe.co.uk/page/ttip-secret-eu-us-trade-deal and http://www.globaljustice.org.uk/tags/ttip for more details.

Litter Pick - September 2013

Sheffield Friends of the Earth cleaned up the area at the bottom of Ecclesall Road on Tuesday September 3rd, filling 12 large black bin bags, which they then delivered to Amey's offices. Friends of the Earth contacted Amey, the company that is supposed to keep Sheffield's streets clean, in the early summer to complain about the large amount of litter that had accumulated in the vegetation in this area. In response, Amey then cleaned it up, but on inspection it was clear that they had missed quite a lot. The rubbish consisted mainly of food and drinks containers, some of which had clearly been there for months or even years.

It would be helpful if more bins were installed in this area, if more people used them and if the government introduced a bottle deposit-refund scheme, so that people were paid for returning empty bottles – as used to happen in the past. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England recently launched the UK Deposit Alliance, which is campaigning for the introduction of a deposit-refund system for drinks containers, like the scheme that has been in operation in Germany for ten years.

The litter pick was featured in the Sheffield Star:

The Bee Cause - May 2013 Update

Europe bans the worst bee-harming pesticides
We've won! European member states have voted to ban the worst bee-harming pesticides. Sheffield Friends of the Earth, together with hundreds of thousands of people across Europe, forced governments to act. Our own Government in the UK may have failed to back the pesticide ban. But that wasn't enough to stop our voice being heard, and the ban still got the majority vote it needed. The Government also has the chance to claw back its credibility on bees by supporting a national Bee Action Plan to tackle habitat loss and disease, as well as pesticides.

Sheffield Bee Action Plan Stall
On Saturday 11th May, Shaun, John and Beatrice joined forces with Rachel and Richard from national Friends of the Earth to collect signatures at a local farmers’ market in Broomhill. The postcards asked the Government to introduce a national Bee Action Plan. Many people from Nick Clegg's constituency signed up and agreed to have photographs taken with our giant bees (John and Beatrice) for our media campaign which will put pressure on Nick Clegg.

After three hours of campaigning we had collected around 60 signed postcards, plenty of photographs and donations totalling £24.

Bee Meadow
We received an offer for a bee meadow site at the day of action in Broomhill. Beatrice & David attended the “Transition Sheffield” event at the Fusion Café where they got more offers of sites for the Bee Meadow. We discussed the pros and cons of each location at our general meeting and decided that a visit to the sites would be a sensible next step.

Whilst at the Fusion cafe, Beatrice gave a short speech outlining Sheffield FoE's activities as they related to the groups present.

Bees in Decline
New research by the University of Reading reveals the true extent of the threat facing some of Britain's most iconic bee species. The Great Yellow Bumblebee has disappeared from 80% of its old habitat. The Potter Flower Bee is only clinging on in a handful of sites along the South coast. And many other species are in serious danger. On 16 May scientists presented their findings directly to MPs. Leading bee expert from the University of Reading, Professor Simon Potts, said: "The way we farm and use land across the UK has pushed many rare bees into serious decline. I'm calling on the Government to act swiftly to save these iconic creatures which are essential to a thriving environment and our food supply".

2012 - 2013 Yearly Review

Clean British Energy Campaign
This has mainly focused on people signing postcards to urge the government to invest in renewables rather than following a ‘Dash for gas’.  If gas fired power stations were built it would mean the UK would not achieve it’s Climate Change targets, it would mean less green jobs and higher fuel bills as gas prices continue to rise.  People were also encouraged to earn a CBE certificate by switching to a power company that invests in renewables such as Ecotricity or Good Energy.  A petition to make Sheffield a Frack-free city was started with Sheffield Climate Alliance.  A photo stunt entitled ‘Green is working’ to promote green jobs was held in October.  A display of photographs featuring Renewable Energy was set up in the Town Hall foyer in December.

‘Energy we can all afford’ public meeting – Clive Betts MP (Labour), Cllr Joe Otten (LibDem) Simon Bowen (FoE) Craig Jackson (SYHA & LiveGreen) and Emma Bridge (Sheffield Renewables) answered questions from the public about the rocketing fuel bills, green jobs and climate change.  The meeting held at The Circle on Rockingham Lane, was organised by Sheffield Friends of the Earth in collaboration with Sheffield Campaign Against Climate Change.  It was held despite heavy snowfall and hope it influences Decarbonisation targets being included in the Energy Bill.

The Bee Cause
In July we held a Bee Breakfast with Meg Munn MP & Cllr Isabel Bowler and were featured on Radio Sheffield by Paulette Edwards.  In September Cllr Jillian Creasy and Cllr Sylvia Anginotti attended a Bee Walk.  There was a petition for a National Bee Action Plan and cards for people to sign.  Free seeds, wildflower posters and booklets made this a very popular campaign.  A bee map where people had marked their bee friendly gardens was displayed in the Town Hall foyer in September.  The group are currently searching for a site to plant a bee meadow in Sheffield.

Make it Better Campaign
Some smart phones contain tin which comes from Bangka Island in Indonesia causing devastation of the environment.  E-mails were sent to Samsung and Apple.


Litter Pick
We conducted our litter pick on Penistone Road on the Jubilee Holiday Tuesday 5th June 2012.  We wore masks of the Royal Family and were featured in the Sheffield Star newspaper.

Free Green Film Festival
As a result of a ‘buy two get one free’ offer at Dogwoof films, we showed ‘The Island President’, a very recently released film, on 30th May 2012.

The latest film festival will take place in the Spring 2013 with four films being shown on successive Wednesdays at the Red Deer pub beginning with Blue Gold on 17th April.

Stalls
We have run 9 stalls at: Environment Week, National Climate Jobs Caravan, the Green Fair, Firth Park Festival, Lowedges Festival, Ecclesfield Gala, Sheffield Food Festival, Riverlution and Peace and Craft Fair

Facebook, Twitter and Website
Sheffield FoE now has an active presence on Facebook and Twitter thanks to John who tweets and posts regularly.  Shaun has radically updated the website so it has a fresh modern feel.

Speakers
Dave Berry from Sheffield Renewables spoke at the September meeting about the share offer.  As a result of this it was decided that Sheffield FoE should buy a share.  Malcolm Lee of Sheffield Forgemasters spoke at the February meeting on the subject of ‘A Manufacturing Perspective on UK & EU Climate Change Policy’

Training
Members have attended various training sessions including the FoE Northern Gathering at Haworth, Local Groups' Conference in London, Planning Masterclass (Richard) and the Bee Prepared Day in Darlington.  There were also more varied local training days such as Planning and Sustainable Housing.

Other Actions

• Gerry attended the ‘Broomhill Air Quality Symposium’ on 21st April 2012.  
• Richard reported on his visit to the Garden Organic AGM at the May meeting.
• Liddy helped out on 15th September on a Greenpeace stall to lobby MPs about the Electricity Market Reform Bill.
• Richard attended the Sheffield Food Conference on 13th September and wrote a short report.
• Maureen wrote in support of Holbrook Biomass plant providing it is locally sourced.
• We opposed the RecyCoal planning application with a draft letter of objection being circulated among members.  Unfortunately this was passed at the January planning meeting. 
• Met with Cllr Jack Scott in October to discuss SCC environmental policy.
• We opposed the widening of the Incinerator’s resource base to as far away as Newark.  A sample bullet pointed letter was circulated among members for them to lodge their objections.
• Maureen’s letter about fracking was featured in January 10th Sheffield Telegraph.
• John talked to Sheffield Rotary Club about Sheffield FoE on 12th February
• Beatrice and John lobbied David Blunkett on 9th March about putting pressure on the government about the Energy Bill

Clean British Energy - Green Jobs

On Saturday 13th October, a famous political advert from the 1970s was recreated outside Sheffield Town Hall as part of our campaign to create jobs in green industries. The stunt was inspired from the Saatchi and Saatchi ‘Labour Isn’t Working’ advert that helped win Margaret Thatcher the 1979 general election.

Many volunteers from Sheffield Friends of the Earth, other green groups, businesses and concerned citizens wore green hard hats and held solar panels.

The Sheffield Star featured our press release before the stunt but we didn't receive any publicity with our photos outside the Town Hall. See the article here http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/green-scene/protest-calls-for-more-green-jobs-1-5010270 

"Green Is Working" day of action outside Sheffield Town Hall 

Maureen Edwards from Sheffield Friends of the Earth said, "There needs to be more done to make people aware of the dreadful effects of the ‘Dash for Gas’ if this is allowed in the forthcoming Energy Bill. The alternative of investing in renewable energy would create jobs, prevent fuel bills continuing to rise astronomically and make UK far more self-sufficient in its energy needs".

If you are interested in holding stalls outside Howden House on different days of the week for the CBE campaign then please contact Maureen on med4u@hotmail.co.uk 

Bee Cause Walk

The Bee Walk was successful in promoting more urban meadow planting.  The map of Sheffield showing bee friendly gardens was handed over to Councillor Sylvia Anginotti and is to be displayed with our materials in the reception area of the Town Hall.  John is to investigate how Sheffield FoE could be involved in planting a meadow in Sheffield.

Green Fair

We attended the Green Fair in June and managed to get signatures in support of the Bee Cause campaign and also the Clean British Energy campaign.

A Royal Clean Up

Sheffield Friends of the Earth worked hard to clean up Penistone Road verges at the end of the Jubilee Weekend.  Assisting them were four members of the ‘Royal Family’ who took time out from their busy schedule to clean up some of the mess created by the festivities.  Such a kind offer couldn't be refused.  After meeting at the New Barrack Tavern, members of Sheffield Friends of the Earth worked their way carefully along Penistone Road towards Sheffield.  Altogether 14 bags of litter were collected and the group then deservedly put their feet up for a drink and a meal at a local pub.

Tremendous Tree Planting

Members of Sheffield Friends of the Earth  gathered on Sunday 19th February to plant 105 new trees in Greenhill Park, Low Edges as part of a national project to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Working with the Woodland Trust and Tim Shortland, Sheffield Council’s community forestry manager, our members planted a variety of trees including hazel, blackthorn, hawthorn, silver birch, rowan, common oak and a royal oak to create a wooded area which will be ideal for attracting wildlife.

Volunteer Maureen Edwards said: “It was a lovely day out and I finally managed to plant an oak tree, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. The trees are next to a batch which were planted 15 years ago, so there will be a nice contrast in growth - and they will be joined by more trees which are to be planted by a local school group next week.”

The Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Woods Project aims to plant six million new trees and create hundreds of new woodlands during 2012.

For more details see:
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk 

Litter Pick 2011

Trisha, Liddy and Maureen took part in another litter pick around the Ecclesall Road area of Sheffield.

Age of Austerity Tea Dance

Sheffield Friends of the Earth campaigners organised a stall at the Age of Austerity’ Tea dance at Sheffield Town Hall on Friday 25th March.  It was an event around the theme of low cost / low energy living, taking its inspiration from the 1940s when everything was rationed. The organisers looked wonderful, dressed up in 1940s outfits, they were playing "big band" music from the era, the hall was beautifully decorated with union jacks, and everybody was given "old money", from pre-metric days, to pay for the refreshments. Unfortunately the theme does not seem to have caught the imagination of the people of Sheffield and there were very few visitors.

We had decided it was a good opportunity to encourage people to think about their diet and cut down on their meat consumption. We had a book of recipes from the war years - when the diet was very limited, which we thought would attract attention and be a talking point (which it was), and we gave out free samples of lentil salad and numerous recipes for dishes requiring little or no meat, but unfortunately there were very few people to appreciate our efforts. However, those who did come to the stall, did seem to be genuinely interested and keen to try out the recipes.

At least Amyan, Beatrice and Trisha had a very relaxing afternoon, and Trisha didn’t  have to worry about what to eat for the next few days and she had a fridge full of lentil salad.

Waste Campaign

From yoghurt pots to CDs, we know that people across the UK are fed up with having to bin so much rubbish and much of it could be avoided in the first place if companies cut unnecessary packaging and products were built to last.  The Government is now deciding what to do about the nation's rubbish and the results of this Waste Review are due in May, so we have a massive opportunity to push for an ambitious goal to halve household 'black bag' waste by 2020. We're also asking for a similar goal for businesses to cut the amount of waste they bury and burn.

To make the campaign visible to the Government, several members of Sheffield Friends of the Earth joined a spoof version of David Cameron outside the Town Hall to call for a 50% reduction in household waste. The stunt obtained press coverage and the photograph below in the Sheffield Star.

For more details of the campaign see www.foe.co.uk/what_we_do/talking_half_rubbish_27167.html

Group News: Summer - Autumn 2010

Funding
The Red Deer pub is allowing us to host our meetings cost free. Before we were paying £10 per meeting. Despite this saving we do need to raise some funds as the Green Film Festival has cost us a few hundred pounds. We would like to thank all our members who have made donations in the past. Any new donations would be greatly appreciated.

Award For Amyan
Sheffield Friends of the Earth campaigner, Amyan Macfadyen,  scooped a green award from the environmental campaign Care4Air. Amyan has spent three years turning his 140-year-old semi into a perfect example of ecological living by generating his own electricity, heating hot water, collecting rainfall and using a wood burning heating system.

Membership
We have seen another increase in the number of people on the SheffieldFOE electronic mailing list. It now stands at 147.  To help us keep members when they attend our meetings we have put together a new information pack.

Conference
Our new co-ordinator, Beatrice Greenfield, will be attending the Local Groups’ Annual Conference in September.

Lectures
Later this year there will be a number of lectures with plenty of time for questions and discussion as part of Plan 2050 Lectures. The 4 lectures  are based around a theme of,  The Economy: Servant or Tyrant?

The Case for Zero Growth
Thursday 14 October:  Chris Brazier: co-editor of New internationalist
Sheffield Cathedral 7:00p.m.

Moving to a No Growth Society
Thursday 21 October: Saamah Abdallah, New Economics Foundation
Cathedral 7:00 p.m.

A Truly Human Economy:
Thursday 11 November: Tarek El Diwany & Bishop Peter Selby.
Christian and Muslim approaches
Town Hall 7:00 p.m.

The Power of Community:
Thursday 18th November: Stephanie Bradley, Transition Towns
Cathedral – Campo Lane entrance
Film showing of ‘The Power of Community’ 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Lecture: 7p.m.

Tickets £3 - concessions £1:50

Litter Pick 2010

For the second year running, members of Sheffield Friends of the Earth got their hands dirty cleaning up litter near Ecclesall Road. Thanks to everyone who took part

350 & 10:10 Campaign

On the 24th October, people in 181 countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the world, people gathered to call for action on the climate crisis. The 350 campaign refers to the number, in parts per million, scientists have identified as the safe level for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Sheffield Friends of the Earth joined forces with other local environmental groups to create the following picture to raise awareness locally.

Ash Climate Change Gig

Following on from the Big Ask Climate Change stall at Razorlight’s concert last year, Sheffield Friends of the Earth campaigners, Maureen, Shaun, Siobhan, Julie, Liddy and Steve asked Ash fans to sign about 150 postcards at their October 25th gig at the Octagon centre (University of Sheffield). The postcards ask MPs to make the climate change bill stronger than the current version. Besides Ash displaying two large FoE banners inside the Octagon, they are promoting the Big Ask on their web site and will be making a donation at the end of the tour.

Big Ask Big MP Lobby

The official Big Ask Big MP Lobby ran during the months of September and October. Its aim was to ask local constituents to ask their MP to write to David Miliband and Tony Blair requesting the government introduces a Climate Change Bill in November’s Queen’s Speech.

Nationally, at least 602 MPs were contacted. In Sheffield, Nick Clegg , the Liberal Democrat MP agreed to write to Miliband and Blair. He also agreed to a photo opportunity and a press release. David Blunkett only replied after the Queen’s speech to tell us that a climate change bill had been mentioned in the speech. Other labour MPs tried to avoid this issue with the exception of Clive Betts who agreed to send a letter supporting a Climate Change Bill.

After the Bill was mentioned in the Queen’s speech the BBC political correspondent Nick Robinson said, “People often say does anything change politics, well it has here.  Friends of the Earth did a rising campaign for a Climate Change Bill, Ministers pooh poohed the idea.  “What is the point of a Bill” they said. “Nonsense it wouldn't be worth the paper it is written on.”  David Cameron then adopted it as his key theme.  Ming Campbell's first big policy announcement on green taxes and  Ministers gradually have said “Okay a Bill.”

The next stage of the campaign will kick off in 2007 so watch out for more campaigning.

 

Gene Beast

In April of this year Sheffield Friends of the Earth was planning to take the Gene Beast (see picture) to several Tesco stores in Sheffield to highlight the fact that their own brand products contained GM ingredients. We had the idea of travelling to one store on their park and ride bus painted with the Tesco logo. However, at short notice, Tesco announced that they would be removing GM ingredients from their products (good news!) but this left us with the Gene Beast costume and no one to target (bad news!). Rather than doing nothing we decide to walk around Sheffield on the start of Environment week to raise awareness of GM issues and to hand out leaflets.

Because the Gene Beast was so ugly many members of the public stopped to look it which allow us to get the message across to them. From the reaction on the streets it would seem that the majority of the public are against this method of food production.

Transport Campaigns: Dec 1996 - April 1997

Transport Campaign - Review of 1996
1996 was a very active year for our Transport group due to our own campaign priorities such as the Public Transport Information Campaign and the opportunities created by FoE in London (FoE’s main target this year was the car).

Some of the many transport related events carried out during the last year include: Smog busting, chairing the public meeting for the Road Traffic Reduction Bill, several visits to the Newbury by-pass site, Action against Costain, surrounding the Department of Transport in London, putting the car on trial, entering the monster car in the Lord Mayor’s parade and winning 2nd prize, commenting on the Council’s transport bid for Government cash, getting the Telegraph to publish the Cars Cost the Earth quiz and numerous other things.

Next year’s campaigning probably won’t be as hectic as this year’s, but nevertheless, we’ll continue to focus on the lack of public transport information and we’ll take up other issues when sensible to do so.

Smog Busting on London Road - 1996

Monster Car - Lord Mayor's Parade 1996

Cars Cost the Earth Quiz
As promised by Sheffield Telegraph, our Cars Cost the Earth quiz was featured in the edition dated Friday 18th October 1996. It occupied nearly one-third of a page and contained all the text we wanted printing.

This quiz has obviously been  seen by thousands of Sheffield people and should hopefully attract their attention more than a standard press release due to the prizes we could offer them.

All too often we tell you about campaign successes, such as this one, but it’s not common for us to talk about how we achieve the success and how much work is really involved. So here goes....

The only people involved in promoting this quiz were Shaun and Rebecca. Fortunately, not much effort was needed as the letters asking for prizes and the actual text for the quiz were produced for us by FoE in London.  All we had to do is change the words “Friends of the Earth” to “Sheffield Friends of the Earth” and then post a few letters.

The only other requirement for doing something like this is to be available during the day so that you can contact journalists and the people donating prizes. If this is a problem, as it was in this case, there is always someone willing to help you - so don’t feel that you have to do everything on your own.

The reason for mentioning this is to show that campaigning and getting involved needn't be difficult or time consuming. The battery-free radio campaign will operate in a similar way to this campaign whereby most of the work is done for us by the wonderful people in London. Perhaps people would like to help Rebecca promote the battery free radio?

Transport - Healthy Sheffield
We have enclosed a leaflet about this public consultation with the Newsletter, the full document is available free from Healthy Sheffield, address in the leaflet. We will be responding as a group (even though we were involved in writing the document), but it would be great if a lot of our members responded as private citizens. If you work, would your employer give a favourable response? If yes, encourage them to do so. And if you are involved in any other group of any sort please try to persuade them to send in their comments.

Things you might want to ask for include:

• better co-ordination of public transport,
• cross ticketing, 
• better facilities for cyclists and walkers, 
• good bus stop information, 
• traffic calming for the area you live or work in, 
• less traffic in the city centre and in neighbourhood shopping areas.

You could use this consultation as an opportunity to raise transport issues with your employer:

• do they provide changing facilities for cyclists?
• do they encourage employers to use public transport by subsidising bus passes rather than company cars?
• could they give cycle mileage allowances?
• do they tell visitors how to get there by public transport?

If you can't think what to say Sheffield Friends of the Earth’s response will be available in late January, please phone Rebecca Higman for a copy.
 
N.B. The consultation period has been extended to the end of March 1997.

Less Traffic Rally in London
On Wednesday 22 January 1997 there will be a chance to show the weight of numbers behind the Road Traffic Reduction Bill. First there will be a rally at Westminster Central Hall (assembling at 1pm) before going over to the House of Commons to lobby our MPs.

To transport members from Sheffield to London we are planning to take advantage of the rail offer which allows 4 people to travel to London and back for about £28 (this will cost £3.50 to London and £3.50 back). However, to do this we need people to contact us as soon as possible so that we can book the tickets which are available in limited numbers.

To pay for the tickets we will collect your money every time we have 4 people confirmed as wanting to go to London. For more information contact Shaun.

Public Transport Information Campaign
Now that most of the Cars Cost the Earth stunts have been completed the transport group has found time to carry on with the Public Transport Information Campaign which aims to encourage the SYPTE and bus companies to provide better information at bus/tram stops and on board vehicles.

We have recently written another letter to the SYPTE asking them to tell us how far the have got (obviously not very far) and whether we could arrange another meeting. Members of the group are also contacting several bus companies for their opinions.

After completing this and other research if nothing has happened we are planning to undertake a stunt which would involve putting information posters on one bus stop in the City Centre so that the public can see what they are missing out on.                                                        

We would use this as a media stunt to embarrass the SYPTE and to encourage the public to make a fuss about the issue.

Call For Help With Tram & Cycle Study
The MVA Consultancy is conducting a study to ascertain how cyclists can safely be accommodated in the design of rapid transit systems and to investigate the potential for local trips to combine both cycling and rapid transit modes.

They are interested in the experiences (both good and bad) of cyclists with rapid transit systems and would be particularly keen to hear from any who have suffered an accident while cycling which involved either the rapid transit vehicle or the tracks.

Please email Rosemary Sharples on enquiries@mva.co.uk or write to her at The MVA Consultancy, 26th Floor, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4BT.

Further details can be found at:
http://www.mva-group.com/interest/pressrel/cyclrt1.htm.