PRESS RELEASE: Latest Alexandra Park Developments

Posted on February 22, 2013 by arwafreelance

Campaigners from the Save Alexandra Park have sent us this press release about the recent shift in council policy. It seems that the plans to cut back the tennis courts in the park from six to four – something which the council has painted as a compromise – was actually planned back in August 2011. More details below.

Council’s ‘Recent’ U-Turn on Park Plans

Were Already in Place as Far Back as August 2011

Manchester City Council appears to have scaled back controversial tree felling plans for Alexandra Park in Whalley Range against which local residents have been campaigning since December last year, but the changes were actually made as far back as August 2011.

Although numerous trees have already been felled, it has been reported that only four new tennis courts will be built instead of the original six and a further 33 trees due to be chopped down will be allowed to remain.

In an email dated 18th August 2011 Darren Ashton, Tennis Development Officer for Manchester, informed local residentIan Brewer that:

“Planning permission was submitted for a 6 tennis court facility, however we are planning to construct a 4 court facility with a view of increasing to 6 if there is the demand.”

This is a clear indication that the council may never have planned to build the full six tennis courts at all and yet are releasing this information to give the impression that they are responding to the on-going protest by local residents.

While those supporting the campaign to minimise the number of trees felled and amount of habitat lost in the redevelopment are pleased with the result they are still very concerned with the way the Council have released this information.

A spokeswoman for the Save Alexandra Park Trees Campaign said:

“Our major concern which will no doubt be shared by all those who rely on the Council for services and transparent, meaningful consultation in the development of their communities, is that the Council seem to be presenting a case to the press which is at odds with the simple truth: this is not a recent decision.

“This decision was made nearly two years ago and is being used now to try and silence an increasingly vocal and widely supported campaign to ensure that the regeneration of Alexandra Park goes ahead with the minimum loss of biodiversity and the maximum of meaningful community engagement and dialogue.

“If they are using this as a way to placate us, then where else are they fudging the truth?”

The Save Alexandra Park Trees Campaign began in December 2012 following the public unveiling of plans to regenerate the park. The protest has been gaining steady momentum since then, with over 4000 signatures on a petition. Although many trees have already been lost the campaign goes on, with the council set to begin felling this week within metres of herons nesting in the lake area.

 

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Something for the Weekend 22 February 2013 #Manchester #Climate

Posted on February 22, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

To get your weekend off to a start- a bad joke.

Q. Why did the mother of twins name both of her sons Edward?

A. Because two Eds are better than one.

And this weekend…

Fri 22nd, 10.45pm “Take Notice” reading on book at bedtime, Radio 4.  From Adam Thorpe’s short story in a forthcoming collection called “Beacons” (to be launched on Thurs 7th March, here in Manchester!!

Sat 23rd Feb, 11am-4pm. Fracking Training Day. Friends of the Earth are running this at Green Fish Resource Centre, 46-50 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE.  This is about how to use the planning system to oppose fracking in your local area and how to get your council to adopt a frack-free policy. For more info, email helen.rimmer@foe.co.uk

Well, there’s nothing much else that we know about. So if you know of weekend events that are about “climate” (and that includes food growing, or cycling or whatever), then let us know and we can include them in future “Something for the Weekend”s…

And if you know any jokes of the high standard we’ve used so far, please submit ’em.

Posted in Something for the Weekend | 2 Comments

Upcoming Event: Free Energy Efficiency training for Third Sector and Not-for-Profit organisations #Manchester #climate

Posted on February 22, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Got this in an email newsletter. Please forward on to anyone you think will be interested.

Free training for Third Sector and Not for Profit organisations

Groundwork MSSTT are holding a series of Energy Efficiency Workshops with funding from the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC). If you’re an organisation that would like to become more energy efficient and are in the third sector or a non-for-profit organisation in Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Tameside or Trafford, then this course can help you to start to understand and manage your energy use.

The course will cover:
> Energy – The Current Issue
> Energy Management In The Workplace
> Energy Use In An Office Environment
> Raising Staff Awareness

The 1 day course is held in various locations around Greater Manchester on the following dates, (please see the booking form to see which location would be suitable for you) :
> 12th March
> 13th March
> 20th March
> 21st March

If you would like to book, please download the flyer and scan and email it back to us at msstt.ebs@groundwork.org.uk or book online [click here]

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Upcoming Listening Event: “Take Notice” by Adam Thorpe. Radio 4, Fri 22nd, 10.45pm #climate

Posted on February 21, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

takenoticeFri 22nd, 10.45pm “Take Notice” reading on book at bedtime, Radio 4.  From Adam Thorpe’s short story in a forthcoming collection called “Beacons” (to be launched on Thurs 7th March, here in Manchester!!

Beacons - final fianl flier

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New (draft) video on #Manchester #climate “history” – please critique

Posted on February 21, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

The MCFly co-editors have been invited to run a workshop at an academic talk-fest, on the subject of Manchester’s climate efforts.  We said “yes if we can also run a session on the (potential and actual) role academics play in supporting social movements.” It’s all kicking off very imminently. We will be using “ASK” methodology to do this (Novice Lines and small group work).

Anyway, here’s the video. It’s crude (rough) and a first draft – “published in beta” as some of the young folk say.  If we found the time to polish the …., what should we add, leave out, change? And if you’re a graphic designer wot would want to help out, please get in touch…

PS If you want to have a laugh about some academics, then there is this fish-barrel-shotgun blog post from a while back…
https://manchesterclimatemonthly.net/2012/12/26/not-news-flash-academics-in-laughable-jargon-shocker/
PPS If you want to have a cry about some academics, then there is this fish-barrel-shotgun post from a further while back…
https://manchesterclimatemonthly.net/2012/06/23/event-report-a-game-of-one-half-witnessed/
PPPS If you want to see how academics could tackle relevant theory and produce useful information for social movements, here’s this from a whiler backer still…
https://manchesterclimatemonthly.net/2012/06/23/article-review-growing-grassroots-innovations/

Posted in academia, Climate Change Action Plan, Manchester City Council, youtubes | 6 Comments

PMT #8: Tell us what you would like to see MCFly do more of and less of?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

It’s a lonely old business running this newsletter/blog. We know we annoy some people by writing articles about things that AREN’T going well, exposing hypocrisies and unkept promises.  We know that many of our most popular posts are the ones that focus on local community action (e.g. the recent interview with Cassie Norman).

We don’t, generally, know what people think we should be doing more of, less of.

So your practical mcmonthly task for this week is – let us know.  There may well only be 10 more issues of the print edition. What should be in them? What should we stop doing? What should we start doing?

Our email is mcmonthly@gmail.com

pmtlogo

Posted in Democratic deficit, Manchester City Council, PMT, Steady State Manchester | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Event Report: Ragged University on #food, #Manchester, #climate change and, yes, marijuana

Posted on February 20, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Two excellent presentations about economics and trees, food and the future, by Judith Emanuel and Jules Bagnoli at a Northern Quarter pub this evening were highly entertaining…

Ragged University is “an attempt to think about and explain ideas in an open dialogue on how effective positive social change can be brought about…whilst having fun and meeting people…”  They’ve been going for three years, and holding events at the rather lovely Castle Hotel on Oldham St for a little while.

Tonight there were two speakers – Judith Emanuel from “Steady State Manchester” looking at what the work of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maatthai might have to teach Mancunians and then Jules Bagnoli, looking at “Manchester’s Food De-industrialisation.”

Refreshingly the two speakers worked together at the outset to find out a little more about the forty or so people in the room. Who grows any of their own food, they asked – many hands went up. Where are people from (mostly, it seems, South Manchester). Who’d heard of Wangari Maatthai? A few hands…

Judith spoke about the Steady State Manchester project (see disclaimer!), showed a short and very inspirational film about her work.

After a short break, Jules Bagnoli took over, with a powerpoint presentation which we hope to be able to embed in this post soon.

She explained how she had been the founder of two restaurants, and had gotten interested in ‘authentic’ English food. After researching medieval and Georgian menus, she had tried to source local foods, only to find that many ingredients she wanted to use had to be imported from France and Belgium.

From what I jotted down –

  • In 1940 Manchester was 80% self-sufficient in food. And in 2010. 0.25%
  • “Efficient farming” is extremely insufficient – (all the hidden costs around destruction of biodiversity, water usage, fuel costs in transport and fertilizer).
  • Local authorities have sold off hugely fertile areas in Greater Manchester, for shopping malls and housing developments.
  • In 1789 you could get 8 apple varieties in Salford markets, 27 kinds of pears (e.g. the idea that the current set -up allows us more choice is illusory.

She gave a shout out to the following groups

Nano Food Network
Abundance
Unicorn Grocery
Kindling Trust
Biospheric Foundation
Cracking Good Food
Moss Cider
Black Cat Cakery
Forest Foods

She also, semi-tongue in cheek, pointed out that there is a LOT of marijuana being grown indoors these days, by people who now have quite advanced geeky skills around watering and lighting crops indoors.

All in all, both speakers were informative, engaging and well-worth hearing. After a break (we were meeting in a pub, after all), there was a group discussion about what lessons could be brought down to a Manchester level…

The events are free, and the food tonight was scrummy. The next event is on Thursday May 2nd and they are looking for volunteers to help make things happen.

Marc Hudson
mcmonthly@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The MCFly co-editors are friends of Judith Emanuel’s, and are, with her, also members of the Steady State Manchester collective.

Posted in education, Event reports, Food | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Interview with Cassie Norman* of Save Alexandra Park Trees #Manchester #biodiversity #campaigning – er, Nolan!!

Posted on February 19, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Every month we publish an interview with a local activist in the print edition of Manchester Climate Monthly.  Here’s a sneak preview of the March edition, with Cassie Norman Nolan, one of the many people who have been involved in the campaign to “Save Alexandra Park Trees.”

me3What is your campaign trying to achieve?
We are trying to stop the unnecessary felling of trees and the destruction of a cherished natural wildlife habitat within Alexandra Park, Manchester, a park regularly used and loved by locals. The park is undergoing a major renovation since receiving funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and MCC. At what should be a time for celebration and togetherness in the community, we have division, anger and upset because of an incredibly poor ‘consultation’ process. As the public who own the park, we want to be included and actively involved in the plans so that we can ensure all of the park users needs are met. Ultimately, we want MCC and the HLF to hold their hands up, admit that they have made a mistake, to put it right and ensure that moving forward, they seriously review their consultation processes which has failed the public gravely.

Why did you get involved?
I was so surprised and angered with the senseless destruction that I saw at the park and the lack of local consultation. Almost everyone I have spoken to about the park renovations knew nothing about them. How could this be? I was so moved by my emotions and the urgency with which the felling was taking place, that before I knew it, I had organised my first ever protest for the next day.

What sustains you?
The sheer momentum of the campaign and the contagious positivity from all involved has kept me driven and focussed. The feedback from the public has been brilliant – really motivating and encouraging. When times get tough, the sight of the destruction in the park and the feeling of injustice at what has happened spurs me on to take action. A desire to see change, coupled with a positive mindset is all you need!

What was the last big success your campaign had?
There has been overwhelming support for the protests and the petition from the local community and people of Manchester. On Saturday 09/02/13 we held our 2nd protest at the park, this time covered by the BBC news, ITV and other media. The sense of togetherness and positivity in the face of adversity was really inspiring. The media presence supported us to evidence the sheer numbers of locals attending – we have previously been referred to as a ‘handful of noisy protesters’ by MCC – now with the petition almost at 4000 signatures and the fantastic turn out at the protests, it is getting harder by the day for them to deny our numbers!

If people got involved in your group/campaign, what sorts of things would they end up doing?
The campaign has grown very organically, with several groups of locals initially starting campaigning on their own and later coming together as a strong collective.
People support in a variety of different ways, playing to their individual strengths. Anyone can get involved in any way that they feel they are able to contribute positively. We have people investigating the adherence to legal requirements and regulations in all aspects of the work being done, from planning and environmental, to ecological and wildlife issues. Gathering evidence to challenge any breeches we find and letter writing to MPs, Councillors, MCC and HLF plays a crucial part. There is a permanent protest camp at the site with people camping out and in tree houses. We have people in the park finding evidence of bird nesting behaviour in the trees to be felled. Others are managing the savealexandraparkstrees website, organising protests, creating leaflets and distributing them to raise awareness of the campaign and the petition.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing in the world, what would it be?
If I could wave a magic wand to bring a heightened sense of awareness, compassion and respect to every human being at all times, I’d hope we could all genuinely work together for the first time to make the world a truly beautiful and equal place for every living thing.

What advice do you wish you could give your younger self?
None at all. All of the lessons I have learnt and everything that has happened has made me who I am today and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Posted in Biodiversity | Leave a comment

Upcoming Event: Beacons (short stories about #climate) launch in #Manchester Thurs 7th March

Posted on February 18, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Beacons - final fianl flier

Disclaimer: the MCFly editors are members of the Steady State Manchester collective

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#Manchester #climate nuggets Feb 18th 2013 #mcc #acertainfuture #acretinfuture

Posted on February 18, 2013 by manchesterclimatemonthly

Hi all,

if you’re interested in democracy and cancelled elections and so on, you probably want to read this post. And then you can decide if you’re going to a) send letters [of our devising or your own – it’s a free country!] or else b) decide it’s all too much effort.

soylentgreenSee you at the coalface.  And don’t forget, next Monday evening (6pm)  you can come along to a free screening of “Soylent Green”, organised by MCFly and “Trauma“, an MMU film group.  To be followed the following Monday (4th March) by the classic “The Day the Earth Caught Fire” and the week after (Mon 11th) by “Mindwalk”.  All to be followed by conversations at a nearby pub (the Sandbar).  Details here.

Arwa Aburawa and Marc Hudson

Coming up this week

Tues 19th, “Wangari Maathai – some lessons from the Global South for a Steady State Manchester” Judith Emmanuel of Steady State Manchester. Castle Hotel, Oldham St.

Tues 19th, 7–9pm — and the same time each following Tuesday — Manchester Green Party and Manchester Young Greens members, friends and supporters meet at Kro Bar, 325 Oxford Road (opposite the University of Manchester students union building). There’s no agenda — just meet, talk, share information & ideas.

Tues 19th, 7pm to 9pm Transition Moss Side showing “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil” The Phil Martin Centre, 137-139 Princess Road. contact trasitionmossside@gmail.com for more information

Tues 19th, 7pm to 9pm Anti-fracking meeting at Friends Meeting House, Mount St

Wednesday 20th, 4:00-5:30pm, ‘Belligerent urbanism: time to create a new policy narrative’ Neil McInroy, Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
1.69/1.70, Humanities Bridgeford Street
Planning and Environmental Management Seminar Series

Weds 20th 6.30 to 8.30pm Friends of the Earth bee campaigning meeting.
“As you may have read in the media and through FOE, things are buzzing on the bee campaign with many MPs backing Friends of the Earth’s call for a National Bee Action Plan and several high street companies banning neo-nicotinoids from their pesticide range.
To keep the momentum going the group are holding a meeting this Wednesday to update people on this year’s plan for the campaign and to start organising for stalls and hopefully a bee friendly wild flower meadow.
“We will be building a bee costume and making bee ‘hotels’ as well as looking at the new bee resources available from FOE this year.
“If you would like to find out more and get involved please join us!”
Green Fish Resource Centre, 46-50 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE
More info: Contact stephanielynch86@googlemail.com

Weds 20th. First meeting of “Econowhat?” Getting involved in the Manchester ‘econowhat?’ reading group will help you understand the basics of the financial crisis and what that means for social justice in the UK and the rest of the world. Peverill at the Peak, I think.

Fri 22nd, 10.45pm “Take Notice” reading on book at bedtime, Radio 4.  From Adam Thorpe’s short story in a forthcoming collection called “Beacons” (to be launched on Thurs 7th March, here in Manchester!!

Stories you may have missed on the MCFly website

Things to read while the algae grows on your fur (None of it is cheerful)

Bob Watson (former IPCC head) says hello 5 degrees

The koala in the coalmine…

Things worse than we thought #94

Rich people funding climate denial. In other news, Pope retires, still Catholic. New Pope will be… Catholic.

A tale of two presidents – Obama and Mujica

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