2012 River Stour Renewel articles:

Work begins to save the shabby Stour

3:58pm Monday 13th February 2012 in News

Volunteers cleaning the river Stour near Lye

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THE campaign to save the shabby river Stour got under way when a clean-up crew tackled litter in Lye.
Stourbridge environmentalists were out in force for the first of a series of events to remove rubbish and spruce up the river which they say has been neglected for too long.
Members of Transition Stourbridge joined a Pick 'n' Pint team from Tidy Stourbridge on February 12 to gather grot from Botts Lane, Dudley Road and Mears Coppice plus The Forge Industrial Estate and the River Stour.

David Colley, from Tidy Stourbridge, said “This was our most successful Pick’n'Pint in terms of numbers and litter collected, sadly we should not be in this position in the first place.
"The borough and the UK in general is sinking in it’s own filth and something has to be done to end this environmental vandalism."
During a 90 minute litter pick, around 30 activists filled 30 sacks with rubbish including car parts, fly-posters and wheel trims.
Six sacks of drinks cans were also collected which will be sold to raise cash for a cancer charity.
Transition Stourbridge is urging people to join their campaign to clear up the waterway which gives Stourbridge its name.

The group is planning a series of events during the summer to rid the river of rubbish and pollution which is an eyesore and threatens wildlife.
More events are planned for next month, Tidy Stourbridge will be hitting the streets on Sunday March 11, meeting at 2pm at The Samson and Lion, Brierley Hill Road, Wordsley.
On Sunday March 25 the river will again be the focus of both group's workers during a litter pick from 2pm starting at the Stour, Bagley Street, Lye.

For more information visit www.transitionstourbridge.co.uk or www.tidystourbridge.org.uk

Stour campaigners set for Lye litter pick

12:00pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in News

THE campaign to restore shabby sections of the River Stour is on its way to Lye this weekend.
Members of the Tidy Stourbridge group are planning to team up with Transition Stourbridge for a litter pick on the Stour in Lye.
People are being urged to meet on Sunday February 12 at 2pm at the site of the Formula 1 Autocentre next to The Forge Industrial Estate, Dudley Road, Lye.
Activists are planning to work their way along the river, anyone planning to join the clesan-up is advised to bring suitable footwear and clothing.

Campaigners' SOS call to Save Our Stour

5:14pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in News

The shabby River Stour (Picture courtesy Graham Beckley)

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CAMPAIGNERS are sending out an SOS to rescue a neglected waterway which is at the heart of Stourbridge history.
The Transition Stourbridge group says it is time to Save Our Stour and is urging people to get involved with their project to transform the shabby litter-strewn river into a wildlife and tourist haven.
The eco-friendly group's River Project aims to highlight how people can play their part in cutting levels of litter and pollution in the Stour.
Rosanne Adams, from Transition Stourbridge, said: "When we did our first litter pick by the river we saw all this rubbish and we just knew that can't be right, it seemed to be in a neglected and sad state and full of plastic litter.
"There are some lovely areas along the Stour which are littered and pollution is very damaging for wildlife."
Transition Stourbridge says one of the major causes of pollution is household appliances which have been connected to drains that empty into the river.
The group is recommending people check with the Environment Agency to ensure items like washing machines are connected to pipework which will not pour chemicals into the river.
Transition Stourbridge's long-term aim is to work with the Waterside Care Project, a pilot scheme supported by British Waterways and the Environment Agency, to rid the river of damaging pollution and create trails for walkers along its banks.

The River Project is being launched as the town prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Stourbridge, when community activists cleared the area's canal in a demonstration of people power which pioneered the restoration of hundreds of miles of Britain's canals.
Russell Eden, founder member of Tidy Stourbridge and chairman of the Stourbug cycling group, believes the Stour has been forgotten by authorities who lack resources or the will to care for the river which gave Stourbridge its name.
Mr Eden said: "Anybody walking along the river in Stourbridge would be disgusted by what they see. Nothing ever happens, the people in charge are keeping it hidden - it is intentional neglect."

He added the River Rea in Birmingham is a good example of an urban river which has been regenerated to create attractive public spaces for visitors to the city.
Transition Stourbridge is calling for volunteers to join a Tidy Stourbridge river litter pick on Sunday February 12 or the first organised River Project litter pick on Sunday March 25.
For more information visit the group's exhibition at Stourbridge Library or call Rosanne Adams on 01384 390095.

the 25 BILLION POUND OLYMPIC GAMES

STOP the games, start spending money wisely. Maybe...

Food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, SPORTING FACILITIES?

HOW MANY SWIMMING POOLS AND FOOTBALL PITCHES

COULD BE BUILT, MAINTAINED AND/OR SAVED

WITH A FRACTION OF THE MONEY SPENT ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES 2012

(Consider the costs of security alone?)

Can anybody have a conversation or be heard through the torrent of 2012 OLYMPIC NON-SENSE in the news?

--Steve Fly.



From the HUFF:

"London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton claimed that the costs of the £9.3 billion Olympic project was in "very good shape" in the face of reports that the budget could spiral to £24 billion.
Sky News said a compilation of costs not included in the public sector funding package came to an extra £2.4 billion but when the counter-terrorism budget, intelligence and security costs, extra policing and transport upgrades were included, the total came to just over £24 billion.
--http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/27/london-2012-olympic-village-handover_n_1235738.html?ref=uk

Council accused of gagging members

My experiences with Dudley Council and the closure of Brierley Hill and Coseley Baths also reflect this 'back handed' 'law cost infected' 'cheating' and 'double crossing' on behalf of the M.P's, and the council reps.

If there's this level of foul play in swimming pool politics imagine what it must be like with the rest of what they get up too!

--Steve fly

 

 

Council accused of gagging members

Monday, January 30, 2012

The Sentinel

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LEGAL officials at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have been accused of gagging politicians – after they banned a public question on the Dimensions fiasco.
Independent councillor Lee Wanger formally submitted a question on the long-running pool closure controversy ahead of Thursday's full council meeting.

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   Question: Independent councillor Lee Wanger

But council officer Paul Hackney told him the question had been refused because it contravened the authority's constitution.
The row comes months after WaterWorld owner Mo Chaudry was paid £21,850 by the council after he threatened legal action over the issue. The council spent a further £22,500 on its own legal bills.
Mr Chaudry has claimed the authority broke a secret deal to shut the Burslem splash pool and pay him £100,000-per-year to offer discounted swimming at WaterWorld.
Mr Wanger had hoped to draw a line under the controversy by persuading somebody within the council to admit a mistake was made, only for his question to be refused.
He said: "I wanted to ask a simple yes or no question to Mark Meredith, who was the elected mayor at the time, on whether he made the offer to Mo Chaudry.
"But Mr Hackney told me it might prejudice the arbitration.
"The deal has never added up. You don't close down a business to save £60,000 and offer a competitor £100,000 to give a discount. If somebody would finally put their hands up and admit to a mistake it could all be resolved but nobody has been willing to do that."
The latest row comes months after Mr Hackney warned councillors against discussing a motion on the aborted Dimensions closure at a full council meeting in October.
He told members the council must keep all further details confidential to avoid breaching the legal agreement with Mr Chaudry.
But fellow independent councillor Dave Conway, leader of the opposition, accused the council of acting like the "Gestapo".
He said: "This shows a complete lack of openness and transparency.
"The council has taken away an elected member's right to ask questions in a democratic chamber."
Mr Hackney today defended his decision to refuse to accept the question.
The assistant director of legal services said: "A question was asked by a councillor which was in breach of the rules councillors must follow when asking a question.
"Questions can only be asked of the council leader, relevant portfolio holder or committee chairman.
"In this case the question was directed to a separate individual and the reason for not allowing the question was given to the councillor.
"To allow the question to go forward would also go against the clear statement on the council's legal position made at the October meeting regarding a confidential mediation settlement and the consequences of any breach of confidentiality."

Police close investigation into Dimensions pool row

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Sentinel

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POLICE investigators have ruled out taking any further action over the Dimensions splash pool closure row.
City Independents party leader Dave Conway asked Staffordshire Police to reopen their investigation into Stoke-on-Trent City Council's botched plans to close the Burslem splash pool.
He said the council's £22,000 settlement to WaterWorld owner Mo Chaudry, which saw the council acknowledge talks had taken place with the businessman, contradicted earlier assurances that no meetings had taken place.
But officers visited Mr Conway yesterday and said there was insufficient new evidence to reopen inquiries.
He said: "I'm very disappointed. The issue could have been resolved three years ago if the council had held their hands up, but they have continued to muddy the waters."
Mr Chaudry was paid to drop his legal threat, which followed claims the authority broke a deal to close the pool and pay WaterWorld £100,000-per-year to offer a discount.
A police spokesman said: "We have now reviewed this matter. We are satisfied there is no new information contained within the complaint.
"We won't be taking any further action."

Disused Shelton pool will be knocked down

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

The Sentinel

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A SWIMMING pool at the centre of a year-long campaign to save it from closure is set to be demolished.
Bulldozers will move in to clear the Shelton Pool site, although no time scale has been given for when the work will begin.

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   GOING: Shelton pool, and, above inset, our stories on the closure.

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Hundreds of people who relied on the pool signed petitions and helped launch a campaign to keep the facility open when it was earmarked for closure as part of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's £35.6m budget cuts.
But the complex shut at the end of March last year, along with Tunstall Pool, to save the council £160,000.
Once the building is demolished, the future of the site will be reviewed.
A report to councillors states: "The pool could form part of a larger redevelopment with adjacent council premises, which are the subject of a review."
Helen Burgess, pictured below, was among those who campaigned to save the pool, which was used by people suffering from medical conditions as part of their rehabilitation.
The retired hairdresser, of Millfield Crescent, Milton, who used the pool because of a long-term medical condition, said: "It's very annoying to hear that the pool will be demolished.
"We asked the council if they had any plans for the future of the pool, and they told us they hadn't. They never said anything about it being knocked down.
"I can see the building being demolished and the land being left with rubble on it for years."
Fellow campaigner Martin Hamp now uses the swimming pool at the Quality Hotel in Hanley.
The 57-year-old, of Blythe Bridge, who had used the Shelton facility for 18 years, said: "It suits our needs because of the temperature and it is not too deep. But I have had to pay for a private pool because the council decided to close Shelton. Not everyone can afford to do that. We did ask them if they could transfer some of the facilities to Fenton Manor and create a bolt-on facility, but the council wouldn't look into it.
"I don't feel the council have been honest with us over the closure.
"I don't see how much more the people of Stoke-on-Trent will be willing to put up with."
Julie Latham first started going to Shelton Pool in 2005 after being diagnosed with lupus after the joints in her hands, arms, legs and feet had completely locked.
Her situation deteriorated when she collapsed and found out she also suffered from the blood complaint thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
But the 47-year-old from Endon says the trips to Shelton gave her a sense of independence.
She said: "I had spent seven weeks at the Haywood Hospital and I was then sent to Shelton.
"It was all geared up and was perfect for what I needed and I felt like I had my independence back. I think it's disgusting that it has closed."
The council also plans to mothball Tunstall Pool, a Grade-II listed building, which dates back to 1888, before deciding what to do with it.

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Disused-Shelton-pool-knocked/story-15156579-detail/story.html

Mycoremediation Mycofiltration and Illumination

MYCOREMEDIATION MYCOFILTRATION AND ILLUMINATION
 
 I see many levels and ways to use the wonders of fungi and bioluminescent fungi, in helping the world wide restoration project that must grow, in helping us at least understand better, see better and act using the resources already at hand to speed the up the natural recovery process of earth's ecosystem and our part in it.

The following are some links and resources outlining the possibility of 'fungi' being recognized as a vital part of that 'clean up' operation, or process, in which we can naturally convert waste into useful material.

I have a special interest in using mycofiltration to help clean-up and balance the water in a particular river that first inspired my research into mycofiltration: The river Stour in the Black Country. This would require detailed study of the local environment, and an on-going controlled scientific operation, to be fully realized. Yet, much of the work can be done by inspired independent researchers if they have time and the effort.

Best wishes, steve fly



Bioremediation is the use of microorganism metabolism to remove pollutants. Technologies can be generally classified as in situ or ex situ. In situ bioremediation involves treating the contaminated material at the site, while ex situ involves the removal of the contaminated material to be treated elsewhere. Some examples of bioremediation technologies are phytoremediation, bioventing, bioleaching, landfarming, bioreactor, composting, bioaugmentation, rhizofiltration, and biostimulation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioremediation


"Here we present a brief introduction to fungal taxonomy and mycological techniques, introduce methods for isolating fungi and for growing them in the laboratory, define some important terms, review ex, amples of the successful applications of fungal organisms and enzymes for biodegradation, and point out the advantages and disadvantages of fungi as agents of bioremediation. http://www.aspergillus.org.uk/secure/articles/bennettbook1.pdf

"One industrial application of mycofiltration has been to prevent erosion due to water runoff. Its primary application has been on abandoned logging roads. The approach here has been to place bark and wood chips onto logging roads, and inoculate this wood debris with mycelia of native fungal species. As the wood chips decompose, the mycelial networks develop and they act as filters to prevent silt-flow. In the process, they also renew topsoils, spurring the growth of native flora and fauna.
Mycoremediation is a similar process, using mushrooms to remove contaminants from polluted environments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycofiltration


A great Biomimicry and sustainability blog:

http://bioluminescence.typepad.com/
Bioluminescence is one of my favorite naturally occurring phenomena. As the name of this blog it serves as an analogy for the way in which nature can illuminate our understanding of life. This blog is about sustainability and learning from nature i.e. biomimicry. The world is facing global problems and yes this is scary and yes there are lots of really bad things that are probably going to happen. Now that we’ve acknowledged that I want to switch lenses and see the glass half full. This blogs purpose is to present books, websites, designs, architecture, people, organizations, and ideas that make me feel hopeful and excited about a possible future that we will all be wanting to live in. A future that makes us feel like kids who know that christmas is just around the corner and can hardly wait for it. Please comment or ask questions about any posts you find interesting and for a look at what I'm working on, visit: The Barefoot Chronicles

http://bioluminescence.typepad.com/