A message to other countries looking to UK Sports

Hi, my name is Steven Pratt, i am 36 years old and I grew up in the UK 1976-2000. I was very FORTUNATE to have had a decent sporting career as a junior swimmer. (8-14 years old). Winning literally hundreds of races including over 20 Hereford and Worcestershire titles, and a douzen Midland District and National titles. I was pretty much unbeatable in Butterfly and Backstroke at the age of 11.

However, after my sports career ended and I could no longer train 8 times a week, i was advised that SPORTS should be my study, and so i studied sports at college, completing a 3 year 'Sports and Leisure studies' course at Stourbridge college. (1993) I gained employment as a Life Guard at the new Crystal Leisure centre in Stourbridge, which replaced the legendary old pool with a new Multi-million pound fun pool: not much fun for serious competitive swimmers though)

After a year or so as a lifeguard I went on to teach swimming in the Dudley area to youngsters for around two years. (and for a while at Brierley Hill Swimming baths, which was demolished under suspect circumstances January 2006. Please seach this blog for 'Brierley Hill' to see more details). All my official (paid) swimming related works ended when i left for America on an intellectual journey. (I should also add that I once gave free swimming lessons to under privaliged children at Layola University, New Orleans in 2003.

Something clicked inside me, when i returned from America to the UK after 4 years swimming in rivers and freshwater lakes such as lake Tahoe and the Feather River, both in California. I realised that swimming in the UK is pretty much limited by the swimming facilities provided, and those facilities are being demolished, at least in my local DUDLEY METRO area. This is a fact i have observed over the last 6 years. This blog lays a testament to these facts.

Stourbridge Baths, Brierley Hill Baths and Coseley Baths have all been demolished, thats 3 pools that would be full of local swimming talent, training for competitive meets and possibly our future National champions? Water Polo, Sychronized swimming and diving could have been praticed in these pools if only they would have been saved. I hope not to sound like a moaning old bitter man, going on about what might have been and what coulda' or shoulda' happened. I find most political activity does not agree with my personal outlook on life, community, health, fitness and goodwill.

In the case of the destruction of swimming facilities by the local Dudley Metropolitan Council (Dudley Metro Culture Police) I cannot say it LOUD and CLEAR enough. Please STOP. Or at least, replace what you knock down with something else, and not a Tesco supermarket, thankyou very much.

As i have been saying for the last 6 years, the voices of the swimmers themselves, and the local community have been totally and utterly ignored on the issue of swimming, but now, during the OLYMPIC fever M.P's all around the country have started popping up with their cheap little speeches about SPORTS and PRESTIEGE and how proud we should be and how we should develope new SPORTS facilities across the country. (Aha, i say to myself, this is a trick, a cheap trick to ride the Olympic fever and come out of it as the good guys again, the saviours who will NOW begin to plan new sports parks, new sports programes and sports sponsorship corporations. Oh, thankyou for doing this, for cutting the blue ribbon. For giving us these new sports centers.

So i wanted to send a message of warning to anybody reading this blog post, SPORTS in Britain have been ravaged and crippled by both Labour and Conservative governments, SPORTS to mean two things: the facilities at which sports take place, and the inherent meaning in the term SPORTS. The Olympics have cost 25 Billion Pounds, 9 Billion of which is from the UK tax payers, or from the people. The three Dudley swimming pools I have mentioned above , together, would have required approx. 4 Million to repair and keep open. And, I estimate by now (August 2012) would have given more than 5 Million unique immersive swimming experiences to the community.

Since the pools were not being built but knocked down in Dudley i turned my interest to the Rivers and Canals, imagining them to be clean enough to swim in at some future point, and what it would take to achieve this, and, if anybody else though it worth doing. From that point i discovered the impossibility of swimming in the Stour due to pollution and obstructions in the first place. Then, once again i was confronted with the only option of doing it myself, since a meeting with my local M.P did not come to anything, not even an email or call to say No, just iced out: (i asked for funds, or donations to aquire a pair of river waders, some rope, and a hook, to begin cleaning the River Stour).

And so, you see, i found out that in the larger scheme of things, to me, our rivers are far more important than a swimming pool, and if we could maintain a river properly it could provide a free, zero emissions, zero running costs, swimming facility. As with a lake. Cherish your natural water facilities. This is my message.

Steven 'Fly Agaric 23' Pratt
Amsterdam
Aug. 6th 2012.

River Stour Clean Up Op. March 2012

Myself and a collection of like-minded individuals from 'in and around' the Black Country area of the West Midlands, in the UK, took to the banks and surrounding lands of the River Stour to liter pick and explore the IMPACT required to clean up the river stour of waste and debris. Some funding would help. In 2006 I asked the local M.P for some wellies and some rope with which to voluntarily clean up the river, I am still awaiting a reply 6 years later. Sunday, March 25th, 2012. All video, photo and audio compiled by Fly Agaric 23.

Shabby Stour, stir, purr

....and I just heard a BBC news programe discussing a MULTI million pound redevelopement scheme for the stour, focusing on Businesses, Bars, Restaurants and other 'Merry Hill' type phenomena. 

Meanwhile these two article cover the litter pick I attended and documentaed and shared, as an Independent litter picker. Not representative of Trasition Stourbridge or Tidy Stourbridge, although, practically what they are doing seems good. I just wonder about the development and links between the big businesses and the environmental groups. Something smells fishy to me, and it's not the River stour.

--SBD (Silent But Dudley)

x

"The group is teaming up with the Waterside Care initiative which is led by a partnership of Keep Britain Tidy, British Waterways, Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency."

Eco-groups get set to clean up in Stourbridge

8:30am Tuesday 24th April 2012 in News

A STOURBRIDGE environmental group is getting set for the latest round in its mission to restore the River Stour.
Transition Stourbridge aims to restore the neglected waterway to its former glory by cleaning up litter and working to combat pollution.
The group is teaming up with the Waterside Care initiative which is led by a partnership of Keep Britain Tidy, British Waterways, Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency for its next outing on Saturday April 28.
Volunteers will be in action between Bagley Street and The Bonded Warehouse from 10am clearing the river bed of rubbish including embedded plastic bottles and tyres using grappling hooks from the bank.

Teams from Transition Stourbridge will also be in waders cleaning litter from the river and investigating levels of invertebrate activity in the water, which can indicate levels of pollution.
Waterside Care will be providing equipment, anyone wishing to take part should register by emailing organiser Rosanne Adams via rosanneadams@yahoo.co.uk and meet at 10am on the day at Bagley Street Car Park.
Meanwhile Tidy Stourbridge has announced its summer programme Pick'n'Pints which have become a popular social event for community-minded volunteers.

The group's next meetings will be on Thursday April 26 at the The Stepping Stones, Birmingham Street, followed by Thursday May 10 at The Hadcroft, Grange Lane.
For a full list of dates visit www.tidystourbridge.org.uk
http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/local/your_community/st/stourbridge/9664867.Stourbridge_activists_get_set_for_river_bed_clean_up/


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Support grows to clean up shabby Stourbridge

8:00am Tuesday 27th March 2012 in Local

Lauren Partridge and Bridge Williams from Black Country band The Lyrebirds who played live to support the Transition Stourbridge campaign to Save Our Stour

SUPPORT is growing for campaigns dedicated to cleaning up shabby sections of Stourbridge including its landmark river.
Around 50 members of Transition Stourbridge and Tidy Stourbridge joined forces for a litter pick in the Bagley Street area and along the River Stour on March 25.
The pickers, who were fully kitted-out with safety equipment, filled around 40 bags of rubbish including grot which had been deliberately dumped.
David Colley, of Tidy Stourbridge, said: "Fly-tipping and street drinking were much in evidence in the Bagley Street car park and on the Stour as items such as asbestos, car batteries, cones, a vacuum, rubble and tyres were collected.

“The rubbish was quite hidden in overgrown bushes and it had become another out of sight, out of mind scenario."
Rosanne Adams, from Transition Stourbridge, said: “What a great event, I was amazed at the pile of rubbish waiting at Bagley Street when I returned. There really is such a lot of enthusiasm for getting something done.”
During the summer, Tidy Stourbridge will be holding regular Pick’n'Pint events, their next meeting will be at The Little Pig in High Street, Amblecote, at 7pm on Thursday April 12 to clean up School Drive and Corbett Hospital.

Meanwhile staff at Merry Hill cosmetics store Lush joined forces with music duo The Lyrebirds earlier this month for an in-store event to raise awareness and funds for Transition Stourbridge.
Lesley Rhodes, from Lush, said: "We want to help get word out, It's a great opportunity to get involved with a project that aims to transform the shabby rubbish-strewn river into a wildlife and tourist haven.”
http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/local/9613809.Support_grows_to_clean_up_shabby_Stourbridge/

Support grows to clean up shabby Stourbridge

Please readers, do not mistake me for a transition stourbridge member, or tidy stourbridge. I am an independent litter picker with no affiliations whatsoever with Dudley Council, thank god.  I simply wish to pick litter, and help clean up the river.

 Another pretty shabby article from the Stourbridge News spews up a cock and bull piece about the wonderful day we all had together. The river was FULL OF CRAP, and we simply picked up some rubbish and marvelled at the nice weather. No big deal. No babies were saved that day. However, I did make a video of the days events, if you check this blog.

Oh, did I mention some locals to Stourbridge muscians did a benefit concert in Merry Hill, in LUSH to raise awareness for Transition Stourbridge and the Shabby Stour. Amazing. But WHERE IS THE AUDIO?

THE PHOTOS
and/or
THE VIDEOS
?

Where were the reporters during the Stour litter pick? Stourbridge News, Express and Star don't miss the boat.

Best wishes,
Steve fly

 

Support grows to clean up shabby Stourbridge

8:00am Tuesday 27th March 2012 in News

Lauren Partridge and Bridge Williams from Black Country band The Lyrebirds who played live to support the Transition Stourbridge campaign to Save Our Stour

SUPPORT is growing for campaigns dedicated to cleaning up shabby sections of Stourbridge including its landmark river.
Around 50 members of Transition Stourbridge and Tidy Stourbridge joined forces for a litter pick in the Bagley Street area and along the River Stour on March 25.
The pickers, who were fully kitted-out with safety equipment, filled around 40 bags of rubbish including grot which had been deliberately dumped.
David Colley, of Tidy Stourbridge, said: "Fly-tipping and street drinking were much in evidence in the Bagley Street car park and on the Stour as items such as asbestos, car batteries, cones, a vacuum, rubble and tyres were collected.

“The rubbish was quite hidden in overgrown bushes and it had become another out of sight, out of mind scenario."
Rosanne Adams, from Transition Stourbridge, said: “What a great event, I was amazed at the pile of rubbish waiting at Bagley Street when I returned. There really is such a lot of enthusiasm for getting something done.”
During the summer, Tidy Stourbridge will be holding regular Pick’n'Pint events, their next meeting will be at The Little Pig in High Street, Amblecote, at 7pm on Thursday April 12 to clean up School Drive and Corbett Hospital.

Meanwhile staff at Merry Hill cosmetics store Lush joined forces with music duo The Lyrebirds earlier this month for an in-store event to raise awareness and funds for Transition Stourbridge.
Lesley Rhodes, from Lush, said: "We want to help get word out, It's a great opportunity to get involved with a project that aims to transform the shabby rubbish-strewn river into a wildlife and tourist haven.”

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

• 
• 

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)

• 
• 
• 

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.

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/
 

River Stour and River Stour B?

Astonishingly to me, on August 30th two news items about THE RIVER STOUR appeared at the BBC website, due to the fact that both of them are in the new ENVIRONMENT AGENCY list of the top 10 cleanest rivers in the UK.

What astonishes me is the fact that the two rivers named STOUR (one in Dorset, one in the Black Country) both make the list, as if some kind of disinformation campaign were afoot to confuse the two Rivers of the same name. Why not change one of them, river STEER perhaps? You can be sure that the River Stour I know in B.C has no Salmon jumping in it.

"Others include the River Stour in Worcestershire - previously famed for the rainbow-coloured dyes that flowed into it from carpet manufacturers -"--http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14710478  

 

shopping trolley over the river Stour

THE RIVER STOUR . FLOW. HISTORY.

Published deatils about the river stour - Stourbridge - make for good footnotes my book SHANNANIGUMS WAVE.

PORNOGRAPHIC RIVER THUNBNAILS

RIVER STOUR TROLLEY PORN: 2009