Clown Town by Mau Mau (T-Shirt THTC) GET ONE ON!

Huge props to the legendary Mau Mau for his summary of the situation the majority of British and world citizens are confronted with, trying to take the Olympic Games seriously, or not that serious that London requires Rapier missiles on top of tower blocks.


Please visit the site and pick up a T-Shirt before the games begin.

http://thtc.co.uk/clown-town-0

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Set to be a THTC classic, the 'Clown Town' design echos what millions of Londoners are feeling towards one particular event that is taking place in our once great town this Summer. Sadly, although this event has the potential to show London as a great City, we have instead sold it off to the highest, oftern most polluting corporate sponsors.
This event could be promoting and celebrating ethical business, but instead is being used to promote fast food, horrific drinks, one very polluting chemical company and various other far-from-wholesome companies and corporations.

Wikipedia and London Olympic Security

Hi, So London 2012 is spread all over the news, all over the world like a digital Jock strap rash. There are plenty of critical pieces and in depth studies, but for me, once again the best source of information turns out to be wikipedia, here for example is a slice of the article on London 2012 security, you don't need to put any spin on these facts to deduce the seriousness of these so called games.

"Security for the 2012 Summer Olympics is being provided by several arms of the British Armed Forces. The security operation is led by the police, with 13,000 officers available, supported by 17,000 members of the armed forces. Naval and air assets, including ships situated in the Thames, Eurofighter jets and surface-to-air missiles, will be deployed as part of the security operation. The cost of venue security alone has also increased from 282m to 553m pounds sterling. The budget for venue security is being partly funded by LOCOG as well as using the contingency from the £9.3 billion infrastructure budget. Even though, G4S will not be providing 13,700 as planned the number will be approximately 10,000. This will be the biggest security operation Britain has faced for decades as the number of security personnel will total 40,000. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_for_the_2012_Summer_Olympics

 Please imagine, for one second, that all this money was simply ploughed into sporting facilities and programes for everyone, in every country? why do we keep spending so much effort and time and money and security on the elites, be them sporting, banking or entertainment elites?

Of course any large international gathering is a target for attacks of various kinds, violent, coercive and mental (mind control operations). So why have them in the first place. I would propose lots of localized sporting events, encouraging everybody to PLAY! and have fun, remember that?

Lord Coe speaks.....

Security for the Olympics has not been compromised by the failure of G4S to recruit enough security staff, London 2012 chairman Lord Coe has said.-- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18845678

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.

The Return of Fly Olympic

HI readers,

Greetings from Steve fly, it's been a while since i posted at Fly Olympic--my blog dedicated to sports (swimming in particular) and the concept of the Olympic games-I hope you can forgive me as i try to make up.

This blog has a critical edge due to to my experiences growing up in and around the Black Country (Dudley , West Midlands UK) and seeing the destruction of many swimming pools, sports facilities and programs. It's not all bad news, I see wonderful new interpretations of SPORT emerging, fairness and equality can still resonate with that over-used term, sportsmanship, synonymous with humanitarianism, and generally been nice and kind, playing for the game, not for the win, not always for the competitive edge.

Anyhow, I will be making some more posts here on the run up to the London Olympic Games, and hope that my past posts can tie into my new ones to create some continuity and a few surprises.

May the games begin, steve fly
Amsterdam



Limp Pricks Shuttle Cocks

Olympic lies, art, money and intent.

"

 ART and Government reminds me of the mixture of ice cresm and horse dung.--steve

Ruth Mackenzie, the director of the Cultural Olympiad and the London 2012 Festival, said: "We are going back to the days of ancient Greece, where artists and athletes celebrated together in a festival."
---

While many events are temporary, a series of artworks built around the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, will be a permanent cultural reminder of the games. Yesterday, Sarah Weir, chief executive of the Legacy List, unveiled the Art in the Park, which comprises more than 30 works including sculptures, a floating cinema and poetry inscribed on walls. "Art has never been done in the Olympic Park in this way before," she said. "Our artists integrated their work into the park." She said she hoped local residents would be inspired by the works long after the Games had finished, and these would also provide a permanent link to the event. "These works either celebrate or commemorate London 2012. A lot will be about memory, and in 20 or 30 years people coming back with their kids," she added.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/cultural-gold-britains-100m-olympic-jamboree-7682542.html?google_editors_picks=true

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/


----

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.

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

Follow

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.

1. ​
   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

Follow

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.

1. ​
   GOING: Shelton pool, and, above inset, our stories on the closure.

• •
• •
• •

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/
 

Leisure centre 'too expensive to save '

 Morwe of the same sad news... swimming pools close due to lack of funds. Is this due to the illegal war in Iraq and Afghanistan,. the bulging Military Budget, or simple 'evil' and 'dirty tricks' by the council? 

SAVE OUR SWIMMING POOLS.

--Steven James Pratt (Fly Agaric 23)

Leisure centre 'too expensive to save '

11:27am Tuesday 1st November 2011

A COUNCIL has defended its decision to close a town's leisure centre and denied claims that it has already agreed to sell the site to developers.
Durham County Council leader Simon Henig and officers attended a meeting in Crook to explain why they decided to close Glenholme Leisure Centre.

The centre, which had a gym and swimming pool, was one of six in the county to be earmarked for closure as the council strove to shave £3.5m from its sport and leisure budget.
Ultimately, only Glenholme and Ferryhill were closed, leaving residents and campaigners furious.
At the meeting organised by the Three Towns Partnership, Coun Henig said he did not enjoy closing public facilities but said it was a necessity.

He said money had to be saved owing to cuts in funding from the Government.
Terry Collins, director of neighbourhood services, said Glenholme was under-used and would cost too much to bring back to a decent state.
He said it was one of the most expensive to run in the county and was making a loss of £259,000 a year.

He said the council wanted to encourage more people to take up sports but claimed outdoor team activities are more effective than leisure centres.

Mr Collins also said the council would seek to address the hole left in leisure in Crook by the closure, and suggested the authority might install a gym in Crook Civic Centre.
The audience also heard about plans to move the library into the civic centre, known locally as the Pagoda, which would then free up the library's site for redevelopment by a supermarket.
The council officials were quick to dismiss claims from campaigners that they had already agreed to sell the Glenholme site for redevelopment, but said any money made from the site would be used for leisure.

However, some residents remained unconvinced by the council's claims.
David English, chairman of Crook Community Partnership, said the council was turning Crook into a condemned town while resident Michael Manual accused the authority of acting like Vikings and pillaging the community.

The council spends £335,000 on running Ferryhill Leisure Centre and said it had not sold the land to any party.
A council spokesman said the authority was still looking into what was to happen to the Ferryhill centre.

Dirty Council tricks close pool in Crewe

Anger as Sandbach Swimming Pool is closed during school half-term

Oct 26 2011 by Simon Halewood, Crewe Chronicle

 

FAMILIES have criticised Cheshire East Council’s ‘ill-timed’ decision to close Sandbach Swimming Pool during the school half-term holidays.

The leisure centre pool on Middlewich Road was shut on Monday and will reopen at 4pm on Friday (Oct 28) due to ‘essential maintenance’.

New gas boilers, a pool cover and an air handling unit, to re-circulate air and controls humidity, are being installed.

However the timing of the closure has been described as ridiculous by parents, and comes just months after the council shut the pool for major refurbishment during the summer holidays.

Mother of two, Amanda Roughley, 37, of Middlewich Road said: “I think it’s stupid especially after the children lost out during the summer.

“Me and my girls have always enjoyed going for a swim together during the school holidays as we don’t get time in the school weeks so I’m not happy.”

A council spokesman said: “This work has been prioritised as urgent with winter approaching, and this has unfortunately resulted in the pool being closed during half-term.

“We apologise for any inconvenience but these measures will help to save on CO2 emissions, which is an environmental priority and make savings.”

http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/crewe-news/local-crewe-news/2011/10/26/anger-as-sandbach-swimming-pool-is-closed-during-school-half-term-96135-29659186/

Halifax Swimming pool closure!

Pride in Elland: Don’t close our pool, pupils plead

 Pupils from Brooksbank School, Elland, have their say on the future of the town

Published on Tuesday 1 November 2011 14:00

We’ve been asking pupils at Brooksbank School in Elland what they like most about the town they go to school in.

This week, pupils in year 10 discuss what they consider to be the best and worst of the town, and the memories they have of growing up in the area.

Rosana Greenwood of Norton Tower said the swimming pool was very important to her.

“I learned to swim at the pool in Elland,” she said.
“I think it will be a shame if it closes.”
“If it did, more clubs and things to do would be nice.”
Alice Smith, who now lives in Halifax, agrees that closure is not the answer.

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/community/pride_in_elland_don_t_close_our_pool_pupils_plead_1_3925145

S.A.S Olympic Squad!

London 2012: SAS build top secret base on Olympics Park to combat potential terrorist attacks

by Laurie Hanna, Daily Mirror 3/11/2011

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THE SAS have had a top secret base built on the London Olympics Park to combat potential terrorist attacks.

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The elite troops will be on site as fears increase next year’s Games will be targeted.
There will also be underground bunkers housing troops on full alert 24 hours a day during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Reports claim that the elite corps will have a key role in the massive security operation at the Olympics, using boats to move in from the Thames if terrorists attack.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/11/03/london-2012-sas-build-top-scret-base-on-olympics-park-to-combat-potential-terrorist-attacks-115875-23533880/#ixzz1cdolarzL

Sparkhill swimming pool up for grabs?

Let's buy a swimming pool and decorate it unlike any other pool in the world!--steve

Construction firms are to be invited to bid for the right to carry out a multi-million pound makeover of Birmingham’s community swimming pools and leisure centres. The city council wants to draw up a preferred list of companies to deliver a major overhaul of the city’s sporting facilities. The first scheme involves a competitive tender process to build a new community swimming pool and leisure centre in Sparkhill, where the baths have been closed since the summer of 2008 after asbestos was discovered in the roof. Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2011/09/01/birmingham-swimming-pools-contract-up-for-grabs-65233-29346497/#ixzz1WovQAF7C

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  

 

Doctor Marshmallow Cubicle Feb 5th 2011 pt 1