Thursday, February 9, 2017
Air Pollution Monitoring Kits
Sheffield Friends of the Earth installing air pollution kits around Sheffield
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Barclays Bank Fracking Action
Sheffield Friends of the Earth highlighted how Barclays are funding fracking by organising a day of action outside their city centre branch. Our press releases were featured in the Sheffield Star on Wednesday 07 Oct 2015 (on-line) and on Tuesday 13 Oct 2015 (print)
Friday, June 26, 2015
Run on Sun - Solar Schools
Sheffield Friends of the Earth's Run on Sun press release was featured in the Sheffield Star on Friday 26 June 2015
Friday, October 24, 2014
40th Birthday & Smithy Wood
This article was featured in the Sheffield Telegraph on 23 October 2014.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Andy Atkins visit to Smithy Wood - 21 October 2014
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/friends-of-the-earth-director-visits-sheffield-woods-in-development-battle-1-6906236
Sheffield Green Commission - 21 October 2014
Sheffield Friends of the Earth's Beatrice Greenfield at the front of the picture. Sheffield Star 21 October 2014.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Sheffield Telegraph Column - 40th Birthday
This article was written for the Sheffield Telegraph for publication on 9th October 2014
As a two year old child in 1974 my attention wasn’t focused on the OPEC oil crisis, nuclear testing or the energy shortages caused by the 3 day week. But for Jude Warrender and other concerned residents, these issues inspired the birth of Sheffield Friends of the Earth. During my childhood, the group successfully campaigned to clean up our rivers, save endangered wildlife and protect peat bogs. Motivated by their work, some 18 years later, I joined the group so I could protect bees and support clean energy. Now, 40 years on from the inaugural meeting, we are hosting a party at The Showroom to celebrate our achievements.
The first part of the evening will look at our victories which have created green jobs and more solar power. I’m sure our campaigns to fit catalytic converters to cars and removing lead from petrol has improved the quality of Sheffield’s air. There’s progress too with the ozone layer – it seems to be recovering after we campaigned to phase out CFCs in the 80s.
We’ve played our part in transforming recycling from a fringe to a mainstream activity. In the 70s we went from recycling 7 tonnes of glass per collection to providing a door step recycling service in the 80s. We couldn’t have done this without the help of Barney the horse from Heeley City farm and later an electric milk float. In 1989 we helped Sheffield to become an official “Recycling City” with collections to around 3,300 homes by a social enterprise. In the noughties, collections were rolled out to all households because we had successfully encouraged our politicians to pass the Household Waste Recycling Act.
After my home was devastated in the 2007 floods I was pleased to see that our Big Ask climate change campaign had persuaded the government to introduce the 2008 Climate Change Act which requires the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.
It’s impossible to mention everything we have done, so why not join us on Thursday 16th October to find out more? It’s a unique opportunity to hear Friends of the Earth’s national director, Andy Atkins, who is joining us to give his vision for the future. The finale will be letting our hair down and celebrating the last 40 years with live music and a party. To purchase tickets or to find out more about our work see www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk
PRINTED ARTICLE
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Environment group celebrates 40th birthday with a gala party
Sheffield Friends of the Earth Press Release
For immediate release
Contact: [Shaun Rumbelow, campaigner, 99999 999999 or xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx]
Environment group celebrates 40th birthday with a gala party
Sheffield Friends of the Earth will celebrate 40 years of environmental campaigning by hosting a gala party at the Showroom on Thursday 16 October from 7.30pm until 11pm.
Jude Warrender, founder of the group in 1974, will start the evening by talking about the group’s work during the 1970s and 1980s. Shaun Rumbelow, a member since 1992, will continue the 40 year review from the 1990s to the present day. Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director, Andy Atkins, will finish the presentation by looking at what the future has in store for both people and planet.
Jude Warrender said “It’s amazing that 40 years on, the group I set up is still actively campaigning to protect the environment in Sheffield and around the world. We have helped to transform recycling into a mainstream activity and we’ve managed to persuade people not to buy goods made from endangered wildlife.”
Shaun Rumbelow continued, “I was in a pram when Jude set up the group in the 70s so I’m looking forward to finding out about the group’s early history. We hope ex-members and the general public will be able to make it to the event as it will be a fascinating journey looking back at many of our successes from helping to clean up Sheffield’s rivers and improving our air quality to introducing new laws to reduce our impact on climate change.”
The party will continue with a buffet and live music from a local folk band and “What 4” a cappella quartet. The Showroom bar will be open for drinks.
Tickets (price includes buffet) cost £10 and must be bought in advance by 10th October. Full details are available on our website www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk
ENDS
Notes to editor
1. Sheffield Friends of the Earth was formed in February 1974 by Jude Warrender.
2. More information about our 40 years of campaigning can be found in the Star’s Retro feature. http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/nostalgia/retro-a-friend-in-need-to-city-for-40-years-1-6433723
3. Background information for Andy Atkins, Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director. http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/friends_of_the_earth_appoi_18032008
4. More details about the event can be found on our website www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk or http://sheffieldfoenewsletter.blogspot.co.uk/p/40th-birthday-party.html
5. Pictures of our group’s activities from the past 40 years are available on request.
PRINTED ARTICLES
Sheffield Telegraph - Thursday 18 September 2014
For immediate release
Contact: [Shaun Rumbelow, campaigner, 99999 999999 or xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx]
Environment group celebrates 40th birthday with a gala party
Sheffield Friends of the Earth will celebrate 40 years of environmental campaigning by hosting a gala party at the Showroom on Thursday 16 October from 7.30pm until 11pm.
Jude Warrender, founder of the group in 1974, will start the evening by talking about the group’s work during the 1970s and 1980s. Shaun Rumbelow, a member since 1992, will continue the 40 year review from the 1990s to the present day. Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director, Andy Atkins, will finish the presentation by looking at what the future has in store for both people and planet.
Jude Warrender said “It’s amazing that 40 years on, the group I set up is still actively campaigning to protect the environment in Sheffield and around the world. We have helped to transform recycling into a mainstream activity and we’ve managed to persuade people not to buy goods made from endangered wildlife.”
Shaun Rumbelow continued, “I was in a pram when Jude set up the group in the 70s so I’m looking forward to finding out about the group’s early history. We hope ex-members and the general public will be able to make it to the event as it will be a fascinating journey looking back at many of our successes from helping to clean up Sheffield’s rivers and improving our air quality to introducing new laws to reduce our impact on climate change.”
The party will continue with a buffet and live music from a local folk band and “What 4” a cappella quartet. The Showroom bar will be open for drinks.
Tickets (price includes buffet) cost £10 and must be bought in advance by 10th October. Full details are available on our website www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk
ENDS
Notes to editor
1. Sheffield Friends of the Earth was formed in February 1974 by Jude Warrender.
2. More information about our 40 years of campaigning can be found in the Star’s Retro feature. http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/nostalgia/retro-a-friend-in-need-to-city-for-40-years-1-6433723
3. Background information for Andy Atkins, Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director. http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/friends_of_the_earth_appoi_18032008
4. More details about the event can be found on our website www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk or http://sheffieldfoenewsletter.blogspot.co.uk/p/40th-birthday-party.html
5. Pictures of our group’s activities from the past 40 years are available on request.
PRINTED ARTICLES
Sheffield Telegraph - Thursday 18 September 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Sheffield Friends of the Earth Object to Smith Wood Service Stations
Sheffield Friends of the Earth Object to Smith Wood Service Stations
Sheffield Friends of The Earth are objecting to a proposal by Extra Motorway Service Area Group for a new motorway service area at Junction 35 of the M1. The development will destroy more than half of Smithy Wood which is an ancient Woodland and valued by residents of Sheffield. We are asking everyone to join us to get this proposal rejected.
David Roberts, local group member said "This development will destroy more than 20 acres of Smithy Wood which is an ancient Woodland and only 4% of Englands woodlands remain in this state. Our ancient woodlands are quintessential features of England's much-loved landscape - irreplaceable, living historic monumentsEven the government's own planning rules state that planning permission should be refused for development resulting in the loss ancient woodland. [1]"
David Continued, "The developer is claiming that there is an overriding need for a Service Area on this part of the M1, basing a large part their justification on peak hour driving times between Woolley Edge and Woodall service stations. However, the Department for Transport itself, states in its guidelines [2] that peak hour traffic does not define a need for additional service provision.
Otjher arguments by the developer are equally contradicted by a close examination of the facts and shown to be unsupported by government policy & planning guidelines.
Sheffield Friends of the Earth are working with local residents and other groups to protect Smithy Wood from the bulldozers. We urge Sheffield residents to help us protect our ancient forests by writing to Eleanor Ridge, Planning Officer, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH quoting planning number 14/01079/OUT before 5th September.
The formal objection by Sheffield FoE can be found on the council website :-
http://publicaccess.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=N2ZWWHNY09N00
It is dated 5th Sept. 2014 under the heading "General Comment". It gives the full details of our objection and shows very clearly that the proposal is completely without merit.
More information can also be found at http://www.wildsheffield.com/smithywood
Note to Editors:
[1]
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Part 8 states that :-
planning permission should be refused for development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats, including ancient woodland and the loss of aged or veteran trees found outside ancient woodland, unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss;'
[2]
EMSA are claiming that there is an overriding need for a Service Area on this part of the M1, basing their argument on the distance between Woolley Edge and Woodall MSAs.
"The gap on the M1 in terms of distance between Woolley Edge and Woodall MSAs is 27.5 miles (below the 28 mile maximum). However, the Traffic Assessment (TA) has considered vehicle speeds for all links from Junction 28 - Junction 40 of the M1 and concludes that the existing journey from Woolley Edge MSA to Woodall MSA takes more the 30 minutes for at least 20% of AM peak hour journeys. Therefore, a gap also exists on the M1 corridor."
This conclusion is simply not valid or true and is not supported by the Department for Transport's (DfT) additional guidelines. Paragraphs B5 of DfT circular 02/2013 :-
"The network of service areas on the strategic road network has been developed on the premise that opportunities to stop are provided at intervals of approximately half an hour. However the timing is not prescriptive as at peak hours, on congested parts of the network, travel between service areas may take longer."
The DfT recognises that peak hour increased volumes around urban conglomerations on the Strategic Road Network are the result of increased local traffic movements associated with commuting and hence are not a determining factor in assessing MSA needs, whose customers are by definition making long distance journeys.
PRINTED ARTICLES
Sheffield Telegraph Thursday 18 September 2014
Sheffield Friends of The Earth are objecting to a proposal by Extra Motorway Service Area Group for a new motorway service area at Junction 35 of the M1. The development will destroy more than half of Smithy Wood which is an ancient Woodland and valued by residents of Sheffield. We are asking everyone to join us to get this proposal rejected.
David Roberts, local group member said "This development will destroy more than 20 acres of Smithy Wood which is an ancient Woodland and only 4% of Englands woodlands remain in this state. Our ancient woodlands are quintessential features of England's much-loved landscape - irreplaceable, living historic monumentsEven the government's own planning rules state that planning permission should be refused for development resulting in the loss ancient woodland. [1]"
David Continued, "The developer is claiming that there is an overriding need for a Service Area on this part of the M1, basing a large part their justification on peak hour driving times between Woolley Edge and Woodall service stations. However, the Department for Transport itself, states in its guidelines [2] that peak hour traffic does not define a need for additional service provision.
Otjher arguments by the developer are equally contradicted by a close examination of the facts and shown to be unsupported by government policy & planning guidelines.
Sheffield Friends of the Earth are working with local residents and other groups to protect Smithy Wood from the bulldozers. We urge Sheffield residents to help us protect our ancient forests by writing to Eleanor Ridge, Planning Officer, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH quoting planning number 14/01079/OUT before 5th September.
The formal objection by Sheffield FoE can be found on the council website :-
http://publicaccess.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=N2ZWWHNY09N00
It is dated 5th Sept. 2014 under the heading "General Comment". It gives the full details of our objection and shows very clearly that the proposal is completely without merit.
More information can also be found at http://www.wildsheffield.com/smithywood
Note to Editors:
[1]
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Part 8 states that :-
planning permission should be refused for development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats, including ancient woodland and the loss of aged or veteran trees found outside ancient woodland, unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss;'
[2]
EMSA are claiming that there is an overriding need for a Service Area on this part of the M1, basing their argument on the distance between Woolley Edge and Woodall MSAs.
"The gap on the M1 in terms of distance between Woolley Edge and Woodall MSAs is 27.5 miles (below the 28 mile maximum). However, the Traffic Assessment (TA) has considered vehicle speeds for all links from Junction 28 - Junction 40 of the M1 and concludes that the existing journey from Woolley Edge MSA to Woodall MSA takes more the 30 minutes for at least 20% of AM peak hour journeys. Therefore, a gap also exists on the M1 corridor."
This conclusion is simply not valid or true and is not supported by the Department for Transport's (DfT) additional guidelines. Paragraphs B5 of DfT circular 02/2013 :-
"The network of service areas on the strategic road network has been developed on the premise that opportunities to stop are provided at intervals of approximately half an hour. However the timing is not prescriptive as at peak hours, on congested parts of the network, travel between service areas may take longer."
The DfT recognises that peak hour increased volumes around urban conglomerations on the Strategic Road Network are the result of increased local traffic movements associated with commuting and hence are not a determining factor in assessing MSA needs, whose customers are by definition making long distance journeys.
Sheffield Telegraph Thursday 18 September 2014
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