Archive for January, 2008
Posted by Cptn
One of the elected representatives who covers the People’s Republic has a few words to say about nuclear power.
Head honcho of all things liberal in Europe, South West (and Gibraltar) MEP Graham Watson told the PRSD: “This region has huge potential sources for generating energy from renewable sources including a Severn Tidal Barrage, which could, if wetlands habitats can be protected, be an even larger investment in infrastructure and jobs.
“While I welcome the possible investment and jobs that new nuclear plants may bring to the region, the current Government’s review comes after over 10 years of indecision, where earlier emphasis and investment in sustainable energy could have filled the energy gap that these plans now seek to fill.
“With climate change a pressing problem, investment in a barrage across the Severn would be part of a more unified approach to power generation under the European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy.”
January 10th, 2008
posted by Cptn
Next time you’re tempted by the shimmering bodies of bikini clad beauties offering to wash your car with a cheesy glam rock soundtrack, spare a thought to car wash pollution.
The new guidelines, published by the Environment Agency for England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Northern Ireland’s Environmental and Heritage service, have tips on where vehicles should and should not be cleaned as well as obligations regarding public sewers. Check out the pdf, Pollution prevention guidelines: vehicle washing and cleaning, and remember curb those thoughts of soapy sponges.
January 10th, 2008
posted by Cptn
Teignmouth-based composer Kevin Wilson was as much a staple of the world’s Christmas this year as sale stickers on quickly wrapped presents.
Kevin performed tunes from his supernatural musical thriller, Into The Light, to live audiences of up to 10,000 in India at what’s called Asia’s largest annual Christmas show, Gloria Deo. The event was then broadcast on Christmas Eve throughout Europe, the US, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
Kevin and lead singer, Torquay’s Louise Key, appeared in a two-hour programme about Into The Light on Sky and since the release of the CD in the summer, one of the tracks, Everyday, reached No: 5 in the Australian Radio Gospel Charts in September.
January 9th, 2008
Posted by Cptn
Car stickers, don’t you just love ‘em. Now you can bring them right up to the noughties by thinking up a slogan than will encourage Devon drivers to car share.
In a competition launched today you can win £100 worth of vouchers and the knowledge that your pithy words will help save the world and get people to work in good time – and who doesn’t share that dream.
Around 5,000 people have already signed up to the carsharing website and the aim is to find a snappy phrase to raise the profile of the free carsharedevon.com website which matches people who are travelling in the same direction and want to share a journey to cut the cost of motoring. The deadline for entries is Friday 15 February
With a quick early-morning brainstorm around the PRSD office we came up with: a problem shared is a problem halved; my other car sharer’s a celebrity; baby boomer on board; if you’re reading this, you’re behind me; and if you were in here, you’d be nearer home right now. We’re not good in the mornings.
Entry forms are available from libraries, local council offices or online at the car share competition site.
January 8th, 2008
posted by Cptn
Ahh, the first hot story of 2008 - if you’ve got a boiler, next time you have it serviced you can ask the engineer to give it an energy rating between A-G, along with a checklist of energy improvements that will cut your fuel bill.
It’s all part of the Department of Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) push to improve energy efficiency on the home front.
And if you’re a business you can opt into the energy assessment rating and four-year loadns of up to £100,000 to help small and medium sized businesses make those energy efficient changes.
Businesses can also apply for tax relief via enhanced capital allowances that allow them to write off the whole cost of energy saving machinery against taxable profits in the year of purchase.
For more on the boilers go to the DCLG site, and for more on the inferest free energy-efficiency loans, go to the Carbon Trust.
January 7th, 2008
Friend to the Republic, Beachcomber, is embroiled in a project of taking a photo a day for the coming year. Here’s an offering from somewhere in Exeter.
January 7th, 2008
posted by Cptn
Executive director of Friends of the Earth and author of How Many Lightbulbs Does it Take to Change a Planet Tony Juniper will be at the Plymouth aquarium on Friday, January 11 at 7pm.
And while you’re there expect an expert panel discussion with MPs and environmentalists.
If you fancy popping along you’d best get in touch with Jennifer Harrison on ext 240 or email – we don’t know if you have to pay, but you do have to book.
Let us know how it goes.
January 7th, 2008
Big Eddd
‘Just to keep myself healthy, I spent a couple of days at New Year walking the Devon coastal path around Plymouth sound,’ said snapper Big Eddd. He sent a through a few of his pictures, here’s one of Wembury Surf.
For more, check out the Devon section of the PRSD gallery.
January 6th, 2008
posted by Cptn
If you’ve been directed here by the legendary Tom Robinson from his fabulous BBC 6 Music show ‘Introducing‘, then kick off your shoes and stay a while. If not, heck, do the same. Either way, listen to this week’s show on 6 Music, and vote for Arthur Walker. ‘A winning line in angular Pixies pop’, indeed…
January 6th, 2008
posted by Cptn
Next time there’s a funding crisis in the NHS let’s all point our fingers at the money frittered away on the programme of ‘an unprecedented level of engagement and consultation at local and national level’ which is ‘Our NHS, Our Future‘.
Let’s guess what came out as the top priorities from the series of ‘consultation’ events that were carried out around the country. Waiting times and infection control, maybe - why yes! And coming in a laggardly and out of breath third, childhood obesity. Followed by whatever else had been scaremongered that day.
Thank goodness they asked, otherwise the whole NHS would be blithely ignorant of the need to see patients as quickly as possibly and to wash their hands after. Hmm…
Visit the NHS South West, and if you want to get involved in such an institutional waste of money, then there is surely a way, or you could apply for an Arts Council grant.
January 6th, 2008
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