CODE RED FOR THE PLANET AND COP 26
Cop 26 takes place in the first two weeks in November in Glasgow. The report of the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) is unequivocal that this is crunch time: the last chance saloon for all the leaders who have dragged their feet on putting genuine policies and not greenwash in place. Polls show that a clear majority of the population think the issue is vital.
Colin, our Webmaster, is putting an idea a day on our Facebook page that you can use to save the planet. Some will be obvious to you and some less so so take a look. Share them with your friends. Every change, even the smallest, means less CO2 in our atmosphere. Go to https://www.facebook.com/torridgegreenparty
You can also listen to "39 Ways to save the planet" on BBC sounds and visit
https://www.householdsdeclare.org
At our next meeting on 19th September we will plan an event to coincide with the run up to Cop26. Your ideas are welcome. We hope to include the School Strikers, Bideford Sustainability and other Green Groups so we make a big noise.
VERY SAD NEWS
We have just learned that Chris Jordan, who stood for Torridge and West Devon as our Green Party candidate in 2017 and 2019 died on Monday 30th August.
He had had Covid but then contracted pneumonia while his lungs were still weakened and spent five weeks in hospital. Our thoughts are with his partner, Shivdev, and her son.
EXTINCTION REBELLION LOCAL ACTION
During their fortnight of action they are demanding an end to extraction of fossil fuels. HSBC and Barclays are the biggest investors among the banks so this Saturday 4th September you are invited to turn up at the HSBC bank in Bideford between 10 am and 1 pm suitably dressed with mop, bucket, dusters etc. to "dramatically "clean " the bank.
OUR REPRESENTATIVE IN PARLIAMENT, GEOFFREY COX QC
Private Eye (6 - 19.8.21) informs us that "in the latest entry in the register of interests, between 29th April and 31st May when apart from the last three days parmianment was sitting, he earned £157,000 from law firm Withers LLP for 140 hours, or around 18 working days, of "legal services". this is on top of the 48 hours per month, or another six days, he works as "consultant global Counsel" to the firm in return for a further £468,000 a year."
This goes a long way to explain why his replies to emails from constituents are obviously generic replies already on file so his staff can pick an appropriate one to send when you write to him. Hardly working for his constituents.
A NEW GREEN PARISH COUNCILLOR
We are delighted that Rosemary Gent, who is our Membership Officer, has been co-opted onto Littleham and Langtree Parish Council after attending a meeting and asking questions. She has hit the ground running, as they say, and is developing a Climate Action Plan for the Parish alongside the co-ordinator of Littleham and Landcross Climate Action community Group.
It would be good if more Party members could join their Parish Councils. Just go along to the next meeting and see how the land lies. You could bring a Green influence to your Parish.
BUCKLAND BREWER
If you live in the surrounding area, Brewer Parish Council is hosting a climate change awareness event on Saturday 23rd October 2021 at Buckland Brewer Hall.. Everyone is welcome. It is a free event with the added bonus of coffee and cakes! The doors will open at 10:30am. There will be a panel of experts giving brief presentations with a question and answer session to follow (about an hour altogether) A number local companies and organisations have been invited to exhibit their services, including solar panel and air/ground source heat pump suppliers. There will electric cars on display and a number of other suppliers demonstrating services and products aimed at small businesses, the farming community and home owners.
CYCLING AND WALKING INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
This local carbon cutting initiative is being supported to the tune of £5000 by Bideford Town Council at Peter Christie's request and has gathered similar support from Barnstaple and Northam. Lobby your local councillors to get similar support from Holsworthy, Torrington and the Parish Councils.
DECIDE WHO WILL LEAD OUR GREEN PARTY?
Don't forget to have your say in the Leadership elections. The candidates' biographies are on the Green Party website and voting opens on 2nd Septmber until 23rd.
NEXT TORRIDGE GREEN PARTY MEETING
Our next meeting will be on Sunday 19th September at 3.00pm (one hour earlier than recently) at 9 Kenwith Road, Bideford. If you haven't been to one before, come along. The meeting lasts about two hours and is fairly informal and friendly. If you aren't a Green Party member yet, come and take a look at us. We welcome new members.
GREEN GATHERING
Cathrine has kindly offered her house, Church Lane House, Torrington, for a Green Gathering on Sunday 3rd October. Details in the next Info but save the date.
So lots happening. Visit our Facebook page to get the latest news and info.
Ruth Funnell
Secretary 2nd September 2021