Bike Park Barricaded

A new border between Newcastle's safest and only public indoor bike park and the Toon has been installed at Central Station. The bike park is now only accessible to passengers with a train ticket due to the new ticket barriers. The bike park was popular with visitors to the city centre and with Metro passengers. This new attack on cycling will increase the revenue from the cities many car parks, while bikes are forced to rust outdoors.
Central Station Management said: "It's because of Terrorism".
Central Station Security said: "It's because it's Private Property. I agree it should be Nationalised but it will still be Private Property".

Open Casting

Durham County Council planners have nodded through UK Coal's plans to create artificial ponds for newts that already live in existing ponds which the developer intends to destroy. This is the start of the attempted open cast coal mining of the Pont Valley. UK Coal say they intend to start work on the ponds in early January. This work is strongly opposed by the local community.
Pont Valley Network

The Hexham Courant reports that Northumberland County Council’s planning and environment committee has thrown out HM Project Developments Ltd application to opencast 140,000 tonnes of coal 50 metres from residents’ homes in Halton Lea Gate.

Whittonstall
Wolsingham residents against the coal depot

COP 15

Climate scientist James Hansen said that it would be desirable for the Copenhagen climate conference to not reach a deal, since what they advertise as solutions are in fact attempts to "continue business as usual". The Guardian website's report shows that the Guardian is funded by Shell, but Dr Hanson is correct on this. The rich bastard unfortunately does support nuclear power. Fuck them and their system!
Never Trust a COP!

Sat 12th Dec 18:30
Avaaz Candlelight Vigil
For a Real Deal in Copenhagen
Newcastle quayside, opposite the 'Slug and Lettuce'
Follow the link for a map and zoom in on Newcastle to register with the "Northern Lights" event!
Would be great to see a good turnout, giving a strong message that 'we the people' are serious in our desire to see the world leaders agree a strong and binding climate deal.
Please bring along candles, although some will be provided, and we will take turns in reading a short speech, which will be filmed, to the world leaders in Copenhagen. The lovely people at Avaaz will then take videos from vigils this all over the world and turn them into an undeniable message of intent. After all, the politicians work for us.
Any homemade posters, signs or performance pieces will be a bonus!
The Candelight vigil will last around an hour, enough time for us to get organised, read a short speech, video the gathering and take some photos. After which it is a short walk to the Ouseburn to enjoy a well deserved drink!
There is a set speech here but anyone who wishes to say something in particular feel free!

Camp Out Cop Out
At 4pm on Saturday, following The Wave of 40,000 concerned individuals, Climate Camp went further and occupied Trafalgar Square successfully for the planned 48 hours. However, with the doomed Copenhagen Climate Conference only just beginning its two week corporate sponsored farce, we're now not going anywhere.
The Camp will hold the space for the entire conference, reclaiming one the busiest locations in the world to push for genuine solutions to climate change. So, if you're not off to Copenhagen then this is the place you need to be. Bring your tent, warm clothes, and ideas for action!
When the tripods first shot up and the rocket stoves got burning, it wasn't long before the actions started rolling. Prior to the talks beginning, 20 Santas took over the departure lounge at London City Airport as the last flights of hypocrisy left for Copenhagen. Then on Monday, with the summit beginning, activists blockaded the European Carbon Exchange offices sending a clear message that the false solutions on the table will be stopped every step of the way. Meanwhile campers continued cooking, discussing, and plotting as requests to leave were ignored.
Surrounded by opportunity, the camp is preparing for our two week stay. We are the Christmas present under the square's enormous tree this year, already working well with community groups to collectively push for climate justice during this season of festivity. Those of us remaining in the UK need to demonstrate we are not simply sitting back and letting our "leaders" tear apart the planet, but are enacting the change we need ourselves. But this will only succeed if everyone gets involved for as little or as long as they can.
What to bring:
Simple. Just a tent, warm and waterproof clothes. Oh, and all your friends!
Wish list:
Vegan food, blankets, tarps, pallets, party/frame tents, cardboard, banners, big water bottles + anything else you think may be helpful...
We look forward to greeting you with a hot cup of tea.
Much love,
The Climate Camp Trafalgar Crew xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mainshill Eviction Alert

This morning the process to evict Mainshill Solidarity Camp began. Members of the National Eviction Team, along with police climbers, are currently on site, walking around taking pictures. At the moment there are about 10 police/eviction team on site.
Residents of the camp are asking for anyone who is able to go to site as soon as possible to boost numbers and strengthen the camps position.
Mainshill Solidarity Camp

NPower Defeated, EDF and NATO targetted

RWE NPower have shelved their plans for the proposed coal fired power station in Cambois, Blyth!
But the BBC report that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has approved 10 sites in England and Wales for new nuclear power stations. These would require subsidies from taxation, the imposition of a tax on CO2 emissions and no tax on radiation emissions, radioactive waste or the risk of disasters.
The NATO Welcoming Committee have reminded us of the environmental cost of war in the run up to this weekends Parliamentary Assembly in Edinburgh.
Free Joe Glenton!

Transition Towns

Heaton transition towns festival
Newcastle
Sat 28th November

Mainshill Solidarity Camp

Work has started at Mainshill, where Scottish Coal want a new coal mine but the community does not. Huge areas of plantation are being felled and JCBs have moved in. The Solidarity Camp has been doing its best to stop work on the site (video), but now we need your support and solidarity to win this fight against Scottish Coal, Lord Home and South Lanarkshire Council!
Building – Workshops – Action
Saturday 13st October, 1pm: A walk of the area with people from surrounding and affected communities, visiting areas that have been destroyed by Scottish Coal and areas that we can still save. A discussion on the campaign so far and where we can take it will follow.
Climbing, treehouse building and tunneling workshops
A “work day” to build the Solidarity Camp some new defences
Evening camp-fire entertainmentPlenty of chances to stop a beautiful area of Scotland’s countryside from being turned into an opencast coal mine
What to bring:
Warm clothes and water-proofs, a tent, sleeping bag and matAny food, building materials and tools you canMost importantly, bring yourself and your friends
mainshill@riseup.net
07806926040
Website

Ratcliffe

Our Transport - Not Their Property

The East Coast Main Line will be temporally renationalised this autumn.
RMT calls for Long Term Renationalisation of East Coast Main Line

No Nukes

Demonstrate at Devonport - No to the Nuclear Dump
Assemble: 12 noon, Plymouth City Centre, Guildhall, Armada Way. 2pm, Devonport Park.
Rally: 3pm, Devonport nuclear dockyards main entrance, Camel's Gate
http://www.nuclearfreecoalition.info/

The Sizewell Five have been found not guilty of aggravated trespass after a blockade in 2008 of the Sizewell nuclear power station in Suffolk. They intended to use the defence that they were acting to prevent breaches of health and safety legislation resulting from the continued operation of the nuclear power plant in Suffolk. They planned to call at least one expert witness, Dr Ian Fairlie, an independent nuclear consultant, but the judge had refused to allow this on the first day of trial, despite earlier pre-trial reviews.

Whittonstall Open Cast Action Group

UK Coal intend to apply for planning permission to create a huge surface mine to the East of the B6309 between Marley Tiles and the village of Whittonstall.

Public Meeting
3pm Sunday October 4th
Whittonstall Church

Review: Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air

David Mackay of The Royal Society (bastards) has produced an excellent guide to balancing State energy budgets.
It is online; http://www.withouthotair.com/; and printed as a Creative Common.
It includes The energy cost of “defence”; a rare and important attempt at a fully referenced quantification of military consumption. R&D spending in the military sector is 40 times that spent on renewable energy.
He welcomes new information for future editions. It would be interesting to see consumption plotted against class.

Update
Leaving a pause after publishing this book, the devious ruling class bastard has revealed his true colours; he is a Nuclear lobbyist. The analysis in his book can be used to demonstrate that if society used less energy we could live with 100% renewables, but as a powerful government advisor, Mackay has now come out against these changes and in favour of Nuclear.
This was soon followed by the news that the government intend to leave Nuclear waste in landfills in working class areas, and not in Professor Mackay's garden.

National Grid Workers - Day of Action

Friday 11th September, 12.45

Newcastle Monument

Speakers: Gary Smith - GMB National Secretary, Stephen Byers -MP–TBC, Claire Williams - Unison Convenor, Mick Tuff - Unite Full Time Officer, Mike Jeram - Unison National Officer, Adele Foster - GMB Activist, Hannah Akram - Unite Activist

After the Monument Rally, there is to be light refreshments/buffet, which all are welcome to, at the Newcastle Companions Club, 45 Leazes Park Road, Newcastle, NE1 4PG

Contact Gary Smith 07710 618909 or Joan Anderson 07870 176 732

North East Shop Stewards Network Report

www.nationalgreed.co.uk

Newcastle Save Vestas

Thursday 17 September

March to government offices, Gallowgate
Assemble Newcastle Civic Centre 4.30

Poster

Workers and supporters at the Vestas wind turbine factory in Newport on the Isle of Wight are attempting to stop the remaining blades being shipped out of the factory.

Judi Bari, one of the organisers of the protest, said: "We feel that it is important to voice our support for the workers who's jobs Vestas are cynically taking away. We are concerned that unemployment is very high on the Isle of Wight and about rumours that powerful interests intend to similarly attack the North East's renewable energy industry. It is also our intention to build a working class movement to resist fossil fuelled industrial capitalism and to create a more economically just and environmentally appropriate society. Everyone who supports the workers action in occupying their workplace at Vestas should join this protest which is part of a national day of action called by the workers themselves."

Update:
Fighting for:
1. Reinstatement of the sacked occupying workers - owed £45,000 redundancy collectively.
1.b) better redundancy for all.
2. Re-opening of the factory. Ideally under worker control, through nationalisation if necessary, bought out by a consortium, or re-opened by Vestas as alternatives.
3. A decent energy strategy from the government and IOW council regarding production of energy through renewables, and production of the renewables kit on the IOW and in the UK. Ed Miliband is soon to meet Vestas management. Don't let either of them get away with rhetoric and PR!

Climate Change for Trade Unionists

Saturday 19 September 10amClimate Outreach and Information Network Flier

Climate change and the green new deal
During the workshop, you'll work in groups around the big ideas for the future.
• What is climate change and why is it the next big issue for trade unionists?
• What kind of policies should trade unionists be fighting for?
• How do we keep jobs in industries that are high energy?
• What are the benefits of a low carbon society?
• Is climate change about social justice?

Saturday 19 September
10- 4pm
Brunswick Methodsit Church,
Brunswick Place,
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7BJ
All welcome
Refreshments available

PCS is hosting a workshop created specially for trade unionists by the Climate Outreach and Information Network (COIN), working with Ruskin College. COIN is the leader in the field of communicating climate change. Ruskin College is recognised nationally for its track record of education for trade unionists.
To register call the PCS Northern regional office on 0191 222 0330. Places are limited so let us know as soon as possible if you want to attend.

Crisis is Business as Usual

The struggle at Vestas is the tip of the iceberg.

The UK government has given £52.8m to coal bosses to extend a range of mines around Britain, while the Guardian report that they have given only £2.3m to Marine Renewables.

The world's armed forces use 25% of the world's aviation fuel, 42 million tons per year.
The arms trade uses 30% of the world's aluminium.
The US military alone is the world's largest oil consumer. It emits more toxins than the top 5 chemical companies combined; half the world's CFC and two thirds of the world's CFC-113.

"With its never-ending emphasis on production and profit, and its indifference to environment, transnational corporate capitalism appears determined to stand outside nature. The driving goal of the giant investment firms is to convert natural materials into commodities and commodities into profits, transforming living nature into vast accumulations of dead capital."
Michael Parenti

The IMechE say we will be able to build artificial trees in ten years but do not advocate any immediate action such as re-foresting land currently used for meat production with proper trees.

"Government policies and economic and political inequalities, rather than human fertility, are the major causes of forest destruction, through the promotion of coffee and other export crops; colonial tax policies that stimulate migration and land clearing; and privatization of common lands for extractive concessions."
James Oldham

Share of energy from renewable sources in final consumption of energy (according to the House of Lords!)

Belgium 2.2%
Bulgaria 9.4%
The Czech Republic 6.1%
Denmark 17.0%
Germany 5.8%
Estonia 18.0%
Ireland 3.1%
Greece 6.9%
Spain 8.7%
France 10.3%
Italy 5.2%
Cyprus 2.9%
Latvia 34.9%
Lithuania 15.0%
Luxembourg 0.9%
Hungary 4.3%
Malta 0.0%
The Netherlands 2.4%
Austria 23.3%
Poland 7.2%
Portugal 20.5%
Romania 17.8%
Slovenia 16.0%
The Slovak Republic 6.7%
Finland 28.5%
Sweden 39.8%
United Kingdom 1.3%

Organising Meeting

Tuesday 18th August 7pm
Newcastle Climate Action
Organising Meeting
Free Trade Inn
Workers Climate Action North East
Organising Meeting
Wednesday 19th August 5pm
Centre Against Unemployment - Cloth Market

UK Coal: Newts and Owls will be "dealt with"

"The inclusion of particular species do not confer value... The temporary loss of these species from the site, which are mainly considered to be common and widespread, will need to be weighed up above the benefits of the development... In order to compensate for the loss of a potential barn owl nest and roost site at least four barn owl boxes will be erected in peripheral parts of the site. (Refer to Barn Owl Trust Advice Leaflets.)"

UK Coal Ltd
Bradley Surface Mine Scheme
Supplementary Ecological Information

Earth First! Summer Gathering

Ecological Direct Action without Compromise!
Earth First! Summer Gathering
18th -24th Aug 2009, Cumbria

The site is in the Lake District, Cumbria. The nearest train station is Penrith and there is a bus service to the site, there are car and living vehicle spaces outside the camp. The exact location will be announced the week before the gathering so that it doesn't turn into a festival.

Earth First! is a network of people and campaigns who fight ecological destruction and the forces driving it. We believe in doing it ourselves rather than relying on governments or industry. Direct action is at the heart of what we do, whether we're standing in front of a bulldozer, shutting down an opencast mine or ripping up a field of GM crops.

Join us for 5 days (19th - 23rd) of workshops, networking and planning actions at a low impact eco-living camp organised non-hierarchically. It's run without leaders by everyone who comes along, so come prepared to chip in!

Workshops, skill sharing and planning action, plus low-impact living without leaders.

Meet and share skills with others who care. Plan actions and campaigns. Have fun. We've got over 80 workshops, planning, strategy and 'Where Next' sessions planned, get in touch if you want to offer a workshop!

Contact email: summergathering@earthfirst.org.uk

In Defiance of Capitalism. In Defence of LIfe.

Drax coal supply sabotaged, again
Anonymous activists have successfully sabotaged the Glentaggart opencast coal mine in South Lanarkshire. The unknown individual/s have disabled the conveyor belt that moves coal from the mine to Ravenstruther rail terminal from where the coal is sent to Drax power station in Yorkshire.


Scotland Climate Camp is at Mainshill Solidarity Camp
Train to Lanark - Cycle or get a lift to the camp -07553 215473

Scotland Climate Camp Info Night
Tuesday 26th July
Star and Shadow Cinema
8pm













Vestas Wind Turbine Factory Occupation - RMT TV
Campaign Against Climate Change / Save Vestas Public Meeting - A worker from the factory will speak
Friday 31st July, 6.30pm - Bridges Room, Gateshead Civic Centre - Poster
Facebook

Climate Camp at the Factory Gate
Coach to Southampton - Ferry to Cowes (£7) - Bus to Newport
http://savevestas.wordpress.com/