Tag: environment

Devizes Town Councillor at Crammer Reassuring us against Climate Change!

What did I just watch on the BBC Wiltshire Facebook page? Our friend and Devizes Town Councillor Iain Wallis at The Crammer, talking to Borat, reassuring us against climate change?!

Important Update: please read.

Move aside Thunberg; the Crammer may be drier than Gandhi’s flip flop at the moment, what with it being a pond without a natural source of water other than oil-saturated petrol-based rainwater running into it from the road, and the entire continent forgetting what rain looks like, Iain tells us not to worry about a thing, it “might take a while,” but every little thing is gonna be alright; the Crammer will fill again. The question is, how does the master of all earthly knowledge know this? Watch till the end of the video, and endure, to find out!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BbVbduYJH/

We know, as a definite fact, according to Iain, it will refill with water, because, and I quote, “the Crammer has been around for centuries.” Holding out for the monsoon season, then; there’s been some serious research happening here!

Popping over to the southern hemisphere, for an example, the Antarctic ice sheet began to freeze roughly 34 million years ago. Our Arctic formed much later, around 2.7 to 2.6 million years ago, but it doesn’t stop them from melting at an ever-increasing rate.

The Arctic sea ice is shrinking at a rate of about 12.2% per decade during the summer minimum. The region has lost more than half of its historic ice volume since satellite records began in 1979, according to NASA.

Now, I’m not one to panic. Who needs NASA when we’ve got this Devizes Town Councillor? I’m sure the Crammer will refill, and Iain, in his favourite sunnies, is bang on the money as well as enjoying his moment in the spotlight. And yes, finding this rather pathetic excuse to poke some fun in his direction, again, isn’t doing much for the climate emergency either. But hey, we need the hits, and I know Iain is a good sport and knows how to take a joke.

The truth is either, I’m just jealous it’s not me with a publicity stunt on your telebox, or I genuinely feel if one is intending to run an environment story in Devizes, they might fare better with a Green candidate or someone from Sustainable Devizes.

We could giggle at the moment Borat says “it’s also home to a local legend,” and our Iain suddenly appears like the shopkeeper from Mr Benn. But the real question remaining in this not-seeing-the bigger-picture non-story must surely be, will it fill back up before next year’s drought? And the year after that, and the year after that, and the year after that? Repeat until we reach the Jupiter moon of Europa.

With no solution presented in this video, likely because there isn’t any other than recycling your plastic bottles while countries are bombing other countries to kingdom come, and national political parties like Reform, Labour and the Conservatives (who Iain is backed by,) seem to support this, for the average man-about-town climate denier it’s evidence they require, else they waffle endlessly about 1976.

Unfortunately, the only evidence this video reveals is the Moonrakers either did retrieve the barrels of brandy, or it didn’t really happen. Sch, Bishop’s Cannings clerk will be on my back; but that’s another story for another time!!

Recycling Revelation; Devizes Guardians Urges Evidence-Based Approach to HRC Pilot

Ah, here it is then, personally I think, while slightly irking, it’s not the end of the world as we know it, and I’m the most random and sporadic procrastinator I know (it’s taken me a week to get this published!)

Though, the thought of having to book at timeslot at the Recycling Centre has caused social media hysteria. They’re going bonkers about on there. Many suggesting it’s an attack on their civil liberties, others say that no one can possibly live under such draconian punishments, some say the only thing you should have to book is doctors, dentists, and prostitutes, and many suggesting moving to Tel Aviv! So the trusty ol’ Gazelle & Herod splashed it as front page news, and I can’t resist a ranting bandwagon. Off we go with, what I believe is, a storm in a teacup compared with other challenges we must face.

Other county councils have had this ruling since the pandemic, some fining recyclers if they drop so much as an odd sock in the plastics bin. But we should note, this is only a trial, and is the proposal of Wiltshire Council; the town and parish councils have no say, and surprisingly I hear that few were invited to. Leader of the Devizes Guardians, Jonathan Hunter told me, “one of the key concerns is that the proposal was announced before meaningful engagement with town and parish councils, or local communities had taken place. The decision had been made several months earlier, yet local councils first became aware of it through a public press release.”

Therefore it’s Guardian team assemble time, as they welcome a constructive meeting with Ian Thorn, the leader of Wiltshire Council to discuss the proposal. The group presented a delegation pack reflecting concerns raised by residents across Devizes and the surrounding villages. While recognising the Council’s desire to improve services, Devizes Guardians believes any significant change should be supported by robust evidence before permanent decisions are made.

A central recommendation is that Wiltshire Council strengthens its pilot by introducing a control group. Rather than operating every pilot site under a booking system, a number of comparable Household Recycling Centres should continue under the current arrangements. This would enable meaningful comparisons of factors including fly tipping, recycling rates, customer satisfaction, waiting times, operational efficiency and costs.

Devizes Guardians believes this would add greater scientific rigour, credibility and integrity to the pilot process, ensuring any future decision is based on measurable evidence rather than assumption. The group says its campaign is not about resisting change, but about helping Wiltshire Council deliver the best possible outcome for residents through an evidence based, collaborative approach.

Jonathan said, “we’re not arguing against change. We’re arguing for the strongest possible evidence before change becomes permanent. A well designed control group is a straightforward way of giving the pilot greater scientific rigour and ensuring the final decision is based on measurable outcomes rather than assumption.”

“If, through smart reflection, the pilot can be strengthened along the way, that should be seen as good governance. It adds credibility, integrity and public confidence to the whole process.”

Devizes Mayor, Cllr Vanessa Turner added, “residents simply want confidence that any changes have been properly tested and that their everyday experience has been taken into account before permanent decisions are made.”

Cllr Paul Tweedle also spoke about the proposal, “a pilot only delivers its full value if you have something meaningful to compare it against. A control group would provide clearer evidence and ultimately support better decision making.”

And Cllr Graham Martin added, “our role is to represent the views of the community. Residents have told us they value the flexibility and accessibility of the current service and want their experience to be part of the decision making process. We hope this meeting marks the beginning of a more collaborative approach between Wiltshire Council, town councils and local residents whenever significant service changes are proposed.”

Aware MP Brian Matthew has also been vocal on the subject, sending a letter to the council, concerned about a possible increase in flytipping. I’m not so certain about this. I mean, flytippers will do their dirty work whether there’s a timeslot system or not, don’t they? “I think the greater risk is not necessarily increased fly tipping,” Jonathan expressed, “but that some people may simply put recyclable materials into their domestic black bins instead.”

Me? I urge you to think of the positives; you have the advantage of deflecting any nagging to “get that rubbish to the tip” directly onto Wiltshire Council, as in the example I gift to you and urge you to plagiarise, “I would, my darling, but I can’t get a timeslot! Don’t blame me, blame Ian Thorn!”

And other than Ian being the one in the doghouse, therein lies the truth, eh? Until the system is in operation, it’s impossible to know how much of an inconvenience, (or excuse in this case!) it will be. If I book a slot and there’s not one until 2032, that’s an issue I will drag out until the end of the world, but for now, let’s assume it’s going to be a minor irritation.

In another part of the world, parents are writing the name and contact details onto their children’s backs with a marker pen, so their bodies can be identified, but you’re losing your mind about the first world problem of booking a timeslot to dump your grass-cuttings? Really?

Wiltshire Council “Update” on Northgate Street Lane Closure

Yesterday Wiltshire Council published an “update” on the lane closure on Northgate Street in Devizes as the fire which caused it reaches its first anniversary. Only, it’s more a “reminder” than an “update!”

It begins, “the fire, in November 2024, caused significant damage to the Grade II-listed property and since then the council has had to install a single lane closure to keep people safe. The council recognises the inconvenience this is causing and is committed to reopening the road as soon as possible.” Yeah, knew that bit already.

It continued justifiable, stating “the council has no legal powers to compel the building owner to take further action.” Then the Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, Mel Jacob, said how frustrating it all was, and how they were “keen to get the road reopened as soon as we can.” Knew that bit as well.

Fair enough, red tape and all that baloney I get, but the remainder of the information simply says what an inconvenience it’s been, and its impact on the community; who knew that bit?!

 It suggests they’re in talks, but pledges “more positive news on the road early in the new year.” If the word “update” needs replacing with “reminder,” the word “more” here should be swapped out for “some,” for as of yet it seems there isn’t any news about it at all, let alone “positive” news; just some chatting, possibly over tea and cake. You’ve got a new bus shelter, be happy!

But hey, even if I cannot confirm about the tea and cake, it’s 14 sleeps until Santa, so let’s keep our glasses half-full, and hope he miraculously brings a resolution in his sack. For there’s been a few advantages, such as free town centre parking for the most daring and cheeky!

And think of it this way, the serious risk of turning right into Station Road from the mini-roundabout has been lessened by its more consistent usage; it seems now the occasional driver coming from the town direction acknowledges it as a roundabout, actually observes and obeys that technical hitch in the highway code known to others as “the right of way!”

Before all this a right turn there was a white-knuckle ride only for the daredevil stuntman or those on the school run; there were more bumps there than on the road to Potterne.

But one roundabout up into town, immortalised as “The Brewery Roundabout,” has been a fascinating study into levels of human kindness in Devizes. As whilst drivers can exit the Market Place there, there’s no traffic crossing the roundabout in which to allow them their right of way. At peak times this can be challenging and a smidgen annoying. My last count of human kindness, as traffic flows at a snail’s pace from the congested New Park Street, was a fantastic new record of eighteen inconsiderate to one thoughtful driver!

Those in the know about levels of human kindness in Devizes will nip down the Station Road junction from the Market Place, if they wish to ever exit the town westward, and being this road is narrow with parking spaces, it’s become a two-way rat run, whereby the 20mph limit is considered only for “snowflakes.” 

All of which could’ve been avoided if there was a thing called “planning,” whereby Station Road could’ve been reduced to one way coming out of the Market Place, and the single lane from the Brewery roundabout was used for coming into the Market Place. But no worries, because Wiltshire Council are talking about it. It’s not progress, is it? It’s more like poking a dead dog with a stick, hoping it might get up and run.

Have Your Say on Forestry England’s Future Plans for West Woods and Collingbourne Woodland

The newly drafted forest plan for West Woods and Collingbourne is open for public consultation until Monday 7 October. The plan outlines how each woodland will be managed over the next 10 years to provide sustainably grown timber for the nation, promote public access for informal recreation, and improve habitats for wildlife….

The main aim for West Woods, near Marlborough, and Collingbourne, near Ludgershall, is  to gradually diversify the tree species. This helps to attract more wildlife and increase the forests’ resilience against threats, such as future climate conditions and pests and diseases.

Forest Planner at Forestry England, Abby Parravani said, “forest plans define the long-term, beyond-our-lifetime vision for the nation’s forests and set out how we will work towards this over the next ten years. We are keen to involve the local communities who use and value these woodlands to give feedback as they will see the forests evolving over the coming decade.” 

Photo credit: Forestry England/Crown
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Forestry England is an agency of the Forestry Commission. It manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 285 million visits in 2023/24. As England’s largest land manager, they shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow. They are continuing the work we have already started to make the nation’s forests resilient to climate change, and pledge by 2026 to create at least 6,000 more hectares where they will integrate wilding activities in productive forests, increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests, and planting at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands.  

To view and provide feedback on the draft plan, visit HERE. For more information on forest plans see HERE.

Photo credit: Forestry England/Crown
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