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Shepshed Community EYE - Issue 7 - July 2011 • Visit the website at www.shepshedeye.co.uk
Local schools get a late present from Santa
LETTER
Incinerator: an alternative view I have read a lot about the incinerator and how residents of Shepshed are opposed to it but I feel that most of these are against it because of a fear of the unknown and I wonder how many of these residents have been able to see both sides of the debate.
The members of Shepshed Charnwood Rotary Club have been busy giving away the money collected last Christmas with their Santa Float, and last week it was the turn of local schools to benefit from local generosity. The Rotarians wanted to support projects in the areas where the money was donated and decided to approach the local primary schools to find out what would be appropriate. In the end it was decided to make a donation to each school for them to put towards a project connected to the improvement of literacy.
Pictured, from left: Rotarian David Hayes, Mrs Louise Norris, Headteacher of Kegworth school, Mr Mark Brumwell, Headteacher of Sutton Bonington school, Rotary President Roger Hutchinson, Mr Michael Hoare, Headteacher of Hathern school and Rotary President Elect Bill Watson. The headteachers from Kegworth, Sutton Bonington and Hathern Primary Schools were at Kegworth School recently to each receive a cheque for £150 from Rotary President Roger Hutchinson. Donations were also made to Long Whatton and Diseworth Primary schools.
Fred Thompson
New Chairman of Shepshed Town Council
The waste industry is the second most regulated industry in the UK (behind nuclear) and we have amongst the strictest monitoring regimes in Europe for incinerators. Gone are the days where waste is burnt with thick black smoke going into the atmosphere. Today’s incinerators are incredibly efficient with very little actually coming out of the chimney. In fact, if the arguments against the incinerator are based on environmental grounds, then you should consider that there are more dioxins and pollution released into the air on 5th November (Guy Fawkes night) by all of the fireworks and bonfires across the UK than what all of the incinerators in the UK generate in a year. Another very important point to consider is ‘what are the alternatives?’ Experts suggest that the UK has around 7 years of Llandfill space (which themselves produce the greenhouse gas methane) so what will happen in 2018? If we don’t have the incinerator where will the waste go? Other technologies such as gasification and Mechanical Biological Treatment are prohibitively expensive and relatively untested. It is illegal to export it and I don’t think residents will want to bury it in their own back yard or burn it in their garden. It is also worth knowing that it is a compulsory requirement that these new incinerators have to use the waste as a fuel source to generate energy. Using the waste as a fuel will therefore prevent coal from being mined, transported and burned at power stations as could essentially generate our own. As the saying goes ‘there are two sides to every story’.
By email
Twinning Association News Shepshed Eye has received the latest Newsletter from Shepshed & District Twinning Association. Here are a few extracts:
Five Dales Walk On May 7th a group of seven did the Five Dales walk, starting from Millers Dale. (see right) It was a beautiful day, and the wildflowers (anemones, ransoms, orchids …) were amazing. We hope to arrange another walk later in the year.
Primary School Links Two Shepshed schools have now set up links with schools in Domont: • Oxley with the école Jean Moulin, and • St Botolph’s with école Charles de Gaulle. Children have exchanged easter cards, and we hope for further developments.
Conversation Group There was a good turnout for our first French conversation group, brilliantly hosted by Alison on May 13th. We enjoyed food and drink, while talking (in French) about music, dance, and lots of things.
Video conferencing, anyone?
The newly elected Chairman of Shepshed Town Council; Cllr Cynthia Popley(Centre), Vice Chairman; Cllr Joan Tassell (left) and outgoing Chairman of Council; Cllr Diane Horn (Right)
We have a new contact person in Domont, Sylvie Mattioda. Sylvie is the daughter of Jacques Poindron, whom many people will remember. Sylvie wants to improve communications between the two towns, and is keen on video conferencing. For information about the twinning association, contact Penny & Phil on email: sheptwin@btinternet.com or Alan on email: a.z.robinson@open. ac.uk or you can telephone 01530 222500
It’s easier to suffer in silence if you’re sure someone is watching.