Meeting: Floods, coming to a High Street near you...?

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Climate change campaigner Guy Shrubsole will be giving a talk about floods at Brent Friends of the Earth's (Brent FoE) monthly meeting at Watling Gardens Community Meeting Room, in Kilburn on Tuesday February 10th at 7.30pm.

Guy Shrubsole, Climate Campaigner from Friends of the Earth will be asking are we at risk, and what can we do to tackle floods and climate change in Brent.

Ian Saville, a Co-ordinator of Brent Friends of the Earth says:

Floods and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as a result of climate change. In Brent we have a large reservoir and the River Brent, and many people now find when they renew their insurance that they are considered at risk of flooding. There is a real danger of serious flooding in some areas. We'll be discussing how all this might affect us in Brent and what we can all do to lessen the risk.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free event, and stay for the rest of the group meeting. Light refreshments will be available.

The talk will start at at 7.30pm till approximately 9pm, and will be followed by Brent FoE's monthly meeting. The meeting will be at Watling Gardens Community Meeting Room, 97/135 Watling Gardens, Shoot Up Hill, NW2 3UB (5 mins. from Kilburn tube/buses on Shoot up Hill). For more information see http://www.brentfoe.com or email info@brentfoe.com.

Great line up for Willesden Green Garden party on Sunday - book now!

Ahmed Dickinson

 

This is the  lineup for the Brent Stop the War and Palestine Solidarity Campaign garden party to be held in Willesden Green  on Sunday 15th June. 

The performers are:

Rachel Rose Reid - story teller and performance artist

Archetype - rapper and poet

Farhad Khalid - asian/easten folk jazz guitarist, singer song writer

Finistere - guitar, Irish whistle and songs

Ahmed Dickinson - Cuban virtuoso guitarist

Ian Saville, Socialist Magician and our MC

We also have the most amazing raffle prizes donated by organisations. They are:

Vouchers for comedy nights at The Good Ship in Kilburn

3 x vouchers for 2 tickets to the BFI (British Film Institute)

1 x voucher for 2 tickets to a main feature at the Lexi Cinema
2 x vouchers for a meal for 2 at Maramia Palestinian Cafe In Golborne Road
1 x fairtrade recycled bag from Ganesha fairtrade shop
1 x book "The Blood Never Dried" by John Newsinger from Bookmarks

Order tickets by emailing brentstopthewar@gmail.com or phoning Sarah on 07951 084 101. 

Tickets bought in advance cost £15 waged/solidarity, £12 pensioners /low waged and £8 students/benefit claimants.  On the door prices: £20, £15,  £10

Sunday June 15^th  5pm onwards

In Kate & Jamie’s beautiful garden close to Willesden Green station.

We will tell you the address when you buy your ticket.

BRENT STW and PSC Summer Fundraising Garden Party

Please spread the word by joining the Facebook event and inviting all your friends – see here. https://www.facebook.com/events/1427576110826752/?fref=ts

Don't miss this great Brent fundraising event

 

This is always a great event in a stunning Willesden Green garden. I recommend it but have to declare an interest: I am chair of the Brent and Harrow Palestine Solidarity  Campaign which will benefit from the fundraising.

Brent Council leader reiterates opposition to fracking

In a letter to Ian Saville and Pam Laurance, Joint Coordinators of Brent Friends of the Earth, Brent Council leader, Muhuimmad Butt, has reiterated his oppositon to fracking. He was responding to letters and postcards sent from residents.

Thank you for your letter of 15 March 2014 and the postcards that you enclosed. It’s heartening to know that so many Brent residents passionately oppose hydraulic fracturing as much as the Council does; as you say, “Fracking is a dirty word”.

I’m sure you’ve been as dismayed to read that the ConDem Government now intend to overhaul trespass legislation to make it easier for fracking firms to gain access without permission of landowners. We are currently exploring what new legislation regarding planning law gives us the opportunity to prevent contractors by law.

As you know, Brent has no intention whatsoever to grant contractors with licences to carry out shale gas extraction in our borough. I agree that a council motion would make a statement to communicate our opposition to all, inside and outside of Brent. Thank you for your draft wording, which will be considered by Executive Members.

In November, we decided to go beyond the standard motion. Hitting the headlines wasn’t just a stunt though – we are obligated to protect our residents from harm. When so many charities and organisations, including yourselves and Public Health England, were voicing loud concerns, the Council had no choice but to speak out. We will use what legal power we can to defend local residents, their homes and neighbourhoods against the dangers of fracking.

Willesden Green: Fracking hell-not here! Demonstrate tomorrow

Brent Friends of the Earth (Brent FoE) says that fracking is a dirty word that local residents do not want, and they will be asking MPs, London Assembly members and the local Council to swear that they won’t allow it in Brent.

They will spelling out their message outside Willesden  Green Station tomorrow at 10.45am tomorrow (Saturday October 19th)

Later this year the Government is expected to open vast swathes of the country to fracking with a new round of licensing. This will bring the threat of fracking to thousands more people’s doorsteps. Brent, as the local planning authority, has the power to prevent this. Brent is one of many authorities on a list of potential sites under consideration for this controversial technology.

Ian Saville, Brent FoE spokesperson and Neasden resident, says, “fracking is a dirty technology that will damage our health, environment and climate. The resulting shale gas is a dirty fossil fuel that will add to the dangerous levels of greenhouse gases in the environment. It should be left in the ground.”

“Brent residents, along with other communities up and down the country, don't want a dash for gas. If fracking is the answer, then the question must be wrong! If London Mayor Boris Johnson gets his way, we could see fracking across London. We need to send him and Brent a clear message that we do not want or need fracking to keep the lights on, nor can we count on it to reduce fuel bills. Instead we need to invest in renewables and energy saving to heat our homes.”

Brent FoE will also be running a stall outside Willesden Green tube station on the day and will be speaking to local residents about the problems with fracking.

You mustn't miss Sunday's amazing garden party in Willesden Green

The Annual Summer Fundraising Garden Party in Willesden Green has become justly famous not only for the beautiful and fascinating garden in which it is held but for its great entertainment and fabulous home-cooked food which includes vegetarian options and fantastic deserts. ALL INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE.

In addition soft drinks, beer and wine are available.

This year's event should be great.  Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond her control Julie Felix has had to drop out but we still have:

The wonderful Singer Songwriter, Leon Rosselson

The amazing Socialist Magician, Ian Saville, 

A brand new act for us, Mizan the Poet  

Our regular Folk and Rock Duo, Finisterre  

and  Musical Comedy duo Jo Stephenson and Dan Woods 

have stepped into the breach. They will perform some of their show from the Chelsea Fringe Can You Dig It? plus Dan's History of the Soviet Union to the melody of Tetris. 

SUMMER FUNDRAISING GARDEN PARTY

Sunday 7th July, 4pm - 10pm 

In Kate and Jamie's Garden, Willesden Green (the full address comes with the ticket!)

Special advanced prices

£15 Solidarity / Waged, £11 Low Waged / Retired, £8 Students / Benefit Claimant's

Prices on the door rise to £10 / £15 / £20

for more information and to reserve your ticket(s) e-mail brentstopthewar@gmail.com or brentharrowpsc@hotmail.co.uk    

or else ring/text Sarah (StW) on 07951 084101 or Martin (PSC) on 020 8908 3913

Organised by Brent Stop the War and Brent& Harrow Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Top classical guitarist in fund-raising line up tomorrow

I will be off down to my allotment early tomorrow to harvest globe artichokes, raspberries and black currants in preparation for Sunday afternoon's Brent Stop the War and Brent PSC's summer garden party in Willesden Green.

The fund-raiser takes place in a beautiful garden and the weather forecast is good. Apart from delicious food and a bar, entertainment is also provided by top names including classical guitarist Ahmed Dickinson (above). Other entertainers include Camilla Cancantata, queen of  the squeeze box; Jean Marc, story teller; Alan Johnson, folk singer and of course Ian Saville, socialist magician.

It is not too late to attend the garden party which starts at 5pm and finishes at 10pm. Ring Sarah Cox on

07951 084 101 or e-mail her scox05@btinternet.com for tickets.

Tickets are £12 wage/£8 unwaged in advance and £15/£10 on the door.