Local Group News: Autumn 2009 - Winter 2009

Stalls
Sheffield FoE held a stall in Endcliffe Park on Saturday 26th September as part of a Rangers’ Wood Fair. We raised awareness of climate change and collected more postcards for the Get Serious campaign.

This year’s Peace Fair was a success in terms of getting more than 50 postcards signed for the Get Serious campaign.

If you know of any stalls or events coming up in areas we don’t normally visit then please let us know.

Conference
Due to financial difficulties at Friends of the Earth this year’s conference was due to be scrapped. However, a smaller than normal conference was organised for 2 days in Nottingham and Trisha from our group attended. The highlight of the event was the talk by David Mackay, the author of the book called Sustainable Energy Without The Hot Air.

Web Site & E-Mail
The Sheffield Friends of the Earth website was updated to show the locations of over 40 additional renewable energy projects in Sheffield. To view the interactive map visit www.sheffieldfoe.co.uk and click on the renewable energy map link. Since the last newsletter was published we have gained another 26 email members.

Meetings & Talks
A number of Sheffield FoE members listened to a series of talks at the Cathedral. One focused on The Triple Crunch: Risks & Opportunities and the other was Climate Change, Energy and the Politics of the Future. 
For recordings of the meetings visit,
www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/sheffield/2009/10/440314.html
www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/sheffield/2009/10/439428.html

Posters
National FoE has produced some posters to be put up in clubs, places of work, etc. with a view to recruiting new members. These have now been printed in A3 format.
Would you be able to put one up where you work, or in another suitable location? If so, please get in touch with us.

Best Environmental Campaigning Charity
On 16 November Friends of the Earth was named Best Environmental Campaigning Charity in the Parliamentary Charity Awards 2009, voted for by parliamentarians. Consistent and informed lobbying and communicating by local groups has been central to creating the impact necessary to stand out as so effective to this key group of people we seek to influence.