Saddleworth
Moors Action Group
c/o Cllr Ken Hulme, 28 Sevenacres, Delph 0L3 5HU
Tel 01457 872859 Email kenhulme@waitrose.com
National
Windfarm Conference with David Bellamy & Bernard Ingham
Saddleworth
Civic Hall, Saturday June 19th
A National Conference
for protest groups, local councillors and individuals concerned about the
current 'Dash for Wind' which is threatening some of our most scenic landscape
is being organised for Saturday June 19th in Saddleworth Civic
Hall, Uppermill, Saddleworth.
Broadcaster and environmentalist
David Bellamy will be one
of the main participants as will Sir Bernard Ingham
a former advisor to Tony Benn
(in his ministerial days) on renewable energy and vice president of Countryside
Guardian
The conference which
is being hosted by Saddleworth Moors Action Group (SMAG) in association with
Countryside Guardian is expected to attract
councillors and activists from many parts of the UK. A wide range of speakers
are being invited to reflect not only concern about the threat from giant wind turbines but also about
the long term energy strategy of the UK. A concern which will also be reflected
in the BBC Television debate 'IF' to be screened later this week.
Councillor Ken Hulme,
a Saddleworth Parish Councillor who is a spokesman for SMAG said: ' The
threat of seven giant 350 ft wind turbines being sited in perhaps the most beautiful part of Saddleworth Moor has
sparked off widespread opposition throughout Oldham and Saddleworth. But we
are also worried about the wider threat to so many
rare and scenic areas throughout the UK. We aren't just 'Nimbys' in
Saddleworth. We care about the potential impact on our bird life on Saddleworth
Moors where rare species like the Twite are threatened but equally many of
us don't want to see the wholesale slaughter of sea birds off the coast at Blackpool.
The campaign to oppose
United Utilities plans to site these giant Turbines has started to make many
of us think about where this country's energy policy is leading and frankly
the more we look at the issue the more concerned we have become. It is clearly
time for a national meeting of groups like ours which have been springing
up all over the country in recent months. We are delighted that David Bellamy
and Sir Bernard Ingham who have given invaluable support to our campaign in
Saddleworth will be speaking on June 19th.
Note : Country Guardian
are a UK Conservation Group who have been concerned about the impact of Wind
Turbines on the countryside for over a decade. Neil Kinnock former leader
of the Labour Party is a past patron. They can be contacted via their web
site: www.countryguardian.net
For further details of the conference on June 19th
contact Ken Hulme 01457 872859