SLM Newsletter 7/12/13

WEED-KILLER - in response to SLM members' concerns about Glyphosate weed killer being used on our greens spaces and our streets, this week's "Hackney Gazette" front pages features an article by Emma Bartholomew, about the dangers and the £40,000 a year costs of using this dubious way of keeping our streets weed free.
 
CROSS MARSHES - SLM organised a meeting of groups and interested individuals last Sunday at Ye Olde Rose & Crown, Walthamstow, to discuss the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) commissioned report on the state of Leyton Marsh, carried out by the London Wildlife Trust (LWT) and also to discuss having stronger bio-diversity measures used by Waltham Forest and Hackney Councils, including permanent Bio Diversity officers.  Resulting from this two letters have been drafted and sent to our contacts inviting them to sign up to the letters by Friday 13 December.
 
LVRPA MEETING - as reported last week - the LVRPA decided to drop it's user group meetings and replace them with other ways they think local people with want to engage with.  Despite questioning the lack of consultation on this, we discussed the issue at the Cross Marshes meeting and decided that as being fair minded people, those who wish to attend this meeting, should give LVRPA personnel a chance to outline what they are proposing.  The meeting which will discuss the LWT report will take place at 1.30 at the Waterworks.  People are requested to contact Martin PageMPage@leevalleypark.org.uk if they are intending to attend.
 
HACKNEY BIO DIVERISTY - we have been alerted to the Draft Hackney Local Development Framework.  Chapter 6 of this, specifically relates to bio diversity (although we think it needs strengthening). see http://www.hackney.gov.uk/assets/documents/ 
 
NEWS FROM OTHER CAMPAIGNS - we like to give our support to other local groups and campaigns in SLM - we know how hard it can be to stand up and to keep the energy flowing - so this week, we give a heads up to the Southbank Skate Park campaign.  Since last week, the park has been closed by the South Bank organisation "for repairs".  SBO want to see the Skate Park moved to another site, so it can use the space for more "income generating" activities.  This plays scant regard to the importance of "self generated" activities.  This space was the first dedicated space for skateboarders - it has "a legacy" in a real sense, not just in the Olympic sense of the word.  The campaign is appealing for support on planning see http://on.fb.me?lcXeqw8   Also, get yourselves down to Hackney Town Hall this Wednesday 11 December at 6.30 to support Stokey Local and its campaign to stop the Sainsbury's development in Stoke Newington, overlooking Abney Park.
 
ORGANIC LEA - news from our friends at Organic Lea, includes (a) a new scheme to get people involved in helping people use or share their gardens more effectively, growing organic vegetables - contact jen@organiclea.org.uk  for more information and (b) if you are quick there is an interesting job on offer:  Volunteering Development Officer, for 30 hours a week.  Closing date is this coming Monday 9 December.  See www.naturewise.org.uk or contact info@naturewise.org.uk  
 
NEXT SLM MEETING - MONDAY 16 DECEMBER, 7.30 AT THE HARE & HOUNDS, LEA BRIDGE ROAD, LEYTON.  All welcome - not just the "usual suspects" ...