CUTE!

Thu 12 Dec 2024, 17:32 (last edited on Thu 12 Dec 2024, 17:34)

Just to let people know, that we have been working away behind the scenes and to try to convey some of the more positive achievements of 10 years of working for nature in our catchment, we have a new website devoted to the Evenlode, which can be found here: 

www.evenlodecatchment.org.uk

Wed 11 Dec 2024, 20:55

As far as I know there is no current plan to re-nationalise TW though it has certainly been considered and I imagine there is a (probably long-standing) one to step in if the company can't keep going.

TW is now massively in debt - over £15billion.   However outrageous, bosses' bonuses pale in comparison.  And whether as taxpayers or bill payers it is we who will have to pay to rescue it and correct the damage, invest in the infrastructure etc if we are to see our waterways restored to even reasonable health, not to mention dealing with future demands and flood relief.  The result of a monumentally and continually mismanaged privatisation and failure of regulation - much like Grenfell in that last respect.

There is a large element of truth in George's comment - but there are also now hundreds of organisations large and small around the country campaigning for change.  Locally do check out the Evenlode Catchment Partnership and Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (who are serious players in it evidentially and politically) if you're interested and haven't already.  And let your MP know of your concerns!

Wed 11 Dec 2024, 11:23

I thought the government was considering taking Thames Water into public ownership? Yet ... "the boss of Thames Water has defended executive bonuses as the firm calls for a hike in customer bills to ensure its survival.

Chris Weston said the supplier needed to offer "competitive packages" to attract talent, but the water regulator has previously said that customers must not foot the bill for "undeserved bonuses".

It comes as the embattled company saw a 40% increase in pollution incidents in the six months to 30 September, as its debts continued to swell, according to its latest set of results.

Thames approaches a critical moment next week, with Ofwat set to decide whether to allow a proposed 59% increase in consumer bills over the next five years." (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4zklxgwwwo)

Wed 11 Dec 2024, 09:20

Sadly, we're more of a "moan about it at home" country than any direct action. Power concedes nothing without a demand.  

Tue 10 Dec 2024, 22:52

Last night's Panorama, The Water Company's Murky Business. 

Focussing on Severn Trent Water. 

As Feargal Sharkey says, 'Clearly the whole system has become utterly dis-functional. There should be at this point in time a public outcry and there should be mass demonstrations in every city centre.'

Wed 25 Sep 2024, 11:00 (last edited on Wed 25 Sep 2024, 11:06)

NB:  The march has been switched to Sunday 03/11 to avoid clashing with a demo led by Tommy Robinson - see here:  https://marchforcleanwater.org.

In case anyone needs a reminder of the need for it, here's what the Mill stream bridge looks like this morning:

Thank you Thames Water!

Long post - click to read full text

Sun 22 Sep 2024, 04:06

The best place round here for banners:

Minuteman Press (oxford@minutemanpress.com)  

Of course, Rod's cute campaign isn't the only one likely to have a march around October 26. You ought to get your order in soon, in case  Minuteman gets overwhelmed

Sat 21 Sep 2024, 12:52

As some Forum readers may remember, my little acronym stands for: 

                                Clean Up The Evenlode!

A lot of ‘citizen science’ going on these days (via Earthwatch, the ECP etc) in monitoring the state of the river – and doing what they can (confess to being a bit flaky about it myself!) to improve things. 

Pollution of our waterways I’ve always seen as a political issue however as it’s only through political action that the problems can really be solved, with all that citizen science providing much of the evidence to support it.  And as has been shown through the election campaigns and in the media, the issue has at last come up the political agenda. 

And now is your chance to make your feelings known about it via the March for Clean Water on 26 October – see here:  https://marchforcleanwater.org  Stopping the water bosses’ bonuses and threatening them with imprisonment may make the leftie in you feel better but is just scratching the surface (not of course that you can scratch – oh never mind, you get the point!).

This is just advance notice in case you haven't already heard about the march and might like to join it.  I believe others will be organising group transport so more to follow in due course. 

Now, where can I get a banner made??