Bexhill Achievers Recognition for BALI

BALI was nominated for the Environment Award at the Bexhill Achievers Ceremony on Friday 17th September. 

BALI members were delighted to be presented with the Highly Commended Award.
This was accepted by Nick Hollington on behalf of the group who felt it was a reward for 8 years of effort and dedication by the group in campaigning against the proposed landfill at Ashdown.

BALI were presented with a framed certificate which will be on display for the first time at the Town Forum on Tuesday 21st September.

Fight Continues Over Landfill

Article by Ben Higgins, published Bexhill Observer 17/9/10

Protesters have amassed a body of new evidence supporting their belief that landfill is not an option in Bexhill.
Members of BALI are set to present their findings to East Sussex County Council (ESCC) ahead of the authority's next newsletter on the matter at the end of the month.

Amid news that ESCC is now exploring alternatives to land disposal, the town's MP has warned residents that landfill 'remains a real threat', calling for Bexhill to unite behind a common cause.

Greg Barker said: 'We still need to continue to raise money to fight a professional campaign and ensure this threat is defeated by the town.
'It's clear the wider expert opinions are moving away from landfill because of the huge costs and environmental impact landfill has.
'But it's still a very real problem and there's absolutely no room for complacency in our campaign.
'We have always been at our best when we have a common cause uniting different parties and age groups.'
Fresh with a new constitution and membership scheme, BALI have prepared a submission summarising findings at Ashdown Brickworks, Turkey Road, ESCC's preferred choice for a new waste disposal site.
The findings include:

• the discovery of dinosaur remains at Ashdown Brickworks
• an ongoing application to turn the brickworks into a Site of Special Scientific Interest
• the expansion of Bexhill cemetery, meaning its borders will neighbour the brickworks
• the new Bexhill High School site on Gunters Lane
• the delay and possible cancellation of the Bexhill Hastings Link Road

ESCC is still considering the response to the recent consultation on the landfill proposals, and say they will soon publish an analysis of residents' concerns, hinting at the prospect of further consultation.

A recent edition of Your County magazine, published by ESCC, says they are: 'looking at other alternatives which might mean land disposal is not needed.'

When asked to explain this, a spokesman commented: 'There are a range of ways in which we can reduce the need for landfill, including minimising the amount of waste produced in the first place, recycling, composting and converting to energy.

'We are already employing these techniques for household waste and are in discussion with partners to consider the feasibility of all or some of these approaches for commercial, industrial, construction and demolition waste.'

Nearby West Sussex County Council recently suspended work on its waste strategy in the light of a policy review by the coalition government.

Asked why ESCC is pressing ahead, the spokesman said no decisions would be made before government's plans were clear.

'We must plan for the waste that continues to be produced in the county, especially given that existing disposal facilities have a finite life', he said.  'However, we are conscious that government is reviewing its waste policies and we will not therefore make any plans in advance of this and any other reviews.'

Nick Hollington, chair of BALI, urged residents to join the groups' new membership scheme, saying: 'I have always wanted to involve local people in the association.

'We want everyone to join.  Going to East Sussex to continue this fight, we need to say we have at least 1,000 members.  Anybody can join and we hope councillors will join too. It gives us more weight.'

BALI's next move is a meeting of key stakeholders on October 29. Though not a public meeting, Nick invited community groups to send a representative along.  Contact BALI on 01424 843046 or 01424 221872 for information about the meeting, or membership.

Leader of Rother District Council Carl Maynard has previously confirmed RDC 'consistently and fundamentally opposes' landfill at Ashdown Brickworks, but could not be reached in time for comment yesterday (Thursday).

See the Bexhill Observer website.

A Taste of BALI at Freezeland Farm

BALI was very fortunate to be offered the facilities of Freezeland Farm by Bill and Margaret van Draat last Saturday 4th September 2010 for an informal dinner. This wonderful setting was enhanced by the weather so guests were able to enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the courtyard before entering the barn where tables had been set out and decorated with small lights and candles.

Although our MP Greg Barker was unable to stay, he gave a very pertinent address about the history of BALI and that the cross party committee was still carrying on the fight to ensure the landfill threat at Ashdown was defeated. One of the reasons for the evening, apart from obviously publicising BALI, was the very necessary raising of much needed funds.

We had 58 people sit down for a 3 course meal with wine, with the main course based on an Indonesian/Bali theme. During coffee, we were lucky to have as speaker ex Mayor Stuart Earl, long a supporter of the Landfill fight and on this occasion he not only emphasised this but also gave us stories from his time running Earls bakery.

The whole evening was a huge success with approximately £1500 raised. We were very fortunate that we had kind people who donated items for the auction and raffle which raised a considerable amount of money. However, the most important thanks must go to Bill & Margaret whose generosity and spirit ensured that we had an incredibly successful evening in so many different ways.

Bexhill is indeed very lucky in having two such wonderful people who freely offer their home facilities and time for events such as this.