Pay It Forward Day today!

This is the third year the UK is officially celebrating Pay it Forward Day on the 25^th April 2013 when people will be invited to join a worldwide movement in performing random acts of kindness to 3 or more people and asking those people to do the same. Last year, over 250,000 people in 30 countries took part in Pay it Forward Day and this year, we are hoping to inspire over 3 million acts of kindness. See more at:
http://payitforwardday.co.uk/

GlosVAIN set out next steps re incinerator...

Here is part of GlosVAIN's newsletter which carries a link to alternatives to an incinerator and County Council candidates views against the incinerator:

Warning! Burner Could Still Be Built

It's a month since the Planning Meeting, where planning permission was refused unanimously for the incinerator. It was a stunning and unexpected result, and wouldn't have happened without the dedication and support of everyone associated with the campaign.

It would be great to be able to put our feet up now and simply take pride in having averted a financial and environmental disaster. Unfortunately, we don't have that luxury. Despite such an overwhelming verdict having been passed on the incinerator, incredibly, there is still the very real threat of it still going ahead. Yes - it could still be built!

We can't afford to let down our guard. The most likely outcomes we anticipate from this point on are as follows:

* UBB appeals. A Public Inquiry takes place with a Planning Inspector who then decides the outcome. GCC (and taxpayers) would be liable for costs on both sides, because they signed a contract with UBB to that effect. If the appeal is successful, the incinerator may end up being built.

* A New Plan: GCC could ask UBB to come up with a revised plan, which could look at other approaches for dealing with our waste. This could be a great opportunity to leave the incinerator idea behind and finally have a public debate about how best to deal with Gloucestershire’s waste. See here for some ideas of alternatives.

Whatever happens, the outcome of the County Council Elections on 2nd May will be an important factor in whether or not the incinerator is ultimately built. The Planning Committee voted to throw out the planning application last month, now we have the chance to vote...

2nd May - Gloucestershire County Council Elections

The make up of the County Council after the elections on 2nd May could be a key factor that contributes to whether the incinerator is built. We are therefore asking everyone to "Think Incinerator" before voting for one of their local candidates on 2nd May.

To help with this we have published a list of all the candidates and what their stance is on the incinerator. We have had responses from the majority of candidates and are continuing to update the list all the time. Click here to see the list. You can also link to all the main parties' manifestos via the GlosVAIN website.

Alternatives to the Incinerator
Presentation, 29th April

We now have a great opportunity to consider more sustainable and cheaper alternatives to incineration, and where better to start this public debate than Minchinhampton, where the “Waste Champion” Cllr Stan Waddington is presently the elected County Councillor.

Come to a talk about incineration and the alternatives:
On:     Monday 29th April
At:      Minchinhampton Market House, Bell Lane, Minchinhampton, Stroud, GL6 9BP
From:  7pm-9pm

A Great Opportunity
Let’s now seize the chance to make Gloucestershire forward-looking, by maximising our recycling and using cheaper, greener alternatives.  In Oxfordshire, where the County Council has put in resources to boost recycling levels, recycling rates of 68% are being hit right now, compared to our 47% in Gloucestershire.

Separate collection and Anaerobic Digestion of food waste would create renewable energy and compost. Further sorting of waste in an advanced MBT plant and treating the rest in a modern facility could power thousands of homes and put an end to landfill. Come to the Talk and find out more! Hope to see you there.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has let us down on Burma

I just got this letter below from the Burma Campaign UK - listening to reports yesterday I was astonished by the actions of William Hague - very disturbing indeed. I would urge folk to support the Burma Campaign UK - see more here.

Yesterday (Monday 22nd April) was a significant and sad day for Burma. It provided a striking example of the growing disconnect between the reality on the ground in Burma, and the policies of the international community, including British government policy.

The day started with the BBC releasing a shocking video of the anti-Muslim attacks which took place in the Burmese town of Meiktila last month. Police stood by doing nothing as Muslims were beaten and burned, and shops and homes destroyed. You can view the video here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22243676

Human Rights Watch then published a new report, ‘All You Can Do Is Pray’, which provided evidence of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity against the ethnic Rohingya Muslim minority in Burma. The report included evidence of Burmese authorities involvement in crimes against humanity. You can read the report here: http://www.hrw.org/reports/2013/04/22/all-you-can-do-pray-0

Later the same day European Union Foreign Ministers met and decided to lift all sanctions against Burma except the arms embargo. This is despite multiple violations of international law still taking place, and the fact that the EU’s own benchmarks for improvements in human rights have not been met.

Our press release, which includes details on how those benchmarks have not been, met is here: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/news-and-reports/news-stories/eu-abandons-burmas-political-prisoners-downgrades-human-rights/142

The Democratic Voice of Burma also published an article by the Director of Burma Campaign UK on how the EU is ignoring human rights, available here: http://www.dvb.no/analysis/dropping-sanctions-and-ignoring-human-rights-abuses/27677

Perhaps just as bad as the lifting of sanctions was the statement from the EU, which is a significant misrepresentation of what is taking place in Burma, downplaying and ignoring problems, and talking up small positives.  It’s a rose-tinted view of Burma which ignores the facts and the serious human rights abuses still taking place. You can read it here: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/136918.pdf
(You may need to copy and paste this link in to your web browser to view the PDF).

In an editorial, the Daily Telegraph said that it was ‘deeply embarrassing’ that British Foreign Secretary William Hague agreed to the lifting of sanctions. The Telegraph warned that the EU’s credibility is damaged by lifting sanctions despite human rights benchmarks not being met, and that the EU is now relying of the regime's goodwill to make further reforms. You can view the editorial here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/10010491/Burma-has-far-to-go.html

A key factor in the shameful approach by the EU is the fact that Foreign Secretary William Hague has abandoned the former policy of putting human rights first in making Burma policy. Without Britain’s strong voice for human rights within the EU, countries like Germany, which always wanted to prioritise trade, get their own way. Worse, the British government now seems to be trying to compete with Germany in downplaying human rights and promoting trade.

Sanctions are gone now, but the human rights abuses remain. Burma Campaign UK will campaign to persuade the British government to put human rights first in its Burma policy. We will be in touch with you soon with campaign actions. The people of Burma still need our support, now more than ever. We will keep campaigning for human rights for all the people of Burma.

Thank you for your support.

Anna Roberts
Executive Director
Burma Campaign UK

Vote for Stroud Valleys Project to win a National Trust Award

The voting page started this morning and closes midnight on Sunday 28 April. Stroud Valleys Project is one of only 3 organisations to be selected nationally for the final vote in the National Trust' Octavia Hill Green Space Guardian Award 2013 - to win would give them a well deserved boost - please vote now at: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/article-1355778822804/

Please pass this onto as many folk as you can.....

I nominated Stroud Valleys Project back in January for this award - I had no hesitation in nominating them - they have a fantastic reputation for working with all parts of our community. They inspire and train both adults and children to discover and nurture the wildlife and green spaces on their doorsteps. Their staff and many volunteers are hugely passionate about the projects. We are indeed fortunate to have such a great organisation in the district. I hope everyone locally will vote to show how much we appreciate their work.

Here's more from the press release:

Chief executive of Stroud Valleys Project, Clare Mahdiyone said: “We are thrilled to reach the top three in the Green Space Guardian section of this important National Trust Octavia Hill Award and it would make the award even more special to receive it in 2013 as it is our 25th anniversary this year.”

Stroud Valleys Project was set up in 1988 with the aim of protecting and enhancing the local environment by working together with local people. They have a dedicated team of volunteers who go out around Stroud district looking after green spaces for the benefit of local people and wildlife. Over the 25 years they have worked on a variety of greenspace projects including Trinity Pocket Park; the Lake at the Lawn, Cainscross; Summer Crescent, Stroud; Holywell Orchard, Cam; Hamwell Leazes, Finns Way; Rackleaze Wetland, Cam, the Long Ground, Stroud and Stonehouse newt pond. Some of their current projects are helping set up a community garden in Delmont’s Lot in the centre of Stroud and restoring the garden at the house of poet W H Davies in Nailsworth.

“Together with our volunteers we work to protect and restore special green spaces that have become neglected and bring them back to life so everyone - both wildlife and people – can enjoy them again,” explained Clare.“ We believe that everyone can do their bit to help nature thrive from planting bee and butterfly friendly plants in the garden or looking after neglected urban or rural space. We work closely with farmers and landowners to restore hedgerows or create ponds to help biodiversity in the countryside.”

Voting in the online poll opens on Monday 22 April and people have just one week to support Stroud Valleys Project at the National Trust website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/octaviaawards.

Stroud Valleys Project was chosen from over 130 nominations for these awards, now in their second year, which are being run in partnership with Countryfile Magazine.

Helen Timbrell, Volunteering and Community Involvement Director for the National Trust and one of the award judges, said: "These awards show that the spirit of Octavia Hill is well and truly alive.  I was so impressed by the passion and commitment of the people nominated and it was a really hard decision to come up with the final shortlist.”

Notes to editors - click on read more

The Star Inn walks 1/6

Glorious day today...been to Parish drop-in about the Neighbourhood Plans (more on those soon) and after a load of emails spent the rest of teh day in the garden....tomorrow maybe a walk....but might have to be with Green Party leaflets rather than one of Ken's walks...

Click on the pic for the first of The Star Inn walks - Ken has kindly let me reprint them on this blog - the other 5 walks coming soon....

www.the-star-inn-whiteshill.co.uk
01453-765321

Growing a Green Future - Vote Green Party on May 2nd

You can double click or on YouTube symbol to open larger.

Vote for the Green Party on May 2nd in the County Council Elections. Vote for a Party that not only cares for the environment, but also cares about people. With our progressive, practical policies on a range of issues including welfare, employment and banking reform only the Green Party offers a real alternative vision for Britain that's also realistic.

Written by Gail Parminter and art directed by Chris Sainsbury, shot by Marc Silver, produced by Danielle Ward and edited by James Smith--Russe through Annex Films, who also provided post-production. Music specially composed by Yellow Boat music, sound mix by Jason Courtney at USP Content. Agency producer Maggie Campbell.

Randwick Parish Council meet and more

Residents have expressed concern re speeds here in Randwick

This week seems to have flown by with two evenings of extensive leafletting for Anna Bonallack - the Green Party candidate for this area in the county elections on 2nd May - exhausted and realising how unfit I'd got - need an election every couple of months to keep me fit? Anyhow it is always great to walk around the ward - we live in such an amazing area....

Anyhow I've also had a project board meeting for a couple of hours looking at sheltered housing, a meet about how we can increase wheelchair accessible taxis in Stroud (only one is accessible), a meeting about right to light and overbearing in relation to planning applications plus the brook group meeting - See my blog post on the Ruscombe Brook Action Group website: http://www.rbag.org.uk/2013/04/damage-to-brook-and-land-in-randwick.html

Anyway last night was the Parish meeting in Randwick...I gave a brief update on stuff at the District Council - also considered - plans for an evening to focus on what folk want from the playing field - this follows several proposals - and how to tackle dog poo on the fields - do we need more measures?

The Parish Plan was revisited and interestingly there were no councillors who had been involved in it in 2007 - so much work was done on that - sadly alot of the groups fell away and alot of the work did not go forward....you can read it at: http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/randwick-community-plan-get-involved.html or I think you can still download from the Parish site. Anyhow there are plans to revisit and focus on a few areas to see what needs action - it is interesting to see that much has changed even in that short time....

Of course lots of other stuff got discussed but I must get to answer some emails now....

Sarah Lunnon, County elections and more

Why the cafe in photo below? More in a moment....Yesterday I managed to catch the Green Party's Sarah Lunnon talking on BBC Glos Radio about elections - she is hoping to be re-elected in a ward that has, like all County wards been made larger. You can hear her at 44.30 for the next 6 days at; http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016n8nk 

Cornish cafe

I also was out leafleting and a little bit of canvassing in Randwick last night for Anna Bonallack who is standing in this ward - the ward is large - it includes all of Whiteshill, Ruscombe and Randwick plus Painswick, Pitchcombe, Bisley and more - Anna was also out - she will make an excellent County councillor.....had to stop at 7.30 for a Ruscombe Brook Action Group meeting in The Vine.....plans for a quiz, updates on the sewage works, plans for a biodiversity study and more...

Anyway I must to work now...you can see more about all our candidates standing in the Glos County Council elections here......ooohps nearly forgot...Why the photo of this cafe on a beach on The Lizard,  Cornwall? Well a couple of weeks ago I was there - very good to have a short break with family....and strangely on the first day candidates were announced, I met Dom Brandreth - his first place to canvas was this cafe where I was getting an ice cream for my mum - it was good to hear his enthusiasm for getting elected - I wish him well and indeed all the 1,000 or so Green candidates across the country - you can see the Cornish manifesto here. The cafe put a poster up - if he manages to get votes like that he will be elected easily!

Neighbourhood Plan for Whiteshill and Ruscombe

I have talked in previous posts about plans in both the Parish Councils in this ward to have a Neighbourhood Plan. In Randwick they are already working on it and Whiteshill and Ruscombe look set to start properly this weekend. At the recent Parish meeting - see here - the Parish Council rightly challenged our MP about how useful they will be - there are many reports suggesting they maybe little more than tokenism while others suggest they will give some powers to Parish Councils.

I believe this is a chance to help shape our neighbourhood but I don't see it as a way to stop development...the powers are limited. For details of Saturday's drop-in event 10am-3pm in the Village Shop click on the poster below - I'll be calling in for some of the day so might see you there?

Whiteshill and Ruscombe Village Shop needs help urgently

View from Painswick

We are so lucky to have wonderful dedicated volunteers who keep the shop going but help is now needed....Here's the urgent note from the Village Shop: Due to  illness, holidays, and volunteers other commitments, more  volunteers are needed. Could You Help? 2hr shifts to suit you and your other commitments. Some helpers do several shifts , others prefer a regular weekly shift.  Some prefer to fill in when needed. Others help out occasionally and in emergencies. There are also helpers who just work during term time. Helpers  are  all  ages  and  from  all  walks  of  life.

All new helpers are trained by a volunteer. There are usually two volunteers on each shift.  Some volunteers prefer to work at the till. Some just work in the Coffee Shop. Others work all areas within the shop. There are helpers who collect newspapers, help with repairs, shopping and accounts.

There is a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Some of the helpers have been there since the beginning, 15 years ago.  Many have been helping for several years. It’s a great place to make friends and meet new people, especially if you are new to the area.

WAYS  TO  VOLUNTEER

Call into the shop and talk to Mary Watkins Mon, Thurs or Friday 9-11.

Call in any time and talk to a volunteer and ask them to put your name on the rota.

Ring  the shop 01453 766277

E Mail [email protected] for more details

SHOP  OPENING  HOURS     MON – Fri  9-5,     SAT. 9 – 1     SUN. 9 – 11

If you have not been to the shop for some time, do call in for a Coffee and a browse. There is a large range of goods on offer.

Neil Carmichael MP joins Parish Council meeting

View from Painswick on recent walk

Last night our MP joined the Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council meeting. Before the meeting got going Neil answered questions mainly on the proposed new Neighbourhood Plans....well before getting onto those I did ask if he would support campaigns against any development on the Ruscombe fields or Callowell - I was delighted that he said he would oppose both. I asked if he would also hold placards in any demonstration if it got to that...again he said he would.....of course at the moment there is no immediate threat to those sites but we have to remain particularly vigilant....

The discussions about the Neighbourhood Plan at times were heated - Neils' view is that they offer localism and real choice, yet advice from planners contradicts this saying they can really only say where we want houses not where we don't want them....also Neighbourhood Plans cannot provide for less development than is laid out in Stroud's Local Plan.

So will they be useful? Shall we embark on what is loads of work for the Parish only to find they are toothless? At the moment - until I see evidence otherwise - it seems that alot of this is pretend localism - indeed many have spoken out against them - For example Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, leader of the Local Government Association’s Liberal Democrat group has said that there is a mismatch between what local people will articulate a desire for through the new neighbourhood planning system and the degree of control over development that residents will actually be able to exert. He pointed out that new neighbourhood plans would be required to be consistent with national planning policy and conform to the strategic elements of local plans. He went on: “This gives the illusion of local involvement in planning. My worry is that we are giving the illusion to people that they can control the environment, without actually the reality of it.”

Research commissioned by the National Trust has also found that more than two-thirds of people (70%) say they would be unlikely to get involved in neighbourhood planning.

However there are little bits in the Neighbourhood Plans that could be useful....it could give some additional weight and powers to local communities.....the proof will of course be when they start being tested and used...

Neil said there was as much as £37,000 available to help develop a Neighbourhood Plan but two Parish councillors had attempted to find this money - Neil acknowledged he hadn't either but would help locate it. If the Parish do go-ahead I will be very happy to support moves to a Plan.

Sadly what Monbiot wrote in 2011 here (worth a read) is coming true in my view......far from developing a strong planning framework that would lead to growth we have a weakening of planning laws....developers becoming more speculative, choosing green fields that are easier to develop than brown, not building houses with the quality that is needed to tackle fuel poverty....I could go on but it is depressing...

Green District councillor John Marjoram had a letter in the Local Government Association magazine that covered some of this issue....he wrote:

How dare Cllr Peter Doyle even imply that the Planning Inspectorate is in any way responsible for the mayhem of the current planning (non) system. I speak as someone who has been on a planning committee for 26 years. When it came into power, the Coalition launched a virtual ‘shock and awe' approach to planning, tearing up 64 years of evolved planning legislation. In its place came the National Planning Policy Framework, which the Daily Telegraph maintained was drafted by major developers! Gone was the emphasis on community consideration, replaced by a priority towards developers. The first part of the Government's planning statement talks about "building a strong competitive economy". 

Sir Simon Jenkins, Chairman of the National Trust, spoke recently of a "virtual collapse" of the planning system and people "fighting random development especially in the countryside". This can only be tackled by proper planning. It is estimated that under half of all local authorities have a new local plan adopted because of the short time that the Coalition gave for their completion. Failure to have a plan adopted means that 60 to 70 per cent of land in England is not now protected from uncontrolled development. Does this Coalition really want to be remembered for its wanton destruction of our green and pleasant land in the drive to kick-start the economy!?
 
Parish meeting

Anyway I've gone on longer that I meant in this blog, Neil left the meeting and the normal Parish Council business continued until nearly 10pm....a big welcome to new Parish Councillor, Ruscombe resident, Charlie Curnow...he was co-opted last night. The Parish Council minutes will be out soon but many issues discussed including my brief summary of issues from teh District Council incling the new tenants forum, repairs to the war memorial, dogs off leads in the Playing Field area, Field and Victory Roads being blocked to Emergency vehicles by parked cars, a couple of planning applications, a challenge to the Government plans to cap Parish precepts and lots more...apols must dash now as meeting at Ebley Mill re the new committee system....

Action on Western Sahara - please help!

In his strongest ever statement on Western Sahara, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has recognised the need for human rights monitoring in the Territory. In a copy of the UN Secretary General's 2013 report on the situation in Western Sahara obtained by Reuters, the top UN official acknowledged 'ongoing reports of human rights violations' and cites the 'ever-pressing need for independent, impartial, comprehensive and sustained monitoring of the human rights situations in both Western Sahara and the camps.'

Please join Western Sahara Action Forum in emailing to demand that the UN lives up to its legal and moral responsibilities and monitors human rights violations in Western Sahara. Below is some suggested text - please personalise and send individually or BCC to all email addresses.



Contact details:
Hon. Ambassador Susan E. Rice (US), [email protected]
H.E. Sir Mark Lyall Grant (UK) [email protected]
H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias (Spain) [email protected]
H.E. Gérard Araud (France) [email protected]
H.E. Mr Vitaly Churkin(Russia) [email protected]
H.E. Mr Eugene-Richard Gasana (Rwanda, and Security Council President) [email protected]

Hon. Ambassador,

I welcome the UN Secretary General’s recognition of the need for ‘independent, impartial, comprehensive and sustained monitoring of the human rights situations in both Western Sahara and the camps’. Please ensure this is included within the upcoming resolution on Western Sahara.

Human rights violations against Saharawi who question the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara are commonplace.  This was recently confirmed by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Mendez’ who reported torture, ill treatment, excessive force and kidnappings used to intimidate protestors. The Secretary General’s comments strengthen the calls of numerous human rights organisations, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Mr Mendez who recommended a ‘robust regional inter-governmental human rights monitoring mechanism’ in the Territory.

The language on human rights included in the 2011 resolution completely failed to provide an understanding of the torture and ill-treatment including rape, beatings, extreme violence and arbitrary arrest and detention regularly reported in Western Sahara. The Security Council must not permit Morocco to maintain its illegal occupation though a strategy of violence and terror. The people of Western Sahara urgently need permanent, independent human rights monitoring that reports directly to the UN Security Council.  This is essential to gain a transparent and comprehensive understanding of human rights in the Territory.

Please fulfil your duty to the people of Western Sahara and ensure this is included in the upcoming resolution.

Yours sincerely,

You can email [email protected] to be added to their mailing list.

Randwick Woods Woodfuel project update

Board in Randwick Woods - click to read

Since setting up the project in 2011 with the National Trust we've had 14 meetings in Randwick woods. Each session is about 4 hours of conservation work - in return for which we leave with a boot load of wood that we can chop up at home.  Nearly 30 people have attended at various times in 148 volunteer sessions or 444 volunteer hours. We are now also supported by Transition Stroud who are about supporting local projects that build community resilience.

At the moment we are still full but there is a possibility of places becoming available to new volunteers; if interested do get in touch - although no guarantees!

You can see a film of one of our first sessions that tells more about the work: http://stroudcommunity.tv/12-go-into-the-woods-with-loppers/

Local Plan consultation

One of the plans for the canal

As regular blog readers will know the Council is producing a new Local Plan which will help shape future development within Stroud District until 2031. The next stage of consultation on future planning policies has been launched - this is about putting a number of policies together to effectively make up our rule book on how we make decisions on individual planning applications in the years to come.

The consultation is primarily targeted at developers, town and parish councils and statutory consultees who provide input on planning applications such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, Gloucestershire Highways, Network Rail and other local authorities. Residents can also provide feedback should they wish. In particular, the Council would like to know if you agree with what the policies are trying to achieve or whether changes need to be made to make them better. They would also like to know if there are any new policies which should be included in the Local Plan to address planning matters which you are concerned about.

The six week consultation runs until Wednesday 8 May. You can view the Policies Consultation document and submit your comments online here: www.stroud.gov.uk/consult

The Council is not currently inviting further comments about housing or employment numbers as part of this policy consultation, nor about strategic sites or the overall approach to distribution of development. These matters have been subject to previous consultations and will be discussed by the Council over the coming months. There will be a further opportunity for public comment when the ‘Pre-Submission’ draft of the complete Local Plan is published for consultation later this year.

You can also look at paper copies of the document and pick up a response form at the following locations:
·        Town and parish council offices that open to the public: Berkeley, Cainscross, Cam, Chalford, Dursley, Minchinhampton, Nailsworth, Painswick, Rodborough, Stonehouse, Stroud, Upton St Leonards, Wotton-under-Edge
·        Public libraries at Berkeley, Brockworth, Dursley, Nailsworth, Minchinhampton, Miserden, Quedgeley, Stonehouse, Stroud, Wotton-under-Edge
·        Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill reception There are computers for public internet access here as well
·        The Tourist Information Centre at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud
A Sustainability Appraisal of the policies is currently being finalised and will be available to view on the consultation webpage and at the above locations shortly.

After May 2013 the Council will consider the comments received and will prepare a full Pre-Submission draft Local Plan for formal public consultation during the summer and autumn 2013.

Demonstration at Horizon/Hitachi

James Greenwood speaking: photo from STAND

I have been meaning for a couple of weeks to highlight this demo - unfortunately I couldn't make the day but a number of Greens did.... in spite of it being a freezing cold and windy day a coach went to Gloucester from the Forest and were met by another 20 people or so. There were apparently loads of banners and an excellent speech by Green Party member James Greenwood about UK not needing nuclear power. Carl Spilby read out the letter that was handed in to Horizon/Hitachi. Visit www.nuclearsevernside.co.uk/eventsnew.html for the text of the letter and photos of the event.