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Greystoke Village Meeting on Berrier Hill Windfarm |
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Written by Mark Richards
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Thursday, 27 September 2007 |
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 I attended a village meeting at Greystoke last night, attended by in excess of ninety people. The overwhelming majority parishioners, but people from quite a wide area came too, knowing the implications of proliferation. The knowledgeable speaker was Dr Mike Hall from FELLS (Friends of Eden, Lakeland and Lunesdale Scenery - www.fells.info).
The topic has far-ranging implications on our greater landscape integrity. Wind farms only go to show the major dilemma facing politicians seeking to maintain more than a base level of energy for our modern society. They contribute such an insignificant proportion of needed electricity. All accept that the carbon footprint of the manufacture and installation cannot be reclaimed in their working life. When they become obsolete the 1000 tonne concrete base to each turbine is so massive that it can only be soiled over. Lord Sainsbury in a written answer to the House of Lord's select committee stated that to achieve the agreed proportion of renewable energy from wind farms, Britain would need to erect 15,000 turbines. They operate at under 30% efficiency. Lambrigg wind cluster, a comparable site to Berrier, has a year-round load factor efficiency of 24%. You can understand why I, and any right thinking person, would make strenuous efforts to fight of this alien invasion. A landscape devoid of wind farms allows the eyes liberty to gaze at will. A landscape containing a wind farm, no matter the number of turbines, capture every glance, animated, conspicuous, discordant, dominant, dragged into full frame from peripheral vision, they shackle the view. They have so many minuses, there are no mitigating virtues to justify their imposition on our land. Quite simply they are political lip-service. I can offer Sean's perspective no fence for sanctuary. You can download a four page feature as a PDF here (310KB) |
 Driving along the A13 recently, I noticed familiar mountain names emblazened on the side of a car. On return home I was keen to discover the amazing project being advertised by the vehicle and the equally incredible expedition being undertaken by a group of scuba divers in order to raise funds for Help for Heroes. Find out more about this expedition from Shane Farnham and then why not consider their worthy cause in support of 'Help for Heroes'. |
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 The continued good fortune of being in Cumbria along with good weather, continued again on this outing, as a few OFC again gathered in Coniston. My intentions were not to stay in Coniston, but with £100 to give to Coniston MRT it seemed logical to overnight in Coniston for two nights in order to make the best of my time. Robbie K had already contacted me to say he would join me and Lorraine also hinted at a walk out. However, as with all things, matters can change but I was mighty pleased when those who said they would walk did so. Along with myself, Robbie, Lorraine and even Steven P joined me on the long ascent of the Walna Scar Road from the village. It really was a magic morning! |
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 As a child I remembered many famous mountaineering figures apart from the obvious character of AW more renowned for his walking exploits. However, other names featured in my perceptions of the high places. Some of them like Tom Weir featured on television, others like W. H. Murray, entertained me from the cover of a book, whilst to many the man in this article spoke to us all from the regular feature in The Manchester Guardian newspaper. A. Harry Griffin wrote an amazing Country Diary for nigh on fifty three years. In this time he took many on an amazing journey outside, what was for many, their urban homes. |
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