October 5, 2007
England, Letters

Wake up and unite, Cumbrians!

My father’s ancestors came to Cumbria more than 500 years ago and my mother’s more than 1,000 years ago. You could say that I am a Cumbrian, and so I am asking other Cumbrians to please wake up, shake themselves, stand up and look around and see what is happening to your county.

It could be that you are new and wish to settle here long term; welcome.

The Romans came, they conquered, and in some ways left us much the better for their occupation, but we are now faced with another invasion; people who move in to deceive, get others to betray us, and then move on with no consideration for what they have done.

In the case of the 60 enormous windmills being erected in the Solway, they promised local jobs; but where were the mills made? Sweden.

And where are the construction rig and supervisors from? Holland.

Where are the manual workers from? Holland, India, Philippines and Poland.

From where I am sitting I could see the Solway rig. I can see windmills at Siddick and Ireby, and as for those at Moota, directly in front of Skiddaw, when the sun sets in the west the evening rays reflect off these windmills and they stand out like sore thumbs.

The planning application says that tourism will not be affected in the area.

This is more deception, as the businesses quoted at Whinlatter Forest Park, Honister Slate Mine and Wordsworth House in Cockermouth will not be directly affected.

The businesses that will suffer are those directly linked with tourism, who are not mentioned yet who contribute to the local economy by creating jobs and paying rates to the very party that has betrayed them.

The electricity board has admitted that it spoilt the beauty of the Cumbrian National Park and has laid supplies underground.

In two or three years time wave power and other sources of creating power will possibly be cheaper and more efficient, so what is the hurry?

Are we living in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty into which we want to attract visitors, hoping that they will bring money into our economy, or don’t we care?

Questions should be asked at high levels.

Cumbrians unite. Wake up. Put pen to paper and write to: Mr R. Outhwaite, Head of Planning, Allerdale Borough Council, Allerdale House, Workington.

The more letters he receives will give ammunition to the fact that we are not happy about the way things are going. Without your support the case could be lost.

There is an independent organisation fighting to oppose all windmills in the area called FORCE (Friends of Rural Cumbria’s Environment). Members are not opposed to renewable energy but are concerned that Cumbria’s landscapes are being given over too easily to inappropriate wind energy development. Membership is free.

For more information check their website www.highpow.co.uk or drop a line to the writer.

BILL JAMES

Bank Mill Nurseries and Visitor Centre

Beckfoot, Silloth

Times & Star

5 October 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/10/05/wake-up-and-unite-cumbrians/