Hi All!
Hope you are not all dying from the flu, I hear there is a lot of it
around at the moment. I had a few days in bed myself the end of last week,
but nothing that will stop me continuing our fight to protect South Devon
from becoming just another strip of industrial landscape.

So far we have distributed 3,000 leaflets for our demonstration, and we
have now had another batch printed, so if anyone still wants to help
before Saturday please let me know your address and I’ll drop you off some
leaflets. I have a map of the streets that haven’t been covered yet and
can allocate a few streets to anyone that has half an hour or so to spare
(but note you may have to travel to a different part of Ivybridge if you
live in an area that has already been covered). I think it really
important that we give everyone in Ivybridge and surrounding areas a
chance to find out about the incinerator and participate in the
demonstration this Saturday should they wish. Even now I am still finding
the leaflets reaching people who new nothing (or very little) about the
incinerator (and are hopping mad about it too).

Tomorrow is the election for the Woodlands ward of Ivybridge. If you think
I could make a difference as a councillor in putting the pressure on to
get all of our town council to take a stand against the incinerator, and
you live in the area, then please do take the time to go and vote for me
tomorrow - it is the truth that every vote really will count and it could
come down to just a few votes as to whether I get in tomorrow or not. If
you don’t live in the area but know somebody who does, please give them a
call to make sure they go and vote tomorrow, or today, depending on when
you pick up this email (the election is on Thursday 10th Dec and you can
vote by taking your polling card along to Woodlands Park Primary School).

Other things also happening on Thursday are the county council meeting and
also Viridor’s exhibition. If anyone wants to share lifts with other
people in the area please feel free to email me and I’ll try and put
people in touch with each other where I can.

Make sure to check out our new Diary page on the ecoivy website with
details of all the events:

http://www.ecoivy.org/index.php/diary

Note that there is an additional event  posted on our diary that was an
exhibition organised by the SWDWP that I only found out about last night
and actually took place today. Sorry it was at 2 am that I was doing my
emails last night and I didn’t have the energy to write this email then to
let you know about the exhibition - not that it would have made much
difference as I imagine that less than a day’s notice really is pushing it
just a little.

A growing group of ladies met last week in Julies’ Café, Ivybridge, to
discuss the campaign, which proved to be a great way of us getting to know
each other a little more, which is vital for our communication if we are
to be effective in acting together and finding out what skills lies where
within our community. We’ll be doing the same again this week on Friday at
11.45am - all ladies that can squeeze a little time into their day (and
brave men) are welcome to join us.

I am pleased to say that it looks like we are in for a massive turnout to
the demonstration on Saturday. We will be meeting outside the Watermark at
11am. Don’t forget to bring your banners. All those handling the petition
(Save our South Hams?), please don’t forget to bring lots of copies on the
day with clipboards and pens for everyone to sign. If anyone has any
fluorescent bibs, jackets or armbands that they can lend us for a few
people to act as ushers on the day please can you let me know. Also, I
have the offer of a ‘grim reaper’ outfit should anyone like to borrow it
let me know (average man size).

A lot is happening on all fronts in this campaign - one things is
absolutely clear now from the involvement of ‘many’ people from all walks
of life - this deal is no longer a ‘done deal’ - far from it - and that is
because everyone is starting to act on their convictions that this
incinerator is a bad idea, from whichever way you look at it. It is vital
that everyone gets involved, in whatever small way you think you can
contribute - it is as a crowd that we are strong. Even if you are really
really busy and don't have a minute to spare, please talk about the matter
to everyone you meet on your way - can't stress enough how important that
is.

Don’t forget to all get involved in the forum - it is getting more
interesting in there all the time and is actually quite productive. I am
currently in discussion with the South West Devon Waste Partnership to try
and get them to engage with us there too. Seems even Viridor are putting
them to shame at the moment! (at least they are not scared of talking with
us in the forum). You may be interested to read the 'UK-Plymouth: residual
waste treatment and disposal contract - Invitation to Tender Notice' which
I came across this evening and posted to the site. Click on Resources /
Official Publications and it is at the bottom of the list.

Thank-you all for your continued support. Apologies if I have missed the
odd reply to anyone, or if I have been a little slow to respond to some
emails.  Please do keep your emails coming - but if you don’t get a reply
back in good time please check your spam box first of all (I know some of
my emails have landed there for some people) and if you don’t find a reply
there, please resend, and add a phone number if a reply is important since
if communications really don’t appear to be getting through I can always
give you a call. My mobile number is (removed for Internet) should any of you want 
to call or text me.

Hope to see you all on Saturday! Anyone that has emailed me that I haven't
yet spoken to in person please do come and introduce yourself on the day,
it really helps to have faces to put on your names.

All the best,
Frankie