What can I do?

Well, we've successfully jumped the first hurdle with the council's decision to officially object to the wind turbine application. It has to be said though that this is NOT the end of the matter. This will now trigger a Public Inquiry which will be held locally within the year and the Government will decide if this scheme should go ahead. Let's hope that sanity prevails and they turn it down as flatly as did the local Borough Council.

Now is the time when we need to raise money. I have already asked for pledges of funds from anyone who has any spare money to give....I'm talking £1 upwards. We desperately need your support at this critical time. For those of you that cannot afford to give money at this uncertain time I am sure you will be able to help me with my next request...

Remember The Great FLAT Auction last year when we raised over £1000? Well, I want to do another one as it was a great way to bring people together for a good cause and also to get rid of unwanted presents and general household goods that had gone out of fashion or you just didn't need anymore.

If you have anything that you would like to donate to the auction, then please either email us at info@flat-group.co.uk or telephone 07789 524850 and we will arrange either to pick up the items or let you know where you can drop them off until the big day - which is going to be held on Saturday 16 May 2009 in the Jubilee Village Hall, Smeeth Road, Marshland St James. Times etc will be sent out nearer the time.

Thanks to everyone who has given their support in so many ways over the past 2 years and this really is the final push now, so let's keep momentum going and get some more funds to fight this most worthy of causes.

When writing to anybody, please put your point over very firmly but keep your e-mails and behaviour polite – never be rude or aggressive. 

• Write to your MP with your concerns about Wind Turbines and the reasons you feel they will affect you personally:
        Henry Bellingham M.P
        House of Commons
        London
        SW1 0AA
  
  
• Write to your MEP with your concerns about Wind Turbines and the reasons you feel they will affect you personally:
        Jeffrey Titford M.E.P.
        145 New London Road
        Chelmsford
        Essex
        CM2 0QT
  
  
• Register your support of us now! Use our discussion board to tell us how you feel about the proposal for 19 wind turbines in Marshland St James.


• Display a poster against the wind turbines. Click here to download and print a poster
  
  
• Every campaign costs money to run. A similar campaign in North Devon cost over £11,000! Help raise funds for FLAT. All donations are welcome! Cheques to be made payable to FLAT and sent to: The Treasurer, FLAT, P.O. BOX 182, WISBECH, PE14 4BL; or pay by PayPal...
  
• Do you have any special skills that you would be prepared to offer?
  
  
• Do you have a website? Spread the word, place our banner and a link on your site by using the following code:
  <a href="http://www.flat-group.co.uk" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.flat-group.co.uk/images/banner.jpg" alt=" Fenland Landscape Against Wind Turbines" width="154" height="124" border="0" /></a>
  
  
  
• Contact the committee to offer help

Fund Raising

Let me introduce myself firstly, I’m Terry Hills and I am in charge of fundraising for the F.L.A.T Committee. 

Since knowledge of the wind power station was learnt and brought to the attention of the local villages I have seen an unprecedented amount of people come together for a common cause.  Many people have said they have never spoken to more people since moving here, and lots – including the committee – have made new and valuable acquaintances and friends.  I suppose what I’m trying to say is that a renewed sense of community has arisen from this otherwise negative situation. 

With the above in mind, I would like to invite you all to have a think about how you can raise money for this worthy cause.  I’m not expecting you to sail off around the world or run to Land’s End – though if you want to, I shan’t stop you! – I would merely ask you to think:

• Have I got any hobbies that could be used to raise money and awareness?
• Do I know someone with a venue that might like to help stage an event?
• Do I know anyone with a special skill that might like to help?
• Can I donate anything of value or interest that might be auctioned off?

All these things and more would be a great help to our cause so get your thinking caps on and get back to me with thoughts.  I would also ask you if you can stage mini events, such as:

• Garage sales and Ebay – Throw that junk out of the attic or clear out that cupboard! Use the internet and your drive to sell your unwanted items. 
• Regular Tea/Coffee Mornings – Sell cakes or charge a small admittance as every penny helps.  Try to outdo each other each week with your delicious cake sales…
• Parties – will people pay to see your singer friend or can you arrange a Karaoke evening?
• Dances
• Auctions
• Fairs and Fetes
• Animal Shows
• Many more…

Fundraising is an important part of the proceedings as money raised will help us fight this wind power station and any surplice money – should there be any at the end - will be returned for the benefit of the community once that time comes, so any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.   Just get back to me if you are willing and able to bring ideas to the table and are happy to take those ideas forward. 

Terry Hills - Fundraiser