Hugh Sandeman
Conservative Councillor for Bell Hill ward, Petersfield

It is a pleasure to bring you the news that Lib Dem EHDC Councillor Chris Graham has defected to the Conservative Party. One of the reasons cited by Cllr Graham was,

...I have a particular regard for their (Conservative) financial management of district affairs, which I believe have been of immense benefit to the residents of East Hampshire.

The full article can be read HERE at the Alton Herald's website.

It is suprising and slightly strange that this news has not made it to either of the Petersfield newspapers this week, however the story will be reaching a much wider readership as the Conservativehome blog is currently mentioning it on the frontpage HERE.

Update 1900 20/7/06 :- The Petersfield Herald report the story in today's edition of the paper.

More news of a similar vein, the Conservatives have gained control of Dover District Council after a 17.6% swing away from the Lib Dems in a recent by election. more info at BBCi.

Nobody wants a Nuclear power station near their home, the potential for accidents and the lingering threat of increased instances of Cancer the obvious reasons among many that could be used to explain the dislike people have for them.

However everybody enjoys keeping their food in fridges, their clothes cleaned by machines and their news delivered via television or the Internet - in other words we all rely upon electrical appliances.

The urgent need for an increased use of renewable energy is obvious, the improvements in solar, wind and wave technology allied to rising costs of conventional energy sources are making these renewable options more and more attractive as ways of contributing to the energy production of the UK.

However the renewable energy family cannot be relied on to offer 100% of the electricity needed, there simply isn't enough wind or places to locate the wind turbines without destroying precious countryside to fulfill a 100% wind generated UK National Grid, at least with current turbine technology.

The idea of local energy production, and small scale schemes such as solar panels and a turbine on every house would go someway to denting our reliance on the National Grid but even then the effect of a dark windless day would lead to people relying on electricity from the grid.

But where would this electricity come from? Primarily from the Coal and Gas fired power stations, which incidentally will begin to rely more and more upon fuel supplied from overseas - this is fine today but what would we do if we upset Mr Putin and saw our gas supply switched off tomorrow?

The economic and strategic importance of having control of energy supplies is clear, the UK needs to continue to be able to stand alone if for whatever reason, our current and future energy sources were compromised. So this leads me back to Nuclear energy - it is the easiest way that the UK will be able to bridge the gap that is imminent in terms of supply and demand for electricity, and also despite the negatives of the Nuclear process there isn't the associated problem of high carbon emissions as with the other major fossil fueled electricity production.

Although the Government haven't been bold in their energy review I am heartened that there is an acceptance that Nuclear has something to offer. The renewable sources are worthy of increasing attention but I hope that the Conservative opposition are able to support the Government on this one whilst continuing to explore the longer term benefits of a widespread take-up of domestic renewable micro generation.

The above photograph shows the repaired wooden safety barrier near the disabled drop-off point on Sussex Road. Having been damaged for some time by a mystery vehicle the new wooden barrier looks great and is once again in a fit state to do its job effectively.

Despite the warm weather, the water level in the pond seems to be holding up well at the moment.

Watched the match at the Folly Wine bar, took the above photo on the way home. Technically it's vandalism but I have to admit the flags, football under the hoove and even the bra hanging from the statue were quite impressively assembled, sadly the carnival atmosphere ended this weekend making the decorated statue in the square a painful reminder of what might have been.