This year the Ready-Steady-Chef event we piloted at last year's VegFestUK has its own dedicated marquee at Harbourside, and there's a Schools event on the Saturday 27 May and a Masters event on Sunday 28 May. There's also a film premiere with Kerry mcCarthy (food waste bill) on Fri 8 June as part of Big Green Week fringe.

Mainstream and vegetarian chefs will have a friendly competition to produce the best 'protein-rich and planet-friendly' meals without animal products. We're keen to hear if you or any of your contacts eg in Schools or Restaurants may be interested in taking part, or you'd like to help before or on the day in any other way, including publicity, washing up, giving out information, video/sound production, compering or judging panel.

Please contact Julian rschef@googlegroups.com 07809 122474

DECC have recommended, in a consultation document, that the ROC subsidies be reduced from 2 to 1.5. This is still worth £10s of millions a year to operators of a potential bioliquid power station in Avonmouth.

A meeting with Bristol MPs is planned this week, and letters of support to your MP are important to help give them the necessary mandate to act.

With Chris Huhne’s resignation and the appointment of Ed Davey as Energy Secretary, there is an opportunity to write in again to Ed Davey.

The ACSEB site www.acseb.co.uk has a “Take Action” page and on it is a draft letter to send to the Minister – please do it!

Please also write to Ashley Fox MEP (who does not like Biofuels) and Sir Graham Watson MEP (who has also supported our campaign) and ask them to demand that the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED) be changed to give true figures for the carbon release from biofuels. There is an ACSEB briefing on the same Take Action page.

Mike Andrews, andrewsmj@onetel.net 0117 968 2140

Bedminster Energy Group will be hosting the next BEN event. The theme of this event is learning from the success of the LEAF projects. The community groups will be invited to share their LEAF experiences; what was learnt, and what ideas were generated for forging stronger links between the groups. More info and free registration at http://www.bristolenergynetwork.org/node/65

Visit open homes across the city for help and inspiration to reduce our domestic energy footprint. Volunteers also needed to help with the event.

http://www.bristolgreendoors.org/

The AGM included a short review of the previous year and short talks from Neighbourhood Planning Network and Resource Futures (recycling).

There has been interest in establishing a Bristol FoE 'Younger Section' which could be allied to National Young FoE - let me know if this is of interest, or come along to the Regional Gathering (above).

Updates from FoE members and allys included:
- Palm Oil Power Stations - the threat is not dead
- Living Heart for Bristol - great new campaign
- Neighbourhood Planning Network - sustainable development?
- Marinet in the South West - EU fish conservation lobby
- Bees - next National FoE campaign to launch
- Food events - including VegFest Cook-Off

I found this talk by Bill McGivern for Bristol Schumacher lectures this year an inspiring reminder of why sustainability is important. Bill is co-founder and global organiser of http://www.350.org/

Come and meet us, help plan upcoming events and then stay for a drink and chat in the bar after 9pm. Meet upstairs at the Big Chill Bar, 15 Small St, BS1 1DE.