Shell pulls out of big wind farm

Shell has 33% stake in the project

A plan to build the world's largest wind farm in the Thames Estuary looks uncertain after Shell said it wants to pull out of the project.

Shell wants to sell its stake in the London Array scheme and said it planned to focus on wind power in the US.

It said that US government incentives offered Shell "competitive returns".

Shell was one of three shareholders in London Array, which was to generate 1,000 megawatts - enough to power a quarter of London's homes.

Shell had an equal share in the project with power firm E.On and Denmark's Dong energy.

'High and dry'

Environmental group Friends of the Earth said that Shell's decision to pull out left "a key clean energy project high and dry".

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"Shell announced a 12% profit rise to Ł3.92bn," the group's energy campaigner Nick Rau said

"It should be investing those profits in renewable energy projects, not focusing its efforts on making money from sucking fossil fuels out of the ground and contributing to climate change."

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn questioned Shell's decision to sell the stake.

"And I think a lot of people would want to understand why, especially in a week in which the company has announced record profits."

Shell suggested its decision was based on economics and said it was still committed to wind power.

"We constantly review our projects and investment choices in all of our businesses, focusing on capital discipline and efficiency," Shell said.

The Financial Times said the cost of the project had increased from Ł1bn in 2003 to at least Ł2bn today as the price of turbine components had increased.

Disappointment

The chief executive of E.On UK, Paul Golby, said he was disappointed by Shell's decision.

"While we remain committed to the scheme, Shell has introduced a new element of risk into the project which will need to be assessed."

"The current economics of the project are marginal at best - with rising steel prices, bottlenecks in turbine supply and competition from the rest of the world all moving against us."

Friends of the Earth said the government should encourage the manufacturing of turbines in the UK.
BBC News

Space available at one of Kent's largest craft fairs

The Rare Breeds Centre is also the new home of the former BILSINGTON CRAFT FAIR, the giant TWO day craft fair will now be held at the centre in the well serviced and maintained event paddock on the 28th & 29th June 2008. With over 100 stalls booked this Craft fair looks set to be one of Kent's biggest independent local craft gatherings.

If you are a local crafts person looking to exhibit at this years two day event, then please contact Julie O'Neill on 01233 861493

ALL IN A GOOD CAUSE….The Centre is owned by Canterbury Oast Trust, that provides homes, care and occupational opportunities for adults with disabilities, many of who live and work on the farm. All income from your visit goes to help fund our vital work.

The Rare Breeds Centre is at Woodchurch on the B2067 near Ashford, about 10 minutes from M20, J10 and open from 10.30am For more information visit www.rarebreeds.org.uk or call 01233 861493.

After many years of being closed then used as a business that was of no use to the local area the doors of the Four Horseshoes finally re-opened on the 14th April 2008. The new owners said they wanted to make it a community pub and looking at the first week of business it indeed looks as if this is what has been achieved.

Many of the villagers successfully campaigned to stop the last owners from turning the pub into a residential dwelling and will be very pleased to see a local back on their door step. For further information please email gjull@talktalk.net A warm welcome awaits you.

Diary Dates for 2008.

Owing to certain undesirables hiring the village hall and causing costly damage the V.H. Committee will be increasing the required deposit from April 2007.

In line with new regulations the village hall committee have to install disabled toilet facilities at the Village Hall. To enable this some small building work will need to be carried out to the Western end of the premises. The new works will comprise of an extension which will then allow the conversion of an existing room to a disabled toilet. In-line with this work it will also be necessary to carry out maintenance work to the existing building fabric. However, before any work can be undertaken funds will need to be raised. It is hoped that many events will be planned through-out the summer (see below) to raise funds along with requests for grants and donations being made. With the pub gone and fears for the future of the church it looks as if the Village Hall will be the only place left for locals to meet.

Located 1/4 mile along Sandbanks Lane, off of Seasalter Rd. All enquiries for the hire of the Village Hall please tel: 01795 538732.

Mallards Farm, Market Garden: Located in Waterham Lane, Graveney. A varied selection of seasonal produce.

Closest Public House: 3 Horse Shoes, Staplestreet. Pub food, local beer and a regular music diary. www.3shoes.co.uk/

Local Council representative: Cllr A.Bowles, Swale House, East St, Sittingbourne.

Local MP: Mr H.Robertson, 8 Faversham Rd, Lenham, Kent, ME17 2PN. (Office Address)

1940: RAF Hurricane L1615 piloted by F.O. K.V. Wendel crashed Sandbanks Farm after battle over Thames Estuary.

1940: Junkers JU 88A-1 forced down on Graveney Marshes. Crew of four; UFFZ Ruhlandt, UFFZ Richter, UFFZ Richter and GEFR Reiner taken P.O.W. Listen to the story of the last battle on English soil at bbc.co.uk/kent/realmedia/audio/villages_graveney.ram

1953: The Great Flood on the night of January 31st breached sea defensives, flooding marshes and closing the North Kent Railway line.

2006: Church questionnaire issued. Possibility of closure for All Saints Church!