Chilling news - worldwide helium supply

Yesterday, Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, was in Oxford and I attended a meeting arranged between him, the Local Enterpise Partnership and other stakeholders. This enabled local businesses and organisations to discuss a variety of issues and concerns relating to them (sorry, no photo this time, the one above was taken on a previous occasion).

With the concentration of leading scientific and technical industries based in Oxfordshire, some of the discussion points related to national or even international issues, rather than local policies. It is always especially interesting to hear views from this perspective. As an example,  concerns were raised about problems with the worldwide supply of helium, which has many industrial and scientific applications - for example the cooling of superconducting magnets such as those used in MRI scanners.

A recent Observer article on the topic can be found here. The problem is that there is only a finite supply of helium on Earth as this is released as a by-product of oil and gas drilling and it has been strategically stored and stock-piled by the US (the leading supplier) for many years. Although there are now other countries (e.g. Algeria, Russia) supplying helium, the US is still dominant and it is claimed that the stockpiling and pricing over a long period has led to wasteful usage of the gas (such as in party ballons). With increasing demand outstripping future supply, there are some estimates that we will run out of helium in about 25 years.

Clearly, this issue needs to be higher on the UK and international agenda. At an individual level, I would suggest we could all start by giving those helium-filled party balloons a miss... if we want to be sure of that essential MRI scan in the future.

Political Debate at The Marlborough School

I had the opportunity of attending a political debate yesterday at The Marlborough School in Woodstock.  This event was organised by the sixth form and all three main political parties from Oxfordshire County Council were present to take part.  I attended in my capacity as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition, so  representatives from the Conservatives and Labour made up the panel of three.

We had a whole range of topics to be quizzed on from youth unemployment, tuition fees, the European Union and current government policy.   It was good to see such a lively debate and the interest shown in politics from the students there, many of whom will be going on to further education. 

I took part in a similar event locally at King Alfred's College in Wantage as reported here.

Jubilee Concert at Christ Church

This evening,  I went to Christ Church College to watch a spectacular Gala Concert of British Music held in Tom Quad to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jublilee.  This was performed by the Oxfordshire County Music Service who are always a joy to see.  The programme included the Oxfordshire Youth  Brass Ensemble, Oxfordshire Youth Big Band and Christ Church Cathedral Boy Choristers.  An excellent selection of music!

Singers from six Oxfordshire Primary Schools sang a selection of British songs and there was a grand finale from the Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra as we all took part in everyone's favourite - Pomp and Circumstance 'Land of Hope and Glory'.  The sun continued to shine right through to the end of what was a truly memorable evening. Of course, there was a bit of competition from the England v Italy football match tonight, but we were kept updated throughout the evening - shame about the score!

The Wittenham Rose

Yesterday I was invited to The Wittenham Rose ceremony, which took place at the Earth Trust Centre at Little Wittenham.  "The Rose Ceremony" has taken place since February 1970 when the landowners and the County Council drew up an agreement to allow the public "access at all times" to what is now the pasture land in the Little Wittenham Nature Reserve (see the photos above).  In return for access, Earth Trust receive 'a peppercorn rent'.  So, every year since 1970, a red rose has been presented at this mid-summer ceremony to celebrate the success of the arrangement and to look forward to the future.

We also officially opened a whole set of new steps (see photos top left), which have been undertaken as a project by many volunteers helping to ensure an easy access into the woodland nearby.  140 new steps and 104 metres of new pathway have been created to make a new circular walk.  You can read all about it here.

Historic Wantage Sack House Opened

This afternoon saw the opening of the Sack House at Wantage Wharf. Its dates from the early 19th century and served as a depot for hiring out standard sacks to local farmers, corn merchants, etc., who wanted to transport goods out of the area by canal or railway. This historic building was threatened when nearby development started a number of years ago. However, Barratt Homes eventually refurbished the exterior of the building and the good news is that the ownership has been passed on to the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust. The East Vale branch now plans to renovate the inside of the building and turn it into a museum covering the local heritage associated with the canal wharf and Wantage tramway. Pictured above, clockwise from top left, are Wantage Silver Band who helped to celebrate the opening, John Laverick (Trust Chairman), the current state of the interior and Brian Stovold (Branch Chairman).

Another good bit of news is that over the Jubilee weekend the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust was awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2012. This is wonderful recognition of all the hard work of volunteers who have made such progress restoring the waterway across the counties of WIltshire and Oxfordshire. The trust is always looking for new members and if you wish to help this project you can join at http://www.wbct.org.uk/get-involved/join

After the opening ceremony, we went on a circular guided walk following the line of the canal between Grove and East Challow. This was one of the events in the Wantage Summer Festival. There are further walks coming up with the next one on Tuesday 19 June at 7.30pm - for details see the forthcoming events section at http://www.wbct.org.uk/.

New Zebra Crossing For Grove

I am pleased to announce that the new zebra crossing on the Denchworth Road in Grove, which I have been campaigning for, has now been approved.   The site for the crossing will be by the Bay Tree Public House which will allow pedestrians to access the footpath by the side of the pub into the Millbrook carpark and on to the Millbrook shopping centre.  You may recall, as I have previously reported, that  I have been allocated funds from the Area Stewardship Fund from the County Council which has been set up to allow local councillors to spend money in their divisions on highways projects which are needed by the community.

This particular crossing goes back several years to 2003 not long after the crossing was approved for Brereton Drive when parents at Millbrook School were concerned about children getting to school and back safely whilst having to cross busy roads.  Although a survey was undertaken and it was agreed in principle, the project sat on a long list of similar schemes all over the county which eventually disappeared.   It is good to have this long-awaited crossing agreed at long last and I look forward to it going ahead as soon as possible.  You can read the full report here.