PROFESSOR SIR DAVID BELLAMY

Patron of kNOll to wind farm

On Tuesday 23^rd May Professor Sir David Bellamy, our Patron, visited Brent Knoll and voiced his support for our campaign to stop the building of massive wind turbines on Brent Marsh.

Some 100 supporters walked with Sir David to Brent Marsh to view the site along with many from the local and regional press. Looking back at The Knoll Sir David commented:

"We have been told this is the answer, that it is going to help fight against global warming," he said. "If it did these things I would be saying we should have them, but even then not in a beautiful place like this.

"This is a wonderful place and there are people who have put all their money and their lives into the dream of living in a peaceful piece of Britain. Why industrialise it. "How could anybody be so stupid?"

Indeed! How could anybody be so stupid? When driven by the lure of big money, developers ignore local opinion and boast that they are saving the world. Despite the Government's apparent drive towards wind power and its many supporters as the best source of green energy available, Sir David is not convinced.

He insisted the numbers just do not stack up, and claims the unreliable nature of wind means that inefficient gas-fired power stations have to be kept primed to take over when the wind fails. This lack of security of supply for the National Grid makes the turbines both impractical and environmentally flawed .

After all, it was a great day for all the kNOll to wind farm supporters and we were all indebted to Sir David for taking time out from a very busy schedule to be with us. Below are a few memories of the day: