ISSUE NUMBER 198 “For and about the people of Berkeley” April 2012 Price 20p BERKELEY’S ICONIC BOILERS LEAVE FOR RECYCLING In a first for a former UK power station, Magnox has announced that, working with Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) and its main contractor Studsvik, it has successfully removed five redundant boilers from its Berkeley site in Gloucestershire. LLWR became involved in the project in its role as the National Low Level Waste (LLW) integrator, and has a suitable Photo courtesy of Simon Bingham established procurement route through the metallic waste treatment framework. After a competitive tendering process LLWR appointed Studsvik as the main contractor for the removal, transport and treatment of the boilers in Sweden, where they will be recycled. Steve McNally, Berkeley Site Director said: “The removal of these boilers is a huge skyline change for the site and is a great achievement for team Berkeley and importantly our customer, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Working closely with LLWR and Studsvik, we have managed to remove legacy waste from the site instead of leaving it for future generations to manage. This project also has great environmental credentials, as Photo courtesy of John Carter the majority of the metal will be free-released into the market place for reuse.” The boilers, which are 21.3 metres long, five metres wide and 310 tonnes each in weight, were removed whole from site by heavy lifting sub-contractor ALE, who was appointed by Studsvik, using specialist lifting equipment which loaded the boilers on to purpose-built transportation vehicles. The boilers were then transported through Berkeley town centre to Sharpness Docks. Once at the docks the team loaded-off the boilers onto a barge, where they were shipped down the Severn river to Avonmouth. From here they were transferred by the ALE team to a sea-going vessel to make the final leg of the journey to Studsvik own nuclear licensed site in Sweden. Photo courtesy of Magnox Once in Sweden, Studsvik, which has purpose built, engineered facilities for the size reduction, decontamination and recycling of metals, will smelt the boilers. Up to 90% of the metal can then be released for re-use in the metal market. Sam Usher, President of Studsvik UK said: “Studsvik has been treating similar large low level radioactive metallic waste items using proven techniques for over 20 years in Sweden arising from decommissioned nuclear facilities. This route of processing and recycling is fully in line with implementing the NDA’s National Low Level Waste strategy”. Following the end of this project, ten further boilers will remain on site, and Magnox is looking to the supply-chain for further options to remove these in the next financial year. Photo courtesy of Mike Nash, Sharpness April 2012 THE BERKELEY FLYER [email protected] Berkeley Town Council Report Compiled by your Town Clerk - Debbie Spiers Precept – Council Tax the Council has no wish to see them leave the site. For the time being the Council and Football Club will continue Berkeley Town Council has agreed to set a precept of st with the current letting agreement which will be reviewed £78,000.00 for the financial year beginning 1 April 2012. in March 2013. For the residents of Berkeley this means that the portion of your council tax that you pay for Berkeley will decrease Dates for your diary this year. Planning and Finance Committee meetings are on Tuesday Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations 10th April 2011 starting at 7.00 p.m. The full Council meeting will be held on Monday 16th April 2011 starting at The Council has agreed a budget to decorate the Town Hall 7.30 p.m. with hanging baskets and tubs filled with flowers in time for the Jubilee. We will also put the Union and England All council meetings are open for the public to attend and flags on the poles fixed to the building. very often they are able to participate so why not come along and have a look. Youth Facilities in Berkeley Work is currently underway to ascertain the needs of the young people in the Town. Berkeley may soon have a youth forum to give our young people a voice in their community. The Council is also in discussions with our young people to determine whether we can provide Come and join us in celebrating the Queen’s Diamond skateboard facilities in the Town. Jubilee in the Market Place at 2pm. Casual Vacancy/Resignation of Councillor We were sorry to receive the resignation of Sue Studden in There will be a prize for the best child’s fancy dress March but we wish her well with her future endeavours. costume, best decorated hat,, best decorated wheels and the best decorated table. The Council will co-opt a new member once the vacancy has been advertised so if you would like the opportunity to Bring your own tables and chairs and some food to eat serve your community please apply to the Clerk and share. There will be Jubilee cakes and sandwiches Canon Park Recreational Facility – Sale of Pavilion to for the children Football Club So please come and join us for a fun afternoon for all The Football Club delivered a letter to the Council setting and make this a special day to remember! out their three year plan to raise funds in order that they can purchase the pavilion. At the current time we have a letting Anyone interested in helping to organise the street party, agreement with the Football Club which allows them to or help with things on the day, can get in touch via the hire the pavilion on a match by match basis for a set fee. Flyer by popping a note in our collection box in the The Football Club asked for and was given assurance from pharmacy or by emailing : the Council that they have security of tenure at the site i.e. [email protected] Firewood & Logs Quality seasoned hard wood logs Loads from £50 to £125 Available 7 days a week *Free local delivery* Please call: 01453 819066 2 April 2012 THE BERKELEY FLYER [email protected] so that you know that you can always contact us for PRIDE IN YOUR help and advice. NEIGHBOURHOOD As well as advice from Neighbourhood Wardens and the local Policing Team, Gloucestershire Fire and Hello to all the residents of Berkeley from Rescue Service can offer home safety checks and your local neighbourhood warden Andy fitted smoke alarms. Households are also Murray, housing Officer Marie Gellar and your encouraged to contact the council to take away Policing team of PCSO Mike Trebble and PC unwanted vehicles and bulky refuse items such as Terrie McVeigh. washing machines and old furniture - and these will be removed either on the day or a day designated. We would like to inform all of you of an event that we are planning to hold in Berkeley on April 17th called Recycling boxes and advice from Public Space and the pride in your neighbourhood event or PIYN for Environmental Health Officers will be on hand for short. advice on noise, smoke and light nuisances. Dog wardens will be on site and will be inspecting the The Pride in Your Neighbourhood initiative aims to area and will hand out poop scoops and dog tags. build and improve community spirit through one day Other organisations such as Guide and Pals operations which focus on enhancing the quality of Gloucestershire and the Neighbourhood Watch have public areas and making people feel safer through advice and checks. also been invited. The Stroud District Council gazebo will be set up on the grass area by Forest View Road We target areas where the local community has please come and see us on the day between 13:00 shown the desire for us to work with them to provide hrs and 19:00hrs. help where we can, b y l e a f l e t i n g households in the area to let them know that we will be around on the day to offer practical advice and s u p p o r t . Neighbourhood Wardens and officers from the Berkeley Neighbourhood Policing Team, supported by the Junior Community Officers from Berkeley Primary School, will be available to discuss any issues of concern 3 April 2012 THE BERKELEY FLYER [email protected] you to everyone involved in making the evening such a great success. Now, the reason we are here is to perform and Hello everyone! entertain you, and on that note we are proud to 2012 is a very big year for Berkeley Players… announce not one, but two upcoming productions. WE ARE 10 YEARS OLD! We will be performing our Easter Play, ‘FOOTSTEPS TO GLORY’, by Peter Jackson at To kick off our celebrations we had a great Birthday Sharpness Reformed Church on Good Friday, April Party at the Berkeley Arms Hotel on Friday 24th 6th at 7:30pm. Our Easter Plays have become a February. Guests were met by a wonderful display of highlight of the calendar and are well worth a view. posters, programmes, cast lists and photos from all There is no admission charge and refreshments will of our memorable performances over the last 10 be provided after the play. years. We watched video footage of our first ever play, and a number of the performers from that Our young people‘s next production is an uproarious production were present to celebrate, and get ever comedy based in an Italian Restaurant.