No printing error Philip, we're just gearing up for our next onslought. :)
Nice bit of news last week from the Scottish Executive who are now suggesting they want to invest more in wave and tidal power, having recognised the problems associated with large on-shore windfarms. TGO is still campaigning for more emphasis on small turbines for community use rather than large scale industrialised on-shore wind farms, as well as a shift to off shore wind farms, tidal and wave power.
Interesting to see Philips tired reference to Nimbyism. I spoke at a rally the other week attended by people from the Scottish highlands to the borders. On-shore windfarms and their associated grid lines have been identified as a problem by a huge swathe of the public and not just by those immediately affected by them. I'm not personally affected by plans for a windfarm on my doorstep but I do honestly believe that too many of these things will devalue much of the wild land we have in the UK.
However, I'm aware there have been other threads on this subject and I also believe the majority of our readers would want TGO to try and represent the interests of wild land and mountains and those who visit such places for recreation. As far as I can see no other outdoor magazine is prepared to take up the challenge, and that's a pity. We need all the help we can get.
Well to say this has been done to death would be understating it somewhat. So I'll leave it at that. However I am not so sure I agree with your assertion as to what your readers would want, without asking them. A more cynical reader might doubt your motives considering the strength of your own views. I am not so sure it behoves the editor of a publication to use it as a mouthpiece to disseminate his own propaganda. It would be interesting to know what the demographic of your readership is. Would I be very far off the mark if I suggested most of your readers live neither in Scotland, nor in some otherwise rural idyll?
Philip, I always thought that was what editors were supposed to do. That's what editorials are all about. Read any newspaper for a few days and you soon pick up the views of the editor and the slant the paper takes on issues.
Sorry Philip, I dispute your assertion that this subject has been done to death – it's only beginning! And neither is industrial scale windfarms solely a Scottish problem. What about mid-Wales, what about Whinash, what about all those other areas of northern England where there are large windfarm development proposals? TGO is a magazine for hillwalkers and backpackers, therefore anything that threatens those places where we take recreation should be questioned. I see it as TGO's duty to question such things and if necessary oppose them. In this case I believe commercial scale windfarms threaten those places I love, and assume you do too. Many others mountain organisations also oppose such developments. I see it as TGO's duty to take a lead in such campaigning. If you're not happy with that, with all due respect, you have the choice of whether you buy TGO or not.
Actually, after I had posted and re-read the thread, I thought that it may in fact be the case that that is exactly what editors do, a bit like Piers Morgan for example! I do not agree with your views on windfarms and I feel they are as much wrapped up in your sense of 'Scottishness' as they are your genuine concerns for the environment. I will of course continue to buy TGO, its an excellent magazine and I can always choose to disagree with your editorials. How about that reader poll though, would you undertake one? And if things went my way would that alter your 'duty'? A terrible word that, more than enough blood has been spilt by men doing their duty!
I value TGO's stance on campaigning for our wild places, it's what sets it apart from other outdoor mags .How many other mags have taken an active interest & started a dialogue with Paul Lister for example? A few years back (before I took up walking/backpacking) I would have agreed that opposition to winfarms/encroachnent into greenbelt land etc. came from nimby types. Not any more! God knows that our wild places & the environment in general needs all the help & protection it can get, I don't think Cameron's views are based on his "Scottishness" but on his respect for the places he values most. Sometimes I feel we are living in a David & Goliath type scenario. Suport/action from individuals through to local pressure groups & joining the likes of the JMT can make a difference. It all starts with communication! (which is what we're doing here). So I say keep stamping your feet, sticking your nose in & shouting about it Cameron.
Cheers, Jay. We can all help in these issues by joining organisations who are willing to shout and lobby against the threats to our wild places. I've said it before, such are the threats to our beloved wild places that to remain silent is no longer an option we can afford.
