This was Question Time style panel discussion, which sold out! It featured local experts, leaders or industry movers and shakers, including Dr Therese Coffey, Minister of Environment and our local MP. The expert panel was chaired by Martin Seeley, Lord Bishop of St Edmondsbury and Ipswich.
Aided by much media attention, the church was full, standing room only. It was a lively discussion with ‘an august and impressive panel’ as described by Bishop of Edmondsbury, who chaired with grace and knowledge. The Panel included the Secretary of State for Environment and our local MP, Dr Therese Coffey and Adrian Ramsay, co-leader of the Green Party and standing as the Green Party candidate for the new Waveney Valley constituency. These two enjoyed a few spats particularly over high e-coli count in the Blyth river water.
Therese Coffey, who had come earlier visited the nearby Holton Pits as she had been supportive of their successful bid for Community Ownership Funding, praised the local community for their work to save this open space.
Reverend Dominic Doble opened the conference, setting the tone, urging us to agree to disagree with an open mind and kindness and learn from each other’s diverse views.
Professor Peter Hobson was replaced at the last minute by Darren Tansley from Essex Wildlife Trust, fresh from discussing climate change with farmers along the Stour valley.
As Bishop Martin Seeley said at the end the audience had made their feelings felt in many different ways. Many of you submitted questions – thank you and sorry we could not have included all. The 8 chosen represented the the most popular subjects.
Thanks to all who attended, Jason for technical know how, Adnams for cost price drink, Baron Bigod for cheese, Boarding House for speaker food, and the many helpers.
BBC Look East covered the build up in the 6.00 news.
The Conference recording on YouTube
The panel discussion was followed by a cheese and wine reception.
Panel participants
Due to Covid, Dr Peter Hobson was unable attend the Panel. However Darren Tansley, from Essex Wildlife Trust, replaced him at the last minute. (Thanks To Eamonn and Peter Hobson for organising this, and Darren for racing from the banks of the River Stour to be with us on time.)
The Panelists were:
Dr Therese Coffey – Secretary of State for Environment, Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal
Darren Tansley – from Essex Wildlife Trust
Adrian Ramsay – Co-leader of the Green Party. Adrian currently leads MCS Charitable Foundation which advocates for renewable energy and green homes.
Professor Catherine Rowett – County Councillor for West Depwade, former Member of the European Parliament for East of England and campaigner for solar on Churches and community energy schemes
David Kemp – Environment Agency – Coastal Team Leader (coastal flood warning and resilience)
Richard Rout – Suffolk County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Environment
Josaih Meldrum – Co-founder of Hodmedods, a business that supports farmers as they bring diversity to their arable crop rotations.
Prior to the panel discussion, the speakers were invited for a light supper at the Boarding House.
Halesworth ASH 