BWEA, the UK’s leading renewable energy business organisation has launched a new Small Wind Turbine (SWT) performance and safety standard at yesterday’s BRE Small Scale Wind Seminar
The standard will allow consumers wishing to install small wind systems, to compare products on a like for like basis. It a result of extended testing of turbines in operational conditions.
Consumers will be able to compare power outputs and noise, and have assurance of quality, as to pass the standard turbines would have had to pass a rigorous 2000+ hours testing.
Alex Murley, BWEA Small Systems Manager says: “Although small wind is a young and emerging technology, the UK industry is leading the global sector. The publication of the new BWEA Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard demonstrates that the UK small wind industry is committed to transparency, customer satisfaction and safety standards.”
The Standard was first published by BWEA in March 2007 and is linked to the Government managed Micro-generation Certification Scheme. Following further work by BWEA members and consultations with Government, the Standard has now been updated.
Alex Murley says: “This standard goes further than any other national document in defining noise parameters, to help prevent nuisance.”
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCLST) today welcomes the interim report of the Government’s review into the provision of services to children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCNs), known as the Bercow Review.
One in 10 children - an estimated 1.2 million across the UK - has a communication disability. Recent evidence suggests that in some parts of the UK more than half of children arrive at primary school without the speech and language skills they need to learn and make friends.
RCSLT particularly praises the involvement of John Bercow MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group into Speech and Language Difficulties and Chair of the Review, who has led the review with great passion and keen understanding of the importance of this key life skill for children.
RCSLT CEO Kamini Gadhok said “We are pleased with the thoroughness of the review and have been glad to be involved in the process. The overwhelming response from parents and users to the call for evidence demonstrates the impact which communication needs have on a child – and how important good support can be.
“Over the coming months we hope to work with John Bercow and the Government to help develop concrete solutions to meet children’s speech, language and communication needs in the future.”
In particular the RCSLT would like to see:
• an awareness raising campaign around SLCNs to raise the profile of these hidden but life-changing needs – among those working with children, families and the general public - supported by much-needed research into the best interventions for children
• strengthening of joint commissioning arrangements, such as Children’s Trusts
• work to develop the pathways to support the child and family, especially in the early years and through early intervention
• work to resolve the postcode lottery and waiting lists for services, to audit local provision and ensure the right treatment and support is available in a timely way
• that the excellent work of the Review will be carried into the future by making a minister responsible for the delivery of services for children with SLCNs
Thursday 6th March 2008: The Migrant Worker Support Network (MWSN) and South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (S.T.E.P.) are holding a conference event entitled ‘Migration and Integration’. The event aims to explore the challenges of integration from societal, employment, educational, policy and research perspectives. The event will take place on Friday 4th April at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Craigavon.
The half day conference aims to identify the challenges and actions needed to facilitate successful integration in Northern Ireland from a number of perspectives. Community and voluntary organisations from across Northern Ireland will be in attendance. Private and voluntary sector organisations or any other relevant parties are welcome to attend.
Key speakers will provide representation from some of the leading organisations in this area including: Women from Minorities Network, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), Armagh City and District Council, Inclusion and Diversity Service, Queen’s University of Belfast and Integrating Ireland.
The conference takes place from 9.00am until 2.30pm on Friday 4th April at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Craigavon. Places are free to all subscribing members of the network and a nominal fee of £15 applies to non-members or £5 for students. For more information or to book a place please contact Assumpta O’Neill on 028 8772 9002 or email: assumpta@stepni.com by Thursday 27th March. Registration forms and information leaflets can also be downloaded from www.stepni.org