Jottings around Sleaford: Water resources and weather!

Lots have happened since I last wrote on this Blog and priorities keep changing.

Loss of our Monarch Elizabeth and a  "cost of living" crisis to name but two. Especially energy which is being exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and other international problems.

Clearly, the weather this winter will be an important factor in energy usage and will impact heating bills.  

Mild or cold: wet or dry. Hard to tell:  but the Global La Nina effect is still with us and may have an important influence. 

So the links to useful information are given below. Best of luck!

News: Anglian Water confirms the proposed site for a huge new reservoir.

Site of New Reservoir

Fears being expressed 

Much anger in and around the proposed site (especially around Bourne).

Interviews have been featured in the News inc Television, on Social Media, and in the local Press. 

This development if given the go-ahead will take many years. It is sited in one of the driest areas in the UK and that alone is a cause for concern given the drought condition of Summer 2022. Would it deliver what is required?

A major issue: would it deliver the water required? 

Another: Is this the best use of agricultural Land?

So onto the weather this winter. 

Our climate is affected by Global Circulations. Two main categorisations are related to El Nino and La Nina. El Nino is the more famous but once again we are in a La Nina situation and the forecasters are wary of making predictions. I have tried to make some sense and selected passages from experts. Here goes!

Could La Nina make temperatures drop in the UK this winter? 

“In late autumn and early winter it historically promotes high pressure in the mid-Atlantic, which stops Atlantic weather systems from delivering mild air to the UK, and therefore can allow cold conditions to intensify.“However, in late winter La Niña can drive a shift of the jet stream towards the Poles increasing storminess and heavy rainfall while bringing milder conditions”.

I hope this helps for the time being and I will update when possible.

Notes on July 2022 Weather Events:

UK Heatwave breaks records: Record low Antarctic Sea Ice: The scale of European wildfires in 2022:Tropicle Storm Aere and flooding in SW Japan:: Historic flooding in parts of the USA: Unusual July rainfall around the Persian Gulf: England and Wales dry weather:  
Extreme Heat July 2022 july_heatwave (metoffice.gov.uk)

Is it me or is life now too complex? Simpler views from Sleaford!!

 Funny old world!

Lincolnshire Parched Land. July 30 2022 Drought affected land

It is 7 months since my last blog piece. At the time Climate change discussions were all the rage after Cop26 in Glasgow. So on towards Cop27 in Sharm El-Sheikh (an extremely dry part of the world). 

The Cop26 in Glasgow was a bit of a farce as most official attendees (and some unofficial) seemed to arrive in private jets. And then went on to opine about Greenhouse gases and their effect on Global temperatures.

Now, in July 2022 the country is in the middle of an inflationary surge, and in-fighting of the ruling political group to select a new leader (less than 3 years after Boris Johnson became leader). Meanwhile, industrial unrest grows as attempts to keep up with the cost of living increase tensions.

Health-wise things appear to be deteriorating with obesity levels rising, a new surge in Omicron on the cards and worries about grooming, drugs and illegal entrants coming across the Channel and being housed where possible in hotels. It never rains but it pours. This reminds me: there is the prospect of water rationing and the use of stand-pipes (1976 repeat).  My own garden is a funny shade of yellow/brown. 

Parched Farm Land 

So maybe North Kesteven and Sleaford ain't so bad after all. Hope overdevelopment doesn't spoil the party. 

What to make of 2022 after a 2021 no-one expected: Holdingham Sleaford viewpoint.

Draft: So many things that were expected are now on hold: so who is to blame (or be praised) that some events did or did not unfold: main topics include:
Holdingham Roundabout almost complete - some issues remain: 
Sleaford Moore Pride Parkway Enterprise Park (passed 2 July 2021): 
Persimmon Holdingham Grange Phase 2 development aligned to Sleaford Moor: 
 Lincoln Road Open Space: 
Cop26 implications. 

The improvements to the Holdingham Roundabout are almost completed. Personally, I think the installation of traffic lights is a good thing. 

Certainly for those coming out from the Lincoln Road. Pity about access to McDonald's (I had hoped for a safer entrance/exit) to stop traffic coming out onto the Lincoln Road to go to the Roundabout without going down to the mini-roundabout. However the footpath is welcome. 

The Lincoln Road Playing field/open space is well used and the the young people use the covered area in front of the Nets and metal framework. 

Sleaford has continued to change as new developments continue despite stoppages due mainly to Covid restrictions. Like many all eyes daily on the latest tally of Covid-cases and which variety and whether or not the NHS will be overwhelmed. At least Christmas and the New Year celebrations got through with too many hitches. Local Businesses will be pleased with that (I assume).

On a wider scale any ramifications of Cop26 appear to be on hold. Day to day problems appear to be dominating and thinking bout 2030 or 2050 seems to have lost its gloss.  However it is good to see Lincoln University taking an active role in the subject.  My previous Blog also commented at Cop26

The Lincolnite produced a report: COP26 inspired climate change conference at University of Lincoln (thelincolnite.co.uk) 

More to follow.