What Lies Beneath Rattlechain Lagoon?

OR HOW WILLY PETER MET BLUE PETER

And here’s one we made earlier. How to turn a piece of old pontoon, some old drainpipe and a bit of hose into a makeshift pump. Those ingenious buggers at Trinity Street certainly know how to make money out of old rope. Or with the MOD now piss poor, is it a new trial of a British army device- an AW bomb of the 21st century?

Spot the device in the middle, sly buggers.

Bonaparte doing a bit of digging on the North embankment

The finished article anchored in the water

Pipe going under the new causeway path

Hose link @ rattlechain

Sorted

And today it was working, pumping out water from “the cleanside” lagoon, that has just had a load of disturbance caused by a dredger being present. I do hope they tested the water-especially for P4-  oh but I just remembered- the EA can’t test for it unless they get an accredited laboratory to do it for them.Why not use Rhodia’s – I’m sure they are impartial.

I invented something myself today- I might just take it to Dragons Den.

It’s called “The Rubiks’s Albright.”

Nothing is so beautiful as spring—
  When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
  Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
  The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
  The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.

What is all this juice and all this joy?
  A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden.—Have, get, before it cloy,
  Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
  Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.

Gerard Manley Hopkins

Yes Spring is in the air. The nests have been built, the eggs laid and starting to hatch, the amphibians mating and the birds singing their songs much earlier than usual in the day.

A duck with ducklings in unpolluted waters

And then there is Rattlechain lagoon owned by Rhodia UK Limited- member of the Solvay group.

“Due to the plant life, abundant trees, and water the rattlechain area is a safe haven and home to a variety of birds including swans.”

Steve Hampson former Rhodia Works manager 2001.

Last night Rhodia’s contractors got the chainsaws out. Last night Rhodia’s contractors started to dig at the north embankment again. This morning.. the work continued with Napoleon smoting his ruin on the land once more.

“The sedge is wither’d from the lake, And no birds sing.”

Meanwhile Bonaparte continues wallowing in the phosphatic mud bath to the East.

The book “silent spring” by Rachael Carson changed the way in which people viewed the chemical industry, particularly the pesticides industry and its bullyboy tactics- and one firm in particular which continues to use these tactics on some American farmers. She inspired many to challenge this grotesque industry and challenge their latter day Messiah claims of how pesticides could save the world. And then the PR juggernaut of the chemical industry started to roll, in the same way that forests are destroyed to exploit the natural resources that they hold.

“If man were to follow the teachings of Miss Carson, we would return to the Dark Ages, and the insects and diseases and vermin would once again inherit the earth.”

biochemist and former chemical industry spokesman Robert White-Stevens stated.

Unfortunately the chemical industry believes that it itself created life rather than as it will eventually be found.. to have destroyed it. For every disease that they cure, for every insect and bee that they kill, with it so the human population will reproduce to doom itself into extinction. Lab coated specimens creating new biocides and chemicals today have a misguided God complex.

“The Garden of Eden” refered to in Hopkins poem had no such spoilage, unpolluted by unnatural chemicals , and certainly no organophosphates manufactured by religious cult nutters or the bile in a bottle known as “round-up”.

For all their certainty of themselves, their “saving the world” that their meddling has directly threatened, their Promethean methods and conclusions, the scientist continues to advance in the “dark ages” to no logical conclusion… except that one day they will themselves be pushing up daisies.

Still observing what Bonaparte is doing on the Eastern embankment. According to my “Environment Agency source”, it is to do with problems concerning weed in the pool and “a trial” (What another one!) to reduce water content within it before further treatment.

I swallow this as I would swallow white phosphorus. It is without doubt the strangest looking grey weed I have ever seen in my life- but perhaps an indicator of the type of crap that the wildfowl have been feeding on for many years. The source did make clear that no birds were buried here- obviously a reference to the last post- Glad you read the website guys- it’s “a tribute to you.” 😆

Yuk! Part of a new Rhodia facial creme trial?

As far as I can see this is disposal of contaminated material to land, whatever way you try to dress it up. The trial membrane laying scheme (the basis which guided this misguided operation) informed that that trial had been “a success”. So why are there problems here before “the Caapenslaag” has even arrived?

Would it not make more sense to utilise the technology so ably demonstrated on the Klaar website to bag up this rubbish for offsite “safe disposal” in sealed bags? Or is it the case that this would be classed as “special waste” due to the likely p4 contamination which would cost the French/Belgian misers a shed load of euro to dispose of?

They really can’t argue that removing it would compromise the resident’s safety when they park their cars so close to the waste itself! Or is the Klaar technology  not as safe as it is presented? You can’t have it both ways.

Meanwhile one of the guys was demonstrating his kayaking skills Hawaii five-0 style with a pole. Well impressed, there’s nothing quite like it for warming the blood. Are you any good at rescuing swans mate?

More activity today on the “beach area”. This time it was Bonaparte on duty, scooping up material and depositing it into a freshly dug hole on the Eastern embankment. Is this “a clean up” because it looks more like burial to me.

 The diggers appear to come with several interchangeable heads like Worzel Gummage. This one is the colander head, letting out water and retaining the crap in the shovel.

The hole was gradually filled in with top soil placed over it.

A hose pipe and taped off area were also in evidence. What else will be buried in these shallow graves. Perhaps this is where some of the birds have gone?

The day started with a couple of newcomers to the Rattlechain lagoon, a pair of greylag geese. Not seen any on here before, and don’t really want to either. The oddest sighting on here apparently was an escaped flamingo from Dudley Zoo which a bird watcher told me about some years ago- don’t know what the outcome was or whether it survived.

Observations have noticed a dramatic fall in birds at the site. Coots from around 65 to now around 25 at most. Geese doing their usual early morning fly out and return at night. Have the birds been scared off by the work or have they perished? Given the amount of craft on the pool it would be easy now to remove any evidence swiftly. We have seen dead birds elsewhere in the area since the works commenced, but they will not receive any post mortem let alone a test for white phosphorus.

The point is these works increase the risk, and the dredging has been demonstrated to have increased mortality in the past on this pool. This is undeniable, though no doubt those at Trinity Street would like to reinvent history as with everything else that they promote. The picture of a swan in a bag, caught by the RSPCA  was another PR stunt recently put out in their latest flyer. We called the RSPCA based on the fact that the last pair of swans to attempt to nest on here, before any works had started had seen the male swan dead- later confirmed to have been exposed to white phosphorus.

Later on, (the greylags had gone) Napoleon was up to his old tricks on the causeway path- halfway there now with Bonaparte and the small tipper keeping his advance swift and sure. But then what was I seeing in the distance……..

Napoleon imposter

Who the hell was this guy and what was going on at the beach?

It certainly looked as though two piles of sediment had been tipped on the bank. Was this a floccing test to see if it caught fire? Who knows but it had gone later in the day at the third visit. Should this identical twin remain on site it is going to be difficult to keep tracks with Napoleon, but I will call this one Louis for clarity.

The website now is approahing the magic 100 page barrier. There’s plenty more in draft in one form or another, and some of it will be held back until the time is right.

Sometimes people take credit when others campaign for a long struggle. In 1888 the matchgirls strike resulted in the ban of white phosphorus used in matches concerning their quaker owners Bryant and May- mates or should that be “friends” of Albright and Wilson. John Wilson- one of the clan, even later went on to be a director of this company for 11 years before his lights went out in 1932- must have been a busy man as an MP also.

There is  a great deal of detail contained about phossy jaw in the book “The Shocking history of phosphorus” by John Emsley. He notes that during the 1880’s the salvation army were seen as “troublemakers and activists” trying to bring about change to appalling working conditions that industry poisoned for profit.

The idea that the use of red phosphorus for matches BROUGHT ABOUT THE CHANGE- produced by non other than the same “peace loving” quakers, is a historical distortion of the truth. It is an early example of the PR lies of the chemical industry in that they pioneered the way with a cost based eco friendly alternative material.

The salvation army and the match girls brought about change- not Albright and Wilson as their advert here claims.

As it is, the pamphlet “The manufacture and use of phosphorus and some of its compounds”  published by Albright and Wilson on page 20 states of the modern “safety match”

“It is possible that when the match is struck, red phosphorus on the side of the box is transformed to white phosphorus, which then reacts and ignites the match head.”

Reassuring thought this. How safe are “safety matches” really?

So what’s “the link” I here you cry.

If you were a person unfamiliar with the rattlechain story, you would be forgiven for thinking that those nice chaps at Trinity Street had arrived at the idea that they suddenly wanted to “protect” birds at the Rattlechain site.

Sort of leave out the fact at how toxic the white phosphorus was in “small amounts”, but just focus on that word enough times and put it out in a flyer and people might buy it.

Also completely leave out the fact that the “trouble maker and activist” in Emsley’s words who had brought about the real change, had been doing this for years by removing the birds from the problem when they had been proclaiming that there wasn’t one.

History will record how the most contaminated pool in Britain was buried, it will also record the problems that later were associated with this cover up, and it might just record how a light was shone on this remote corner of the black country on a website called “What lies beneath Rattlechain lagoon?”

Tanker drivers used to complain to me that they had no light on the site. They can now see the way.

Nobody from the 1970’s allowed in

There are various signs now- more than ever around Rattlechain lagoon. A welcome addition or a reminder of the atrocious lack of information previously provided by Albright and Wilson and Rhodia? If you look at the list of licence breaches on this website, you will see what I mean.

The fact is, this company are reactive and not proactive.

The original concrete panel fencing was missing in several places. After I appeared on BBC Midlands today in 2009 about the swan deaths, they decided to replace the lot with metal fencing topped with razor wire.

The causeway path was noted to have been breached in the past, so they built it up allowing the water levels to raise.

So I drew attention to the causeway path breaches the other day, and now low and behold they are making a giants causeway, also explaining in the newsletter to local residents that it was always intended that Goldmember would be towed back through a gap made in the causeway path. Really? I’ll save my other observations about this piece for another day, except to say I think they underestimate the intelligence of people in the area.

You can perform illusions with sheets and birds, but Rhodia’s actions usually result in them not reappearing again.

On the lagoon this week Napoleon and Bonaparte have been building up the path

A pair of great black backed gulls inspected the scene.

“The environmental improvements” at Rattlechain lagoon.

There has also been yet another addition to the Dutch armada now gathered on the site. Another floating sludge gulper cum dredger thingy. This one I’ll call Wilhelmina.

And the proud patriot pilot decided to hoist a little Dutch flag today.

Curiously Gullit and minimember then towed thunder bird 4, the spud barge and an orange boat to the North embankment…….. to be continued.

 An open letter to Colin Houston of the Food Standards agency, Chairman of the CHaIRS group.

Dear Mr Houston

Ref OPEN LETTER CHaIRS group meetings reporting of incidents involving white phosphorus poisoned birds

As Chairman of this group I am writing to you concerning what appears to be an omission of information, which should be considered as an important update on the matter referred to at previous CHaIrs meetings as “The Rhodia incident”.

As the individual who is solely responsible for drawing the authorities notice to this site, the wildfowl deaths, and my subsequent correctly identified hypothesis that white phosphorus present in sediment at this hazardous waste site was poisoning wildfowl landing on it, I am writing to ask why it appears that a key update from Jo Payne of the AHVLA appears to have not been recorded in the published minutes of CHaIRS group meeting of December 2011.

http://www.food.gov.uk/policyadvice/safcom/chairs/chairsmeets/chairsmeet2011/chairsmeet5dec2011/chairsmins5december2011/

I was assured by Mr Ian Davies of the AHVLA that the confirmation of “systemic exposure” to a Canada goose (see enclosed confirmation from Jo Payne) would be referred to the CHaIRS group meeting.

I am therefore asking you if it was, and if so why it was not recorded in the minutes. I would like this matter amended and confirmed at the earliest next meeting.

Although I am aware of the FSA view that this incident is not food related, and that the EA are acting as the “leading” agency on this matter, I do see this as a significant update, especially given that white phosphorus has in the past presented potential problems in the food chain. I refer you to our website concerning this toxic waste site where you can read more.

The following confirms “systemic exposure” in birds found dead at Rattlechain lagoon.

http://whatliesbeneathrattlechainlagoon.org.uk/?page_id=234

The following page confirms white phosphorus poisoning of animals is nothing new.

http://whatliesbeneathrattlechainlagoon.org.uk/?page_id=376

I also enclose a table of p4 tested wildfowl to date, all 12 confirming exposure to the highly toxic chemical. It also shows the significant delays in testing for this evanescent chemical- part of the problem for not confirming “systemic exposure”.

New Microsoft Office Excel Worksheet

This isn’t another freedom of information request, but given the recent food scares regarding fraudulent labelling of meat, could I ask if the FSA ever routinely tests or has ever tested chicken/game products for DNA of wildfowl being present? The nationwide reporting of “missing wildfowl” as well as lower fish stocks across the country has been highlighted many times.  Or is this the next chapter of food scares to be unveiled when the time is right?

I would be grateful therefore if you could request further information on the non reporting of updates on the Rattlechain issue and also place this open letter with the minutes to all members. You will note that the reference to the Eagle River Flats studies at the end of the AHVLA statement is literature cited by us with the original theory that p4 poisoning was to blame for mortality on this lake. The scientists from the US whom we had already consulted on this, and believed that the deaths were consistent with white phosphorus poisoning have been extremely helpful in this matter, knowledgeable on the subject and rich in practical experience.

NB This letter and any subsequent reply will be placed on our website.

Yours sincerely

Ian Carroll Sandwell swanwatch.

Enclosures

Post mortem report for Canada goose

There was another Rhodia press release printed verbatim without investigation in The Express and Star last night- the same usual message- Here’ s our observations

“Contaminated pool is being cleaned up”- NO IT’S NOT THE TOXIC CRAP HAS NOT LEFT THE SITE!”

“Residents blame the deaths on birds ingesting white phosphorus.”  Yawn……”blame” ceased long ago when scientific evidence proved it was….

white phosphorus systemic exposure confirmed in two dead rattlechain mallard ducks

…but no reference to this has ever been printed in E&S , despite supplying its journalists with the information. … AN EDITORIAL DECISION TO “BLAME” RATHER THAN REPORT THE FACTS, OR TO  REPORT “THE FACTS” AS RHODIA SEE THEM ONLY?

Residents are juxtaposed with “environmental improvements” that Rhodia are now purporting to be making. So the message they are trying to peddle is that they are listening to “the residents” concerns.

Then trying to claim that Rhodia took over the site in 2000 inheriting the mess left from before, when in reality All the Albright and Wilson works management that were in charge at the time of handover merely changed uniforms. The same technically competent staff on the SL31 Rattlechain waste management licence didn’t change, except with retirements.

I’ve given up with this paper- one of the main reasons for setting up this website, as our message was not being communicated, unlike that of Rhodias. Haven’t worked out quite why yet, but still delving. £.

With all the recent hoo-hah about press regulation, the point appears to have been missed that the newspaper owners/shareholders have always determined what is “newsworthy” and what is not- and what is “newsworthy” is that which does not effect their financial status or political affiliation- nothing to do with the MP censors- the press in this country has never been “free”, and never will be.

It’s all about flocculation you know.

At Rattlechain in the last couple of days Goldmember has been doing just this on the main lagoon. The dredging has started. The outpouring of crap into deeper waters has begun, but not “a clean up”. When using a vacuum cleaner do you suck it up only to then discharge it out of sight behind the cupboards or settee, or do you empty the contents for disposal?

Dribbling Goldmember was surprisingly at it today- the first time I have seen any active work on a saturday- these two must be keen on overtime, or are they on double pay?

DOUBLE DUTCH- DO THEY NEED AN EXCUSE TO DRESS UP IN ORANGE!

And then there’s the floccing tent- a glorified upturned double bed with a large bin bag underskirt and pipe sticking into it. Let’s face it, that is what this is.

Gullit broke off to tow it back out around 6.30pm- they are working longer days now.

As this link shows in its  corporate glossy imagery- if Rhodia/ERM really wanted Klaar to remove the toxic rubbish in this pool the technology is there. But this waste is going nowhere.. and the “cappingslaag”- or loosely translated “cover film” is going to sweep it under the carpet. This is because Rhodia are cheapskates- just as Albright and Wilson were before them. A wonderful gift to the local community of tomorrow.

BUYER BEWARE!

Over the last couple of days Goldmember has been the focus of activities. Initially the long snaking pipework stretching around the lagoon was connected up to his depository. Slurping up water, the cad slowly perused the subsidiary lagoon- perhaps trying to get the water levels down from the flooded causeway path- a licence breach.

Godmember’s nozzle

Today however all hell broke loose. First to go, the causeway path pipe upto the canal, which uptil this morning still continued to dribble out into the cut.

Napoleon and bonaparte returned to action to spectaculary breach the causeway path, and in the process a condition of the licence. A Barnes/Wallis bomb delivered from a Lancaster couldn’t have done it better.

It appears the purpose of the exercise was to allow goldmember and his member back onto the main lagoon, so a crane wasn’t needed to lift him over. Also in action were Gullit and newcomer minimember.

Gullit

Minimember

After getting their man through, Napoleon and bonaparte quickly worked to rebuild the path, as though nothing had happened- but it had. Toxic crap stirred up, waste from both lagoons mixed.

Milky crap

More crap in the “clean side lagoon”

Let’s hope no-one notcied

Then Goldmember issued projectile vomit that even Linda Blair  couldn’t manage. A black ghastly excrement followed by a dicharge of water. Pity the poor birds that have to swim in this- and drink it.

I rang the EA for the crack to report the breach, given that a senior manager had previously put in writing that I could report such observations to the incident hotline- 0800 80 70 60.  I’m used to getting a fanny excuse or answer to my enquires about this site, but it will be interesting to see how this one pans out now they are subject to public scrutiny.

NOTE CONDITION 10 OF THE LICENCE.

And the Toffs at Trinity Street shouldn’t have any excuses either with the eye of Sauron surveying their Rattlechain tower.

Watching me watching you