Hi All, especially those new to this blog that I've met over the last few days at the ACT conference or Almeida.

The campaign is progressing well, Kyla and I are working hard to launch Take Your Paper Home and make it a real success. We are currently writing the content for the website and also sorting the competition rules. Its actually getting quite scary as we move into the serious legal side of running a competition.

In the meantime, we are also organising the grand press release so TYPH launches with the biggest impact on the commuting population as possible. Ideas are continually flowing around and it is now deciding which are going to be the best, most time efficient and cheap whilst in the absence of any sponsorship for the event.

This week has also seen me giving two speeches, one today (Tuesday 9th) and one tomorrow about my campaign and related issues.

Today I spoke about how young people are using the Internet and Technology in its broader context to campaign for change, drawing on my experiences to help deliver the speech. I feel it went down well, and I received positive feedback so I am happy with how it went. I also help teach a workshop on the same issue, all of this at the national conference for the Association of Citizen Teachers (ACT).

I found the conference actually helpful, I learnt a lot and it only furthered my respect and sympathy for teachers because their job is so SO important but given such little support or credit.

Tomorrow I speak at a Climate Change Theatre Production in Islington which is a drama and issue day where students will participate in workshops that combine climate change education with drama and theatre. I have to talk for 15 mins so I am a bit nervous that I will be able to entertain, inspire and interest an audience for so long.

Here's Hoping.

Smiles

James x

Howdy all, How's it going?

I have finished exams!!! *sound of fanfares, cheering crowds and fireworks - well at least in my head*

Now for the serious work - making Take Your Paper Home a success! Hopefully if things work exactly how I wish, which of course is extremely unlikely, I can make this campaign my full time occupation over the summer. That means I can make sure to educate as many people as possible about recycling, its benefits and its scope to also be enjoyable - a boy has to have faith in the chance.

So if you know any corporations or individuals who would like to fund an environmental arts and education project please pass on my contact details: fncte01@googlemail.com

In the mean time what I am here to show you is my letter from Ed Balls! We had the pleasure of meeting Mr Balls MP at the end of project celebration hosted by Battlefront. He spent a good 20mins with us asking about our campaigns and then offered us the opportunity to send him a written letter about our campaigns explaining how we thought Government could help.

He then promised to send these on to the departments and politicians that he thought would most be able to assist our campaigns and I would like to celebrate the fact that Mr Balls is a man of his word and has delivered on his promise.

Here is the copy of his letter which he sent to Rt Hon Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for DEFRA who is a politician I personally admire after I saw him speak at an African development conference.

Letter:
"Dear James,

Thank you for your letter following up the recent Battlefront event.

It was great to meet you and other young pople at the event. The passion and enthusiasm that you all expressed for your campaigns was good to see, and I wish you well in your campaigns.

I have passed your letter to the Sectretary of State for the Environment, Foods and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn, and encouraged him to have his officials engage with your campaign.

I wish you the all the best for the future.

Yours SIncerely

Ed Balls MP"

And the main important paragraph from the letter he sent to Hilary Benn on my behalf,

"James Mummery has developed an idea called 'Free Newspapers Cost the Earth', which is a campaign to ensure that public transport users recycle their free newspapers and something I think your officials may want to take another look at. He is particularly keen to ensure that recycling bins are placed outside underground and train stations.

I hope that you will join me in welcoming James' inspirational commitment, and I would be grateful if you and your department would acknowledge and support James' contribution so far."

- Amazing or what!

Peace and Smiles

James x

Hi everyone

It is my last exam tomorrow - Yay! although I will be much less happy about the result I am sure but never mind.

I don't know if you are aware or not of how Battlefront works, but this month was the original end date for the project and the time when us campaigners were expecting to be cut lose from the system to go it alone and change the world!

Well, thankfully, Battlefront has been a success, and we've been allowed to stay involved for the coming months - blogging and producing videos etc. So stay posted because I am going to be scaling up my activities across the summer -especially if I can find a private donor to sponor me to continue.

However in the mean time, I need to say a huge thank you for the enormous contribution that the current crop of Battlefront staff, who are moving on to new projects, have made in my progression.

So to Jo, Caroline, Claire and Orsi who have all played a huge part in the development of my campaign, and also in my development as a person - Thank you. I will always remember the huge difference you've made.

To everyone else, I will continue to recognise your help that you give as we continue to work together over the forth-coming months. The amount of helping hands have been imense.