We think it's important to celebrate success, so here's a collection of stories from our past. They're a mixture of hard work, silly costumes and talking to the public. We hope that you enjoy them and they inspire you to join us.

Success in Recycling Law (January 2003)

Members of Redditch Friends of the Earth called on town MP Jacqui Smith to support the Doorstep Recycling Bill.

Now a Law, the Doorstep Recycling Bill, called for every local authority to provide a doorstep recycling and composting service to every household by 2010.

Countryside Centre Saved (January 2006)

Nature workers and environmentalists called for Arrow Valley’s Countryside Centre to be saved from the axe, after its closure was tabled as just one option to help save cash-strapped Redditch Borough Council £1.185million.

Redditch Friends of the Earth was just one of the groups which voiced its dismay at the council’s plans, and believes any potential closure could seriously affect efforts to promote eco-friendly living in the area.

The Countryside Centre is at the heart of where Redditch should be in the 21st century - it’s green and it’s fun. The loss of the centre would be a huge blow to the town’s green credentials.

Local people going global.  (July 2003)

A group of Redditch residents have decided that they are needed in a campaign to radically change the world. Brought together by Redditch One World Link, Friends of the Earth, Christian Aid, and the World Development Movement, local campaigners heard about the importance of fighting the huge injustices in world trade and have formed Redditch Trade Justice Network.

It's clear that the fight for fairer world trade is a vital cause, and one we need to get as many people supporting as possible. For every pound poor countries receive in aid they lose two to unfair trade and that's just got to change.

Local campaigners from the Trade Justice Network were also amongst tens of thousands of people across the country to meet with their MP in their constituency in June 2003. Jacqui Smith MP, newly appointed in the Department for Trade and Industry, met with residents expressing their concern that international trade rules are unfair and are working to the detriment of the poorest people and the poorest countries.

Pushing for Climate Change Action (September 2007)

Redditch campaigners met with the town's MP on Saturday in a bid to gain her support for a new climate change law.

Members of the Redditch Friends of the Earth visited Jacqui Smith to get her backing for a new law, which would commit the Government to cutting the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the UK by three per cent year on year.

The meeting was part of a national month of action where hundreds of MPs from across the country will be receiving visits from constituents who want action on climate change.

Short Films with a Big Message (November 2006)

Activists from two Redditch groups campaigning to make the world a better place to live have joined forces in a project to get their message across to townsfolk.

Members from the Redditch Trade Justice Network and Redditch Friends of the Earth have come together to host an eco-film night at the Town Hall. Under the name the Redditch Alliance of Greens, they will be showcasing three films to help raise awareness about environmental and social justice issues.

The event is aimed at promoting awareness and discussion about Fairtrade and ecological issues. We need to be informed so we can take real action both as individuals and at local government level too. The evening involved a discussion about de-centralised energy supplies and offered tastings of distinctive locally made apple juice.

Local concern about food safety (February 2003)

Redditch Friends of the Earth are calling on councillors to support the GM-Free Worcestershire campaign protecting local farmers, council food services and people’s right to buy food free of genetically modified ingredients.

Campaigners collected over 200 postcards in support of a GM-free county. A decision on the commercial growing of genetically modified crops is to be made later this year.

Redditch Friends of the Earth visited local MP Jacqui Smith in London as part of a national scarecrow protest against GM food and crops.

The Government is in the process of deciding what rules are needed to allow GM crops to be grown in the UK, alongside conventional and organic crops. It is crucial that we maintain our right to buy and grow food that is free of genetically modified ingredients.

Buy Nothing for Christmas (November 2006)

Redditch residents are being encouraged to switch off from shopping this Saturday as part of an international event. Members of Redditch Friends of the Earth are urging residents to not spend a penny and take part in Buy Nothing Day.

The event is aimed at exposing the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism. According to the group developed countries such as Britain and America consume over 80 per cent of the earth’s natural resources despite only accounting for 20 per cent of the population.

i h8 L8 Trains (April 2002)

Redditch Friends of the Earth focused on the town's railway station twice last week. The group is calling for safe, efficient and affordable railway services as part of a national campaign to encourage better spending on train travel.

Across the country local Friends of the Earth groups were asking people who may have been waiting for delayed trains or affected by cancellations to text their anger to Gordon Brown the Chancellor - for example: “i h8 L8 trains”.

Car-free Day mix-up (September 2002)

A Redditch man who helped organise an event to encourage people to ditch the cars for alternative transport was left stranded - when his bicycle was taken away by police.

Friends of the Earth volunteer Alistair Waugh was at the ‘In Town Without My Car’ event in Headless Cross on Sunday, which saw part of Evesham Road closed to traffic.

He commented, “I thought it was a prank at first. I still can’t believe that it took me two days to get it back off the police.” Mr Waugh and his bike were re-united later this week.

Stop the Tree Chop (September 2005)

Campaigners in the town handed a petition of 1,110 signatures to council chiefs this week, demanding more respect for Redditch’s trees.

Members of Redditch Friends of the Earth and Redditch Tree Action Group marched to the Town Hall on Monday in a repeat of the Save Redditch Trees march that took place six months ago. They also handed over a copy of Blueprint for Trees - a document drawn up by Gardening Which? in 1999, calling on local councils to respect urban trees and recognise their importance.

Kevin White, of Redditch FOE, said: “We have been told it will be discussed at some point, but we hope the council will look at the blueprint - at least it will make them aware of how important it is.” Guy Revans, the borough council’s head of environmental services, said they would contact the action group to ask what they wanted doing.

Dodgy Deal for Campaigners (January 2002)

The new Redditch branch of a national environmental group has been given a kickstart by a Bromsgrove-bred music star.

Redditch & District Friends of the Earth has received its first donation from home-grown celebrity Mathew Priest, from three-piece pop band Dodgy. The group shot to fame in the British charts with Good Enough during the 90s.

Beach Party at Petrol Station (November 2002)

Friends of the Earth campaigners gathered outside a Redditch Esso service station on Saturday for a peaceful protest.

The group, who picketed outside the Winyates garage in costumes, were campaigning against Esso's sabotage of international agreements to tackle climate change.

Support for Local Farmers (October 2002)

Shoppers are encouraged to vote with their baskets for local food at a farmers market in Redditch on Friday.

A wide variety of food producers from across the region will be in the Kingfisher Centre, where the new food hall is due to open next year.

Andy Hughes of Redditch Friends of the Earth said, “Buying local food is the most important step consumers can take in returning our food economy to a greener, healthier state.

The first ‘In Town Without My Car’ day in Redditch has been hailed a success.

Part of Evesham Road in Headless Cross was closed on Sunday to vehicles as organisations set up information stalls to encourage people to think about using alternative methods of transport to the single-occupancy car.

Redditch Highways manager Jim Casey said: "This was the first time we've done something like this and we plan to build on it next year.

"There were several groups there, including Friends of the Earth, and we had a great deal of support from Headless Cross businesses such as Michael's Cycles."

The event was organised by Redditch Council, Worcestershire County Council, cycling clubs, Friends of the Earth and Headless Cross Methodist Church.