Ministries

Church Creates Independent Panel to Advise on Mobile Phone Mast Fears

A leading independent expert from the Health Protection Agency has visited the Black Country to advise local residents who are concerned about a proposed mobile phone base station in a Wednesbury church.

A leading independent expert from the Health Protection Agency has visited the Black Country to advise local residents who are concerned about a proposed mobile phone base station in a Wednesbury church.

The proposal to install the base station in the tower of St Francis of Assisi Church is in its infancy and no formal application for permission has yet been made. But for weeks protestors have gathered outside the church during Sunday Services to complain about what they claim is a threat to their health.

To address those concerns the church organised a public meeting chaired by the Archdeacon of Walsall, the Venerable Bob Jackson.

Seated on the panel was independent scientist Dr Michael Clark, from Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, who gave an independent assessment of health risks associated with mobile phone technology.

Also Gavin Drake, director of communications for the Diocese of Lichfield, helped by explaining the procedures laid down in law before any changes to church buildings - including the installation of mobile phone base stations - can be made. He also described how those opposed to the proposals could lodge official objections.

Ann Mobley, from the pressure group WART (Wednesbury Action for the Re-siting of Telephone masts), was the third panellist. WART has offered advice to residents near St Francis' Church who are opposed to the proposal.

Added: Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 16:23 (BST)

Calling Dr Mike Clark an independent scientist is like calling George W. Bush a peace envoy. In all interviews, of which he has done many, he has consistently promoted the mobile phone operators' position (which is that there is no evidence of any harm) and by doing so ignores hundreds of studies that by their very existence prove the opposite to be true. He shouldn't even be in the HPA. I fear this is a calculated move by the mobile phone industry to reassure the church using ‘their man’ in the guise of a knowledgeable independent third party. This PR method is not new. The tobacco and other dubious industries have been practicing this for decades: http://www.prwatch.org/books/experts.html. I would like to suggest that the church elders look at the volume of peer reviewed, published studies that show strong links between mobile phones and masts and ill health and cancer and see for themselves. Many of which can be found on www.mastsanity.org.

Simon Densley, London

Added: Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 9:58 (BST)

There was a public meeting on Thursday 12th July to express concerns about the proposed mast at st. francis church. The residents of Friar Park hope that that Gavin drake, Mike Clark and Bob Jackson listened, and took on board, our concerns. Please may we draw your attention to the following FACTS REF: World-News Independent Media Source… Over 1000 independent studies, linking phone masts electro magnetic radiation with serious ill health including cancer, confirm that masts should not be sited within 350 metres of schools or housing. Phone operators dismiss such research, alleging that their own studies suggest no health risk. However last month the national press revealed that T-Mobile covered up the damaging results of their own research. The Ecology Institute, a research organisation which examines the health effects of mobile phones, was commissioned by T-Mobile to investigate the possible health risks of mobile phone masts. The 2003 Ecology report confirmed: ‘Given the results of the present epidemiological studies, it can be concluded that electromagnetic fields with frequencies in the mobile telecommunications range do play a role in the development of cancer. This is particularly notable for tumours of the central nervous system” ———- At the meeting on Thursday night a Mr Mike Clark from the health protection agency would like us to believe there where no health risks, yet he wouldn’t personally grantee it, yet he made the following statement below… REF: Statement by Mike Clark science spokesman on 8th march 2004 “there is little doubt that some people are affected by the presence of masts in their neighbourhoods. This is real and not imaginary.” ———- Rev Paul Hawthorne, the Diocesan environmental officer wanted to come and talk with Friar Park residents and stated “The key initial issue to me is whether there are many residential or Child-orientated buildings within the area of influence of the mast… are in general nervous about applications involving Churches and was involved in lobbying for tighter restrictions” Why was Rev Paul Hawthorne, Diocesan environmental officer refused permission by the church to attend the meeting? ———- There is a real risk to health, and the proposed mast should not be sited in a church, which should be used as a place of worship. The aerial would also facilitate the access to pornography and on-line gambling and this in itself is inconsistent with the Christian church. The church should reject the said mast, and once again take its place as a caring neighbour in the local community The european convention on human rights states in article 8 “the right to peaceful enjoyment of your home”, and do not parents have to right to protect not only themselves, but most importantally their children’s health to?

Residents of Friar Park, Wednesbury

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