In a world festooned with confusing and contradictory signs it is refreshing to come across one that is clear and unambiguous: No Running Whilst Carrying a Fish:
The rest of the sign, unfortunately, is less clear and bangs on, seemingly, about no smelly fish and don't eat fish with a fork:
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Southam News: It's News for Southam
At the recent Southam Town Council meeting [22 September] a resident of Stowe Drive complained that the junction of Stowe Drive and Browns Bridge Road is frequented by speeding drivers who put children at risk and have killed a cat.
It was suggested that the junction be made a T junction.
Warwickshire County Council, predictably, said they've got no money so they busied themselves looking at the roads concerned and advising the town council that no improvements were necessary.
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Southam News: It's News for Southam
The handy and oft used recycling facility in Wood Street, Southam, is facing the chop.
The facility is used by people who kill two birds with one stone and do a bit of shopping in Southam and, whilst there, do their civic duty and ditch some cardboard, bottles etcetera.
However, Southam Town Council want people to go to Tesco instead and use their facility.
Users of Tesco recycling will be delighted to know that Tesco get cash for this trash.
The final decision lies with Stratford District Council but has faced delays because the bloke in charge was on holiday.
If the resource is lost it will be replaced by a noticeboard [presumably giving directions to Tesco].
It has been necessary for us to change the date and venue of the Rugby Neighbourhood Watch AGM. Instead of it being held on Thursday 27 October at the Rokeby Room of the Benn Hall, it will now be held on Thursday 20 October at the new Rugby College.
The meeting will start at 7.30pm and tea and coffee will be served from 7pm for anyone wishing to arrive early.
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Southam based construction specialists Alumet will be hosting a one off pub quiz at the Bowling Green Pub in Southam Tonight [Wednesday 28th September].
The quiz will start at 8pm and will be general knowledge. Everyone is welcome to take part and form teams of up to 4 people. It will cost £3 per person to play with all proceeds going to local charity Myton Hospice.
There will be a prize for the winning team!
Above [left to right]: The winners from Alumet's last pub quiz. Dimos Chatzigeorgiou, Lee Summers, Max Willcox and Rob Ebrey
If you would like to take part please go along and join in the fun, raising money for a great cause.
What's On in and around Southam
Update: The landlord of the Bowling Green has agreed that if there is enough teams to fill the room he'll donate a gallon of beer (8 pints) to the winning team!
For events and happenings in and around Southam: check out the Southam News Diary:
http://southamnews.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=57
More than 6,300 more Warwickshire homes and businesses will have access to faster broadband by the Spring of next year, BT hve announced.
Henley-in-Arden and Studley are among the latest communities in the county to be included in the roll-out plans for BT’s next generation copper broadband service. They will follow Alcester, Bidford, Claverdon, Hurley, Kineton and Southam which were announced earlier this year.
The BT investment makes available broadband speeds of up to 20 megabits per second (Mbps) – more than double the maximum speeds previously available to the majority of UK homes and businesses.
The technology is already available in more than 20 communities across Coventry and Warwickshire, including: Dunchurch, Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, and Warwick.
By the Spring of next year around 83 per cent of West Midlands premises are expected to have been upgraded.
The new next generation broadband network is available on an open, wholesale basis to all internet services providers.
This investment is in addition to the £2.5 billion BT roll-out of super-fast fibre-based broadband, which is expected to bring even faster speeds to two-thirds of UK premises by the end of 2015.
Councillor Stephen Thirlwell, customer access and partnerships portfolio at Stratford-upon-Avon District Council, said: “We welcome the upgrading of both the Henley and Studley telephone exchanges.
With the installation of the latest broadband technology, it will certainly help to transform the way our residents and local businesses communicate. It is a major boost for homeworkers and will also benefit families who use the internet for so many different things, like accessing public services online and will ensure our communities are not disadvantaged by poor connectivity.”
John Dovey, BT’s West Midlands regional director, said: “Our latest investment in Coventry and Warwickshire marks another major milestone in the development of the county’s communications.
It will deliver an important benefit for local businesses as well as homeworkers, helping to boost their efficiency and competitiveness, while households can make use of the many additional educational and entertainment benefits available with faster broadband.
But these investments are by no means the full extent of our ambition. There are areas - mainly rural, less populated ones - where the private and public sectors will need to work together to make faster broadband available.
We welcome the fact that the UK government has recently allocated funding of hundreds of millions of pounds for next generation broadband and are very willing to work with the public sector to find solutions for these more challenging areas.
BT has the strength and commitment to deliver large-scale broadband projects and we want to play a leading role in bringing faster technologies to our rural communities.”
BT Openreach and contractors are busy around our area installing new fibre distribution cabs and fibre cabling:
For all of the news in Southam go to http://southamnews.org
Southam News: It's News for Southam
West Midlands Ambulance Service will celebrate one of its most successful years when at its Annual General Meeting today (Wednesday 28th September).
The meeting will look back at the many successes achieved during 2010-11, but will also focus on the challenges that the organisation faces in the current year and those going forward.
The meeting takes place in the main Board Room at the Strategic Health Authority offices in St. Chads House, Hagley Road, Birmingham.
There will be an opportunity to meet the Board from 6.00pm with the meeting starting at 6.30pm. A selection of displays will also be in place which will demonstrate some of the major developments taking place within the Trust. Andrea Gordon Regional Director of the Care Quality Commission will be the guest speaker.
Trust Chairman, Sir Graham Meldrum, said: “We live in difficult economic times. WMAS has to become more efficient and cost effective in its activities, whilst at the same time continuing to improve performance and standards of care to patients.
Despite this, it is very pleasing to record that West Midlands Ambulance Service has met its targets for clinical standards and emergency calls, together with its key financial goals.
The recurring theme throughout this and previous reports is the tremendous enthusiasm, care and professionalism of our staff, which makes all the difference in attaining the highest standards and delivery of high quality patient care.
I would like to thank every member of staff for another highly successful year and commend them for their outstanding contribution to the public that we serve.”
WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, added: “The Trust‘s reputation as a provider of innovative pre-hospital healthcare continues to be enhanced. During 2010-11, the clinical outcomes and performance we achieved was acclaimed by commissioners. It goes without saying that these achievements would not be possible without the support and professional dedication of our staff.
This year we are setting out to accomplish a series of important projects to build on our growing reputation as an innovative NHS Ambulance Service. By the close of 2011-12 we would like to achieve NHS Foundation Trust status.
The Make Ready initiative will be rolled out across the Service. The training and deployment of over 100 Advanced Paramedics will also be welcomed and is designed to assist in our plans to reduce the number of patients being transferred to hospital. This will dovetail with our approach, encouraging patients to receive medical treatments from sources other than A&E.”
Outgoing Joint Staff Side Chairman, Michael Crossfield, said: “This may seem like a repeat of last year’s message; increased workload and inclement weather putting pressure on all departments of the Service. Despite this, the efforts of our frontline crews and control room staff was its usual high standard.
I would also like to offer a special thanks to the ‘backroom’ staff who are often forgotten. Without them we could not operate. They rarely get mentioned in any press articles in the media, but are a vital part of the Service.”
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) covers a geographical area of approximately 5,000 square miles and serves a population of 5.3 million people living in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Coventry & Warwickshire, Staffordshire and the Birmingham & the Black Country conurbation.
The Trust has a total number of 4000 members of staff, 58 ambulance stations and uses 864 vehicles.
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Southam News: It's News for Southam
The ladies at Coventry Building Society have decided to start fundraising and have chosen Southam Christmas Lights.
They are going to keep it going right up to Christmas.
They have Head Office approval who are going to do a large poster for their window, they already have collecting boxes in the branch.
Book Stall - Coventry Building Society
If you go to Coventry Building Society in Coventry Street, Southam, and make a £1 donation to this years Southam Christmas Lights, you can take away a book, bring it back and exchange it for another one.
Staff at the branch also need donations of books [any type].
Last night's Bizarre Balti raised £694.25 towards the Southam Christmas Lights fund.
For events and happenings in and around Southam: check out the Southam News Diary
http://southamnews.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=57
The winner of the Retro Revival Fabulous Fifties Quiz was Mrs Kath Hancox of Southam.
There were over 100 entries, but only 18 people got every question right.
Kath's entry form was drawn out, and the prize was a giant tub of 1950s Flying Saucer sweets.
The Answers:
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Southam News: It's News for Southam
The new Mask-Arade building, Albion House, opened on Saturday with Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee performing the opening ceremony.
The event at the new Mask-Arade building was a standing room only occasion with people from near and far attending.
Mask-arade have moved from their previous building on Ford Farm due to the phenomenal success of their business.
They first came to fame after those fools on Dragon's Den turned their business idea, of celebrity masks, down [see here]. Ever since, the masks have flown off the shelves.
The masks are endorsed by the celebrities concerned and just about anyone you can think of has a mask. If there's someone you can't think of they'll do masks to order. On-line you can even have masks made of yourself or a friend.
Adorning the walls in the new plush offices are many masks signed by the celebrities themselves including Prime Minister David Cameron, Ken Dodd and Roy Wood.
This week sees the masks being available at Harrods, adding to an already impressive list of stockists nationwide.
The multi award winning company is making a return to Dragon's Den featuring in a new off-shoot programme Dragons' Den: How to Win in the Den which is currently showing on BBC2 on Sundays. The crew from the new programme spent four days with Mask-Arade filming their feature.
This bloke had nowt to say and looked a bit sheepish:
Rumours another Dragon had turned up in disguise were denied by a bloke about the height of a well known Dragon who was in disguise:
There was loads of food and cakes not to mention champagne: 
The Alsop family traveled all the way from Linconshire to see Paul, Debbie and a family member open the new building:
Paul and Debbie were happy to pose for pictures and sign autographs:
Paul & Debbie spent a great deal of time with the guests and visitors despite their heavy workload that included them appearing at the Spa Centre Saturday night.
Dean Walton helps Paul with the speech:
We have over 200 photos for you to view and zoom in and out of on, not one, but two photo feeds:
· Click here for photo feed 1
· Click here for photo feed 2
Dave and Aimie Moore enjoying the day [Aimie has just spotted Paul Daniels]:
The opening ceremony [see video below] was performed by Paul Daniels who entertained the crowd and mystified everyone with his mystical powers which included telepathy, mind reading and thought transference using a powerful scientific device which he could flog to some Dragons if they weren't loons.
The weather remained perfect throughout the occasion.
Paul and Debbie confirmed they were more than happy at being in the great town of Southam. Paul said he had arrived without problem via the bypass using a strange and mystical device he has got in his Prius called a SatNav.
Paul Daniels
Debbie McGee
Mask-arade
A plaque outside the building permanently marks the day:
It wasn't just Southam News taking loads of photos:
We have two videos of the event. Video one shows background scenes and a glimpse of the inside of the new building whilst video two shows the opening ceremony. [Don't forget the 200+ photos available here & here ]
The shortcut link to this article is http://southamnews.org/paul
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Southam News: It's News for Southam
Police have now released the name of the man who died in a road traffic collision on the A426 Rugby Road near Stockton on Tuesdsay 6 September.
He was 19-year-old Zak Alex Jones of Phipps Avenue, Rugby.
Mr Jones was the sole occupant of a red Renault Clio car which was being driven along the A426 when it left the road and came to a halt a short distance from the carriageway in a copse of trees. It is believed the collision took place shortly after 7.15am.
The family of Mr Jones had requested that his name was not published until a family tribute had been prepared. We understand that is now being organised through the funeral directors.
The lorries coming and going at Cemex in Southam are subject to rigorous cleaning.
The lorries, prior to leaving the site, do a couple of circuits around the plant to shake off items of clay and soil attached to them before going through a powerful wheel wash and cleaning machine.
In addition to the lorry wash, a road sweeping machine is employed by Cemex to clean the site roads and the A423 Coventry Road outside the plant.
Watch the video below to see the lorry was in operation and the road sweeper passing by:
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Following complaints of nuisance youths in Watton's Lane, Warwickshire County Council proposed a lighting scheme consisting of eight columns. Southam Town Council have accepted the proposal which will cost £15,859.75. Funds from the Ear Marked Reserve budget will be used. The scheme involves laying new cabling and there may be opportunity of saving money long term if solar panels can be used. The lights are to be adopted by WCC.
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This Week in & around Southam [w/c September 26, 2011]:
A Bizarre Christmas Balti in aid of Southam Christmas Lights, Pilates Class, Belly Dancing Classes, Southam & District Round Table, Mini Market, Weekly Market, Line dancing, Rotary Club of Southam, Tuesday Club, The Grange Players, Table Tennis, Southam Tug of War team, Mid-week walk Southam Ramblers, Movement to Music, Stockton Brownies, Bible Study, Alumet one off pub quiz, Parent and Toddler group, Parents and Tots, Inner Wheel of Southam, Napton Art Group, Southam Women's Fellowship, Good Neighbours, Harbury Choir School, St John Ambulance, Rotary Club of Southam 2000, Southam Tug of War team, Windmill Singers, Baby morning, The Half Crown Pétanque Club, Southam Ramblers, Karate Class, Morning Worship
and The Church and Israel With Dr Calvin Smith
For more details: go to Southam News What's On & Diary
STOP HS2 MESSAGE TO LABOUR: HS2 IS A WHITE ELEPHANT RICH MANS TOY WHICH DOES NOT BENEFIT THE NORTH.
STOP HS2 campaigners will be at the Labour Party this week, delivering the simple messages that HS2 is a white elephant for the rich and it will not benefit the north.
STOP HS2 will be turning round the campaign message of the Campaign for HSR, which depicts opponents of HS2 of ‘toffs’, using a cartoon of Secretary of State Philip Hammond as Santa giving David Cameron a HS2 train set, backing up Mr Hammonds comments that HS2 will be a “rich man’s toy”.
Stop HS2 Campaign Coordinator Joe Rukin said: “The Labour Party, and the rest of the country need to see behind the spin from those with vested interests and realise that HS2 is simply a vanity project. Despite the desperate cuts which will impact everyone, nothing has changed in terms of how wasteful projects are pushed for by big business. The business case from HS2 Ltd shows that they predict business on the railways will have an average salary of £68,000, if that doesn’t show that it’s a fast train for fat cats, or a rich man’s toy, I don’t know what does.
Just like trying to demonise opponents by depicting them with the bowler hat, the rest of the spin from proponents of HS2, which consists of saying things which people can believe could be true comes straight out of the Goebbels propaganda manual. The idea that the railways are almost out of capacity and that HS2 with cure the North/South divide sound like they could be true, but there is absolutely no case in either of these statements, in fact the truth is exactly the opposite.
Academic after academic has said that there is no evidence that HS2 will do anything about the North-South divide, beside maybe make it worse. 50 years ago, the Motorways were meant to cure the divide, but they made it worse. At least the motorways delivered local benefits because they had junctions, just the way normal rail lines which are desperate for the investment HS2 will suck away have stations. HS2 is just about providing a better service for the richest in society who travel between London, Birmingham, Leeds & Manchester. With capacity, there is so much which could be done to increase capacity which has been artificially driven down in part due to restrictive practices and fragmentation which have been brought about in the name of competition.
One of the messages that Labour want to get out of their conference is the need to crack down on vested interests. The Campaign for HSR have an open-top campaign bus with Siemens written on the side and the German train manufacturer has a fringe meeting at Labour conference extolling the virtues of high speed rail. It shouldn’t be difficult to join the dots on that one, and given that Siemens have just come in four times over budget computer systems for the passport office, are we really going to be stupid enough to fall for it again? There is a strong lobby from big business for HS2, because they want it and don’t care how much it will cost. We’re meant to all be in this together, but the message from the HS2 plans is more like ‘I’m alright Jack’.”
Click on the picture below for a look at the "Rich Folks" Video:
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Southam News: It's News for Southam
Panicky and fear mongering reports in the media such as this and this had us all believing we were about to be bounced on the bonce by tons of satellite without warning.
Needless to say, nothing happened. The U-ARS satellite fell harmlessly in the Pacific Ocean bothering nobody.
There was probably no chance whatsoever of it coming anywhere near Southam.
Incidentally, the Pacific Ocean is the furthest ocean from Southam.
Click here for a video of the U-ARS satellite in the good old days
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Southam News: It's News for Southam
We have the 'papers' from the latest Southam Town Council Meeting which took place on September 22, 2011:
Click here for the direct link to the document.
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A ban on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products from vending machines has been hailed as a significant step toward reducing the availability of these harmful products to children and young people.
Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service and Substance Misuse Team are announcing that from 1st October 2011 it will be illegal to sell tobacco products from vending machines. It will also be against the law for the machines to display any tobacco advertisements or pictures of tobacco products.
Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Consumer Protection said: “This ban will effectively mean the end of tobacco vending machines in pubs, clubs and other businesses and this is good news for the health of our children and young people.
We know that young people are buying tobacco products from these machines and are doing so in proportionately larger numbers than adults because they are often located in unsupervised locations.
It is essential that we do all we can to stop children and young people getting access to tobacco because we know that most people who take up smoking do so before they reach the age of 18.”
Sue Weston, NHS Warwickshire Smokefree Co-ordinator, added “Half of all people smoking today will eventually die as a result of their habit and half of these will die prematurely in middle age, losing 20-25 years of life expectancy. Banning the sale of tobacco from these machines will make it more difficult for the 46,000 11-15 year old regular smokers who obtained cigarettes from vending machines in England and Wales in 2006 to obtain these in the future”.
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service is responsible for enforcing the new law and officers will be advising businesses and carrying out spot checks.
Businesses should immediately make arrangements with the vending machine operator to have it removed. If the machine is still on the premises after 1st October 2011 they must ensure that it is inoperative and all tobacco advertising and promotion material is removed or is covered up.
It is a criminal offence for any sales of tobacco or any advertising or promotion of tobacco products from vending machines after 1st October 2011. Businesses who fail to act could face prosecution and subsequent fines.
A Department of Health leaflet about the ban has been sent out to 64,000 locations across England including hotels, B&Bs, pubs, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, takeaways, bingo halls, casinos, railway stations, cinemas, theatres and bookmakers.
There is also guidance for businesses on the Warwickshire website: visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fairtrading or businesses can phone 01926 414040 or email: tradingstandards@warwickshire.gov.uk
People wanting to kick the habit can get help from their local NHS Stop Smoking service, who are on hand to give tips, support and advice to adults and young people from the age of 12 upwards, by calling 0800 085 2917, texting “LIFE” to 80800 or visiting http://www.smokefreewarwickshire.org
Viddy This:
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From Monday 3 October, GPs will be seeing millions of people in at risk groups to have their flu vaccine, Chief Medical Officer Dame Professor Sally Davies today announced.
Flu is a very unpredictable virus. For most it’s an uncomfortable illness that can come on quite suddenly and severely. Symptoms usually include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles as well as a cough and sore throat. But last year over 600 people died from flu and the majority were in clinical at risk groups.
People who are in the clinical at risk group are 11 times more likely to die if they get flu than a “healthy” person – for some groups, like those with chronic degenerative neurological diseases, that risk rises to 40 times.
Clinical at risk groups include those with:
· a heart problem;
· a chest complaint or breathing difficulties including, bronchitis, emphysema;
· a kidney disease;
· lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment);
a liver disease;
· a history of stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA);
· diabetes;
· a neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy;
· a problem with, or removal of, their spleen e.g. sickle cell disease.
The flu vaccine is free to everyone in these groups because flu can be serious for them if they catch it.
It is also offered free of charge to:
· people aged 65 years and over;
· all pregnant women;
· the main carer of an older or disabled person.
If you haven't had your flu vaccination by the end of October, get in touch with your practice and make an appointment.
Dame Professor Sally Davies said: “People often don’t think about the flu vaccine until the virus is circulating – but by then it could be too late. It takes five to ten days for the vaccine to take effect so it is important to get the flu jab before flu is about. I’d urge everyone eligible for the flu vaccine, particularly those in the clinical at risk groups, to get vaccinated as soon as they are able. Protect yourself early to minimise the risk of getting flu.
Flu can be a serious illness – particularly for those in an at risk group. It can result in a spell in hospital, and sadly flu kills. The best way to protect yourself is to be vaccinated.”
The Government’s Director of Immunisation Professor David Salisbury said: “About three-quarters of older people get their flu vaccine each year, but only around half of younger people in at risk groups get vaccinated. You are really putting your health at risk if you don’t take the time to be vaccinated.
A ten minute appointment with your GP could save your life.”
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises the Government on which groups should be vaccinated. It is an independent expert advisory committee. The JCVI gives advice to Ministers based on the best evidence reflecting current good practice and/or expert opinion. The process involves a robust, transparent, and systematic appraisal of all the available evidence from a wide range of sources. Members of the committee are appointed on merit by the Appointments Commission.
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Southam Lions held the 37th Annual Party for Senior Citizens last Saturday at Southam College.
From now on it will be re-named The Ken Graham Senior Citizens Party in recognition of the 35 years Ken arranged these functions. Ken Graham sadly died earlier this year.
On Saturday, a lovely sunny afternoon after the heavy showers earlier, over 150 people attended the party and were entertained by the very talented ‘The Edwards Quartet’ (4 children from the same family Leah 16, Emily and Rose 14 and Bethan 10 - The Melody Makers, The Love Ballet and another young person James Reynolds with his guitar.
The partygoers all enjoyed themselves and thought the tea party was fantastic!
Grateful thanks to all the Southam Lions, the Lions partners (who prepared the food) and all the supporters who gave so generously. The weather held up until 5pm when it started raining again – just as the guests were leaving! Will we do it again next year? Too right we will and that seemed to be the sentiment from all the assembled folk including the Lions!
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Southam News: It's News for Southam
A Home security and personal safety pack which contains door stickers and advice leaflets on home security matters is now available through Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police, the Fire Service and Age Concern.
It also contains a comprehensive list of useful phone numbers for most emergencies.
Its bright yellow cover makes it easy to find when needed.
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Southam News: It's News for Southam
There's no need to panic but a huge lump of metal and stuff could land on your head at any moment within the next 24ish hours without any warning.
The reason for this is the fact that, back in 1991, NASA put a satellite into orbit. This is all well and good but they failed to take into account that "what goes up must come down". This oversight has left us with the situation that the satellite is, in fact, coming down.
The satellite has the rather unfortunate name of "U-ARS".
U-ARS was launched into space [where Captain Kirk works] by the Space Shuttle Discovery. It is a lengthy 35 feet long, a massive 15 feet in diameter, weighs a colossal 13,000 pounds, and carries loads of instruments [10] - some of which may or not be sharp or pointy.
U-ARS has been floating about up there at an altitude of 375 miles with an orbital inclination of 57 degrees for 7316 days without bothering anybody. Until today.
As of 1:30 p.m. EDT Sept. 21, 2011, the orbit of UARS was 120 mi by 130 mi (190 km by 205 km). Re-entry is expected sometime during the afternoon of Sept. 23, Eastern Daylight Time [That's not the sort of time we use so who knows what time that is in imperial measurements].
NASA have moved to allay people's fears by saying: "The satellite will not be passing over North America during that time period". Hold on a minute, Southam isn't in North America. So that's okay for them isn't it: they launch it and someone else gets it.
NASA say it is still too early to predict the time and location of re-entry with any more certainty, but predictions will become more refined in the next 24 hours.
The chances of it landing on or near Southam are infinitesimal. However, this is no reason not to panic and the advice is to keep a furtive eye on the sky above and be ready to duck. Wearing a hard hat is a good idea as is carrying an umbrella although carrying an umbrella is always a good idea.
NASA also said "The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, or UARS, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere almost six years after the end of a productive scientific life. Although the spacecraft will break into pieces during re-entry, not all of it will burn up in the atmosphere.
The risk to public safety or property is extremely small, and safety is NASA's top priority. Since the beginning of the Space Age in the late-1950s, there have been no confirmed reports of an injury resulting from re-entering space objects. Nor is there a record of significant property damage resulting from a satellite re-entry".
There's always a first time.
NASA continued: "It is too early to say exactly when U-ARS will re-enter and what geographic area may be affected". - This sounds like a weather forecast.
NASA will post updates at about 12 hours, six hours and two hours before re-entry. The updates will come from the Joint Space Operations Center of U.S. Strategic Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, which works around the clock detecting, identifying and tracking all man-made objects in Earth orbit, including space junk".
Check out where it might be at this moment here [Top of page].
The actual date of re-entry is difficult to predict because it depends on solar flux and the spacecraft's orientation as its orbit decays. As re-entry draws closer, predictions on the time will become more reliable.
As of Sept. 8, 2011, the orbit of UARS was 152 miles by 171 miles (245 km by 275 km) with an inclination of 57 degrees. Because the satellite's orbit is inclined 57 degrees to the equator, any surviving components of UARS will land within a zone between 57 degrees north latitude and 57 degrees south latitude which may or may not be the exact location of Southam. It is impossible to pinpoint just where in that zone the debris will land, but NASA estimates the debris footprint will be about 500 miles long.
To make matters worse NASA say "If you find something you think may be a piece of UARS, do not touch it. Contact a local law enforcement official for assistance".
This conceptual image above shows the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, launched on Sept. 15, 1991, by the space shuttle Discovery. Originally designed for a three-year mission, UARS measured chemical compounds found in the ozone layer, wind and temperature in the stratosphere, as well as the energy input from the sun. Together, these measurements helped define the role of Earth's upper atmosphere in climate and climate variability. The 35-foot-long, 15-foot-diameter UARS was decommissioned on Dec. 14, 2005.
Thankfully, for councils and the like, NASA have issued a risk assessment guide: Click here for a risk assessment [PDF].
Background info on UARS:
After a 14-year deployment on a mission to collect data on Earth's atmosphere and its interactions with the Sun, NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) ceased operations on December 14, 2005. Launched from the Space Shuttle Discovery on September 15, 1991, the seven-ton spacecraft orbited the Earth more than 78,000 times, using 10 onboard scientific instruments to collect data on a variety of chemicals, including carbon dioxide, ozone, chlorine, methane, nitrogen oxides and chlorofluorocarbons.
UARS measured ozone and chemical compounds found in the ozone layer which affect ozone chemistry and processes. UARS also measured winds and temperatures in the stratosphere as well as the energy input from the Sun. Together, these help define the role of the upper atmosphere in climate and climate variability.
Most of the UARS atmospheric composition measurements are being continued with EOS Aura and all of the UARS solar irradiance measurements are being continued with SORCE
As a result of the work done by URAS scientists have gained a better understanding of the energy input, chemistry and dynamics of the upper atmosphere and the coupling between the upper and lower atmosphere. As the first satellite dedicated to studying stratospheric science, UARS focused on the processes that lead to ozone depletion, complementing and amplifying the measurements of total ozone made by the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) onboard NASA's Nimbus-7 and the Russian Meteor-3 satellites. UARS also measured winds and temperatures in the stratosphere, as well as the energy input from the Sun, research that is now being applied to improve weather forecasting models and help scientists understand the forces behind global climate change.
Before UARS, little was known about the atmospheric region between 80 kilometers and 300 kilometers above the Earth, since radio-equipped balloons would explode at that altitude, and ordinary satellites burn up. UARS orbited at a safe 600-kilometer altitude, aiming its cameras at the atmosphere below. Although the mission was originally intended for only a three-year mission, its deployment was long enough to observe an entire 11-year solar cycle. Some of the mission's most important contributions came from the four instruments onboard that measured concentrations and distribution of gases important to ozone depletion, climate change and other atmospheric phenomena. Data collected from UARS offered conclusive evidence that chlorine in the atmosphere - originating from human-produced chlorofluorocarbons - is at the root of the ozone hole.
In all, the ten UARS instruments have provided the most complete data on upper atmospheric energy inputs, winds, and chemical composition ever gathered. Together, these observations constitute a highly integrated investigation of the nature of the upper atmosphere, and help define the role of the upper atmosphere in climate and climate variability. In its first two weeks of operation, UARS data confirmed the polar ozone-depletion theories by providing three-dimensional maps of ozone and chlorine monoxide near the South Pole during development of the 1991 ozone hole.
Moreover, UARS collected data on the chemistry, dynamics and radiative inputs to the upper atmosphere far beyond its designed lifetime. UARS was designed to last 18 months, but upgrades extended its life for years beyond its expected lifespan. The United Kingdom and Canada both provided instruments for this mission, the first spacecraft launched as part of NASA's systematic, comprehensive study of the Earth system.
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