to have sent this email to school/PTA?

[QueenOfF1amingEverything]

They want to have a balloon release for the Jubilee with a cash prize for the 'winner'...

"Having just read through the minutes of the PTA meeting, I'm afraid I have an objection to the proposed ballon launch. We are lucky enough to live in an AONB, on the banks of a beautiful and relatively unpolluted river, and near more than one SSSI, and therefore I think it would be particularly irresponsible to release balloons. Balloons do not biodegrade and are extremely dangerous to animals who may ingest them, which will often be fatal.

The environmental impact of releasing balloons needs to be considered as effectively it is no different to throwing litter, and I really disagree with the idea of a £50 cash prize for the person whose litter travels the furthest.
Please see this link for further information - www.ukrivers.net/balloon_fact.html

Thanks, QOFE"

At our school recently we did a 'virtual balloon release', each child was given a tag then a computer generated program decided where the balloons had 'gone' and each child was informed where their balloon landed, the 'furthest' was the winner. We popped balloons on the school field at the 'release' so the children felt it was real, then picked up all the bits - everyone happy!

An update!

It trns out the release was a general fundraiser, not specifically for the Jubilee. The meeting was postponed until yesterday after school, which I forgot and didn't go

Anyway, a parent who was there said there was a lot of grumbling that 'the only person to complain couldn't even be bothered to turn up' but the balloon release is off.

I will be going to speak to the mums who 'do' the PTA and explain to them in person after school that it was not in fact my personal objection but that the RSPCA, RSPB, Marine Conservation Society, Keep Britain Tidy, National Farmer's Union, The Wildlife Trust, UK Rivers Network, and others have all called for mass ballon releases to be banned due to the pollution aspect. Wish me luck...

Good luck! You did the right thing.

Perhaps you could help the school round up a pillory (? stocks for head and arms), and have the children wet sponge teachers (or vicar/curate if church school) - and the PTA could do you...

I'm past caring really what the PTA think of me. And after they spent £8 per child on a bespoke Jubilee commemorative cup I am a bit [meh] about the loss of income from the balloon release.

But I would like them to understand that it wasn't some crackpot eco warrior non-issue, its a recognised problem that lots of organisations take seriously!