Concreting over our National Parks

I admit that the title to this post is somewhat over the top but it is the vision that springs to the minds of many people I have spoken to about UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson’s plans to increase development in England’s ten National Parks including the Lake District, the Peak District and Dartmoor. NowContinueContinue reading “Concreting over our National Parks”

England says no to plastic bags

It was with great joy that I heard yesterday that a 5p charge on plastic bags is to come into force in England from 2015. It is a ruling long overdue I feel. Ironically I have just come out of Wales which is a part of the United Kingdom that has had the plastic bagContinueContinue reading “England says no to plastic bags”

The Prince’s Countryside Fund

http://www.countrysideonline.co.uk/news-views/news/more-rural-projects-gain-funds-support/ Just read this article. Great to hear some positive news and thought I should give some (if limited) profile to this inspiring organisation. It has led me to look further into some of the projects that the fund has been giving grants to. Farm Cornwall (http://www.farmcornwall.co.uk/) and Kickstart Norfolk (http://www.kickstart.btck.co.uk/) as well as theContinueContinue reading “The Prince’s Countryside Fund”

The ‘not so idyllic’ countryside

The English countryside is often painted as a Constable or a Turner; ‘an idyll to retreat to’; ‘an urban playground’. However, not only is it also a place where many make their living, it is a place that creates a great number of difficulties for those who live there, particularly the elderly. In fact, aContinueContinue reading “The ‘not so idyllic’ countryside”

UK Future of Farming Review

I have just been sent a link through to the below from DEFRA. In their words ‘the Future of Farming Review is an industry led initiative, in partnership with Government, that aims to assess the workforce that will be needed by a sustainable, productive and resilient agriculture sector now and in the future.’ The form can beContinueContinue reading “UK Future of Farming Review”