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8月29日
More 'listening' needed, says AM
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Peter Black believes Lib Dem politicians should get out more | A Liberal Democrat AM has urged his party to make it clearer to people in Wales what the party stands for.
The Lib Dems failed to increase their number of AMs at the Welsh assembly election and party splits prevented them entering a coalition government.
In a pamphlet on the website Liberal Democrat Voice, Peter Black said AMs and MPs needed to campaign and listen more to improve election performance.
A party leadership spokesperson said it was happy to encourage debate.
Mr Black was one of the first to argue against joining a coalition after the election and called for party assembly group leader Mike German to be replaced.
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 Our elected parliamentarians and assembly members should be taking a lead, getting onto the streets 
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In the pamphlet, Mr Black offers his analysis of the shortcomings of the party's election campaign.
He said the Welsh Lib Dems had a "failure to connect with voters", "failed to make it clear to them what it means to be a Lib Dem" and did not present policies "clearly or effectively".
Accusing the party of "mistaking our activity in the hallowed corners of the assembly for campaigning", Mr Black said the Lib Dems could "learn a lot" from Plaid Cymru.
"Our elected parliamentarians and assembly members should be taking a lead, getting onto the streets with other activists to talk and listen to people about their concerns and ideas."
Mr Black, who speaks for the party on social justice, said weaknesses in the One Wales document, which forms the basis of the Labour-Plaid assembly government, presented opportunities for Lib Dems.
'Healthy'
He accused the new Cardiff Bay coalition of relying on "gimmicks" such as free laptop computers for children and dodging important issues such nuclear power for "political expediency".
Mr Black suggested that, with six out of the 19 opposition AMs, the Lib Dems had far more opportunities to scrutinise and set the agenda in both the assembly and in the media.
The party should "refine a distinctive, dynamic and radical message" to have a wide appeal.
Mr Black, a South Wales West AM, has prepared a detailed policy prescription for the party's future.
High on his list are education and training, public transport and more emphasis on technologies such as tidal lagoons and micro-generation to protect the environment.
He said "a more open, transparent and accountable form a government" was needed to take sometimes "difficult decisions" on the future of key local services such as hospitals, schools and post offices.
Mr Black suggested the agenda be promoted in local government, with the party working to hang onto power in Bridgend, Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham councils in elections next year.
A leadership spokesperson said it was happy to encourage debate about the party's future "because it is healthy".
| 8月28日 
Dear All, Today Chris Huhne and I launched our new proposals to make Britain zero carbon by 2050. With these policies we will be the first major British party to map out the route to a carbon neutral Britain. We Liberal Democrats have been talking about the environment and tackling climate change long before it became fashionable. We know that pollution doesn’t respect national boundaries and that climate change is a global problem that requires an international solution. Britain should not be a bit player in finding that solution; we should be leading the pack. Under our proposals, which we will be debating in detail at our September conference in Brighton, the United Kingdom would set the green standard for others to reach. You can read about the proposals in detail at: http://www.libdems.org.uk/news/liberal-democrats-reveal-plans-for-zero-carbon-britain.13117.html and I have included a summary at the end of this email. Meanwhile the other two parties are not matching their rhetoric with reality. Under this Labour Government carbon emissions have gone up, green taxes have gone down, and under current projections Britain will miss its own targets for renewable energy. David Cameron is still unable to tell us unequivocally whether the Conservatives will commit to a single green tax in their manifesto. We have outlined clear plans for making Britain carbon neutral by the year 2050. We would introduce annual carbon budgets and place a legal duty on ministers to meet targets. There would be major improvements to the rail network and the construction of a high speed rail line, paid for by tolling lorries on motorways. Liberal Democrats would commit to 100% carbon free, non-nuclear, electricity by 2050 and introduce ‘green mortgages’ to enable people to make their homes more energy efficient. This would all be in addition to using green taxes to make the polluter pay and using the revenue raised to cut income tax. These plans are the first and only realistic route for change. I urge you all to join with me in leading the campaign towards a carbon neutral Britain. Yours sincerely, Menzies Campbell www.mingcampbell.org.ukSUMMARY OF OUR PROPOSALS: 1. Make Britain carbon neutral. The Liberal Democrats are the first party to aim for a carbon neutral Britain where we absorb as much carbon as we emit by 2050. The Government is aiming for a 60 per cent cut, and the Tories for an 80 per cent cut. 2. Build a high speed rail line and back rail improvements. The Liberal Democrats are the only credible party on rail investment because we identify a way of paying for it - tolling lorries on motorways. 3. Set up a leapfrog fund to back clean energy in developing countries. There will be no solution to climate change if the developing world has to choose between prosperity and the planet. We must back cheap renewables to power their growth. 4. Boost flood defences and other changes to respond to climate change. New threats need to be met with new responses in a UK national adaptation plan. 5. Commit to 100 per cent carbon free, non-nuclear electricity by 2050. Provide new incentives for renewables and micro-generation through appropriate guaranteed prices. 6. Introduce ‘green mortgages’ to fund the upgrading of our housing stock. On present progress, the Government would take 125 years to meet modern energy efficiency standards. The Tories have no plans. 7. Tax pollution not people. The Liberal Democrats want to reverse the decline in green taxation under Labour, and use the revenue to cut income tax. The Tories have not come up with specific plans. 8. Toughen up the EU emissions trading scheme by auctioning permits. The Conservatives cannot admit the EU is key to tackling climate change, whilst Labour is in the back pocket of the CBI. 9. Back a global treaty with fair carbon shares for all. The only just basis for carbon-sharing is where each person is entitled ultimately to emit the same total: contraction and convergence. 10. The Liberal Democrats are the first party to set out a comprehensive plan to curb carbon emissions. Labour’s policies are full of contradictions whereas the Tories do not have firm plans. We will reform Whitehall to ensure all departments take climate change seriously. 8月27日
Lib Dems urge immigrant amnesty
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Nick Clegg says the "twilight world of illegality" needs to be tackled | Illegal immigrants should be given "selective amnesty" to allow them to earn the right to British citizenship, the Liberal Democrats have said.
Home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said those staying long-term should be able to apply for permanent residence.
But they should be required to fulfil a series of conditions, such as the ability to speak English, he said.
The Home Office said it had no plans for an amnesty and was removing a failed asylum seeker every half hour.
Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the problem of long-term illegal immigrants needed to be tackled.
"This, frankly, is just in recognition of the fact that, because of incompetence or mismanagement in the immigration system over many years, we have very large numbers of people who live in this kind of twilight world of illegality and, in many cases, exploitation in the workplace which we need to deal with," he said.
"One can't simply carry on as the government and the Conservatives are doing, sticking one's head in the sand and saying 'well, we'll deport them one day', because that's simply never going to happen."
It is not known how many illegal immigrants are in the UK, with estimates varying widely from 300,000 to 900,000.
Calls rejected
Last month, the Institute of Public Policy Research said such an amnesty would bring in £1bn in extra taxes and save costs of £4.7bn needed to deport people.
It urged Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to adopt the move, saying a large scale deportation would never happen.
The Home Office has repeatedly rejected calls for an amnesty.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said there were no plans for an amnesty, which he described as "wrong".
"This has always been our position and remains the case," he said.
"In fact, we are doubling the budget for enforcement and we now remove a failed asylum seeker every half an hour.
"That is why the number of people claiming asylum in the UK is at the lowest level since 1993."
Skilled migrants
The government has also come under fire from MPs and peers over tighter rules which could force thousands of highly-skilled immigrant workers out of the UK.
Earlier this month, the joint Commons and Lords Human Rights Committee said changes last year to the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme (HSMP), which encourages workers such as doctors and scientists to come to the UK, breached human rights.
New applicants and applicants for visa extensions now have to take part in a points-based assessment and the committee said thousands offered permanent residence in the UK were now facing deportation, contrary to "fairness".
However, the Home Office said it had to guard against the "risk of abuse" and had to ensure those on HSMP visas were actually doing highly-skilled work.
| 8月26日
Ban on animal movement is lifted
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Restrictions are still in place at the Surrey farm at the outbreak's centre | General restrictions on animal movements imposed in Wales because of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak have been lifted.
This follows the European Commission's decision to lift the ban on UK meat and animal products from Saturday.
Rural Affairs Minister said she welcomed the development but still urged vigilance against the disease.
Ms Jones said she would be replacing the restrictions with a "modified and more flexible approach".
"I no longer consider it is proportionate to retain all the movement controls that have been imposed as a direct result of the disease outbreak in Surrey," she said.
"This change sends an important signal on progress to a return to normal trading and business within the farming community but we are not there yet.
"We must maintain vigilance and high levels of biosecurity."
However, Ms Jones stressed some restrictions in animal movement would remain in place.
Elin Jones has announced a further relaxing of movements |
She said there would be freedom for farmers within their own farm to move susceptible animals for any reason up to a distance of 8 kilometres.
"Other movements, again for any reason, will be permitted for susceptible animals but when moved these animals will be subject to a 20 day standstill at the farm of arrival.
"This will also apply to other susceptible animals on that farm," Ms Jones said.
She added the current prohibition applying to gatherings, shows and sales would remain in place except for movement to slaughter through a collection centre or dedicated red market.
Earlier on Thursday Ms Jones had welcomed the EU's approval for the resumption of meat and animal product exports to EU countries from Saturday.
She said: "The re-opening of the EU market for Welsh farm produce, particularly for lamb, is a vital to the economic well-being of the Welsh livestock industry".
NFU Cymru president Dai Davies said the move should give a "booster" to trade.
"We hope this is the first significant step in enabling us to get back to normality," he said.
Announcing its decision to approve the resumption of exports on Thursday, EU Commission spokesman Philip Tod praised the "swift action" of the British authorities in the outbreak.
But the ban will continue in the 10km (6.2 miles) zone around the Surrey farms at the centre of the outbreak.
| 8月25日
Kennedy 'not ruling out a return'
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Charles Kennedy opened the third Festival of Politics at Holyrood | Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has refused to rule out making a return to frontline politics.
Mr Kennedy stood down as leader in January last year, days after admitting he had an alcohol problem.
He told an audience at the Scottish Parliament's Festival of Politics on Friday that his health was "good".
However, when he was asked by a member of the audience if he was planning a political comeback, Mr Kennedy avoided the question.
The woman asked the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber: "Are you going to be the comeback kid?"
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Being a former leader you've got more time to think, you can be a bit more choosy about how you communicate
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He replied: "When you have been the leader of a national political party obviously you know what is involved, you are still of an age where you have got something to contribute, but you don't have the relentless and remorseless demands upon you in quite the same way."
In response to questions over his health, Mr Kennedy said: "I'm happy and fulfilled in what I'm doing and it's up to me to keep it that way."
Mr Kennedy, who was the youngest MP in parliament when he won the Ross, Cromarty and Skye seat for the then Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1983, went on to talk about the changes that have taken place since he was first elected.
He recalled that most MPs did not possess a fax machine at that time.
"Now if you are involved in the story of the day you can be broadcasting 25 hours a day, eight days a week.
"And still it won't be enough, such is the insatiable appetite of the media monster," he said.
He added: "The danger is you have got all this capacity to communicate and very little time to think about what it is you are actually trying to communicate.
"Being a former leader you've got more time to think, you can be a bit more choosy about how you communicate."
'Political implications'
During his hour-long appearance at the Festival of Politics, Mr Kennedy also spoke about his decision to admit that he had sought help for a drink problem.
He told the audience: "I think individuals have got a right to a degree of privacy, even if you are in the public eye, where medical situations are concerned.
"But if you find that degree of privacy is going to be eroded then you may just as well tell people about it.
Mr Kennedy spoke of his decision to admit he had sought medical help |
"The issue for me wasn't so much that, it was obviously the political implications, which became clear fairly soon thereafter. But that's water under the bridge."
Mr Kennedy opened the third Festival of Politics at Holyrood, taking part in an interview with Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson.
The MP is one of this year's main speakers at the festival, along with BBC broadcaster Kate Adie.
Chefs Tony Singh and Clarissa Dickson-Wright, Scottish photographer Harry Benson and photojournalist Kieran Dodds will also take part.
The annual event concludes on Sunday with an opportunity to see behind the scenes at the Scottish Parliament.
| 8月24日
1. Shooting must remain on the front foot
2. Have you nominated your Best Rural Retailer yet?
3. Orvis' alternative Game Fair shopping event
4. Horse & Country TV - a 24 hour rural channel
5. Chief NOB to run New Forest Marathon
1. Shooting must remain on the front foot
The outraged tone in reports this week that firearms licences are being granted by Police Firearms Licensing Officers to people under the age of 18 should not surprise us. They simply highlight the gulf of misunderstanding that still surrounds legitimate shooting sports.
That there continue to be victims of gun crime is horrific, and it was inevitable that some within the media would make the lazy, unproven link that young people taught to use legal guns in a safe environment will fall victim to, or even perpetrate, gun crime at a later date. This is gross, almost libellous misinformation and the Alliance will do everything we can to continue to make it clear that legally held firearms are not the problem. The victims of gun crime are almost always the victims of illegally-held guns. Research initiated by the Alliance and carried out by the respected team at Kings College, London, demonstrated there was no link and previous Home Secretaries have admitted as much. Sadly, there are still politicians and media who fall into the 'something must be done' trap, and who miss the real target and penalise law-abiding sportsmen and women.
During the recent National Shooting Week (conceived by the Alliance), the Sports Minister encouraged more young people to take up shooting because he knew the truth - shooting teaches responsibility. Youngsters who are taught to shoot are taught safety and respect, meaning they are likely to take a mature approach to shooting sports and life in general.
Illegally held guns will, sadly, continue to claim lives, but the blame cannot be placed at the door of legal shooting sports or its participants, regardless of age. The first step to stamping out gun crime is understanding the nature and cause of the problem.
2. Have you nominated your Best Rural Retailer yet?
The Countryside Alliance's third annual Best Rural Retailer competition is now in full swing and has already attracted hundreds of nominations from every corner of the UK - add yours now here
The competition aims to celebrate our rural communities through the retailers who work so hard to promote them and keep them together and we want to tell the good-news stories of rural Britain. The recent flooding has brought hardship to many communities, so we hope to give them a boost by applauding them through the Best Rural Retailer competition. With dwindling services, communities under threat and farmers facing an uphill struggle, there has never been a better time to unite and show the whole country the grit, determination, humour and warmth of our communities.
The nomination categories are:
1. Best Local Food Retailer
2. Best Village Shop/ Post Office
3. Best Diversification
4. Best Traditional Business
To nominate online go to www.bestruralretailer.co.uk before 6th October. Regional winners will be announced before Christmas. Overall national winners will be declared at the House of Lords in February 2008.
3. Orvis' alternative Game Fair shopping event
Orvis is holding "The Alternative Game Fair Shopping Event" in Andover from Saturday-Monday 25-27th August, 10am-6pm, enabling you to buy what you would have bought at the 2007 Game Fair.
Customers will be able to save up to 70% on fine Orvis clothing and fishing gear and other vendors at the sale will include: Aalgo, Abacus Clays Sport, Arrow Laser Shot, Balmain and Balmain, Bryn Parry, Chatham Marine, Cotswold Country Boots, Country Classics (Barbour®), The Garlic Farm, Martin Hayward Harris, Nauticalia, Norton and Townsend and Stone Mania.
The sale will be held at Clearwater House, Unit 28, North Way, Walworth Industrial Estate, Andover, SP10 5AX
For full details and a full list of exhibitors visit www.orvis.co.uk/gamefair or call 0870 066 4188
4. Horse & Country TV - a 24 hour rural channel
For those who have not heard, a new 24 hour channel dedicated to rural news, events and comment has launched on Sky Channel 280.
Horse & Country TV is a much-needed channel that will be welcomed by all country lovers. It is already doing a great job of broadcasting issues of importance to the UK countryside. From National Shooting Week to debates on affordable housing, updates on Foot and Mouth disease to reports from equine and other country shows, the channel has a growing amount of content that matches the interests of Countryside Alliance supporters. We would recommend that anyone with Sky tune in soon.
5. Chief NOB to run New Forest Marathon
Mark Elliott founder of The National Organisation of Beaters ad Pickers up (NOBs) is running the New Forest Marathon in aid of the charity Canine Partners, who specialise in providing highly trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities.
Mark is Chief Executive of NOBs, which he started two years ago. He has been running Marathons for 17 years and has since run over 50 including New York, London (11 times), Berlin, Belfast, Venice and has also completed Ultra distances and Sky running. He most recently ran the London marathon for The Countryside Alliance.
The New Forest Marathon takes place on Sunday 16th September 2007.
To support Mark please visit http://www.justgiving.com/markelliottmarathon. For further information on Canine Partners, please call 08456 580480 or visit www.caninepartners.co.uk 8月23日
Sir Menzies attacks flood plans
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Sir Menzies Campbell said ministers were compromising safety | Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has accused the government of failing to learn lessons from this summer's floods.
On a visit to Gloucestershire he said ministers were wrong to replace "locally based" emergency control centres with larger, regional versions.
Such moves could lead to "increased risk of devastation", he added.
But the government said it was "committed to providing a resilient" system across the country.
Parts of England and Wales were hit by severe weather in July, with flooding affecting thousands of homes and leaving many without water.
'Compromising safety'
The government plans to replace the control rooms of England's 46 fire brigades with nine regional centres.
Sir Menzies visited the TriService unit near Gloucester, which is threatened with closure.
He said: "The government is compromising safety and could be putting lives at risk by introducing regional fire and rescue control centres.
"Closing down locally based centres will severely undermine a community's ability to cope with emergency situations such as flooding, while regional centres will lack crucial local knowledge."
He added: "It is high time that the government realises that a one-size-fits-all approach to fire and rescue centres will not only put public safety at risk but will also stop close co-operation between local fire, ambulance and police services purely because of a Westminster diktat."
'Full speed ahead'
In relation to construction on flood plains, Sir Menzies said ministers should put people's minds "at rest by giving responsibility for flood defences to one agency who will ensure defences are adequate before any building takes place".
He added: "Gordon Brown promised a full review on the floods so that lessons could be learnt, but the government appears to being going full speed ahead on moves which may lead to increased risk of devastation when flooding occurs in the future."
But a Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "The government is committed to providing the resilient fire control system that the country needs to meet the challenges of today's world.
"That is why we are funding a resilient nationwide network of control centres automatically backing each other up in times of need such as high volumes of calls.
He added: "The sheer scale of mobilisation is massive. But this fully networked system will take much of the logistical burden off local commanders and will be able to deploy resources on a national or regional scale - something an individual control room simply isn't equipped to do.
"This will enable local commanders to focus on their immediate priority - directing events on the ground."
| Welsh Teenagers are waiting to receive their GCSE results following two years of coursework and exams.
Last year, 62.3% of students in Wales achieved grades A-star to C, with 6.3% achieving the top A-star grades.
The results will be published at 0930 BST and experts are waiting to see if boys have closed the gap on girls.
In last year's results, nearly 60% of girls got five or more passes at C or above, compared with just over 48% of boys.
Education Minister -
is now so concerned by the gap that she has ordered an inquiry into why boys are lagging behind.
Education Minister is concerned by the gap between boys and girls |
The schools inspection service Estyn is due to report back on the issue in the autumn.
Some experts believe the structure of some GCSE courses can favour girls, arguing that they are more likely to do well in coursework and longer-term projects than boys.
There is also concern that doing well at school is not seen as "cool" by some boys.
But Derec Stockley, director of examinations and assessment at the WJEC said he wanted to challenge the view held by some that coursework put boys at a disadvantage.
"When we look at the work provided by boys and girls, there's very little difference between their levels of achievement," he said.
Language concern
"We're looking forward to what Estyn's report is going to say about why there is such a gap."
Another big question is what the future holds for modern foreign languages.
Back in 2003, 10,100 students took French, but by last year, that figure had dropped to 8,851 and there are fears Thursday's figures could see a further fall.
German has also seen a big drop recently, from 2,706 in 2003 to 2,346 in 2006.
8月22日
AM 'staggered' over tax arrears
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The uncollected council tax arrears is described as "staggering" | The £13m council tax arrears which remain uncollected in the old Gwent local authority areas are described as "staggering" by a local AM.
Welsh Lib Democrat leader Mike German highlighted Monmouthshire council where £89 is owed per household, compared to £55 arrears owed on average in Wales.
However, the council said their tax collection rates were improving after installing a new computer system.
Latest assembly government figures show across Wales, £71.3m arrears are owed.
Mr German, who is AM for South Wales East, said that local councils in Gwent were "struggling to reduce a mountain of debt."
He added: "And our local experience is being repeated across Wales and in councils across the UK.
"Every pound uncollected means more money has to be paid by those that do pay."
According to figures released by the assembly government's National Statistics department, Monmouthshire was the local authority in Wales with the most arrears outstanding per household.
At the end of March 2007, £89 was owed per dwelling against the Welsh average of £55.
Blaenau Gwent with the second highest at £80 per dwelling while Pembrokeshire council performed best with under £20 per dwelling.
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COUNCIL TAX ARREARS
Anglesey £2m
Blaenau Gwent £2.56m
Bridgend £4.2m
Caerphilly £3.3m
Cardiff £9.6m
Carmarthenshire £4.68m
Ceredigion £2.48m
Conwy £1.74m
Denbighshire £1.3m
Flintshire £1.59m
Gwynedd £1.79m
Merthyr £1.69m
Monmouthshire £3.36m
Neath Port Talbot £3.25m
Newport £2.3m
Pembrokeshire £0.9m
Powys £4.34m
RCT £5.67m
Swansea £6.65m
Torfaen £1.82m
Vale of Glamorgan £1.86m
Wrexham £3.9m
Total arrears outstanding, source: Statistics for Wales |
However, a spokesperson for Monmouthshire council said a new computer system would provide a "more efficient council tax system".
"We also hope to install a new cash receipting system during this financial year, which will give council tax payers more payment options and therefore hopefully increase the collection figures," the spokesperson added.
The council said it wanted to encourage people to pay their council tax by direct debit as it lessened "the financial impact on residents, reduces overall collection costs, creates a certainty of income for the council and avoids unnecessary recovery costs."
But the council said it did not look to collect uncollected council tax directly from other council tax payers, if there was a shortfall in income.
It said it would be met from the council's overall finances, which includes council tax.
Overall, the total amount outstanding in Wales at the end of March was £71.3m, a rise of 5% on the previous year.
Welsh local authorities collected 96.6% of council tax owed in 2006-07, the same as the previous year, but 10 of the 22 councils managed to increase their collection rate.
Powys recorded the highest - collecting 98.8%.
But Mr German, whose party have backed a local income tax, said he thought that the council tax system was flawed.
"It's expensive and complex to collect and by the looks of the latest figures too many people are not paying their share," he said.
| 8月21日 I have just started to shoot for the first time and i am enjoying it very much its a lot harder than it looks but at my first attempt-i hit 22 of 50 shots which i am told isnt bad but it is very likely that i will score a duck next time i am told,so i look forward to next years shooting week!!
| National Shooting Week is coming to North Wales and Cheshire
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.jpg "Image") Thousands of people across the UK will be able to try shooting for the first time ever during National Shooting Week from May 26th to June 3rd 2007. More than 175 public open days are being laid on by shooting schools and clubs across the country.
Participating schools and clubs in the region include Catton Hall Shooting Ground in Cheshire, Holland Arms Shooting Ground and North Wales Shooting School in North Wales. There are many more within travelling distance - novices can find out where their nearest shooting event is during the Week by going to: www.nationalshootingweek.co.uk
Members of the public are being encouraged to try one of the most exciting participation sports in a safe and friendly environment. Shooting is one of the most inclusive Olympic and Paralympic sports, where gender, age and disability are no barriers to success. National Shooting Week is a Government-backed initiative organised by the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC), the umbrella body for shooting sports.
National Shooting Week organiser, Robert Gray, said: “At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, shooting accounted for 23 out of the UK’s 116 medals, so the sport will have a huge role to play in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. National Shooting Week is all about people experiencing a popular sport that Britain is actually good at, so give it a shot!”
| 8月19日 
I, like many people braved the rain and muddy fields to attend the Denbigh & Flint Show. I was one of the lucky ones, I walked in from Denbigh in my wellies , supporting a very large umbrella striding out while many of my friends sat in queues of traffic for nearly 3 hours to enter the show!
Whilst this needs to be looked at for the future, the show was an enjoyable day & night for all. I was working on the Federation of Small Business stand and we had many visitors. Our Council Leaders, Ian Miller, and Rhiannon Hughes took the time to chat and whilst the conversation was positive I do have concerns about the counties housing decisions and lack of consultation. Some food for thought for our Council - in this months County Voice, there is talk of the Council building an extra 144 homes in Rhyl, Prestatyn and Ruthin. I am encouraged by this. However what concerns me is that all of these homes are to be for older people only!
Why? Surely we should not be building homes which separates a community by age? A full social mixture is the only way forward - to have a healthy community where young can help old, and the young can learn from the old. We know this works so why are we engineering our community in this way?
Please take stock and relook at this & future decisions please ...............
8月17日 Countryside Allaince;
1. The RSPCA and the Animal Rights movement
2. Goodwood Raceday Lunch and Auction
3. Contribute to art project on "town & country"
1. The RSPCA and the Animal Rights movement
Former Liberal Democrat MP Jackie Ballard is soon to become the former Director General of the RSPCA. She leaves the society to become Chief Executive of the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. The reasons for her departure are not clear, but it does leave an interesting vacancy. Ballard was a much more political appointment than her predecessors and, with a council far more aligned to the animal rights movement than a purely animal welfare organisation, another radical appointment might be expected.
The RSPCA has a dominant role in the Government's policy development based on its history and positive role in animal protection, rather than its relatively small membership. It would be a great shame if the society's reputation was tarnished by a further move towards the animal extremists.
Across the animal rights industry, links between supposedly respectable front organisations and extreme animal rights activists have never been closer. It seems, for instance, that organisations like LACS and IFAW are happy to be associated with individuals who have long criminal records and are now describing themselves as monitors, or other such nonsense.
It was no surprise when Jon Ablewhite, a well known hunt saboteur, was convicted of offences relating to grave robbery last year. After all, this obscene act has long been a favoured tactic of anti-hunt campaigners.
There is something seriously wrong with people who can justify the infliction of misery and violence on people in response to perceived 'injustice' to animals, but such people are adopting a veneer of respectability and becoming increasingly influential.
If the RSPCA is to retain its reputation as a force for good in animal welfare and an effective brake on animal cruelty, it must reject the extremists. The animal rights movement is rapidly being tainted by the propensity of its supporters to focus far more on the hatred of people than the welfare of animals. In the end this does no good for either.
2. Goodwood Raceday Lunch & Auction, Sunday 16th September 2007
Join the Countryside Alliance at Goodwood racecourse for the annual Countryside Raceday Lunch and Auction. This year we are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Countryside Alliance. Yes it's been 10 years since the first rally in Hyde Park, London. During that time over 1 million people have marched across the country in support of the Alliance.
Our work needs to continue and by joining us at Goodwood you are showing your support and at the same time having a great day at the races. Goodwood Racecourse is considered by many to be simply the most beautiful racecourse in the world.
Also, new for this year, we will have some trade stands within the Gordon enclosure where you will be able to purchase horseracing memorabilia, designer handbags, jewellery and much more.
Tickets for members enclosure, car park, lunch and afternoon tea are available at a special rate of £75.00 per person or if you are unable to join us for lunch but would like to come racing, then why not take up the advance special offer on Richmond badges at £20 each (a saving of £4) or Gordon tickets at £14.00 each (a saving of £3).
For further information please call 01903 884179 or email countryside-raceday@countryside-alliance.org
3. Contribute to art project on "town & country"
As a final year Fine Art student, Andy Allen intends to use his negotiated studies leading to his final degree show to highlight the difference in perception between town and country and the prejudice v pride epitomised in the Hunting Act.
One of the things he would like to include is letters from as many people as possible giving instances of either prejudice from the anti-hunt lobby or misconceptions by town dwellers of country life.
If you would like to contribute to this artwork, please send letters to Andy Allen c/o the School of Art and Design, Regent Street, Wrexham, Clwyd. 8月14日
Crowd at shows despite animal ban
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The Anglesey Show attracts around 30,000 visitors on each day | Crowds have flocked to two of Wales's top agricultural shows which have opened despite restrictions after the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England.
The Anglesey Show and the Pembrokeshire Show have no class competitions for cattle, sheep, pigs or goats.
Precautions against foot-and-mouth have been introduced at the Anglesey Show, with disinfectant mats at entrances.
The shows' openings come as another possible foot-and-mouth case has been identified, at a farm in Kent.
The agricultural shows - Anglesey's is for two days and Pembrokeshire's for three days - are considered to be second only to the Royal Welsh, held before the first case of foot-and-mouth was discovered in Surrey.
A ban on farm animal movements was relaxed in Wales at the weekend but livestock cannot be taken to agricultural events.
Both shows taking place this week have had to cancel classes for all cloven hoofed animals.
Visiting the Anglesey Show, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said she was disappointed at news of the possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Kent.
Disinfectant mats are set up at entrances to the Anglesey Show |
"I hope that as the day progresses we find that it is a false alarm because it will be a real setback for all of us who have been involved in this disease control if we do have another case of foot-and-mouth, especially one which is outside the current control zone," she said.
Organisers of the Anglesey show, whose attractions include a 1,000 horses, 350 trade stands and an horticultural marquee, decided last week that cancelling was not an option.
The show usually attracts up to 30,000 visitors on both days, but organisers have had to return competition fees for cancelled livestock events and fear the show may lose money this year.
'Compensation'
They are considering a bid for compensation from the assembly government
Islwyn Humphreys, Anglesey Show President, said: "I do trust that the assembly will look favourably, not just on Sioe Mon (the Anglesey Show) but other shows in Wales."
However, Ms Jones said that while she was "painfully aware" of the losses facing the farming community there was "not a mechanism" for dealing with such claims.
Since the movements bans was eased, farm animals now can be moved for welfare reasons or be taken straight from to the abattoir.
During in the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak which spread to Wales, major events were cancelled including the Anglesey Show and the Royal Welsh.
| 8月12日
Vale Of Clwyd selection for Welsh Lib Dems
The Welsh Lib Dems have today made an exciting announcement
Mark Young, former Parliamentary Independent candidate has been announced as the new prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Vale of Clwyd
Lembit Opik MP, leader of the party in Wales said: I am pleased to announce we already have a candidate keen to contest this seat for the Vale in the next General Election. Mark Young is amongst our brightest and best. He is experienced, hardworking and well known in his local community. I look forward to working with him.
"I am delighted to have been chosen by the local membership at a time when New Labour are clinging onto this seat by the skin of their teeth! I will work tirelessly to ensure that it is the LIB DEMs who take this seat from Chris Ruane . This is now my third election campaign in the Vale - and as they say, Third time lucky! quoted Mark Young.
8月11日
Animal movement ban further eased
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Farmers will be able to move animals for welfare reasons | Restrictions on the movement of animals in Wales have been relaxed further for animal welfare reasons.
The concessions for Welsh farmers were announced by Rural Affairs Minister on Friday and applied from midnight.
A UK-wide ban was put in force a week ago following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth in Surrey.
On Thursday, the restrictions were relaxed to allow farmers to take livestock to abattoirs for slaughter.
The further easing will mean Welsh farmers can move animals for welfare reasons subject to "strict conditions".
They will allow animals to be moved for a number of welfare reasons under a general licence, for no more than one kilometre.
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I have therefore decided to allow movement on welfare grounds subject to strict control conditions
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These will include newly weaned animals, pregnant sows and cows, animals for breeding, and animals with feeding difficulties because of a shortage of grazing.
Ms Jones said: "Informed by the latest veterinary risk assessment, I have concluded that doing nothing in response to the welfare issues of animals otherwise caught by the movement restrictions is not an option.
"I have therefore decided to allow movement on welfare grounds subject to strict control conditions."
The minister said the priority was to ensure that Wales remained free from foot-and-mouth disease.
'Current status'
"In Wales, we cannot be complacent and for this reason my announcement stipulates the strict conditions under which movement on welfare grounds can proceed.
"All authorisations for movement would need to be reconsidered in the event of any change in the current status of the disease," she said.
Ms Jones expressed her gratitude for the co-operation of the farming community and asked that people would continue to "support Welsh produce and buy Welsh." | 8月10日 
Wigley′s excuses won′t wash with Wales – German
Mike German has accused Dafydd Wigley of "getting Plaid Cymru′s excuses in early", after he admitted in a speech yesterday that the One Wales Agreement was unaffordable.
In a speech at the Eisteddfod yesterday former Plaid leader Dafydd Wigley said many of the policies in the document would need more money, which had not been secured.
Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "Dafydd Wigley has let the cat out of the bag – Labour and Plaid have signed up to an agreement they can′t afford! Now they should come clean. Which promises are they going to ditch, and what cuts are they going to make in existing services? The people of Wales deserve to know.
"Plaid′s former leader has got their excuses in early. There was no mention of needing more money when members of Labour and Plaid were voting on the deal. It′s a cynical exercise in trying to avoid responsibility for the decision Plaid took to prop up the Labour Party. Dafydd Wigley′s excuses won′t wash with the people of Wales."
8月9日
1. The shows will go on
2. 'Game for Gourmets' cook book
3. Positive changes to shooting laws
4. Highway Code petition
5. Lycetts Young Rural Entrepreneur
1. The shows will go on
Whilst still trying to comprehend the impact of the recent flooding and the damage to property, business and morale, it was with disbelief that we heard of reports of a case of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Surrey last weekend. One week on and, sadly, three farms culled, it seems that DEFRA has, hopefully, managed to contain the disease that somehow breached biosecurity at the Pirbright laboratories.
As of today, outside of the protection and surveillance zones, live animals can once again be taken direct to slaughter, and dead animals can again be collected from farms by the National Fallen Stock company (notably not by hunts as yet, but we will update you as this situation changes). This represents a determination to return to "business as usual" and we commend everyone involved in working to contain this highly contagious and potentially catastrophic disease. The close relationship between farming and country sports continues, and hunts have been advised by the MFHA not to cross farmland until further notice. As shooting begins on grouse moors, it is clear that common sense and local DEFRA advice will be adhered to by everyone until the all-clear is given.
The Health & Safety Executive is currently investigating exactly what happened, and some stiff questions must now be answered. Was this human error, sabotage or the result of the recent flooding? How can we ensure that it never happens again? If the Government's Laboratory or Merial Ltd is guilty, will affected businesses be able to claim against them?
For the farmers whose livestock has been culled the answers will be scant consolation, but once again we are reminded, as we were in 2001, of the worth of our farming industry, and our determination to protect it and the other rural business touched by the sector.
In the short term there are things we can all do to show our support for the rural communities to whom farming is a lynchpin. We have set up a petition on the 10 Downing Street website, asking the Prime Minister to recognise the social, as well as economic, impact of FMD, and to compensate not just the farmers, but also those whose income would be adversely affected by the disease. You can sign the petition here. You can also support your local show - most are determined to go ahead, albeit without livestock. Going along, spending your money and enjoying the countryside is something we can all do, and the ever-present resilience of the rural community will once more show that our shows will go on. Click here to find your local show and enjoy the rest of the British summer.
2. 'Game for Gourmets' cook book
As the 2007/08 shooting season gets underway with the Glorious Twelfth, the Countryside Alliance is continuing its campaign to take shooting to a wider audience by publishing 'Game for Gourmets', a high quality cookbook aimed at the non-shooting audience. This specially commissioned book features fully illustrated, step-by-step recipes by four of Britain's acclaimed gastropub chefs.
In this hardback book, the chefs select more than 50 popular game dishes and seasonal puddings from their menus - and show how they can be prepared quickly and easily at home. 'Game for Gourmets' offers a mouth-watering menu of natural, wild game from the British countryside, including pheasant, partridge, venison, grouse, duck, pigeon and rabbit - plus a selection of tempting puddings to match.
'Game for Gourmets,' which features some exquisite rural and culinary photography, will be distributed to hundreds of the nation's food editors and journalists and can be bought for £14.99 by phone or over the internet from: Spiegl Press, Guash Way, Stamford, Lincs PE9 1XH, online at www.spieglpress.com, by telephone: 01780 762550 or by email: sales@spiegl.co.uk. ISBN 978-0-9556128-0-0
3. Positive changes to shooting laws
As mentioned in previous grass e-routes, The Regulatory Reform (Game) Order 2007 (RRO) came into effect on 1st August. This RRO has abolished the game licence in England and Wales (a licence is still required in Scotland) and allows the year-round sale of game meat. You can read more about it on the Alliance's website here, and it will of course enable the use of 'Game for Gourmets' all year round (see above story!)
In addition to this RRO, the Regulatory Reform (Deer) (England and Wales) Order 2007 has now completed its Parliamentary stages and will take effect on 1st October. This RRO will amend the Deer Act 1991 to enable improved management of, and to enhance the welfare of, wild deer. Read more about it here
4. Highway Code petition
A reminder that the British Horse Society's Downing Street petition is to close on Monday 13th August.
The petition is asking for support in blocking a proposed change to the Highway Code and states: "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to block amendments to the Highway Code to stop people riding horses 2 abreast on the roads, and to formalise horseriders access to cycle paths."
The Highway Code is an advisory rather than a criminal code, but this proposed change could nevertheless affect many equestrian pursuits. You can sign the petition here up until 13th August 2007.
5. Lycetts Young Rural Entrepreneur
This is the last week to send entries for the Young Rural Entrepreneur Award 2007 run by Lycetts together with the Field Magazine, and win £10,000!
The closing date for entries is Sunday 12th August so if you are under the age of 35, and have made an outstanding contribution to the UK's rural economy, please enter now. Or you can make an application on behalf of a young person.
If you, or someone you know, is making a lasting contribution to the benefit of the rural economy and communities, ensure that you don't miss this opportunity by completing a short entry form online. Five entries will be short-listed in August to present informally to a panel of judges in London on 12th September. All short-listed entries will benefit from being profiled in the October edition of The Field.
A panel of judges which includes: 'The Black Farmer', Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones; Caroline Dickinson, co-founder of The Real Soup Company; Nicholas Wheeler, founder of international tailor, Charles Tyrwhitt; Jonathan Young, editor of The Field; Angus Keate, chief executive of Lycetts; and Charles Seymour, managing director of Lycetts Rural Division, will choose the winner, to be announced at a reception in London on 18th October.
Nominations can be submitted by or on behalf of an individual who meets the awards criteria. For further information, please visit www.thefield.co.uk.
Judge calls for north Wales jail
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A prison could boost the north Wales economy, says Judge Evans | A senior judge has added his voice to calls for a new prison to be built in north Wales.
Mr Justice Roderick Evans said the absence of a prison made it more difficult to reintegrate offenders back into society.
In June, a report by MPs recommended that facilities for up to 500 male prisoners be built in the region.
The Ministry of Justice said site searches for new prisons were underway in north and south Wales.
The judge first told a Law Society event in 2006 that Wales was lacking in prison places and said many Welsh families often had to travel long distances to visit relatives in jail.
He said that a lack of visiting endangered family contact, which was vital for prisoners' reintegration into society.
But speaking before he outlines his arguments at a Probation Service event at the National Eisteddfod in Mold, Flintshire, Mr Justice Roderick Evans said there were a number of practical reasons why a prison was needed in north Wales.
"The important thing is that prisoners are held as close to their homes and their communities as possible otherwise it becomes very difficult to maintain links between the family and the prisoners," he said.
"That is particularly the case unfortunately with women prisoners who for some reason have fewer visitors per prisoner than male prisoners."
Often defendants standing trial in the region needed to be transported in from prisons some distance from the courtrooms meaning early morning starts and uncomfortable journeys, which was unfair, he added.
"It's difficult for probation officers, solicitors and barristers to visit people being held far away from north Wales," he said.
"(A prison) would also be a way of stimulating the economy of north Wales - as well as the jobs in the prison you would need people to service it."
'Crime-free lives'
There are currently five prisons in Wales, but all in the south - Cardiff, Swansea, Parc in Bridgend, Usk and Prescoed in Pontypool.
The MPs' inquiry, which responded to concerns about the imprisonment of nearly half of Welsh prisoners outside Wales, also highlighted the lack of custodial facilities in mid Wales and criticised the provision of Welsh-language materials in some prisons.
The north needs a prison like the one in Swansea, says the judge |
The Welsh affairs committee report also recommended a new approach to managing female offenders.
Mr Justice Roderick Evans said it was "a disgrace" that there was no women's prison in Wales and argued that fears about "closed" prisons in residential areas were unfounded.
"People will have a first reaction and will not want a prison next door to them, but the reality is, the kind of prison you would have in north Wales does not cause a problem," he said.
"I was raised in Swansea where there's been a prison for 150 years and it's right in the middle of a residential area - but there's never been a problem with it," he said.
"I could understand people's fears if you were talking about sex offenders and lifers going into an open prison - that's not what we need."
The comments were welcomed by Carol Moore, chief officer of the north Wales probation area and a keen advocate of a north Wales prison.
She said ensuring prisoners did not re-offend when they were released was made more difficult by jailing them a long way from their communities.
"We need to be able to link them up with services in the community so that all the right work is going on to enable them to resettle and live crime-free lives," she said.
"Clearly if people are uprooted for significant lengths of time that could mean that they lose accommodation, their ties with their community and family are weakened or broken and often they lose their job."
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said the government would address the issue of a lack of a prison in north Wales in its response to the MPs' report on Friday.
"Site searches are underway in north and south Wales and decisions on the location and function of the new prisons will be determined by greatest need," she added.
| 8月8日
The Government’s decision to review the cases of 91 Iraqi translators who have worked for the British may be welcome but their plight needs to be treated with far greater urgency. You can back our campaign at http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/interpretersThe sad fact is that all these people’s lives will be at great risk when the British concentrate all their resources at Basra air base and then, eventually, leave the country altogether. There is no doubt in my mind that Britain has a moral responsibility towards them and it would be a betrayal of that duty of care if they were not better looked after and where appropriate given asylum in this country. What I want to see is an immediate inquiry into their situation and that of all the hundreds of other workers who may also have put their own lives and those of their families in danger by working for the British. Numerous interpreters have been kidnapped, tortured and killed by Iraqi militiamen who accuse them of collaboration with their country’s enemies and there is no doubt that once the troops have been withdrawn there is every chance they will be further victimised. Unlike the British, the Danish government did not turn its back on its responsibilities and when it withdraw its contingent from Iraq it flew all sixty of its translators out of the country at the same time. There is rightly fury and indignation from soldiers who have served alongside these people in Iraq. One tells of an interpreter whose wife and family had a gun held to their heads by the militia and ordered to leave the country within three days. Yet he was immediately turned down for refugee status. That approach is utterly unacceptable and morally unsustainable. Their difficulties highlight yet again the lack of foresight exercised by the British and American governments before embarking on the illegal invasion of Iraq. It has destroyed the lives of tens of thousands of people it was supposed to enhance. It has left millions in greater fear and danger than even under the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein. Though we will continue to condemn the war, we also recognise as Liberal Democrats that those who have risked their lives in their work for the British government deserve a fair hearing and they deserve it now. You can help bring that about by backing our campaign at: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/interpreters
Animal movement ban to be relaxed
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The restrictions will be eased at midnight on Wednesday | The ban on moving animals in Wales is to be relaxed to allow livestock to be moved for slaughter, so says Rural Affairs Minister .
The restrictions were put in place last Friday following Surrey's foot-and-mouth outbreak. They have already been relaxed in Scotland.
A meeting of farming union leaders the decision was taken on the basis of veterinary advice.
But it would be reconsidered if there were any further outbreaks.
The restrictions - which also apply to England - will be eased from midnight on Wednesday to allow animals to be moved from farms directly to abattoirs.
The Minister said: "On the basis of veterinary advice and risk assessment, I now believe it is a proportionate response to allow movement for slaughter under stringent conditions.
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ADVICE FOR FARMERS
Defra Helpline: 0845 9335577
Animal Health Offices - Caernarfon: 01286 674144
Carmarthen: 01267 245400; 07000 780144 (eve)
Cardiff: 029 20 768500 |
"My priority has always been to contain the spread of the disease and keep Wales foot and mouth free.
"I have consistently said that we would begin to ease restrictions when it was safe to do so and I am pleased to be in that position today."
Ms Jones urged consumers to buy Welsh meat, and expressed her gratitude for the co-operation of the farming community.
But she warned farmers not to be "complacent" and to remain vigilant to ensure the country's disease-free status.
People have been urged to continue visiting the countryside as normal |
"I am conscious also that the easing I have announced today would need to be reconsidered in the event of any further outbreaks of disease," she added.
National Farmers' Union Cymru president Dai Davies welcomed the announcement, but said the union did have some concerns.
He said: "We need to see as many slaughter facilities as possible reaching the standard in order to maximise competition in the market place."
The ban on moving cows, sheep and pigs meant farmers were not able to sell any livestock, or take them to abattoirs, and workers at two abattoirs on Anglesey and in Gwynedd were temporarily laid off.
Before Wednesday's meeting the Farmer's Union of Wales (FUW) had said there would be "hell to pay" if its bid to ease the rules were not successful.
Dead animals
But Ms Jones had said she would be meeting Defra and veterinary experts beforehand, and would not relax the rules unless it was safe.
New guidelines on the disposal of dead animals on farms came into force in Wales first thing on Wednesday allowing for the collection of dead livestock from farms - subject to tight bio security controls.
If carcasses cannot be collected within a specific period, farmers are permitted to bury them on their land.
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