The Wiltshire Bustard

BBC News - Devon, Norfolk, Somerset and Wiltshire get faster broadband

2011-05-27T06:45:00.000+01:00

BBC News - Devon, Norfolk, Somerset and Wiltshire get faster broadband: "Homes and businesses in four rural English counties are to get superfast broadband connections.

Devon and Somerset will share £30m of government funding for the roll-out, Norfolk will get £15m and Wiltshire £4m."

Test

2011-05-22T10:57:00.001+01:00

With picture
Regards Tim
tim@timdaw.com

Commons debate adds pressure to expand mobile broadband in rural areas - Telegraph

2011-05-20T05:12:00.000+01:00

Commons debate adds pressure to expand mobile broadband in rural areas - Telegraph: "Cumbria MP Rory Stewart will today open a full debate in the House of Commons today that aims to expand mobile broadband coverage to an additional 2 million than is currently proposed.
The motion, which has already received cross-party support, “recognises that rural businesses and rural communities across the UK are isolated and undermined by slow broadband and the lack of mobile voice and mobile broadband coverage [and] urges Ofcom to increase the coverage obligation attached to the 800MHz spectrum license to 98%”"

Superfast broadband survey | Wiltshire Council

2011-04-28T08:09:00.000+01:00

Superfast broadband survey | Wiltshire Council

Wiltshire Council are planning on spending millions on Broadband and want to find out where to spend it - they are asking for people and businesses to complete a survey - It might be worth spreading the word.

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityandliving/digitalinclusion/digitalinclusionbroadbandsurvey.htm

Red Tape Challenge

2011-04-08T10:47:00.000+01:00

Red Tape Challenge on Countryside Regulations - have your say.

Government's £830m rural broadband plan 'unviable' - Telegraph

2011-04-05T18:12:00.000+01:00

Government's £830m rural broadband plan 'unviable' - Telegraph: "The government's plan to invest £830m to upgrade broadband in rural areas could be 'unviable', a group of internet firms has privately warned."

Environmental data 'should be made more available to farmers' - environmentalresearchweb

2011-04-01T07:10:00.000+01:00

Environmental data 'should be made more available to farmers' - environmentalresearchweb: "A new and multidisciplinary approach to the use of environmental data in agriculture is urgently needed if the industry is to increase production while reducing its environmental impact, according to researchers from the University of Wisconsin, US."

UK government unveils plans to slash solar feed-in tariffs | Environment | guardian.co.uk

2011-03-18T17:00:00.000Z

UK government unveils plans to slash solar feed-in tariffs | Environment | guardian.co.uk: "Subsidies for 5 megawatt schemes such as Toyota's will be cut from 30.7p per kilowatt (kW) hour to as little as 8.5p – although schemes of up to 50kW for the average domestic homeowner will remain the same."

Row over farming subsidies - Telegraph

2011-02-16T17:20:00.000Z

Row over farming subsidies - Telegraph: "The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee recommended that reform of EU subsidies under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should reintroduce payments for each sheep or cow.
The cross party group of MPs argued that beautiful landscapes like the Yorkshire Dales or Dartmoor, that bring in millions of tourists every year, are in danger because livestock farmers are going out of business.
Without hill farmers there is no one to maintain footpaths, farm buildings or traditional features such as dry stone walls.
The influential committee suggested 'headage’ payments would make it possible for sheep farming to continue by paying farmers to keep sheep despite the fact lamb and wool is no longer valuable enough to make a viable income."

And the same goes for the sheep created downlands of Wiltshire

'Bribes' for areas that accept a wind farm - Telegraph

2011-02-10T13:10:00.000Z

'Bribes' for areas that accept a wind farm - Telegraph: "'Bribes' for areas that accept a wind farm
Communities will be offered council tax discounts or cheaper electricity as part of plans to increase the number of wind farms in Britain, Charles Hendry, the Energy Minister will announce today."

Lottery scheme brings films to rural communities | Film | The Guardian

2011-02-07T14:08:00.000Z

Lottery scheme brings films to rural communities | Film | The Guardian: "At Malmesbury town hall, and other small venues in Wiltshire and Hampshire, the White Horse Pictures project is using state-of-the-art digital equipment to draw in audiences with the latest releases."

Solar industry review to ban 'hot money’ - Telegraph

2011-02-06T16:52:00.001Z

Solar industry review to ban 'hot money’ - Telegraph: "It is understood that Greg Barker, the climate change minister, is planning to bring forward a review of financial incentives for solar panels, after becoming concerned about giant photovoltaic farms springing up across the countryside.
As part of the review, the Government is likely to consider stopping companies from building giant farms for solar panels, which exploit generous subsidies called feed-in tariffs. These subsidies pay above market rates for electricity generated from solar panels and small wind turbines"

Solar farms sucking up green subsidies as well as sun | Environment | The Guardian

2011-02-06T16:52:00.000Z

Solar farms sucking up green subsidies as well as sun | Environment | The Guardian: "Industrial-scale solar farms are threatening a government green subsidy that pays homeowners, schools and community groups for installing solar panels, the Guardian has learned.

A government announcement is expected this week on the fate of the scheme, with a review of the feed-in-tariff (FIT) policy, originally planned for 2012, brought forward in response to an increasing number of solar farms being granted planning permission"

Dairy farmers lose more than 3p on every litre of milk they produce - Telegraph

2011-02-05T11:21:00.000Z

Dairy farmers lose more than 3p on every litre of milk they produce - Telegraph: "A new report from the NFU shows that dairy farmers lose an average of more than 3p for every litre of milk that they produce. According to the union's report, about 11bn litres of milk are produced annually on dairy farms across the UK, meaning that farmers are looking at a £330m funding gap."

Bill Bailey introduces FACE

2011-02-04T09:58:00.000Z

Helen Browning: A woman who won't be cowed in the war against titan farms - Profiles, People - The Independent

2011-01-31T06:47:00.000Z

Helen Browning: A woman who won't be cowed in the war against titan farms - Profiles, People - The Independent: "Ms Browning, who runs this 1,300-acre farm outside the Wiltshire village of Bishopstone, is at the forefront of the furious debate over farming methods that will define British food and agriculture for decades to come. In March she will begin a daily commute to Bristol where she will take up the directorship of the Soil Association.
On one side of the argument are those who see the future in terms of US-style factory farms, enormous mechanised food production centres where tens of thousands of animals live under the same roof. The sales pitch is pretty basic: cheap food. For the organic lobby and farming traditionalists, such plans provoke horror."

Austerity Pulling Plug On Europe's Green Subsidies

2011-01-27T17:20:00.000Z

Austerity Pulling Plug On Europe's Green Subsidies: "The Spanish and Germans are doing it. So are the French. The British might have to do it. Austerity-whacked Europe is rolling back subsidies for renewable energy as economic sanity makes a tentative comeback. Green energy is becoming unaffordable and may cost as many jobs as it creates. But the real victims are the investors who bought into the dream of endless, clean energy financed by the taxpayer. They forgot that governments often change their minds."

Caveat Emptor

Food and Farming Futures - The Report

2011-01-25T06:51:00.000Z

Reports and publications | Our work | BIS: "The Foresight project Global Food and Farming Futures final report and executive summary provide an overview of the evidence and discuss the challenges and choices for policy makers and others whose interests relate to all aspects of the global food system"

UK wild bird numbers continue to fall | Environment | guardian.co.uk

2011-01-21T07:30:00.000Z

UK wild bird numbers continue to fall | Environment | guardian.co.uk: "Mark Avery, the RSPB's conservation director, said: 'It is staggering that farmland birds, such as the turtle dove and lapwing, have reached such a low ebb. But the good news is that we know how to turn around these declines.'

A secure future for farmland wildlife rested with farmers being financially rewarded for managing land in an environmentally friendly way, through agri-environment schemes, he said.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is currently reviewing key entry level stewardship (ELS) payments to farmers, which cover 70% of England's farmland. 'Defra only has to tweak ELS a little to ensure a recovery in farmland birds such as skylarks and corn buntings,' said Avery."

Faster broadband for rural homes | The Times

2011-01-20T16:43:00.000Z

Faster broadband for rural homes | The Times: "Three million rural homes and businesses have been promised cheaper and faster broadband access after competition regulators demanded BT slash the wholesale prices it charges internet service providers for using its network."

Great bustard reintroduction project gets EU funding boost | Environment | guardian.co.uk

2011-01-19T15:51:00.000Z

Great bustard reintroduction project gets EU funding boost | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Efforts to reintroduce the world's heaviest flying bird to the UK have received a £1.8m boost from the European Union.

The project to bring the great bustard back to Salisbury Plain has been bringing chicks from Russia to the UK for release since 2004.

The attempt to reintroduce the globally scarce bird, which became extinct in the UK by 1832, had its first major breakthrough in 2009 when the population produced the first chicks to hatch in the wild in this country for 177 years.

But the project has had a hand-to-mouth existence.

The funding from the EU Life+ initiative will cover 75% of the scheme's costs, including monitoring the bustards with GPS satellite transmitters.

The University of Bath, which is part of the partnership to reintroduce the bird, said 16 bustards had been fitted with satellite transmitters to track where they go to feed and roost.

The information will be used to monitor those areas for food availability and predators, and create feeding patches which cultivate the right mix of plants and seeds to provide food and attract the type of insects the birds eat.

The reintroduction project is the brainchild of David Waters, who said: "... Now we have a chance to give this project real wings.

"The funding will provide a properly resourced project, with four new posts, new monitoring equipment and even the possibility of a second release site."

Help Protect The Environment With Sony

2011-01-05T14:57:00.000Z

Living in countryside costs £2,600 more a year - Telegraph

2010-12-28T08:14:00.000Z

Living in countryside costs £2,600 more a year - Telegraph: "The cost of living in rural areas is £2,600 a year more than living in urban areas, according to official figures that lay bare the gulf in wealth between the countryside and town."

South West CLA: Landowners Take a Look on the Bright Side

2010-12-07T11:27:00.000Z

South West CLA: Landowners Take a Look on the Bright Side: "South West landowners are being offered a chance to take a look on the bright side of life in the New Year – at seminars which will explore the opportunities and pitfalls of generating power from the sun."

PV and Planning Events

2010-12-06T08:13:00.001Z

SHINING A LIGHT ON PHOTOVOLTAICS (PV)

Wednesday 12 January 2011 - 9.00am –1.45pm

Hartham Park, Corsham,Wiltshire SN13 0RP

Sponsored by RuralDevelopment Associates, Clarke Willmott, Knight Frank & Acorus RuralProperty Services Ltd

COST: £15 members; £30 non-members(includes sandwich lunch)

Tuesday 18 January 2011 - 9.00am –1.45pm

Beaulieu Hotel, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst,Hampshire SO42 7YQ

Sponsored by RuralDevelopment Associates

COST: £15 members; £30 non-members(includes sandwich lunch)

INTRODUCTION

The introduction of Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs) in April 2010 hascreated significant opportunities for landowners to benefit from the productionof renewable electricity, with the sunnier South West and parts of the SouthEast being particularly favourable for generating solar power. SolarPhotovoltaics (PV) attracts the highest FIT payments and there are nowunprecedented opportunities to generate power and income by installing solarpanels or by leasing out land or roof space for others to do so. However,owners should consider their options soon, as FIT payments start to declinefrom 2012.

Experienced professional advisers will provide an overviewof the solar PV technology and the options for landowners. The event will alsocover the important areas of planning, financial viability and legal issues. Inaddition, there will be opportunities to hear from and speak directly toleading companies who provide solar panels and others who are looking for landin the South West (and in some parts of the South East) on which to develop‘solar parks’. Business Link will also be in attendance to talkabout grant funding.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The event is primarily aimed at farmers and owners of landand buildings, however it is open to anyone wishing to learn more about howthose with suitable land or buildings can benefit from generating electricityby Solar PV.

PLANNING TO WIN

The new coalition Government is shifting the agenda onplanning with responsibility for strategic and local planning moving to newregimes. Part of the new Government’s localism agenda is to give localcommunities the ability to determine their own future, to move away from theidea of strict planning envelopes and development limits - but there is a riskand it is that planning issues will be decided only on their local impactrather than their strategic importance.

So how are we going to win the hearts and minds of those whowill hold the decision making powers? How do you set about getting your voiceheard and convincing the local community that your application is right for thearea?

Shaping the future, planning the route from where we are towhere we want to be and winning the argument – these are going to be thekey issues within the planning debate in the future and this series of seminarswill explore the PR, political and sustainability issues that are likely tohelp you win.

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Sponsored by BurgesSalmon & Smiths Gore

State Room, Hartham Park,Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0RP

COST: £20 for members and£30 for non-members (includes sandwich lunch)

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Sponsored by StephensScown & Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd

The Pavilion, Royal CornwallShowground, Wadebridge, CornwallPL27 7JE

COST: £20 for members and£30 for non-members (includes sandwich lunch)

DRAFT PROGRAMME

10.15 registration & refreshments

10.45 Chairman’s introduction

10.50 Policy background – Fenella Collins, CLA Senior Planning Adviser

11.35 Ex Chief Planner (tbc)

11.55 MP

12.15 Future Lobbying – Fenella Collins

12.25 Q&A

13.00 Lunch

14.00 Agent Perspective

14.30 Legal Application

15.00 Break

15.15 Planning & PR – Paul Pounsford, DaybreakCommunications

15.55 Q&A

16.15 Close

FOR INFORMATION ON ALL CLA EVENTS FORSPRING 2011 PLEASE GO TO www.cla.org.uk orwww.regonline.co.uk/clasweventswhere you can also book online or call 01249 700200.

Matthew Smith: Wiltshire's first solar farm

2010-11-18T18:21:00.000Z

BBC iPlayer - Matthew Smith: Wiltshire's first solar farm: "http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/p00c3j09/"

Malmesbury King named Best British Banger - Telegraph

2010-10-27T10:52:00.000+01:00

Malmesbury King named Best British Banger - Telegraph: "The Malmesbury King, a coarse-cut sausage made from shoulder of pork with herbs and ginger, beat five other shortlisted entries to win the typically British prize, awarded by Country Life magazine.
Mr Thomas said the meat – sourced only from quality pigs – was minced just once before being hand-mixed with rosemary, thyme, parsley and ginger, and piped into natural hog casings.
A panel of judges picked the Malmesbury King as the winner because it had 'the most pleasing, rustic, herby appearance and a satisfying, piquant taste'.
Mr Thomas, owner of Family Butcher in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, will now see his country bangers served in the Bar Boulud restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental, a five-star hotel in Knightsbridge, west London."

Troublesome Teenager

2010-10-26T22:38:00.000+01:00

South West CLA: "The teenager in question is the Common Agricultural Policy and the behavioural expert handing out the advice was Prof. Allan Buckwell. Director of Policy at the CLA, the Country Land and Business Association.

“Parents always argue about how to handle difficult quarrelsome teenagers and this one is no different - there are some heated discussions brewing up over the reforms which will take the CAP into its teen years from 2013 to 2020. ”"

South West CLA has a blog and twitter - Keep up to date

2010-10-20T17:42:00.000+01:00

here and @CLAsouthwest

New Local CLA Blog

2010-10-19T19:01:00.002+01:00

South West CLA team now has a blog - give a visit

Andrew Stunell: farm buildings should be used for residential homes - Telegraph

2010-10-18T06:54:00.000+01:00

Andrew Stunell: farm buildings should be used for residential homes - Telegraph: "Andrew Stunell, the Communities Minister, has called on farmers and local councils to work together to encourage more families to move to the countryside.
He has written to local authorities in rural areas asking them to amend their planning policies to allow agricultural buildings to be adapted for residential use.
Mr Stunell said: “Farmers are the custodians of our countryside, managing thousands of acres of rural land across England.
“But when they want to make disused buildings available for new homes, they can often face an uphill battle to get planning permission in the face of their council's development plans.
"As more young people are unable to afford to live in rural areas and village schools, shops and pubs struggle to survive, farmers are ideally placed to help bring the community together to help reverse this trend.
“That’s why I want to make it easier for farmers to offer homes on the farm for local people."

CLA joins with green groups to call for action on heat - Country Land & Business Association

2010-10-13T10:58:00.001+01:00

CLA joins with green groups to call for action on heat Country Land & Business Association: "The CLA yesterday (12 October) joined a surprising alliance of disparate groups outside Parliament at a demonstration in support of renewable heat.

The Association got together with Friends of the Earth and other green and business organisations to call on the Government to honour its promise to introduce the Renewable Heat Incentive. To mark the occasion, a seven-metre diameter solar-powered balloon emblazoned with the slogan, 'Heat is half the CO2 problem' was inflated outside Parliament.

CLA President William Worsley said: 'We welcome the chance to work with Friends of the Earth and the other groups involved to highlight the case for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)."

Funding wildlife must not put new burden on rural businesses, says CLA - Country Land & Business Association

2010-10-13T10:56:00.001+01:00

Funding wildlife must not put new burden on rural businesses, says CLA - Country Land & Business Association: "The CLA today (Tuesday, 12 October) sounded a note of caution about RSPB proposals for new taxes to protect the environment.

The Association said that the plans – in a report entitled Financing nature in an age of austerity – could put even greater pressure on rural businesses at an already-tough time."

Landowners Take a Look on the Bright Side

2010-10-12T08:14:00.002+01:00

South West landowners are being offered the chance to look on the bright side of life – at a seminar which will explore the opportunities and pitfalls of generating power from the sun.

CLA South West Rural Surveyor, Graham Clark, says the technology for generating electricity from ‘photovoltaic’ solar panels has been around for some years – but, until now, with relatively modest uptake in the UK.

“What’s changed is the introduction of Feed-in-Tariffs earlier this year. These provide guaranteed payments for every unit of renewable power produced over a 25 year period and have significantly improved the economics of solar PV,” said Mr Clark.

The event, which is being organised by the CLA, is being held at Lanhydrock Golf Club, Bodmin, on November 15 and brings together professional advisers who will discuss the solar PV technology and the options for landowners plus planning, financial and legal issues. In addition, there will be opportunities for delegates to hear from and speak directly to leading companies who provide solar panels and others who are looking for land in the South West on which to develop ‘solar parks’

More sunlight, says Mr Clark, means more power generation – therefore solar PV is a more viable option in the sunnier south west. PV also attracts higher Feed in Tariffs than the other renewable technologies - however, he warned that ‘joining rates’ start to fall in 2012 so landowners should consider their options soon.

The seminar will help people assess the most suitable option for their land or buildings, whether they should develop the project themselves and benefit directly from the power generated and from the tariff or whether they should lease land out to a solar developer.

“We will be discussing all the issues including getting planning permission and a grid connection - both significant hurdles to be cleared, but, depending on the circumstances, a solar PV project can not only reduce the exposure of a business to likely future rises in electricity prices but also become a profitable enterprise in its own right.”

Shining a Light on Photovoltaics takes place on Monday 15 November from 9.00 am – 1.45 pm at Lanhydrock Golf Club, Bodmin, Cornwall and places cost £15 for CLA members and £25 non-CLA members. Details are available from the CLA on 01249 700200.

Your weekend walk... Northumberland - mirror.co.uk

2010-10-08T17:34:00.000+01:00

Your weekend walk... Northumberland - mirror.co.uk

By Adrian Monti; Judy Yorke 8/10/2010
Welcome to the weekend!
This autumn's nine-day long Haltwhistle Walking Festival starts tomorrow with walks ranging from easy to strenuous and from four to 14 miles in length.
A six-and-half mile walk in the countryside takes in old quarries, lime kilns and a section of Hadrian's Wall. It starts from Haltwhistle Market Place at 11am and costs £6.
For details on other rambles during the festival, visit www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/kids-and-family/2010/10/08/your-weekend-walk-northumberland-115875-22617391/#ixzz11mmorwsL

CLA members win at ‘biggest-ever’ celebration of farming

2010-10-08T17:32:00.000+01:00

CLA members win at ‘biggest-ever’ celebration of farming

CLA members celebrated success last night (7 October) at the 2010 Farmers Weekly Awards with wins from four out of 16 categories.

Members were presented with their awards in front of a 1200-strong audience at the "biggest-ever celebration of farming" hosted by TV and radio presenter Liza Tarbuck, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Stephen Temple, of Norfolk, won the award Green Energy Farmer of the Year. His mixed arable, dairy and cheese business has three biomass boilers to heat the grain store, provide hot water for the milking parlour and cheese making unit as well as an anaerobic digester using slurry, maize silage and whey to make methane.

The award for Countryside Farmer of the Year was won by Brian and Patrick Barker of Suffolk. The young cousins are inspirational in their practical approach to combining profitable farming with highly effective conservation work. Their visionary scheme linking and improving habitats on the 550ha family farm by taking land out of production has also increased average yields and overall profitability.

Diversification Farmer of the Year was awarded to David and Jayne Newman of Stroud Hill Park in Cambridgeshire. They operate a caravan park and restaurant serving their own lamb, pork and beef with a paintball site and fishing lake.

Arable Farmer of the Year went to John Goodchild, manager of the Bartlow Estate in Cambridgeshire, owned by CLA regional vice chairman Tim Breitmeyer, justly rewarding 35 years dedication and hard work as well as being a tribute to the team which supports him.

CLA President William Worsley said: "All of the CLA member finalists for a coveted Farmers Weekly award have made an outstanding contribution to the rural economy.

"Our congratulations go to Brian, Patrick, David, Jayne, Stephen and John! I am delighted so many CLA members and estates have been recognised for their efforts in successfully running their rural businesses."

CLA South West Regional News - Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2026

2010-10-08T17:30:00.000+01:00

CLA South West Regional News - Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2026

Wiltshire council is consulting on a new Local Transport Plan for publication by the end of March 2011. Producing a new LTP is a statutory requirement.
The Wiltshire LTP 2011 - 2026 is made up of
1) A long-term transport strategy that seeks to:

· support economic growth;
· reduce carbon emissions;
· contribute to better safety, security and health;
· promote equality of opportunity; and
· improve quality of life and promote a healthy natural environment.
2) A shorter-term implementation plan based on a realistic assessment of available funding.
3) A number of supporting strategies and technical documents.
In addition, the LTP provides the framework for all other organisations with a direct or indirect involvement in transport in Wiltshire.

We would welcome your views on the draft Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2026 (LTP3). There are four specific questions in the executive summary of the main document. Other specific questions can be found in the executive summaries of the freight strategy, public transport strategy and road safety strategy, which are all attached as appendices. In addition or instead, you can make comments on any section of the draft LTP3.

A copy is available at http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal/ltp/ltp3
Paper copies of the summary document and a reference copy of the LTP will also be available from all libraries and main Council offices.

Alternatively, comments can be emailed to transportplanning@wiltshire.gov.uk or in writing to:
Sustainable Transport Group, Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8JD.

The consultation period runs to 5pm on 26th November, 2010.
Please be aware that all responses will be publicly available and cannot be treated as confidential.

CLA South West Regional News - Mineral Consultation Extended

2010-10-08T17:29:00.000+01:00

CLA South West Regional News - Mineral Consultation Extended : Due to considerable interest in the consultation on a list of potential sites for future sand and gravel extraction in Wiltshire and Swindon, the deadline for submitting comments has been extended until October 31.

This consultation exercise is the first opportunity for communities and stakeholders to assist the council in checking the facts and improving on the information already gathered on the potential sites.

At this early stage there are no plans to develop any of the sites outlined in the consultation document. It is important to stress that the consultation document lists all sites put forward for consideration by landowners and the minerals industry and they should in no way be viewed as the council's 'preferred options'.

We would encourage anyone wishing to view and comment on the consultation document to use the council's special consultation website: http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal

The consultation document is also available to view at Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council main offices and libraries throughout the county and borough.

Landowners play a crucial role in wildlife conservation | Comment is free | The Guardian

2010-10-07T06:44:00.000+01:00

Landowners play a crucial role in wildlife conservation | The Guardian:
Farmers and foresters must be allowed to continue their land management methods

William Worsley

The Making Space for Nature review rightly says more must be done to protect our wildlife networks as "England's nature reserves, national parks and protected areas are failing in four out of five key quality benchmarks" (England failing to protect its wildlife, says review, 24 September).

The authors of the review argue that England's wildlife protection areas are "not effective enough at preserving species due to poor management", but do not give sufficient recognition to the huge contribution that farmers and land managers already make in helping to boost wildlife. The report will strongly influence Britain's first white paper on the natural environment in 20 years and, as our members own or manage approximately half the rural land across England and Wales, it is vital our local knowledge is taken into account.

Many of the habitats we value today are the outcome of generations of farming and woodland management. Downland meadows and upland pastures with the wildlife they contain are the results of managed grazing systems. Flower-rich meadows don't just happen, but demand careful, knowledge-based management. In the past, warreners looked after rabbits on heathland, reedcutters worked the reed beds to produce thatching and hundreds were employed in woods cutting down hazel coppice for products such as sheep hurdles.

Of course, as agricultural technology and policy priorities changed over time, some environmental services were lost. The environmentally rich land produced in the past became a byproduct of commercial activities. But as these activities are squeezed, the costs of managing the environment becomes more of a strain.

It is only farmers and foresters who can create and manage the hay meadows, ponds and hedgerows on which wildlife depends. Only they can produce and protect the sort of environment we all want to see in the countryside.

Sadly, many of the review's recommendations will penalise those who already manage their land sensitively for wildlife by, for example, unreasonably increasing planning restrictions on land that could be "important for the future of wildlife and people". Wildlife management has an economic cost, and if rural businesses are prevented from evolving to meet the changing demands of the marketplace, they will not be in a position to bear the costs of wildlife management, so delivery will decline.

The good news is that the review supports the need for retaining government environmental payments, as they have shown that landowners can achieve good results when given the right encouragement. More still could be done if farmers and land managers were allowed to receive other funding, currently only available to conservation groups.

Sir John Lawton, who led the review, has said "between £0.6bn and £1.1bn is needed to help rebuild nature in England". This matches the findings of the government's Land Use Policy Group study published in November 2009, showing that the cost of achieving the expected environmental standards is three times the amount farmers and foresters are currently being paid for such delivery.

Massive public spending cuts and the scrapping of Defra quangos poses a challenge for "big society" to provide the incentives and means to deliver the needed wildlife networks. Whatever they turn out to be, they will have to engage the farmers and foresters who all manage most of England's rural land.

Could cloud computing revolutionise food supply? - Telegraph

2010-10-03T17:02:00.000+01:00

Could cloud computing revolutionise food supply? - Telegraph: "As British Food Fortnight draws to a close, the power of cloud computing is being harnessed to malke local food more available to local markets"

Farm Shop Review

2010-09-30T18:26:00.000+01:00

Farm Shop Review: "We provide a directory of your local farm shops ready for you all to leave your own reviews, telling us about the best bits, and hopefully encouraging other readers to visit your favourite!

We love our food and have no personal involvement in the retail industry. We just feel strongly that we should all try and support our local farmers/producers….Do you ever go past “farm shop” signs and wonder what it’s like, but pass right by? – call in and you’ll find all sorts of items that you wont ever find in a supermarket."

Exposed – the con of buying 'local' food - Telegraph

2010-09-26T17:11:00.000+01:00

Exposed – the con of buying 'local' food - Telegraph: "A nationwide investigation by trading standards officers has revealed how publicans and restauranteurs are misleading diners by incorrectly labelling food as 'local'."

Wood fired power plants help reduce climate change | Watts Up With That?

2010-09-25T07:03:00.000+01:00

Wood fired power plants help reduce climate change | Watts Up With That?: "scientists at The University of Manchester claim using sustainable wood and other biofuels could hold the key to lowering harmful greenhouse gases.
The reports state that using wood in UK power stations gave greenhouse gas reductions of over 84% and even higher savings of 94% were possible for heating schemes.

Prepared by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to highlight the effectiveness of using sustainable fuels rather than rely on fossil fuels, the series of reports will be presented this week at the UK’s first bio conference – BioTen – which begins in Birmingham today (Tuesday 21st)."

Quango cuts: full list of bodies under review - Telegraph

2010-09-24T10:15:00.000+01:00

Quango cuts: full list of bodies under review - Telegraph:
Public bodies to be abolished

Agricultural Dwelling House Committees (16 bodies)
Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales
Agricultural Wages Committees (15 bodies)
British Waterways
Commission for Rural Communities
Committee on Agricultural Valuation
Farm Animal Welfare Council
Food from Britain
National Standing Committee for Farm Animal Genetic Resources
Regional Development Agencies (8 bodies)
Veterinary Residues Committee

Rural broadband: Dongle-danglers of the world must�unite - Telegraph

2010-09-24T07:08:00.000+01:00

Rural broadband: Dongle-danglers of the world must unite - Telegraph

FW Awards 2010: Farmworker of the Year finalist - John Adams - 9/20/2010 - Farmers Weekly

2010-09-20T21:12:00.000+01:00

FW Awards 2010: Farmworker of the Year finalist - John Adams - 9/20/2010 - Farmers Weekly: "At 63 years, John has the stamina of someone half his age; he insists on milking at 12 hour intervals to ensure that his cows are not only healthy and happy but they are delivering the best output on Adrian White's tenanted 500-acre Iron Pear Tree farm in Rowde, Wiltshire."

The CLA Internet Charter

2010-09-17T16:08:00.000+01:00

1. No email should be bigger than it needs to be.
If you don't know how big that is, then it is almost certainly too big.

2. Don't send unsolicited attachments.
Think about whether the recipient really needs to see a video which will slow their bandwidth.

3. Avoid signatures or logos and never add them if you don't know how to reduce the file size.
Not only does it make a letter's file size far too large, it is also poor security, as someone could merely transfer both logo and signature to a letter of their own.

4. Enclose pictures only if they are a vital illustration.
If it is so big the recipient cannot download it, that's daft. If a farmer wants to see a cow, he will probably look out of the window.

5. Don't routinely produce PDF files.
They may look nice, but can be large and are not always the best format for the job.

6. Don't "reply to all" or copy numerous people in on your routine emails. Be selective. Think of who should know.
Communicate on a need-to-know basis and would-like-know basis, but never on an I-don't-care-who-knows basis.

7. You don't have to use every effect in your design software.
The fewer fonts, colours and effects, the easier it is to read.

8. Don't include anything on your website just for the sake of it.
If you feel there is no interest in something, why is it there in the first place?

9. All current information should ideally be accessible from the homepage of your website in no more than three clicks.
It's an old rule of thumb but is often forgotten every time new software is installed.

10. If you didn't understand any of the above, insist on training.
Any training should take note of this charter.

CLA launches Internet Charter to fight ‘cyber congestion’ � Country Land & Business Association

2010-09-17T16:06:00.000+01:00

News Archive � CLA launches Internet Charter to fight ‘cyber congestion’ � Country Land & Business Association: "The CLA will today (Saturday, 18 September) launch its 'Internet Charter' which aims to tackle problems caused by lack of access to broadband in rural areas.

The Charter - which will be unveiled at the Penrith & the Border Broadband Conference, hosted by Conservative MP Rory Stewart - will highlight how issues faced by rural internet users are exacerbated by oversized emails and over-designed websites from Government bodies and other large organisations with super-fastest computer networks.
�
The CLA is urging the culprits of so-called 'cyber congestion' to sign up to its Internet Charter to help cut the amount of wasted time and bandwidth for those still on dial-up connections."

News Archive � CLA urges Government to help farmers meet the challenges of the future � Country Land & Business Association

2010-09-15T20:49:00.000+01:00

News Archive � CLA urges Government to help farmers meet the challenges of the future � Country Land & Business Association

BBC News - Badger cull plans for England being unveiled

2010-09-15T06:13:00.000+01:00

BBC News - Badger cull plans for England being unveiled: "The government is to set out plans later for a badger cull in England, which it believes is necessary to curb tuberculosis in cattle.

The plan is likely to involve licensing farmers to shoot badgers on their land, and tens of thousands may be targeted.

Cattle TB cost the UK more than �100m last year."

Mobile phone masts needed to boost economic development in the countryside - Telegraph

2010-09-08T20:22:00.000+01:00

Mobile phone masts needed to boost economic development in the countryside - Telegraph: "At the moment mobile phone coverage in remote areas of Britain is “patchy”, leaving farmers and small businesses unable to communicate with the outside world.
The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) said much of the problem is a lack of mobile phone masts in certain areas, often because it is difficult to get planning permission for aerials in scenic spots."

Don’t ignore the countryside when creating Local Enterprise Partnerships, says CLA Country Land & Business Association

2010-09-06T18:21:00.000+01:00

News Archive � Don’t ignore the countryside when creating Local Enterprise Partnerships, says CLA � Country Land & Business Association: "CLA President William Worsley today (Monday, 6 September) urged Ministers not to ignore the rural economy when setting up the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) that are to replace Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
As Government Ministers begin to consider the various requests to create LDAs, the CLA President said: "It is vital the interests of the rural economy are taken into account in this process.

"Firstly, the LEP network must extend to rural areas. The Government says LEPs are to reflect 'functional economic areas'. Rural business is about far more than just farming, and the issues the Government wants LEPs to deal with - planning, housing, transport and infrastructure projects - are all major concerns for rural businesses. So, it is essential that LEP boundaries do not result in rural areas being left out.

"Secondly, whatever form the new network takes, it is important the interests of the rural economy are properly represented on LEP boards."

Mr Worsley added: "The rural economy must be represented at board level if an LEP covers, to a significant extent, any rural areas. In the past, the board of every RDA included at least one named director to represent rural concerns and we see no reason why the situation should be different with LEPs.

"The CLA is writing to the Ministers involved to set out its concerns on this issue."

CPRE and English Hedgerows - the false scare story

2010-09-01T07:48:00.003+01:00

Are we losing the fight to save our hedgerows? - Nature, Environment - The Independent
They are the living seams that have typified the British countryside for centuries. But now hedgerows are disappearing fast, and a report published tomorrow will say we are not doing enough to protect them.
Research from the Campaign to Protect Rural England has found that though hedgerows enjoy more protection than ever before, in England their overall length fell by 26,000 kilometres between 1998 and 2007. The study, England's Hedgerows: Don't Cut Them Out!, calls for current legislation to be strengthened....

Actually the research on the length of hedgerows was done by the Countryside Survey a couple of years ago and this is where the numbers come from. All the CPRE has done is gather some anecdotes and demand more powers, especially to keep the countryside all neat and tidy.

Because the story is actually that shrubby linear features in the countryside aren't in serious decline - there has been a small change in management as some hedges have not been cut as often. There have also been many new hedges planted, especially since the last figures were compiled.
The survey splits up these feature into hedges (where trees don't take their natural shape) and lines of trees etc (with or without fences) where the trees do take their natural shape.
English landowners are doing a fine job of protecting the countryside without the need of any more legislation, and if it is turning more natural rather than the CPRE preferred manicured look then I for one am happy.

The data, in kms of length, is presented below, full details in the links.

BBC News - Poaching suspects arrested at Wiltshire farm

2010-08-31T20:00:00.000+01:00

BBC News - Poaching suspects arrested at Wiltshire farm: "Three men have been arrested on suspicion of poaching in Wiltshire.

Officers were called to a farm in Amesbury on Sunday morning, after a number of men were seen trespassing with dogs.

The three suspects, aged 19, 25 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of hare-coursing and charged with daytime trespass in pursuit of game.

They were released on police bail and are due to appear at Salisbury Law Courts in September"

Farming found to be "recession proof" - Phil Clarke’s Agribusiness Blog

2010-08-25T11:30:00.000+01:00

Farming found to be "recession proof" - Phil Clarke’s Agribusiness Blog: "On balance, it says, there has been little overall negative impact on agriculture from the changing conditions in the wider economy.

“In fact, the greatest effect so far, albeit indirect, has been a positive one as the recession has prompted a realignment of exchange rates that has greatly benefitted UK farming.”

The report goes on to highlight the reduction in borrowing charges, the lower cost of farm inputs and the benefits for businesses that have invested in holiday lets from the increased number of people who have holidayed in the UK...

On the downside, the report points to a weakening of the global commodity market following the recession, (“this is particularly evident in the cereals market”), and the general “trading down” by consumers, which has hit the organic sector in particular."

Northumberland, Nottinghamshire and Suffolk worst hit for fuel poverty | Money | guardian.co.uk

2010-08-25T09:22:00.000+01:00

Northumberland, Nottinghamshire and Suffolk worst hit for fuel poverty | Money | guardian.co.uk: "The Future of Rural Energy England (FREE) – a new energy efficiency scheme funded by energy company Calor – has matched fuel poverty data with areas of England that are off mains gas, showing Forest Heath in Suffolk, Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, and Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire contain the highest proportion of fuel-poor households in off-mains gas England.

Fuel poverty in the UK is defined as when a household spends more than 10% of its income of total fuel use."

I note parts of Wiltshire are also in Fuel Poverty - but then if you are off mains of course gas will be more expensive - I'm not sure I need Calor to tell me that!

Turbine plan for Bradford on Avon gets go-ahead (From Wiltshire Times)

2010-08-24T07:22:00.000+01:00

Turbine plan for Bradford on Avon gets go-ahead (From Wiltshire Times): "A HYDRO-ELECTRIC turbine should be supplying enough power for more than 80 homes in Bradford on Avon’s Kingston Mills development by next Summer."

Real renewable energy - there must be more opportunities like this in Wiltshire for landowners!

New battles in the countryside as ramblers take on owners over access - Telegraph

2010-08-09T22:12:00.000+01:00

New battles in the countryside as ramblers take on owners over access - Telegraph: "Ramblers and hill walkers are poised to fight a series of legal battles against landowners blocking access to Britain's countryside."

More important than ever that Landowners know their rights and responsibilities and have access to the best advice by joining the CLA

Be wary of 'solar for free' offers, householders told | Environment | The Guardian

2010-08-09T17:32:00.000+01:00

Be wary of 'solar for free' offers, householders told | Environment | The Guardian: "Householders tempted by a rash of new 'solar for free' offers could double their financial savings by paying for the panels themselves, experts have warned.

The advice comes as installations of solar photovoltaic panels have exploded in the UK, with the number installed in four months in 2010 more than doubling on the whole of 2009 since a government financial incentive was launched in April."

A lot of CLA members in Wiltshire are looking at PV installations - remember the office is always happy to help with advice.

New satellite to offer European rural broadband coverage - FierceWireless:Europe

2010-08-06T10:30:00.000+01:00

New satellite to offer European rural broadband coverage - FierceWireless:Europe: "Having long been regarded as being expensive and slow, satellite data services could be revolutionised when a new KA-SAT satellite is launched later this year.

According to the developer, Eutelsat, the new satellite will be able to provide affordable broadband to rural areas where cable and DSL have failed to penetrate.

'This will be the most powerful satellite in space,' said Guillaume Benoit, project manager at KA-SAT. 'It offers 35 times more throughput than traditional KU-band satellites, and can fulfil a crucial role in meeting the broadband needs of some 30 million underserved EU citizens.'"

Don't have a cow

2010-08-05T17:07:00.000+01:00

Don't have a cow: "The shock over the cloned cow should be over the observation that there was shock at all. That Britain outlaws a non-offensive and potentially productive enterprise that is successfully practiced elsewhere in the world without incident is unfortunate, and harms the country and its farmers."

The Local CLA magazine

2010-08-05T11:45:00.001+01:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More countryside

CLA Business Members in the South West

2010-08-05T11:24:00.000+01:00

Business Search Results Country Land & Business Association

Link to The latest CLA National News

2010-08-05T11:03:00.000+01:00

RSS Feed

Uncertainty over coastal access will blight land

2010-08-04T12:54:00.002+01:00

The partial shelving of the controversial plan to introduce a right of access to the English coast will cause uncertainty and long-term blight for landowners according to rural champions, the CLA.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said: “Natural England has now accepted that – with the exception of plans for the Weymouth area - it cannot afford to introduce the rest of the scheme within the 10-year time frame originally intended. As a result, every coastal homeowner, farmer and business in England will have their land blighted because of the uncertainty which will remain as long as the legislation is in force.

The CLA says that although some businesses depend on - and welcome - public access, others would have their legitimate business activities adversely affected by the imposition of a statutory right of access. The prospect of spreading room around the coastal path also poses a particular problem for a number of business and land owners.

Mr. Mortimer said the latest news meant that no one would now be able to make long-term plans about what to do with their land because the threat that a right of public access could still be imposed remained.

“It makes business planning impossible – which is surely unacceptable particularly at a time when all businesses should be free to prosper.”

The Association has argued that the idea of a statutory route around the complete coastline represented poor value for the taxpayer, was practicably impossible and would adversely affect land management practices - including farming - on affected land.

“According to Natural England’s own figures, 84 percent of the coast is already accessible to the public. Of the remaining 16 percent, eight percent will remain inaccessible because it is covered by ports, military bases and so on.

“Spending £50 million of public money on a scheme to provide access to a mere eight percent of the coast in this time of austerity is surely unjustified. The CLA believes access can best be provided on a local and voluntary basis,” said Mr. Mortimer.

Agriculture in the national news - August 3 | News | Farmers Guardian

2010-08-03T11:26:00.000+01:00

Agriculture in the national news - August 3 | News | Farmers Guardian

Agriculture in the national news - July 30 | News | Farmers Guardian

2010-07-30T10:50:00.000+01:00

Agriculture in the national news - July 30 | News | Farmers Guardian

Game Fair 2011 - Date and Venue

2010-07-29T16:29:00.000+01:00

gamefair.co.uk: "THE CLA GAME FAIR 2011 WILL BE HELD AT BLENHEIM PALACE. OXFORDSHIRE. FRIDAY 22 JULY - SUNDAY 24 JULY"

Wheat Yield Update

2010-07-28T22:39:00.002+01:00

Field averaged over 10t per ha, peaked at over 15 in valley. Despite there being very little straw maybe yields will hold up.

Wheat Harvest Starts in Wiltshire

2010-07-28T16:30:00.000+01:00

28th July 2010 at Cannings Cross

Yield nothing to write home about but a good bushel weight, nice clean plump grains that should go for milling.

Internet Service Providers Accused of Letting Down Rural Communities

2010-07-28T16:27:00.002+01:00

The CLA, the rural economy people, said today (28 July) that Ofcom’s report on broadband speeds vindicated the Association’s long-held claim that consumers – particularly rural consumers - are being short-changed.

Dr Charles Trotman, CLA Head of Rural Business Development said: “Customers are not being giving the broadband speeds they are led to expect by the companies providing their internet services. Running a business in the countryside is tough enough without the commercial disadvantage of broadband speeds way below what was promised.”

Dr Trotman also flagged up the issue of surcharges made by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) because of regular use of internet-player services to catch up on missed TV programmes.

He said: “Many people are unaware of the bandwidth limitations set by ISPs and how quickly they can be exceeded by internet-player usage. We are calling for greater clarity from ISPs to ensure customers are fully aware of possible additional charges.”

Dr Trotman added that there were many rural areas that could still not receive broadband, and that the CLA would continue to lobby Government to facilitate broadband for all by 2012.

Game Fair attracts 144,000 visitors (From Evesham Journal)

2010-07-28T10:36:00.000+01:00

Game Fair attracts 144,000 visitors (From Evesham Journal): "MORE than 144,000 visitors attended the CLA Game Fair, the world’s biggest celebration of the countryside, at Ragley Hall."“We were blessed with lovely weather, great crowds and an estate which was a joy to work with. Thousands of new people were introduced to the life and activities of the countryside which is one of the main objectives of the show. “ Local committee chairman, David Lodder, said: “Ragley Hall is a fantastic site for the Game fair and I am sure it will become one of the event’s most popular venues. It is easily accessible, the traffic system works well and it offers a well laid out, easy to get around site set against the stunning backdrop of Ragley Hall.”

BBC News - Villages could get housing development powers

2010-07-24T17:11:00.000+01:00

BBC News - Villages could get housing development powers: "The government plans to enable villages in England to build homes without seeking council planning permission.

The Right to Build initiative aims to provide small numbers of affordable homes in rural areas where high home prices are driving people away.

It is part of David Cameron's 'big society' idea of allowing more decisions to be made locally."

Is it badger-hunting season? - Telegraph

2010-07-24T16:07:00.000+01:00

Is it badger-hunting season? - Telegraph: Hardbitten war correspondents, I know, think nothing of being helicoptered in to the sound of gunfire, but it's not normally part of the more pedestrian portfolio of an environmental journalist. But it happened to me yesterday, in what is becoming an annual, if somewhat unnerving, experience.
I shouldn't complain, since although the skies were as leaden as in the best war movies, I was being flown not into darkest Baghdad or the hell of Helmand, but leafy Warwickshire. ....

Don't miss the Gaem Fair

2010-07-24T10:51:00.000+01:00

gamefair.co.uk -Opening Times and Ticket Information

Had a great time there yesterday - just didn't have enough time to see it all.

Woodland Owners Put on Disease Alert

2010-07-20T07:52:00.001+01:00

Woodland owners across the South West are being warned to be on the lookout for a deadly disease which is spreading through larch plantations.

The warning comes from the CLA, Country Land and Business Association, who had asked experts from the Forestry Commission to produce a special information sheet on what is now a serious threat to trees and shrubs in the region.

The threat comes from the fungus-like disease Phytophthora ramorum also known as larch die back. The disease was found in larch woodlands in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset last autumn and in the last few weeks suspicious sites have been located in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Wales.

The disease was first found in the UK in a garden centre in 2002 but was, subsequently, found on many ornamental species in gardens before spreading into the natural environment infecting rhododendron, bilberry on moorland, and on a number of tree

species. The disease is spread via spores produced on infected foliage, which can be carried long distances in moist air currents and generally kills the plants it infects.

CLA members have been warned that the infection is now widespread and the Forestry Commission is concerned that, unless they can fell infected trees quickly, the disease is likely to become more extensive and damaging to woodlands and the wider natural environment in the future.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said:” This is a worrying development and it is important that woodland owners take swift and decisive action to contain this disease. We shall be circulating our members warning them to be on their guard and to inspect woods regularly and be on the look out for ginger-coloured foliage and dead or dying branches. This is a notifiable disease if people find it on their property they should contact the Forestry Commission immediately at southwest.fce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or on 01626 890666.”

Mr. Mortimer said that some short-term support for woodland owners has been agreed enabling the Forestry Commission to fund the services of qualified Agents to help plan any necessary felling.

West Country Goes to The CLA Game Fair - the Big Countryside Event

2010-07-20T07:36:00.000+01:00

Thousands of people from the South West are getting ready for The CLA Game Fair, the world's largest countryside event, which takes place at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire this week (Friday 23 – Sunday 25 July).

With almost 1,000 exhibitors and attractions and up to 140,000 visitors expected over the three days, this is the event of the year for anyone and everyone interested in the countryside. Importantly, it also provides local companies from the South West region with an international shop window.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said:” Because The Game Fair is so easily accessible from the South West, we are expecting great support from the region - so we are holding a special lunchtime and early evening reception for our members on the first day of the show in conjunction with the Arundell Arms on their stand in Fisherman’s Village.”

The Arundell Arms has been exhibiting at The Game Fair for over 25 years and proprietor, Adam Fox-Edwards, says it is the most effective marketing they do.

“The CLA Game Fair is far and away the best source of new business for us and a great way of reinforcing our contacts with existing customers – plus it’s a fantastic day out for everybody who comes and we are particularly pleased to be working in partnership with our local CLA.”

The Arundell Arms has just been voted the best sporting hotel in Devon and Cornwall and one of the top in the country.

“We are very thrilled with this award and it will be our main theme at this week’s CLA Game Fair,” he said.

Game Fair visitors will also be treated to a traditional taste of the West Country thanks to the Hand Made Cornish Pasty Company who will be taking one of the region’s best known products to The Game Fair’s Totally Food Show.

“What sets our pasties apart is that we use a traditional recipe with traditional ingredients – it’s a real taste of the past. The CLA Game Fair gives us a fantastic opportunity to market our product and the opportunity to meet customers face-to-face and enjoy some really positive feed back,” said company owner, David Marrison.

Held annually at different prestigious country estates and now in its 52nd year, The CLA Game Fair is firmly established as the leading annual shop window for the countryside. It encompasses all aspects of rural living with exhibitions, features, displays, championships and competitions.

The CLA Game Fair presents a unique three days of fantastic entertainment with a multitude of have-a-go opportunities for people of all ages to watch and participate in.

Have-a-Go is the theme which runs through out the hundreds of acres where visitors will have the chance to try activities which range from clay shooting, archery and 4 x 4 driving to dog training, laser combat, hands on falconry, mountain boarding and quad bikes. Add to this international level competition in Spey casting and gundogs plus a major equestrian section, Hooked on Horses, gardens, art and antiques and the Totally Food Show, and The Game Fair offers a world class event at a local level.

Full details on these and the many other features and displays that make up The CLA Game Fair, as well as ticket and travel information can be found at www.gamefair.co.uk

CLA ‘Shocked’ by Broadband Delay

2010-07-15T18:08:00.000+01:00

The CLA said today (Thursday, 15 July) it was “shocked and disappointed” by the Government’s decision to extend the target for providing universal UK broadband coverage by three years.

In a speech to the broadband industry, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced that the Government would no longer be able to meet the Universal Service Commitment of two megabits per second by 2012, because of insufficient funding.

It has set a new target of achieving the Universal Service Commitment within the lifetime of this Parliament – due to end in 2015.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said: “This setback comes at a time when rural Britain is desperately in need of effective and affordable broadband. It will seriously compromise some areas of the rural economy.

“Without universal broadband it will become far harder for rural business to compete effectively with businesses in urban areas - many of which already have access to far faster speeds than two Mbps.

Mr Hunt made the surprise announcement at a conference today organised by Broadband Delivery UK - but Mr Mortimer said it appeared that the Government had failed to appreciate how broadband could act as a fundamental driver in propelling the UK out of its current financial situation.

“This potential will be jeopardised if we have to wait an additional three years before everyone can gain adequate broadband coverage. In his speech, Mr Hunt claimed the increased use of Government services online could save at least £1 billion - yet the one fifth of people living in rural areas who have no broadband access will be unable to access these services.”

Rural homes: why dairy farms are the cream of the country property market - Telegraph

2010-07-15T06:51:00.000+01:00

Rural homes: why dairy farms are the cream of the country property market - Telegraph

The truth is that any dairy farm now coming to the market is more than 50 per cent likely to be bought by non-farmers. “City boys, people who have always wanted to own land, conservationists, anyone wanting a nice house with 100 or 200 acres, will be waiting to buy,” says Robin Gould, a buying agent with Prime Purchase. “It is sad because dairy farms make up the very fabric of the countryside in this part of the country.”
Old dairy farms seduce with contours and greenery. “Arable tends to be prairie and is only liked by farming people,” Gould says. “But small sheep and dairy farms have the prettiest land.”
People turn to them because there are not enough set-piece country houses to buy. “Each village around here has one big house and one vicarage but no other secondary houses, so the next step is the farmhouse. They are often rambling, thatched and make wonderful family homes,” he says.
Interest from buyers comes at a time when working farms, which have thrived in the South West for centuries, are declining fast. As the country’s milk production shrivelled, so the number of dairy farms contracted by 46 per cent between June 1997 and August 2009.
“The new buyers may be non-farmers but they are interested in the countryside,” Gould says. “They will replant the hedgerows, might have a fun family shoot and enjoy the acres as a big back garden. The first thing they do is set up a tenancy arrangement with a neighbour to farm it in the way they want.”
Hampshire and Oxfordshire long ago lost their dairy farms and those that remain in Wiltshire are being bought by “lifestyle farmers”.

Badger cull plans quashed by High Court | News | Farmers Guardian

2010-07-13T13:32:00.000+01:00

Badger cull plans quashed by High Court | News | Farmers Guardian

Monbiot doesn't approve of farming deregulation

2010-07-13T07:11:00.000+01:00

Monbiot.com � Sending Off the Ref: "The government has now set up a task force to deregulate the farming industry(4). Farming is the major cause of the loss of biodiversity in the UK. It is one of the two top causes of water pollution. It has the highest rates of death and injury of any industry in this country(5). Now the industry has been asked to police itself.

The chair of the task force is the former director general of the National Farmers’ Union. His deputy is a senior NFU official. The rest of the task force is composed of another farmer, three corporate executives, a county council official and … well this is where it gets interesting. The eighth member, the government tells us, is “a Nuffield Scholar who has been involved with developing an animal welfare scheme”(6). In reality he is yet another farmer, who supplies milk to Sainsbury’s. This selective citation suggests dishonesty on the part of Caroline Spelman’s food and farming department. The last member is the head of public affairs at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. This group purports to protect wildlife, but it runs fox snaring courses(7) and gives advice on setting spring traps to catch smaller predators(8). There is no one on the task force representing rural workers, and no one outside the industry seeking to defend the landscape or the wider environment, water quality or animal welfare."

Rural broadband: a new model for connecting the countryside? - Telegraph

2010-07-08T17:26:00.000+01:00

Rural broadband: a new model for connecting the countryside? - Telegraph: "The rural Kent village of Iwade may be setting a trend for rural areas by organising its own broadband, using a grant from the county council to unlock investment from BT"

Farmer jailed after tractor trailer caused driver's death - Scotsman.com News

2010-07-01T06:53:00.000+01:00

Farmer jailed after tractor trailer caused driver's death - Scotsman.com News: "Appearing before Lord Doherty in Edinburgh again today, Clark was jailed, and disqualified from driving for three years. He will only be allowed back on the roads if he passes an extended driving test at the end of the ban.

The court heard today that Clark has a 'genuine desire' for the circumstances of the accident be publicised widely to warn other farmers.

Mr Reid, a tree surgeon who lived with his partner in Dulnain Bridge, Grantown on Spey, was heading to a golf outing in his pick-up truck when the accident happened.

Clark was towing an empty nine-metre-long 'articulated flatbed semi-trailer' along the A95 to his farm at Nethybridge.

The crash happened as the two men approached a corner from opposite directions.

As Clark negotiated the bend, the trailer he was towing disconnected from his tractor. It slid across the carriageway and collided with Mr Reid's truck."

Examinations found that the trailer and a "dolly converter" which linked it to the tractor were in a poor condition and had a series of defects. Notably, the trailer's braking system was not working.

The court heard that Mr Reid's partner, Jennifer Petrie, and his parents were left "devastated" by their loss.

Passing sentence, Lord Doherty said the degree of culpability was "significant".

He said: "This is truly a tragic case. In this case anything other than a custodial sentence would not sufficiently recognise the seriousness of the offence.

"I've had regard to the gravity of the dangerous driving and the tragic consequences which it had."

He took into account his previous good character and lack of previous convictions.

The judge told Clark: "You have demonstrated genuine remorse.

"You have also demonstrated a genuine desire that the circumstances of this accident be widely publicised so as to alert farmers to the dangers which arose here and to their responsibilities."

Wiltshire County Show

2010-06-25T18:14:00.000+01:00

Wiltshire County Show
Barbury Castle Horse Trials will this year be hosting the Wiltshire County Show on Sunday July 11.

The Show's aim will be to demonstrate the vital role that farming and food production play in Wiltshire and the wider community. It will be fun and informative with plenty to see and do for all the family.

There will be rural crafts, food exhibitions, cookery, heavy horses, the latest tractors and farm equipment.

I'll be there on the CLA stand - free drink if you mention this!

Fears for internet access in remote communities as broadband tax axed - Telegraph

2010-06-22T19:03:00.000+01:00

Fears for internet access in remote communities as broadband tax axed - Telegraph: "George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said the 'broadband' tax was not necessary.
Instead he said money left over from the digital switchover will be used to ensure every home has access to the internet."
But campaigners warned the pot of money will not be enough to connect remote rural villages to faster broadband speeds.
There is up to £300 million left over from the digital switchover, compared to around £1 billion that could have been raised through taxing landlines.
Charles Trotman, of the Country Land and Business Association, said it will not be enough money to connect all rural areas.
He said remote communities risk being left behind in 'broadband deserts' unless more is done to help villages set up connections themselves.
Farmers and landowners are also unhappy about the rise in capital gains tax because it will make buying and selling land more expensive.
And conservationists are worried that 25 per cent cuts in the Department for the Environment will hit schemes to protect wildlife in the countryside.
However there was relief that second home owners will not lose an important tax break that allows people in the countryside to let out furnished holiday cottages.

RPAs - Who gets the money

2010-06-21T09:18:00.000+01:00

The TaxPayers' Alliance - Home: New TPA Research: RDA Grants: "New research from the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) fatally undermines the Regional Development Agencies' (RDAs) claims to be targeted at helping private businesses in the regions. TPA researchers using the Freedom of Information Act gathered the full list of who received RDA grants for the financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09, and studied how much money was paid by the Agencies to private business, and how much went to public sector organisations or predominantly public sector projects.

To read the full report, including a detailed breakdown of all grants paid out in each region, click here."

Travelling round Wiltshire - I can't say I see many small private businesses benefiting from RDA grants; shame.

Worries for PV Installations

2010-06-18T11:25:00.000+01:00

Spain set to slash retroactive solar power subsidies: industry:
"The Spanish government is set to enforce a cut of 30% in subsidies for
existing solar photovoltaic plants following a meeting with solar industry
bodies Wednesday, a source at the Spanish Photovoltaic Industry Association
(ASIF) said Thursday.

ASIF external relations manager Thomas Diaz told Platts Thursday that
Spanish Energy Minister Pedro Luis Marin Uribe told a range of industry
associations Wednesday that existing PV plants would have their subsidies cut
by 30% while any new large scale plants would have their tariffs cut by 45%.

Smaller scale roof installations would lose 25% of their existing subsidy
while installations with a generating capacity of less than 20 KW will have 5%
taken from their tariff, according to Diaz."

Could it happen here? Worrying for all the new installations being planned.

Blog alert: 2.8% agricultural wage increase - Phil Clarke’s Agribusiness Blog

2010-06-16T12:26:00.000+01:00

Blog alert: 2.8% agricultural wage increase - Phil Clarke’s Agribusiness Blog: "The Agricultural Wages Board has decided on a 2.8% wage increase for Grade 2 workers and a 2.4% increase for Grade 1, it has been revealed.

The full breakdown of wages from 1 October 2010 for a maximum 39 hour week is as follows:

Grade 1 - �5.95/hour
Grade 2 - �6.58
Grade 3 - �7.24
Grade 4 - �7.76
Grade 5 - �8.23
Grade 6 - �8.88
The NFU has described the AWB as 'an industrial relations relic'."

Pay hill farmers to protect water supply and carbon sinks, report urges | Environment | guardian.co.uk

2010-06-15T20:21:00.000+01:00

Pay hill farmers to protect water supply and carbon sinks, report urges | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Peat stores 200m tonnes of carbon in England and hills are source of 70% of the country's drinking water, say rural experts

Exclusive: �1,700 bureaucracy bill to get 1p subsidy cheque to farmers - Yorkshire Post

2010-06-13T10:29:00.000+01:00

Exclusive: �1,700 bureaucracy bill to get 1p subsidy cheque to farmers - Yorkshire Post: "New figures released this week show tens of thousands of farmers across Britain have received subsidy cheques worth less than the cost of processing the claims.

The cost of processing each Single Farm Payment, subsidy cheques provided to every farmer in the European Union to provide guaranteed income not linked to production, is estimated by the National Audit Office (NAO) at an average �1,743.

A total of 55,814 farmers across the country, however, were given sums amounting to less"

Crop Circles in 2010 in the UK

2010-06-10T20:13:00.000+01:00

Crop Circles in 2010 in the UK

All Wiltshire I think so far, I will leave it to you to think what you like about them.

Crop circle season arrives with a mathematical message - This Britain, UK - The Independent

2010-06-08T19:13:00.000+01:00

Crop circle season arrives with a mathematical message - This Britain, UK - The Independent: "Sceptics dismiss crop circles as utter rubbish, but despite decades of research nobody knows conclusively how they’re made."

Hmmm - I have an idea....

'Bus stop mentality' killing villages - Telegraph

2010-06-02T06:35:00.000+01:00

'Bus stop mentality' killing villages - Telegraph: "The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said planning policy under the Labour government 'throttled' the countryside by introducing so much red tape. The 20 page report said rural areas are unfairly expected to meet a huge number of 'sustainability criteria' that makes it impossible to develop new businesses or build affordable homes in the countryside.
One of the main problems are the 'draconian' regulations that mean new buildings can only be built on public transport routes."

The coalition agreement: environment, food and rural affairs

2010-05-27T21:53:00.000+01:00

The coalition agreement: environment, food and rural affairs

The Lib-Dem Voice View

Countryside in Crisis: It's an uphill struggle - Telegraph

2010-05-23T11:28:00.000+01:00

Countryside in Crisis: It's an uphill struggle - Telegraph: "In the first of a series highlighting the plight of Britain's countryside, Clive Aslet discovers the hardship suffered by our traditional upland farmers."

English badgers set for targeted culls | Environment | guardian.co.uk

2010-05-20T21:07:00.000+01:00

English badgers set for targeted culls | Environment | guardian.co.uk: "Ministers are preparing to order targeted badger culls in England in a move that will delight farmers who believe it the prime factor in the spread of TB through their dairy herds – and enrage many animal welfare groups.

The new coalition agreement released by Downing Street today says: 'As part of a package of measures, we will introduce a carefully managed and science-led policy of badger control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine tuberculosis.'"

BBC News - Star Peter Gabriel attacks Woolley Valley farm plans

2010-05-19T22:18:00.000+01:00

BBC News - Star Peter Gabriel attacks Woolley Valley farm plans: "Pop star Peter Gabriel has added his voice to a campaign to stop an agricultural development at a beauty spot near Bath."

Blog alert: Wiseman boosts profits 43% - Phil Clarke’s Agribusiness Blog

2010-05-17T21:06:00.001+01:00

Blog alert: Wiseman boosts profits 43% - Phil Clarke’s Agribusiness Blog

Dairy farmers will note this with interest...

Food can help cut the fiscal deficit | Tim Lang and Charlie Clutterbuck | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

2010-05-17T21:06:00.000+01:00

Food can help cut the fiscal deficit | Tim Lang and Charlie Clutterbuck | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk: "Sustainably increasing food production in the UK makes financial not just environmental sense"

The rural vote is being left to rot in the fields | Alice Thomson - Times Online

2010-04-28T06:41:00.000+01:00

The rural vote is being left to rot in the fields | Alice Thomson - Times Online: "Wake up and smell the bluebells – the countryside is just as important as the town"