Hillside Animal Sanctuary has offered to re-home feral goats from the eastern shore of Loch Lomond to prevent them being culled. Hillside urged RSPB Scotland to halt the cull, which is being carried out to protect Pollochro Woods. The area is viewed as a site of special scientific importance. RSPB Scotland have previously said they would consider alternative solutions in March, but that the cull will continue until then. They are now saying that they will continue with the cull in September. Wendy Valentine of Hillside Animal Sanctuary said it had offered to give the goats a home for the rest of their lives rather than have them shot. Ms Valentine, whose sanctuary in Norfolk is home to more than 2,000 rescued animals, added: "It is a shame that an organisation that is set up to look after the welfare of animals should take a stance that goats should be culled. "We have rounded up herds of Highland cattle that have gone wild and Highland ponies, so goats would not be any different. We have 70-80 of them already. Hillside's offer to re-home the goats follows an approach from the Scotland For Animals charity, which has also enlisted the help of Humane Wildlife Solutions, a Borders-based company specialising in pest control without killing. John Patrick, from Scotland For Animals said: "We have presented a do-able option that is not going to cost them (RSPB Scotland) any money. "I would have thought they would have jumped at the offer if they really are pro-conversation, pro-nature and pro-wildlife."

Our Ancient Woodlands have evolved over hundreds of years and cannot simply be replaced by new plantings of trees, no matter how many trees are planted for every one destroyed in an ancient woodland. These Ancient Woodlands have very complex relationships, for instance between some of our rarest Orchids and Fungi. But there are many such relationships which cannot be replicated in a new planting. These complex relationships between trees, flowering plants, insects, birds, mammals, amphibians, worms, nematodes, bacteria and fungi would be destroyed if the destruction of these Ancient Woodlands were to be allowed.

We know that even exploratory drilling will constitute a high risk to our water, our environment, our health, our wildlife as well as involving a heavy lorry traffic and noise pollution and the processing of toxic water pumped out of the coal seams. Drilling will also threaten our buildings with partial subsidence, if these applications are successful they will pave the way to the industrialisation of our countryside.

Fracking is quite possibly one of the most dangerous forms of creating energy ever invented. Whilst drilling chemicals are released into the ground with the water that get released into the environment. The chemicals are supposed to stay in the concrete pipes but they rarely do... The pipes crack and the chemicals leak into the environment and into our drinking water. Also the chemicals are released into the atmosphere leaving people and animals to breath this toxic mixture of chemicals into their body. The result is illness, disability, cancers, unable to drink tap water, our animals dying and our plants dying. The result is a whole toxic mess... And then there's the earth tremors and earthquakes.

Horizontal hydraulic fracturing, ‘fracking’, is a way of extracting oil and/or gas. Water, sand and toxic chemicals are injected at high pressure into underground rocks to shatter them. This releases the gas/oil which can be collected. The oil and gas industries claim that fracking will increase UK energy security and create jobs. But the amount of gas or oil estimated to exist in shale/coal bed formations and the amount that can be extracted are very different. The evidence in the US is that - contrary to extravagant industry claims of a century of natural gas - fracking wells are already dropping in production. It is an extremely expensive extraction method that cannot provide a long-term return. It cannot create either energy or job security. However, fracking is not just expensive economically, but more disturbingly in the costs to the environment and human health as well as that of livestock. There have been many instances in the US of ground and surface water contamination as a result of fracking activities, some of which have caused drastic health problems and even necessitated state or corporate provision of alternative drinking water. Access to drinkable water is one of the key achievements of developed nations. Water Aid states that 768 million people worldwide - roughly 1 in 10 - still don't have access to safe water. Do we in Britain, one of the most advanced nations in the world, want to risk members of our own population joining that number? Absolutely not. But that's exactly what fracking would risk. All oil wells are concrete-and-steel constructions that will eventually fail, and even in the short term, fracking wells have an estimated 6% chance of a fault of some kind (industry estimate). The specifics of local geology and underground watercourses cannot be reliably predicted or legislated for. For a fracking site to be profitable, hundreds of wells are required. The maths - and the logic - isn't difficult. This practice is simply too dangerous, and the return too uncertain, expensive and limited, to justify. As for jobs, they go where the political will and the entrepreneurs go. The oil and gas industry would have it be a choice between environment and jobs. This is misleading and profoundly unhelpful - the Council and indeed the Government should support job creation in the renewables industry which (unlike the oil and gas industry) is actually in steady growth, and will reduce carbon emissions... We therefore call on the council to preserve the quality of life of Gloucestershire's residents and those of the UK in general, and reject any and all planning applications for fracking including Coal Bed Methane and Underground Coal Gasification applications, whether now or in future.

Wallasey Road is a residential area. Since the arrival of N&P Windows, Wallasey it now has an added rubbish tip/factory that threatens our health, pollutes the land, obstructs the road and pavements, threatened pensioners and noisily operates from 06.00hrs. Pictorial evidence is available here: http://nimby2013.wordpress.com This factory has allowed its waste material to escape its yard for ten years. Vehicles belonging to this factory and its suppliers have blocked and obstructed the road and pavement for ten years. The presence of this factory and associated raw and waste materials is entirely inappropriate for a residential area. I have no idea how many children would be poisoned by the tonnes of stored PVC if there was a fire in this site, but it would be considerably more than none. PVC when burned releases carcinogenic dioxins, these do not kill immediately but long-term exposure is linked to impairment of the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and reproductive functions. (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs225/en/) This is a residential area, your neighbour should not be a threat to your life or the lives of others. It is time for Wirral Borough Council to control this factory and protect the lives of the residents. When we are leaving petition forms we are told; 1 That people cannot park outside the Post Office because of N&P's vehicles 2 Complaints about damage to vehicles from N&P's vans 3 How house prices are lowered by N&P's activities 4 That this is no place for a factory 5 Foul language used by their staff in front of children 6 Sweeping out of their vehicles into the street 7 The company is too big for the area 8 It makes no sense for them to be here 9 Forcing people to wait whilst they load their vans 10 Being forced to reverse cars into Wallasey Road 11 Absolutely no concern or respect for road users or pedestrians 12 Why has this gone on for so long? 13 What are the Council doing about this? 14 The move would actually benefit N&P its suppliers and staff 15 Under Oath in 2006, the owner of N&P stated that they had no intention of staying in Rugby Road for more than two years. UPDATE: I am currently contacting the current Home Secretary The Rt Honourable Theresa May to look into the allegations of corruption that include the proprietors, members of Wirral Borough Council and Derek Thew of The Planning Inspectorate. After signing please take a moment to leave a comment. You can contact the present leader of Wirral Borough Council here: [email protected]

Since it opened a year ago, The Bohemia has become a much-loved and popular local pub. It has quickly become a valued part of the local community, hosting a range of events from film nights and music to stand-up comedy. Along with its good food and great range of real ales, The Bohemia attracted people from all parts of the community. It has also supported an event organised last Christmas to promote local businesses in North Finchley. Unlike the previous pub on The Bohemia’s site, The Bohemia is a genuine community pub that has not attracted any police complaints and is a real asset to our high street. We want North Finchley to be a thriving and successful town centre where people want to live, work and visit for business, shopping and leisure. The Bohemia was part of this and its closure is a set back.

The evidence of the effects of existing Unconventional Gas Extraction operations around the world is a serious cause for concern. The potential exists for toxic and radioactive water contamination, severe air pollution, tens of thousands of wells, pipelines and compressor stations devastating the countryside and blighting communities. The geological stability implications are also well documented. This form of unconventional gas extraction is short lived , whilst the environmental impact would last for generations. Fresh water supply requirements is another area of concern, potentially causing widespread drinking water shortages, reduced water quality and driving up prices. Without full disclosure of the long term risks, enabling the people to determine the costs and benefits, licenses cannot and should not be granted. Many European countries and others further afield have issued blanket bans on unconventional gas extraction operations. The reasons for this need to be evaluated in order to decide whether 'we' in the UK are prepared to take the risk. The only way this industry can take hold in the UK is if we allow it, in an open and transparent debate and being aware of the risks. There are many alternative methods of energy generation which can be researched and developed. The environment and our communities must take top priority over all else!

Oaken wood in Kent is one of the last ancient woodlands left. Eric Pickles has approved its destruction for the sake of expanding a quarry! He is the Sec of State for the local government! He has signed away our natural heritage for aggregate! Planning permission has been granted and unless we can support MEP Catherine Bearder's efforts to take the matter to the EU the wood will be bulldozed and gone FOREVER. Sign the petition to preserve this beautiful ancient wood so that our children's children can be proud of our fight to preserve Nature in the face of Tyranny. http://www.theecologist.org/campaigning/2044023/the_ballad_of_oaken_wood.html http://spreadhead.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/eric-pickles-dill-gherkin.png Here we have a rare sighting of the lesser spotted Pickles Ericus in his natural habitat having just been disturbed in his feasting on Ancient Woodland.

Horizontal hydraulic fracturing, ‘fracking’, is a way of extracting oil and/or gas. Water, sand and toxic chemicals are injected at high pressure into underground rocks to shatter them. This releases the gas/oil which can be collected. Coal Bed Methane extraction is drilling around 1000m down through aquifers and bringing up the gas. There are leaks all over the world from CBM, and this is why some people have been able to set fire to their taps. But investing in carbon-intensive fossil fuels is a distraction from the need to decarbonise our electricity supply. And it's hazardous. Studies show that fracking pollutes water supplies (with arsenic and lead), causes earthquakes, and spoils local communities. And there are nightmare stories coming form the States. Like in the town of Dimock, PA, residents have reported their water turning so brown that it stains crockery. Their water was later found to contain methane, and a host of toxic chemicals. But it gets worse. "My son had sores up and down his legs from the water." " My daughter... would have to get out the of the shower and lay on the floor." Those are the words from Greg Saunter, a local resident, whose water supply was shut off for his own good. He cannot shower in his own home. Or drink water out of his taps. Fracking has ruined his life. It cannot happen here. We call on the council to preserve the quality of life of its residents, and reject all planning applications for fracking.

Horizontal hydraulic fracturing, ‘fracking’, is a way of extracting oil and/or gas. Water, sand and toxic chemicals are injected at high pressure into underground rocks to shatter them. This releases the gas/oil which can be collected. But investing in carbon-intensive fossil fuels is a distraction from the need to decarbonise our electricity supply. And it's hazardous. Studies show that fracking pollutes water supplies (with arsenic and lead), causes earthquakes, and spoils local communities. And there are nightmare stories coming form the States. Like in the town of Dimock, PA, residents have reported their water turning so brown that it stains crockery. Their water was later found to contain methane, and a host of toxic chemicals. But it gets worse. "My son had sores up and down his legs from the water." " My daughter... would have to get out the of the shower and lay on the floor." Those are the words from Greg Saunter, a local resident, whose water supply was shut off for his own good. He cannot shower in his own home. Or drink water out of his taps. Fracking has ruined his life. It cannot happen here. We call on the council to preserve the quality of life of its residents, and reject all planning applications for fracking.

Horizontal hydraulic fracturing, ‘fracking’, is a way of extracting oil and/or gas. Water, sand and toxic chemicals are injected at high pressure into underground rocks to shatter them. This releases the gas/oil which can be collected. It is possibly it will contaminate our water supply, the chemicals will be damaging the amounts used are great. The amount of water that has be driven into each site is enormous, a waste of fresh water, and the impact on the environment is jst too great. We need investment in renewables not in damaging fossil fuels. But investing in carbon-intensive fossil fuels is a distraction from the need to decarbonise our electricity supply. And it's hazardous. Studies show that fracking pollutes water supplies (with arsenic and lead), causes earthquakes, and spoils local communities. And there are nightmare stories coming form the States. Like in the town of Dimock, PA, residents have reported their water turning so brown that it stains crockery. Their water was later found to contain methane, and a host of toxic chemicals. But it gets worse. "My son had sores up and down his legs from the water." " My daughter... would have to get out the of the shower and lay on the floor." Those are the words from Greg Saunter, a local resident, whose water supply was shut off for his own good. He cannot shower in his own home. Or drink water out of his taps. Fracking has ruined his life. It cannot happen here. We call on the council to preserve the quality of life of its residents, and reject all planning applications for fracking.