Planning permission has been applied for to build 91 acres of permanent and seasonal white plastic polytunnels in Ocle Pychard. The face of the beautiful green county of Herefordshire is slowly being wrapped in plastic, turning it into an industrial wasteland for yet more strawberry production. The application also includes a settlement to house 330 itinerant workers. The people who live in this tranquil and rural area - many of whom are elderly, and have lived their whole lives here - now face the prospect of being surrounded, their rural views being replaced by 5.2m high polythene structures. There will be negligible benefit to the local residents and businesses, as these farms operate as independent, isolated and self-contained communities. This development only benefits the owner, who doesn't even live here. Noise pollution, light pollution, loss of biodiversity and natural habitats, the effect on leisure and tourism, increased heavy traffic on the roads ... the impact of such a development is massive. Combine that with the damage to the wellbeing and peace of mind of the people who live here, and you have to ask whether it's really worth it. Each such development that is granted permission by the council paves the way for the next development. When will it end? Will the rural counties of the UK disappear under oceans of plastic as Almeria in Spain has? If you feel strongly that this type of exploitation of our countryside should not be allowed please object to this application now.

Whatishealthy.info petition that organic regulatory bodies ban any plastic materials from packaging of organic food that causes environmental hazards. For the plastic packaging to not cause environmental hazards, it must be fully recyclable and certified to circular economy regulations such as supported by Organics Council ®, to ensure it does not end up in landfills. Opting for organic products shall help both to keep nature and human health safe, but have you ever noticed what organic food in supermarkets is packed in? It is mostly non-recyclable plastic. In the modern world, where many companies switch to zero waste and circular economy, it is unacceptable that ‘organic’ is still allowed to be sold in landfilling plastic packaging. In the Organics Council ® 2018 organic food packaging environmental pollution survey on the major UK supermarkets’ own label packagings [6], the Organics Council ® found that only 4% of all organic food packaging is fully recyclable, while 90% contain plastic. Almost 40% of the products failed to provide sufficient information on packaging recyclability, with some suggesting that the customer should check for recyclability information from elsewhere, and some claiming the information can be found on the label while, in fact, it is absent. Soil Association Certification Ltd, the major organic certification body in the UK, claims to be ‘pioneers of protecting the environment’ and is proud of the fact that their regulations ‘go above and beyond legal requirements’. [1] Contrary to their claims, the Organics Council ® survey revealed that 94% of the goods they certified contain plastic in the packaging, and none of these are fully recyclable. Among all products, only 1% is fully recyclable! Another major UK company, Marks & Spencer, states that all their products are going to be 100% widely recycled by 2022. [2] Nevertheless, the Organics Council ® survey showed that so far, they are nowhere close to that goal when it comes to organic goods – none of their organic product packaging is currently fully recyclable. In the light of the facts, the major companies are not credible to live up to the promises that may be broken; we need to take action right now. Consider these facts about plastic: - 8.3 billion tons of plastic have been produced since the beginning of the synthetic materials industry; - almost 80% of this plastic has accumulated in the environment; [3] - plastic kills sea animals; [4] - plastic is also likely to end up on our plate. [5] We think by no means any goods that are not packaged in fully recyclable plastic shall be called 'organic'. ‘Organic’ is a synonym of ‘sustainable’, and everything labelled as such – both content and packaging – shall not harm our planet and our health; otherwise, it is no better than ordinary goods. Sign this petition to demand a ban on the use of polluting plastics in the organic industry and to only allow the use of fully sustainable packaging instead, in order for a product to be called ‘organic’. ________________ References: [1] www.soilassociation.org/blogs/2018/may/01/unwrapping-organic-packaging/ [2] www.packagingnews.co.uk/features/ms-plan-polymer-reasons-profile-kevin-vyse-05-01-2018 [3] www.advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/7/e1700782.full [4] www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/how-plastic-is-harming-animals-the-planet-and-us/ [5] www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/feb/14/sea-to-plate-plastic-got-into-fish [6] https://whatishealthy.info/stop-product-from-being-called-organic-when-its-packaging-is-landfilling-the-earth/

There have been several cases reported involving early deaths of individuals with learning disabilities and autism, not just in our NHS. The CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspect all registered care providers against regulations in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) All registered care providers MUST provide mandatory training that is presented and is not just a paper exercise. Some of the key points that were raised in the LeDeR report (2018) which examined Mortality in individuals with Learning Disabilities include.. Just over half (57%) of the deaths were of males Most people (96%) were single Most people (93%) were of White ethnic background Just over a quarter (27%) had mild learning disabilities; 33% had moderate learning disabilities; 29% severe learning disabilities; and 11% profound or multiple learning disabilities. Approximately one in ten (9%) usually lived alone Approximately one in ten (9%) had been in an out-of-area placement

To save lives.

There was a railway to Mablethorpe 60 years ago but this was withdrawn during the Beeching cuts. It attracted holiday makers and Daytrippers from all over the Midlands in their thousands. Since the withdrawl the area is slowly dying through neglect. The residents do there best to keep the area alive and are quite innovative in their achievements but it is not enough. The road system is not the best and cars are fighting buses and HGVs in the summer montha as well as heavy agricultural equipment

Current crime levels in Whitchurch have dramatically increased recently, particularly car/van theft, burglaries and shed/garage break ins. We, as Whitchurch residents, believe this is partly due to drastic cuts to our local policing budget, meaning we regularly have no active police officers within a 15/20 mile radius and also the fact that half of Whitchurch is plunged into complete darkness at 12am. This means that even if you can hear something happening outside your home, you cannot see it and would not dare venture outside as there could be no police back up for over an hour! We want our lights to stay on to stop Whitchurch being a ‘free for all’ for criminals coming in from other areas, using the cover of darkness which make us an easy target!

1 in 2 of us will get cancer at some point in our life times, but right now patients are being denied drugs that could ease their pain, or relieve side effects of chemotherapy, because they are currently illegal. Cannabis oils and other cannabis based medicines can be used to relieve the side effects of chemotherapy like nausea, and can help relieve severe pain. Everyone deserves to get the care they need, especially terminally ill cancer patients. Doctors should be allowed to prescribe cannibis oil to any patient they think it would help. http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2012/07/25/cannabis-cannabinoids-and-cancer-the-evidence-so-far/

The pool has been opened since 1903 and many children and adults have been taught there over the years. The pool is a valuable asset to the community and creates much happiness and enjoyment. Children and adults are able to learn a life saving skill of learning to swim and gain many health benefits from this.

Marks and Spencer has served the people of Clacton since the 1930's, it is a stalwart of our town. The store is used by a vast age group of people due to the fact that it is easily accessible by bus, car and on foot. Closure in line with the opening of the new foodhall in Walton should not be an option. Marks and Spencer will lose a great number of customers as many will not travel to the Walton store or place orders online, as there will be no collection or return point locally. Please sign this petition and get the decision of the closure reversed. SAVE OUR MARKS AND SPENCER!

Children are feeling excluded and insignificant. Especially those that may be dyslexic and need the more practical subjects to show where their talents lie. Forcing a child to spend four years studying a subject that they find difficult rather than giving them the option to chose subjects they gave a chance at achieving a good grade and chance at getting into higher education, is outrageously unfair. Please give year 8 and future generations a fair chance to achieve their own goals and be happier in education.

After many requests and dogged persistence, East Sussex County Council (ESCC) Transport Monitoring team conducted a speed survey on Malling Street/Malling Hill in April. The results were shocking. The data tells us that: • an average of 24,000 vehicles pass by our houses on Malling Street every single day • one third of them are breaking the 30 mph speed limit – 8,000 • over 2,000 of them are going over 36 mph – every single day! We do not believe that we should wait until there is a fatality or serious injury before ESCC put up speed signs, paint road markings indicating the speed limit or – ideally – install a speed camera. We are fed up with the speed of traffic down our street, Malling Street, and Malling Hill, particularly the big HGVs who either don’t know or don’t care about the 30mph speed limit. We are also tired of East Sussex County Council and others taking little action regarding our concerns and requests for speed enforcement. We want: • to create a better environment for all road and pavement users in our area. • less fast and heavy traffic which is dangerous and creates pollution. • all drivers to treat local residents with respect by sticking to the speed limit.

Forty one years ago Michael Sobell had a vision. A vision of a hospice where people would be able to spend the last few days of their life with all the staff and facilities that were needed to hand, in an environment that was as pleasant as possible. An environment with beautiful plants growing indoors as well as in the peaceful, tranquil gardens, a calming aquarium, and an aviary where colourful, birds flit from branch to branch and sing. An environment far removed from the usual, purely functional, antiseptic hospital ward, and a level of 24 hour care far more effective than that which could ever be provided at home. In 1977 Michael Sobell was moved enough to donate £1 million of his own money so that his vision could be achieved. A building was erected which provided an environment that was as homely as possible, friendly, and even inspirational, but a building with an expected life span of only 20 years. It has been tended and cared for by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers for 41 years. But now here we are and the inevitable day has finally arrived and the building needs to be demolished, and yet there is no plan in place to allow this much appreciated facility to continue. “Care in the community” undoubtedly has its benefits, but the phrase often seems to be used in a cynical way to slash costs and justify closing facilities. But it is totally inappropriate and unacceptable for end-of-life care. We are in danger of letting down not only Michael Sobell, the inpatients, and their families, but also the trustees, staff, and volunteers who have tended and cared for the hospice all these years - not to mention all those who have sacrificed their time, and risen to many a challenge, to raise funds in support. We must not lose sight of Michael Sobell's vision; the NHS needs to demonstrate that it still has a heart and soul. Otherwise we will just end up where we started 41 years ago. We cannot allow hospices to be closed up and down the country. We must not short-change all those people for whom the cards of life played out badly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxoOXs6i9gI ANY VIEWS I EXPRESS ARE MY OWN AND OTHER PARTIES MAY WISH TO EXPRESS DIFFERENT VIEWS. I recently sent an email to the trustees of the Friends of Michael Sobell House charity. In it I offered my assistance in trying to sort out the confusion and sense of mistrust that has been generated by the conflicting information surrounding the reasons for the closure of the hospice. I offered to assist in the preparation of a public statement which would help clear up the confusion whilst being in line with the wishes of all the people who have signed this petition. To this end I requested to be elected to the Board of Trustees so every person who wished could have clear sight of all the factors that have led to the current sorry state of affairs. I am totally committed to the aim of trying to preserve the Michael Sobell Hospice in the form that it has existed until very recently, and the form which I believe the vast majority of donors and fundraisers have contributed towards preserving over the last forty-one years. I hope the trustees see this request not only as a genuine attempt to achieve this aim but also an opportunity for reconciliation and a chance for all who share this aim to rally together. I am currently awaiting a reply and will keep you informed of their response.