The British Museum and The Royal Opera House are sponsored by the climate-wrecking oil giant BP. The arts are supposed to help us understand and explore important issues like climate change. Instead, these institutions are promoting a company that is making the problem worse. BP is one of the companies most responsible for the climate crisis. It is the 11th biggest corporate source of greenhouse emissions in history. 97% of BP’s business is still in oil and gas extraction, with just 3% of its investments going into renewables. The company spends tens of millions every year lobbying to stop new climate laws and slow down the growth of cleaner energy, and plans to invest £41 billion into new oil projects over the next 10 years. While BP rakes in huge profits, people around the world – especially those least responsible for the crisis in the Global South – are being hit by devastating droughts, floods and storms. BP also has close relationships with repressive governments around the world, who crack down hard on opposition to the company’s operations. By signing a sponsorship deal with BP, these big arts institutions are helping the oil company get away with this behaviour, giving it a mask of respectability to hide its true actions. It’s time for the arts to stop promoting Big Oil. Learn more and get involved in the campaign: Behindthelogos.org bp-or-not-bp.org artnotoil.org.uk More information Under the current deal, the British Museum puts on a major BP-branded exhibition every year; the National Portrait Gallery holds the globally-famous BP Portrait Awards; the Royal Opera House holds “BP Big Screens” in public squares around the country; and the Royal Shakespeare Company has put BP branding on its discount tickets for 16-25 year olds (although - two major campaign victories! - on October 4th 2019 the RSC announced it was ending its BP sponsorship, and on February 22nd 2022 the National Portrait Gallery also announced the end of its partnership with BP, and so we have removed the RSC and NPG from this petition). These institutions only receive between 0.5% and 1.3% of their annual income from BP. In return, the oil company gets to cover up its real activities and present itself as a normal and respectable part of society, rather than a company that is actively worsening the climate crisis. BP also gets to host swanky events at the venues it sponsors, giving it networking opportunities and helping it to make new business deals. Communities in Argentina, West Papua, Mexico, and Azerbaijan – to name but a few – have faced violence and imprisonment for standing up against BP’s extraction, pollution and corruption. BP continues to work closely with human rights-abusing regimes to gain access to their oil and gas, including jointly sponsoring exhibitions with the Egyptian and Russian governments at the British Museum.

Chelmsford Council have had to close the public toilets in Lionmede park. They need to repair the underground waste pipes that have become damaged by the roots of nearby trees. But they've told us they won't do this unless they see public support. It is the only park nearby with toilets. It also has a kids play area, tennis courts, benches, picnic tables, goal posts and dog waste bins. Access to clean, hygienic toilets fulfils an important requirement for health and well-being, social inclusion and public decency. So many people locally benefit from those toilets being open including parents and children in the neighbourhood, older people living nearby, local people with a disability or health conditions such as IBS and prostate issues, pregnant ladies, dogwalkers, local childminders and local holiday clubs. The Lionmede park toilets are also used by people on their way into town from further afield if they're on foot or cycling. Knowing there are facilities on the way into town can make people feel more confident about using sustainable travel rather than getting in the car. The toilets at Lionmede Park even have a parking space, which is useful for local taxi drivers, ice cream van drivers and delivery drivers who spend a lot of time in their vehicles and struggle to park in the city centre for a quick break. 6 of the 13 public toilets across Chelmsford have been closed by the Council in the since 2012.

The Cumbria Wildlife Trust explains these sites have considerable nature conservation value in natural heritage for habitats and species of national importance. The LDNPA played a role when the CWS panel established the selection guidelines and will possess the landowner's leaflet! NB - Other associated plans went before the LDNPA this August, both including resurfacing: 7/2019/2165 and 7/2019/2188, and 7/2019/2190, a major tarmac plan. There were 26 letters of objection to 19/2165 including Keswick Town Council's. Compare with 7/2019/2178 announced on 23/8/19: terrestrial and aquatic species, European Protected Species -that need a licence - and the laws covering them! Biosecurity measures. The contrast is incredible, by the same authority! They are seriously threatened. You can make your views known on [email protected] quoting planning ref. nos. The laying of tarmac or any hard surface means it will literally be a case of life or death. Associated plan ref. 7/2019/2017 admits wildlife could be injured or killed! Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Forestry Act 1967 and Charter for Trees 2017 - over 1,300 lost, red squirrel woodland, more to follow as the project advances, another 74 in 2189,. The photograph shows the countryside where the railway path is hidden in the deep Greta gorge indicated by the line of trees crossing from east to west, just discernible! Keswick is not far to the west. Study 7/2019/2189 and gasp at the actual process of path 'construction' along this 4-mile length! On Wed., 2/10/19 Keswick Town Council is meeting the LDNPA, originally to discuss tarmac proposals, but CEO Richard Leafe has told them that instead, LDNPA intends to tell them how it will be done! See below for the Sandford Principle. We consider they consider they are contravening their legal environment remit ie it is illegal, and without justification. The footpath lies at the bottom of the deep, steep-sided narrow gorge of the River Greta, for miles barely discernible from the A66 above, and tributary to the Derwent catchment area part of the National Trust's Riverlands project that could be compromised. Embodied in the 1995 Environment Act, ie law, their duty under the Sandford Principle is to give priority to the environment where there is a conflict with public interest. This is what they say they will do on their Unesco nomination form. As an optional 4-5 mile section of the long Coast 2 Coast (C2C) route only since the 1990s, cyclists' interests should not take priority over other users .This is not a road, but primarily a decades-old footpath where cyclists are allowed and not vice versa and aren't cyclists a type of traffic? Resurfacing plans now give them priority, cycle track standard. Isn't this dangerous on a Multiuser Trail with increased accident risk? The LDNPA also has a duty to honour their commitment to the 2 Partnerships of which they are a member: the Cumbria wildlife Sites and the Derwent and South West Catchment Area. The John Muir Trust has a 'Keep it wild' policy that would equally apply here! Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers addressed the recent UK National Parks Conference by video link, saying that at the core of government policy is "nature recovery and protecting biodiversity" - a LDNPA delegate would have been there. The UK is already one of the most nature-depleted countries, hence the Government's 25-year Environment Plan and 'biodiversity net gain' - it can only lose with these plans. Nor do they comply with their NP second role of helping mitigate climate change, very high priority now, from government, the Cumbria County and Keswick Town Councils. 2 years of vehicle and machinery movement in that confined space and outside Keswick, plus tarmac fumes in the gorge and from Keswick station itself passing through residential areas.

In 2016, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated that by weight, there could be more plastic in our oceans than fish, as soon as 2050. Plastics are durable, strong and long-lasting – all positive elements until you realise that they will stay in our environment for up to an estimated 600 years. (Columbia University) Over 300 million tons of new plastic are made every year – half of which is for single use plastic, such as packaging and convenience foods. In many cases, such as plastic straws, takeaway food containers and coffee cups, there are practical alternatives available that are either reusable or sustainable. It is estimated that there are over 5.5 trillion pieces of plastic currently in our global ocean and over 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into our seas each year. This equates to one refuse truck FULL of plastic every minute. Marine plastic leads to coastal / offshore dead zones, entanglement, death through ingestion, toxic transfer and, once degraded into microplastics, contamination of the food chain – including our own. We are quite literally eating the plastic that has ended up in our seas. Sign this petition so we can persuade the council to act on the issue of single-use plastic waste. *Image credit Ed Fordham taken at Chesterfield Borough Council, June 2019

If this application is approved, it will seriously threaten the future of The Stables, one of the UK's most popular and successful music venues. Founded by the world-renowned jazz musicians Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine almost 50 years ago, The Stables (registered charity 261645) has welcomed many of the world's leading artists and performers to its stages. In addition to more than 400 concerts each year, it offers a wide-ranging programme of educational workshops and courses to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to develop their musical skills. Its dedicated team of more than 250 volunteers was recently honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. The Stables also produces IF: Milton Keynes International Festival, one of the UK's fastest-growing arts festivals. If the proposed housing development is approved by Milton Keynes Council, previous protections which had been hard fought for will disappear, leading to the possibility of noise complaints from residents of the new homes and ultimately to the closure of this much-loved cultural asset. We need to make the Council fully aware of the local, regional and national support for The Stables and also of the strong opposition to any housing development that threatens its future. Please sign this petition today and ensure your voice is heard loud and clear!

The Barbican, described by Queen Elizabeth as "one of the modern wonders of the world" is an internationally famous icon of the Brutalist architectural style and a utopian ideal for city living. The City of London School for Girls has expanded piecemeal over the last 50 years, each time encroaching on the grounds and architectural features of the Estate, compromising the vision of the architects Chamberlin, Powell and Bon. These latest proposals, if approved, would inflict major harm on this global cultural asset, by obscuring the double-height piloti, adding large new structures which will be visible across the Estate and removing a stunning Grade II* listed vista in the Estate’s 50th year.

The recent BBC investigation into sexual harassment has put Essex has highlighted a system that is seriously failing students. It is totally unacceptable that complaints of sexual harassment can take several months to be investigated, leaving students that have been directly affected to suffer enormously. The toll this has taken on the students affected cannot be overestimated and cannot be undone. We owe it to every student that has ever been affected by sexual harassment to take this moment seriously. So on behalf of our 16,000 Students’ Union members, today we’re demanding that the University of Essex introduces the following urgent and fundamental changes: 1. INTRODUCE PROPER SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE 'REPORT AND SUPPORT' PROCESS Students must no longer be left unsupported or uninformed at any part of the process 2. URGENTLY UNDERTAKE A DETAILED REVIEW OF THE EXPERIENCE OF STUDENTS AFFECTED BY SEXUAL HARASSMENT As a Students’ Union we called for this action to be taken in May this year – now demand that this must be acted upon urgently 3. ALL INVESTIGATIONS INTO SEXUAL HARASSMENT MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 60 DAYS Currently only 80% of complaints are resolved within the timescale recommended by the Independent Adjudicator – this needs to be 100% 4. INTRODUCE TRANSPARENT REPORTING OF ACTION TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT The University must report regularly to students on the number of cases, the length of time these have taken and summaries of actions taken 5. INTRODUCE COMPULSORY CONSENT AND BYSTANDER TRAINING FOR ALL UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX STUDENTS Online training modules are not enough. These sessions have to be in person and must happen in the first week of the new academic year 6. INTRODUCE COMPULSORY SEXUAL HARASSMENT RESPONSE TRAINING FOR ALL FRONTLINE STAFF AND PERSONAL TUTORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX Before the start of the new academic year, all members of staff in student-facing positions must be properly trained on how to respond to reports of sexual harassment and provide support to students in these circumstances 7. ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT OFFER REPORTING OR SUPPORT RELATING TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT MUST BE PROPERLY COMMUNICATED TO STUDENTS From the start of the new academic year, support services such as Student Support or SU Advice can no longer be hidden away or not clearly visible to students that need to access them 8. ESTABLISH A SINGLE PROCESS BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE STUDENTS' UNION FOR MANAGING INCIDENTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT Immediate changes are needed as the current two-tier system is disjointed and confused and leaves students lost and unsupported 9. PRIORITISE CASES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OVER MINOR CONDUCT OR ACADEMIC ISSUES The University owes it to those affected to prioritise cases of sexual harassment over minor conduct or academic issues 10. RECOGNISE THAT THE UNI IS GROWING QUICKLY AND SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS NEEDS TO GROW WITH IT Additional support cannot afford to be a short-term fix: it must continue to grow in order to keep pace with Essex’s growing student population It is critical that all of the above actions must be applied equally to all three University of Essex campuses in Colchester, Southend and Loughton – this is an issue that affects all students equally and no campus should be unfairly prioritised. HOW YOU CAN HELP: We believe strongly that we have to act now to address the issue of sexual harassment at Essex and we’re committed to working on all of the above actions. You can show your support and help us demonstrate how many of our members care about this issue by signing our petition calling for urgent action to be taken.

We have less than 11 years to take urgent action to limit global warming to 1.5°C or we risk catastrophic and irreversible runaway climate change; this was the stark warning from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report Global Warming of 1.5°C. Humans have already caused approximately 1.0°C of warming, the devastating impacts of which have been seen around the world in the form of reduction of sea-ice in the Arctic, loss of coral reefs and extreme weather events. Warming greater than 1.5°C will result in grave consequences for our local and global environment. Rising sea levels and uninhabitable areas will displace millions of people worldwide. Shifting weather patterns, heightened risks of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts and the demise of insect species will result in global famine, water shortages and soil infertility. But it’s not too late. The IPCC report says that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible - but it will require ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector and local communities.

Hello, My name is Jay Cross, and I am a resident in Seaton. It has become very apparent that on harbour road directly outside the premier inn, many of the guests there and locals attempt to cross the road to access the road leading to the seafront opposite. The nearest zebra crossing is not until Darty’s Tattoo Studio, which for some elderly and young families with pushchairs etc this can be problematic as it is a bit of a walk. (To some of us able bodied younger individuals, this is no problem, but as Seaton is a older town, this is a problem). I was wondering if there was anything we could to to put in an application to get a zebra crossing installed directly opposite the premier inn bridge to the other side of the road? This is the direct link to the sea front for those guests that use the premier inn to access it, and for those locals in this end of the town. Many times I have seen people waiting long periods of time, near misses and so on on this part of the road. Unfortunately, people will cross where people will cross, and this being a hotspot will continue to cause problems. I would hate to see a fatality due to the road lay out here. Likewise, cars drive very fast along harbour road, and perhaps a zebra crossing traffic management system would help to ease this issue and make our town safer for everyone. Thank you for your time in reading this email, I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. All the best, Jay Cross Seaton Resident

Trecadwgan is a historic place, dating back to the 15th century with links to a Welsh Prince named Cadwgan. It is in an ideal place for a community run farm based on the principles of Food Sovreignty, Agroecology and Biodynamic Agriculture. The is an opportunity to create something wonderful for generations to come if the county council are prepared to work with us and cancel the auction.

My son hung himself on the 18/05/19, society has stigmas about seeking help or medication and there is lack of education in schools on mental health

A show which has celebrated 40 years of popularity and still attracts viewers worldwide should not be removed from our screens during the peak season for gardeners. Their announced gap of almost 2 months is completely unacceptable! During these worrying times of environmental crises a programme encouraging gardening, growing, respect for nature, and teaching people to 'grow their own' is needed more than ever. The claims by BBC Scotland that investment will be going into social media is entirely pointless. None of us pay our licence fees for social media. Return this much loved institution to it's rightful place on BBC2 (where viewers can find it) and, most importantly, ensure it's broadcast every week during late Spring and through Summer. Edited to add: Thanks to all of you who signed the petition Keep Beechgrove Garden On Air and sent emails of complaint. I submitted the petition to a number of people at BBC Scotland and it found it's way to Tony Neilany the BBC Scotland Channel Manager. His response is below. Make of this what you will. I still completely disagree that it was reasonable to take it off air at this time. However they do seem to be very aware now of the strength of feeling. Whether they truly take this on board will not really be known until we see what happens next year! Edited to add 2: There's been a surge in signatures since the premature last epsiode in the series on 5/0/19. Please do keep signing, I'll email it in again with an update once the numbers signing drops again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ “Thank you for taking the time to get in touch and for passing on the ‘Keep Beechgrove on Air’ petition. We have been reading all viewers’ comments very carefully, as we appreciate just how important Beechgrove is to so many of our audience and the attached petition serves to underline this further. It is a real testament to the dedicated production team and presenters that people feel so passionately about this long-running BBC Scotland series. I want to reassure you that BBC Scotland values Beechgrove highly and has worked closely with the production team to decide upon the most effective broadcast pattern possible, against the backdrop of available resources. This change is not designed to benefit any other particular genre of programming, but rather to ensure a range of content across the schedule. It was felt that June/July would be the best time for a slightly longer break, given the importance of the start of the season at Easter and all that needs to be done in the garden from late July through to September. This year the series has benefited from a slightly new style which aims to give viewers an even deeper understanding of all that takes place in the garden. We have used licence fee funding, which funds all BBC Public Services in Scotland, to supplement the TV series with additional online and social media content as this has proved popular in past years. Beechgrove's presenters can also be found offering advice on BBC Radio Scotland’s Grow It. By providing content across all of these platforms, we hope to engage new and existing gardeners in all that the Beechgrove team has to offer, both in broadcast schedules and on-demand. BBC Scotland has a fixed budget within which it must operate whilst ensuring it reaches as broad an audience and reflects as many interests as possible. BBC Scotland remains committed to Beechgrove and I can confirm that it will return on Thursday 25 July at 8pm on the BBC Scotland channel. I can also confirm it will return in 2020 for a new series. BBC Scotland’s on-air continuity announcers will continue to promote the programme and explain that it is available on the new BBC Scotland channel. We thank everyone that has been in touch to offer their feedback, including each person who has signed the attached petition. BBC Scotland and the Beechgrove production team will continue to do all we can to serve gardeners all over the country.” We hope this helpful and thanks again for getting in touch. ------------------------------------------------------------------------