This is across the UK, but our campaign is aimed at Wales. If we group together and help each other, we can have a greater influence, so please support our local campaign and if we can help with yours please do get in touch. Fences are cut and pulled up, gates are left open, animals are let loose, paths and tracks are left impassable, knee high in mud, quagmires, paths rutted and washed away because the surface has been loosened by the heavy and constant abuse of vehicles; A constant stream of vehicles, where once there was peace with only the odd farmer off to check on his livestock, or person walking their dog, or just out with the family. People of all ages are intimidated while trying to stop trespass on their own land, surrounded by circling motor bikes or vulgar shouts from abusive 4 x 4 owners. SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) are also being abused, where is the support from the Countryside Council for Wales to enforce the protection of their Sites? Police are too slow to turn up and provide little support to stop these law breakers. What is the point in passing the trespass law or designate SSSI sites, if there are no Councillors, Countryside Council or Police representatives who will help enforce legislation. This is across the Wales, so if we group together and help each other we can have a greater influence, so please support our local campaign and if we can help with yours please do get in touch. Currently our group is in the Llangollen / Denbighshire / Wrexham area and we desperately need your support to lobby the Local Council , Countryside Council and Police to help us in our campaign . We have a Facebook page, please join / like it and also sign the campaign. https://www.facebook.com/Saveourpathsllangollen

Homelessness can be fatal. To London as a city as well as people like Kinga (who was Kinga ? - see below). Never mind cup-cake shops, London needs pop-up tenancies. Far from a social scourge, squatting of empty commercial and publicly-owned residential property was a dynamic and beneficial element of London's housing ecology for many years. It enabled young people to live cheaply in the capital, kept premises from dereliction and drove the regeneration of much of London. In particular, it directly enabled the growth of the arts and cultural sector of which London is now supposedly so proud. It was the start of the rehabilitation - and gentrification - of Islington, Camden, Notting Hill and Brixton to name just four examples.. Recent anti-squatting legislation inspired by a few sensationalist instances citing 'rogue migrant' activity - and the emergence of opportunistic, privately owned so-called Guardianship scams (which charge high rents and offer no security or rights whatsoever) has: destroyed an age-old counterbalance to the unassailable right of property owners to allow good property to lie empty, completely destroyed our city's ability to support innovative communal group living on any scale, enabled uncontrollable inflation of rented living space, encouraged profiteering by wholly unsuitable buy-to-let landlords driven young people out of London or onto the streets. Short-life housing schemes were once common in London, run by local authority housing departments and Social Landlords (housing associations), these schemes brought homeless people and empty property together within a simple legal framework that recognised squatters rights for an agreed period of years in exchange for the basic maintenance of property by occupants. Many of the housing associations operated as co-ops set up by squatters themselves. Now that Housing Associations have developed to be social landlord property owners themselves, with fully fledged legal capacity, such schemes would be easier to operate now than before. It is ironic that such a simple idea, needed now as never before, has been so lightly let go. Squatting saved 70's London. Breathing new life into run-down areas, enabling arts business start-ups, allowing people to live together in ways other than single living, coupledom or three/four people sharing a huge rent in exchange for a shelf in a fridge. London needs squatting back; for housing, for experimental living, for affordable lifestyles for those putting vocation above income. Without it our city is hollowing out as developers take control and young people leave. Without squatting, London would not be the vibrant place it has grown to be, but may not be for much longer. Squatting saved London. And it saved many Londoners.( It certainly saved me. I was a squatter in the 70's for 8 years.) And it would have saved Kinga. Kinga was a 22 year old law student we (staff of The Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone) found sleeping, blue with cold, in the carpark next door just before Christmas. She died the following day after returning to the streets for her last night hoping to be picked up by a homeless charity. Drugs and relationship breakdown were part of her story, but basically she had just fallen through all the cracks - just as any of us could. All of us who met her know the key element in her tragedy was having no roof of her own.

Ched Evans continued attempts to sign for any club prepared to have him are bringing the game of football into disrepute. Evans is a convicted rapist who has shown no remorse and refused to acknowledge his guilt. Footballers whether rightly or wrongly are viewed as a role models especially by their younger fans. Evans is a convicted rapist who has not served his full sentence he has only been released on licence, and is on the sex offenders register. Most football clubs run community projects and Evans due to his conviction cannot have any dealings with children and would not be able to take part in any such projects. His registration to play professional football should be cancelled with immediate effect. Once his appeal has been heard and if it is successful that will be a different matter and his situation could be reviewed then.

Thousands of mountain hares are shot and snared in Scotland because they allegedly carry a disease which reduces the number of grouse available to be shot for "sport". In some areas where mountain hares were previously abundant they are now rare or extinct. This is a national scandal. Scottish Natural Heritage is appealing for "voluntary restraint" from the grouse shooting lobby, but they have already had years to put their house in order. The time has now come for robust, properly enforced legislation to protect the mountain hare which is an important part of Scotland's biodiversity and a revenue earning tourist attraction. You can read more about the Scottish mountain hare here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2875818/Amazing-pictures-rare-mountain-hares-hunched-against-freezing-weather-blizzard-conditions.html

'Liverpool City Council recently revealed plans to privatise Supported Accommodation for people with learning difficulties in the city. These services play an essential role in supporting people to live independently in the community. The plans will lead to staff losing their jobs or working for new private bosses. The bosses won't hesitate to drive down the pay and conditions of their staff. This will result in a high turnover of staff. This will affect the quality of support tenants get. At a time when many people with learning difficulties/physically disabled can't find work and suffer from hate crime, support should be extended not cut. We the undersigned demand that this support should be provided as a public service by staff who know the tenants, not by the private sector.'

Denying families’ access to economic participation creates poverty traps, social isolation, associated problems and potential expenditure. The business case for providing specialist childcare provision is incontestable. Local governments in the UK stand to save up to ten times their investment. Europe is also failing to exploit the potential of numerous skilled professionals. Childcare provision has proliferated over the last twenty years and the offer of wrap around provision at schools is being celebrated. Families with disabled children would like to participate but sourcing provision is impossible because specialist childcare requires subsidy. Evidence is the gap http://www.edcm.org.uk/media/155556/parliamentary-inquiry-into-childcare-web.pdf

The provision of a bridge or underpass with lifts will improve access to Sudbury Branch line rail services for those with impaired movement, heavy luggage, wheelchairs, bicycles and children. The current lack of lifts mean many people cannot access rail services and are forced to travel by road instead. Installation costs will be offset by increased passenger numbers as a consequence of investment. To download a poster click here: http://bit.ly/1KGG10B ... or for further details read our Press Release here: http://bit.ly/14nVzW4

Like many Londoners, I usually buy a monthly or weekly travelcard. However, if I take a week or two off work I will not renew my card until back at work. I did this over Christmas and on several occasions went into central London for the day at a cost of £8.90. The price is now a whopping £12. I also worry that people who do not work a regular 5 day, 9-5 type of job will find this price hike punitive. It feels like we are being punished for living in the outer London boroughs. However, hitting those in outer London with this massive price rise is only the start. If we don't stop this now, next year they will come for the central London travelcard too. Off peak travel is a vital tool in spreading passenger journeys and easing the rush hour crunch. With train and bus fares rising an average 2.5%, a rise of over 34% is an outrage.

This is a cynical abuse of power against the most vulnerable people in our society, children with no parents, living in care, by the most powerful people in society. If we can prosecute footballers for rape, why are MPs getting away with planned rapes of carefully selected children? It is outrageous. The Secrets Act is being used by Theresa May to dampen down this issue. Let's make sure that does not happen. The allegations of abuse are serious, detailing very violent acts against these children.

THE TIMELINE 2017: • 25Apr: Inquiry into 3 Appeals against Enforcement and Planning Refusal begins. Legal counsels for Parish Councils, WSCC and CDC, with independent experts to take part. • 29Mar: Leon Mekitarian, Director Farm Fuel faces suspension, curtailment or disqualification of operator's licence in new Traffic Commissioner's Public Inquiry. • 27Feb: Appointment of Philip Gerrard (also Director, Eastern Counties Finance 1 Ltd, with whom Crouchland hold a mortgage & debenture) and Andrew Vernau as Directors to Crouchland Biogas Ltd. • 6 Feb: Statements of Case by WSCC, CDC & Parish Councils for remaining Appeals submitted. • 27Jan: Farm Fuel called to new Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry for alleged breaches of timing condition at company’s Woking operating centre and allegations of trailers used during suspension period. • 23Jan: Crouchland submit 405 pages of new documents for Appeals rendering previous documents redundant as they disclose ‘new baseline’ for retrospective planning application refusal. The joint Parish Councils and legal counsel are left just 9 days to respond. 2016: • 14Dec: The government confirms reformed Renewable Heat Incentive subsidy scheme. ‘all new Non-Domestic RHI applicants for accreditation and those seeking registration for injection of biomethane should have all necessary planning permissions in place before they are accredited / registered.’ It’s not implemented retrospectively so Crouchland still claim large subsidy. • 30Nov: Farm Fuel licence suspension begins. No HGVs allowed to leave Woking Operating Centre for 2 weeks. • 10Nov: After Farm Fuel licence suspension, CEO John Morea - Southern Gas Networks (SGN) confirms "We would expect the contractor in question to comply with the suspension and have informed Crouchland Biogas Ltd we won’t be accepting any biomethane from this particular gas transportation source during its suspension." • 3Nov: Traffic Commissioner suspends Farm Fuel HGV licence for 2 weeks (1-15 Dec). The unauthorised use has been extensive, prolonged and the operator sought to conceal the extent of this. • 30Sep: Crouchland Farms fined. • 22Jul: Crouchland Farms plead guilty to illegally discharging polluting material to River Kird on 02Dec2013. No announcements yet on significant pollution events in 2015 & 2016. • 18Jul: Ofgem respond to a FOI request and advise Crouchland have received £4,359,537 in RHI subsidy from financial year 2014/15. • 22Jun: The Planning Inspectorate publish Appeal decision re: the Certificate of Lawful Use granted by WSCC. The appeal allowed in part. The Inspector concludes that WSCC’s refusal to grant a certificate of lawful use or development in respect of the two metal containers to aid gas conditioning for the biogas plant, attached to the LDC and the conditioning and exportation of biogas was not well-founded and that the appeal in respect of these items and activity should succeed. In respect of the separator and the flare, attached to the LDC, and the importation of waste and any other materials for anaerobic digestion from land outside the boundaries of Crouchland Farm, the Inspector concluded that WSCC’s refusal to grant a cert. of lawful use or development in respect of these items and activity was well-founded and that the appeal should fail. (APP/P3800/X/15/3137735). • 27May: Crouchland seeks adjournment to EA legal case. • 17May: Traffic Inquiry reconvenes. • 11-12May: Appeal against Cert. of Lawfulness is heard. • 29Apr: The Environment Agency announce legal proceedings against Crouchland Farms for Dec2013 pollution of River Kird. • 29Mar: P.O.R.E receives letter stating “The Gas Alliance Group (including Gas Bus Alliance) no longer take any Biomethane from Crouchland Farms Ltd or Crouchland Biogas Ltd.” and threatening legal action should villagers “communicate any information to any Bodies or Persons which is contrary to this statement”. Tony Griffiths is signatory, former General Manager of MAN UK bus operations. • 29 Mar: Barry Evans resigns from Crouchland Biogas. • 16Mar: Another significant pollution incident occurs and while cleanup in progress SGN disassociate themselves stating Crouchland is separate and they have no corporate responsibility for the actions of this autonomous company. Contrary to CEO John Morea’s 2013 Annual Report that Crouchland was SGN's partner; and from an email to WSCC 28Aug2014 supporting the retrospective planning application, stating "Our pioneering partnership with Crouchland Biogas..." and though SGN have a fixed / floating charge on the property / undertakings of Crouchland Biogas. • 4Mar: Crouchland apply to substantially vary EA environmental permit (EPR/CB3208XJ/V002). • 12Jan: Farm Fuel called to Traffic Commissioner enquiry for breaches to Operator’s licence ie. using the farm as an unauthorised Operating Centre. 2015: • Nov: Parish Councils launch planning fund for expert / legal counsel. • Oct: Crouchland lodge Appeals against Enforcement Notices (to dismantle all equipment installed without planning permission & to stop operating as a commercial biogas plant); retrospective planning refusal and Cert. of Lawfulness. • 1Sep: WSCC issue Cert. of Lawfulness excluding conditioning & export of gas, importation of waste & other materials for anaerobic digestion and many items of development. • 16Jul: CDC issue 2 Enforcement Notices with staggered compliance dates for cease of use of land and 6mths for remaining requirements (PS/13/00015/CONCOU). • 23Jun: The EA attends pollution incident on adjoining farm’s watercourse with significant impact on ecology & ability to water livestock. • 16Jun: CDC inform WSCC they strongly object to granting Cert. of Lawfulness. • 2Jun: WSCC pass CDC responsibility to investigate & serve Enforcement but are clear multiple planning breaches have occurred. • For events prior to 2Jun15 contact PORE.

My 22-year old son James – who has autism and severe learning disabilities – is one of many vulnerable disabled adults who rely on these services. Cuts in support services will have a devastating effect on the lives of all these people - like my son - who are unable to speak up for themselves. Haringey Council plans to cut millions from their budget, with services for disabled and the most vulnerable people bearing the brunt. Just before Christmas I found out that the Council has started a very short consultation about autism and day centre service closures. Haringey Council sent a document to the disabled people who use the services. However, it was only sent out a few days before Christmas and failed to mention some key points. The document did NOT mention the plans to shut three of only four remaining day centres. How can seriously disabled people have their say if they haven’t been clearly told what the plans are? This shows that Haringey are not conducting this consultation in a fair or clear way. My son James needs specialist support 24/7 to keep him safe and to help him to take part in everyday activities, like going to the shops or swimming, that give him some enjoyment in life. If he does not get this support he gets anxious, starts hitting himself or banging his head on the floor. And I am sorry to say, he will attack others too. There are so many people like James in Haringey, who rely on day centres and support services to give them safety and stability in their lives. If these cuts go through I fear for the future of my son and many people like him. Without these essential support services, their future looks bleak. Please help us to stop this from happening. Haringey Council wants to shift the burden of care for people like James back on to families and carers. But only the most severely disabled are currently getting services, and many families will not be able to cope without this support. I want your help to say to Haringey Council: • Don’t close the three day centres for people with disabilities (including the only dedicated autism day service) • Don’t cut care and support packages for adults with the most complex needs • Don’t cut social work staff

Sky news reported, "UK wholesale gas prices have hit a record low, piling more pressure on energy firms to explain why household bills have not been slashed." Wholesale energy prices fell by around 25% in 2014 yet household bills have not seen any significant reduction. People are suffering fuel poverty while the energy companies make even bigger profits.