Archived News December 2003 The earliest record of a village baptism Dec 28th A baby girl called Christine Hay was baptised 450 years ago this month in the village of Errol in Perthshire. A year to remember for Ashington Dec 27th As the New Year beckons, Ashington in West Sussex is celebrating winning 2003 Calor Village of the Year for England and Wales Some of our harriers are missing Dec 27th The hunt is on over the festive holiday to track down one of England’s rarest breeding birds – the hen harrier. Broadband so near yet so far Dec 26th After campaigning to get broadband in his village, one man tells his story after learning it was out of reach. And a partridge in a pear tree Dec 23rd The wild grey partridge, which has seen a massive 85% decline in its population over the past 30 years, may at last be reviving, according to the Game Conservancy Trust. Don’t make a splash whilst revelling Dec 22nd Seasonal revellers should play safe this Christmas by taking care near waterways, particularly after drinking alcohol, urges British Waterways. Mosses lost to Christmas wreaths Dec 22nd Sphagnum and other mosses are being illegally harvested to support the booming seasonal trade in Christmas wreaths, warn conservationists and police 'Ghost village' comes back to life Dec 21st Former residents of a village evacuated in 1943 return for a carol service in their abandoned church. Windfarm money reopens church Dec18th An ancient village church which has been renovated with money from a windfarm opens again after 10 years Anger over radio mast Dec17th Villagers in Wadhurst, East Sussex are rallying opposition to a 23 metre police communications mast which they say is being forced by stealth upon their community. Village switches on to Christmas Dec17th An isolated community is lit up for the first time this festive season - seven months after getting mains power. Rights of way abusers should be accountable Dec16th Proposals to curtail the inappropriate use of mechanically propelled vehicles on countryside rights of way are outlined in a new public consultation. All under one roof Dec16th New guidance on how to deliver a variety of public services to rural people through single outlets has just been launched. Fight to save village school Dec15th Parents take a council to the High Court in an attempt to save a village school from closure. 'Ghost towns' warning Dec14th Many West Country villages will become ghost towns if they cannot hold onto their local jobs and businesses, a report says. Mobile cinema for rural villages Dec13th Villagers in Monmouthshire will be able to see the latest Hollywood movies thanks to a mobile cinema. Village road protest continues Dec12th Residents of a Staffordshire village who won a fight for speed cameras at an accident black spot appeal for more safety measures. A POX ON THE COUNTRYSIDE?? Dec11th CPRE claims the Government's draft planning policy for the countryside offers a prospect of steadily increasing disfigurement by spreading development Concern over surgery loss Dec10th Residents of a village where a surgery is closing complain they are the latest victims of the region's shortage of doctors. Villagers begin foot patrols Dec10th Residents in North Yorkshire villages mount night patrols to stop thieves. Villagers oppose salad company plans Dec10th Villagers in a quiet valley make a final attempt to stop a huge salad company expanding. Rural residents get emergency support Dec10th Community police are to work with the other emergency services in Lancashire, in a unique scheme. Rural pupils land better grades Dec 9th New statistics on Wales' GCSE results for 16-year-olds show pupils in rural areas do better than their urban counterparts. Poisoning of wildlife remains a hazard Dec 9th The abuse of pesticides is a bigger hazard to wildlife and pets than legitimate use, according to the annual report of the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme Company pays for damage to special site Dec 8th A company has been fined and ordered to carry out restoration work to rectify damage done to a nationally important wildlife site in Cornwall Villagers plan waste fight Dec 7th Villagers near Shrewsbury are fighting plans that could lead to an increase in waste recycling at a plant near their homes Red Kites to Fly over Northern Skies Dec 6th Once a common sight in the British Isles, red kites - extinct in northern England for the past 150 years - are to be reintroduced with the help of a £300,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund Sudden Oak Death Spreads Dec 5th New cases of sudden oak death discovered in the UK are prompting fears that the disease will have a serious effect on our tree population. Council tax 'flaws' caused rises Dec 4th "Fundamental flaws" in the way Whitehall shares out money helped cause this year's record council tax rises, says a watchdog. Village life given housing boost Dec 4th Can a change in planning policy ease a housing crisis which threatens to destroy rural communities? Planning: getting it right Dec 3rd Key opportunity for change in the House of Commons Thelwell Exhibition Opens Dec 3rd An exhibition opening on Tuesday, December 2, at the Mall Galleries in London allows an insight into the prolific work of Norman Thelwell Hot dry summer could have long lasting effect Dec 2nd The Environment Agency has warned that England and Wales could face water shortages and drought in 2004, but new measures in The Water Act could see further water abstraction from already low rivers, which could have a devastating effect on wildlife, say environmentalists. The highs and lows for England’s birds Dec 2nd The number of wild birds in England has begun to stabilise after 20 year’s decline, but certain species are on a downward spiral, according to a new report. Ragwort should soon be under control Dec 1stThe Ragwort Control Bill has now received Royal Assent and is an Act. It applies to England and Wales, and will come into force on 20 February 2004. Counting on the future of England’s heritage Dec 1stMuch of our heritage is in peril, with lack of funding, a shortage of building skills and the threat of development, according to a new report.