Archived News September 2004 TRANSPORT TO HEALTHCARE SCHEMES – AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE Sept 30th Schemes have serious problems attracting long-term funding and support, because service providers generally aren’t aware of the contribution they make. Holiday homes isolate villagers Sept 29th A rise in holiday homes is causing isolation for permanent residents in seaside villages, a conference will hear. Engage the community for a succesful market town Sept 28th Evaluation of Countryside Agency's Market Towns Initiative published Rural services meet with approval Sept 28th Research just published reveals a high level of satisfaction among people in rural areas with key services, including health, transport and education Fallen stock scheme to start next month Sept 28th The National Fallen Stock Company has announced that the National Fallen Stock Scheme is expected to start next month. Police liaise with the post office Sept 26th Members of the public will soon be able to pick up advice on police matters while buying a book of stamps following the introduction of a new initiative in Norfolk Badly served: the isolation of country life Sept 25th It looks lovely from the outside, but many people in the countryside have trouble finding the services they need. Countryside campaigners say: get a grip on the monster Sept 24th There are likely to be over 50,000 mobile phone masts in the UK by the end of 2007 – 20% more than at present Planning Help website Sept 23rd CPRE have launched a new website to help you influence planning decisions that affect your towns, cities and countryside. The floodgates could open on vulnerable homes Sept 22nd The 1.7 million homes believed to be at risk from river or coastal flooding in England could see their market value drop by as much as 40 per cent, according to a report just issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Space satellites to help Welsh countryside Sept 21st Space satellites could transform the way the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) gathers information about different wildlife habitats across the country, following a pioneering project on the Berwyn mountain range. Huge turbines planned for village Sept 22nd Plans to put up two wind turbines taller than the London Eye has caused a storm of protest in a West Yorkshire village. Aliens are not wanted in the countryside Sept 21st Shortly after a man appeared at Stonehaven Sheriff Court for the alleged release of signal crayfish into the wild, Police and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) issued a reminder to the public that it is an offence to release non-native species. Cormorant Slaughter Sanctioned Sept 20th Thousands of protected cormorants will be culled under a new government policy. According to the Nature Conservation Minister, this is a necessary measure. Taxis called in to replace buses Sept 20th Villagers in Ceredigion are angry that buses are replaced by taxis which must be booked 24 hours in advance. Bike Rail guidance launched Sept 19th A new publication to help promote combined cycling and rail schemes throughout the country has been launched. CCTV to Spy on Illegal Hunts Sept 16th With the imminent reintroduction of the Hunting Bill to Parliament, police forces throughout the country are grappling with the issue of how a hunting ban could possibly be enforced. NEW RIGHT OF OPEN ACCESS Sept 16th Hundreds of people will set off across the Peak District moors to celebrate the beginning of a historic new right of access to open country on National Walking Day, September 19. Rural England, Gypsies and land reform Sept 15th Rows over traveller encampments have grown in the past year - but is there hope of change for the better? Right to roam takes a big step Sept 14th The most important piece of legislation to increase public access to the countryside since the establishment of National Parks in 1949 is about to be celebrated by walkers. Website for organic seeds Sept 13th Organic farmers now have access to a website which provides them with information on the availability of organic seeds within the UK – www.organicXseeds.co.uk Rural care homes closing Sept 12th Care home closures and loss of care beds, including those that take in people from rural areas, are causing deep concern to the National Care Home Association (NCHA). Rural Welsh 'forced out' by house prices Sept 11th People born and bred in the most picturesque spots in rural Wales are unable to buy property in their home towns because of rising prices Hunting Bill Battle Begins Sept 10th As expected the Government is to push all stages of the 'Banks Bill' through the Commons on September 15 Village links with Crusoe island Sept 9th A tiny fishing village is twinned with the island which inspired Daniel Defoe's classic shipwreck tale Robinson Crusoe. Household Growth Sept 8th Think about needs, not just crude demand ... says CPRE Horse and rider safety campaign launched by NFU Countryside Sept 7th NFU Countryside has announced the launch of a major safety campaign for those who ride on the roads in a bid to make it safer for all. Rainfall chaos hits organic farmers Sept 6th Terrible harvests caused by the unseasonable weather could hit organic farmers harder than any other sector, an organic certification body has warned. Splatted bugs counted Sept 5th With the recent news of large numbers of wasps and hoverflies across the UK, people may think we are swarming with insects, but the results of the RSPB’s Big Bug Count tell another story. Talks over future of phone boxes Sept 4th There are fears that many East Riding villages could be left without a phone box if planned closures go ahead. We really do love the countryside Sept 2nd The pivotal role that wildlife and the countryside play in the life of the British public has been revealed in results of a MORI poll and research, commissioned by the National Trust. Stop roadside clutter in the countryside Sep 1st A challenge to highway authorities across England to commit to save the countryside from the creeping urbanisation of excessive signs, road markings and poorly designed street furniture, has been launched by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).