Archived News November 2005 Hurrah for Hexham! Nov 29th After many months, hundreds of miles, several visits to tea shops and one amazing lunch, the winner of England's Favourite Market Town competition, sponsored by Strutt & Parker, has been declared. But it wasn't easy, as Rupert Uloth explains. Have Your Say on Heritage Nov 28th A new consultation on how people think that Heritage Lottery money should be spent has launched today, in an attempt to garner the public's opinion on where the money is best spent in the future. Bowler attack batsman sentenced Nov 27th A village cricketer who attacked the 14-year-old bowler who got him out has been given 175 hours community work. Roadside clutter campaign Nov 26th CPRE are campaigning to urge local highway authorities (your County Council, Unitary Authority or Metropolitan Borough) to avoid urbanising the countryside through excessive use of road signs, markings and poorly designed street furniture. Householders must not rubbish environment Nov 22nd New regulations will make householders responsible for the disposal of their rubbish. Watery haven for wildlife Nov 21st Rare wildlife has been found along the canal and river network. Hunt Kennels Attacked Nov 20th Police are appealing for information about an incident which took place last weekend at a kennels in Essex, where horses and hounds were let loose, and offensive graffiti sprayed on the road. Farm buildings under threat Nov 19th Historic farm buildings are vanishing from the countryside at a time when a new report provides the first evidence that investment rural heritage pays dividends for rural communities New kitchen to boost village life Nov 18th A new community kitchen has opened in a pub in a Lincolnshire village. Red letter day for squirrels Nov 15th Conservation organisations and landowners have come together to provide Red Squirrel Reserves. Farmers Strike On Nov 14th The Farmers for Action Strike is going ahead, in an effort to gain recognition from supermarkets and other secondary producers that they are at their wits' end. Poultry keepers should plan ahead Nov 13th Bird owners should be making plans on how their birds could be moved indoors at short notice, should it be necessary. This is the latest advice from Debby Reynolds, the Government's chief vet. Falconer Set to Make Hunting History Nov 12th Falconer Nick Ross plans to be the first to fly his bird while mounted on a horse in the hunting field. Producing food at a loss threatens countryside Nov 9th More is being done for the environment but farm incomes continue to decline and the average farmer is losing money producing food, which means diversification and European aid are vital to underpin farm profits and maintain investment in the countryside Open access implemented across England Nov 3rd The opening of ‘access land’ throughout England is completed this week. Village halls scoop the lottery Nov 2nd Community buildings are set to benefit financially from the Big Lottery Fund. Out of the frying pan and into a tax wrangle Nov 1st The Forestry Commission is trialling biodiesel in its vans but plans by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs could threaten this initiative.