Archived News July/Aug 2006 Climate Change Threatens Country Estates Aug 31st Historic country seats such as Windsor and Holkham are being destroyed by the changing climate, but a coherent EU policy could diminish the effects, says the CLA. Village cricketers to play at Lord’s Aug 30th Yorkshire is playing Somerset at the home of cricket at the weekend but it will not be the county sides in the crease. For the teams walking out onto the hallowed ground at Lord’s on Sunday 3 September 2006 are both hoping to be victors in the final of the npower Village Cup. College hopefuls need residential help Aug 29th Following their GCSE results, teenagers living in rural areas are now making the decision to find work or return to study. Hunting Not Top Police Priority Aug 22nd A regional newspaper is reporting that a chief police officer claims hunting is not a top police priority and will be treated like all other wildlife crime. Small creatures like healthier rivers Aug 21st Insects and other small creatures, such as shrimps and snails, are benefiting from healthier rivers and streams, as river biology results are announced. Hunting Not Top Police Priority Aug 20th A regional newspaper is reporting that a chief police officer claims hunting is not a top police priority and will be treated like all other wildlife crime. Japanese knotweed for chop in Cornwall Aug 19th A major eradication programme of Japanese knotweed, thought to be the longest continuous stretch ever tackled in the UK, will begin on Monday 21 August along a 7-mile stretch of the Cornish countryside. The project is set to take three years to complete and is being led by the National Trust in the Kenidjack Valley in west Cornwall. Countryside in Grip of ‘Deadly’ Drought Aug 17th Wildlife is dying, rivers are shrinking and leaves are falling as drought conditions devastate Britain’s countryside Health spending lower in rural areas Aug 16th There is evidence that a greater percentage of money is being channelled into urban health care at the expense of rural patients. This is the conclusion of a study carried out by researchers at Cambridge University Medical School Cider Is Apple of Britain's Eye Aug 10th The renewed lustre for cider has brought a turn-around in the fortunes of apple growers across the country, says the National Association of Cider Makers. Foreign invaders targeted Aug 9th A top ten most wanted list of foreign species that have overstayed their environmental visa has been released by the Environment Agency. Fly-tipping costs millions monthly Aug 8th New data shows that fly-tipping is now costing local authorities as much to clean up as waste dumped by organised waste criminals. So a new guide has been published to help councils counteract fly-tipping, especially fly-tipping by householders Housing Market Revival Continues Aug 7th The Land Registry's latest survey shows that property prices rose at their strongest rate since the beginning of 2005 in the latest quarter Domesday Book online Aug 4th Does your home town feature in the Domesday Book? With a new website, you can find out with just a few clicks of the mouse. Supermarkets Under Siege at Game Fair Aug 2nd A petition against supermarket chains’ vice-like hold over customers and suppliers will be launched at the CLA Game Fair this afternoon. Moorland fires question right to roam Aug 1st Following the spate of fires in recent weeks, Landowners have raised concerns regarding the inflexibility of right-to-roam access in high-risk situations Mapping the flight of the bumblebee July 31st Bumblebees have an incredible homing instinct that allows them to find their way home from up to eight miles away, according to research that aims to aid efforts to save the British bumblebee. Confusion in natural events July 30th Scottish animals and plants are responding to climate change but some are responding quicker than others, according to a new report published by Scottish Natural Heritage Organic market booming July 29th Growth in the UK organic market has increased by 30 per cent, a three-fold rise on the previous year, to total almost £1.6 billion in sales – averaging an extra £7 million a week. Restoring a part of village life July 26th Restoration Village will call on the public to participate in saving precious buildings that are historically important to local rural communities – barns, chapels, farmhouses, inns and workshops. This serious will feature 21 rural buildings from seven different regions around the UK, which have once played a central role in their village. Beating the heat July 25th As July temperatures soar and with another heatwave predicted this week, the public is being asked to look after themselves, their animals and the countryside. Don’t chop your chestnuts! July 24th People are being urged not to cut down their horse chestnut trees if they appear to be dying or are in a poor condition this summer, without having a reputable arboriculturist or tree surgeon check what the problem is first. That’s because the tree might not be dying at all. Record Attendance at Festival of Hunting July 23rd More visitors than ever flocked to The Festival of Hunting in Peterborough yesterday, as a testimony to continued support for the sport Tread carefully – no tyre dumping July 19th Used tyres can no longer be sent to landfills, following the introduction of new regulations across England and Wales. New roads are damaging the countryside July 18th Traffic on new roads is growing much faster than the Government forecast, according to a recent study commissioned by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the Countryside Agency. Mining landscape recognised as valued heritage July 17th The mining landscape of Cornwall and West Devon has become a World Heritage Site, following a decision by the World Heritage Committee meeting last week. State of the Countryside: Divided July 16th The State of the Countryside report 2006 paints a worrying picture for those looking to make a living in the countryside and aren't earning London wages. Licensing system for village halls to change July 12th Village halls and other community venues may no longer have to name a single person to be in charge of their premises licence – instead the responsibility would fall to the whole management committee, Licensing Minister Shaun Woodward has announced. Hedgerows don’t come free July 11th Farmers make a huge, hidden contribution to conserving England’s beautiful countryside, a new report reveals. It estimates they carry out in excess of £400 million worth of landscape work a year beyond what they do within the framework of agri-environment schemes. Cut Farm Payments, Cut Conservation July 10th Abolishing financial support for farmers will result in abandoned land and intensified agriculture, a new report shows. Organic Demand Outpaces Supply July 9th Organically grown food is increasingly popular but the Soil Association fears retailers will buy overseas if British producers cannot meet the demand. Keeping canals crime-free July 5th A new leaflet aimed at preventing crime and encouraging the reporting of crime on Northamptonshire’s canals and rivers has been launched by British Waterways South East, Northamptonshire Police and the Environment Agency. Fertiliser terror threat July 4th Farmers’ leaders have been updated on the situation regarding the use of ammonium nitrate as an explosive by Graham Smith, of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO). Bogs brought back from the brink July 3rd Now a new conservation initiative designed to save one of south Scotland’s rarest and most threatened habitats – lowland peat bogs – is to receive over £2.4million in funding.