Archived News Sept/Oct 2006 New discovery of old woods Oct 31st Over 600 additional ancient woodlands have been found in mid-Sussex following a recent survey. Countryside Loses £50 million Oct 30th A £200 million overspend has prompted Defra to cut £50 million from the annual budgets of rural organisations, it has been revealed. Hunting Continues to Grow Oct 30th A new survey of hunts has revealed that support and participation in the sport are continuing to grow. Rural Payments Agency out of its depth Oct 24th Difficulties with setting up and administering the EU’s Single Payment Scheme have caused distress to farmers, cost them money and undermined confidence in the Rural Payment Agency according to a new report. Current tranquil areas mapped Oct 23rd A new way of measuring and mapping tranquillity in the countryside is unveiled this week. Traditional orchards need to be valued and protected Oct 22nd A UK Habitat Action Plan for traditional orchards is being called for in order to recognise their true nature conservation value. French Get Taste for English Wines Oct 21st The French have started selling English wine after a group of sommeliers were impressed whilst touring vineyards in Kent. Northumberland ‘Most Tranquil County' Oct 20th The North-East is top of the list for peace and quiet according to a CPRE survey, while Slough is named England’s least tranquil area. Dovedale is officially a national jewel Oct 19th With its famous stepping stones, Dovedale in the Peak District is one of the most iconic sites in England. Canal resurgence in jeopardy Oct 18th Following government budget cuts to British Waterways, members of the public who want to see the canal network maintained for the future, have launched a ‘Save our Waterways’ campaign. SFP Errors Cost Farmers £22.5 million Oct 17th Delays in Single Farm Payments cost Britain's farmers millions, some to consider leaving farming altogether, says the National Audit Office Millions Lobby for Rural Post Offices Oct 16th Tony Blair received the largest domestic petition ever of four million names demanding action to save rural post offices Key issues for rural England Oct 10th The first report from the Government’s Rural Advocate identifies the lives of many people living in rural areas as being blighted by disadvantage, poverty and exclusion. Land access to rivers Oct 9th A two-year study by the Environment Agency into how landowners can open up more rivers across England for canoeing has been completed and the findings released. Parasite evident in garden birds Oct 8th An unusual number of Greenfinches, Chaffinches and even House Sparrows are dying having contracted the parasitic disease Trichomoniasis. Shooting Boosts Britain Oct 7th On the eve of the start of this year's pheasant shooting season, new research shows shooting provides 70,000 jobs and contributes £1.6 billion to the economy. Hunts Offer Open Invitation Oct 6th Newcomers' days are to be held this month by hunts across the country, giving people the opportunity to see for themselves what hunting is all about Flood storage scheme opens Sep 27th The largest flood storage project in Europe, at the Alkborough Flats Tidal Defence Scheme in Lincolnshire, has been opened. Consultation on producing compost Sep 26th Over half of the waste in the nation’s bins could be turned into valuable compost for gardens, parks and allotments under new plans just announced. Birds flock to gardens Sep 25th The results of the Garden Bird Feeding Survey (GBFS), for the 2005/06 winter have been just been published by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). British food is celebrated Sep 24th The fifth British Food Fortnight runs from 23 September to 8 October and is the biggest national celebration of the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces. FMD: Over 1 Million Unnecessary Deaths Sep 23rd A large percentage of farm animals slaughtered during the 2001 foot-and-mouth crisis were uninfected, new research has shown. Bird Flu Risk Increases Sep 19th As large numbers of water fowl migrate back to Britain this autumn the Government has launched an intensive bird flu testing programme to keep check on the deadly disease. Youth behave in the countryside Sep 18th The majority of young people are likely to behave responsibly in the countryside, according to a new report. Microchipping wayside crosses Sep 17th Medieval granite wayside crosses in Cornwall are being microchipped to prevent their theft. Mediterranean blooms could oust English planting Sep 16th The quintessential English garden and lawn is under threat from climate change. An internet TV channel for people who love country life. Sep 14th The Country Channel is a unique multi-channel web based broadcast service dedicated to local communities throughout rural locations world-wide. Enthusiasm for national water grid dries up Sep 13th A large-scale water grid from the north of England or Wales is not the answer to water shortages in the south east, according to the Environment Agency. Deaf excluded from countryside Sep 12th Deaf people are often excluded from access to the countryside, due to lack of adequate facilities, according to a new report by Scottish Natural Heritage Walkers Warned Of Disease Risks Sep 11th Long trousers and insect repellent can protect against Lyme disease, a debilitating disease contracted from ticks found in woodland areas. Make history and visit our heritage Sep 6th The biggest free access day to major heritage sites in the UK takes place on Saturday 9 September 2006. Higher taxes for fewer services Sep 5th A new study has concluded that a cross-section of council services cost more to provide in rural areas than in towns and cities.