Archived News July/Aug/Sep 2007 Signs clutter rural roadsides Sep 28th Up to 70% of the signs on our rural roads are unnecessary and could be removed, according to a recent survey. Questions root out pig ignorance about farm animals Sep 27th If you didn't know that chickens communicate using 20 different types of call then you aren't alone - Freedom Food believes that whilst most people are aware of their own pet's intelligence, they haven't really got a clue when it comes to farm animals. Best of Cotswolds Life Sep 26th View some highlights of our picture essay of England's jewel -- the Cotswolds Roman Bath House for sale Sep 25th A plot of land containing an ancient Roman bath house has come onto the market, and the vendors are looking for someone who can restore the site for the benefit of future generations New schools trading website Sep 20th Parents can trade uniform and text books within the network of independent schools on a new website July floods cost insurers £1.5bn Sep 19th Damage caused in Gloucestershire by the July floods cost insurers £1.5bn Gun culture in rural areas Sep 18th Over 5 million adults "know how to acquire an illegal firearm", including nearly 1 in 5 men and this applies in rural areas as well as inner cities. Appeal for rural health support Sep 17th With only a few weeks to go to Rural Health Week being held 1-6 October, health sector, local government and voluntary organisations are being urged to come forward with examples of how they are working together to improve rural health and wellbeing. Undisturbed countryside declining Sep 11th At current rates of loss, countryside free from major disturbance could all but disappear in most regions of England well before the end of the century. Kent fights for its Post Offices Sep 10th A countywide campaign to support Kent’s post office network - in the face of threatened closures - has been launched by Kent County Council Organic sales rising Sep 9th Organic food and drink sales in the UK nudged the £2 billion mark for the first time in 2006, with a sustained market growth rate of 22 per cent throughout the year. Crimes against protected birds increase by 50 per cent Sep 8th Crimes against protected birds increase by 50 per cent, prompting the RSPB to call for more support for birds of prey ‘The era of cheap food is ending’ Sep 5th The NFU and National Pig Association declare that cheap pork and poultry is unsustainable Crackdown on wildlife crime Sep 4th New penalties for people who commit crimes against wildlife could include the removal of firearms licences and cutting of farm aid payments, it has been announced. Set-aside loss threatens wildlife Sep 3rd A wildlife success story could fail within a year if more farmland is cultivated, reducing food and shelter for farmland birds, the RSPB is warning. Estuaries bid for special conservation status Sep 2nd Three estuaries – the Dee, Humber and Severn – have been earmarked by the Government as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), to protect vulnerable wildlife and habitats. Builders believed to have spread FMD Sep 1st Builders' tyres are suspected to have caused last month's outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) New homes on green land Aug 23rd This week the independent Panel which examined the draft South East Plan for future housing is expected to report its findings. A survey on waterways Aug 22nd Boaters and anyone else with an interest in inland waterways are being asked to help shape the future of some of England’s most popular navigable rivers by taking part in an Environment Agency survey. Green scheme competition launched Aug 21st A design competition for a project that will become the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Britain’s largest eco-regeneration scheme has been announced by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Forestry Commission. Wet weather boosts slug population Aug 20th Rain has caused an unprecedented increase in the number of slugs – and not just in the country The best beachcombing in the UK Aug 19th A study reveals the best place for finding treasures on our coastline Scientific hunting evidence in question Aug 15th A report produced jointly by the All Party Parliamentary Middle Way Group and the Veterinary Association for Wildlife Management has demolished the claims that there is any valid scientific evidence to justify the hunting ban Growth edges up Aug 14th The latest survey from RICs shows house price growth edging up, although there are further signs of weakening in the market Foot and Mouth Disease in Surrey Aug 6th An investigation into an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle at a farm in Surrey is focusing on international diagnostic laboratories and vaccine production at Pirbright nearby. The future of our waterways Aug 5th Fundamental differences between the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and British Waterways (BW) have got to be resolved if the care and development of the UK’s vital canals and rivers system is to be assured in the future Safeguarding the nation’s plants Aug 4th This conservation initiative spotlights internationally important plant life and plant habitats across the UK for the first time, acknowledging that plants are the ‘bedrock’ underpinning all our nation’s wildlife. Identifying these areas will provide the means to prioritise conservation action for plants in the UK and provide a new approach to conserving our wild plant resources says Plantlife, a wild plant conservation charity. Prices to rise 40% in 5 years Aug 3rd House prices in England are to rise by as much as 40% across England by 2012, predicts the National Housing Federation Ten top tips for selling your house July 20th A study commissioned by Nationwide has found out what matters most to potential buyers when viewing a property Lessons to be learned from floods July 19th A review to look at how the recent floods were managed and responded to by the Environment Agency, local authorities, the emergency services and others has been announced by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. Lasers reveal forests’ secrets July 18th Laser beams shone down from the sky are revealing archaeological and other treasures hidden in Britain’s forests by ‘seeing through’ the trees. Leading global house prices July 4th Emerging and traditional global property markets have outperformed domestic house price growth, according to a new report A life on the land July 3rd Look to the countryside to see how it can give you the career of your dreams – this is the message from the NFU as its launches a new report on Monday 2 July to attract young people to jobs in agriculture. Coastal access consultation begins July 2nd A consultation on opening up the entire of Britain's coastline to walkers and ramblers has been launched Wettest July start for years July 1st Heavy rain during the last week of June has caused unprecedented flooding across parts of the UK for this time of year. Householders in town and country alike have been affected and many farms are under water.