West Sussex is a low risk area for bovine TB with a herd prevalence of around 0.1%, a level that has remained stable since 2006. So contractors with rifles are not likely to come after our large mustelid neighbours any time soon. If you really want to learn more then the just-published Strategy for achieving Officially Bovine Tuberculosis Free status for England [PDF, 85 pages] awaits your attention.
Latest News of Local Interest
There is no music in the nightingale
Click on the bird for a full LAMBS report. The BBC has elicited a response from the ecowibble office at Mayfield Market Towns Limited:
We have already employed ecologists to carry out preliminary studies, and the next stage will be to conduct more in-depth ecological studies which we will be consulting on at a later stage. This is all part of the normal planning process and we wouldn’t be allowed to develop without showing that we have looked at our ecological impact.
[Title from Shakespeare, illustration by Henry Stannard]
Wrong way
The Argus reports:
A pensioner has been arrested after driving up to five miles the wrong way down the A27. The 74-year-old from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving at 6.40am this morning (Wednesday 2nd). .. An officer travelling on the westbound carriageway managed to get him to stop east of the Kingston roundabout.
Bluebells at Furzefield
Early signs are for a very good bluebell display this year. Keep an eye out as you are passing, probably going to be getting good around 20th April. All villagers and families welcome, keep children under control, regret no pets. Please call on 271 before you come.
We will be delighted to see you.
Bob & Pam
The Poynings burglars [update 2]
More details from the Chichester Observer here.
Four years
South Downs Way 50 2014
You are much too late to sign up for this but you can at least avoid it. Just stay off the South Downs Way on the afternoon of Saturday 5th April.
There’s a catch, of course.
Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2014
The competition includes, inter alia, an award from the South Downs Society for a project set within the Sussex boundaries of the South Downs National Park. The closing date for entries is Friday 11th April 2014. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Thursday 3rd July at 12:30pm in Pangdean Old Barn, Pyecombe. Click the images above for full details and an application form.
SSE bails out of offshore windfarm
EDP24 quotes a spokesman as follows:
SSE does not currently believe that the costs of constructing and operating Galloper, and the revenue likely to be earned from it once built will provide a return on SSE’s capital investment that will enable the project to compete successfully ..
See also basking shark and E.ON/E.OFF.