DEFRA incompetence leads to massive fine

I suppose that the main political stories in our country last week were the question of what to do to tackle inner city gun crime and the announcement re bringing some of our troops back from Iraq. Of course other things happen and one of these was the announcement by written statement that we could be fined up to £305 million by the EU for the failure of the Rural Payments Agency (effectively part of DEFRA) to have paid out 96% of farm payments by June 2006. If you blinked at the wrong moment you could have missed this piece of news and I daresay that the national media paid scant attention to it.

To recap the EU decided to change the way farm subsidies were paid from one based on production to one related to environmental benefits. This massive change to the financial disbursements of the Common Agricultural Policy seems to have won majority approval from those affected but the problem was how to effect a transition between the two systems. Countries were given options on how to do this: Wales and Scotland opted for uncomplicated systems with the result that farmers didn't have to wait very long for their payments. However England decided to use a massively complicated hybrid system and also encouraged people with very small holdings who had never had production payments before to pitch in. Bear in mind our terrible record in introducing new IT systems and the result was the RPA was overwhelmed. And who was the incompetent who insisted on this way forward? Former DEFRA Secretary Margaret Beckett.

Margaret Beckett really is the most appalling person. She treated farmers and farming with absolute disdain; examples of this - she never liked to talk about farming in her speeches at Labour Party Conferences, she famously refused to be seen to be eating British beef when we were desperately trying to get back into world markets and then on another occasion when she visited Exeter (the Met Office I think) she allowed some of our farmers to stand up and make representations to her. My informant tells me that part way through someones speech she opened her handbag and started to file her nails! This is the sort of disrespect she shows. This awful awful woman has not only failed to say sorry for the RPA debacle but has been promoted to Foreign Secretary into the bargain!

Going back to the main story I do understand that the fine could reach £305 million, it could be less. Let's hope the latter. One of my biggest complaints about this government is the fact they are trying to change too much - they would have done better to have halved the number of things they have tried to alter and to have done these things really well instead of displaying the massive incompetency which has been their hallmark.

An important documentary

On BBC2 tonight there will be screened a very very important programme. This is one in the sequence of 'The Conspiracy Files' and will be looking at the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly. Last weeks programme was on 9/11 and I certainly didn't see a conspiracy by the Americans there. Incompetence yes, but no conspiracy. The David Kelly business is a totally different kettle of fish. I have read a lot about this and, like Lewes MP Norman Baker, I am absolutely convinced it was murder not suicide. I would strongly recommend reading Rowena Thursby's blog here.

There is tremendous detail in Rowena's blog but one point I want to particularly point out is this: a coroner has the power to call witnesses and to require they submit evidence under oath. I have no reason to doubt that the coroner would have done so if the Hutton enquiry hadn't effectively taken over from the inquest. Hutton didn't have those powers I've just referred to enjoyed by a coroner. Normally the coroner would have issued an interim death certificate confirming that death had taken place and the body buried while the public enquiry was taking place. Now what follows is almost unbelievable - the Coroner issues a FULL death certificate with a conclusion that Kelly committed suicide, this while Hutton was still taking evidence! And Hutton wasn't informed of this. If you wrote a novel with this sequence of events a publisher would ask you to rewrite it with a more believable storyline.

I don't have a very good sense of smell but the stench from this whole sorry saga is overwhelming.

MSC Napoli - Update

It sounds as if the remaining containers above deck might be removed during the course of this coming week. This then leaves a further 1600 down in the hold to be dealt with. Fred Caygill from The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said that it is undecided at the moment whether to remove these other containers with the ship in its present position. Apparently the below decks containers are submerged and will have to be emptied of water before lifting on to the barge. There's even a suggestion that the ship be cut up in situ. I really hope that some naval architect types can have a good look at Napoli - we ought to be informed if they can ascertain whether there were any defects in the earlier repairs.

Some items believed to have been lost from the Napoli have turned up as far east as the Isle of Wight and also on the Bournemouth beaches. Fortunately none of them are believed to be hazardous.

Although the Napoli story has faded from the national media businesses in Branscombe continue to feel the effects. Such was the spotlight on the village that folk in the tourism trade are suffering with cancelled bookings and smaller visitor numbers the order of the day. Tourism in this country seems to operate on a knife edge and I admire those involved in it for their tenacity and hard work. I do feel sorry for them in this sort of situation, a problem not of their making. The Masons Arms in Branscombe is quite upmarket I think with a staff of 42 and some of these will be quite concerned about their jobs. Although there is more work to be done down at the beach the village itself is open for business and the coast path is operational. It is a real problem getting the message over to tourists that things are nowhere near as bad now as when the media circus parachuted in.

It is ironic that during the days following the beaching nearby Sidmouth was enjoying a surge in numbers as spectators came to the resort. So there have been winners and losers I suppose.

Long diversion in North Devon upsets some

The A377 main road takes traffic from Exeter through Crediton and then after a few miles follows the Taw valley through to Barnstaple. This week has seen a massive diversion put into effect taking vehicles arriving in Crediton off to Bickleigh, Tiverton and then turning west on the North Devon link road adding, it is said, some 50 miles to the journey. The reason for this is the reconstruction of a culvert passing under the main road near Chulmleigh.

Surprise, surprise there was plenty of grumbling about the size of the diversion but I think that the highway people were right to put in place such a lengthy one mainly for the benefit of lorries. With the use of the relevant ordnance survey map and a bit of navigational skill it's possible to do a very minimal diversion but it's better to keep the big trucks away from the country lanes. Having said that although I have most of Devon and Cornwall covered with the relevant 1:50000 landranger maps Chulmleigh is near the edge of one sheet so, if forewarned about the diversion I would need at least two maps with me.

For general driving purposes I suppose it makes sense to have the next smaller scale map with you on your journey or a good motoring atlas. What it boils down to perhaps is for locals and anyone else in the know to create their own mini diversions whilst all others to grit their teeth and follow the signposted route.

Anger voiced over water bills

Here in Devon and Cornwall South West Water are the company providing us with water and taking away the sewerage. Last week they announced the increase in charges for the upcoming year 2007-2008: these average out at 12.5% for those on meters whilst unmetered households can look forward to forking out an additional 16.1%. The increases have been sanctioned by the water regulator OFWAT. Unsurprisingly there is a lot of anger out there about all this.

I remember when Michael Howard (yes it was he) oversaw the privatisation of water thinking that this was a unique situation compared with all other privatisations. This was because

• Water is the very one thing we need for the continuance of our existence - we can't do without it.
• Water companies enjoy a total monopoly in their business

Like everyone else I want the best possible service at the lowest price for my water and sewerage. So is the company doing better than its public sector predecessor? I have no means of knowing to be honest. But I can see that a private sector operator producing a service we can't do without but with zero competition is less likely to produce the levels of efficiency private firms are famed for.

A story on the front page of today's Western Morning News is about an Early Day Motion sponsored by local Labour MP Linda Gilroy urging the government to intervene over these huge price hikes. Two issues here: Is the increase justified in relation to the work that has to be done (we are totally reliant on ofwat determining this) and should the government intervene to reduce the vast disparity in prices between different parts of the country. Just before the last general election in 2005 the then Conservative leader Michael Howard (yes him again) allowed himself to be questioned on a local phone in programme. I asked him to give a straight answer, yes or no, whether the Conservatives would introduce some sort of subsidy so that our bills could be closer to those elsewhere. His straight answer was "no". He also said that privatisation had been good and helped to keep costs down. That was a surprise! The present Chancellor noticing that there are few Labour votes down here and who has never displayed an interest in the south west is unlikely to be very bothered either. Even less so now with the likelihood of a new job before long.

I see this as a moral problem. Surely we shouldn't be expected to pay so much relative to other parts of the country.

One thing my paper sought to highlight was the current leakage rate as applied to South West Water. They state that the company loses 84 million litres of water a day. Considering the vast mileage of pipework this figure is absolutely meaningless yet the media love quoting figures with plenty of zeroes. Now if we were told how many months it would take to totally empty Roadford reservoir at that rate then one could start getting ones head around such figures. It is very similar to a politician saying they have spent so many millions on the health service say in one year. How can the man in the street possibly relate to that?

My other concern is the way these leakages are calculated. How do they do it? With reservoirs one can say how much water there is in the thing at any one time but how can you be sure how much is leaking from the pipe network particularly when much of the 'useful' water is still unmetered. I do have a very healthy scepticism when it comes to statistics!

Polkerris - have your say

Polkerris is one of the those superb little gems tucked away down the end of a lane between St Austell and Fowey on Cornwall's south coast. It is one of 14 conservation areas within Restormel District Council's jurisdiction; now the council are looking at each conservation area, performing an appraisal and inviting the public to comment. This is a new initiative and first up for consideration is Polkerris.

To read more I suggest going here. Providing you have Adobe Reader you can download the info on Polkerris via the link on the right. The consultation period for Polkerris ends on the 5th March.

The Character Appraisal and Management Proposals for this Conservation Area runs to 42 pages. I have to say that it is a very thorough document with plenty of photographs and maps and does highlight the small number of negatives in Polkerris as well as the overwhelming number of positives.

One of the negative issues discussed is that of parking problems: unfortunately there are numerous double yellow lines and related signs to constantly remind you of the impact of the motor car. I have used the convenient car park just above the village but my normal preference would be to walk to Polkerris via the coast path from say Polridmouth; I never tire of that sudden sight one gets of the settlement as one reaches it. I'm also a huge fan of Cornish roofscapes and my approach is good from that point of view. Notwithstanding all this it has to be recognised that most visitors will just want a day on the beach and want to park as close as possible.

Time doesn't permit me to elaborate on all the matters raised in the appraisal. Suffice to say that it is an excellent read whether or not one wishes to comment. Well done Restormel!

Pupils get into a meaty subject

Children from Calstock Primary School are investigating the world of food and seeing things at the sharp end. For instance last month our village butcher Michael visited them and demonstrated how to bone a chicken and how to make sausages. The youngsters were enthralled with what they saw.

Next term will see the pupils visiting crop growers and a livestock farm and growing their own vegetables.

As a nation we have become very disconnected from the production of food so it is very good to see local schoolchildren getting involved in this way. I have a feeling that there are more than a few youngsters particularly in cities who wouldn't relate a glass of milk to the udder of a cow. More strength to Calstock's elbow!

Tom Cobley is the best

To enlarge a little on the title The Tom Cobley Tavern in the village of Spreyton between Crediton and Okehampton has been judged the best pub in Britain by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). It was chosen not only because of the quality of the ale but for its warm welcome, fantastic service and home-cooked food. This is a great accolade for Roger and Carol Cudlip. Apparently the judges particularly liked the fact that it is a true community pub.

Spreyton is high up in the rolling Devon countryside and it is said that 30 churches can be seen from its own church tower.

I don't ever recollect visiting Spreyton - perhaps now I have a good reason to rectify that omission!

Plymouth Argyle progress in the Cup

It has to be said that I'm not a sports fanatic and that sport will seldom feature in this blog. Having said that I do take an armchair interest in Plymouth Argyle. Refreshingly they do seem to be a club that works well with now a superb manager in Ian Holloway. The secret appears to be that they are a never say die side with a great work ethic and team spirit. Everyone is valued for the part they play and financially it seems that they live within their means.

So I was very pleased yesterday when they saw off Derby in the FA Cup with a 2-0 scoreline. This means that they are in the last 8 of the competition or, put it another way, two matches away from being in the final. Whether one follows sport or not it is great to have that 'feel good' thing in your area. The draw for the next round is at lunchtime on Monday - I seem to remember it used to be immediately after the Saturday ties but in those days you didn't have live Saturday evening or Sunday matches on TV.

Returning to the Derby match Plymouth were evidently very good value for their win.

Verdict on 'The Verdict'

I have watched more TV this week than usual having become absorbed in the BBC's 'The Verdict'. In summary a jury of 12 celebrities had to make a judgment on the guilt or innocence of 2 young men in a fictitious case of rape. The fiction stopped there because it was filmed in a real courtroom with real barristers and a real judge. It was a truly fascinating few days of programmes and quite disturbing in some regards.

It was slightly ironic that the one juror who arguably shouldn't have been there (Jeffrey Archer who was convicted and imprisoned on a charge of perjury) was the one who changed his mind so causing the verdict on count 1 to be "not guilty". Although the case was fiction the jurors appeared to get very emotionally involved so heaven knows what it would be like in a real trial. In this particular case if Jeffrey hadn't changed his mind the case could have conceivably gone to a retrial, such is the incredibly fine line the judicial system works on. For all its drawbacks it is difficult to see how our methods of justice could be improved. It seems to me that rape is one of the most despicable crimes whilst at the same time proving incredibly difficult when it comes to passing the right verdict sometimes.

What was very interesting too was to watch the mechanisms of the court proceedings. I had never thought about the judge and the barristers having to kick their heels during the time the jury were deliberating. Fascinating too that the programme put the strengths and weaknesses of the celebrities under the spotlight. I have to say that although I normally love to hear the sound of a female voice talking there were one or two of the lady jurors whose voices really jarred and almost made me throw something at the TV! A good decision I thought to elect Michael Portillo as the jury foreman - his was a voice of quiet reason and good sense whilst others were getting so emotionally wound up.

For a really thought provoking female viewpoint I would suggest reading Rachel's blog here. There is a load of background info at the bbc.co.uk/bbctwo website. All in all well done to the BBC for this production.

Good and bad news on MSC Napoli

A breezy day yesterday but now the wind has gone but it's raining instead. I had hoped to escape the Napoli story as there are so many other things to write about but I seem to be on some sort of treadmill regarding the Napoli saga at the moment!

Let's report the good news first. There is a mandatory 500 metre exclusion zone around the stranded ship so it is difficult to know just how bad any pollution is under the sea immediately surrounding Napoli. However earlier this week there was some remarkable underwater TV footage taken just outside the aforementioned area that showed that particular bit of environment in near pristine condition. The rare corals and pink sea fans I am pleased to say are surviving very well. I understand that pink sea fans are rare and that our south west waters are a stronghold for them. More about this story can be seen here.

Not so good news is that ten or so containers have been washed off the wreck and that 7 have come ashore in rather inaccessible areas of the coast between Sidmouth and Branscombe; the risk of pollution though is thought to be minimal. The authorities do seem to have the situation well under control and I think anyone considering scavenging will be very disappointed.

My understanding is that the insurers are going to pay for all the considerable follow on costs of dealing with the Napoli. I certainly hope so as the presence of police and other officials over a long period of time will otherwise be a massive cost to the hard pressed council tax payers of Devon.

Problem solving on The Isles of Scilly

On the last few Mondays I have been making a point of watching the programme 'An Island Parish'. Following on from the successful Seaside Parish looking at Cornwall's Boscastle area this latest series loosely based around the arrival of a new priest to the Isles of Scilly has made rewarding viewing.

Following a now well established format we follow the trials and tribulations of a variety of characters. So in addition to Father Guy, the new chaplain on the islands, we have seen a fisherman, a farmer, the new vet and the pretty young policewoman who has returned to the mainland. This sort of programme is very illuminating in showing up many of the problems that island life brings. I imagine that much of it resonates with other islanders such as those living in The Hebrides. It always intrigues me how people can carry on in a natural way with a cameraman lurking nearby; I don't know whether I could.

I have to admit that I have yet to visit Scilly but it is on my wish list.

Napoli beaching leads to Grizzly postponement

The Axe Valley Runners, website here, organise a truly mad race starting from Seaton and running along shingle beaches and up and down the switchback cliffs of East Devon, the whole event being about 20 miles in length. This annual jamboree is called 'The Grizzly' and has entrants from all over the place with even a contingent from that mountainous country Holland. Now I got caught up in the marathon boom some years ago but that was somewhat different, you won't find me competing in The Grizzly. I've walked some of those cliffs and know what they are like!

This year's event was due to take place next month but the presence of MSC Napoli off Branscombe has caused a postponement till September. Good luck to them!

Other Napoli news. The barges which have been sheltering at Portland are coming back on station to continue their work of unloading the remaining containers according to a radio report. Last weekend with strong winds and ten foot swell was a testing time for Napoli. There was a small loss of container material from the stricken ship such as a few bags of plastic pellets and some drums of what is believed to be brake fluid. And there had been some reports of small amounts of her cargo ashore on the beaches of Torbay last week but all in all the authorities are containing the situation. Certainly there has been criticism of beaching the Napoli off Branscombe but I think a magnificent job was done under very fraught circumstances.

One day of sunshine at least

Nice to have a day of very pleasant sunshine here, to have been able to hang some washing out and to have spent an hour or so weeding the garden. Mentioning the garden if anyone would like some moss I would be happy to oblige - it grows extremely well in this damp Cornish garden and with the sun low in the sky some parts stay in the shade all day during the winter. However I shouldn't complain because I do enjoy the permanent green look that characterises Cornwall and don't think I would be content to live in a country where that particular colour is absent.

The sun has certainly put a spring in my step today all aided by the bursting of plant life everywhere. But I mustn't get too excited as rain is forecast for later tomorrow and for Friday.

New money for Newquay Airport?

On 12 December I reported that the South West Regional Development Agency had given £8 million to Newquay Airport which is shortly to lose some support structures when the MOD closes RAF St Mawgan. It now seems that under the Objective 1 scheme the airport might be in line to receive another £12 million for their expansion plans.

I have to say I do have a problem with the stance to take with regard to our love affair with the aeroplane. Without a doubt we and the rest of the world need to look seriously at the number of transport movements that are made, not just at a personal level but in jetting in out of season food from abroad as an example. So far as flying is concerned improving facilities at a peripheral airport such as Cornwall's Newquay is OK by me but building an additional runway at somewhere such as Stanstead is a definite no-no and Ryanair's Mike O'Leary can bleat as much as he likes about that! What we need to do is put a lid on the amount of air travel in the UK particularly regarding London's airports. The government seems happy to let passenger numbers explode - so much for their green credentials!

It is the case that air travel and its ancillary services plays a very big part in the UK economy particularly regarding employment but we have to strike a balance which means halting or even reducing the total number of airplane movements right NOW.

MSC Napoli - latest

The barge Bigfoot, having made a very good start in removing over 300 containers from the MSC Napoli, removed itself to Portland a few days ago because of the deteriorating weather conditions. As was rightly pointed out the safety of those carrying out the salvage comes first.

For a take on the condition of the ship before she was abandoned it is worth reading Shaun's Bicester info blog here, the entries on 23 January, 29 January and 7 February being the ones relevant to this story. I have found that the 'Sidmouth Herald' has a lot of information about the crew rescue from the Napoli and the subsequent events including the scavenging and what villagers at Branscombe had to put up with. Also some excellent picture galleries showing much of the debris and some of the containers littering Branscombe beach. Well worth a look here. They seem to suggest that there were no problems at all about Napoli's seaworthiness. Well I'm not sure about that, I tend to go along with Shaun's concerns on this one. At least after the containers have been unloaded it should be possible to make a thorough inspection of the ship (if she hasn't broken up) and look for clues as to why the calamity happened. Another good reason for Napoli not to have been allowed to sink in mid channel!

Going back to the salvage operations one thing that fascinates me is the reason that people take up certain occupations. When young people are considering their future careers one can understand them thinking about becoming doctors, teachers, builders, civil servants and many other occupations. But working in the salvage industry? Not many considering that I would think. Luckily there seem to be enough people to cover all the different jobs that require doing even if we depend on foreign labour for our vegetable and flower harvests. There must be very many dangerous jobs such as working on the wet, oily, slippery Napoli that we never think about. So next time I have a drink perhaps I should raise a glass to those at the sharp end resolving the problem of MSC Napoli.

Lanreath Primary School to close

On 8 January I made an upbeat entry in this blog about the new post office in the southeast Cornwall village of Lanreath. Sadly there was a disappointing announcement concerning the village yesterday: their Church of England school is set to close this summer. The school has just 19 pupils and a government appointed schools adjudicator looked at the evidence and decided that in terms of educational viability and value for money it couldn't continue. Not surprisingly the children were all in tears when headteacher Jill Watts imparted the news.

I now feel that things are looking blacker for Chawleigh's school in Devon particularly with the larger Chulmleigh school being not too far away. Chawleigh has just 13 pupils and they must be waiting with some trepidation for their own adjudication result.

Finding other blogs

How do you find other blogs that might interest you? There are millions of blogs out there and no doubt some people come across a blog by chance as they are surfing the internet. But suppose you have a very specific interest and you want to see if there are any bloggers who have discussed that particular subject. Well there almost certainly is someone who has done so such is the passion people have for the total range of subjects that mankind can write about.

A few weeks back I signed up here which is the British Bloggers Directory and currently has over 7000 blogs listed. My blog for instance can be found under 'Cornwall' and in the category 'Current Events/News'. There are plenty of other categories such as 'Personal Blogs', 'Humour', Lifestyle' ..... Another great way to find interesting blogs is to go to the Google home page and instead of clicking on 'web' move along to 'more', clicking here will give you other options including 'blogs' - very useful!

This is a facility I use because I want to see if other bloggers are writing about my subjects. It could be that I wish to leave a comment on their entry, this is the great power of blogging as it is a wonderful way to broaden my understanding and perceptions of what goes on around me. As an example I made an entry on my blog mentioning the plant 'winter heliotrope' one day. Put those words into the 'blog' part of the Google search engine and it's possible to see other entries pertaining to this flower.

To me good communication is the key to all human progress although I don't pretend to be the best person in the world at communicating. Although passionate about blogs I still think that there is no substitute for talking to someone face to face. But with the myriad number of ways we can contact each other you would think there would be less reason for misunderstandings to occur.

It didn't snow in the Tamar Valley

Whilst much of the country has been covered by the white stuff in the last day or two it didn't snow in the Tamar Valley, or at least not in my part of the valley. As is often the way the wet weather coming from the west didn't readily turn to snow until it either reached our moors or ran into the colder mass of air over the country away from the south west. Thus the top of Dartmoor has seen a fall and I understand that there is about 3 inches of snow on Exmoor today.

It is of course a real nuisance if you have to travel through snow and I am pleased I don't now have to commute. But there is an absolute fascination for me to watch snow falling and to walk on it when it is totally fresh. Perhaps it is that absolute silence you get that appeals so much. And it is great fun for both children and parents pretending to be children.

Par for the course much of the country, from schools on the one hand to airports on the other, was paralysed by the relatively small amount of snowfall. So then one hears the cry "Why can't we be like Canada, they cope with much more snow". Let's look at the differences: Canada is guaranteed snow in the winter, we aren't. In fact with climate change much of the country could become snow free (however if the Gulf Stream were to stop our climate could become like present day Alaska, a perfectly possible event, something to blog about another time perhaps). Add to that we have such variable terrain and many micro-climates in our tiny island so that spending money on infrastructure to deal with such unusual events is a bad way to use the limited funds available. Bear in mind as a nation we do a lot of travelling, just in commuting to work for example. It just isn't sensible to spend wads of money to deal with the very occasional snowstorm when our creaking infrastructure being used 365 days a year is under such pressure and in need of improvement.

World music at Lydford

Yesterday evening we slipped over the border into Devon to drive up to Lydford on the western side of Dartmoor. Lydford is one of those villages participating in Devon's Villages in Action programme. The Villages in Action scheme based in the heart of the county at Crediton was started in 1992. Their aim is to bring top quality professional performers and workshops into Devon's very rural areas at prices ordinary people can afford, usually in village halls. At the moment VIA covers the local authority areas of East Devon, Mid Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon. More about them here.

So we found ourselves at Lydford's Nicholls Hall to listen to Klektivo World Fusion Music. The four young musicians came from UK, Paraguay, Senegal and Italy and there was also a lady singer from I think Chicago. You can't get much more international than that! Two factors particularly attract us to such events, apart from enjoying 'world music'. Firstly artists such as these obviously like the smaller more intimate venues and like talking to their audience. Secondly the prices, although varying a little depending on the event, are always reasonable. Last night they were £6, and £4.50 for senior citizens.

The scheme is a wonderful idea to bring culture into the rural environment.

Google Earth downloaded

Recently I downloaded Google Earth on to my computer. This free programme uses satellite images so that you can look down on planet Earth as if you were in space. The resolution varies greatly as to the area you are observing but interestingly my part of the middle Tamar Valley is shown in remarkable detail.

The information is both astounding and disturbing. Disturbing because you get the feeling that someone could spy on your life. So far as my home is concerned I have a patio at the top of the garden. On the patio is a small white plastic table and 4 matching chairs. These are visible on Google Earth although in truth it is my knowing what they are that makes them recognisable. But it does go to show how incredible this technology has become!

First turf cut at Dobwalls

On the 23rd December I made an entry looking at the progress of some of the principal road improvements in Devon and Cornwall. I mentioned that the Dobwalls by-pass scheme in east Cornwall had started; it seems that I was wrongly informed on that one because Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman has just cut the first turf there.

The 1.5 mile long by-pass to the north of Dobwalls is scheduled for completion in September 2008 I believe. This seems to be a generously long construction period and I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't at least partly open for the August traffic that year. Let's hope so anyway!

Woodpeckers drumming

Yesterday I blogged about a delightful walk in the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. One of the bonuses was hearing a greater spotted woodpecker drumming. We edged closer to the sound but unfortunately some other walkers came along and they were talking quite loudly, enough to cause the woodpecker to depart from the scene. At least we did see him very briefly as he flew off. It is interesting I find to observe how some walkers, particularly in a sizeable walking group, feel that they must talk at all times! I have enjoyed the companionship of a group on occasion but if you are passionate about nature lots of small talk can be frustrating when you just want to absorb the moment.

Drumming woodpeckers have been a noticeable feature in the woods across the valley from my home in the last few years. During the past few days I have heard one 2 or 3 times, but for very short spells. I anticipate that the drumming will increase in duration and intensity in the weeks to come.

By train and ferry to Mount Edgcumbe

Mount Edgcumbe situated in Cornwall's Rame Peninsula where the River Tamar empties itself into the English Channel has been described as England's most beautiful country park. I wouldn't argue about that description! The weather on Saturday was very pleasing, yes a little cold but dry and for the most part sunny. We took the 07.42 train into Plymouth (I can get up early when the motivation is good!) and when paying for our 'day return ticket' had our first pleasant surprise. I had expected it would cost £4 per ticket, however First Great Western have a promotion on for Saturday and Sunday trains through January and February on our branch line, possibly other local lines as well I don't know. So we were delighted to pay just £1.50 each! It's good to know this company are trying hard, it's not always bad news on the railways.

A gentle stroll from Plymouth Station took us down Armada Way before ascending to The Hoe and that always memorable view of The Sound. We then worked our way around the back of Millbay Docks, seeing the first signs of Plymouth's next big development in the Millbay hinterland, and on to Stonehouse for the ferry to Cremyll. I have to admit to date that my longest ferry journey has been from Southampton to the Isle of Wight but, having said that there is something special about arriving at your destination by boat. Our aim was to walk through the park to the quaint villages of Kingsand and Cawsand whilst being wary of the time as it was our intention to get the 3 o'clock ferry back. The ferry fare incidentally is £1.30 per single journey.

Mount Edgcumbe is a place for all seasons but there are particular reasons for choosing February. My companion has a mimosa tree in her garden and there is another good example just around the corner. These are approaching their best with their cascades of yellow flowers. But in Mount Edgcumbe there is one of the best examples you could wish to see and visiting in February it is always a joy to behold. Except this time it wasn't. Well of course it had its lovely feathery leaves but the flowers were virtually over. This took us by surprise - yes it's always ahead of 'our' mimosas (they usually flower for about 6 weeks) but this was the first time we had made a February visit after it had flowered.

There are other things to look for in February on this walk: Mount Edgcumbe is the home of the National Camellia Collection and a number of these were in flower with lots more to come. We both have a particular regard for the 'Cornish Snow' variety which was in bloom. In March they hold special Camellia Days. There is more about the gardens here We were a little early to see the thousands of daffodils the park is also famed for. To elaborate: there is a broad sward of grass sweeping downhill from Mount Edgcumbe house to Cremyll. Either side of this are mature trees underplanted with the daffodils. There were a few out on Saturday but when they are all in bloom the sight is breathtaking.

I mentioned trees, they are another memorable feature of the park. Amongst many others there are some superb lime trees and some good examples of the fairly rare Stones Pine. But it is the appearance of the mature deciduous trees without their leaves and therefore showing their contorted branches going this way and that against the background of a wide sky that really impressed. The mix of rocky shore, delightful woodland, open parkland above the trees and the two little villages looking out on their bay is a wonderful mix. And Plymouth residents have it all on their doorstep for the price of a ferry fare!

We eventually arrived home just before 6 o'clock having had a very enjoyable 'walk in the park'.

Cornwall firm helps environment and employment

Sometimes one hears a good story that helps both employment and the environment and maybe we should shout about them a bit more! Well this is today's contribution from me.

Duchy Timber have a sawmill and timber business on the outskirts of the mid Cornwall town of Lostwithiel. They are investing in a couple of ecofriendly kilns to burn timber waste from their sawmill operations. The kilns are sophisticated enough to require very little external power to function and produce almost negligible emissions. Waste can be burnt in the kilns thus obviating the present five lorry loads of woodchip transported for disposal each week. It gets better - the kilns will permit the production of kiln dried timbers, products that are currently imported. And it will speed up the production of tanalised timber as Cornish timber is unsurprisingly pretty wet as a rule when it arrives.

The other bonus is job creation. This perhaps is some compensation for the loss of about a dozen jobs just before Christmas when the firm 'Darley Therapy Equipment' on Lostwithiel's Retormel Industrial Estate went bust.

There is much that is praiseworthy about these relatively small businesses particularly regarding plusses for the environment. We should talk them up a bit more!

Devon school gets a reprieve

Chawleigh is a small village in that lovely quiet rural area that is south of the North Devon link road but north of Dartmoor and the A30 dual carriageway. My late parents once lived the other side of the Little Dart River (not to be confused with the Dart of Dartmoor) at Chulmleigh and I have a real affection for that neck of the woods.

Chawleigh's primary school with its falling number of pupils (13 I read somewhere) is under threat of closure. It has now been announced that it can stay open for another 6 months with its future decided by an independent adjudicator. Governors of the school are working with education officers to show that the school provides an acceptable standard of education.

I believe that "small is beautiful" as they say. Correction: I am passionate about "small is beautiful". This is one of the reasons for my strong feelings about Devon and Cornwall where small villages and vibrant market towns predominate and huge conurbations are absent thank goodness. But the downside, and sadly there has to be a downside, is that in cost terms there is economy of size to consider. In fact, as evidenced by the ongoing threat to post offices for example, one of the greatest problems for decision makers is getting the balance between what is economically viable and maintaining local services. Our much maligned councillors have the unenviable task of getting that balance right, a real problem sometimes.

I wish the villagers of Chawleigh success in their endeavours.

Napoli again

It would be nice to get away from this subject but that's not so easy. We now have the lowdown from Robin Middleton, an experienced man appointed by the government to make the decision as to where to take the MSC Napoli. Previous experience of maritime disasters including incidents off the shores of France and Spain suggested a huge environmental disaster was on offer if she sank in deep water. The nearest ports in northern France had waters that were too shallow plus the fact that there are a lot of jagged rocks around that coast apparently. Falmouth was quickly ruled out as it meant Napoli being put "beam on" to the weather with the real possibility of her sinking. Plymouth couldn't be used because of its military use so the decision was made to head up channel for Portland.

With concerns over the weather and the rapid deterioration in the condition of Napoli's hull that fateful decision to beach her off the coast of East Devon was made. Fortunately we have had a window of kind weather over the past few days so that most of the fuel oil has now been pumped out and an excellent start in unloading the remaining containers has begun.

My real concern is about the integrity of the repairs carried out after Napoli, travelling under a different name, crashed into a reef near Singapore. There has been no suggestion of a collision in 'our' incident. I do wonder how many other ships out there are past their sell by date; my understanding is that there are still a lot of oil tankers of the older single hull type plying their trade and not enough of the much safer double hull type. And with the globalisation of merchant shipping are all captains and crew up to a suitable standard?

Good news to hear is confirmation that Devon County Council will be holding a public enquiry into the whole business. I'm not holding my breath that this government will do likewise. After the foot and mouth crisis of 2001 which had such a devastating effect on farming and tourism in Devon it was left to the County Council and to the EU to commission enquiries, central government didn't want any blame laid at their door thank you.

Back to the ship itself what is not good to hear is that her condition is now worse than originally thought; however Mr Middleton avers that she is not in immediate danger of breaking up and that the number of containers taken off so far had significantly improved things. But no doubt there will be much nail biting over the weeks to come.

For an environmental view on the Napoli disaster read the blog by Roger Thomas here.