A good week

I ended the week feeling optimistic. I’m usually optimistic but I had a few down moments in the middle of the week. I’m not sure what the climate deal adds up to yet  There are some quite optimistic views about it, but these things are a bit like George Osborne speeches – it’s best to…

Saturday cartoon by Ralph Underhill

Ralph writes: This is the first cartoon I have submitted that I hope is not used. I sit here on Friday night depressed at what tomorrow morning will hold. I desperately want action on climate change and will be glad if any binding agreement is made. However,I have strong doubts of what will come out…

An ex-gamekeeper writes…

Having just finished reading your book ‘Inglorious’ I’m prompted, and indeed inspired, to write to you. I’d like to begin by telling you something about my background. Since childhood I have been passionately interested in wildlife, with birdwatching at the fore. I was brought up in the conurbations of Manchester where I was born in…

The end of grouse shooting for another year

The open season on Red Grouse ends today and reopens on the Inglorious 12 August 2016. What better day to add your name to an e-petition to get the Westminster parliament to debate the future of grouse shooting? Grouse shooting is a pointless and environmentally damaging hobby for people with guns. this would be fine…

Legal clarification from Natural England

I’m grateful to Natural England for getting in touch today over the issue of medication of Red Grouse raised in Ruth Tingay’s Guest Blog of Monday. Here is what NE wrote: ‘In the recent guest contribution to your Blog, Dr Ruth Tingay asked for clarification from Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) regarding the…