Common?

I like Common Gulls – otherwise known as Mew Gulls. When people ask me how to recognise them I say they are the gulls with friendly faces (there is no feature more diagnostic of a Herring Gull than its annoyed expression). But Common is a misnomer most of the time – in these parts, Common…

Best and worst at Defra – what you think

There have been six secretaries of state at Defra since it came into existence in the wake of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001. Defra was born out of the thought that MAFF was too inward-looking and that farming wasn’t that important really but was a bit of a problem.  Prime Ministers also…

Oscar Dewhurst – Cheetah mother with cubs

Oscar writes: Nearly two years ago now I was on holiday with my family in Kenya, more specifically around the Masai Mara. Rather than actually staying inside the main park, we stayed in conservancies, areas where the number of beds are tightly regulated, meaning you can drive around all day and see only a couple…

Poll closes at 6pm

              My poll for the best and worst Defra Secretary of State closes at 6pm so if you haven’t voted yet you need to get a move on! Click here.