RAGWORT AND CINABAR MOTH CATERPILLARS MAKE MY DAY

 

After the rural openness of the Wolds it was almost a claustrophobic feeling to be confined to the peripheries of both Swithland and Cropston reservoirs that provided us with something different with their expanse of waters. Bird species were few with just one Great-crested Grebe and with only one young. Several very dark looking Mallards and a few Mute Swans with not a cygnet in sight made up the total. Our hosts commented upon this later and in previous years they had seen many. Maybe bad weather with cold rain could well account for nests being abandoned and, of course, there will always be predation.
However, never mind the bird life or the absence of it because Ragwort - that noxious weed - stole the show. Decried by  humans but loved by many species. It’s had bad press from the BHS and the study of it is interesting. I knew that the Cinabar moth use it as the host plant for eggs and then for the caterpillars to feed upon. 

They are striking and the stripes issue a warning to most but they can be predated. Apparently they ingest the poison from the plant. 
Jacabaea Vulgaris
‘noxious weed or
precious wild-flower
friend or foe?’
myth and legend has no place
as we shake out ‘fake news’
to declare that fairies hitch a ride
to fly away with Cinnabar Moths
who dwell on
‘Ragwort thou humble flower
with tattered leaves’. ***
     
‘noxious weed or
precious wild flower
friend or foe?’
*** Reference to John Clare’s poem
The Ragwort.

THE SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB ALERT

 I copied this one and The Christie Alert will go onto our bool list. It just appeals.

It was great to see Ian Rankin and Mark Billingham receive awards for their outstanding contributions to crime fiction at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate at the weekend. Before the festival was even over Mantle announced the acquisition of The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont. The novel, narrated by the mistress of Agatha's husband, reimagines the events of 1926 in which the famous author disappeared only to be found, 11 days later, at the Swan hotel in Harrogate. It will not be published until January. And if you think that's jumping the gun, I received a proof copy of Stuart Neville's The House of Ashes from Zaffre this week. Publication is scheduled for February 10.

Mark Sanderson

HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS AND THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL

 HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS AND THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL HAVE DONE IT AGAIN.

Despite all the uncertainty of the pandemic and restrictions imposed by it, this festival is as good as it gets. We have always admired these events and always felt that the comfort of us, the punters, and of course the authors with all their guiding editors and publisher could be improved. The chairs in previous years were packed into the ballroom. It was bloody uncomfortable and on a hot summers day, steamy and sweaty. 

This year it could not be in there and was now in a super high tec tent in the car park. Light, airy and with comfortable chairs. And never full. Also part of the ballroom was now Waterstones Bookshop with an area adjacent for the authors to sign. Additionally, an inner space for virtual viewing that was little used and very comfortable. These are much needed and welcome improvements that have come as an added cost. I hope the funding can be obtained although some of the cost will be borne by the customers. For the first time a site pass was required that contained a cost but it kept the festival only for those who were there for the right reasons. I commend the committee for their efforts.

I have enjoyed this one more and although this was due to some extent by the changes enforced by the pandemic there were other reasons. Firstly we had family members with us and that was great. It also meant we inhabited the bar more and we mingled more with the authors. Also, for Joss and Michelle, meeting up with Lara Thompson again really made their day. Someone we knew from her school days, on stage, with Val’s other New Bloods.

I have not blogged as much before and it is something that I have enjoyed. It is full on and it makes me focus on what is being spoken. Having read a couple of tweets from authors that seemed rushed I am happy with my efforts, but I know I could be better. 

As soon as we can book for next year we will do so. Friends will be there also and our close family members too. It is there on the horizon and hopefully we will all be there. In the meantime much reading to do and I haven’t written a poem for weeks.

Thank you for the efforts made and the feeling of camaraderie created.

THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL IN HARROGATE GETS EVEN BETTER

 LATE ON SATURDAY EVENING (24th) AND A TOO EARLY SUNDAY (25th)

We have been totally focused on this event since Thursday evening and the tiredness has arrived until you know that Ian Rankin is ‘interviewing’ Mark Billingham. I have sat in for chats between two accomplished writers before and not been impressed. One I remember sounded like two grumpy ones chatting over a pint. 

I expected these two to spark off each other and we had a terrific hour. What entertainment they provided and with content that appealed and held my interest. I was helped with the fact that I had read Cry Baby as I could relate to it in a previous life. This book is a prequel to Billingham’s DS Thorne series and set in a time frame as HOLMES - a Home Office computer system - was being brought in to assist in major crime investigations. Just three years after The Yorkshire Ripper had been nicked and to avoid mistakes and any more deaths. It certainly was time to move on and we have since. I don’t normally read English cop novels but I enjoyed this one from start to finish. I may even read others in the series.

His new one Rabbit Hole is a stand-alone and I will get around to reading it. It’s on the list. Its topical and set in and around mental illness. I am not going to say anymore about these two authors except both are bloody brilliant. So read them and see them if you can.

CHRISTIE’S ENDURING ALLURE

Sunday morning arrived after only a few hours sleep and at 9.30 we sat in to listen to Christie’s Enduring Allure chaired by Elly Griffiths and with a depleted panel due to Covid with Ragnar Jonasson - who I have not read - and who translated his first Christie when aged only seventeen into Icelandic. Ruth Ware was a survivor too ‘ is the queen of classic-meets-modern and regarded as Christie’s heir. All three knew their stuff.

THE POLITICS OF CRIME

Chaired by Alan Johnson and expertly done as well and again the panel had been reduced by Covid but enhanced by two others. These two female writers were Marnie Riches and Kate Rhodes. I have no previous knowledge of either but that is the beauty of being at the festival. Seeing and listening to others outside of your usual horizon. They know their stuff and obviously are accomplished and experienced writers. Two names for me to note. 

George Alagiah of TV news reading fame has published The Burning Land set in South Africa. Doug Johnstone with his ‘Skelfs’, I have read, enjoyed and the characters are  still in my head. It is set in Edinburgh with a female cast, spread over three generations, who are involved in the funeral business and private investigative work. An unusual mix! It works and I commend him and his work. He is multi-talented and fun.

This was an exceptionally interesting hour and in the time allowed we heard discussions in depth on serious subjects ranging of views authors would not include but where a character could be used to hold extreme views. This may reflect the authors own agenda concealed in prose. There is an hidden message in many stories. However, ‘keep politics out’ was also mentioned.

Crime Genre is often focussed in ‘middle-class-crime’ but in reality it happens in real life in poorer areas where the poor are the victims. So the slant should be towards as it is in The Man on the Street by Trevor Wood. This set in Newcastle with the homeless characters driving the story on. The opposite of Christie I can say.

How could they leave ‘the gender issue’ out and then one of the panel spoke of misogyny in the genre. Personally I have no idea how it could be avoided? It does seem to be a one way street as there was no mention or any reference to a misandrist. The media are allowed to portray that domestic abuse is only perpetrated by males enhanced by the crime writers choice of victims. Another reference was made of Don Winslow with ‘toxic masculinity’. It’s avoided me so far and I have not read the author.

The word prejudice was not mentioned which I found odd. Surely people should be written as they are and indeed we read of characters who stay long in our imagination. Let’s just keep the stories coming so that we can have these discussions.

I should mentioned this,The Last Train to Gypsy Hill, was in proof copy form and free, and we have it. It is Alan Johnson’s first novel.

I will find out later if he has kept politics out of his story as he once was a Labour Cabinet minister. 

A FULL ON SATURDAY AT THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL IN HARROGATE

 SATURDAY MORNING AFTER A LATE NIGHT/EARLY MORNING FOR SOME.

9am and it was with Elly Griffiths being interviewed by Joe Haddow. Mick Herron claimed not to be a storyteller as I have blogged previously and it became clear that Elly is a very verbal storyteller. Verbose and entertaining. The comparison between the two and how they reacted to the interviewer was so different. 

Elly Griffiths knows how to talk! Perhaps it’s the gender than can make the difference. Whatever, for that is not the issue for the two different authors entertained us in their own way.

Elly Griffiths and her writing has stood the test of time with 13 books in the series with Dr Ruth Galloway set in Norfolk where the remains are unearthed and examined. I have enjoyed several of these and ones from the Brighton Series too. Her recently published Ruth Galloway I have reviewed and after 40 pages I read no more. This is not a slight on her writing or ability. It was not for me at that moment.

This was an in depth chat about herself and her books and skilfully dealt with by Joe Haddow who, it is said, is the brains behind the Radio 2 Book Club. If only he could stop twirling that pen!

I also noted that she is writing the fourth one in a series for children. Ones to look out for.

VAL McDERMID’S NEW BLOOD

At noon we sat enthralled with Val McDermid’s New Blood. This has been the best hour spent in previous years and today was no exception. In fact the conversation went along the lines - it could have gone on for another 30 minutes. We would have loved to know more about all four of the newbies.

What was very nice for Joss and Michelle that they knew Lara Thompson from their days living in Cornwall and now she is a published author. The other good bit was that both of them met the young bloods late on Friday evening where a few memories were shared with Lara and the other authors chatted with them. This is one of Harrogate’s strong points for it is a place to socialise and talk about books; talk with writers and talk with anybody and everybody. Everyone without exception has time for everyone else.

Lara’s, OneNight, New York, and set in the 1930’s may seem an odd location for a lecturer in film and who has lived in Cornwall. Apparently her next one is set in that county and she has said that we may know some of her characters. I can think of several that could fit any crime novel without stretching anyone’s imagination that far. We will look forward to checking on that and, of course, reading it.

The others we did not know. Sixteen Horses is a strange title and it is ‘apparently hauntingly un-nerving’. Greg Buchanan is the author. I will give it a go as I like to grab books that are different. Tall Bones by Anna Bailey is set in very small town America where she has used her knowledge of having lived in both Texas and Colorado. It is referred to as ‘compellingly claustrophobic’ and if it is anywhere close to the effects of Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri then I am going to enjoy it. Am I expecting too much? Well, we’ll see.

The last of the four The Colours of Death by Patricia  Marquess is set in Lisbon and of the four it appeal to me the least. We talked afterwards about how we decide what to read and can be easily influenced one way or the other. I can comment it is usually best to only decide when a book has been given the once over.

All four authors have chosen their locations for a reason and, as always, locations are as important as any character.

The blurb in the programme says ‘Val McDermid’s ability to spot the future stars of the genre has made this the most anticipated panel of the weekend’. That sums it up and, for me, Val has nailed it again.

AFTERNOON AT THE OLD SWAN WITH THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL

 MID-MORNING TO LUNCH AT THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL

I left the ‘Gung-Ho Action Hero event to Michelle and she came out of that wanting to read more authors and buy more books. The collection of authors were Simon Kernick, Steph Broadribb, Holly Watt, AA Dhand and they were kept under control by Charles Cumming. He was the only one one that I have read and I will continue to read. I spent that hour writing my bog on Herron.

Noon was the showdown for Historical Crime Fiction with Antonio Hodgson, SG Maclean, SJ Parris and two that I have read, Laura Shepherd-Robinson with ‘Blood & Sugar’ and Abir Muckherjee and his stories of The Great British Raj. I had not read the blurb in the programme and found that the conversation was based around the now deceased author, Phillip Kerr and his series with his main character Bernie Gunther. These were set in Germany when Hitler was coming to power. I will now have to look at his books.

The panel of four women to one man did raise the issue of women in past decades and centuries and concentrated on ‘the way women have been portrayed over time’. Abir Muckherjee spoke of, when writing about the injustices of history, that it was a therapy for him but it was all about politics. That subject gets everywhere. It was stressed the importance of political  background.

They really gave a very good slant on history and one more thing that I can take away is the need for emotional accuracy. I shall remember this when I pick up my first Phillip Kerr book.

PLANNERS V PANSTERS

Then after lunch another panel event of Planners v Pantsers with Mark Edwards, a multi-million selling author, Sarah Pinborough, Helen FitzGerald and Erin Kelly. Luca Veste had been pinged and so Martyn Thwaites took the chair.

I was not sure that I would get anything out of this hour but I gave it a go. Writing techniques  were spoken of and the basic premise of how it was going to end was a target for Mark Edwards. For some it was considered a natural way of working. Some would know the beginning and the end. That left the guts of it to be imagined and written. Some found that a structure inhibits and one found it liberating.

Basically it was a chat with a few jokes and laughter. Each including Thwaites have their own way of constructing a book and for anyone wanting some clues the evidence was light.

I thought what could be helpful was use of Network Project Techniques

ANN CLEEVE AGAIN

At 5pm Steph McGovern chatted to Ann Cleeve and again they were a joy to listen to. She is so good to hear and her point is she has no plan. That differs from the previous event send she and her character go on a journey together and i like that. She starts to write and the book flows from there on. There is not much more i need to say except I have enjoyed all of her books.

MICK HERRON AT THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL

 FIRST ONE ON - SPECIAL GUEST MICK HERRON INTERVIEWED BY NJ COOPER

Yesterday evening was great. It was so bloody good to be back at near normal but with improvements. What they have been able to do is so much better than the facilities we endured before. So in that sense things needed to change anyway for the punters comfort and enjoyment. The ‘ballroom’ where every thing happened is now for book sales and where the events take place is in a bloody large modern ‘tent’. It’s superb and I wonder at what cost. And, what will it be like next year? The back of the ‘ballroom’ has now a big screen where there is digital viewing and comfortable.

The main reasons why we are here starts this morning with Mick Herron at 9am and then a full day of events.

A friend is a massive fan of Mick Herron, Michelle could not get on with him and I have never tried. I always seek out different writers and ideas and since this man was a special guest to be interviewed by NJ Cooper I wanted to listen in. She did an excellent job. Right on the money. 

Herron states that he is not a storyteller. He writes in sentences and is interested in the prose. That might be considered a strange idea, and from that I assumed from that he doesn’t rush his lines. Every word is treated as important because, he says, vocabulary is important and the rhythm as well. In my own words ‘each word has its own importance’ with correct ‘word choices’ being essential.

Writing poetry is what he did first and this has been emphasised in his comments. I immediately thought of Edward Thomas not only his poems but his writings too. The above points I will take back and mention to our writing group. 

Protest is the writers best friend. Much was mentioned and Cooper guided Herron into his possible ‘left-wing views’ to which he replied if and when there is a Labour government then I will have more opportunity for satire. At this time BoJo is his target along with many others. Boris, gets a lot of free press! He can rage when he writes and is political but maintains his calm afterwards. 

He doesn’t read reviews other than those sent to him by publishers. He must have read some because he commented that he would probably get angry if they saw in his writing something that he had not intended or thought un-important. I maintain that is the reader’s privilege. I wonder what he would say if he read this blog. I would be interested but I have paid my money.

Jokes were mentioned in this wide ranging conversation and for the punch line he says syllable count has to be kept short to get the ending out there before the listener gets it. You would have to be a poet to even consider ‘syllable count’.

Slough House, Slow Horses and TV were stated. Something to watch out for during next year but it is on Apple TV - so maybe not.

Okay, summing up - assured and very measured. No surprises there and he spoke well. I felt I got a lot out this 45 minutes by making notes and blogging. I will have to pick up one of his books and give it a go. The subject matter or style may not be to my liking but he has sold a lot of books. 

THEAKSTON AWARD EVENING IN HARROGATE

 THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL.

Well we are here again in Harrogate on the first evening where the short list of six produces a winner. For me we are all winners as we are fortunate enough to be here once again and for those that write and be published they are all winners too. On this evening the event was making up for lost time. 

Mark Lawson introduced the evening in his usual smooth style that was littered with incredibly humorous comments about the ability of some of our well known politicians. It was so well done and delivered and received in good spirit. Simon Theakston followed on with his own well rehearsed humour and the audience loved it.

Before we got anywhere close to the winner for 2021 there were two other awards and these were:

Outstanding Contribution Award was made to Mark Billingham only a year late and his success was articulated by Chris Brookmyre who praised him highly. What a writing history they both have!

Then Billingham took to the stage again to introduce Ian Rankin who received The Outstanding Contribution Award for 2021. Here we applauded two superb writers who not only can write but deliver verbally as well. It was a treat to sit and listen.

The winner and for his first appearance in the final six was Chris Whittaker with ‘We Begin At The End’. He had already won a ‘Dagger’ and now this award must top it off. As I have said before “every one is a winner” but to receive this prestigious award is a fantastic accolade and with a substantial cheque too.  Theakston is considered the world’s best festival in the crime writing genre.

I cannot praise this event enough. It is the tops. We rubbed shoulders with the authors who will sign when requested. Chris Whittaker wrote on signing ‘Thank you for your support’ because they know that without readers they will have less. They are not pretentious. 

Brian McGilloway for his book ‘The Last Crossing’ was unable to be present because of a Covid infection was given “highly commended”. The first time such an award has been given and having read it I agree.

It was a great evening well presented and very well organised with all the conditions and restrictions taken into account. And now tomorrow a full day.

TREVOR WOOD AND HIS NEW BOOK - ONE WAY STREET

 On a hot July afternoon at The Old Swan with a warm pint or two we rubbed shoulders with the famous and standing next to us was Trevor Wood, the author of ‘Man on the Street’, which I have read and his second ‘One Way Street’.

What a gent and we were able to capture his first signature at this festival. I think the photo says it all. We were chuffed.

NOW ITS SERIOUS STUFF FOR THEAKESTON OLD PECULIER CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL

 SCOTLAND DONE AND WE HEADED SOUTH INTO ENGLAND. 

We trained on The Jacobite, locomotive 45212 and de-trained at Fort William and then on a scenic journey via a vast Glen Coe. Beautiful and so much to take in as we headed towards Glasgow. I think the world had descended upon the city and it was manic. It had to be done and we were both glad to head south. Harrogate and Theakeston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival but via Alnwick and Barter Books. The trains don’t run no more and with the space left they have filled it with books.

We gratefully entered Harrogate to enjoy the beauty of the town. We love it here. Good beer to enjoy, of course.

We trawled through the second-hand book shops but this pile was bought in Imagined Things having been pre-ordered. We like to support the independents has much as we can. Mark Billingham had already been in and they were expecting Ian Rankin too. 

The Old Swan Hotel is now open for the festival so we will trot off to pick up our ‘goody bag’ and possibly rub shoulders with the literati. Just the six finalists, a few well seasoned comments from Simon Theakeston and then the winner is announced and we can all grab a free beer.

WALKING THE HEDGEROWS

 A PEACEFUL WALK IN JULY ALONG THE HEDGEROWS OF THE WOLDS IN NORTH LEICESTERSHIRE

I wanted to walk alongside and see the beauty of the vegetation within and by the hedgerows. I was in the best place possible because there were hedges that had not been murdered by machinery and that had an area of uncut vegetation running along their length. That is a habitat with a food source and protection. Also on this farm there was 5 metres between the crop and hedge. This grass was kept short and maintained that way. This meant easy access around the fields and according to the owner enabled them to keep unwanted plants, often called weeds, out of the cultivated areas. It was beautiful and the peace was wonderful. There were busy roads around, tyre noise was very evident, but birdsong prevailed. A few days of calm after two weeks of working through an extensive list of things that had to be done.

A Song Thrush constantly sang from the dense wood opposite.

I have kept a close watch on many sites regarding ‘wildlife crime’ and written a collection of poems along the lines of habitat destruction, the ‘muirburn’ on moorland, poisoned bait and so on. I was born in a farming community and have understood, sometimes re-considered, tradition and the cultures within. It is easy, I believe, to be despondent about events and have extreme views on farming and the loss of wildlife. Where I have been I have listened to other points of view and I have known that there has always to be a balance between conservation and the production of food. There are many fads out there and I am in no doubt that the consequence of adhering to a certain diet has not been thought through. I consider that most have scant knowledge of the natural world but it is becoming obvious that the world is a continually changing place.

In The Times on Tuesday 13th July was an article by Ben Webster regarding the views of Adam Henson who runs his 1600 acre farm in the Cotswolds. Henson’s message is ‘to eat British’, of course, and he bases some of his arguments on almonds and almond milk and says that locally produced dairy milk is better for the environment. He states that both almonds and avocado require copious amounts of water. The whole of this article is well worth reading and I have no doubt that someone somewhere will spell out another view. 

On the side of a Horse Chestnut tree was this wonderful appendage.

The subject of this shelf or bracket fungus is an intriguing one as the information suggests that if it were not for this type of organism trees would live for ever. This protuberance is just a token with the main part eating the tree slowly from inside. In other words the host tree is being recycled.

As the grass is kept short and no fertilizers are used there, ‘mushrooms’ can be easily seen. The hedge sides have an abundance of different vegetation including this Rosebay Willow Herb. But note the plethora of other plants and grasses. A bouquet of beauty.

Later I found a butterfly - Ringlet. The indications are that with the cold and rain butterflies may be having a poor year. This beautiful small butterfly taken with my phone and consequently it is not sharp.

WILD JUSTICE NEWS LETTER 68

 WILD JUSTICE NEWS LETTER No. 68 refers to GENERAL LICENCES in Northern Ireland and makes comments about the support Wild Justice receives from us, the people who care and at times the wider public.

My particular interest is regarding previous letters and blogs recording the picture and article in the Shooting Times.

Wild Justice says this;

Shooting Times article: in our last newsletter we told you about the article that was published in the Shooting Times last February which we believed described events which contravened the terms of the general licences. And we brought you the news that the author of the article had told the police that the article was false in some respects and that the Carrion Crow and Jay involved had actually emerged from his freezer. We contacted the Shooting Times and, to be fair to them, they were prompt in responding and have told us they will print a correction in this week's magazine. We have asked to see that correction to judge whether or not it is adequate but we haven't seen it yet and publication of this weekly magazine is imminent, so this matter may not be at an end - we'll let you know. We also wrote a light-hearted blog about the original article but it is a serious matter as the last paragraph of the blog makes clear.

NOTE FROM ME

I am on way to England where I will buy a copy of (perhaps more than one) of this shooters magazine. Not to support them but to keep myself up-to-date with matters shooting in U.K. I am putting together a collection of poems and short stories which is my take on wildlife crime, grouse moors, overuse of insecticides and more. It is a passion that I have. But times are changing and when I write I have to move with those changes. It’s an ongoing process

RE-WILDING IS ABOUT THE RESTORATION OF WHAT WAS COMMON LAND BEFORE INTERVENTION

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THIS IS ANOTHER OIECE FROM 38 DEGREES

Rewilding is all about restoring land back to its natural form - before humans intervened. This means letting trees regrow, restoring peatlands and reintroducing missing species like beavers. [4] According to the UN, the world has to rewild an area of land the size of China by 2030 just to have a chance of tackling the climate crisis. [5] As global figures watched by millions, the royals have a great chance to show leadership on this issue. 

And it’s not just us calling for them to take action. Supporters of the campaign include naturalist Chris Packham, TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, TV presenter Kate Humble, and even music legend Sting. [6] But without the public behind them - that’s me and you, John - there’s only so much they can do!

AND A FINAL NOTE FROM THEM

P.S. For this campaign, we’re collaborating with new rewilding campaign group Wild Card. They’re calling on the UK's biggest landowners to rewild their lands to address the climate and nature emergency. The group is currently campaigning for the lands of the Royal Family, the Church of England and Oxbridge Colleges to be returned to nature. 

A POST FROM 38 DEGREES - people power change - FOR ROYAL REWILDING

Incredible. More than 71,000 of us - including you - have signed the petition calling on the royal family to ‘rewild’ their land to increase biodiversity and help fight the climate crisis. [1] Thank you! Together we’re doing our bit for the environment. 

We’re collaborating with rewilding campaigners Wild Card on this one - and it’s working! [2] On Sunday, The Times reported our research, which proved that the public think the royals should rewild their lands. [3] It’s a great result - but we can’t stop there. 

The next step is to take the campaign right to the royals - by submitting our petition directly to them. We’ve already got big plans (hint: it might involve a knight in shining armour...) but before we do it, we need to get 100,000 signatures! If everyone who signed the petition shares it on social media, WhatsApp or email, we’d smash that 100,000 target no problem! 

So John, can you share the petition far and wide so that we get it to 100,000 signatures - and get the royals rewilding?

CASUAL KILLING UNDER THE LEGALITY OF GENERAL LICENCES? WILD JUSTICE NEWSLETTER 67

 Wild Justice has maintained since we first sprang into action in 2019, that much of the killing of birds under the different general licences which exist in the four UK nations amounts to casual killing, too much of which is unlawful. We have made progress in tightening up the general licences, getting some species removed from them, and highlighting the issues that they raise. The article in Shooting Times, now admitted to be false by its author, is a further example of how some shooters appear to believe that the laws work. There is more work to be done by Wild Justice in making sure that the general licences in place fully reflect the requirements of the law.  In that regard, we see that DAERA in Northern Ireland yesterday issued a consultation on their general licences. Wild Justice has been in correspondence with the Northern Ireland authorities about their general licences, which we regard as shockingly bad and unlawful, and that may well be why this consultation is now taking place.  We will update you on Northern Ireland general licences next week.

 

If you like what we are doing then please consider making a donation through PayPal, bank transfer or a cheque in the post - 

TRUE OR FALSE? WHY SHOW-OFF DEAD WILDLIFE

 WHY DECLARE YOUR KILLINGS?

(It relates to my own blog of Saturday 29th May)

The Newsletter 67 of 2nd July from Legal Justice carries the comment;

               

                  “ The very strange world of a shooting fantasist” 

It is an update of their Newsletter 62 and posted by RaptorPersecutionUK

Near the end of May we sent out newsletter 62 which decribed what we believed was a breach of the general licences (we also published an account on our blog). The events which we reported to DEFRA were published in the Shooting Times on 10 February in an article which purported to describe a day's shooting where a regular columnist describes going out into the countryside in late January to see how many species of mammal and bird he could shoot. He was delighted to shoot 10 species in the day including a Carrion Crow and a Jay (see image above from the article). Those species are only lawfully killed under certain circumstances and with certain conditions. We believed that the shooting of those two birds was potentially unlawful. Today we can provide an update on that matter in this newsletter and on our blog 

 

At DEFRA's request, we sent the legal and biological dossiers that we had sent to them to Essex Police who investigated. Essex Police have recently told us that they cannot take the case any further as the Shooting Times columnist denies having shot either a Jay or a Carrion Crow despite having described the shots that led to the deaths of these two birds in some detail in his published article.

 

Essex Police tell us that 'With regards to the Carrion Crow and Jay he has stated that, he did not shoot these birds on this day and has a number of frozen/prop birds that he uses in his articles, if he needs to and bases the events on previous incidents or other incidents which have similarities.'.

 

So, assuming, as we will, that this statement is true, the article was not true.  If it had been true then perhaps the court would have been asked to rule on the legality of the action - an action that we would state is unlawful (but since it did not happen in this particular case that is the end of this matter).

 

We intend to ask DEFRA for their view on these matters in general, in case such circumstances arise in future. We have also written to the Shooting Times stating that we regard their publication of a false and misleading article as a breach of the IPSO Editors' Code and seeking a retraction and clarification.

 

LO MONTE LAGOONS IN ALICANTE CLOSE TO BORDER WITH MURCIA

 The heat is really here now and the birding has to be done early or not at all. So it was a quick trip down the road to Lo Monte in Alicante but in sight of the border with Murcia. I was pleased to see that the water levels were very good and with clear water too. Some of the margins in front of the hides had got a bit larger and vegetation has grown but not significantly to spoil the view from the five small hides. Not user-friendly for either wheelchairs or scopes but other wise good. The water is expansive and some birds are distant. This is a little used site and there was only a photographer that I saw. 

On the water Common Pochard - Porrón Europea, Shoveler - Cuchara Común , a juvenile Shelduck - Tarro Blanco, Mallard - Ánade  Azuldon, one White-headed duck - Malvasia Cabeciblanca with the usual Moorhens - Gallineta Común and Coots - Focha Común of all ages swimming around. The normal flypasts occurred with only one Little Bittern - Avetorillo Común but with several sightings of Squaccos - Garcilla Cangrejera. Small birds did not show but I did have a close view of an immature Woodchat Shrike that perched in front of the hide.

Flying fast and quite distant I was pleased to Sand Martins - Avión Zapador. There must be a nesting site near by but I don’t know where. I will go again soon as it could yield something good especially if I can get down there for dawn

POISONING UNLIMITED

 POISONINGS UNLIMITED

This blog is about the intentional use of banned poisons to destroy wildlife on estates where their aim is to provide birds, specifically reared, for the purpose of being blasted out of the skies by toxic lead. It’s all in the name of sport, of course, and all for fun! I don’t think so. 

This is a problem that we have had for centuries where control of OUR  lands are controlled by the FEW. Poisoning, trapping and killing of anything (just look at what can be killed legally by the grant of General Licences) has been acceptable for far too long. It’s in the mind, the mindset to kill, and that is what we have to get changed.

It’s not a UK problem and here in Spain there has been a conviction when a poisoned carcass was left and Griffon Vultures feasted and died. The financial penalty was large and with a form of imprisonment imposed. 

I accept that even draconian sentences will not be the answer, but can be part of it. There are many of us who intensely dislike the unnecessary death of beautiful animals that belong to us; to everyone and not to a very small percentage of people. The killers need to be stopped.

This is the first part of a post from Raptor Persecution UK

In March this year, a golden eagle was found dead, next to a poisoned hare bait, on a grouse moor on Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park. Toxicology results showed the eagle had been illegally poisoned with a banned pesticide. Police Scotland conducted a multi-agency search, under warrant, of various properties on Invercauld Estate […]

I don’t need to say anymore because you can read it in full by going to their post of 1st July. I have followed their site for years with a great deal of sadness and frustration.

I make the following points;

1. The Invercauld  Estate is in The Cairngorms National Park. So, its there for the nation is it but there are ‘grouse moors’ in there controlled by estate owners. That cannot be in the public interest?

2.   A Golden Eagle - a protected bird of prey - was found dead and the         toxicology report was an illegal poison.

3. Next to the corpse was a dead Mountain Hare used as a poisoned bait.

4. That’s two dead animals - two crimes committed - by poison

5. A banned pesticide was found in both. That’s another offence.

The targeting by leaving poison bait is bad enough but what else can ingest to control away and die. It’s insidious. I hate it. More to follow I fear.

LIFE LESSONS COMPILED BY NANCY BLODGETT KLEIN

 LIFE LESSONS

Guidance for All Ages

Complied by

NANCY BLODGETT KLEIN

The following is my personal view on the idea.

I became aware of the intention to create a collection of stories that can relate to the present where their origins have been in the writer’s past. In my own mind there would be no fiction and what I thought I could write I had no idea! In fact I did not know what words would come out or whether it would be suitable to fit in with what was required. 

So, I sat down and got it done. I sought other views and I knew I had to reduce it and, of course, I knew that an edit with suggestions would be made, firstly by Darlene Foster (The Amanda Travel Series) and then by Nancy.

I knew that it would be personal and some negotiation was required before I settled on the points of what I wanted to say. I am very happy with that.

This collection shows clearly the benefit of writers meeting in the support of others. I became a member of The Stanza Mar Menor in 2006 and overtime only three of the original writers are still active in the ‘rump’ of the stanza and still involved under the banner of The San Miguel Writers and The Rump of Stanza Mar Menor. We are affiliated to the Poetry Society in London. Along the way I have been involved with other groups and all of us have been associated with Torrevieja Writer’s Circle. Without the support of others I doubt if I would be writing at all. Now, what is it all about.

Life Lessons: Guidance for All Ages

This is an anthology of 34 stories from a variety of authors sharing experiences that happened to them and concluding with what each author learned as a result. Each touching story begins with a quote related to the subject, shares the experience or events, and then concludes with a moral. This collection of stories is especially geared towards younger people who may need some guidance about how to successfully navigate their lives. However, people of all ages would find this book of interest because of the variety of wonderful stories and moral guidance shared. Some stories are happy while others are quite sad. In all cases, these writers share lessons from their own experiences to help others successfully navigate through the ups and downs of life.

Please note: https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/2021/07/01/life-lessons/

The book is available in print and digital versions and can be purchased from most Amazon sites

I thank everybody that has helped me along the way and I will purchase and buy and enjoy all the others