The bad blood between Ottawa and environmentalists was on display before the entire world Tuesday as negotiators from more than 100 countries signed a draft blueprint for sustainable development in Rio de Janeiro.
After months of trying to boil down proposals, environmental officials at the Rio+20 conference in Brazil this week finally compromised and delivered a 283-point "vision" for leaders and politicians to ratify later this week.
In the draft, the countries pledge to work with civil society to "renew our commitment to sustainable development, and to ensure the promotion of economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for our planet and for present and future generations."
The plan would commit countries to fight climate change with "urgent and ambitious action," increase their aid for developing countries, and work out a global set of long-term sustainable development goals to alleviate poverty and prevent global warming.
Critics say the draft is weak on timelines and firm commitments, and lacks heft when it comes to overseeing the state of the world's oceans.
"The text is extremely weak, and as it stands represents a sellout of people and the planet," Cameron Fenton, director of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, said in an email from Rio.
"Canada's role has been at its best not engaging in the process, and at worst acting to weaken ambitious language and delete commitments."
Oxfam Canada's Mark Fried noted the official text did not contain any new commitments, and even modest proposals — such as improving smallholder farmers' access to resources — were dropped.
"The Rio+20 summit was never going to save the world," Fried said in an email from Rio. "But it should mark a decisive turning point in our ambition to do so."
'These are beginnings, not completions'
Environment Minister Peter Kent, who arrived in Rio late Tuesday afternoon, said the environmentalists' criticism was "unwarranted" and "trivializes" the enormity of the task before negotiators.
"The non-governmental organizations....they know better," Kent said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "Canada takes these things very seriously."
The Rio conference is meant to kickstart action and discussion down the road, not come up with "snap" agreements that are not properly thought out and could well have unintended consequences on sovereignty and domestic policy if adopted without proper scrutiny, Kent said.
"These are beginnings, not completions."
About 50,000 delegates and activists have descended on the Brazilian city for the week. Dozens of heads of state will meet Wednesday and Thursday, although many industrialized countries, like Canada, are sending ministers instead of leaders.
Kent was set to meet with provincial delegations Tuesday night. Premiers from Quebec and Manitoba are both in Rio, along with officials and ministers from some other provinces.
Agreement to talk more, decide later
Environmentalists blamed Canada, in part, for arguing against a new agreement that would better protect the biodiversity of the high seas, where no country has any firm control.
Europe and some developing countries, as well as many environmental groups, had hoped to see leaders commit to forging a new agreement that would protect marine habitat and keep an eye on deep-sea mining.
Instead, negotiators agreed to talk some more, and decide later.
"It's a big failure of Rio, especially since this was talked about as the 'summit of the seas,"' said Susanna Fuller, marine conservation co-ordinator for the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax who was in the negotiating room in Rio.
While regional agreements and fishing accords do control some aspects of biodiversity in some parts of the world's oceans, there are many gaps that beg a global agreement in order to prevent destruction of habitat and ocean pollution, she said.
Developing countries in particular had hoped to have a biodiversity pact so that any benefits derived from marine genetics are shared for the common good, added Greenpeace Canada's ocean campaigner, Charles Latimer.
But Fuller said Canada, the United States, Russia and Venezuela worked together to make sure there would be no new agreement.
That's because Canada is already part of a United Nations ad hoc process to protect the high seas, and creating another agreement would be "duplicative," a spokesman for Kent countered.
Kent said Ottawa is engaged in several different efforts to protect marine habitat, creating conservation areas in domestic waters and participating in global talks to protect international waters.
But critics say there is more to Canada's opposition than that. Canada's companies have an interest in deep-sea mining that might be fettered by a new high-seas biodiversity agreement, they say.
Ottawa has been in an escalating public-opinion battle with environmentalists for months to the point where there is virtually no common ground between the government and even moderate research-based environmental groups.
In the lead-up to the budget, Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver chastised environmentalists for taking foreign funding. Protests against federal policy have been growing louder and louder, targeting the budget and its emphasis on "responsible resource management", and most recently the omnibus budget bill that overhauls environmental assessment regimes and the Fisheries Act.
Source: www.cbc.ca
Doctors solve mystery of a man who 'died from laughter' while watching The Goodies after his granddaughter nearly dies from same rare heart condition - Daily Mail
- Mother-of-two diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome following cardiac arrest
- Syndrome is a genetic condition that causes an abnormal heart rhythm probably inherited from grandfather
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Doctors have solved the mystery of a man who famously 'died from laughter' while watching The Goodies, after his granddaughter's heart stopped for 55minutes.
Mother-of-two Lisa Corke, 23, suffered a near fatal cardiac arrest and was clinically dead for nearly an hour when she collapsed in her home on May 4.
But the young mother from Minster, in Kent, was saved by her 'heroic' quick thinking husband who administered CPR for 15 minutes before the ambulance arrived.
Lisa Corke is recuperating (left) after she suffered a near fatal heart attack. Doctors believe it was caused by Long QT syndrome - a condition they believe killed her grandfather (right) in 1975
Lisa was rushed to hospital, put into an induced coma for 36 hours and diagnosed with the rare Long QT syndrome.
Amazingly, doctors looked into Lisa's medical history and discovered her paternal granddad was Alex Mitchell who famously died laughing while watching an episode of The Goodies in 1975.
Mr Mitchell, a brick layer from Kings Lynn, Norfolk, was watching the episode "Kung Fu Kapers" when he had a laughing fit and collapsed in front of his distraught wife.
During the episode Tim Brooke-Taylor uses a set of bagpipes to defend himself against Bill Oddie who is hurling black puddings.
It had always been a mystery why Mr Mitchell died but doctors quickly realised he too must have had LQT syndrome, which is hereditary.
Kung Fu Caper: During the episode Tim Brooke-Taylor uses a set of bagpipes to defend himself against Bill Oddie who is hurling black puddings
Lisa, who is currently living with her parents as she makes a full recovery, said: 'My granddad died from one of the most famous strange deaths.
THE BATTLE OF ECKY THUMP
In this 1975 episode of The Goodies called Kung Fu Kapers, Bill Oddie demonstrates the made-up Scottish martial art of 'Hoots-Toot-Ochaye.'
This consisted of fights with various assailants played by the other two Goodies, including two boxers, a French stick fighter and an Australian with a boomerang. He wins by cunningly hitting them over the head with a black pudding.
He meets his match when Tim Brooke-Taylor takes him on armed with the bagpipes. However, Tim loses after he is hit over the head by the returning boomerang thrown earlier by the Australian. Oddie celebrates his victory after it's announced by the umpire.
'I think at the time they probably thought he suffered a heart attack caused by the laughter but doctors realised he died from a cardiac arrest caused by LQT syndrome after examining me.
'His death has been talked about for years and made all the papers at the time - I never knew him but it is strange to think we both had this life threatening condition.
'It's amazing really, I never knew I had LQT and we did not know it was in the family. It apparently runs on my father's side.
'But luckily for me my husband was there who amazingly administered CPR and saved my life. He really is my hero.'
Lisa had just put her children to bed and was settling down on the sofa with Mick, 33, when her words began to slur and she suddenly slumped forward.
Mick quickly sprang into action, laid his wife on the floor and phoned 999.
Taking it easy: Lisa Corke with her husband Mick and her children Ellie (right) and Amelie. She can no longer do any strenuous exercise
He was told to put her into the recovery position, but when the operator listened to her breathing, he was told to start CPR immediately.
Mick did this until the ambulance arrived and they were working to try and stabilise Lisa at her home and all the way to Medway Maritime Hospital, Kent.
LONG QT SYNDROME - A DISORDER THAT STRIKES WITHOUT WARNING
Long QT syndrome is an inherited disorder of the heart's electrical rhythm that affects around one in 10,000 people.
Usually symptoms appear in the teenage years but it may not be picked up till later in life.
A sufferer can experience short episodes of having a fast, abnormal heart rhythm which can lead to other symptoms such as fainting.
These episodes can be triggered by intense exercise, emotional excitement or fear.
There is often no warning before an episode but most people 'come round' again after two minutes as the heart rhythm returns to normal.
However, very occasionally the disruption can be life-threatening.
Medication can control the symptoms, although some patients need a pacemaker to regulate the heart.
If you have experienced fainting associated with exercise or strong emotions, and especially if there is a history in your family of the same problem, it's important to discuss it with your GP. Source: gosh.nhs.uk
For more information visit www.c-r-y.org.uk
When she arrived in A&E, Lisa was put into a medically-induced coma to try to reduce the risk of brain damage.
Lisa, who lives in the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, was in the coma for 36 hours and had her heart stopped again two days later, but medics were able to bring it under control.
She has since been fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and has to take medication everyday for the rest of her life.
Lisa, who also has a seven month old daughter called Amelie, added: 'My whole life has changed and it's really hard not being able to pick the girls up or bath them.
'It's very unusual to survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest so it makes me feel very lucky.
'The doctors said Mick saved my life - it's incredible to think how lucky I have been that he was there and didn't go to pieces. Someone must be looking over us.
'I would like to thank everybody - the paramedics for not giving up - it's a long time for someone to be down. Everyone was fantastic.
'But I have to get my daughters checked for the gene to see if they too have a risk of developing LQT syndrome.'
Mr Mitchell, who was originally from Edinburgh died in front of his wife Nessie, who is now 86 and daughter Xia Mitchell, who is now 57.
He had two other children Liz Mitchell, 62 and Lisa's father Alex, 54. Alex senior is survived by eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Lisa's father Alex, who works as a mortgage consultant said his father was a 'laid back' and 'cheerful man'.
'It was hard for us to deal with at the time but we took comfort in the fact he passed away laughing.
'It is amazing that after all these years we have finally found out what caused his death.'
The family are planning to raise money for the charity CRY and will all be taking a two-hour CPR course through the British Heart Foundation.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Win tickets to see Sussex Sharks v Essex Eagles - Chichester Observer
Sussex Sharks’ Friends Life t20 campaign is finally under way following an impressive 11-run victory over Middlesex Panthers at Lord’s on Sunday.
Overseas star Scott Styris announced himself in Sharks colours with a knock of 48 from 30 balls while Murray Goodwin made 43 from 38.
In a thrilling Middlesex run chase, it could have gone either way at the home of cricket but left-armer Chris Liddle ensured the points came back to Hove with devastating figures of five for 17.
The Panthers will look to exact revenge when they travel to The PROBIZ County Ground on Friday evening before Sussex host the Essex Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
We have two pairs of tickets for the Essex clash to give away.
To enter, just name three of the other counties in Sussex’s t20 south group this year. Email your answer, plus your name, address and telephone number, to sport@chiobserver.co.uk by the deadline of 10am Friday (June 22). The winners will be notified on Friday. Entrants’ details will be destroyed.
If you’re not lucky enough to get your hands on a pair in our competition, tickets are on sale now for both the Friday and Sunday matches priced at £20 each for adults and £10 for juniors (in advance).
Call 0844 264 0206 or book at www.sussexcricket.co.uk or why not enjoy a ‘fantastic family Sunday’ which includes a two-course Sunday lunch, a match ticket v Essex and dedicated seating in the BrightonandHoveJobs.com Boundary Rooms.
This costs £40 for adults, juniors £20, or a family ticket of two adults and two juniors is £100.
Call or book online.
Email to a friend
Print this pageSource: www.chichester.co.uk
England selection for Kent spinner - News Shopper
England selection for Kent spinner
1:31pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Sport By Jim Palmer
KENT spinner James Tredwell has been called up to the England squad.
With England 2-0 up in the three-match one-day series against the West Indies, the selectors have called up three new bowlers and are planning to rest Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan.
Tredwell, 30, who has played five one-day internationals, is joined by Surrey’s Stuart Meaker and Warwickshire’s Chris Woakes.
He was at his miserly best on Sunday in the victory over Surrey, squeezing the run-rate and conceding just 17 runs off his four overs.
National selector Geoff Miller said: “The fact that we have already won the NatWest series means we are able to take the opportunity to rest three players ahead of next week’s series against Australia and take a closer look at players who are likely to feature in our limited overs planning going forward.”
Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt
Source: www.newsshopper.co.uk
London Olympics 2012: Thames cable car will be open by the end of June - Daily Mail
- Emirates Air Line to open to public at midday on June 28
- TfL say 'frequent flyer' tickets will cost 16, while single adult cash fares will cost 4.30
- Single ride will cost almost 1 per minute for those without Oyster Card
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The London cable car which will fly Olympic spectators over the Thames will open before the end of this month, Transport for London said today.
Transport chiefs have also revealed the pricing structure for the Emirates Air Line - saying it will cost some spectators as much as 16 to buy tickets for the 50 million cable car system.
Transport for London said the cable car will open to the public at midday on June 28 - almost a month before the start of the Olympics themselves on July 27.
The Emirates Airline seen against the backdrop of the Gherkin, one of London's most famous landmarks
Cabins are tested high above the O2 arenas, formerly the Millennium Dome, and the River Thames in London
During the test drives the gondolas were filled with workers to see how the system would cope with passengers
The month-long period before the Olympics will see transport bosses recoup as much as possible of the rumoured 50m cost of the Emirates Air Line.
A 'frequent flyer' ticket for the cable car costs 16, while a one-off, single adult journey costs 4.30 for those who don't have an Oyster Card.
The cost of a single ride for non-Londoners and tourists, most of whom won't have Oyster travel cards, equates to around 1 per minute for the five-minute ride from Greenwich to the Royal Docks.
The Emirates Air Line will link between the 02 Arena in Greenwich and the ExCel exhibition centre, carrying 2,500 people an hour.
The frequent flyer ticket gives tourists 10 journeys at the cost of 16.
A single, adult, pay-as-you-go fare with an Oyster Card will cost 3.20, while a cash ticket for those aged 15 or under will cost 2.20 and the fare will be 1.60 for those using Oyster cards.
Riders will also be able to make a non-stop round trip on the cable car, with views of the City, Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park, at a cost of 6.40 with Oyster.
It was feared that the network would be not be finished in time for the start of the Games on July 27 but an application for final approval has been received by Transport Secretary Justine Greening.
The cables run high above the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf giving the passengers excellent views of the City
Shuttles: The 34 gondolas will be able to take 2,500 passengers an hour
Security checks have been carried out in the past few weeks and it is understood that the Department for Transport will soon give the project the green light.
It means that spectators will be able to use the cable cars to travel between two of the Games venues - the 02 Arena on the south bank of the Thames and the ExCel exhibition centre in east London.
The Emirates-sponsored transport will be the first urban cable car system of its kind in the UK.
The gondolas, which will travel 160 feet above the river, are due to be an eye-catching feature, but are also seen as a vital cross-Thames link in east London and part of the drive to regenerate the local economy.
There will be 34 gondolas carrying 2,500 passengers an hour across the river between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks in just five minutes.
Workers sit in gondolas as they perform tests on the new cable car link across the River Thames in London earlier today
The gondolas link the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks
It is not yet known how much a trip on the cable car will cost, but Transport for London has said travellers will be able to pay by Oyster, the pay-as-you go card which already functions on London buses, underground trains and the Docklands Light Railway.
Mayor Boris Johnson has refused to confirm whether the project will be open to the public during the Games, however he said: 'Gliding serenely through the air across the Thames will provide a truly sublime, bird's eye view of our wonderful city.
'This innovative airborne travel link will be a vital component in the ongoing renaissance of a vibrant easterly quarter of the Capital, providing a much-needed river crossing.'
The consortium to build and operate the cable car was led by Mace, whose past projects include the London Eye and the Shard Tower in London.
The cost of the cable car was originally estimated at around 25m and it was intended to be funded entirely by private investors.
But, despite a 10-year sponsorship deal with the Dubai-based airline Emirates worth 36m, public money was needed to make up the shortfall.
London now joins cities including Barcelona, Cologne, Hong Kong, Lisbon, New York and Singapore which all operate cable car systems.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Try Ascot - in London - The Sun
A London restaurant is running its very own day at the races on Sunday June 23.
The Plough Bar and Kitchen in Clapham, will show all the races on a big screen, from 2.30-5.30pm
So dust off your best suit, fasten your fascinators and jockey for a prime position to watch the dramatic climax, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, through a pair of Veuve Clicquot sunglasses - free with every bottle of bubbly bought.
Call 020 7585 1844, email ploughevents@youngs.co.uk, or see theploughstjohnshill.co.uk.
ADD mystery to a camping trip by booking one of the new Wild Comfort mobile camping sites in Devon – whose locations are kept secret.
The luxury sites pop up at various locations in the South Hams and exact addresses are only given when booking.
But they are all close to beaches and rivers, the wilds of Dartmoor and the charming towns of Totnes, Kingsbridge, Dartmouth and Salcombe.
They are made up of five sleeping tents, one living room tent, kitchen and hot showers – and you can ask for the kitchen to be stocked on arrival. Prices are from £650 for eight people for one week with short breaks also available from £500. See oneoffplaces.co.uk.
BRITS driving abroad show a worrying lack of regard for road safety.
Twenty-seven per cent are less concerned about breaking speed limits, and 18 per cent take drink-driving less seriously than at home, according to an AXA poll.
And only 49 per cent slap a GB sticker on their vehicle abroad, even though it is required.
IF you need vaccines when abroad. it pays to shop around for the best deal.
There were some large differences in prices at clinics nationwide, when
the appointment and administration fees were added in, research by Airport Parking & Hotels (APH.com) found.
Across the seven clinics surveyed, Doctor Today was the dearest – charging £105 for the cholera inoculation and £63 for rabies.
In contrast, Well-Travelled Clinics charges £30.95 and £61.99 respectively.
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases had the cheapest rabies vaccine of those polled, at just £42.
For a full list of costs see aph.com/travelvaccines.
VISITORS to London will soon be able to get wi-fi while on the Tube.
London Underground have teamed up with Virgin Media to get 120 stations connected by the end of the year.
The first batch of stations are set to get online in July and include Oxford Circus, Camden Town, London Bridge and King’s Cross.
DESPITE the best efforts of the various UK tourist boards this year, it seems as though the days of the staycation could be over.
Research by M&S Money reveals staying in the UK can be 25 per cent more expensive than going abroad.
The cost of a week in London, for those wanting to celebrate the Jubilee and the Olympics in the capital, will set Brits back £1,631, compared with an average £1,298 for a sunny holiday overseas.
Stats from online travel agent On The Beach back up the findings – they have seen a massive increase in bookings for this summer with Spain again leading the way.
Tenerife topped the list of destinations with a year-on-year boost in bookings of 60 per cent, closely followed by Majorca which has increased by 90 per cent.
With hoteliers in Greece slashing prices by some 15 per cent and the low rate of the euro, bookings to the crisis-torn country have risen by 55 per cent. Alistair Daly, marketing director at On The Beach said: “With Britain focusing on the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics the UK will be saturated with tourists.
“Our data shows that Brits have chosen to avoid these crowds and take advantage of the reduction on family holidays and guarantee themselves a bit of sun.
“Staycations have taken a back seat in 2012.”
A NEW travel tribe is on the rise – OATs, or Old Age Travellers.
Gatwick Airport polled 1,000 travellers over the age of 70 and found 56 per cent were travelling more now than they did when they were younger.
The airport has now launched a search to find Britain’s oldest traveller.
If you think that’s you, or want to nominate someone, email proof of date of birth, a photo and a line about a favourite travel experience to ukoldesttraveller@gatwick-airport.com before June 29.
Source: www.thesun.co.uk
London 2012 Paralympics: 7/7 bomb victim Martine Wiltshire announced in GB women sitting volleyball team - Daily Telegraph
Wiltshire's journey to the Games will strike a chord in London. On July 6 in 2005 she watched television with work colleagues as London was named the host nation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The following morning, running 20 minutes late, she decided to take a quicker route from her home in Stroud Green to her office in St Katharine Docks. Instead of taking her usual overground train, she jumped on the Circle Line. Sitting about six feet away from her was Shehzad Tanweer. Between Liverpool Street and Aldgate, at 8.50am, Tanweer detonated a peroxide-based explosive device.
The bomb killed seven people, including Tanweer; 52 people died in London that day. She was thrown to the floor and trapped in the mangled metal of the carriage. She was the last person to be evacuated – doctors later told her that she had lost 75 per cent of the blood in her body. Had it not been for another passenger, off-duty police officer Elizabeth Kenworthy, who helped tie a makeshift tourniquet around one of Wright’s legs, she believes she would have died.
She was taken to Whitechapel Hospital, where both legs were amputated above the knee and said on Wednesday, having been on tenterhooks for weeks over her selection: “It's amazing to be selected. It’s the biggest sporting event on earth, and it’s coming to the city where I was born. I have dreamt of being part of it and now I am going there to do my country proud."
Meanwhile Dobell, who previously captained the England indoor volleyball teams from 1987 to 2002 and competed on the international beach Volleyball tour, injured his knee and switched to sitting volleyball. As a result of his selection, he is believed to be the first ever player to compete at the highest international standard in all three volleyball disciplines.
Also among the chosen athletes is Netra Rana, a Gurkha who has become a key member of the men’s team and was awarded the prize for Most Valuable Player (Libero) at the 2011 Continental Cup. He said: “It has been a hard rehabilitation process for me but sitting volleyball has helped me physically and emotionally. I am very proud to be selected in to the squad and I will be honoured to take to the court in the summer with my team-mates to represent Great Britain and make my country and family proud. We cannot wait to get in front of the home crowd and show them what a great sport sitting volleyball is.”
Dan Griffin, performance manager for Sitting Volleyball, said: “This is a great milestone in the sport, as we build towards our first Paralympic Games.
“When Volleyball England took control of the British Sitting Volleyball programme in 2009, there were just a few male players training. Three years on we have men’s and women’s squads with players training daily with a full time coach."
GB Teams:
WOMEN
Amy Brierly
Andrea Green
Claire Harvey
Emma Wiggs
Jessica Frezza
Jessica O’Brien
Julie Rogers
Martine Wright
Jodi Hill
Sam Bowen
Vicky Widdup
MEN
Anton Raimondo
Ben Hall
Charlie Walker
James Roberts
Justin Phillips
Muzzaffar Jabbar
Netra Rana
Richard Dobell
Rob Richardson
Sam Scott
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Essex Captain Relieved After Collision - Military.com
SAN DIEGO -- The Navy relieved the commanding officer of the USS Essex of his position, saying Tuesday that officials lost confidence in his abilities after his ship collided with a tanker at sea.
Capt. Chuck Litchfield had only been the commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship for a few weeks when the crash occurred about 120 miles off the coast of Southern California on May 16. There were no injuries or fuel spills.
The Essex was approaching the oiler USNS Yukon to be refueled as part of a routine operation when they ran into each other. Both ships were damaged but were able to continue on their way to San Diego.
Navy spokeswoman, Cmdr. Tamsen Reese, said the steering failed on the Essex, which caused the two ships to move closely together.
But the crew was able to regain control of the rudder before the collision.
The investigation determined that there were break downs in the command and control of the Essex, and in the communication between the two ships, Reese said.
Authorities also found there was a loss of situational awareness on the bridge.
All those factors, Reese said, led to the collision.
Essex was carrying 982 crew members on its way to San Diego for scheduled maintenance. It had spent the past 12 years based in Sasebo, Japan, as command ship for the Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group 7.
Litchfield was relieved Monday of his position and has been administratively reassigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
He could not be reached for comment.
Litchfield graduated with merit from the Naval Academy in 1988 and has been recognized for his achievements as a naval aviator. He was selected for major sea command in 2009.
Capt. Jonathan Harnden has temporarily assumed command of the Essex until a permanent replacement is assigned. Harnden previously commanded the USS Bonhomme Richard, which Litchfield had taken command of Feb. 3 before switching over to the Essex on April 23.
Officials said the Essex will depart Wednesday as scheduled to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise this summer in Hawaii.
Source: www.military.com
Essex: Springwatch star Michaela Strachan to open new visitor centre at Abberton Reservoir near Colchester - East Anglian Daily Times
Michaela Strachan is to open a new visitor centre at Abberton Reservoir near Colchester
By Chris Harris
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
7:48 AM
TELEVISION presenter Michaela Strachan will officially unveil a new wildlife visitor centre and nature reserve in Essex.
Ms Strachan, who has just finished filming Springwatch for the BBC, will open the Essex Wildlife Trust building at Abberton Reservoir near Colchester.
The 15-sided visitor complex has been built as part of a £150million project to increase the reservoir’s capacity by 15billion litres.
John Hall, chief executive of Essex Wildlife Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome a wildlife champion like Michaela Strachan to Abberton Reservoir to carry out the official opening duties of our new visitor centre and reserve.
“We look forward to welcoming guests and the public to what should be a memorable day. Abberton is already a hugely significant site for wildlife and our new reserve will help make it even more crucial over the coming years.
“Our fabulous new visitor centre brings people closer to that wildlife. The trust’s vision is of a ‘Living Landscape’ where wildlife and people co-exist side by side, to mutual benefit, and Abberton is a fine example of that ideal.
“Together with Essex & Suffolk Water we are making Abberton Reservoir better for wildlife, better for people – and better for future generations.”
Strachan will officially open the centre on Saturday and will be joined by the Mayor of Colchester and representatives from Layer-de-la-Haye Parish Council, Essex Birdwatching Society, Natural England, Abberton Management Committee and TJ Evers, who built the visitor centre.The opening ceremony will coincide with a special fair, which will include a birds of prey display, charity and trade stands, refreshments and a beer tent.
John Devall, operations director of Essex & Suffolk Water, said: “Abberton Reservoir is one of the most important sites in Europe for its wildlife and is also an essential part of the county’s infrastructure helping us supply water to more than a million people in Essex.
“The official opening of the visitor centre is a chance to celebrate this fantastic new facility, which provides a gateway to access this very special site.
“The relocation and enhancement of the visitor centre is part of the Abberton Scheme, which includes the expansion of the reservoir’s capacity by 58%.
“Guests at the opening event will also have the opportunity to learn more about this essential and major Scheme from the project team.”
The old visitor centre, opened in 1990, has been dismantled on low-lying land that will be flooded. The new visitor centre is on adjacent higher land, at the heart of an 80-acre nature reserve.
Source: www.eadt.co.uk
London 2012: Jazz Carlin & Ieaun Lloyd's last Olympic individual shot - BBC News
Welsh swimmers Jazz Carlin and Ieuan Lloyd have sealed places in their final trial as both bid to secure individual Olympic places at London 2012.
Carlin failed in her her 400m freestyle bid in March's trials before pulling out from the 800m because of illness.
The British Championships is her last chance in the 200m but Carlin needs a time of one minute 58.33 seconds in Tuesday's final for a qualifying shot.
Lloyd wants Team GB's second Olympic 400m freestyle spot from his final.
But fellow Welshman Alfie Howes is the fastest qualifier for Tuesday's final in Sheffield as the Cardiff swimmer recorded a time of 3:55.32.
Lloyd, who has already secured a place in Team GB's 4x200m Olympic freestyle relay team, won his heat in 3:57.81 minutes.
But the teenager must hit the Team GB Olympic qualifying time of 3:48.92 at Ponds Forge to join Robbie Renwick in the 400m team at London 2012.
Long-distance specialist David Davies, the double Olympic medalist, is the third Welshman in Tuesday's 400m freestyle final.
Carlin, meanwhile, was eighth fastest qualifier for Tuesday's 200m freestyle final in a time of 2:02.50.
But the Commonwealth Games 200m silver medalist must lower her personal best of 1:59.89, achieved in 2008, by more than a second in the 10-woman final if the Swansea-based swimmer is to join Rebecca Turner in the 200m Olympic team.
And Carlin, a world and European relay bronze medalist, must swim quicker than 1.59.47 to have a chance of Olympic qualification in the 4x200m.
Welsh record holder Georgia Davies, who has already qualified for the Olympics, cruised through her 100m backstroke heat in 62 seconds.
Davies also finished second to fellow Welshman Thomas Haffield in the second heat of the men's 200m butterfly to qualify for the 10-man final.
If Carling does qualify, she will join fellow Welsh swimmers Georgia Davies Jemma Lowe , David Davies and Lloyd in the British Swimming team for London 2012.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Will my over 60's Freedom Pass be accepted?
- kelly, London, 20/6/2012 15:18
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