I receive a great deal of correspondence from readers who think wind turbines are a batty solution for energy problems (and the occasional letter from those who think the opposite). Bats aren’t too enchanted with them either.  As with many birds, bats are being killed by the huge blades through collisions or by experiencing sudden depressurisation when near the blades. There are currently 206 windfarms (2,381 turbines) in the UK and with plans for another 444 sites being looked at, these ‘Triffids’ could have a far greater affect on our bat and small bird population than any introduced predator.
I hear now that scientists at Aberdeen University, funded by the People’s Trust for Endangered Animals, are hoping to help the bats by creating a sort of portable radar beam to steer them clear of danger. Maybe we need more scientists working on better forms of energy?

Despite there being some light drizzle I felt like taking on a haphazard wander around a local forest, just to clear my head. On the edge of thick woodland were the tallest foxgloves I’ve ever seen - between four and five feet tall - swaying about like drunks trying to find their way home. More surprising though was this white foxglove growing a few metres off the forest path. I’d seen them in gardens and plant centres but never in such a remote spot, miles away from the nearest habitation. The seeds may have been carried in unknowingly by a visitor, bird or human, but being surrounded by dozens of purple foxgloves it could well be a freak of nature. Have others seen similar specimens in isolated places?

I was chatting with a sheep breeder at the Royal Show during the week, and we talked about the demise of the event. It was the 160th and last show and this particular farmer had been attending the Stoneleigh event for the past 18 years. Like me he wasn’t a fan of the ’shopping mall experience’ which seems to be a major feature at all the large shows now, but he was depressed about losing the chance of showing - and attracting customers for - his livestock. However, neither of us were aware that the Royal Agricultural Society of England were, on the last day of the show, to announce the launch of a new event just for livestock breeders – RASE Livestock Champions – to be held in the first week of July starting in 2011. RASE Chief Executive Brian Warren said that detailed research among livestock exhibitors and breed societies had indicated a very clear desire for the continuation of prestigious pedigree classes at Stoneleigh Park. A bit of good news at last for the beleaguered livestock industry.

This week I was reminded of the importance of holding on to our village schools. I visited tiny Arkengarthdale school high up in the north eastern corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park where just about everyone from this remote dale took time out to celebrate the school’s 350th anniversary. The school brought the whole community together and also gave the children a sense of belonging. Back in the 1960s, the school, with only 14 pupils,  was just days away from being shut down. Fortunately, there was a last minute reprieve after a group of parents headed for London to put forward their case. Now there are 31 pupils and the school, thanks to dedicated teachers and inspiring volunteers, is continuing to play a vital role far beyond ticking all those boxes devised by the goverment’s education department.