Save Our Forests - Britain Act Now

[Ashley Cawley]

This topic is deeply rooted to all that is Bushcraft, without our trees we could not do what we love.

Tree's are the substance of it all, they give us life. They are the lungs of the earth and let us breathe.

Tree's create soil and support an endless amount of flora/fauna, they are the core of the ecosystem and something none of us can live without.

Let's stop the millionaire idiots of the boardrooms who care only for their pockets & power from turning Britain into another Easter Island.


Act now; sign the petition (http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition) and tell others about this issue.

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/images/frontpage/save-our-forests.jpg
"The government is planning a massive sell off of our national forests.

They could be auctioned and fenced off, run down, logged or turned into golf courses and holiday villages.
We can't let that happen. We need to stop these plans. National treasures like the The Forest of Dean, Sherwood Forest and The New Forest could be sold off. Once they are gone, they will be lost forever.
A huge petition will force the government to rethink its plans. Already 150,000 of us have signed the petition. Please sign the petition (http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition)."

Further Reading: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/dec/22/tory-privatisation-all-state-forests

Please post here to let me know if you have signed the petition and voice your thoughts on the matter.

[Kiltie]

Yep serious doo-doo, this is for real troops, as a woodworker I found out about this 3 months ago-signed up, lets hope its a horror story of a fictional type (sadly the ball is rolling) :(

[comanighttrain]

Its disgusting. They'd sell our back teeth if they could.

[Fletching]

Already done!

[Ashley Cawley]

"Dozens of projects to restore ancient woodlands – including 260 hectares in Cornwall – are likely to be abandoned under the Government's plan to sell off most of the country's state-owned forests, it has been claimed.

The forests are expected to be privatised without any requirement to uphold the Forestry Commission's commitment to replace rows of foreign conifers with native broadleaf trees such as oak, beech, ash and lime.

Pencarrow Forest, near Bodmin, was part of more than 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) of ancient woodlands across the country due to be restored with native trees." .....

Full article: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/news/Ancient-wood-sites-face-axe-163-300m-sell/article-3084310-detail/article.html

[Ashley Cawley]

Respect our trees.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzATCoRbIpY

[Bambii]

*Pimp slaps goverment*

I've signed it, I'll send it to friends.

I don't know whether this is on BCUK but it might be worth putting it on there if not.

Just watching that video, that is incredible.

[Ashley Cawley]

...I don't know whether this is on BCUK but it might be worth putting it on there if not...
Just posted on BCUK - http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67013

[Bambii]

Nice one Mate.

[GaryBeaner]

I remember seeing that video a while back Ashley. It's eerie how the horses just know it's wrong. You can sense their unease.

[GaryBeaner]

I'm taking that newspaper article into college (ecology, conservation and management)in the morning to show the lecturers and see what they say. Looks bad.

[swkieran]

its a disgrace theyll be nothing left in the end,i'll be signing it ash:). in a well known local forest to me (haldon),they have chopped down a fair chunk of it they say its to return it to its nautural heathland enviroment you wonder if its true

[andrewcomber]

EVERYONE please also consider writing to your mp personally. At this stage it is one of the first things that we can all do to help send out the message that we are more than just mildly concerned. No matter how much I despair at some of the big government decisions that make the headlines, I have the hope that mp's do still listen to their constituents and make many decisions to argue and vote in parliament based on the views they do hear expressed to them. If we as individuals say nothing, then we certainly can't expect to be heard.

The petition (http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition) is a good first step. I signed that back in the Autumn and although it has grown hugely, the suggestion that ALL instead of just some Forestry Commission land is at threat has come out since then, so now I have decided to write to my mp as an extra step. It is the first time I have done this, by the way. I just feel that NOW is when we need to make our concerns and opposition clear. If you look at the recent student protests, the government got what they wanted despite fierce resistance, perhaps because it was all done too late.

I'm sure the proposals being considered will be complex and will not entirely doom our natural woodlands. But we need to know more. I find it hard enough to cope with how little woodland we have left in the UK anyway, and how little access and rights we have to what is there.

Andrew.

PS swkieran, I believe much of Britain's heathland has formed in areas that were previously forest and have been cleared over the centuries for timber, grazing etc. This heathland has since become an important habitat for wildlife in it's own right. I'm sure many newer woodlands and plantations have since encroached or been planted onto heathland though, so that's not a simple topic either.

[Groundhog]

Signed and will pass it on I remember when they sold off the water even though all the infrastructure had been built by public subscription. Do these temporary con men have the right seeing they only got 20pc of the vote and a lot of liberals dodn't sign up to be tories. It's disgusting.

[Metal mug]

Dang developing millionares.:mad2:

[phil41181]

signed it

[paul standley]

petition duly signed.

[andrewcomber]

OK. I've had a quick response from my mp's secretary, basically copied and pasted from the government's Letter to MP's (http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/10/29/forestry/). This reply suggests to me that my mp is currently putting little or no thought into this matter at all, and possibly hasn't even read the government line herself yet.

Of course I have written back to point this out and to ask if she will consider the implications of these proposals in her constituency, rather than just accept what she is being told. BUT, this does go to show how easily your mp can just let these issues pass them by if they don't get any hassle from our side!

So, if you've got a few minutes to do more than just sign the petition, why not write to your mp (http://www.theyworkforyou.com/)???

[RobbC]

Signed it, and im sending it to my mates to sign. SAVE OUR WOODLAND!!!!

[Comptona]

signed and posted to my facebook page and scout website soon.

[klause]

Cheeky B@st@rds arnt they ? I've signed up and donated....

[Ben Casey]

Hi I done it the other day when I joined

[Fletching]

We're being heard!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12257835

Steve

[Ben Casey]

Just read it it is about time we got a voice maybe one day these companies and the politicians will get what they deserve.

[Ashley Cawley]

That's great news, thanks for sharing Steve.

Thanks everyone for supporting this cause, it is YOU that is making a difference, you had got our voices heard, well done.

[Ken]

There's a feature on tonights One Show (BBC1 7pm) about the impact the sale of our forests will/could have. Might make for some interesting viewing peeps.

K

[Ashley Cawley]

There's a feature on tonights One Show (BBC1 7pm) about the impact the sale of our forests will/could have. Might make for some interesting viewing peeps.

K
Set to record, thank you ;)

[Ben Casey]

Here to

[scorpian]

signed and shared on facebook, heres hoping for once that common sense prevails.

[Ben Casey]

Did I have the right show it was only on a few minutes and the best was that Dermot O'Leary said he did not know of any groups against it or he would join them.

Or where my tablets playing me up :) Anyway if I'm right I'm going to complain to the BBC :)

[Ashley Cawley]

signed and shared on facebook, heres hoping for once that common sense prevails.
It's getting the word out that is the biggest battle.... the vast majority of people know what the right choice is but many just aren't aware that there is even an issue, two weeks ago no bugger knew about it.

And the politicians are being crafty by not asking what should be the real question; they are saying "How should we privatise our woodlands" when it should be "Should we be privatising our woodlands at all?"

Shame I can't swear on the forum! :mad2:

[Ben Casey]

I had a reply back from my MP he just sent out a standard reply and did not seem interested at all the reply was just about speculation I thought they where going to do it. Or have I misunderstood what speculation means?

[Shewie]

Sounds like there's good news guys ...


England’s best known historic forests will be protected for future generations under proposals announced by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman today. The transfer of heritage forests such as the New Forest and the Forest of Dean to charitable trusts will mean walkers, riders and cyclists will still be able to enjoy them as they do at the moment.

The proposals are contained in a consultation document on the ownership and management of the 18% of England’s woodland currently run by the Forestry Commission. The document lays out different approaches for different types of woodlands.

The plans make clear that these woodlands will not simply be sold off to the highest bidder. Instead they recognise that no two woodlands are the same and that no single ownership model is appropriate. The document suggests a mixed approach that would deliver benefits for users and taxpayers, and makes clear that public access and biodiversity will be protected. The government will bring forward amendments to the Public Bodies Bill to ensure the public benefits the forests provide are protected.

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/01/27/englands-forests/

[Ben Casey]

That sounds great its a pity my letter did not sound more positive :)

[Ken]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00xpp1x/You_and_Yours_25_01_2011/

A very interesting programme on Radio 4 about the forest sell off.

Ken

[happybonzo]

@ Bencasey2001 and @Ken Is your MP David Ruffley, Conservative? He's our one for Needham Market
Anyway, just had an automated reply as have friends of mine from their MPs in other parts of the country
Ruffley recently threw himself under a train and couldn't even get that right; so I don't hold out much hope

[Ken]

No, he's not my MP. The MP for Ipswich is Ben Gummer, someone whom I've met on a number of occasions in my capacity as a borough councillor here in the town.

However, I'm sure someone's suicide bid is not condusive to their political opinions and only goes to prove that politicians are only human. The poor chap probably has many personal issues and think it's a little unfair to tie those in with his opinion on the sale of our forests. I'm sure the response you got was issued by his PA, under the instruction of Conservative HQ.

I really wish people would stop taking the opinion that all politicians are corrupt. It's the media you want to be wary of!

[Ben Casey]

No, he's not my MP. The MP for Ipswich is Ben Gummer, someone whom I've met on a number of occasions in my capacity as a borough councillor here in the town.

However, I'm sure someone's suicide bid is not condusive to their political opinions and only goes to prove that politicians are only human. The poor chap probably has many personal issues and think it's a little unfair to tie those in with his opinion on the sale of our forests. I'm sure the response you got was issued by his PA, under the instruction of Conservative HQ.

I really wish people would stop taking the opinion that all politicians are corrupt. It's the media you want to be wary of!

Hi All He is not mine either!!!!
I don't think all MP's are corrupt you always get a bad apple somewhere :( MP's have a hard time doing there job and dont get it right all the time thats why we have a right to complain. But I think sometimes what they tell the civil servants is misread and executed incorrectly. for example DLA and ESA they stopped guys money coming back from Afghan who had no legs and made lots of other mistakes.
Even the PM admitted that was wrong and that it was the people doing the job being over keen and reading the instrucions wrong:(
I think it is simple some times what comes from the top is misread and carried out wrongly.

So back to saving the forrests now I THINK IT IS WRONG THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL THEM OF SIMPLE.

[Martin]

....I really wish people would stop taking the opinion that all politicians are corrupt. It's the media you want to be wary of!

Precisely Ken, which is why I have refrained from responding to this thread until now.

Before, I get myself worked up about something, I want to know the facts of the matter, not what the corrupt media tell me, and make my opinion based on that.

Martin

[Bambii]

Most media company seem to enjoy scaremongering.

It's a bit like the recession, if the media hadn't have announced it, it probably wouldn't be so bad.

[Ken]

One main reason that MP's have been using a templated reply is that (according to 38 Degrees) over 50,000 people have emailed their MP's about this potential sell off. There is no way that every email can expect a reply, especially as the majority of those 50,000 emails have been templates anyway!

[Martin]

Most media company seem to enjoy scaremongering.

It's a bit like the recession, if the media hadn't have announced it, it probably wouldn't be so bad.

Are you sure you're only 15??? You are a very wise young man who could teach many men twice your age a thing or two. You should have kept your original user name.

Martin

[klause]

I've recieved a letter from my local MP !!!!

My local MP has replied by letter (hand signed) to the e-mail i sent him stating his support for the campaign to stop the privatisation of English forrests.
He also stated that he will vote against privatisation, and has written to the Minister in question raising my concearns adding that he will contact me again when he recieves a reply.

I must admit that i was a little shocked to recieve a letter from 'The House of Commons' but it just goes to show that some MP's might actually care about our forrests.

Well done Dave Watts, StHelens North - you've got my vote!

[Fletching]

No letter from my MP, but I checked through 38degrees and found that he voted against the proposals. :)

Steve

[Fletching]

Hi all,

I just got this email from the 38degrees team:

Dear Stephen,

Breaking news! The government have announced they will pause forest sell-offs for a few months. It's a brilliant sign, but our forests are still in danger. If we keep working together, we can save our forests forever - not just for a few months.

The government is still going full steam ahead with changing the law to clear the way for a 100% sell-off. It looks like they hope the fuss will die down if they pause a few sales here and there - so they can press on with quietly scrapping legal protection for our public woodlands.

Our petition is now 490,000 strong. Let's show the government we will keep campaigning until English forests are safe, by making sure the petition passes half a million signatures today.

Please forward this email and ask your friends to sign:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests

Picture yourself in the last forest you visited. Remember how you felt, what you saw, how peaceful it was. Now imagine hearing that this beautiful place has been auctioned off. We just can't let it happen!

By working together, bit by bit, we are protecting our woodlands for future generations. Since 38 Degrees members voted to launch this campaign, we've spread the word, emailed our MPs, and chipped in to pay for opinion polls and adverts. It’s starting to work - today is a time to celebrate. But we also need to keep the pressure building.

Please forward this email and ask your friends to help get our petition past half a million signatures today:
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/save-our-forests


Let's keep going!

David, Johnny, Hannah and the 38 Degrees team


PS:
If you use Facebook, please click here to post the petition to your profile: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/forests-facebook-share
If you use Twitter, please click here to send a tweet: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/forests-twitter-share


NOTES:

See for example:
BBC: Ministers halt some forest sales after public outcry - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12428814
Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/11/english-forest-sell-off-on-hold

[Ashley Cawley]

I just came here to post the same email! :) ... Great news but just goes to show we have to watch these buggers close.

[swkieran]

theres been quite a public outcry,even our local (south hams) tory mp has stood against it,on the back of the student demos etc looks like they dont want anymore hassles,god theyve only been in a few months and are already wrecking our country trying to sell off what little we do have,as you might of guessed i dont have much love for the tory party lol

[Fletching]

:happy-clapping:

Sorted:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/16/forests-sell-off-cameron-uturn#start-of-comments

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12488847

;););)

[GaryBeaner]

Great news!!!! So happy now!

[Ashley Cawley]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/218966/Forums/NBC/images/forest-news.png

:happy-clapping: - Take that Government! People-power.

As I write this I am listening to the BBC saying that as a result of the public backlash that the Government will be looking to implement new services to create better access for people to private forests/woodlands and to create better biodiversity! Great News! ...

But do I still trust them? - Do I hell! ... let's keep an eye on them people.

Great work one and all, Thanks for taking the time to vote & support this movement.

[klause]

Good news, but your quite right not to trust them Ashley........they are snakes of the highest order!

[IBrown]

Enviroment Sec to give statement at 12 today. Well done everyone

[fish]

you know what this shower of bsterds are like theyll announce theyre not selling the forests then next week theyll announce that theyre selling a proportion of the wood from them,oh look ,shock horror,the woods have all gone!

[Ben Casey]

Hi Guys I have just found this so I hope it is okay to post it it seems some woods are to be gotten rid of in another way :(

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/campaigning/woodwatch/case-studies/high-speed-two/Pages/default.aspx

[Woodwose]

Not to far from Twyford and Newbury I see and who can forget the battle to save the trees there.
Maybe tree protesters, eco warriors, environmentalists, call them what you will would have more success now due to all the cutbacks in our police forces, councils etc.