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Coastal View & Moor News Issue 29 November - December 2012 If you go down in the woods today
The Explorer Club at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby, Oct 2012
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ancient woodland? And how many leaves can you identify? If your children want the answers to these questions and much more, why not join the North York Moors National Park Authority’s Explorer Club? The new Club is aimed at primary school children and their parents, and is all about combining facts and fun outdoors. It aims to promote an understanding of the Park’s different habitats and practical conservation such as tree planting, leaf identification and cutting down invasive plants. Four families from North Ormesby Academy,
Middleborough, have already visited Crow Wood at The Moors National Park Centre, Danby. Armed with cameras, binoculars and magnifying glasses they explored the wood and took part in a scavenger hunt. To finish the day off, they undertook a spot of maintenance by undercoating the toadstools’ seats in the storytelling area. The Explorer Club hopes to build on the success of the Park’s Hedgehog Club for pre-school
o you know how a Shield bug got its name? Would you like to know more about
experience will encourage the children to volunteer for Park work when they grow up, stimulate an appreciation of learning outdoors and become ambassadors for the National Park. The six-month scheme transports small groups
Volunteer Service’s vision to encourage all age groups – from toddlers to senior citizens – to volunteer. The families will be working towards gaining the John Muir Discovery Award. The environmental award encourages people of all backgrounds to connect, enjoy and care for wild places. Tammy Andrews, the Explorer Club Co- ordinator: “This is a great opportunity for families to get out and about in the Park. They are able to spend quality time together while exploring, discovering and caring for the environment. It is wonderful to work with such an enthusiastic group.’’ The National Park Authority hopes the
children and their parents, which teaches tots about the wildlife in the Park through stories, crafts and songs. The Explorer Club is the next step in the
Pensioners should ‘work for pensions’ proposal is a ‘return to the workhouse’
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recently that a proposal by a former Benefit Agency Chief that pensioners people should carry out community work to avoid being a ‘burden to the state’ - and have their pension cut if they refuse is “nothing more than a threat to return to the Victorian Poor Law Workhouse.” Tom was reacting to a speech by Lord Bichard,
iddlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP, Tom Blenkinsop, said
labour for food and benefits. He does not seem to recognise that older people already give valuable help for the community, their wider families and society - for instance by informal child minding for their children and grandchildren. Many pensioners are also stalwarts of local community centres and voluntary groups. “They have paid their dues and their taxes
of 11 people into the Park using the Volunteer Service minibus. Family groups will initially be approached through contact with schools both within and on the periphery of the Park. The families will be given fun activities to do
at home to develop their understanding of the habitat and promote shared learning. Where possible, experts from other organisations, such as the National Trust, will be involved. Chris Kemp-Hall, Principal at North Ormesby Academy said: “We are delighted to be the first school to be involved in this new project. It’s great for families to be learning together in such a unique way, and we were very happy to be asked to participate.” Anybody interested in finding out more about
the Explorer Club or Hedgehog Club can contact Tammy Andrews on 07854 718693 or email:
t.andrews@
northyorkmoors.org.uk
a former head of the Benefits Agency, who said at a House of Lords Committee meeting “are there ways in which we could use incentives to encourage older people, if not to be in full time work, to be making a contribution?” He went on to say that the pension system should ‘incentivise’ people to do more to help look after the ‘very old’ and said there should be ‘penalties’ if pensioners do not make any contribution to society. Tom said: “There is a direct line between what
this blinkered Peer is saying and the Workhouse of a century ago, where elderly people were put to
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supporting a motion that calls for the planned fuel duty hike in January to be postponed. Tom said: “The planned 3p hike in January
ocal Labour MP, Tom Blenkinsop, recently joined Labour colleagues in
comes at a time when family finances are most stretched following the Christmas and New Year period on top of the recent massive hike on gas and electricity bills by energy firms. So acting now would give relief to motorists, small businesses, families and pensioners in my constituency who are
to society over the past half century and have helped to build the county we all now live in. To suggest that they be made to become members of some kind of a ‘forced army’ of helpers subject to financial penalties is both despicable and heartless. I would hope that both Lord Bichard reflects on his words and apologises for them, and that the coalition governments pension ministers make it clear he is not reflecting any kind of government policy.” Ian Swales commented: “Lord Bichard was speaking as an individual peer and certainly not on behalf of the Coalition Government. “I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues disagree entirely with his views. “
Motion for freeze on New Year fuel duty
feeling the squeeze as prices rise faster than wages, the record high VAT, and cuts to tax credits and child benefit. “Whilst the Chancellor may be hinting at a freeze that is simply not enough as families need to plan ahead with their finances. So this vote offers the Government the opportunity to provide peace of mind for millions of people up and down the country and I hope MPs from all parties will stand up for their constituents and back our call for the freeze.”
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