News


downsmail.co.uk Bird shooting ban overturned


THE government has performed aU-turn on a controversial ruling to revoke shooting licences, followingwidespread pressure fromfarmers and conservationists.


Environment secretary Michael


Govewaded into the rowafter one of his agencies, Natural England, abolished three general licences that allowed landmanagers to use firearms to control “pest” birds. Landowners had argued the


move would leave rare songbird nests vulnerable to raids from crows andmagpies if therewas no effectiveway to control the preda- tors. Marden farmer Peter Hall said


landmanagers hadbeen given just 36 hours warning before the li- cenceswere scrapped. However, in a surprise about


face, Mr Gove seized control of Natural England’s licensing pow- ers on June 14 and replaced the three abolished licences … with three very similar ones. He toldNaturalEngland: “I con-


sider that it is appropriate for me to take over…for the time being. I do so recognising the scale of in- terest and concern that has been generated by the decision to re- voke [the licences]; and because


Hospital gets landing pad


AN all-weather landing pad for emergency helicopters at Maid- stone Hospital should be open in twomonths. The air ambulance will be the


main user but other emergency services and charities, such as the Children’s Air Ambulance, will also be able to use it. The helipadbehindthe oncology


centrewill replace a temporary one that was prone to flooding; it should open at the end ofAugust. The project has been backed by


£300,000 donated by the public to the HELP Appeal. Its chief execu- tive Robert Bertram visitedMaid- stone Hospital on June 11 to hand over the last of themoney. He said: “It’s fantastic to see the


progress that has beenmade in just three months.With new lighting, night landing will be possible for the first time inmany years, ensur- ingmore lives can be saved.” Maidstone and TunbridgeWells


NHS Trust’s chief finance officer Steve Orpin said: “The new heli- padwill bring a 24-hour safe land- ing site back toMaidstonewhich is great news forpatients needingur- gentmedical treatment.”


18 Maidstone Weald July 2019


my judgement is that the present situation needs to be considered with particular intensity and ur- gency. “I completely recognise that this


situation is not one that Natural Englandwanted.” In a later public statement, he


added: “I am grateful to those thousands of individuals and groups who shared their experi- ences.


Michael Gove, left, and amagpie (RSPB image)


“The three new general licences


seek tominimise some of the neg- ative impacts that the withdrawal of the previous licences had. But this is a temporary way forward. We will shortly set out details of a wider review.” NaturalEnglandpulledtheplug


on general shooting licences after a legal challenge byWild Justice. The not-for-profit company, fronted by TV presenter Chris


Packham, argued that, instead of general licences, the authorities only had the power to issue indi- vidual licences, once applicants hadexhaustedall non-lethalmeth- ods of bird control. Opponents say the resulting


sudden change to licensingwould have left vulnerable, rare or “red- listed” birds like linnets and yel- lowhammers at the mercy of predators. Langley conservationist Theo


McCausland told Downs Mail: “The implications for agriculture and red-listed birds didn’t bear thinking about. “Chris Packham probably had


the best of intentions, but he should know that even the RSPB actively controls crows at this time of year to protect vulnerable species. “I’m glad that common sense


has prevailed.” Mr Packham, who has received


death threats since taking the ac- tion,has vowedto fight onthrough the courts.


D-Day vet’s Channel honour


D-DAYveteranJack Staceyhas been recounting his latest trip to Nor- mandy, after taking part in the his- toric Voyage of Remembrance to mark the 75th anniversary of theD- Day landings. The first time the decorated war


veteranmade the trip, hewas in his 20s and, as a demolition expert,was clearing a path for the Allied ad- vance. This time the overseas tripwas far


more comfortable, according to the 101-year-old, with shipmates in- cluding HRH Prince Charles, Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. He described his invitation to join


300 fellow veterans on the remem- brance cruise – organised by the RoyalBritishLegionandtheMinistry ofDefence – as “a tremendous hon- our”. He was the oldest D-Day veteran


aboard the Boudicca, which called at ports on both sides of the Chan- nel for commemorative events. TheHarrietshamresident said: “It


was a tremendous honour to take part intheVoyage ofRemembrance celebrations and I amvery grateful


to have been given the chance to visit France again and pay tribute to my fallencomrades,whopaidtheul- timate sacrifice to help us achieve victory.” Jack joined up in 1939, at the


age of 21 (pictured), and served with the Royal Artillery Regiment throughout WWII, leaving the Army in 1946. Hewas awarded a host ofmedals


forhis service, includingthe1939-45 Star, the France and Germany Star,


the Defence Medal and the War 1939-45medal. After the war, Jack worked for a


printer in Fleet Street,publishingna- tionalmediatitles includingThe Sun andTheNews of theWorld.Hemar- ried Florence and they had a son, John. Jack retired in1983andmoved to


the area to live with his son four years ago, when his health deterio- rated. Jackhas since receivedregular home visits froma care provider.


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