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ECO-ARTS FESTIVAL LOOKS TO
INSPIRE, UPLIFT AND EDUCATE
‘Inspired by Nature’ at Arley Hall,
Cheshire.
PLANS for a major
Eco-Arts festival at one of the country’s most picturesque estates
are gathering pace, with exhibitors and performers lining up to take
part in the first ‘Inspired by Nature’ event at Arley Hall in
Cheshire on the weekend of 8 October 2005 and 9 October 2005.
Organised by Education4Conservation, the Arley festival aims to be
the first in a seasonal programme of events at major estates around
the country, celebrating nature and the natural world though the
medium of the arts. A fun-packed weekend, it will offer something
for everyone, including young families, serious nature and art
enthusiasts, environmental pioneers and professional educators; and
will feature some of the biggest names in the environmental and arts
landscape along with celebrity guests and supporters.
Highlights of the festival so far include renowned roots musician
and songwriter Dougie MacLean, who’ll be rounding off the event with
a concert on Sunday night; and ‘Wolf Brother’ author Michelle Paver
and children’s favourite Malachy Doyle, who will be giving talks and
answering questions about their books and characters.
Celebrated wildlife artist Terence Lambert will be demonstrating his
craft, and artist/sculptor Rob Parkin will be creating a full-scale
sculpture of European Bison which visitors will be invited to help
finish. An Agincourt-inspired archery display, storytelling trees,
jesters and jugglers all add to the excitement.
Animal lovers can get close to some fascinating creatures, including
a small pack of European Wolves, Exmoor Ponies, Alpacas and birds of
prey. Local organic producers, artists and craftspeople will be
represented with stalls and displays, alongside tourism groups,
historical societies and environmental organisations.
Events and activities are being added on a daily basis:- the E4C
website www.education4conservation.org will carry a full and updated
list of what’s on.
Tickets can be bought in advance online through
www.education4conservation.org or via a 24 hour ticket line on 08700
600 100. Tickets cost from £6.00 for adults with 2-day tickets,
child concessions, family tickets and school party concessions
available. Dougie MacLean’s concert costs from £16.00. Tickets can
also be purchased on the day or in advance in person at Arley Hall.
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Making Merseyside’s Roads Safer for Everyone
No Excuses – Safety First
MERSEYSIDE Road
Safety Camera Partnership, which aims to reduce the number of deaths
and injuries on our roads’, has launched its website
www.no-excuses.org.uk
The website holds information, not only about what the Partnership
does, it lists all fixed camera sites and red-light camera sites
across Merseyside. There are tips on how to drive safely; plus it
also dispels the myths in the fact or fiction section. Don’t let us
make your mind up, visit the website and see for yourself.
There were 62 deaths on Merseyside last year and 709 serious
casualties; too many people are still being injured and killed on
our roads. Everybody has a responsibility to drive safely and within
the speed limit!
‘Know your speed limit’ is also a section on the website, which
shows the speed limits for certain vehicles and stopping distances.
Everyone who has passed their driving test is aware of the speed
limit, in fact they had to drive within the speed limits on their
test. There are no excuses for speeding; the consequences can be
horrific. The message is ‘don‘t just slow down for safety cameras’!
David Foulkes, Project Manager for the Partnership states:-
“We are encouraging people to visit the website. It is a tool to
help us to hear what the people of Merseyside are saying, as well as
giving them valuable information and safe driving tips.”
Road safety cameras are a proven method for reducing casualties. A
comprehensive evaluation report was published in June 2004. This
independent report evaluated the first three years of the Safety
Camera Scheme and covered the longest running 24 partnerships. It
showed:-
Effect on casualties at camera sites... beyond the log-term
downward trend
• There was a 40% reduction in the number of people killed or
seriously injured (KSI)
• There were 870 fewer KSIs per year, including over 100 fewer
deaths
• There was a 33% fall in injury accident – 4,030 fewer per year
• There was a 35% reduction in pedestrian KSIs
Effect on speed
• Average speeds at fixed sites fell by around 7% or 2.4mph
• Average speed at urban sites fell by around 15%
• The number of vehicles speeding at new camera sites dropped by 71%
Other findings
• 79% of people asked support the use of cameras to reduce
casualties
• The benefit to society through casualties saved was about £221
million per year.
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