|
Public views sought for next Lottery licence
LOTTERY regulator launches web questionnaire to gauge public
priorities on next National Lottery licence. With more than
70% of adults playing the National Lottery on a regular basis and
over £18 billion raised for good causes, £1.7 billion of which has
been donated to projects in the North West, the Lottery has never
played such an important role in our communities.
In January 2009, however, the current Lottery licence will expire,
and the competition process has already begun to find the next
National Lottery operator. Running the National Lottery is a huge
undertaking with responsibilities for, amongst others, game design
and marketing, managing the retailer network, organising the draws
and paying out prizes. The opinions of the public are important in
this competition process, to ensure that the bidders address the
needs of the public.
Roger Black, former Olympic athlete and supporter of the National
Lottery explains:- “The National Lottery has transformed
British sport over the last few years. As someone involved in
British sport I can see the improvement Lottery funding has made to
athletes of all levels. Working with the National Lottery allows me
to contribute to shaping the Lottery of the future. This is your
opportunity to do the same and I urge you to get involved."
The National Lottery Commission (NLC) is the body responsible for
running this competition, and has responded to the need for public
feedback by launching an online questionnaire urging people in the
North West to have their say on the future of the Lottery.
Robert Foster, Chair of the Competition Project Board explains:-
“Holding a competition for the licence means that good causes can
get the best possible deal from the Lottery, as well as ensuring
that the Lottery remains fun to play and players are protected.”
The National Lottery Commission (NLC) regulates the Lottery to
ensure that players are treated fairly, the nation's interest in the
Lottery is protected and the operator is motivated to maximise the
enjoyment and benefits that the Lottery brings to the Nation.
To have your say:-
Visit
www.natlotcomm.gov.uk or call
020 7016 3422 / 3440 for more information. |
Earthwatch offers primary teachers an inspirational voyage of
discovery
INTERNATIONAL environmental charity Earthwatch is pleased to
offer urban primary teachers across England fully-funded placements
on the Hebridean Whales and Dolphins summer expedition.
4 lucky teachers will join Earthwatch scientists in the magical
Argyll Island Atlantic Area, a cluster of 550 scenic islands,
covering an area of more than 40,000 square kilometres. It is one of
the most important habitats for whales, dolphins and porpoises in
Europe, where the warm Gulf Stream mixes with colder seas supporting
a wide variety of marine life such as seals, otters, sunfish and
thousands of nesting and breeding seabirds. Many of the
species found here, including bottle-nosed dolphins and beaked
whales, are national and international conservation priorities.
Working on board a 21-metre research vessel, award winners will be
trained to record the number of whales and dolphins in the area,
take photographs for individual identification and monitor their
acoustic behaviour using the latest technology.
Winners are also eligible to receive a £150 grant to kick-start a
local project on their return, which can include anything from
organising awareness-raising events, to carrying out local species
surveys or encouraging sustainable practices in school such as
recycling and creating wildlife gardens.
Jane Meadows, an environmental science lecturer who won a place on
the Earthwatch project Britain’s Basking Sharks last year, says:-
“I feel re-invigorated and more motivated. The experience helped
me to focus on what is actually important…inspiring students.”
Earthwatch Chief Scientist, Dr Roger Mitchell, adds:- “This
all-teacher team will provide participants with a fantastic
opportunity to get involved in hands-on, scientific research. They
will meet like-minded people and share a wealth of exciting ideas to
take back to the classroom. This award scheme could revitalise the
way pupils are taught about our environment.”
The Hebridean Whales and Dolphins project runs from 27 August to 2
September 2006 and the awards are open to all urban primary school
teachers in England. Places will be awarded according to each
applicant's ability to demonstrate their enthusiasm for
environmental education by filling in an application form, detailing
what they hope to learn from the project and ideas for how to share
their experiences with others.
Interested teachers should call Earthwatch on:- 01865 318826 or
contact them by
email Alternatively,
application forms can be downloaded from the Earthwatch website
homepage.
The deadline is May 15 2006.
|
