Bolton Fell and Walton Mosses is declared a new National Nature Reserve by Natural England.

Published 9 July 2019 From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Natural England

Natural England has today announced the declaration of a new National Nature Reserve in Cumbria – Bolton Fell and Walton Mosses National Nature Reserve, home to one of Western Europe’s rarest and most threatened habitats, the lowland raised bog.

Located near Carlisle, the new reserve encompasses the recently restored Bolton Fell Moss Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the pristine condition Walton Fell Moss SSSI.

The restoration of Bolton Fell by Natural England follows 50 years of extensive damage from the removal of peat and peat-forming vegetation for horticulture, which created unsuitable conditions for specialist bog plants and wildlife such as curlews and redshanks to thrive.

Now restored, Bolton Fell Moss is recovering and is on track to develop important peat forming vegetation which can be already found at Walton Moss. In time, the site will become an active carbon sink, capturing and storing carbon to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the earth’s atmosphere.

To mark the occasion, Chair of Natural England Tony Juniper has today officially declared the National Nature Reserve.

Speaking at Bolton Fell, Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England says:

Since the ice age, our active lowland raised bogs have been storing large amounts of carbon and now play a vital role in combatting the impacts of climate change.

I am therefore delighted to officially declare Bolton Fell and Walton Moss a National Nature Reserve, set to serve the local community and wildlife for future generations to come.

Cumbria, home to almost half England’s lowland raised bogs, has seen over 500 hectares of lowland raised bogs restored under Natural England’s Cumbrian BogLIFE+ Project and funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

In the UK, 95% of lowland raised bogs are classified as threatened habitat due to centuries of drainage, peat-cutting, tree planting and agricultural practises. Six years of extensive restoration of Bolton Fell Moss has led to the establishment of important bog forming plants, with sphagnum mosses, sundew, cranberry, bog rosemary and cotton grass in full bloom.

Bolton Fell Moss is also seeing the return of a number of rare British plants and animals such as curlews, redshank and snipe, in addition to black darters, raft spiders, adders, lizards and the nationally significant large heath.

Later this summer the local community will soon be able to explore the full extent of Bolton Fell and Walton Mosses wildlife and specialist habitats, and enjoy the vast extent of the lowland raised bog. Visitors will also be able to learn more about nature conservation through research and outdoor learning. At present, visitors have full access to Walton Moss, and arrangements can be made to visit Bolton Fell Moss.

Natural England’s Senior Reserve Manager, Deborah Land says:

The restoration of Bolton Fell Moss has been vital to safeguarding this important and rare habitat and it is brilliant that we can celebrate its recovery though the declaration of Bolton Fell and Walton Mosses as a National Nature Reserve.

Following the completion of the restoration of the Moss, the new National Nature Reserve will now provide valuable outdoor space for the local community to enjoy and engage with and to support outdoor learning and research.

The restoration of the lowland bog and declaration of the site as a National Nature Reserve contributes to the delivery of the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and Natural England’s Conservation Strategy for the 21st Century, ‘Conservation 21’. Peatland restoration will be at the heart of the government’s England Peat Strategy, set to launch later this year. This strategy will set out how Natural England will support the restoration and sustainable management of England’s peatlands. The England Peat Strategy will help set the UK on a course towards the new target for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and contribute to mitigating climate change.

At around 19:15 hrs on 11 June 2019, an empty wagon in a freight train derailed at Carpenters Road North Junction and re-railed around 400 metres further on, while travelling at approximately 15 mph (24 km/h). The wagon derailed because one of its wheels ran over a substantial part of brake equipment that had become detached earlier at Channelsea Junction, and fallen from the underside of the wagon. The derailed wagon damaged signalling equipment, the track and a pair of its own wheels.

We have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided to publish a safety digest.

The safety digest will be made available on our website in the next few weeks.

Second round of funding for the popular Countryside Productivity Small Grants scheme open for applications.

Published 9 July 2019 From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Rural Payments Agency, and Robert Goodwill MP

The next funding round for the popular Countryside Productivity Small Grants scheme has opened for applications today (Tuesday 9 July).

Through the initiative, farm businesses can apply for grants of between £3,000 and £12,000 to help them invest in new and innovative technology. Today’s announcement follows the first round of funding in 2018 when £15 million was awarded to successful applicants.

For the second round of funding, 26 new items have been added to the list of equipment available, including chlorophyll meters, which instantly measure the chlorophyll content of a plant leaf. Another new item is the portable ammonia analyser, which can be used to check the levels of ammonia in farm buildings. Farmers and rural businesses will have eight weeks to submit an application for this funding.

The evidence shows that smart use of technology boosts productivity and yields, but also improves animal welfare and the environment. For instance, it can help farmers be more precise in the application of fertiliser, or ensure that the correct levels of medicine are being for animals.

Grants are available for all farm types, including livestock, horticulture and arable businesses, with a total pot of £15 million available to fund investments in new technology.

Farming Minister Robert Goodwill said:

The small grants scheme proved to be so popular in the first round because it gives farmers access to equipment that can deliver quick and tangible improvements.

This isn’t just about increasing yields; it’s also about using the best tools and equipment that can improve animal welfare and the environment, such as monitoring the levels of nitrogen in crops.

As we leave the EU we want more farmers to be able to invest in this kind of technology that can boost the bottom line and make a real difference.

Defra is developing plans for a third £15 million funding round in 2020, with details to be confirmed later this year to give potential applicants and suppliers sufficient time to prepare.

Farmers and land managers interested in finding out more or wishing to apply for a grant can visit GOV.UK to see the total list of items eligible for grants under this scheme. The application form is also available on https://www.cpsmall.org.uk/

65% of pupils meet demanding standards in reading writing and maths – up from last year

Published 9 July 2019 From: Department for Education and The Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP

Almost two-thirds of pupils left primary school this year having mastered demanding standards of reading writing and maths – meaning they are going into secondary school equipped to thrive.

Statistics released today (9 July, 2019) show:

• 65% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined compared to 64% in 2018 and 53% in 2016 when the more rigorous KS2 tests were brought in, although changes to the writing teacher assessment since 2016 mean results from 2016 to 2018 are not directly comparable.
• 78% of pupils met the expected standard in the grammar, spelling and punctuation and punctuation test – unchanged from 2018
• 79% of pupils met the expected standard in maths – up from 76% in 2018
• 73% of pupils met the expected standard in reading –down from 75% in 2018 but up from 66% in 2016
• 78% of pupils met the expected standard in writing – unchanged from last year

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said:

These results show the majority of pupils are leaving primary school ready to deal with the challenges of secondary school. The pupils who performed well in these tests will have demonstrated sophisticated grammatical skills like using the subjunctive, the ability to divide fractions and mastery of complex spellings.

We reformed these tests in 2016 to make sure they assessed schools’ performance in equipping pupils to understand the new, improved primary curriculum. These skills will give them the chance to make the most of their potential – this is at the heart of the reforms we’ve introduced across the education system since 2010.

It’s testament to the hard work and dedication of teachers that we have seen results rising over time despite the bar of expectation having been raised.

This year’s results are the fourth to be released following the introduction of more rigorous assessments in summer 2016, bringing primary education in line with the best in the world.

The attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their more affluent peers has fallen between 2011 and 2018. And in 2016 England achieved its highest ever score in the international PIRLs literacy study. This follows a greater focus on reading in the primary curriculum, and a particular focus on phonics.

National Curriculum Assessments – better known as SATs – are intended as a measure of school standards, as opposed to individual pupils. They enable government to hold primary schools to account for their performance and also highlight where pupils may need additional support when they arrive in secondary school

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Karen Bradley MP has announced the appointment of Vilma Patterson as a member of the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland. The appointment will be for a period of five years ending on 30 June 2024. Mrs Patterson will replace Dr William Smith, who has completed two full terms in office.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland’s role is to review the number, names, designation and boundaries of parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland and to submit reports with recommendations to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The enactment of Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 introduced new rules and procedures to be followed in the delineation of parliamentary constituency boundaries together with a new method of allocating constituencies. It also provided for a 5-year cycle of reviews.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for making appointments to the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland. The appointment is made in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.

Biography of Appointee

Mrs Patterson spend much of her career as a Director and Company Secretary of a private sector sportsground construction company (1976-2005). She also has a wide range of experience serving in a variety of Public roles in Northern Ireland. She is a current member of the Armed Forces pay Review Body (2014-2020), having previously served as Chairman of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (2012-2018), and was a Civil Service Commissioner for NI (2009- 2015). She was also a member of the Parades Commission (2006-2010) and non-executive member of the Police Ombudsman’s Office (2010-2015).

Terms of Appointment

The position of member is a part-time appointment. The position attracts a daily remuneration of £505.50. The appointment will be from 1 July 2019 for a period of five years.

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements. Commissioners should not have any party political affiliations which could be seen to affect their judgement and balance in their role as a Boundary Commissioner. Mrs Patterson declared no political activity in the past ten years.

Regulation

The appointment process has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA) and all stages of the process were overseen by an independent panel member.

Statutory Requirements

This appointment is made by the Secretary of State with regard to the equality provisions set out in section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and in accordance with Schedule 1 Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.