Under 30s across region urged to drink less and enjoy more

An initiative to reduce drunkenness in Liverpool is being extended to Merseyside and Cheshire.

‘Drink Less Enjoy More’ is primarily aimed at 18 – 30 year olds and warns that they risk having their night out cut short as bar staff may refuse to serve them.

The initiative has been run in Liverpool since 2015, but now Public Health teams across Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, Halton, Warrington, St Helens, Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East are rolling it out as well.

The aim is to encourage young people to cut back on how much they drink at home before going out – so-called ‘pre-loading’ - as well as how much they consume when visiting bars, pubs and clubs.

Drunkenness can have immediate health consequences such as alcohol poisoning, and can contribute to sexual violence, accidents and violent crimes. It places a large burden on health, police and other public services.

The ongoing Drink Less Enjoy More communication programme uses radio, digital and outdoor advertising near shops, pubs and bars, with posters and other literature displayed in bars.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of the 2003 Licensing Act, which states it is illegal to:

· Buy alcohol for someone who is clearly drunk

· For bar staff to serve someone who is clearly drunk

Both offences are punishable with a fine of up to £1,000 and premises found to be serving people who are clearly drunk are also at risk of being stripped of their licence – but local research shows only half of people are aware of the law. 

Fiona Johnstone, Interim Director for Strategy and Partnerships in Wirral and Alcohol Lead for Merseyside and Cheshire, said: “We have been encouraged by the success of Drink Less Enjoy More in Liverpool which is why we are now expanding it wider across Merseyside and Cheshire.

“We will be working in partnership with bars to provide training to raise awareness of the law and help bar staff to confidently refuse to serve people, ensuring people stay safe and have a good night out.”

“Research conducted in Liverpool City Centre shows a significant drop in the number of bars people serving drunks, down to 36% in 2016 from 84% in 2014 before the initiative started.

Councillor Paul Brant, Cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “This is about reducing the strain on public services such as the police, ambulance staff and hospitals at a time when they are already under massive pressure.

“We know that many people travel into the city from surrounding areas so it makes sense to spread the campaign more widely.”

Communication of the Drink Less Enjoy More programme features a range of advertising including posters with text conversations between friends to illustrate how their night out could be ruined if they ignore the law, including: “Dean, don’t get too smashed mate! We won’t get served anywhere later” and “Looks like an early taxi home for us lads. They won’t serve us because Ryan’s bladdered…Gutted L.”

Police and licensing teams will be actively working with bars to promote compliance with the laws in order to reduce drunkenness across Merseyside and Cheshire

Superintendent Mark Wiggins from Merseyside Police said: DLEM isn't aimed at those who drink responsibly - it's there to help identify the minority of people who have had too much alcohol and could end up being a danger either to themselves or others. People need to ask themselves whether they want their night to end early because they’ve been refused entry to a bar due to them having consumed too much alcohol too early. Drink sensibly and enjoy your night out with friends otherwise you may ruin their night out too if they have to take you home early.
"Merseyside Police is committed to reducing violent crime and making the streets safe and the continuation of this initiative with our partners should help to make Liverpool and our surrounding towns even safer places for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a night out."

More information can be found online at www.drinklessenjoymore.co.uk, liking on Facebook at www.facebook.com/drinklessenjoymore or following on Twitter @drinkless_enjoy

Search to find new junior recycling champions begins

As a new academic year begins, so does the hunt for Cheshire East’s next junior recycling champions.

Every year, schools in Cheshire East nominate a selection of fellow pupils as junior recycling officers. A junior recycling officer (JRO) encourages the ‘3 Rs’; reduce, reuse and recycle, within their school and community.

The JROs do this, with guidance from Ansa’s waste education officer, by preparing and delivering recycling-themed assemblies, running competitions and setting up recycling schemes within their school.

All primary and special schools are invited to join this scheme, which is run by Cheshire East Council’s wholly-owned arms-length company, Ansa.

At the end of the academic year, the JROs are invited to attend a ceremony where they give a short presentation on the work they have done to help boost recycling in their schools. A team of judges then choose the winners. This year, the event was held at Reaseheath Hall, in Nantwich.

At July’s event, Knutsford’s St Vincent’s Catholic Primary pupils Eli Winter-Roach and Madalein Ford became Cheshire East’s junior recycling officers of the year.

Madalein and Eli impressed with their presentation, which highlighted many of the recycling initiatives they led throughout the school year. Highlights included their recycling fashion show and their design of a flower garden for RHS Tatton – with hedgehogs made from recycled bottles. 

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Engaging with young people at an early stage on the importance of recycling and the benefits it brings to our communities is so important today.

“Giving young people the responsibility of sharing with their peers the experience of what they have learned is the best way of spreading that message as widely as possible.

“The children who take on roles as junior recycling officers are a great credit to themselves, their schools and their communities.”

Councillor Steven Hogben, a member of the Ansa Board, who was also a judge at the event, said: “I enjoyed meeting the junior recycling officers and was very impressed with the work that they have done in their school to educate their fellow pupils about recycling.”

The hunt for the 2018 junior recycling officer of the year has already begun with Ansa’s waste education officer visiting interested schools.

One of the first competitions available to the potential JROs is to design a recycling-based card that will be used as Ansa’s staff Christmas card.

For more information about the junior recycling officer scheme, visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/recycling and search for junior recycling.

A 'Ladies Fashion Show & Pop Up Shop'

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

A 'Ladies Fashion Show & Pop Up Shop' fund-raising event takes place at St Mary's Church Hall, Church Lane, Wistaston on Saturday 14th October 2017. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets = £5.

Clothing available to try on and buy - ex high street fashion at 50% or more off. There will also be a charity raffle and refreshments will be available.

All proceeds will go towards Wistaston Scout Group's new Scout Centre, in Bluebell Wood, off Elm Drive, Wistaston.

Wistaston Scout Group caters for around 120 young people and has around 25 leaders and helpers. The Group's old Scout Hut had reached a state of disrepair so the Group have had to rebuild it to keep going. For the past year the Group have been meeting at different venues with equipment stored in different places, so they are desperate to raise the funds to finish off and move into their new Scout Centre.

For tickets and further information please email wistastonscoutgroup@outlook.com or visit A.T. Welch (Hospital Street, Nantwich).

1980's Electronica tribute band 'Electro 80’s'

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

1980's Electronica tribute band 'Electro 80’s' - http://electro80s.co.uk/ - performed a fund-raising concert at 'The Studio Nightclub & Entertainment Venue' - http://www.thestudionantwich.co.uk/ - in Nantwich on Friday 22nd September 2017.

The concert took place in the music and stage area on the middle level with additional viewing available from the balcony area around the top level.

Electro 80’s arrived on stage shortly after 10pm and performed a two-hour set recreating songs by artists including Gary Numan, OMD, Visage, Tears for Fear, Kraftwerk, A Flock of Seagulls, Howard Jones, Depeche Mode, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, and The Human League. Their show was accompanied by robotic dancer 'Man O' Chrome' and a fantastic light display. The finale was Soft Cell's 'Bed Sitter'.

The concert was followed by a DJ set.

Entry was by donation and the £265.50 raised will go to St Luke's Cheshire Hospice https://www.stlukes-hospice.co.uk/ in Winsford.

Nigel Woodhouse, Director of Operations at The Studio, said, "Electro 80's provided excellent entertainment and we hope everyone had a great night. We are pleased to support St Luke's Cheshire Hospice in their fund-raising efforts."

'Wheels of War: Past & Present'

Reporter  Jonathan White, Wistaston.

The annual 'Wheels of War: Past & Present' military vehicle show took place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September 2017 at Crewe Heritage Centre on Vernon Way in Crewe.

The show featured military vehicle displays, trade stalls, model displays, and a tombola. There was musical entertainment on Saturday daytime from the South Cheshire George Formby Ukulele Society and on Sunday daytime from vintage vocalist Ruth Washington.

On the Saturday night a 1940's themed big band dance party took place in the Centre’s Exhibition Hall with live music from The Wychcraft Big Band.

Numerous people wore 1940’s clothing over the weekend.

Crewe Heritage Centre, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in July this year, was open to visitors including its three signal boxes, the Advanced Passenger Train, model railway displays and layouts, static locomotive displays and rides on a miniature railway http://creweheritagecentre.org/ .

The event was organised by Crewe & District Military Vehicle Club in support of Help for Heroes http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ .

Crewe & District Military Vehicle Club meet on the last Tuesday evening of each month at Hops Belgium Bar in Crewe. New members are always welcome. For further information please visit http://www.cdmvc.co.uk/

Public now able to view plans for A500 dualling scheme

A pre-planning consultation has begun allowing residents and stakeholder groups to view the proposed scheme for dualling the A500 road between Crewe and junction 16 of the M6.

Cheshire East Council unveiled its initial preferred scheme in May (2017), proposing the most suitable option would be to widen the road to the south, rather than the north.

Detailed plans and exhibition materials have now been made public. The consultation runs until November 1. It is proposed to turn a 3.3km length of the A500 between the M6 and the Meremoor Moss roundabout into dual carriageway.

The council is seeking the views of parish councils, stakeholder groups, commercial transport operators and road users.

By widening the highway to the south, instead of the north, the scheme will protect a popular ecological site known as ‘the duckaries’. It would also mean less disruption to power lines and underground utility services, while also avoiding any construction impact on the recently-developed ‘pinch-point’ improvement scheme to the north.

Dualling the A500 has been a long-standing ambition of the council as it will enable a smoother flow of traffic between the M6 and Crewe. It is seen as a key infrastructure project, which is essential to support housing and employment growth around Crewe, as outlined in the Local Plan and in the vision for the Constellation Partnership.

It will also create a much-improved access link for HS2 construction traffic.

The £57m scheme will eventually go through the planning process and a business case developed to secure government funding.

To view the scheme in detail, visit the Cheshire East Council website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/a500dualling

National award for council’s home adaptations service

Cheshire East Council’s home adaptations service has landed a top award for the way it has streamlined access to grants for essential home adaptations for people with disabilities.

The service received the award for its innovative work in prevention and early intervention and its holistic approach to supporting disabled people to live independently at home.

The council picked up the ‘home adaptations service of the year’ award at a prestigious event held at the House of Lords.  The annual ‘home improvement agency’ awards are organised by Foundations, a national body funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Cheshire East Council has streamlined the way it delivers disabled facilities grants by cutting red tape, admissions to hospital and residential care.

The council recently increased the ceiling for grants from £30,000 to £50,000, enabling peopleto invest in adaptations more suited to their disabled needs.  It also made it easier for residents to obtain loans for carers and the extended family of disabled children, as well as moving to a more suitable property where circumstances make this a more sensible option.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “I am delighted that our success in this very important sector of council work has been recognised at national level.

“Cheshire East Council has a core policy to promote long and healthy lives and to enable people to live independently and safely in their own homes.

“Relieving the pressure on health services and social care is a crucial role for this council and it is rewarding for the staff involved to see their work recognised with this award.”

Home improvement and handyperson service providers are local organisations dedicated to helping older people, the vulnerable and people with disabilities to live in safety and with dignity in their own homes.

Services are focused on ensuring that existing housing is fit for purpose and that vulnerable people, predominantly home owners, are able to continue to live independently for as long as possible.

Cheshire East residents urged to take up the ‘Stoptober’ challenge

Are you up for taking the Stoptober challenge to get fit and healthy and improve your general wellbeing?

‘Stoptober’ – the campaign that has inspired 1.5 million people to quit nationally since 2012 – gets under way on Sunday (October 1) and is being supported by Cheshire East Council.

Stoptober is a national 28-day stop smoking campaign. Research shows that people who successfully stop smoking for four weeks are five times more likely to stop for good than those who don’t participate in the campaign. 

Councillor Liz Wardlaw, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for health, said: “Stopping smoking is a crucial way in which a person can improve their health quickly. When you quit, blood pressure is reduced, it’s easier to breathe, your skin looks better and you feel better because of improved blood circulation levels.

“While smoking rates have reduced in the borough, 13 per cent of adults in Cheshire East still smoke. I urge these people to access the stop smoking support available through One You Cheshire East, a health initiative which helps local residents to live better, healthier and longer lives.”

Sam from Macclesfield is typical of many smokers that have quit using stop smoking support available across Cheshire East.

She said, “I became a smoker at 18. The main reason for starting smoking was peer pressure. It was a cool thing to do at the time and we didn’t really know anything about the harm it caused.

“Many people say they’re going to stop when there’s a less stressful time, when they’ve completed something or they will stop for somebody else – but it doesn’t happen.

“Now I can breathe. It’s a different world. I can smell and taste things better and I’m a bit more confident around people because I know I don’t smell. Bit by bit, I can see how my breathlessness improves when I am walking with my dog.

“Some people say because I’ve smoked that long the damage is already done.  But I can see that my body has started to heal and I can feel that.

“I try to recommend the stop smoking service to any smoker I meet. Any chance and I’ll take it!”

Currently, more than 40,000 adults like Sam still smoke in the borough. Cheshire East Council is tackling this issue by providing support through One You Cheshire East, which provides expert support and advice about quitting the deadly habit.

From the free ‘Stoptober’ app, One You gives support for people looking to quit. It’s available on the App store and Google Play store and provides motivation and expert support, advice on how to deal with cravings and keeps track of how much money you’re saving by not smoking.

In order to speak to someone at One You Cheshire East about quitting smoking and to get advice – including the use of e-cigarettes – ring your local stop smoking service free on 0800 085 8818, or visit the One You website at: www.oneyoucheshireeast.org

MEDIA RELEASE - Cheshire East to pay its sleep-in care staff arrears

Cheshire East Council is today announcing proposals to backdate pay to staff following a landmark legal ruling on the National Minimum Wage.   This ruling applies to rates of pay for workers who are required to work ‘sleep-in shifts’.  This is where an individual is required to be on duty and is considered to be ‘at work’ even if sleeping.

The landmark employment tribunal ruling in May this year ruled that the charity Mencap and others had underpaid its staff by giving them a flat-rate overnight sleep-in allowance, rather than  paying at or above the national minimum wage for each of those hours, even if asleep.  This ruling is currently subject to appeal, but Cheshire East Council is complying with the law as it stands now. The ruling typically applies to care staff sleeping-in in overnight shifts in care homes or in individuals’ homes as carers.  Those care staff may have been able to sleep through the night, but were available to be woken in the night and provide care as necessary.

The ruling will apply to employers including charities, commercial residential and nursing home operators and councils all over the country.  It will affect Cheshire East Council, just as it does every other council employing staff providing such social care and other such overnight sleep-in roles.  Cheshire East Council is today announcing that it has completed its initial assessment, reviewed its policy, and is proposing a solution moving forwards to our staff trade unions and the individuals concerned.

The majority of staff the council has identified as affected over the last two years are in the Care4ce domiciliary care team, as well as a handful of other roles including some staff at Tatton Park. All affected staff will receive a letter confirming the payments due and how it was calculated as well as receiving their arrears of pay going back two years in their October salaries.

Councillor Paul Findlow, cabinet member for corporate policy and legal services said: “We have undertaken an extensive review to establish exactly who this ruling affects and how much each individual is owed.  Cheshire East Council is a responsible employer – we respect and value all our employees and want to ensure that they are paid fairly for the valuable work they do.”

Stop killing badger save a badger

Please sign the petition to stop the killing of 30,000 badgers  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/200114

Vote for Cheshire East’s parks as the nation’s favourite!

Salute your Cheshire East park as one of the nation’s favourites by voting for it in the ‘People’s Choice Awards’.

This year, an army of experts awarded a record-breaking 1,797 Green Flag Awards to the UK’s very best parks and green spaces. The scheme is now asking the public to vote for their favourites.

Green Flag-recognised parks in the borough, that are maintained by Cheshire East Council’s wholly-owned company Ansa, include: Sandbach and Congleton parks, Bollington Recreation Ground, The Moor in Knutsford and newly Green Flag Heritage accredited Queens Park in Crewe.

People can also vote for many of the borough’s other parks, including Tegg’s Nose in Macclesfield, Tatton and Brereton Heath local nature reserve.

As well as being natural spaces that the council is very proud of, the borough’s parks also play a vital role in providing real benefits to public health. 

You can find your nearest award-winning parks at www.greenflagaward.org. To vote for your favourite, simply find it on the map and click the vote button. Once you’ve voted, why not encourage others to get involved too?

Voting closes on Saturday, September 30, with the top 10 winning sites being announced on October 11.

Councillor David Brown, Cheshire East Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for parks and tourism, said: “To become a People’s Choice winner would be an incredible boost to the borough. Our parks are right up there with the best in the country, so there’s absolutely no reason why Cheshire East shouldn’t be recognised this time.

“This is a great chance for people to show how much their park means to them. So please make your voice heard and vote now!”

Ansa chairman Councillor John Hammond said: “We were delighted to have received Green Flag Awards for a number of our parks. If one is named as one of the nation’s favourites, it would be a culmination of the hard work and dedication our staff put into maintaining them and would show how much our parksare valued within our community.”

Last year saw tens of thousands of people voting for their favourite park, with winners coming from all across the UK, from London to Lanarkshire.

Nominate your Local Hero today!

Cheshire East Council will once again be the key sponsor at the Local Hero Awards organised by Silk 106.9.

For the first time in its 20 years, the glittering ceremony will take place in Crewe at the Crewe Hall Hotel, on Thursday, November 9.

The event is being run in partnership with Silk 106.9 and will recognise the achievements of Cheshire East residents in 11 categories, ranging from awards for an ‘act of courage’ to ‘carer of the year’.

The Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Arthur Moran, will also attend to present the winner with the Pride of Cheshire award.

Councillor Paul Bates, cabinet member for communities and health, said: “Recognising and celebrating the achievements in our communities in this way brings a lot of pride to our borough.

“At last year’s awards we were reminded of the bravery of our residents through the posthumous winner of our Pride of Cheshire award, which went to Tom Jackson, from Congleton. His selfless actions trying to defend a young girl from an attacker ultimately led to his untimely death – but such actions continue to remind us of the strength and courage of those within our very community.

“The community spirit in Cheshire East is as strong now as it has ever been, so I am looking forward to seeing many of our residents get some deserved recognition.”

Nominations for all the categories remain open until Sunday, October 22. You can put someone forward by visiting Silk 106.9’s website at:

http://www.silk1069.com/local-hero-awards-2017/

Police Investigation

Cheshire East Council can confirm that concerns about allegations of manipulated air quality data have been referred to Cheshire Constabulary. This is a result of the council’s ongoing work to address these concerns thoroughly and transparently.

In addition, the council has referred concerns about allocation of public funds in making a grant to Berkeley Academy and also concerns about land purchases to the police.

Police have now confirmed that they will be investigating.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Leader of the Council said: “It is vital that these serious matters are dealt with fully and that if there has been any wrongdoing it is exposed.  While a police investigation is a serious matter, I would like to reassure residents that the council itself has brought these matters forward in order to put things right. 

“We will ensure that council services continue to be delivered to the high standards that residents have come to expect.

“As these matters are now subject to criminal investigation, we are unable to give more information at this time.”

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Cheshire East Council is developing proposals to bring the last remaining stretch of the A500 between Crewe and Junction 16 of the M6 motorway up to dual carriageway standard.

The improvement will ease congestion on this important route and facilitate growth in and around Crewe.

The council is now ready to share the outline design, and is seeking the views of local people and users of the road to ensure that we get the best scheme possible.

You can view the proposals and meet members of the project team at The Village Hall, Radway Green Road, Barthomley, CW2 5PE on Saturday September 23 9am – 4pm.

The consultation will run until November 1.

Council launches second consultation on levy to boost development infrastructure

Cheshire East Council has launched a second consultation on a proposed planning levy to help fund new community facilities and infrastructure.

The funds raised would be used to support local development set out in the authority’s Local Plan.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) would be payable once new developments start construction and is calculated per square metre of eligible floor space.

CIL would complement the long established system of Section 106 agreements, whereby developers are required to help fund developments’ supporting infrastructure, such as roads, schools and medical facilities.

Following initial consultation in the spring and updated market evidence, the draft charging schedule sets out the council’s position on potential future CIL rates in the borough.

The CIL consultation sets out the various charging rates that would apply for new development, alongside different charging zones throughout the borough. These zones are based on the costs and viability of new development, rather than the cost of new infrastructure.

The draft charging schedule divides Cheshire East into five charging zones for residential development – ranging from a zero rate in many built-up areas through to £168 (per square metre).

Business development and new shops are proposed to be zero rated, apart from retail development at Handforth Dean and the Grand Junction Retail Park, in Crewe.

Government is currently reviewing the national operation of CIL and is expected to announce the outcomes of this review and any changes in its autumn Budget statement. In developing a CIL charge, the council intends to keep its approach to CIL under review in the light of any future changes to its overall operation.

The consultation runs for six weeks from Monday (September 25) until November 6, 2017. Full details can be found via the council’s website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/localplan

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for housing and

planning, said: “Our borough is growing and, following the successful adoption of our Local Plan, we want to ensure that sufficient funding is in place to pay for new community facilities – the roads, schools and recreational spaces that residents will need in future.

“A Community Infrastructure Levy provides one way of contributing to infrastructure and is a fair and consistent method of funding. I would like to thank our residents, businesses and other stakeholders for providing their responses on our initial proposals on the CIL last spring, which have been taken account of in this updated work.

“We are keen to engage with all stakeholders with an interest in new developments to ensure we set the right rates for the different parts of our borough. As a council we recognise that future changes may be proposed by government in the autumn statement regarding CIL and this work puts us in a good place to respond to any changes in the overall operation of a Community Infrastructure Levy.”

Council extends pioneering Fairerpower energy scheme to Lancashire

The Skills and Growth Company, Cheshire East Council’s latest arms-length company, has taken its successful energy offering to Lancashire under the brand name Fairerpower Red Rose.

Established in 2015, the Fairerpower scheme is a not-for-profit partnership between Cheshire East Council and Ovo energy.

With more than 8,000 customers switching to date, customers have benefitted from a whopping £2.1m in savings on their annual gas and electric bills.

And now more than 600,000 Lancashire residents will be offered the opportunity to reap the benefits of a local energy offering with ‘Fairerpower Red Rose’ – managed by the Skills and Growth Company in partnership with councils across Lancashire.

Councillor George Hayes, chairman of the Skills and Growth Company, said: “I am extremely pleased to announce the launch of Fairerpower Red Rose, following the success of the Fairerpower scheme in Cheshire.

“Our aim is simple, to alleviate fuel poverty for residents of Lancashire by helping more residents to switch energy providers and offer award-winning customer service.” 

Both Cheshire and Lancashire residents who sign up to Fairerpower will benefit from: potential average savings of over £100¹, no exit fees², three per cent interest reward paid to pay monthly customers on all credit balances, up to £1,000³ and award-winning customer service⁴.

Switching only takes a few minutes, to find out how much you can save and how to switch, please go to www.fairerpower.co.uk

Murder in Cheshire

Lots of innocent badger will be murdered in Cheshire as the badger cull comes to Cheshire.

Join the local group and help to save the badgers  We need information if you know any farms who are culling or see any cages being delivered or information on shooters locations you can fill in the form and let use know http://www.crewetown.co.uk/inform.htm 

Here are some facts behind the badger culling:

​

• Free shooting has been applied as a killing method as it is the most "cost effective". In fact, this method is also the most questionable and inhumane method of killing badgers as minimum training and supervision is requested from the culling companies. In recent years reports have shown that 7.4%-22.8% of badgers took more than 5 minutes to die.

• None of the badgers killed during the current trials have been tested for TB, making both healthy and infected animals become targeted. Thus with no data published on how many killed badgers are infected with TB, effectiveness of culling is highly questionable.

• “perturbation effect” can result in wide spread of TB as survivors of the killed badgers might roam more widely causing spread of TB into new areas. The trial from 2007 concluded that culling badgers: “can make no meaningful contribution to cattle TB control in Britain” (You can find full trial in here)

• Extending badger culling into new areas: South Devon, North Devon, North Cornwall, West Dorset, and South Herefordshire creates an even greater threat for the badger population in England.

DISTRESSING footage of a caged badger bleeding to death has emerged as campaigners say it reveals the cruel reality of Britain's culling.

The clip shows a large badger, found in Devon last week, with bloodied fur trapped in a cage in an apparent breach of strict culling rules.

Stop The Badger Cull

Footage shows a large bloodied badger bloodied trapped in a cage in an apparent breach of strict culling rules

The animal, believed to have been caught at night, was still in the trap at 1.20pm the next day, animal group Stop The Badger Cull said.

Activists claimed its body was still warm to the touch.

It comes as the government last week issued licences to cull more badgers to tackle Bovine Tuberculosis.

The scheme was expanded this year to 11 new areas in Devon, Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and Cheshire, and could see up to 33,000 badgers killed.

Queen's Brian May slammed the bloodthirsty methods calling it a 'criminal waste of taxpayers’ money'

Queen guitarist and campaigner Brian May slammed the bloodthirsty methods calling it a "criminal waste of taxpayers’ money”.

Commenting on the sickening footage he said: “I’m sure I’m not alone in finding these pictures very painful. It’s pitiful to see these magnificent creatures being destroyed.”

Stop The Badger Cull

Campaigners say caged trapping 'cannot be done humanely'

He added: “The case for killing wildlife as part of a strategy for cleaning up herds of cattle is incredibly weak, and a huge doubt hangs over this policy. Yet this government ploughs ahead as if they are blindfolded.

“This is a tragic waste of ­innocent lives, which will not help farmers or cattle, and it’s a criminal waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Opponents say culling is inhumane and vaccinating badgers would be more effective in preventing TB's spread.

Stop The Badger Cull

Strict culling rules states they must not have any 'unnecessary suffering'

Jay Tiernan from Stop The Cull said: “This makes a farce of the idea it is being done to stop disease because protocols are being ignored across the cull zones.

“We are seeing evidence now that caged trapping cannot be done humanely. The people undertaking the cull are amateurs and have scant regard for animal welfare.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, states: “Cage traps set to catch must be checked and any badgers caught must be dealt with as soon as practicable after dawn the following day.

"Operators have a legal responsibility under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 not to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal under the control of man – this includes a wild animal held in a trap."

MYTHBUSTERS

Myth: Badgers are the main source of TB in cattle

Truth: The population of badgers with TB is relatively small. With that being said, only 5.7% of all bTB outbreaks have been the direct result of transmission from badgers to cattle. This equally means that 94.3% of all bTB outbreaks come from alternate sources. Badgers, however, are still the subject of unrelenting culling campaigns that cannot possibly eradicate bTB if they only cause 5.7% of all bTB outbreaks. We believe that 5.7% can be significantly lowered, if not removed altogether by an effective vaccination strategy and testing of badgers. At the Badger Trust we believe that the source of the other 94.3% of outbreaks needs to be the primary focus of DEFRA’s strategy.

​

Myth: Culling is the most effective way to reduce bTB outbreaks in cattle.

Truth: As already mentioned, only 5.7% of bTB outbreaks in cattle are caused by direct transmission from badgers. Spending 50 million of taxpayer funds to kill mostly healthy badgers cannot possibly eradicate bovine tuberculosis as 80% of the culled badgers do not carry TB. We firmly believe that a vaccination and testing strategy for badgers would have a much better effect and most of that 50 million could go towards an effective strategy against the main causes and transmission of bTB. It has already been shown in Wales that tighter control on cattle movements, regular and thorough testing has shown a drop of 30% in bTB incidents. Similarly, vaccination programmes in humans has led to human TB being largely wiped out. There is no reason a similar strategy could not work for cattle and badgers alike. Currently, Welsh herds are 94% bTB free without culling badgers.

Myth: Badgers being culled have TB and are a risk to cattle

Truth: The truth is simple, 80% of the badgers being culled in England and Wales do not carry TB and vaccination programmes can effectively lower the risk and even prevent these badgers from ever

carrying TB. The risk to cattle from getting bTB from badgers is already low. Scotland is a great example of this; in the 1980s badgers in Scotland that were victims of traffic accidents were tested for TB. While 1 in 48 tested positive the incidents of bTB in cattle were extremely low and often linked to cattle coming in from England, Wales and Ireland. Despite TB in badgers, the strict testing of cattle and import controls meant that in 2009 Scotland was declared bTB free.

Myth: Badgers that carry TB are in pain, suffering, and will lead to a slow and painful death.

Truth: Most badgers that test positive for TB will be latent carriers. This means that they are not suffering any symptoms. They may be infected with TB but do not have the disease and a very small percentage will ever develop symptoms. Any animal that is in pain and suffering should be addressed by a trained veterinary professional.

Myth: The Badger Trust cares more about badgers than it does cattle

Truth: The Badger Trust is made up of individuals, volunteers, and staff who are passionate about the welfare of many animals in addition to badgers. While our mission is to protect, conserve, and educate the public about badgers and their habitats we do not wish any harm to come to other species. We understand that farmers have a duty of care to their cattle and are just as passionate about their cattle as we are about badgers. For both the health and safety of cattle and badgers we would like to see a constructive and viable solution to the TB crisis. At the Badger Trust we feel that the government is simply appeasing farmers and not giving them the solution they need and deserve. The science has made it clear that culling is not an effective strategy and that other combinations are more effective. To put it simply bTB is a complex issue with complex answers, there is no one simple solution or the issue of culling (that has happened for decades) would have surely been solved by now. We wish to see a solution that doesn’t appease one cause at the expense of another and that gives long lasting and viable solutions to the bTB crisis with as few cattle and badgers killed as possible.