More details have emerged now that the proposals have entered the internal consultation stage. The main points to note are that the area managed for wildlife has been increased from 5% to 7%, and that the UK could benefit from a redistribution of rural development funds. We have produced a summary of the proposals which can be accessed on the link below. Four significant European environmental groups have said that the proposals to green the CAP will not support the most important areas for wildlife or lead to more sustainable agriculture. http://www.smithsgore.co.uk/assets/x/2695023 More news as it happens........... Lex

CAP review post 2013. Is it a radical shake up or just more of the same?? Well, it looks like more of the same, but with some difficult changes for UK farmers. Read the review here from Smiths-Gore. http://www.smithsgore.co.uk/assets/x/2695023 with thanks to SG Landscope

The RICS Rural Land Market Survey has found bare land averaged £6,115/ac during the first six months of the year, an increase of 5% over six months. Their transaction based measure which includes equipped farms, climbed 6% to an average of £7,479/ac in England and Wales.

Scotland and England have been given £363m to improve rural broadband in order to meet the Government’s target of 90% of homes having super-fast broadband by 2015. The Government is also encouraging local authorities and businesses to contribute, so as much progress as possible can be accomplished with the funds, which have come from the TV licence fee.

Controls on CAP payments and advice for claimants Leaked draft proposals indicate that the European Commission is seeking to tighten controls on CAP payment allocation, by introducing wider scope for suspending or recovering funds from payment agencies, such as the Rural Payment Agency, which fail to perform. Payment agencies may also have to pay interest, at their own cost, to beneficiaries who receive their direct payments late. Some aspects will potentially have a greater effect on claimants; the EU executive is seeking to conduct its own on the spot farm checks. It is also proposing to develop the "farm advisory system" to provide farmers with access to advice on good agricultural and environmental practices. It is intended such advice would be confidential and entirely separate from enforcement activities so that the relationship is constructive

Good on you Fred and the Mrs too !! I have this little ditti posted anywhere I can find space, it might help you two as well :- Within 20 minutes - Blood pressure and pulse rate start to return to normal Within 8 Hours - Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half. Oxygen levels return to normal. Within 24 Hours - Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. You won't believe the gunge that comes up at first as your body begins to re-grow cilia, the tiny hairs that line your airways and help push up impurities from your lungs - your smoking destroyed these. Within 48 Hours - There is no nicotine left in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved Within 72 Hours - Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase Within 2-12 weeks - Circulation rapidly improves Within 3-9 months - Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung functions are increased by up to 10%. Personally, my smokers cough actually disappeared after 4-5 days! Within 5 years - Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker Within 10 years - Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked Best of Luck Lex

Welcome to the Consumer Action Group and a big Well Done from me James !!! Keep up the good work, you might like to copy and paste this and keep it near you :- Within 20 minutes - Blood pressure and pulse rate start to return to normal Within 8 Hours - Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half. Oxygen levels return to normal. Within 24 Hours - Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. You won't believe the gunge that comes up at first as your body begins to re-grow cilia, the tiny hairs that line your airways and help push up impurities from your lungs - your smoking destroyed these. Within 48 Hours - There is no nicotine left in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved Within 72 Hours - Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase Within 2-12 weeks - Circulation rapidly improves Within 3-9 months - Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung functions are increased by up to 10%. Personally, my smokers cough actually disappeared after 4-5 days! Within 5 years - Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker Within 10 years - Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked Hope this helps a bit, Lex

Three weeks and four days so far, not to many problems and I have hardly used the spray thingy for the past two weeks. I'm thinking of sending this 'Full and Final' letter to Mr Nicotine LoL :- "Dear Nicotine, It's with great discomfort that I must write this letter to tell you I'm not coming back. The trial separation over the last 25 days has opened my eyes to just how one-sided our relationship has always been. I will not lie and say that I've not thought about you every day, many times a day since we were last together, but I'm missing you less and less and beginning to resent you more and more. Okay, so maybe I've replaced you with chocolate, cursing and random fits of banging my head against the wall until I black out or the neighbors call the cops, but despite this temporary madness I've had the courage to take my life back and know that I will forever more live each day on MY OWN terms. Look, we were just kids when we met and it's not your fault, it's mine. You are what you are, poison. You never claimed to be anything other than cancer, heart disease, tooth decay and 15 million other things I didn't want. I was just young and naive and now, as difficult as it may be, I'm letting you go. No, I'm not letting you go, I'm ripping you out of my chest piece by piece and I'm relishing the pain of separation. Each pang is a reminder of your hold on me failing, your grip loosening and your imminent demise approaching. Yes, I know you're thinking that I will miss you so much that I'll come crawling back on all fours but you underestimate my intelligence. I don't want you at all. I never have wanted you. All along you've been the one begging me to take you in. Well, worm, times have changed. I've torn you out and now you lay on the ground before me a withering mess of cancerous, heart diseased, tooth decaying misery. Such an ugly creature you are. To see you now for what you truly are fills me with wonder. How could I ever have been seduced by something so disgusting? Oh nicotine, you're evil, and I hope your slow death hurts like hell. When you're finally dead I'm going to throw a party on your carcass and dance it into the dirt. Bye now"

How is it going Ida ??

A couple of questions Mitty, I'm not sure what part your objecting too. Are you saying the property is just to big to be in character, or is it the 'affordable' side your objecting too. Is this a green field site, is it 'fill in' or is it an existing plot thats being rebuilt?? Lex

:whoo:Well done Ida !! I so know what you mean

Just for you Ida, hope it helps... Within 20 minutes - Blood pressure and pulse rate start to return to normal Within 8 Hours - Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half. Oxygen levels return to normal. Within 24 Hours - Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. You won't believe the gunge that comes up at first as your body begins to re-grow cilia, the tiny hairs that line your airways and help push up impurities from your lungs - your smoking destroyed these. Within 48 Hours - There is no nicotine left in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved Within 72 Hours - Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase Within 2-12 weeks - Circulation rapidly improves Within 3-9 months - Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung functions are increased by up to 10%. Personally, my smokers cough actually disappeared after 4-5 days! Within 5 years - Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker Within 10 years - Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked

I found this again and have printed it out and stuck it anywhere I can see it !! Within 20 minutes - Blood pressure and pulse rate start to return to normal Within 8 Hours - Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half. Oxygen levels return to normal. Within 24 Hours - Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. You won't believe the gunge that comes up at first as your body begins to re-grow cilia, the tiny hairs that line your airways and help push up impurities from your lungs - your smoking destroyed these. Within 48 Hours - There is no nicotine left in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved Within 72 Hours - Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase Within 2-12 weeks - Circulation rapidly improves Within 3-9 months - Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung functions are increased by up to 10%. Personally, my smokers cough actually disappeared after 4-5 days! Within 5 years - Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker Within 10 years - Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked

How's it going Ida, you being a good girl ?? I put one over each eye dx, that way I can't find the dam fags...............

Well, thats the first week out of the way and all is well !!!

Well done Ida, you will be fine !! Nice job too PGGJ, thats great !! Day six for me today, so far, so good Lex

Indeed Cerb, thats to much to give up in one hit !!! I know of a couple of people that have passed on after giving up the Ciggies, I fear I may go long before if don't !!!

After a few failed attempts to stop smoking, this time I am determined to quit. I've read my Alann Carr book again, armed myself with a 'Ciggy hating mouth-spray' and ready to give Mr nicotine a good kicking !!!.

Oi, I heard that !! I know it's a long way Caro, but if you can make it, don't worry about overnight accommodation, we have some spare rooms !!

Hiya Claire, You don't need an invite, all you do is express your interest on the thread for a meet near you !!! The place and time will be posted nearer the time. We're still trying to work this one around as many people as possible. Have a read of some of the past meets, you'll see they are great fun. I'll look forward to meeting you at one, some day !! Lex

I think we need to have a recount ?? Nitey Tilly Me Anyone else ??? or would a bit later suit better ??

Hi Stochastic, The forum rules are here mate :- http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?9-Forum-rules.-Please-read-these-before-posting Lex

You mean the stuff between the adverts ??? Sorry I missed it (oh another one from 'down 'ere')

It is hard enough to deal with the loss of a loved one at anytime but when that person has laid down their life for us....... I have seen two cases lately were a family have been pestered by DCA's after the loss of a serving member of that family, both cases involve mobile phones/mobile Internet dongles. When a copy of the death cert. has been sent in to the DCA, it has been suggested that the 'family' may like to make good their relations debt !!! After one copy of the 'prove it' letter the DCA have withdrawn back to whence they came. I hate to sound so callus, but you have to wonder if some DCA's monitor the published lists of our fallen troops. Lex

Barclays are infamous for doing this. In fact a 'whistle-blower' program on BBC showed how Barclays staff would switch peoples account WITHOUT asking, if they thought they could get away with it. A handy little bonus for them @£20-£50 a time. I suggest you go into your branch and rise hell with them, threaten them with a report to OFT and FOS if your old account is not reinstated, and do so if they don't. IMHO this is miss-selling Lex