Getting out there....

Well the saps rising and that's not all!! People are beginning to wake up and dust off their kites. What a great time to try another tack and bring the campaign out into the public. I got a great call from Al at Atmosphere kites who, (along with the crew at SWATK have been a huge support), offered me a soapbox stand at their event Atmosphere 08. What an amazing opportunity to get direct feedback on the campaign, rustle up a few more signatures ('cos we really need them!), answer any questions and spread the word, as well has having a blast!! I look forward to meeting you there.

As far as the campaign is going, I've updates the site, I hope you like it. No news from the parliamentary approach. The NFU legal chap is going to have a look at it in a couple of weeks when his schedule clears. The countryside Alliance are desperately trying to find an MP even remotely interested in sporting land access issues. I have written to Nature England, a branch of DEFRA who are responsible for Access and recreational access issues. So lets see how that goes, hopefully I'll have some positive news to announce at Westward Ho!

Branching out for Support

It's been a while since I last posted so I thought I'd better let you know what's been going on. The petition stands at 1168 signatures, so a little way off. I am wondering if that is down to a general lack of faith in the system. I can understand this but it would be great if we could set that aside and shout about what we want rather than being brow beaten or swept aside without being heard. Thanks as always to those who have stood up and made their mark, so far.

On a more positive note, thanks very much to Jerry Swift and the Committee of the British Kite Flying Association who have voted to support our campaign. This is even more good news as they are now members of the CCPR (Central Council of Recreative Physical Training) who are an influential lobbying organisation for change in sport. I approached the CCPR some time ago, and they were incredibly helpful. Fingers crossed that they (the CCPR) will take up the causes promoted by their fee paying members.

In the need to get some more formal weight behind the campaign I have also approached the National Farmers Union and the Countryside Alliance. I have yet to have any feedback from the Alliance (mainly due to the head of policy being on holiday), so I look forward to a positive response from them. The NFU have been very helpful and pointed the campaign towards their legal bods for review, I'll let you know what their thoughts are as and when I hear.

The wheels of government and bureaucracy turn rather more frustratingly slowly; Mr Peter Ainsworth MP has as yet not written to me about a response from Mr Hilary Benn MP's office. So I have sent a memory jogger. My thoughts here are that the powers that be have lost site of one of the oldest principles in the book...."Look after the Pennies and the Pounds will Look after themselves."

Well that's it from me for the next month or so, the wind and the weather are on the up, progress is being ground out so keep talking and signing......Thanks to all.

A drop of good cheer for the New Year....

Well it's been over a month since my last post, as there was nothing to report. I have to admit that I was beginning to think that we were grinding to a halt. But the posty brought a spark of hope yesterday from Peter Ainsworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The letter was personally signed by him rather than from one of his team. I'm taking this as a positive sign that he at least has had site of what we are trying to achieve rather than it just having been processed by the Secretary of States office. Again we find ourselves in a waiting game as obviously the higher up the ladder we go the slower the process becomes. Mr Ainsworth has "forwarded (my) correspondence onto the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asking for his comments." and he will write again when he has received a response. So we're not done yet, and I'm looking forward to seeing at where this avenue takes us. In the meantime ...... Merry Christmas (I hope that Santa brings you all the gear that you've been dreaming about!!) and a Most Excellent New Year!!!!