That's Food and Drink: Asda makes "massive" change to its own brand tea b...

That's Food and Drink: Asda makes "massive" change to its own brand tea b...: Asda has made a massive change to its own brand tea bags with the introduction of new, plant-based packaging, meaning that the 550 million t...

That's Christmas: Is your Christmas beauty Advent calendar damaging ...

That's Christmas: Is your Christmas beauty Advent calendar damaging ...: Over the past decade, the beauty industry has created some truly spectacular Christmas Advent calendars which have gained a cult following a...

That's Health: The Alexander Technique

That's Health: The Alexander Technique: The Alexander Technique is an educational method for changing long-standing habits of tension. Practised for in excess of 125 years, the Ale...

That's Christmas: Yotes Court Pinot Blanc

That's Christmas: Yotes Court Pinot Blanc: That's Christmas is looking at some English wines to accompany your Christmas feasting. And now we look at Kent's Yotes Court Hands ...

That's Food and Drink: More vegetarian options at M&S

That's Food and Drink: More vegetarian options at M&S: M&S has launched an exciting range of vegetarian meals. It's called Veggie, in response to growing demand for increased vegetarian c...

That's Food and Drink: Vegetarian options from OmniFoods!

That's Food and Drink: Vegetarian options from OmniFoods!: After the launch by foodtech company OmniFoods on World’s Ocean Day (8 June) in 2021, OmniSeafood made its ground-breaking debut in the UK a...

That's Christmas: Spring can help you get cash for Christmas by recy...

That's Christmas: Spring can help you get cash for Christmas by recy...: The Co-op is expanding tech-recirculation trials with Spring.co.uk . Thus enabling consumers to cut e-waste and raise cash by unlocking valu...

That's Christmas: Expert shares Christmas-focused decluttering tips

That's Christmas: Expert shares Christmas-focused decluttering tips: With October half-term quickly approaching and festive gifts already appearing on the shelves, celebrity organiser Dilly Carter says now is ...

That's Food and Drink: Sainsbury's coffee pods now 100% recyclable

That's Food and Drink: Sainsbury's coffee pods now 100% recyclable: Sainsbury’s own-brand coffee pod range has now become fully recyclable, with all their own-brand coffee pods now made from aluminium, rather...

That's Christmas: A greener Christmas with Nestlé

That's Christmas: A greener Christmas with Nestlé: Nestlé Confectionery has announced industry-leading packaging innovations for two of its best-loved brands: Quality Street and KitKat. In a ...

Conrad Energy adds to flexible generation portfolio

Conrad Energy has today announced added to its flexible generation portfolio with the acquisition of nine operational flexible generation assets from funds under management by Triple Point Investment Management LLP and associated entities totalling 65.5MW.

The largest flexible power producer in the UK continues to put supporting the transition to a low carbon economy at the heart of its strategic plans. 

The acquisition of these sites across the North West, South East and the Midlands bolsters Conrad Energy’s existing portfolio of over 60 operational flexible generation and energy storage sites, increasing its capacity in operations and construction to over 900MW. The company has over 1GW of earlier stage pipeline focused on battery energy storage and solar.

Steven Hardman, Chief Operating Officer said: “The UK’s power system has to be able to respond to all eventualities and these assets will help Conrad Energy provide additional capacity, increasing security of supply.” 

He went on to say: “As the energy industry moves along the path to net zero, these installations are supplying a vital source of firm power to the electricity grid. We are delighted to have completed this acquisition which complements our growing portfolio as we head into the winter months.”

All nine of the acquired sites are operational and will provide immediate accretive revenue for Conrad Energy. Located across multiple distribution regions, the assets increase the geographical diversity of the Conrad Energy portfolio, enabling the provision of responsive power across England.

https://conradenergy.co.uk.

Guildford Council is commended for preventing illegal reptile trading

A planned reptile market at Normandy Village Hall, Guildford on 15 October 2022 has been cancelled by the venue manager following advice from Guildford Council. 

The Animal Protection Agency (APA) gathered evidence of unlawful animal trading at a reptile market on 31 July 2022 at Normandy Village Hall.

Guildford Council examined the evidence and reacted quickly by warning the venue of the likelihood of further illicit activity at Saturday’s event. The Council and the venue have been commended by the Animal Protection Agency for preventing animal suffering and upholding the law.

The event on 15 October 2022 was organised by the Surrey Reptile and Amphibian Society and advertised as a hobbyist “breeders meeting” although evidence from the July event showed that the event was in fact a commercially-driven market. 

The law prohibits the trade of pet animals from market stalls as it is impossible to safeguard their welfare in such temporary, makeshift conditions. In response to the cancellation, the Surrey Reptile and Amphibian Society stated on their Facebook page that “we will come back with future events.” The Animal Protection Agency is therefore calling on venue managers in Surrey and surrounding areas to be vigilant, and to not accept bookings for any events at which any reptile trading might take place.

Numerous scientific investigations conducted at reptile markets consistently record animals suffering in poor conditions. Captive lizards and snakes require a lot of space and finely controlled temperature, light and humidity, as well as minimal disturbance, to mimic their natural environment. 

But at reptile markets these animals are commonly displayed in small, plastic takeaway containers with barely enough space to move and subjected to other stressors such as movement handling and noise.

Says Director of the Animal Protection Agency, Elaine Toland: “The treatment of reptiles at these markets has been described by scientists as ‘tantamount to animal abuse’. If dogs and cats were subjected to the same appalling conditions, and treated as inanimate objects, there would be public uproar. We are grateful that the Council and the venue have acted to prevent further such abuse.”

Points out Director of Freedom for Animals, Dr Andrew Kelly: “Freedom for Animals is delighted that this reptile market event has been cancelled and would like to congratulate Guildford Council for its actions.

"It is clear to us that these ‘breeders meetings’ are simply covers for illegal trading. It is high time such events were banned and we call on potential venues to reject bookings in the future. We also call on members of the public thinking of getting an ‘exotic pet’ to think again. Wild animals, even those bred in captivity, are not pets.”

Adds Wildlife Campaign Manager of World Animal Protection, Dr Charlotte Regan: “Reptiles are sentient animals with complex welfare needs, not commodities to be commercially exploited by the exotic pet trade. Thankfully, the planned event at Normandy Village Hall will no longer be taking place this October. 

"Other venues and local authorities across the UK should be extremely wary of hosting these inhumane reptile markets which not only cause significant animal suffering, but are also highly likely to involve illegal animal trading.”

Reptile markets have been largely eradicated from the UK thanks to improved local authority enforcement. The Animal Protection Agency is working with World Animal Protection and Freedom for Animals to ensure that UK reptile markets are ended for good.

https://www.apa.org.uk.

That's Gardening: Hedgelaying World Record Attempt creates wildlife ...

That's Gardening: Hedgelaying World Record Attempt creates wildlife ...: Over 60 dedicated hedgelayers from around the UK and Ireland have converged on East Hampshire for a Guinness World Record attempt. Ahead of ...

That's Christmas: Make a big Splash this Christmas with Splash soap

That's Christmas: Make a big Splash this Christmas with Splash soap: Splash Foaming Hand Soap is the new way to buy hand soap which is so much kinder to our planet! And will make an utterly superb Christmas pr...

That's Christmas: Plastic-Free vegan-friendly Shaving Brush. The ide...

That's Christmas: Plastic-Free vegan-friendly Shaving Brush. The ide...: A massive advantage of using a shaving brush is the absolutely luxurious feel. Plus they will help you get a closer shave, cutting down on p...