Chris Packham Joins Protest as Chicken Welfare Dispute Puts Pret Under Pressure

One of Britain's best-known naturalists has joined campaigners calling for improved chicken welfare, as a growing dispute over farming standards places Pret A Manger under the spotlight.

Wildlife broadcaster and conservationist Chris Packham (PICTURED) led protesters in London, saying he will not visit a Pret café until the company delivers on a promise it made in 2018 to stop using fast-growing chicken breeds.

The controversy centres on so-called "fast-growing" broiler chickens, sometimes referred to by campaigners as "frankenchickens." 

Animal welfare organisations argue selective breeding has produced birds that grow so rapidly they are more likely to suffer from mobility problems, bone deformities and other health issues during their short lives.

Speaking at the demonstration, Packham said he was "absolutely furious" Pret had delayed its original commitment. He described the lives of many fast-growing chickens as "a horror story dressed up as a lunch menu" and urged the company to produce what he considers a credible timetable for change.

Pret originally pledged to phase out these breeds by 2026. However, campaign groups including Anima and Project Slingshot say the company has now postponed that target until 2032. Their campaign has attracted tens of thousands of signatures and includes a reported £1 million public awareness drive aimed at encouraging consumers to question where their food comes from.

Pret, however, rejects suggestions that it has abandoned its commitment. The company says it remains one of the few major food businesses still committed to transitioning away from fast-growing chicken breeds, even though it has extended its timetable.

The latest protest featured an eye-catching four-metre animatronic "Frankenwrap", which has already attracted millions of views on social media after appearing outside several Pret cafés across London. The demonstration took place outside the company's Waterloo Road branch and is part of an ongoing campaign intended to keep pressure on the retailer.

The dispute also raises wider questions about food production and consumer expectations. Increasingly, shoppers want reassurance that the meat they buy has been produced to higher welfare standards, while businesses face the practical and financial challenges of changing long-established supply chains.

Whether the latest campaign will persuade Pret to accelerate its plans remains to be seen. What is clear is that animal welfare continues to be an issue that resonates strongly with many consumers, and companies making public environmental or ethical commitments can expect those promises to be closely scrutinised in the years ahead.

To learn more about Frankenchickens please visit https://thehumaneleague.org.uk/Who-is-selling-you-Frankenchickens

That's Business: GAP Group North East expands with new Yorkshire fa...

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Award-Winning Heal the Land Documentary Brings Inspiring Rewilding Story to London

Credit Tom Francome Sunrise

An inspiring documentary showcasing the remarkable transformation of a former intensive dairy farm into a flourishing wildlife haven is coming to London next month, offering audiences a powerful reminder that nature can recover when given the opportunity.

National charity Heal Rewilding will host a special screening of its award-winning documentary Heal the Land on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at the London offices of Slaughter and May. The evening promises to be an uplifting celebration of environmental restoration, biodiversity and hope for the future.

Guests will enjoy complimentary drinks and canapés before watching the 25-minute film, followed by a live question-and-answer session featuring members of the Heal Rewilding team alongside the documentary's director.

Filmed throughout 2024 at Heal Somerset, the documentary follows the early stages of the charity's ambitious project to restore a once ecologically depleted dairy farm into a thriving landscape for wildlife and people. Through breathtaking cinematography and intimate access to the site, viewers witness the challenges, successes and unexpected discoveries that come with allowing nature to reclaim the land.

The film highlights the rapid return of wildlife, the creation of diverse habitats and the resilience of natural ecosystems. At a time when England remains one of the world's most nature-depleted countries, Heal the Land offers compelling evidence that meaningful ecological recovery is achievable.

The documentary was produced by wildlife filmmakers Tom Francome of Planet House Productions and Hayley Smith of Pictus Productions, who volunteered more than 100 days of their time to create the film. 

Post-production was completed free of charge by Bristol-based Films@59, whose award-winning team has worked on celebrated Sir David Attenborough productions including Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II.

Following the screening, attendees will hear from Heal Rewilding CEO Jan Stannard, Rewilding Ranger Daniel Hill and director Tom Francome during a discussion hosted by Heal Rewilding Director Sarah Winchester. The panel will explore the opportunities and challenges facing rewilding projects across the UK and discuss the lessons emerging from Heal Somerset's ongoing transformation.

Sarah Winchester told That's Green: "Heal the Land is ultimately a story about hope. It shows what can happen when we give nature the chance to recover and demonstrates that meaningful change is possible, even in landscapes that have been intensively managed for decades."

The evening will also provide opportunities for networking with others passionate about biodiversity, climate action and nature recovery.

Tickets cost £18 per person, making this an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in seeing first-hand how rewilding is helping restore Britain's natural heritage.

What: Screening of Heal the Land and live Q&A

When: Wednesday 1 July 2026

Where: Slaughter and May, London, EC1Y 8YY

Tickets: £18

https://www.healrewilding.org.uk/

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New Borehole Project Brings Clean Water and New Hope to Nigerian Community

Over 400 people in the community of Ido-Osun, Osun State, Nigeria, are now enjoying reliable access to safe drinking water following the completion of a new borehole project by UK-registered charity Hope Spring Water.

The Ido-Osun Borehole Project has transformed daily life for local families who, for many years, depended on unsafe ponds, uncovered wells and seasonal streams for their water supply. 

Funded through donations from Hope Spring eCards, supporters and volunteers, the project highlights how relatively small contributions can make an enormous difference to communities in need.

Before the borehole was installed, collecting water was a daily struggle. Many women and children walked long distances every morning, often before sunrise, simply to collect enough water for drinking, cooking and washing. The time spent fetching water frequently affected children's education and limited opportunities for work and family life.

Resident Fatima described the impact of the new water source.

"Before, I woke before sunrise every day to fetch water from a pond nearly thirty minutes away. Today, I walked only a few minutes to collect clean water close to my home. My children now leave for school on time, and our daily lives have completely changed."

The charity worked closely with local leaders, teachers, healthcare workers and community groups before construction began, ensuring the project reflected local needs. Residents also helped select the borehole location and formed a local water management committee to help maintain the facility for years to come.

Drilling started in May 2026 and reached around 120 metres to access a sustainable underground aquifer capable of providing clean water throughout the year. The completed installation includes a 1,500-litre elevated storage tank, concrete collection areas and improved drainage to promote hygiene and minimise contamination.

The benefits are already becoming apparent. Local healthcare workers report a noticeable reduction in cases of diarrhoea since the borehole became operational, while teachers say pupils are arriving at school earlier, healthier and ready to learn instead of spending hours collecting water.

Although the project faced challenges, including difficult rock formations and weather-related construction delays, it was successfully completed in June 2026.

Hope Spring says millions of people across Nigeria still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and hopes additional donations will enable similar projects to be delivered in more underserved communities across Africa.

Access to clean water is about far more than convenience. It improves health, supports education, strengthens local economies and gives communities the opportunity to build a healthier, more sustainable future.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

New Solar Technology Could Boost Household Savings by 41%, New Analysis Reveals

Homeowners considering solar energy could now save significantly more on their electricity bills than they would have just five years ago, according to new research from renewable energy specialist MakeMyHouseGreen.com

The company's latest modelling suggests a typical household installing solar panels today could save around £1,285 per year, compared with approximately £913 annually from an equivalent installation in 2021. 

That represents a substantial 41% increase in potential savings.

The findings come from a reassessment of 240 British homes originally analysed in 2021. Importantly, the roof size, orientation and pitch of each property remained unchanged, meaning the increase in projected savings comes primarily from advances in solar technology rather than larger installations.

Over the past five years, solar panels have become significantly more powerful. Typical panel output has increased from around 365 watts to 480 watts, enabling homeowners to generate far more electricity from the same roof space. Across the homes studied, average annual electricity generation rose from 4,851 kWh to 6,394 kWh.

At the same time, the value of that electricity has increased. Household energy prices remain considerably higher than they were before the energy crisis, meaning every unit of electricity generated and consumed at home delivers greater financial benefits.

Llewellyn Kinch, founder and CEO of MakeMyHouseGreen, says two major factors are driving the improvement. He told That's Green: "The panels are more powerful, so the same roof area delivers higher output. At the same time, the grid electricity that solar replaces costs more, so every unit you generate yourself is more valuable."

However, Kinch stresses that solar isn't automatically the right solution for every property. Installation costs have also risen, and factors including roof orientation, shading and household energy usage patterns can significantly affect the return on investment.

For most homeowners, the key question remains whether their property is suitable for solar generation. While south-facing roofs are often considered ideal, east and west-facing roofs can also perform well. Heavy shading from nearby trees or buildings, however, can reduce effectiveness.

The research highlights how rapidly solar technology continues to improve and reinforces the growing role renewable energy can play in reducing household energy bills. For homeowners with a suitable roof and sufficient daytime electricity usage, solar power may now offer better value than ever before, while also helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower household carbon emissions.

As energy prices remain unpredictable, generating your own electricity is becoming an increasingly attractive option for many UK households.

GAP Group North East Opens New Yorkshire Facility to Strengthen UK Electrical Recycling Network

Electrical recycling specialist GAP Group North East is continuing its nationwide growth with the announcement of a new operational facility in Yorkshire, strengthening its ability to support businesses, local authorities and compliance partners across England and Wales.

The fully accredited electrical recycling and resource recovery provider already operates established processing facilities in Gateshead and Perthshire. 

The addition of a Yorkshire site marks another significant step in the company's long-term strategy to provide faster, more efficient and more accessible recycling services throughout the UK.

The new facility will serve as a central hub, improving coverage across Yorkshire, the Midlands, the South of England and Wales. By reducing collection distances and streamlining logistics, GAP Group North East aims to deliver quicker turnaround times and greater flexibility for customers managing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

According to the company, the expansion has been driven by increasing customer demand and a commitment to ensuring consistent service standards regardless of location.

Nigel Tomlinson, Commercial Director at GAP Group North East, said the new site reflects the company's determination to provide customers with the highest levels of support and efficiency.

"As demand grows, our mission is to make sure every customer, wherever they are in the UK, receives the same level of service, speed and compliance support. The Yorkshire site is about us providing what our customers need."

The opening is expected to bring several practical benefits for organisations handling electrical waste. Reduced transport distances will help improve collection efficiency while potentially lowering vehicle mileage. Customers can also expect shorter lead times between collection requests and processing, helping businesses meet project deadlines and compliance obligations more effectively.

The additional capacity will also allow GAP Group North East to respond more quickly to urgent, large-scale or complex recycling requirements.

The move comes at a time when demand for responsible WEEE disposal continues to rise. Increasing environmental regulations and growing expectations around sustainability are encouraging organisations to work with trusted recycling partners capable of handling a wide range of electrical waste streams safely and compliantly.

From retailers carrying out store refurbishments to schools upgrading IT equipment, construction firms clearing sites and facilities management companies coordinating collections across multiple locations, organisations are facing increasing pressure to dispose of electrical waste responsibly.

By expanding its operational network, GAP Group North East is positioning itself to meet that demand while helping customers achieve their environmental goals. The Yorkshire facility represents not only a geographical expansion but also a commitment to supporting a more efficient and sustainable circular economy across the UK.

GAP Group North East is expanding with a new Yorkshire facility, improving electrical recycling services, WEEE compliance and resource recovery across the UK.

https://gapgroupuk.com