Hi folks,
I just wanted to post an update here on the blog regarding yesterday's debacle! First of all, huge thanks to everyone who has contacted me with messages of support following yesterday's events. I have been totally overwhelmed by the goodwill and encouragement I've received. Crewe meeting cancelled As you may know, I was supposed to meet with Natural England's Director of Operations, James Diamond, yesterday afternoon, to discuss our petition. But as I was about to board a train to their Crewe offices for the meeting, I received an email from Mr Diamond suggesting that he would not be able to make the planned appointment due to his train being delayed. I asked if he thought his train might be moving any time soon; I was happy to wait for him at Crewe. This was, after all, going to be a very important meeting, not least because 284,000 people, who have signed the petition, were anxious to hear the outcome. But Mr Diamond seemed resigned to a no-show and asked if we could reschedule. (As it turned out, I was later informed that the delay to Mr Diamond's train was only likely to have been around forty minutes, though it is entirely possible that this information was not available to him at the time). Feeling deflated and disappointed (not to mention cold and fed up!), I returned home, having wasted my time - and thinking how lucky it was that I hadn't boarded the train prior to getting news of the cancellation. I'm sure Crewe can be lovely in April.... but without a meeting to attend, there would be little reason for me to be there on a cold, wet Wednesday. Rescheduling? So anyway, late this afternoon I received an email from Mr Diamond's office informing me that he would be available again next week for a rescheduled meeting if that would be convenient for me. I have replied, respectfully asking whether Mr Diamond could kindly meet me closer to my home town on this occasion, pointing out that I don't want to risk wasting more of my time. As an alternative, I have also suggested a video meeting, something I put forward yesterday and to which Mr Diamond seemed agreeable. I mentioned that such a call via Skype could also be recorded for the benefit of the people who have signed the petition. So, let's see what transpires. A bit of respect please, Natural England... Throughout this whole campaign, I hope I have been considerate and proper when dealing with Natural England, in spite of the fact that often my enquiries have been met with stony silences or weak replies. I intend to remain polite and well mannered - but in return I expect to be treated courteously. And if I may speak on behalf of the 284,000 concerned people supporting the petition... well, Mr Diamond, I think we are all deserving of your respect. Thank you Meanwhile I've received countless messages of support across social media, via email and through the many comments posted at Change. I can't respond personally to everyone but please know that I have read, and continue to read, every message. And your support is inspiring. And appreciated more than words can express. I'll keep you posted... Best, Jase
17 Comments
Frank Courtney
4/4/2019 08:21:07 pm
Well done Jason. Keep the pressure up, and when you get fed up try to picture what a crowd of 284000 people look like! We’re all behind you and very grateful to you for taking the lead.
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5/4/2019 09:04:58 am
Well done Jason for your polite but quietly determined actions and behaviour. Remain determined, and remain the perfect gentlemen, so they have no amo to frame you as a villain, and only shame themselves with their scant and tawdry communication. An old Jamaican Ska tune/proverb tinkles into my head at this point ‘the higher the monkey climbs, the more he expose’ ie. the more strident and visible the bad behaviour (of Natural England) is, the more vulnerable they make themselves in face of Public Opinion, and in opposition to a petition of many thousands of names endorsing your whistle-blowing. Hust keep going in the same calm, cool way 😊
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sarah allerton
5/4/2019 11:54:56 am
Thanks again Jase for representing us and trying to take our feelings to Mr Diamond please let us know if we can do anymore , Battle on babe as it is wonderful what you are doing and the manner in which you are doing it is perfect, we support you every inch of the way - what they are doing is a disgrace
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Lorraine Pooley
5/4/2019 06:17:08 pm
Hi Jason 👊 What more to say. Iv given you my response to Natural England’s excuse on the day on Twitter & shared in many tweets too. Iv been sharing the Petition for months now 24/7 across Social Media Platforms @SaveOurSparrows @PurpleChick @GatherStarlings & FB because I’m a Campaigner already for injustice to Birds, Nature, Trees, Hedgerows. The whole habitat that’s under threat. Plus disgusted with not just Natural England & Defra but the RSPB & their Buddy Charities and Peers not sharing these killings for 5 years! This whole Ecocide, I hope we get the answers and evidence.
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Maura
4/4/2019 08:24:18 pm
Well done for all your hard work! Keep persisting as this is an important issue...and thanks for the update. I hope the meeting with Mr Diamond will take place..fingers crossed!
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Heather Lawson
4/4/2019 09:05:45 pm
Dear Jason, great respect and appreciation for all your hard work, campaigning for wildlife.
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Krysia kolodziejek
4/4/2019 09:09:04 pm
Hang on in there Jason.....they are just waiting for you and us to give up. In the great scheme of life this kind of issue is far more important for our nation and planet than most people realise.
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PatPearce
4/4/2019 09:18:53 pm
Well done Jason.
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Alexandra
4/4/2019 09:56:07 pm
I would be happy to accompany you to your meeting to offer moral support. Let me know please.
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Hi Jason, sorry your meeting didn’t go ahead. If you get another one you need to travel to, I’m happy to pay your train fare. I really believe in what you are doing. Keep going! So many people support you. Thank you for stepping up to protect wildlife. Many blessings and respect to you.
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Joe
4/4/2019 09:58:16 pm
Just imagine it’s you in another dimension you’re talking to! 😉 👍
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Anne Barr
4/4/2019 11:13:02 pm
You are changing the world. Keep warm in the process, let us know the time of next meeting and we can send you good vibes!
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Lisa and Jake
5/4/2019 01:55:19 am
I will be awaiting with great interest the responses that you receive from Mr Diamond about the approach of Natural England in attempting to justify the slaughter of Britain's indigenous wildlife. Nature has its own systems of balance, but it is humans that attempt to destroy and manipulate them, either for greed, or even simply out of pure ignorance. All the 'experts' have a theory and/or justification, often, years later, these 'experts' are shown to be wrong - often with devastating consequences. Nature is never wrong. Culling of any wildlife is man corrupting nature. What's more, what they are doing is ethically revolting and needs to stop.
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Sheila Glover
5/4/2019 08:12:00 am
Thank you for all you are doing Jason. The thought that our wildlife is suffering because of our human madness is sickening.
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5/4/2019 08:27:10 am
There are many organisation that would snap up your negotiating skills. I can only repeat my thanks good wishes and admiration well done.
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Kathy O
5/4/2019 12:36:37 pm
There is nothing Natural about Natural England. Licences given all the time to kill wildlife! Keep up the good work Jason. The people who make these decisions must beheld responsible and be open and transparent and not avoid difficult questions, after all, we the tax payer fund them!
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Jacque Phelps
7/4/2019 02:27:02 pm
Thankyou Jason for your petition and hard work. I wish I could be more involved in such an important issue. Keep strong and you will win for the birds, nature and us! I had a "smaller success" a few years back when a local farmer (who promoted themselves as green) started destroying old meadowland nearby. Sadly he uprooted old trees/and trunks sprayed the grassland and probably killed alot of wildlife and fauna. He started to plow the remaining fields but was "stopped" and later had a hefty fine because he should not had changed this ancient landscape.The fields are back to a beautiful green state, alot of things did return, sadly some of the trees are not there now. I wish we had more people like you out there!
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