What an inspiring story the Mail is showing today on their website.

A village in Hampshire has risen up, as a community against the local supermarkets and started producing lots of their own food, from potatoes to pigs!

The “community allotment” sells 45 types of vegetables and 100 chickens a week, and is run by a committee which includes a radiologist, a computer programmer and a former probation officer.

Felicity Kendall eat your heart out!

Full Story

I was sent a link this evening to a great site that I hope anyone that might read this (if there are any) has already signed up to.

The site is Compassion In World Farming at http://www.ciwf.org.uk/

The site makes for uncomfortable reading when you watch some of the videos on there. Sign up to support the cause… http://support.ciwf.org.uk/ciwf/default.asp

This is from their website:

The Problem:

Cattle

The archaic trade in live calf exports resumed last year, with its haunting images of needless suffering. Thousands of British born male dairy calves were taken from their mothers shortly after birth and later herded into huge containers in the dead of night. They were then shipped overseas to continue their journeys into the unknown. Some calves were sent all the way to Spain on journeys that took over 60 hours, causing them to suffer greatly for long periods of time in shocking conditions. Many of them endured unnecessary pain, stress, fear or illness, sometimes being shipped in severe weather causing injury or death. Once they finally reach the continent, calves are frequently kept on concrete or slatted floors without any straw or other bedding, in barren systems that are illegal in the UK.Due to the increased demands for milk, selective breeding has allowed the proliferation of high-yield dairy cows. Females face a life of repeated impregnation to provide for the human demand for milk. Male calves are frequently unwanted as they are not thought to be meaty enough to rear as beef cattle, thus are often shot at birth.

Pigs

Around 1.3 billion pigs are slaughtered annually for meat worldwide. At least half the world’s pig meat is produced from intensive or industrial systems, housing pigs in crowded indoor pens often with no straw or bedding. They are commonly subjected to painful mutilations without pain relief. High rates of growth can often cause stress on their bodies leading to problems with ulcers, heart failure and lameness. Sows kept for breeding and producing meat pigs are often caged whilst pregnant in metal-barred stalls so narrow that they can’t even turn around or exercise. This ‘sow stall’ system has been banned in the UK following our campaigns but is widespread in Europe and worldwide. Farrowing crates are still legal in the UK, with the majority of sows giving birth in these tightly confined metal crates leading to high levels of frustration and stress. Their food is restricted so much that many experience chronic hunger.

Chickens

Worldwide, around 48 billion chickens are slaughtered annually for meat. Over 70% of them are raised in industrial farming systems confining them in windowless, barren and crowded sheds of up to 16 to 20 birds per square metre. By the time they reach slaughter age at 6 weeks old they often have less space than one A4 sheet of paper per chicken. Due to excessive growth rates, many suffer from painful lameness caused by abnormal skeletal development or bone disease. Some have difficulty in walking or even standing - unable to even reach water, they can go thirsty for days.

I got a really interesting email this week regarding a new “eco” product that is taking the country by storm. It’s one for you dog owners and it’s called the Poopod!

A dog loving British family has created the ultimate accessory for responsible dog owners. When Nicole, their 15 year old, made it clear that carrying a smelly, steamy bag full of dog poop, when walking their Yorkie Rosie, was just not good for her image at all, the Bells worked together to develop the ingenious, award winning, Poopod as a fresh solution to a dirty problem.

The Poopod is a clever, all in one device that includes a dog lead attached to a bag dispenser with a sealed container allowing pet owners to discreetly dispose of their dog’s mess without leaving the scent of ‘Eau de Poop’, wafting behind.

With over 900 tonnes of ‘it’ being deposited in Britain every day, complaints about dog mess have created a big stink all over the country. Responsible dog owners have been rallying against this flow of faeces and armed with Poopods they are a force not to be sniffed at.

As a multi-award winning product, The Bell family won a ‘double gold’ award at The British Invention Show. And Sue and Nicole Bell won a ‘special recognition for innovation award’ for Poopod at the Womens’ Innovation Inventors Awards only three days after Poopod’s hugely successful debut at Crufts. And there is a good reason for that!

Embarrassment when carrying a warm, squishy bag of dog droppings is the reason given by 90% of those who still won’t clean up after their dog according to a survey undertaken by the Department of the Environment. The Poopod transcends this tricky issue by making it convenient, simple, clean and smell free to store and dispose of messy dog waste.

Everything you need for your dog’s walk is simplified into one great product. Just clip the detachable lead provided - or even your own lead - to the Poopod, attach your dog and you are ready for walkies. Once your dog makes his deposit, you can proudly demonstrate what a caring and responsible dog owner you are by pulling out a handy bag from your Poopod dispenser. You can then place the used bag into the scented Poopod compartment and no one will ever be any the wiser, until you dispose of your parcel properly.

Sue Bell, MD of Poopod explains: “Rosie and I enjoy our walks so much more since we invented the Poopod. I can take her anywhere now and I never get embarrassed by her little presents any more.”

The Poopod comes in two sizes, ensuring that dogs of all breeds can have embarrassment free owners. They even do a pink one for those image conscious owners like Nicole. Available from just £11.99, you can be the first in your neighbourhood to lead the way to a cleaner, sweeter smelling dog walk.

Find out more at http://www.poopod.com

Genius!