NEWS

Grey squirrels - Live and let live I know that we couldn't kill all the Grey Squirrels in the UK, we missed that chance long ago, and because where I live that Grey offers no threat to any native Reds I'll let him nibble my nuts. It's not that I'm against controlling Greys, far from it. In certain places more resources should be available to assist with this as they present a very real threat to our fluffty tufty Great British Red boys. And such measures can still work so they are currently still worth pursuing. But if they couldn't or wouldn't work then my attitude changes, I'm for a more laid back approach, ‘let it happen, let it go, wave goodbye with a tearful eye if you like, bid farewell to the old Reds and get used to the Greys'. Chris Packham Chris Packham says 'Pandas should be left to die out' Pandas have reached the end of the road Finnegan the grey squirrel

Nutty about grey squirrels AS a grey squirrel living in Tameside, I was slightly put out by a letter by Mr Robishaw. Obviously, as a race of handsome tree rodents, we have not yet been targeted by Tameside Council for our wealth of nut tax which we'd rather not pay anytime soon. We squirrels like a scurry through the park as much as you humans enjoy a jog, although our purpose is to live from day to day trying to avoid some of you noisier, littering humans and your untrained dogs who like to intimidate us as we gather our winter stocks. Yes, there might be more of us these days, but we keep a little balance in the woodlands and parks by eating insects, fungi, nuts, twigs, leaves, mushrooms as well as some unfinished fast food the lazier humans dump around, which would otherwise be scoffed by the rats! KEVIN the SQUIRREL Dukinfleld Park Birds of beauty need more space THANK you for publishing my letter about the peacocks in Stamford Park What a beautiful photo you printed of a happy-looking bird in beautiful surroundings enjoying the freedoms of a lovely park. What a pity that one of your photographers couldn't have gone to Stamford Park to take a picture to be put next to the one you printed to make people realise what a sad life all these animals in this enclosure have. I know they're only birds, but surely they are worth something more than this. Perhaps your own wildlife writer, Sean Wood, might pay them a visit to see their environment with a view to getting it closed down and making these animals lives so much happier. MARY CARR Penrith Avenue Ashton

We will check birds' welfare THE Tameside and Glossop branch of the RSPCA was very concerned to read of the plight of the peacocks and hens in Stamford Park which was reported in the Advertiser a fortnight ago. This letter is to assure readers that we have informed the RSPCA National Society's Inspectors who will investigate, support and work with the people caring for the animals living inthe park to improve their welfare. If you are concerned about the welfare of any animal or find one in distress please telephone the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. I hope that this letter helps to alleviate the concerns many of your readers and visitors to the park must have, and look forward to seeing the animals restored to health and living in improved conditions more suited to their needs. IRENE PLATT RSPCA Tameside and Glossop chairman

New animal area planned for park by Sue Carr A NEW aviary and petting zoo is planned for Stamford Park after its old one was closed by the RSPCA. Animal welfare inspectors were alerted in December last year after a visitor to the Ashton park wrote to the Advertiser complaining about the condition of the peacock house. A member of the public also expressed concern over an injured rabbit. Inspectors visited and found that although the premises were acceptable, staff were not qualified enough to care for the animals- The rabbits - along with chickens, guinea pigs, cockateels, budgerigars and a dove were signed over to the charity. A private home was found for the park's two peacocks. RSPCA Inspector Lorna Bracegirdle said: "It was a really good set-up. "The problem was, for example, that they had male and female rabbits together who were obviously breeding like rabbits do and it was getting out of control. "It is not anything the park owners did. "It was just the level of knowledge the staff had about the animals was very poor". The park, which is currently in the middle of a major improvement programme, is run by Tameside Council which has pledged to bring animals back when work is complete. This is thought to be around 2011. Staff will also receive fall training in how to look after the animals.

It is thanks to the likes of Zardoz and James from London that this planet it is the sorry mess that it is. Fancy blaming lack of oil on Enviromentalists! Instead of moaning why not invent a new source of power instead of oil,and save both the environment and the materialists from dependency on a fuel that damages everything? Some people are actually doing that - but why they waste their time for people like James and Zardoz I do not know.