Ragged

It is good to report that SWT has put aside its approach of previous years. It's not that we've actually gained anything. Simply that the previous default mode of confrontation and dismissiveness of the "we know best" style of consultation was found not to work in the face of our dogged persistence. And it's difficult not to feel sympathy for people who genuinely seem to want to be liked. All of this is a welcome change. Would that it had been in evidence before. We don't know of course what work pressures they are under nor how heavily they are lent on by intransigent agencies like the appallingly impenetrable Natural England (sorry Unnatural E).

More detail about last night's RAG meeting later but first general impressions are that the SWT managers, likeable as they are, are as putty in the hands of the dictators at NE, whose officers can indulge their own whims via directives to the lesser mortals (and probably less well paid ones) at wildlife trusts. Unfortunately the NE representative was not present last night but I'm tempted to say was the elephant in the room ... there I've said it - another resolution gone.

At each point where we felt we could be getting our point across reference was made to English Nature/NE. The only recourse must be to pursue NE more directly and perhaps a start should be made with a Freedom of Information request.

It was good that we had unanimity on the desirability of objecting to the Fairthorn building as a blot on the landscape. Another picture this morning makes the point.