Even before Covid-19 and the lockdown, the Shooting Star charity shop has always been extremely popular in our area, particularly as it specialises in selling good quality second hand (and often brand new) items for babies and children of all ages at reasonable prices, and all for a very important cause. There are a huge amount of young families (many on low incomes) in Ashford who benefit from the large selection of toys, games, equipment and clothing. Not only is it the only place in our local high street to have such a large selection of children’s items, but if you needed something urgently, the only other choice would be to travel to Staines and many don’t have their own transport to do so easily. It is an absolute asset to our community and has been for many years, being only the second Shooting Star shop to open. Without it and it’s fundraising the Shooting Star House hospice wouldn’t have been able to be built. At this present time, many families are struggling financially because of the affect of Covid-19. Many have lost their jobs due to lockdown or are unable to work due to shielding. People in this situation really will miss the benefits of this essential charity shop. So although we are all in difficult times, it doesn’t make any sense to close the shop for good, especially as it was so popular and is now in more demand than ever before. We all need it as much as they need our donations. Also a large housing project is being built on Church Road which will mean that very soon, even more families will be in the area, so a shop like this will be in even more demand. Not only this, but the wonderful ladies who work there will be without jobs. There are all so friendly and welcoming and have worked so hard for this great cause We implore Shooting Stars Children’s Hospice charity to please think again about keeping this absolute asset to our community in Ashford.

My husband has been a volunteer for 10 years at a NT nursery. It’s run mainly by volunteers with a small paid staff. This has been a lifeline for many volunteers. These people work together as a team. The nursery makes money and over the last few years the infrastructure and reputation that the nursery has built has made it successful and profitable for the NT. The profits have helped the NT. They sell plants to customers in their gift shops- the money made is ploughed back into the NT and the houses they support. Cornwall has suffered during this Covid pandemic. Lots of people depend on work which is below the national average, we need to keep these people at work. The NT should be looking at keeping their people employed- it’s the staff and their volunteers that keep our heritage alive.

The statue of slave trader Edward Colston stood in the centre of Bristol for 124 years, where it has stood as an offensive provocation to the black community, in the literal centre of our city. For at least the last 30 years the statue was the subject of controversy, and many pleas to Bristol City Council that it be removed; finally, in June 2020 the matter was taken into the hands of the people, who forcibly removed the statue, as BCC were clearly unwilling to do so, despite voluble popular feeling. Within a few weeks, in an act of guerilla art, the empty plinth of the Colston statue was filled with a sculpture by renowned artist Mark Quinn of Jen Reid, a BLM protestor involved in the removal of the Colston statue. In contrast to their 30 years of procrastination over removal of Colston's statue, BCC sprang into action to remove this popular addition to Bristol centre within 24 hours of its installation. The people of Bristol were not consulted about this removal, and we'd like the new, improved statue put back until such time as a long-term replacement can be found. It won't be permanent, we understand, but it's an appropriate placeholder that symbolises Bristol's rejection of racist iconography, and our pride in our multicultural community. People should have a chance to see it in place, and allow it to heal some of the harm done by 124 years of glorification of Bristol's shameful involvement in the slave trade, and the council's subsequent disrespect for its black community. - [Jen Reid] recalled climbing onto [the plinth] after the Colston statue was pulled down and spontaneously raising her arm in a Black Power salute. "It was like an electrical charge of power was running through me." "My immediate thoughts were for the enslaved people who died at the hands of Colston and to give them power. I wanted to give George Floyd power, I wanted to give power to Black people like me who have suffered injustices and inequality. A surge of power out to them all. Creating this sculpture is so important as it helps keep the journey towards racial justice and equity moving, because black lives matter every day." “This sculpture is about making a stand for my mother, for my daughter, for black people like me. It’s about black children seeing it up there." “It’s something to feel proud of, to have a sense of belonging, because we actually do belong here and we’re not going anywhere." We're asking Bristol City Council to restore the statue to the plinth, so that Jen's daughter and other children can see it.

The Women’s, Men’s and Mixed bathing ponds on Hampstead Heath are world-renowned gems for wild swimming – cherished by a large and diverse community who swim in all seasons and across the decades to maintain mental and physical health. Some people come in search of quiet solitude in nature; others for community, solace or sanctuary. The unique setting, atmosphere and inclusive ethos of the bathing ponds are threatened by the City of London Corporation’s decision to impose compulsory charges and use intrusive technology. The Corporation has replaced voluntary payments of £2 (£1 concession) with compulsory tickets that cost £4.00 (£2.40 concession). Many pond users have previously contributed to a donation-based system but support the fight to oppose compulsory charging because it will destroy the inclusive and diverse pond community. At a time of unprecedented health and financial emergencies, and when inequality is an urgent social concern, it is wrong for the Corporation to demand payment.

This outdoor venue has become a community hub. The Cove Cafe sells produce that is unavailable elsewhere locally. Is an excellent inclusive facility for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Provide childrens discos, Live music events, Italian Long Table evenings, etc.

Formerly housing Whiteinch Police Station and Whiteinch Fire Station, the 1894 building was last used as a social work and community centre, but has lain derelict since 2002. The Burgh Hall has an unusual and unique style. The architectural language of the Burgh Hall can be seen elsewhere in other Scottish buildings of the period, with an Italian renaissance influence. The building bears the coat of arms of the Burgh of Partick, only becoming part of the City of Glasgow 1912. The building has received essential and remedial repairs in previous years, including roof repairs, stonework repairs, removal of vegetation and general maintenance. In total, over £18,000 has been spent over these years with the works aimed at ensuring public safety, securing the building and keeping the building wind and watertight by City Property Glasgow.

This is a massive blow to our community. Wigan have fought so hard to gain the points they have and now through no fault of Paul Cook or the players they are back to fighting to stay in the same league after being given -12 points from the EFL due to being in administration. The EFL have made errors in their tests for football owners and Wigan should not be paying that price. This could effect any club, look how many clubs have been put into administration and the EFL is supposed to be there to protect the club's. This is not just a fight for Wigan Athletic this is a fight for football clubs!

Following the easing of the Corona Virus lockdown, and before the pubs have reopened, the conservation area known as Old Leigh in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, has witnessed hordes of people who have brought their own alcohol, sitting on the sea wall, drinking and then and throwing their empty bottles and cans into the sea. We think that this trend will continue after the pubs reopen, especially as the pubs will not be able to accommodate the same numbers of drinkers as before lockdown. We are also concerned that other aspects of anti social behaviour that have been taking place, such as urinating on local private property, will continue at night after the pubs close their facilities, if people are allowed to continue consuming their own alcoholic drinks in these areas. We want this ban so that we can reclaim our lovely historic area for the ordinary day trippers and tourists who visit our famous fishing village and who have recently been deterred by these anti social gatherings.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 31 says “That every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.” Currently independent forest schools and outdoor educators are not allowed to offer activities to children under the lock-down rules. There are suggestions from the DfE that this will not change on 4th July. Being able to socialise with their friends and have access to nature based group activities is good for children's physical and mental health. The government have recommended that children get exercise outdoors, that schools take lessons outside as much as possible and that classes may contain up to 15 children. Children are allowed to access sports training outside. Adults are being encouraged to go to work, join sports clubs and visit shopping centres. If we were 'following the science' forest schools would be open now. Forest School Leaders are trained professionals with first aid qualifications experienced in managing risk and providing healthy, fun and stimulating activities for children of all ages. We are therefore perfectly placed to be able to offer activities to children that are Covid-19 risk assessed which will allow children to socialise and enjoy nature in a low viral-risk environment. Parents of school children and home schooled children are asking us when their children can participate in nature based activities with their friends. We believe all Forest Schools should be allowed to open as soon as possible for all children. Forest School Leaders have always put children's welfare at the top of their list of priorities. Forest School by definition is child centred learning, see https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/ Children's emotional, mental and physical well-being is central to our practise. A study based on track and trace data has demonstrated that children are at low risk from contracting covid-19, from developing serious symptoms, from passing the virus between each other and from passing the virus from a child to an adult. See https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/children-and-covid-19

Rice Box Events is a professional hospitality business. We usually attend weddings, corporate functions, food and drink festivals, agricultural shows and music festivals with our street food and bar units. In March 2020, due to the pandemic we lost 90% of this years business and we really need to find an alternative business strategy that will support the business until the pandemic is over and we can resume normal business activities.

Geoff Barker's Rock'n'Roll show had a loyal - and steadily growing -following here in the South West. Beside appealing to the broad popularity of classic 50s and 60s rock'n'roll, Geoff Barker helped promote local rock'n'roll bands and venues and gave airplay to new releases that would otherwise rarely have been heard on mainstream radio. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the genre, priceless archive of interviews and genuine passion for the music has been entertaining BBC listeners for many years now, and at a time when morale is low due to Covid-19, we need that entertainment more than ever. We understand that all pre-recorded shows on BBC local radio were TEMPORARILY suspended due to the need for live Covid updates, but as the world begins to return to normal, the frequency of these updates could be relaxed. Please bring back the Geoff Barker Rock'n'Roll show!

Dame Vera Lynn has just died at the age of 103, and at this time it seems most appropriate to honour a lady whom even younger people would/do find inspirational in everything she achieved in her life. It is particullarly pertinent at this moment in time, not only because of her achievements in bringing pleasure to thousands of servicemen during WW2, but because she was such an uncontroversial personality that I cannot inagine anyone objecting.