Good News Notes: “Shetland, a group of islands off the coast of Scotland, is doing what we should all be doing: working with not against nature. It is making the most of being the windiest place in the UK by using this natural resource to create energy. The archipelago will soon have the most productive…
Tag: Britain
France offers state-funded therapy, tackles mental health
Good News Notes: “Treatment for psychological problems will be funded by France‘s government starting next year, the president announced Tuesday, amid growing awareness and concern about mental health. State health care systems in Britain, Germany and some other countries already fund therapy sessions. French health professionals say a national effort to improve access is long overdue, especially as the coronavirus pandemic…
McDonald’s plant burger launch late to vegan party
Good News Notes: “The McPlant burger will be trialled in 10 Coventry restaurants from late September and go national next year. But the launch lags behind rival fast food chains, such as Greggs with its vegan sausage roll and Burger King with a soy-based Rebel Whopper. McDonald’s said it took its time to ensure it…
Trellyffaint: Proof unearthed of Neolithic dairy farming in Pembrokeshire
Good News Notes: “Shards of decorated pottery taken from the Trellyffaint Neolithic monument near Newport, Pembrokeshire, were found to contain dairy fat residue. The residue could only originate from milk-based substances such as butter, cheese, or more probably yoghurt. George Nash, of the Welsh Rock Art Organisation, said it was the earliest proof of dairy…
Prince Charles launches pricey ‘sustainable’ fashion line
Good News Notes: “Britain’s 71-year-old heir-to-the-throne launched a line of designer duds on Thursday — with suitably princely price tags. The Prince’s Foundation launched the line of 10 pieces as part of the hip-sounding Modern Artisan project with Italian retail group Yoox Net-A-Porter (YNAP). They include a $1,550 cashmere men’s bomber jacket, cashmere overcoats for $1,495 as well…
Large blue butterfly returns to Cotswolds site for first time in 150 years
Good News Notes: “The biggest reintroduction to date of the large blue has led to the rare butterfly flying on a Cotswold hillside where it has not been seen for 150 years. About 750 butterflies emerged on to Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire this summer after 1,100 larvae were released last autumn following five years of innovative grassland…
Wild animals are exploring cities during coronavirus lockdowns
Good News Notes: “When humanity’s away, the animals will play. With much of the world driven indoors to quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, some species not often seen — or, at least, rarely in such large numbers, and certainly not against such empty backdrops — are exploring cities, the Guardian reports. Photographers and social-media users…
Half of Britain’s best-loved butterfly species see numbers increase
Good News Notes: “Hopeful springtime news has arrived – butterfly numbers are rising. Last year was their most prolific since 1997, with more than half of species seeing a population increase. The number of red admirals tripled, figures from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme show. There were almost 12 times more painted ladies and more…
English-born Scottish wildcat moves north in bid to save species
Good News Notes: “The eight-month-old male wildcat is one of a litter of four kittens bred at the Wildwood Trust centre in Kent. He underwent thorough health checks ahead of being selected for a new conservation programme that aims to reintroduce the critically endangered animals back into the wild after being declared “functionally extinct”. He…