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There'll always be a High Street

Article Abstract:

UK town centres are being threatened by the emergence of increasing numbers of out-of-town shopping malls. These are atrractive to shoppers because of the lack of traffic and the availiability of car parks. Such developments have resulted in the closing down of businesses and unemployment. The recession and the lack of investment means that many towns cannot compete with the malls. In some cases the plans for a mall results in improvement of town centres, such as Reading which is redeveloping the town centre.

Analysis, Retail trade, Cities and towns, Shopping centers

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Soft touch of a shire horse

Article Abstract:

Working animals are used again in the 90's although for many years they were considered out-of-date. Horses are used by the Forestry Commission to prevent destruction of the environment by tractors and in steep places impossible for machines. Dogs are trained to detect fungal growth , 'heart rot,' in trees and shetland ponies are used in Cornwall by the National Trust to maintain the vegetation on cliff tops. Falcons are used by the Navy to frighten away flocks of birds which jeopardize aircraft.

Environmental aspects, Forests and forestry, Forests, Horses, Working dogs, Falcons, Ponies

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Rewarded by the fruit of their labours

Article Abstract:

Lustleigh, Devon has a 4.5-acre community orchard of cider-apple trees where the May Queen is crowned, children play, farmers graze sheep, and the school comes to study. The orchard's finances are kept separately and volunteers pick the crop which is sold to cider-makers. Common Ground, an envrironmental charity, encourages communities to establish or adopt orchards. Market forces have reduced the 150,000 acres of orchards by 2/3 since dwarfing root stock was developed and cheap imports arrived.

Fruit industry, Fruit trade, England, Devon, England, Orchards

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