S SS There is no known cure. Currently DEFRA permits the use of 3 unauthorised serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines, subject to licence. Any animal showing signs is immediately culled and movement of fellow stock is banned or severely restricted. The areas currently restricted are in the south east: East Anglia, the Home Counties, Greater London. But it is spreading. There is no compensation currently for the livestock. A fate every farmer dreads. Shapwick Sustainability Group . Shapwick Sustainability group is planning a litter pick on Sunday 17 November. Look out for details on the website (https://www.shapwickvillage.co.uk/) and Shapwick Facebook group. As the undergrowth dies back and the hedgerows have been trimmed, it is an ideal time to clear rubbish that has accumulated over summer in ditches and hedges. Can you help us propagate some plants? The group has been working with the Parish Council to see how we manage some of the areas of the village green to help support wildlife and insects. We are looking to plant some 'wild' flowers in parts of the village green, for example Cowslips. We will need a lot of plants, so do you have some space to help nurture some seedlings over winter on a window cill or greenhouse? If you can help, please drop me a line on sustainable@shapwick.org or drop me a text with your name to 07504 516623. Once we have finalised the details, we will be in contact. 7 AUTUMN I S SUE | OCTOBER 2 0 2 4 STEVE POLDEN Want to reduce your heating bills? Somerset Council offers a thermal imaging camera hiring facility that allows communities to look at buildings and see where improvements could be made in insulation. We have applied for a camera, which we would have for three days. If you would be interested in having a 'thermal image' survey of your property, please email us at sustainable@shapwick.org. Assuming we are successful in our application, we will be in contact and let you know the dates we have the camera. If there is a high demand, surveys will be completed in order of email receipt. A recent Somerset Prepared Roadshow on Flood Resilience featured an organisation associated with the Rotary Club called EVAG. They provide households with a service that surveys flood threatened properties and make recommendations to improve property resilience. They may provide some flood prevention kit e.g. hydro snakes or self-activating 'sand bags'. If you are worried about flooding drop us an email to sustainable@shapwick.org and we can pass your details on. Finally, are you thinking of installing an alternative energy source, for example solar or buying an electric or hybrid vehicle? These are big financial decisions, and you may have some questions. Several villagers have already installed and are using these renewable sources and would be happy to show you their installation and answer questions. There is an enquiry form on the village website and we'll try and put you in touch with someone who has the relevant experience. From the Horse’s Mouth TRACEY LOCKYER Blue Tongue a new threat: Blue Tongue, a viral infection spread by biting midges. It currently threatens the agricultural sector across the British countryside. Sheep, cattle, goats and deer are at risk. The symptoms are ulcers and sores in the mouth and nose, discharge, drooling and swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck. If any animal is pregnant, Blue Tongue can cause stillbirth, small weak babies and death. 11. clue: a familiar school 12. clue: you see these birds on Christmas cards More clues for the word search (see p. 6) The outbreak of Foot and mouth disease in 2001 was a significant economic and social disaster. It caused a crisis in British agriculture and tourism, with over 6 million farm animals killed in Britain. Now we face
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