N Ireland – Tests for 11-year-olds

More than 7,000 primary school pupils in Northern Ireland have sat new grammar school entrance tests, against the wishes of education chiefs. The 11-plus was scrapped last year but, as there’s no replacement, the Association for Quality Education set the tests. The exam consists of three papers which pupils sit on Saturdays and are mainly aimed at children seeking places in Catholic grammar schools.

Scotland – Badgers move in

About 9,000 groups of badgers have been discovered on barren moorland in Scotland. Badgers normally live in woodland areas but, according to the charity, Scottish Badgers, the animals are adapting to new habitats.

Leeds – Students clean up

University students in Leeds have taken to the streets to clean up the mountains of rubbish left uncollected because of the city’s long-running bin strike. Dozens of students took part in the event organised by Leeds Student Radio after the refuse workers’ strike went into its tenth week. 

England – Climate cuts impossible

According to The Institute of Mechanical Engineers the Government’s plans to make carbon emission cuts of 80% by 2050 are going to be impossible to achieve. They claim there’s not enough time or capacity to build the wind turbines and nuclear power stations needed to make the savings. Under current plans they feel the targets won’t be met until 2100.

Cambridgeshire – Pee for plants

Gardeners at National Trust property Wimphole Hall are encouraging people to relieve themselves on a three-metre long ‘pee bale’ to help the gardens grow. The pee is thought to activate the composting process on the estate’s compost heap so will help produce organic matter which will be used on over 400 acres of gardens and parklands.

South Downs – New National Park

The 632 square mile area known as the South Downs has become England’s ninth National Park. It stretches from Beachy Head in East Sussex to the edge of Winchester in Hampshire and is home to around 120,000 people. The latest National Park’s chalk downlands and heavy weald clay landscapes will now be protected for everyone to enjoy.

Wales – Protecting puppies

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones AM is set to review the way dogs are bred and sold in Wales, in particular tackling puppy farming. The farms mass-produce the puppies, who are taken from their mums when they’re too young, in often poor condition.