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Can you believe that a scientist who advises the Government on swine flu is a paid director of a drugs firm making hundreds of millions of pounds from the pandemic?

It appears that this distinguished epidemiologist sits on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), a 20-strong task force drawing up the action plan for the virus. Yet he also holds a £116,000-a-year post on the board of GlaxoSmithKline, the company selling swine flu vaccines and anti-virals to the NHS.

Not surprisingly, Matthew Elliott of the TaxPayers’ Alliance commented in the news this week: ‘This is a clear conflict of interest and should be of great concern to taxpayers and government officials alike’.

Perhaps you are wondering WHO this government virus expert might be? Well, here’s a clue: last year, he took over as Rector of Imperial College London where he earns up to £400,000 a year.

That’s right! – It’s none other than Sir Roy Anderson, successor to Sir Richard Sykes. Apart from wondering what to do about Wye, they do have something else in common. You may recall that Sir Richard was the chairman of GlaxoSmithKline until 2002.

What a small world it is.

For the full news story see: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202389/Government-virus-expert-paid-116k-swine-flu-vaccine-manufacturers.html#ixzz0Ms62JRSq

Following the report headed ‘Lessons still to be learned at college’  in todays Kentish Express . Dr Geoffrey Chapman has asked Wyeweb to publish the following:

                                                          Disclaimer

The article appearing in the Kentish Express page 5 for 30^TH July 2009 ‘Lessons still to be learned at college’ was seriously inaccurate in several respects.

In a discussion with the Editor of the Kentish Express, these inaccuracies were explained to him after which he undertook to publish an appropriate apology. I was concerned it was made clear, as I had already explained ahead of publication, that neither Imperial College, nor Wye College buildings were involved and that there should be an apology for any embarrassment caused to the University of Greenwich. I also stressed the need, subsequently, for accurate reporting.

In the interests of future goodwill, rather than supply a detailed critique of the article, we agreed the initiative be left with the Editor, in the light of our conversation, to take the necessary steps.

                                                                   Geoff Chapman.

               Peacock                               Small Copper                       Painted Lady

We are certainly seeing an abundance of  butterflies in our Wye countryside this year. In the warmth of the sun I took a walk last Saturday afternoon up to the Crown. As I made my way along the footpath of the Churchfield allotments I suddenly became aware of the many Peacock butterflies fluttering about. They were attracted by the beautiful array of  colours in a bed of wild flowers planted by one of the allotment holders.

My route took me along the Wibberley Way Permissive Footpath where I looped around the bottom of the field by the old hop gardens and past the memorial tree plantation now sadly overgrown. Amongst the trees is a buddleia with large mauve blooms. The Butterflies homed in on the bush dancing around fluttering here there and everywhere. I was amazed at the amount of Peacocks there were. As they rested, they shut their wings showing only their plain black undercarriage disappearing into the foliage around them. Suddenly they would take off again revealing their vivid colourful markings.

Continuing upwards along the outside of the Wibberley Way, I was accompanied by Peacock Butterflies all the way up along  the edge of the wood to the top road. I have never seen anything like it before.

On my way down from the Crown and taking the same route back home the Peacocks had disappeared. It was just as sunny and left me wondering why.

Thanks to Delia Copland for supplying the photographs above, taken in the meadow at her home in Bramble Close. I wasn’t as successful with my photography the butterflies were too active!

Every Monday evening local youngsters meet up for the Wye Community Farm ‘after school club’, which by popular demand has carried on into the school holidays.

Experienced tutors lead sessions which encompass both academic knowledge and practical tasks such as collecting the eggs and sheep foot trimming. This weeks session -as the photos show -involved turning the raw wool from the WCF flock into felt. To register interest in the after school club, contact WCF through their website www.wyecommunityfarm.org.uk