As many of you will know, I am a bit of a Bonsai nut !
It is my main interest (apart from music) and is a welcome distraction from all the abuse and suffering that I see when compiling this site on a very regular basis.
I have around 25 trees in my personal collection; trees which I love and would never consider parting with purely for financial reasons. They are my babes, and will stay that way.
Today we are being given a masterclass in carving by Graham, who runs ‘Kaizen Bonsai’ which is located in East Anglia, England.
This site is primarily animal rights and welfare and always will be.
That does not mean that when necessary, and if we feel strongly, then the site will publish the odd post(s) relating to human rights issues. Tibet, the Ukraine and Gaza (Palestine) are such issues.
Today (14/10/23) in London alone; over 100,000 people marched in solidarity with the people of Gaza – read more about it here:
Despite Prime Minister Rishi announcing a few days ago that citizens of the UK supported Israel, this is not exactly the case as the London, plus other demo sites across the UK, have shown with Palestine support protests today. It is not a case of being pro or anti Hamas, it is a case of showing support for the citizens of Gaza who are being displaced in their hundreds of thousands.
The scenes of complete and utter destruction in Gaza can simply be compared to those which we have now seen for many months in the Ukraine. What will it take to stop this ? – will anything stop this ?
I have no answers; like the vast majority of global citizens, we can only hope that sense will prevail over destruction; and those responsible for such destruction will get their ‘Karma’ in the very near future.
Warning – there are lots of graphic photos and descriptions in these articles.
My policy has always been never to dress something up to be ‘nicer’ than what it is – so what you get and see here is the reality of the situation in Serbia, warts and all. I think (or know from experience) that animal welfare is often an issue that slowly grinds you down over the years when you are involved with cruelty on a daily basis – but the animals need us; so we carry on.
Hi all; just to give you an update; I have just come out of hospital after a 2 week stay. Old cycling leg injury which has always caused some problems.
I will try to get back on track over the next few days, but as you will appreciate, 2 weeks worth of e mails to get through also.
Bad news that Zac has resigned from government as he has no faith in Rishi and the environment – I fully agree with him and I know this is yet another issue that the Tories will pay very heavily for at the next general Election which will probably be within the next year or soon after.
Y’ know, ever since I was a little boy, I had something inside of me in which wanted to help animals and their welfare.
When I was 8 years old I was out on my bike one Sunday and saw a 3 tier livestock transporter loaded to the max with sheep, heading down to the Kent ports and a Channel cross where they would be slaughtered in Europe (something I did not know at the time).
It was raining, it was cold, and I could see all the sheep were suffering a lot; there was little space for them and they were unable to move around.
There and then that day; I made a pledge with myself that when I grew up; if I could, I would do something to try and stop the suffering of those innocent, sentient beings.
Decades and decades later I am still fighting the fight against live animal transport. I became very involved when I was around 17 to follow up that pledge I had set myself earlier to do something – over the years I worked as a volunteer with several animal organisations; doing legal work, investigation work, and becoming the EU rep associated with live transport for one organisation. It became an obsession really, crazy busy; and only after 35 + years of campaigning have we now stopped all live animal shipments to Europe for either slaughter or further fattening. The little kid made the pledge when he was 8 and only now has the dream become fruition and worked for better for hundreds of thousands of farm animals.
My (proper) work took me to many places – as I say
“I had a bloody good time doing military fast jets for 24 years; ‘down and dirty’ with the best – ‘RAF Tornado’.
.. but to be honest, the animal rights / welfare person in me has always been just as strong as the ‘proper’ day job Marky ever since I was 15 or 16 years old, and the creation of SAV and WAV is a kind of ultimate destination for me really; there is nothing quite like the satisfaction to be gained by anyone, anywhere, helping to save the lives of, and improving the welfare of animals in need; no matter how big or small their dedication, contribution or effort; everyone simply does what they can to make things better – and slowly they win !
– I am delighted to be an animals voice; one of many, in this crazy, cruel, (and unfortunately) money-driven world”
Today, nothing has changed – the animal rights / welfare person in me has never drifted. I say that because I know the bloke quite well !
In 2005 I set up ‘Serbian Animals Voice’ to try and fight for the stray animals against the government of Serbia; and the rest of the Balkans. You can visit the site here to see what was taken on:
The biggest win was for Serbian animals in the fur trade rather than strays which we fought for. Working with buddy Mark Glover at ‘Respect for Animals’ here in England, we finally achieved the aim of getting Serbia to impose a fur ban which commenced on 1st January 2019 – check it out: serbia | Search Results | Respect for Animals
If you are a bit of a fast jet head like me then there are several good videos of the military.
Oh yeah, we managed to stop the baby seal slaughter in Russia many years ago – check it out via this ‘about us’ link also.
I have full respect for, and like animals immensely; it is most humans that I don’t really want to be associated with – many humans humans are dangerous, as current global situations clearly show !
If you feel that you are right, and something is worth fighting for, then get out there and do it !
World Animals Voice 