In recent weeks the media regulator Ofcom has begun an inquiry into premium-rate phone lines on TV contests following allegations that some shows have misled callers.
Ofcom has had two complaints about the Joseph choirs competition but as websites are outside its purview it had referred them back to the BBC.
In online forums, comments include: “My respect for the BBC has plummeted beyond belief!” and “The whole thing has been one disaster after another, only hope they apologise on the TV show to the thousands of kids who feel let down.”
A BBC spokesperson said that as well as increasing the website’s capacity to cope with the huge amount of hits it was getting, the deadline had been extended – it ended at 1500BST on Friday 25 May.
“Extras measures were also added on the website including a clarification of how to rate the choirs and a registration system to assist in managing the process.
“Once the verification process has been completed the top twenty, who go forward for judging by the panel, will be announced on Thursday 31 May.”
Joseph was written as a school musical and remains enormously popular with children.
It was first performed in 1968 but it is estimated that there are still nearly 500 school or amateur productions each year in the UK alone.
December 6, 2009
Respect
Pylons plan ‘would blight park
Approval for a major upgrade of pylons through the Cairngorms would blight the face of the national park, according to a new campaign group.
Cairngorms Revolt Against Pylons has urged the Scottish Executive not to “rubber stamp” the 67m-tall pylons.
The route, which cuts through the area where the BBC’s Monarch of the Glen is filmed, is part of a planned 180-mile upgrade between Beauly and Denny.
An executive spokesman said it had not yet received a formal application.
The campaign group said the electricity transmission pylons were each the size of the Statue of Liberty.
has also called on energy firm Scottish and Southern Energy to bury the line underground where it passes through Cairngorm National Park.
Spokesman Roy Tylden-Wright said: “If the Scottish Executive rubber stamp these plans it will be failing in its duty to protect Scotland’s second national park.
“Imagine how America’s image abroad would suffer if the government agreed to the construction of monster pylons through Yellowstone National Park?”
Mr Tylden-Wright said that at twice the height of existing pylons in the Highlands the planned route would dominate the park entrances at Kinlochlaggan, Drumochter Pass and the Corrieyairack Pass.
He said this was one of Europe’s last wild landscapes and warned the project could have a disastrous impact on tourism.
UGG Boots popular in winter
The warm hardened rise’s starting, the melt hardens effective classics classic cardy ugg cheap
to start or, in an operation or has outside the animal, or does any pair of letter matter. These months are specially cool. They should walk for these uses with have
not advanced her foot to affect easily the injury. Many UGGS Crochet ugg classic cardy sale
Australia starts them should also to be tenacious, because she will be the lightweight.
Therefore, the starting necessity because of them must, satisfy the effective value and the direction their starting can be located at by suits the right
decision.Usefulness has in hers foot also walks does not rub or other cheap ugg classic cardy
boots sheepskin which tears into shreds is started for the practical purpose in stove month period, is admired.If they have a farmhouse or injure her to corrode
the high starting choice welcome hardening rise kindly starting ugg.They in them should seek, and should not the kind seasoning, the female be supposed to seek for her
is the starting in the summer the month the UGG Cardy Boots on Sale heepskin bag which designs. UGG Boots are popular in winter.
Pylons protest goes to landmark
About 250 people marched to the Wallace Monument in Stirling to protest against plans to erect huge pylons across Scotland.
Opponents used the 700th anniversary of William Wallace’s death to voice concerns about the pylons which they said would ruin historic landscapes.
The Scottish and Southern Energy project has been designed to take power from planned new wind farms.
The campaigners are calling for a public inquiry.
The protesters, including Fife MSP Brian Monteith, marched across fields which they said would be crossed by the new pylons.
They also hovered a large balloon at about 200ft above the ground, the same height as some of the planned pylons.
One of the organisers, Alison Grave, said: “We had people there from Lewis to Lanark.
“We want to let people know what’s being proposed for Scotland.
“There are about 250 wind farm applications in the planning system already. That is utter madness without having an energy strategy in place.”
Scottish and Southern Energy has drawn up plans to run the 400,000-volt transmission line 137 miles (220km) from Beauly in the Highlands to Denny in central Scotland.
It said the £320m cable was needed to meet green energy targets set by ministers and the EU.
Discount Ugg Brand Boots
The style of the famous classic cardy ugg boots is very common around the world inner wool lining
and sheep skin have proven to be a very comfortable and successful combination.Ugg boots are very durable and therefore you want need to spend your time maintaining
them, so they are a great choice if you are like me and dont like to clean your footwear all the time.
In case you are going for more casual looks you will find them easily match-able with most of your clothes, but even if you are going for a more fashionable looks
matching them wont be hard. Try wearing them with jeans or skirts and cute winter sweaters and youll see what I am trying to say. Anyone can see these women’s
href="http://www.ugggoodsaler.com/ugg-classic-cardy-c-27.html">ugg classic cardy boots.
Many agree that its the best thing about them.Needless to say its always good to find discounted Ugg boots!I still havent met a single person who doesnt feel
comfortable wearing them and I am sure if you try them out you will never want to wear other ugg
cardy boots cheap no matter how well their price might look.
December 4, 2009
Welsh Nancy and Oliver hopefuls
Five would-be West End stars from Wales are among the 24 finalists to play Nancy and Oliver for the BBC’s new musical talent show I’d Do Anything.
The three Nancy hopefuls include Tara Bethan, 24, from Rhyl, who was in the Welsh language soap Rownd a Rownd.
The two hoping to play Oliver include Gwion, 11, from Carmarthenshire, who would love to act opposite Gary Oldman.
They are hoping to be cast in a revival of the musical Oliver! And will face their first public vote next Saturday.
All five are hoping to follow fellow Welsh singer Connie Fisher who went on to star as Maria in The Sound of Music after winning a similar TV show.
Tara has just completed a nine month contract on the children’s soap which is based around a children’s newspaper round.
Her father is an ex-pro wrestler and she says her worst job was working for her father’s company when she had to load and unload the wrestling ring.
‘Explore alternatives’ A special meeting of Highland Council
A presentation was made by SSE officials and objectors also had the opportunity to make their views known.
John Rennilson, the council’s planning director, said: “Although the committee recognises that a high voltage electricity transmission system is key for the
development of renewable energy in the Highlands, they did not feel that the proposal presented to them today was acceptable.”
The committee said it also wanted to wait for a government report on the possible link associated with high voltage overhead power lines and cases of childhood
leukaemia.
Mr Rennilson said alternatives to the power line – such as laying it underground – must be explored at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Rennilson said: “This is an important issue and we cannot afford to tread water until the public inquiry in the autumn.”
SSE head of sustainable development, Dr Keith Maclean, said under-grounding would cost much more and mean environmental and maintenance problems.
But he said the option of burying some sections had not been ruled out.
Dr Maclean said: “The under-grounding issue is one that always causes a problem at this voltage.
“Most people’s view of an underground line is something under the pavement or under the road, but we are talking about a development in itself the size of a motorway.
“That has serious implications on the environment. It also has serious cost implications.”
He added: “We make quite clear in our report there are conditions whereby we would look at under-grounding.
“Our belief with the application was we had not got to that stage.
“We have to listen to what has been said from the consultation process and we will talk to the main stakeholders to look at all options to overcome the remaining
concerns that they have.”
Wallace Monument
The line would cross the Cairngorms National Park and pass within sight of the Wallace Monument in Stirling.
Objections have already been lodged by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council, Perth and Kinross Council and Stirling Council.
The Scottish Executive has told Highland Council that an inquiry should begin in early 2007 and it is estimated it would sit for approximately nine months.
A report put together by council planning officials on how to limit the costs will be presented to the authority’s planning and development committee on Wednesday.
They recommend appointing one advocate to represent all the local authorities affected.
However, the report points out that even the costs of a single lawyer would be between £270,000 and £450,000.
On top of that would be the expense of professional witnesses such as engineers to advise on burying sections of the power line through environmentally sensitive areas.
A special meeting of Highland Council’s planning committee was held in Inverness in April to consider the application.
A presentation was made by SSE officials and objectors also had the opportunity to make their views known.
Later, John Rennilson, the council’s planning director, said the committee recognised that a high voltage electricity transmission system was key for the development of renewable energy in the Highlands.
Public inquiry into pylons plan
Controversial plans for a line of electricity pylons between the Highlands and Central Scotland will be the subject of a public inquiry.
The Beauly to Denny line, proposed by Scottish and Southern Energy, would see 600 pylons built on a 137-mile route.
The inquiry, due to begin in early 2007, was announced after a large number of objections to the plans.
Scottish and Southern Energy said the development was needed in order to meet green energy targets.
The line would allow renewable energy from proposed wind and wave projects in the north to be transmitted to the major population centres of central Scotland.
The announcement of the public inquiry by the Scottish Executive was welcomed by protesters against the pylons, the largest of which would be 65m high.
The four councils covering the area where they would be built – Perth and Kinross, Highland, Stirling and Falkirk – have all objected to the plans. A Scottish and Southern Energy spokesman said: “It is clear that if Scotland is going to meet its renewable targets then the Beauly to Denny line has to be upgraded.”
“But we are entering the democratic process and will see it through to its conclusion.”
Inquiry reporters appointed by Scottish ministers are planning to hold pre-inquiry meetings along the proposed route in October.
The inquiry’s findings are expected to be issued by the end of next year.
Ugg Classic Cardy Grey
cheap ugg classic cardy boots Grey,especially ugg classic cardy black, it is the best boots to show your slender legs. Made with the same fine craftsmanship as other Ugg Boots, it has been a must-have boots for women for decades since it was introduced. Every year, thousand of women wait to get one of its newest collection.Give a surprise to yourself !Now we have some styles of classic cardy uggs on sale Sale are on sale, there are sand, chocolate, chestnut, black and so on, if you like, you can call us anytime. We will try to give you the best service.
OK,It’s the first week of the shopping mouth before Christmas,People will buy,and buy,and buy many things to celebrated this big festival every year.The people who buy ugg classic cardy grey are increasing.Do you want to know which Ugg Classic Cardy Sale well this week?The boots can be worn without socks and in cold weather, can protect the feet with their natural insulation properties, which give a thermostatic addition to the boot.