To coincide with the start of BBC2 nature programme Springwatch, all new adult RSPB memberships are offered a copy of Bill Oddie’s ‘How to Watch Wildlife’ book as a free gift when joining online between 23rd May and 30th June.

With the current warm weather, more people are taking advantage of the sun and visiting one of the many RSPB nature reserves around the country. From as little as £2.84 a month, you too can visit one of the 100 beautiful RSPB sites around the UK, whilst also quarterly receiving the member’s only publication ‘Birds’.

You subscription fee covers not only the costs for the upkeep of the nature reserves, but also campaigning against developments that damage bird environments whilst restoring natural habitats.

> > click here to join the RSPB

London grime sensation Dizzee Rascal is set to release a track for the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably.
The track is called ‘Dean’ and was written by Dizzee after a close friend of his committed suicide. The track was initially recorded to appear on the album ‘Maths and English’, but didn’t make the final cut. After representatives for C.A.L.M. heard the track they decided it would be a powerful tool in helping young people talk about their problems before things get too serious. Spokesperson Jane Powell said –

‘The key for us is putting out the message that strong isn’t silent and having someone like Dizzee get this message out is just fantastic. Young men listen, for the most part, to other young men rather than charities or government spokespeople.’

The track now has a video and is available to download from iTunes, with all the profits going towards the running of the C.A.L.M help centre. The charity runs a hotline and website aimed at talking young men with worries, something Dizzee wishes his old school friend Dean had done before he took his own life.

“He was one of the first people I’d ever known to have died and the fact he committed suicide was a shock. I didn’t quite know how to feel. Everyone’s talking about gun crime and knife crime and a lot of people are suffering because of it. With things like Calm, you can talk to them beacuase that is the main thing – talking.”