YET members may be interested to hear that the use of satellite phones in India is illegal unless a license is obtained from the Department of Telecommunications in India. This was brought about after intelligence revealed use of satellite phones by terrorist factions, and the Immigrations and Customs officials at all airports are on standby to search luggage and ask for declaration by passengers. You can find out more on the following links:

http://www.lawyersclubindia.com/notice_circulars/-Regarding-illegal-use-of-Satellite-Phones-in-India-3175.asp

http://in.news.yahoo.com/three-satellite-phones-seized-broadcasting-firm-132300058.html 

http://www.dot.gov.in/inmarsat/inmarsatindex.htm 

On 15th October 2010, Lord Young released a report to the Prime Minister, following a Whitehall-wide review of the operation of health and safety laws and the growth of the compensation culture. The report is 58 pages long, but several pages are of particular interest to our outdoors sector.

The full report is available on the following link:

http://www.number10.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/402906_CommonSense_acc.pdf

and pages 31, 40 and 55 of the pdf are of particular interest.

Vetting and Barring Scheme and Criminal Records Regime Review - Recommendations Announced

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has unveiled a new scaled back employment vetting scheme and fundamental reform of criminal records checks.

Announcing the findings of the parallel reviews of the Vetting and Barring Scheme and the criminal records regime on Friday 11 February, Mr Clegg revealed that millions of people will be removed from the need to carry out compulsory pre-employment checks.

Inspirational book about the life of John Hunt now available!

This is an unusual book about a remarkable person. The book is unusual because it is a brilliantly-edited set of contributions from nearly one hundred people. The remarkable person is John Hunt: Lord Hunt of Llanfair Waterdine, KG CBE DSO, and extracts from his writings and speeches are interwoven in the text. We live in a time of very lightweight heroes whose self-serving and feeble antics fill the press and, astonishingly, the bookshelves. Here though is a real hero of and for our own times.

His influence still permeates an extraordinary range of organisations such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Plas y Brenin, Mount Everest Foundation and the John Hunt Exploration Group and his astonishing achievements both in the Army and in the world of youth exploration are breathtaking. This book is packed with anecdotes which reflect the depth of his character, and offers a really inspirational insight into "the greatest Englishman of his time".

 The book is titled "Inspiring Achievement - The Life and Work of John Hunt" and is available through YET. The cost is £7.25 (including post and packaging) plus an optional donation of at least £5 which will go into the John Hunt Expedition Award for disadvanted young people. Orders should be sent with a cheque payable to The Young Explorers Trust to A E Land, 46 Stockerston Road, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9UD.

Nothing ventured.......by Tim Gill (Copyright 2010 English Outdoor Council) is available to download now on the YET website on our publications page.

Examining the myths and realities of what some call our "risk-averse culture", this document studies the issues surrounding outdoor activities, and how teachers and leaders can take a confident approach to planning activities for young people in their care.