OVER the last decade there seem to have been crucial summits on climate change happening every year. The latest gathering of world leaders is taking place this week in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, and no doubt there will be much furrowing of brows

OVER the last decade there seem to have been "crucial" summits on climate change happening every year.

The latest gathering of world leaders is taking place this week in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, and no doubt there will be much furrowing of brows and tut tutting at the mess we have made of our planet.

The problem I have with these kinds of conferences is that they never seem to achieve any kind of consensus by the end.

Usually there's a lot of talk about needing to protect the earth for future generations and other such clich�s, but when it comes to actually implementing these changes, the governments involved are not so keen to stick their necks out and make a stand.

As I write this, the talk ahead of the Copenhagen summit is not sounding promising, with world leaders already at loggerheads about what sort of targets should be set for reducing damaging emissions.

I suppose if you are all heading the same direction then you will probably find common ground eventually, and I just hope that by the time they get there it isn't too late.

I'm no scientist, but it seems obvious that we can't go on abusing the natural resources at our disposal without doing some serious long term damage.

Hopefully this week's conference will be a catalyst for real change, rather than just another pointless talking shop

Another week, another woman claiming to have, er, played a round with golfer Tiger Woods.

Details of Woods' alleged extra-marital activities have been all over the media in the last couple of weeks, and I surely can't be the only one that's getting a bit sick of it.

Not because I think he should be entitled to privacy. Indeed, as someone who has built a reputation as a clean cut family man, the public probably has a right to know if he's been straying off the fairway.

But it does irritate me when it seeps on to the sports section. Woods' private life has no bearing on his ability as a golfer, and as such should be kept completely separate.

Sports writers and television presenters seem to be wasting an inordinate amount of time on this scandal, when really it should stay on the news pages where it belongs.

Royston was buzzing last weekend as another Christmas carnival got shoppers into the festive spirit.

I was impressed by the high turn out at the farmers market and in the town generally, and great credit must go to the organisers who drew together a wide range of stalls for the perusal of shoppers.

Also looking good are the illuminations in the town centre. They are a vast improvement on previous years and present Royston in a really positive light (sorry). Well done to all those involved!