It seems to be an unwritten meteorological tradition in the United Kingdom that bank holidays should occur at times of barometric uncertainty. 'Sunshine and showers'is often the declaration from the weather presenter or the MET office. We invariably set off on our 'days out' with clothes for all weathers, ready for anything it can throw … Continue reading Bank Holiday Walking
As I write this post a host of world leaders are signing the Paris Climate Agreement in New York. By signing the agreement they commit their country to work towards limiting temperature rises of a maximum of 2 degrees celsius, compared to 1990 levels, and their governments must submit detailed plans as to how they … Continue reading Earth Day, freedom of thought and 2 billion acts of green
After a long debate earlier this week the National Farmers Union council voted overwhelmingly to support the campaign to remain within the European Union. The following resolution was agreed: “The NFU Council resolves that on the balance of existing evidence available to us at present, the interests of farmers are best served by our continuing … Continue reading Thanks for telling us your position NFU but it won’t influence how I vote
Although it feels somewhat difficult to believe at the moment, as I peer out through the closed window at the garden currently enjoying the latest downpour, with the wind blowing leaves all about the place, Spring is here. To be astronomically precise it actually began in the northern hemisphere on Sunday March 20th - the vernal equinox. … Continue reading The contrasts of Spring
This is a refreshingly brave post, written by James Common, on the subject of collaboration and understanding of nuance when it comes to achieving conservation aims in the 21st century. The thinking behind it goes to the root of what I am trying to achieve in this blog - to suggest that we need to … Continue reading Are conservationists hopelessly opposed to everything?
Transitional, innovative, exciting, restorative, unique, both agriculturally and economically sensical and questionable concurrently and all in all, a little bit mad! The rewilding project at the Knepp Castle Estate in Sussex, spearheaded by estate owner Charlie Burrell and his superb team, is all of these things and more. My visit yesterday, the first time I … Continue reading Visiting the Knepp Estate: A Lesson in Rewilding
Bordering the north eastern most part of our farm at Walton Hall, Walton-on-the-Naze lies an area of low lying land, owned by the District Council and protected from regular flooding by the natural, rapidly eroding cliff. This small section of eroding cliff face also protects a water treatment works which serves thousands of local people, … Continue reading Our Place in Time and the Subtleties of Changing Landscapes
