Author Archives: Ben Eagle

My First Red Squirrel (at long last)

Instead of making new year’s resolutions this year I made a list of several things that I wanted to do or achieve during the course of the year. I won’t bore you with all of them, but I’m steadily working my way through the list. Near the top was an ambition I’ve had for years:ContinueContinue reading “My First Red Squirrel (at long last)”

What was the Silsoe Conference and why should we remember it?

Forty eight years ago, in July 1969, a conference was held at Silsoe Agricultural College in Bedfordshire. It was jointly organised by the RSPB, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), The Wildlife Trusts, the National Conservancy Council (now Natural England) and the Agricultural Development Advisory Service (ADAS), and it aimed to bring farmers and conservationistsContinueContinue reading “What was the Silsoe Conference and why should we remember it?”

Northey Island

Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep. This was the sound that greeted us. Maldon’s recycling centre was a hive of activity as we walked past; perhaps an unlikely gateway to one of Essex’s hidden gems, but this is the juxtaposed reality of this oh so maligned of counties. Essex is a gloriously diverse county, and I amContinueContinue reading “Northey Island”

Rural Coalition Statement 2017

You may not have heard of it, but ‘The Rural Coalition’ recently published its 2017 statement, outlining the policy priorities and actions that it thinks will be required to sail rural communities through Brexit and beyond in a safe and secure (as opposed to strong and stable) manner. The Rural Coalition is exactly what itContinueContinue reading “Rural Coalition Statement 2017”