Common Ground is an exploration of place that is in some ways endemic to the 'new nature writing' of our age, and yet it is also riddled with originality, pronounced detail and a freshness to its vibe that only journalist Rob Cowen could produce. It tells the story of his new life in Yorkshire, havingContinue reading "Book Review: ‘Common Ground’ by Rob Cowen"
How do you prune an apple tree?
On our Essex farm stands an orchard (with cider apple varieties), put in by my uncle nearly 20 years ago. For most of the last few years (with the exception of this year as I have been at the opposite end of the country) I have 'attempted' to make cider, with a range of success. AmbitionContinue reading "How do you prune an apple tree?"
Sunday in Somerset
This afternoon I was fortunate to spend some time with prolific author Stephen Moss and fellow AFON committee member Matt Williams, exploring an area of Somerset I had not previously thought of visiting: immediately south of Burnham on Sea. ''What's different?'' Stephen asked Matt and I as we set out along the grassy wall. HisContinue reading "Sunday in Somerset"
‘Post Truth Politics’ and the rise of the Right in the European Countryside
The events of recent months, especially in the light of yesterday's result across the pond, are a sure sign that we a living in an epoch of 'post truth politics'. Emotion and the power of story telling seems to run the roost above the plight of policy makers, who are desperately trying to push theirContinue reading "‘Post Truth Politics’ and the rise of the Right in the European Countryside"
National Trust find their ‘£1 a year’ farmer
You may remember that, earlier this year, when Brexit still looked like a bizarre fantasy, the National Trust began an international search for a farmer to manage a 145 acre farm on the Great Orme near Llandudno in Wales. Famously, the rent offer was for just £1 a year. The Trust feared that the farmContinue reading "National Trust find their ‘£1 a year’ farmer"
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