A visit to the Pliocene Forest

Earlier today I travelled up to Sutton in Suffolk to visit ‘the Pliocene Forest’, a project managed by GeoSuffolk. We are exploring options for ecotourism on the farm and with our own Pliocene/Pleistocene heritage, Sutton seemed like an interesting model. We were met by Barry, who runs the site with a team of loyal volunteers.Continue reading “A visit to the Pliocene Forest”

Imagining Future Landscapes

On Tuesday evening I spoke to a local heritage group about local landscapes and how the area has changed over the past 1000 years or so. Being based on the coastal periphery, it is perhaps little wonder that marine ‘seascapes’ and the sea’s influence on land and human culture played such a significant part inContinue reading “Imagining Future Landscapes”

Book Review: ‘The Old Ways’ by Robert Macfarlane

There is an area of south Essex that I have always dreamed of visiting, a place so remote and with such transitory terrain that it seems impossible that the edges of London are just 30 miles away. Nonetheless, between the Rivers Crouch and Thames is situated a mysterious footpath, in my mind one of theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘The Old Ways’ by Robert Macfarlane”

Who will win the Hedge Cutting debate? Birds v Contractors

In this week’s Farmers Weekly it is difficult to ignore their campaign to repeal the August hedge cutting ban. It seems that the furrows in the brows of contractors are getting deeper and two years after the ban was put in place they continue to call for its reversal. It is an issue that seems toContinue reading “Who will win the Hedge Cutting debate? Birds v Contractors”

Are golf courses an opportunity for conservation?

Before I get too far in to writing this article I have a confession to make. I am not a golfer. I have never played golf. The closest I have come to doing so was at the age of six when I discovered a set of ancient clubs in the cellar of my childhood houseContinue reading “Are golf courses an opportunity for conservation?”