The Next Generation of farmers and naturalists talking together

Fifteen months ago an idea came into my head. Wouldn’t it be brilliant if some of the young farmers and conservationists who are just starting out in their careers could come together at an event to learn from each other, talk with each other and build connections. After all, as individual organisations and networks YoungContinueContinue reading “The Next Generation of farmers and naturalists talking together”

The Myth of England

To me, England is the country, and the country is England. And when I ask myself what I mean by England, when I think of England when I am abroad, England comes to me though my various senses – through the ear, through the eye and through certain imperishable scents. .The sounds of England, theContinueContinue reading “The Myth of England”

Land Lines: finding the UK’s favourite book about nature

Many of you will already have heard about this inspired project from the Arts and Humanities Research Council encouraging Brits to nominate their favourite book about the natural world. Each nomination must be of a book ‘by a UK-based writer or by an author who writes about the UK’s landscape and/or wildlife’, and the deadline forContinueContinue reading “Land Lines: finding the UK’s favourite book about nature”

Book Review: ‘Land of Plenty’ by Charlie Pye-Smith

It won’t be news to any regular reader of this blog to hear that many farmers struggle to make a living from the land. Farming is famously volatile and those running farming businesses are at the mercy of world markets, changing government policy and of course the weather! The decision to withdraw from the EuropeanContinueContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Land of Plenty’ by Charlie Pye-Smith”

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”