{"id":23418,"date":"2023-02-06T13:09:21","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T12:09:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=23418"},"modified":"2023-02-09T09:39:28","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T08:39:28","slug":"your-countryside-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2023\/02\/06\/your-countryside-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Your countryside"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HAVE YOUR SAY ON RURAL ISSUES <\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Share your views and opinions by writing to us at: <\/strong>
Have your say: BBC Countryfile Magazine, <\/em>Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST; or email editor@countryfile.com, <\/strong>tweet us @CountryfileMag <\/strong>or via Facebook facebook.com\/countryfilemagazine<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

*We reserve the right to edit correspondence <\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n
LETTER OF THE MONTH<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

FROG SONG <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Hear the mating calls of male spring peeper frogs on the Countryfile Plodcast <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I love your Plodcast! I listen every day on my morning walks in York, Maine, USA, on the north-east coast. It relaxes me immensely and I learn so much. I tell everyone about the Plodcast and, of course, have given it a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been an Anglophile since I was very young. I backpacked around England and Scotland back in 1983 when I was 19 years old, staying in hostels, hitchhiking and using my BritRail pass. I fell in love with your country. I\u2019m planning to return for my 60th birthday, in about a year\u2019s time, and your Plodcast is helping me with ideas of where to visit, especially places I missed during my stay in \u201983! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thought you might like to hear a couple of recordings I managed to catch during one of my walks. One is of the haunting call of a loon and the other is of the spring peepers, the small chorus frogs (officially known as Pseudacris <\/em>crucifer) <\/em>that are commonly found throughout the eastern United States and Canada. They often pipe up during the evening to attract a mate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marci Price, Maine, USA <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor Fergus Collins replies:<\/strong> <\/span>Marci, thank you for the kind words, the five-star rating and especially the recordings, which you will be able to hear in episode two of season 15 of the Plodcast. I\u2019m going to use this opportunity to appeal for more readers and listeners to send in sounds of wildlife or landscapes that they have recorded. The very best recordings will be played on the Plodcast as our \u2018Sound of the Week\u2019 and the winner will receive a prize from the Plodcast library. So congratulations, Marci \u2013 you\u2019ve doubled up as letter of the month and inaugural winner of Sound of the Week! <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

THE PRIZE: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

This month\u2019s star letter wins a Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket, Sunset Fade <\/strong><\/em>worth \u00a390. Machine washable and made from 100% recycled ripstop fabric, with insulation made from recycled materials, the Original Puffy Blanket is a cosy outdoor portable blanket that comes with its own stuff sack. Wear it hands-free, courtesy of the handy Cape Clip. rumpl.co.uk<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

MISSED THE TRAIN <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I noted with interest the article \u201cTop five Santa trains\u201d in your December issue. As a volunteer on the Severn Valley Railway, I wonder what criteria you used to determine the \u201ctop five\u201d. <\/p>\n\n

The Severn Valley Railway, which operates between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, has an extensive festive programme, including Santa Trains with a steam-train journey and a station pantomime; the Enchanted Express with pantomime characters on the train; carol trains; and Festive Dining while travelling along the beautiful Severn Valley. <\/p>\n\n

The Severn Valley Railway should surely have been included in your top five, because of its popularity and wide choice of festive journeys. <\/p>\n\n

Michael <\/strong>Norris, <\/strong>Hagley, <\/strong>Worcestershire <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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ELF AND SAFETY <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
The Fairy Bridge on the Isle on Man is an important pilgrimage site for many who visit the island <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

With regard to the story on elves\/ fairies in the December issue, how could you miss the Fairy Bridge on the magic Isle of Man? <\/p>\n\n

On all of my visits, the first stop was always the Fairy Bridge to say hello to the little people and put a letter in the wall asking for good luck. It\u2019s important to be extra polite and say hello to them, as there are cautionary tales of what happens if you don\u2019t. Many TT Race riders make a point of paying the bridge a visit in the hope of ensuring a safe ride in the motorcycle races that the island is famous for.<\/p>\n\n

C Steemson, Nottingham <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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NOT SO ELFY <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I enjoy your magazine very much but was surprised to see an article about elves in the December issue. <\/p>\n\n

I\u2019ve always assumed elves to be folklore, so I was left completely baffled by the article that not only gives a physical description of elves but ends by telling readers where to spot them! <\/p>\n\n

I wasn\u2019t the only one who found it far-fetched. I realise that it is Christmas and elves feature in stories, but an article inviting readers to spot them in woods is plain silly. <\/p>\n\n

C <\/strong>Mears, <\/strong>via <\/strong>email <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Editor Fergus Collins replies:<\/strong> <\/span>We thought it might be a little bit of fun, especially in this dark winter, to publish an impish guide to elves. I hope it didn’t spoil your enjoyment of the issue. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

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NO CAUSE FOR CHEER <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

I\u2019d like to take issue with Ellie Harrison\u2019s column in your January issue. Ellie [above] cites as a cheer the fact that the percentage of income spent on food has dropped, from about a third in the 1950s to 14% now. Does Ellie realise that cheap food comes at an enormous cost to farmers in the UK? The cheap food policy has opened the floodgates to cheaper imports, regardless of the working conditions, environmental impact, animal welfare and nutrition standards of the source. Air miles are also high. The loss of the UK farm and horticultural businesses has had a huge impact on rural life and economies. <\/p>\n\n

Most UK citizens no longer know what local food is because we have been fed the mantra that cheap food is good and something to cheer about. How wrong Ellie is! <\/p>\n\n

Sally <\/strong>Tuer, <\/strong>via <\/strong>email <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

TIES TO THE LAND <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Landscape shapes us and helps define a sense of place. The geography of where we feel we belong can provide us with an identity that lasts a lifetime. As an Anglican priest who is also a writer, I am only too aware of the illustrious writers in Holy Orders, such as John Donne, who have felt drawn to nature and discovered the natural world\u2019s power to lift the soul. This prayer called \u2018Landscape\u2019 is from my book Life\u2019s <\/em>Complicated <\/em>\u2013 <\/em>Pray <\/em>Simply. <\/em>Its inspiration is the countryside near Chipping Sodbury, where I grew up. The rolling fields of the Cotswold plateau have left an indelible mark on me and it is a place to which I return time and again for inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Whether you\u2019re a person of faith or not, I hope this prayer paints a picture of the landscape that means so much to me. <\/p>\n\n

Creator God, Your presence pervades my senses. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Stretching before me is a landscape of arid beauty, framed by drystone walls. Birdsong echoes from a distant copse, carried on a languid wind. Ever-present God, in this moment, I praise You for all that lies before me. Amen. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Reverend Andrew Highway, Herefordshire <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n
POETRY CORNER <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Welcome rain <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I thought you and your readers may appreciate this nature-inspired poem. I wrote it 25 years ago and it was inspired by walking in Pishiobury Park in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vernon Bozz Ballisat, Bishop Stortford, Herts <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Rain-Scented Meadows <\/u><\/strong><\/em>
Times before she walked in sunshine, <\/strong><\/em>
To ease away the pain<\/strong><\/em>
Stood below the tree to shelter from the rain. <\/strong><\/em>
And looked for the rainbow,<\/strong><\/em>
A sign to keep her sane. <\/strong><\/em>
Through rain-scented meadows <\/strong><\/em>
She searched to make sense of all things <\/strong><\/em>
Passing clouds changed shape above <\/strong><\/em>
Then, heavy with droplets spread themselves <\/strong><\/em>
Below to nurture and create <\/strong><\/em>
The darkest cloud will nourish all that will grow<\/strong><\/em>
And so sense of all things prevail. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

Photos: Getty, Alamy, Oliver Edwards<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have your say on rural issues<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":23748,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"98","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"98","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_98-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_98-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"March-2023","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"March-2023","purple_external_id":"March-2023-98-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"March-2023-98-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000084066||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000084066||","purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.200","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.200","purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.200","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.200","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"91da22fd-9e7f-40d1-a93f-fc46e9516d91","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2023-02-06T12:15:26Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"f886eb7b-3244-4937-8dc5-bd383f13249c","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2023-02-09T08:39:35Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQ==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/A-IbrezJESTeNxb04PxMknA","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[33],"tags":[14],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/2CWH4EE_preview-scaled.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"7","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/2CWH4EE_preview-scaled.jpg",2560,1709,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/2CWH4EE_preview-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/2CWH4EE_preview-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/2CWH4EE_preview-768x513.jpg",768,513,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/2CWH4EE_preview-1024x684.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/2CWH4EE_preview-1536x1025.jpg",1536,1025,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/2CWH4EE_preview-2048x1367.jpg",2048,1367,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Have your say on rural issues","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23418"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23418"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26161,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23418\/revisions\/26161"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}