{"id":24207,"date":"2023-03-09T16:21:03","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T15:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=24207"},"modified":"2023-04-04T12:56:39","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T10:56:39","slug":"your-countryside-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2023\/03\/09\/your-countryside-11\/","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><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

DARN GOOD SKILL <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Save money and the world\u2019s resources by darning that favourite pair of socks <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I really had to smile when I saw the article on \u2018How to darn your socks\u2019 (Month in the Country, February issue). But it brought back to me some great memories. My mum and dad both worked full time, so some jobs around the home were often left undone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At junior school, when I was about eight, we were all in assembly when the teacher told me to pull up my socks from around my ankles. I pulled them up and revealed big holes in both socks. I felt really embarrassed so I learned quickly how to darn my own socks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My mother always did the washing but there was always a pile of washed clothes waiting to be ironed. So again, as I got older, I learned to iron my shirts and trousers. At the age of 19, I went to do my National Service, and, as many of the lads had been well looked after by their mums, my domestic skills came to the fore. We were paid 18 shillings a week then, and I used to charge three shillings to press a squaddie\u2019s \u2018best dress uniform\u2019. No steam irons then, so it was a mug of water and sheet of brown paper.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time has passed and my wife and I are now both in our 80s, and though I have never allowed my wife to press my trousers, my domestic skills are once more being called upon, although I must admit to having difficulty ironing some lady\u2019s articles. So, it\u2019s my excuse to pass the steam iron over to her, while I sit and read every word of your wonderful magazine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ken Holt, Egerton, Greater Manchester <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor Fergus Collins replies:<\/strong> <\/span>Beautifully and very amusingly put. Darning socks should be a core life skill. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

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

THE PRIZE: <\/strong>
This month\u2019s star letter wins a Berghaus Unisex Arrow 30 Rucsac, black <\/strong><\/em>worth \u00a365. This compact 30-litre daysack features pockets in the lid and on the sides, plus attachments for walking poles to keep all your gear organised, making it ideal for day walks. The Flow vented back system allows your skin to breathe and it comes with a packable rain cover, too. berghaus.com<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

HARVEST TRAMPING <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

January\u2019s article on the itinerant workers known as Wolds Rangers reminded me of holidays I spent in the late \u201840s and early \u201850s with a school friend on their farm in Scackleton, North Yorkshire. It was during harvest time. One of the farm workers was a man called \u2018Soldier Ted\u2019. He went from farm to farm, wearing an old army uniform. He always looked clean and tidy. I can\u2019t remember where he slept. <\/p>\n\n

My friend and I took the \u2018drinkings\u2019 to the field that was being harvested. I remember that during those times, one could always see someone \u2018tramping\u2019 on the A64 and many minor roads. <\/p>\n\n

Barbara Ellis, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

IDENTIFYING TARGETS <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I note your article on the \u2018RSPB Bird Crime Report\u2019 (February issue). I have owned guns and working dogs all my life. I have spent many hours in the countryside and I would never dream of pointing a gun at a bird of prey. Forgive the pun, but I think the shooting fraternity is an easy target for those who are \u2018anti\u2019 something they just don\u2019t understand. I was always taught to identify any target before shooting at it. Bird identification is a crucial aspect of shooting (and birdwatching). We MUST get it right. The RSPB should spend more time educating the owners of domestic cats. <\/p>\n\n

Steve Evans, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Fergus Collins replies:<\/strong> <\/span>The Bird Crime Report was not focusing on accidental shootings of birds of prey but instead on deliberate persecution through trapping, poisoning and shooting.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

ADMIRING ASSYNT <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

The February edition of BBC <\/em>Countryfile <\/em>Magazine <\/em>was as interesting as always but I especially enjoyed the article describing your pleasurable visit to Assynt. <\/p>\n\n

I am fortunate to own a charity-shop gem, a copy of the Scottish Gallery\u2019s exhibition catalogue of James Morrison\u2019s new paintings of the late summer of 2005. <\/p>\n\n

Among the 44 paintings illustrated, Assynt features frequently, including Suilven, Quinag and the Summer Isles. It is a wonderful book to peruse at bedtime, particularly after a long day and being a dedicated armchair and bedtime traveller, it is wonderfully inspiring and relaxing. I just wish I could hear the cuckoos! <\/p>\n\n

Meriel Wiltshire, Andover, Hampshire <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Fergus Collins:<\/strong> <\/span>For someone who has fallen in love with Assynt in recent years, this sounds like the perfect book for me. I will drop hints to my family around birthday time\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

HAPPY PLODDING <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
This summer, Plodcast fan Kiki King is looking forward to walking the 51-mile Coleridge Way \u2013 here pictured on the Brendon Hills <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Recently I took my normal walk during my lunch break, excited about listening to the new Plodcast episode that had been published. It had been a series of grey days and I was looking forward to my pseudo country walk. Imagine my surprise when I listened to hear that, not only had you actually received the Christmas card that I had sent, but that you read it on the Plodcast! I was so honoured and delighted \u2013 I imagine I looked quite strange to the people I passed with a huge smile on my face.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

I work as a therapist for children and while my work is immensely rewarding, it can also fill me with a heaviness, which is why I try to prioritise walking during the day to ground myself. The Plodcasts helps me connect to nature when I need it most. I am excited that I will be returning to the UK in mid-August this year to walk the Coleridge Way and am so looking forward to the experience. I only wish I was closer to the Plodcast studio to bring a batch of cookies! <\/p>\n\n

I wonder if other listeners have experiences of healing work (personally or professionally) done in connection with nature \u2013 perhaps a theme for a future Plodcast series. I do know that the work of your team has helped me immensely and allowed me to return to my own work to be a better healer for the families that I support. So please know that the Plodcast has a ripple effect beyond just those who initially listen to it \u2013 you touch more people than you realise. <\/p>\n\n

Kiki King, via email Rochester, New York, USA <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n
CORRECTION<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

We wrongly used a photograph of a male sparrowhawk instead of a goshawk in the \u2018Behind the Headlines\u2019 feature in the February issue of the magazine. <\/p>\n\n

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

What a delightful article by Phil Gates about snowdrops (February issue). I especially enjoyed the folklore around these beautiful dainty flowers and the extract from To <\/em>a <\/em>Snowdrop <\/em>by Wordsworth. I went on to read the whole poem and was inspired to compose my own. I also attach a photograph I took of a snowdrop in Kendal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helen <\/strong>Dodd, <\/strong>via <\/strong>email <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snowdrops<\/u><\/strong>
Such fragile and dainty flowers <\/strong><\/em>
Dancing in winter\u2019s snowy breeze <\/strong><\/em>
Graceful ballet dancers with white tutus <\/strong><\/em>
On the stage of spring\u2019s beginning <\/strong><\/em>
Snowdrop flowers are of snow white so pure. <\/strong><\/em>
Looks delicately made of icing sugar <\/strong><\/em>
That glistens in the winter\u2019s ending sun <\/strong><\/em>
A sign, flowers like bells ringing out the proclamation. <\/strong><\/em>
That darkness of winter\u2019s cold and death is now done. <\/strong><\/em>
The green leaves a verdant green <\/strong><\/em>
A sign of spring to come. <\/strong><\/em>
A celebration of winter\u2019s end has now begun <\/strong><\/em>
All seen in the February sun. <\/strong><\/em>
As in the ancient wood in twisted leafless tree <\/strong><\/em>
A red-breasted robin sung. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

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

Have your say on rural issues<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":24203,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"108","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"108","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_108-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_108-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"April-2023","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"April-2023","purple_external_id":"April-2023-108-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"April-2023-108-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000084067||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000084067||","purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.201","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.201","purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.201","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.201","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":"2023-03-09T15:21:10Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"c032474f-be4a-4cd3-b4f4-e72f1ca8a1e6","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2023-03-09T15:21:11Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQ==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AwDJHT75KTNO09OcvHKih5g","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\/03\/9f5c44ba-ceac-4f5f-8f33-81069083e2bd.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\/03\/9f5c44ba-ceac-4f5f-8f33-81069083e2bd.jpg",975,592,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/9f5c44ba-ceac-4f5f-8f33-81069083e2bd-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/9f5c44ba-ceac-4f5f-8f33-81069083e2bd-300x182.jpg",300,182,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/9f5c44ba-ceac-4f5f-8f33-81069083e2bd-768x466.jpg",768,466,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/9f5c44ba-ceac-4f5f-8f33-81069083e2bd.jpg",800,486,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/9f5c44ba-ceac-4f5f-8f33-81069083e2bd.jpg",975,592,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/9f5c44ba-ceac-4f5f-8f33-81069083e2bd.jpg",975,592,false]},"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\/24207"}],"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=24207"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29396,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24207\/revisions\/29396"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}