{"id":29032,"date":"2023-07-27T10:00:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T08:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=29032"},"modified":"2023-07-27T10:28:50","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T08:28:50","slug":"your-countryside-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2023\/07\/27\/your-countryside-15\/","title":{"rendered":"Your countryside"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

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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<\/a>, <\/strong>tweet us @CountryfileMag<\/a> <\/strong>or via Facebook facebook.com\/countryfilemagazine<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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

Letter of the month<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

THE POWER OF WALKING GROUPS<\/h4>\n\n
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Brisk walks offer both health benefits and beautiful views, such as from Beacon Hill\u2019s hill fort in Hampshire<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

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In 2019, I set up a walking group on the Nextdoor app, called Andover Brisk Walkers. I have been walking the local north Hampshire countryside for 20 years, and we also cross into neighbouring Wiltshire and Berkshire. <\/p>\n\n

My group on Nextdoor has more than 200 members. Yet only about 10% will actively join me out in the countryside. <\/p>\n\n

I talk about nature and explain the benefits of brisk walking for one hour. I also teach others how to navigate the footpaths using OS maps on their smart devices. <\/p>\n\n

Both the government and NHS eagerly advertise brisk walking. The BBC and others televise the glory of walking in nature, both for physical and mental health. Your website states that there are many walking groups that people can join. <\/p>\n\n

The Ramblers are well known. Yet all must pay to join them \u2013 and then pay more to walk with them. My group is free to join and utilise. I simply hope to help others. <\/p>\n\n

How can we get the word out there? I don\u2019t want the expense of setting up a web page. Yet I have had others around the country ask me how they can also set up walking groups. So I have given them my knowledge. <\/p>\n\n

We must spread the word. Get the people into nature, then they will aspire to protect it themselves. <\/p>\n\n

David Collier, Hampshire <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Editor Fergus Collins replies: <\/span><\/strong>Thank you David \u2013 heroic work bringing people together to enjoy the countryside. Many walking groups do charge a subscription to pay for the administration but few are run for profit. And you are absolutely right, we only actively care for things that we truly love and experience.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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THE PRIZE<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This month\u2019s star letter wins a Light My Fire Picnic Set for four, worth \u00a366.95. Made from BPA-free biobased plastics, the set is microwave and dishwasher-safe and includes four StackPlates, four MyCup\u2019n Lids and four Sporks. Lightweight, compact and stackable, the set is super portable for all your picnics and outdoor dining adventures. berryuseful.co.uk<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n


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FLOODING DEVELOPMENTS <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

As a reasonably fit person, I have been very impressed with the useful information contained in your magazine. I usually walk the Menai Bridge, Beaumaris and South Stack\/Holyhead areas of Anglesey. I found that reading your magazine created an incentive to extend my walking. <\/p>\n\n

In the past few years, I have noticed that some areas have suffered with flooding, not only caused by the weather but by the extensive building and developments that have and are taking place. We have had excessive flooding, not only on agricultural land but also urban areas where houses have suffered serious damage. <\/p>\n\n

Why do local authorities grant permission for developments, car parks, shopping precincts etc in areas that the public walk and enjoy? I\u2019m convinced that the developments are the main cause of flooding, because natural rain drainage is destroyed. We the public, in particular those who enjoy the natural habitat, should object to future building proposals on rural land. Such a course would rejuvenate towns and cities that have become ghost towns and reduce the risk of flooding. We could then continue to enjoy walking in the natural countryside.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Melvyn <\/strong>Griffiths, <\/strong>Anglesey <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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DREAMS OF PEMBROKESHIRE <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
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Oh BBC Countryfile Magazine, <\/em>how could you do this to me? I ruptured my knee ligaments while walking on the Blorenge, so our annual break in South Pembrokeshire had to be postponed. Crestfallen already, your article on South Pembrokeshire (May issue) poured salt into the wound, as you mentioned most of the high spots we were looking forward to! <\/p>\n\n

May is our preferred time to visit as we love the heady smell of wild garlic while driving through the Stackpole estate. We always stop at Stackpole Quay so I can ascend to the clifftop, enjoy views of the coast towards Manorbier and make my way down the rough-hewn steps to beautiful, secluded Barafundle Bay. I then take the slow walk back or a circular walk via Bosherton Lily Ponds. <\/p>\n\n

Afterwards we head to my wife\u2019s favourite place, Stackpole Walled Garden. It\u2019s free to visit and you can buy produce, plants and wonderful homemade cakes, with all proceeds going to Mencap. The fact it is maintained by adults with learning difficulties only makes you appreciate the gardens more.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

It was good to see mention of Angle, a delightful village with plenty of quirky architecture. In fact, quirky describes the area beautifully. Where else other than the road to Angle can you find an asparagus stall with an honesty box (pictured left)? <\/p>\n\n

Roger <\/strong>Stevenson, <\/strong>Torfaen <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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LITTLE PICKERS OF THE HOME FRONT <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

The letter from Mr Birking concerning school children working on farms during the war (December issue) brought back many memories. <\/p>\n\n

As a child, I lived at Kings Worthy, a small village near Winchester, and worked on two different farms. Jim Bright\u2019s farm in Hookpit was where we would go stone picking. The stones were flints that had come through the chalk fields. We stood in a line across the field carrying pails. When they were full of stones, we emptied them into a horse-drawn cart that was positioned in the middle of the field. <\/p>\n\n

At Hookpit, we collected acorns in sandbags for Mr Hays\u2019 pigs. In nearby Easton, we went potato picking, and these were stored in long straw clamps. At home we kept chickens, and at harvest time we went \u2018gleaning\u2019. Such happy memories, even in wartime and after.<\/p>\n\n

JR Gill, Kent <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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BATTLE OF BEAK AND BODY <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
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I have attached a photo (above) taken with a trail camera I have in woods adjoining our house in Wembury, Devon. I thought you might find it very interesting. You can clearly see the jay with a grass snake in its beak and the tail of the snake wrapped around it. <\/p>\n\n

I thought what amazing luck it was to have caught that happening, and also what goes on in the wild that we never see. We will never know how they got out of that situation. <\/p>\n\n

Leicester <\/strong>Selleck, <\/strong>Devon <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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NO-SHOW MAY <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Please can you explain: I have let my garden lawn grow throughout May and our local authority has left the kerbside grass unmown all month, too, but I haven\u2019t seen any bees around the area or indeed any other profusion of insects. <\/p>\n\n

Nina <\/strong>Kaye, <\/strong>Epsom <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Editor Fergus Collins replies: <\/strong>This is a tricky one to answer.Sometimes it can take months or even years for insects to repopulate an area if they\u2019ve not had suitable habitat there for some time. This year has been strange though, with lots of reports of a lack of insects through April, May and June in some parts of the UK. Whether this was caused by cold northerly winds or last summer\u2019s drought \u2013 or wider environmental issues \u2013 no one really knows. But keep things a bit wild and untidy and nature will turn up.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

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

Nature\u2019s Philosophy <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

by Victor Timmons <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nocturnal birds in sibilant causerie <\/strong><\/em>
Forest creatures in distant revelry <\/strong><\/em>
While nature\u2019s blanket dims their rivalry <\/strong><\/em>
And stills the air to peaceful reverie <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How brief is this tranquillity <\/strong><\/em>
As hostile meetings in darkened shrubbery <\/strong><\/em>
Remind, if only momentarily <\/strong><\/em>
That man alone enjoys in camaraderie <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

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

Have your say on rural issues<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":29028,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"88","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"88","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_88-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_88-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"August-2023","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"August-2023","purple_external_id":"August-2023-88-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"August-2023-88-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000084072||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000084072||","purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.206","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.206","purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.206","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.206","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":"2023-07-25T12:00:55Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"026bcb3c-18bd-415d-91e2-947c77bd09bc","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2023-07-27T08:05:33Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAg==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AAmvLPBi9QV2R4pR8d70JvA","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\/07\/761859be-1e53-47c3-bffd-0477a362dad3.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\/07\/761859be-1e53-47c3-bffd-0477a362dad3.jpg",1341,860,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/761859be-1e53-47c3-bffd-0477a362dad3-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/761859be-1e53-47c3-bffd-0477a362dad3-300x192.jpg",300,192,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/761859be-1e53-47c3-bffd-0477a362dad3-768x493.jpg",768,493,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/761859be-1e53-47c3-bffd-0477a362dad3-1024x657.jpg",800,513,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/761859be-1e53-47c3-bffd-0477a362dad3.jpg",1341,860,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/07\/761859be-1e53-47c3-bffd-0477a362dad3.jpg",1341,860,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\/29032"}],"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=29032"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30215,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29032\/revisions\/30215"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29028"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}