20 is critical to the planet’s survival, began to see a much sharper focus towards the need for protecting and extending sustainable green space, both for recreation and the natural world. Now we often hear of ‘wilding’, wild flower meadows, garden corridors, even protecting grass verges as ways of supporting biodiversity, and of course campaigns to protect what we have. (Charter Wood at Cymbeline Meadows is in the photo below). For some of us simply walking and enjoying the fresh air and green space is enough, but my notes often point to the added benefit of taking time to listen, see and recognise what exists in our surroundings. Mindfulness is increasingly suggested as a boost for our mental well-being. From time to time I also found myself quoting from poetry or prose commentary that I felt had a connection with my writing. I think I did this to demonstrate that there has always been, and increasingly there continues to be, publications that celebrate nature in our lives. I note that my article that coincided with the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World War managed to combine three poets from that time with their love for the natural world, indeed one of them, Edward Thomas, joined up as he was desperate to keep the English landscape as he knew it. I have reflected on how lucky we are to have High Woods Country Park and Cymbeline Meadows so close and accessible, especially with the news that areas of the latter are to become a local nature reserve. Perhaps this will help bring back some of the bird species we no longer see. Nature does recover, as I noted with the regeneration of Chesterwell Wood. Many people were upset by the felling of trees, but that, with clearance of unmanaged undergrowth, has given the wood a new lease of life with access via broad managed pathways. I look forward to seeing when the Chesterwell Green Infrastructure Strategy is complete. The wood and three From inside the community
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