December 2nd, 2011
It’s 6am and the monster that is my alarm clock bleats relentlessly by my side……..downstairs the rumblings of the new day have begun as the dogs have also acknowledged the monster and unlike me are happy to be up and at ‘em.
The season of dark, cold, wet mornings is once again upon us and those of you who are also ‘blessed’ with canine companions will share my daily displeasure at having to don the boots and bumble out into the wilderness at the crack of dawn with only a torch for comfort.
Trudging to the edge of the woods grumbling is a daily ritual but so is the realisation of joy at being out and about at this seemingly secret time of the morning. As you walk through the woods you see a variety of eyes beaming back at you, you hear the rustling of the critters as they hunt for food and slowly the birds start coming to life with calls to each other across the trees.
On frosty days it’s as if fairies have sprinkled magic dust everywhere as all the foliage glistens and sparkles when the torch light bounces from it. Wet days bring a fresh shiny gloss to the woods with the drumming accompaniment of rain drops. The winter winds whistle and rustle escorting you on your journey with extraordinary other worldly music.
Even on the bleakest days you feel as though you have entered the realms of a Famous Five story, feeling the thrill of adventure as you make your way around the dark gnarly roots and slippery discarded leaves, rounding gloomy corners in anticipation.
You really feel at one with the earth and it is a fabulously comforting feeling. And whilst it should feel scary and daunting going into dark woods it feels more like a blanket of secret calm is being placed on you, enticing you with the promise of strange and rewarding experiences.
Leaving the woods always feels a tad melancholic but as you spy your home all lit up and welcoming that is soon forgotten. Red shiny cheeks are soothed with a morning coffee and hearty breakfast safe in the knowledge that tomorrow will bring the same sense of satisfaction.
I don’t know of any better way to start your day. So trust me…set your alarm an hour earlier and go for a mooch around your local open space. You’ll experience a whole different space to the one you know in the daytime, a space that is far more magical, more sensory and a whole heap more addictive. What’s more you’ll have done your daily spot of exercise so that cake at midday will be enhanced with the taste of smug satisfaction!!!
Tags: green space, health, open space, parks, the land trust
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November 18th, 2011
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) published a new report this week, Building on a Small Island which challenges government claims set out in the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that there is a shortage of brownfield land suitable for housing development.
The report’s headline claim is that England does in fact have sufficient brownfield land available for residential development of 1.5 million new homes, enough to meet six years’ supply at the building rates set by the government. Obviously, a claim of this nature invites a flurry of questions in response, most pertinently: is this land where people want to live? The answer is, in most cases, probably not. But there are ways to make those brownfield sites more desirable places to live.
One quick win for developers, communities and the natural environment is to ensure that all new residential developments have access to quality green space, and lots of it. Focusing new housing development on brownfield sites in urban areas has critical economic and social benefits, which have been well documented by the Land Trust. For example, take Phoenix Park in South Yorkshire. After the closure of the Hickleton Colliery in the 1990s, unemployment in the three neighbouring towns was rife, and serious health, social and economic problems took hold. Those residents who could afford to, quickly moved out of the area, further fuelling the downward economic spiral and reinforcing perceptions of the area. Since the Land Trust took ownership of the site and turned it into a country park in 2005, house prices in the area have increased by c.£50 million. And then there’s the obvious health, social and economic benefits which green open space offers. None of this would have been possible without the regeneration of the colliery into high quality, sustainably managed public open space.
We strongly believe that a combined, strategic approach can deliver the most harmonious solutions for nature, communities and business. Sensitive, controlled development on brownfield land can actively enhance and protect important natural habitats if planning or section 106 payments are used wisely and more importantly, creatively. In some cases, this might mean that funds can be used to remediate more brownfield into green open space, giving a net gain of green space.
So, going one step further, we actually have scope to add to the green belt. Estimates suggest that there are between 70,000 to 200,000 hectares of derelict land in England and much of this is unsuitable for housing, commercial or other development. At best this land is a distraction for the landowners, and at worst it is an economic and social liability.
The sensible regeneration solution for land which falls into this category is to create an informal country park, nature reserve or other outdoor attraction which delivers real environmental, social, economic benefits like those seen at Phoenix Park. Research has shown that brownfield land nurtures unique natural habitats which sustain rare native species such as water voles, barn owls, kingfishers and the southern marsh orchid. All of these have been spotted our site at Avenue, a former coking works near Chesterfield.
We acknowledge that the issue is not black-and-white (nor brown-and-green for that matter), but the incontestable fact remains that access to high quality green space increases house prices and boosts the local economy. If we are serious about sustainable development, it is imperative that funds are allocated to manage green open spaces in a cost effective, sustainable way which secures benefits for both people and nature in perpetuity. If this approach is adopted as standard, then there is one less reason why we should not be making more intelligent developments on brownfield land.
Tags: brownfield development, Community, environment, open space, reside, sustainable land management
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November 16th, 2011
What do we mean by ‘brand’ or ‘branding’? You could ask any number of professionals and you would get numerous answers. A generic definition would be ‘a name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or service as distinct from those of other sellers’….so far fairly obvious!
What isn’t quite as obvious and arguably more essential is that your brand affects the personality of your product, company or service. It defines the perceptions, good or bad, that your stakeholders have about you.
To complicate matters further there are different types of branding. Product branding is the most accessible but there are other forms such as concept branding, attitude branding, multi branding etc etc but one golden rule applies so whichever type of branding you are committed to and that is one of credibility; your brand’s claims must be credible and appropriate to your values.
So where am I going with all this, aside from the marketing 101 lecture?
Apparently brand ‘Big Society’ is dead… WOW! Now anyone that knows me or the work of the Trust will know that I have waxed lyrical (apologies to those stuck having to listen) that it is not a simple accident that the once much loved ‘Big Society’ could be shortened to ‘BS’….I’ll give you a moment in case you haven’t quite got it yet! That’s all the whole ‘Big Society’ sham was…a ‘brand’ and not a very good one at that. Certainly it wasn’t constructed by credible communicators who understand the importance of messaging, vision and ultimately the real world.
But…and it is a very big but…the theory behind the hype (and bad branding) is sound and what’s more is alive and kicking!!
Take a trip to any of our sites and you will see individuals ‘doing their bit’ on a daily basis. This isn’t so much about people having their social conscious pricked and thinking they should be doing something, these are people passionate about their environments, wanting to come and join in to make their spaces better, cleaner, prettier and most of all theirs.
So back to branding. What did the whole ‘Big Society’ brand say about the government? I think it cast a damning light on the fact that they do not know or understand their audience and yet more crucially they carried on with a concept brand that could neither deliver or satisfy the promises made.
At the Trust we encourage people to get involved, to take part, to join conversations to make things better…we don’t ‘brand’ it. We call it common sense.
If you give people the access, opportunity and support they can and will make a difference. Personal and spacial pride cannot be demanded it is earned and in our experience people simply don’t appreciate BS!
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November 16th, 2011
The Trust’s sites are outdoor classrooms where learning is more effective’
I’ve been writing that for years – citing statistics, researching findings, quoting teachers and finding case studies. I believe it – I always have and I’ve seen enough events on our sites to know it makes perfect sense. However, now my eldest child Joseph has started school and is a veritable learning vacuum cleaner (and a Dyson one at that) I’ve seen first-hand how he sucks up information from everywhere and theres’ no doubt that, especially when it comes to nature and the environment, a ‘hands on’ ‘real’ experience is best.
Following on from last week’s blog I’ve got now mixed emotions as Watership Down has made my son’s heavy rotation movie list. So whilst I’m delighted he loves the film, I’m a little concerned that next month by the umpteenth viewing I won’t. Anyway with the National Planning Policy Framework and the multitude of other issues all sorted in his mind has Joseph found another issue which is vexing him – namely why are all the other animals being so nasty to the rabbits? – T
he badger, the dog, the cat, the fox, the owl the hawk, the rats, man and even the other rabbits are all pretty malevolent towards Hazel and his group.
The thing is that in most kids/family films the animals are all friends – or there are at least alliances, none of which pay any heed to the food chain. So lions are friends with zebra, warthogs, monkeys and meerkats – i.e. their dinner. However in Watership Down, other than an unlikely alliance with a French seagull, it’s dog eat dog or rather dog eat rabbit, cat eat rabbit……
So as a parent keen to ensure my children get a rounded education, I wondered “Do the sanitised relationships shown so often in the movies affect a child’s view of nature? “(Somewhat the polar opposite of the grim and grisly fairy story quandary of a few months ago) .
But then come Saturday mornings. At 9am Joseph is glued to the TV for the BBC’s excellent Live n Deadly. For those without children, Live n Deadly is a spin off from the equally brilliant Deadly 60 which shows the World’s deadliest predators in action and is filmed live in a different location every Saturday. It’s exactly the kind of engaging live action nature program at which the BBC excels. For Joseph it’s must see viewing (for Mrs P it’s must see viewing because host Steve Backshall is a cross between David Attenborough and, Indiana Jones with Daniel Craig’s torso). 
The point is that Joseph has no problem with the concept of predator and prey. It doesn’t register that he might be witnessing Simba devouring Pumbaa (Lion King) or Alex eating Marty(Madagascar). So even at an early age he can distinguish between real and make believe viewing. The conclusion so far is that the more real something is, the better the educational value.
So therefore when we got tickets for the Live n Deadly Roadshow last weekend Joseph was very excited (Mrs P was quite pleased too). With a range of hands on nature activities to do and some engaging nature shows from Steve and fellow presenter Naomi (yes ok I’ll confess my crush too) the day didn’t disappoint and the amount of learning gathered from these activities was immense.
So the conclusion is that, whilst TV can be educational there’s no substitute for getting outdoors and learning about things by seeing and doing them for yourself. Even if you missed the chance of getting to a Live and Deadly Roadshow, there are educational activities like this going on at the Land Trust spaces throughout the year. So get ‘real’ and get ‘hands on’ at your local space and the world will come alive.
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November 15th, 2011
I have a question…. What on earth is going on with this weather??
Now I am not one to complain about having to don the shades and I would definitely say I’m more suited to balmy climes that artic ones but even I am slightly perturbed by this continued bout of ‘mild weather’.
This time last year I was turning the air blue after slipping down onto my ample derriere for the umpteenth time in the snow and subsequent ice. This year I strolled over to our high street butchers in nothing more than a t-shirt and jeans (well shoes as well, obviously, but you get the picture).
On Saturday evening I watched one of our neighbourhood bats enjoying a feast as it zipped around our outdoor lighting…surely he should be tucked up in his snug enjoying a spot of hibernation? Furthermore on Saturday I relocated two wasps from my conservatory back outside…again not a bug I expect to see at this time of year. Whilst walking in the nearby woods two butterflies danced merrily over my head, again seemingly not aware that this was anything but normal.
A cursory look around the garden and I’m amazed at how many leaves are still on the trees, how my grass needs cutting…again, how all the berries are still rampant on the bushes due to the robust supply of other foodstuffs, my newly made and meticulously placed fat balls still swing on branches hardly touched.
So…are the flora and fauna actually confused or are they literally making hay whilst the sun shines? And will this change in activity have any lasting effects? How will they all cope when the cold snap actually hits as indeed it must do soon – surely? Will they sleep longer into the spring to compensate or what effect would a reduced hibernation have on life expectancy, reproduction, vibrancy?
Better brains than mine will probably know the answer to all these questions…but I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what the spring brings for my local plant and wildlife.
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November 4th, 2011
Want to get to grips with a complex issue? Or get to the nub of a pressing debate? I’ve a guaranteed solution – have a talk to a young child. They have a fantastic ability to breakdown even the most complicated issue to a few core truths as I found out last week when I blundered unwittingly into a National Planning Policy Framework debate with my four year old son. 
Last week was half term and I’d booked three days off work to spend with the kids. Unfortunately the various plans for days out and adventure were somewhat scuppered by a nasty cold or to give it its technical name – the man flu. Plans for day one and two were altered with grandparents and hastily arranged play dates allowing some space for me to feel sorry for myself. However, by day three (daddy/son day), things were better and the trip to World Museum in Liverpool was back on. We had a good time but a long train journey (for a four year old), a packed museum and the remnants of the man flu meant that by mid afternoon I was out on my feet. So on returning home with a few hours left before dinner the only option was ‘movie’ time.
As I’m sure all parents of all young children will know, the best way to get some quiet time or get some chores done is stick on a favourite movie. Now as I’m going to watch this one in its entirety the problem is which one? There are some in my son’s collection that, I exaggerate not, have been watched over a hundred times and there’s also some pretty dismal efforts which would threaten to make this a tortuous couple of hours. Fortunately most of those on heavy rotation are kept in a separate DVD carrier which wasn’t to hand and this forced us to delve deeper into the cupboard. This is how ‘Watership Down’ came into the equation, bought for a ridiculously low price a few years ago ‘because he’ll like it when he’s older’ (sub text ‘because I love this film and really need an excuse to watch it again) it got pushed deeper and deeper in to the cupboard and forgotten about as new DVDs came along. Now, however, I surveyed the U rating, mentally ran through the plot, reasoned he loves animal films and reached the conclusion he’s now old enough. Moreover it would be perfect on daddy/son day to share one of my favourite movies. (I hadn’t expected this pleasure to happen for quite few years as my DVD collection consists of the Rocky Box set, Lord of the Rings and Chariots of Fire).
So with a hot chocolate each and some biscuits we settled down for a relaxing couple of hours. However, what I hadn’t accounted for and this really was ‘a school boy error’ is that whereas a film seen for the hundredth time needs no explanation – one viewed for the first time yields hundreds of questions and oh my goodness!!! does Watership Down have some heavy themes!!! Within minutes I was vainly trying to explain what a sixth sense/premonition is and there followed a series of similarly futile attempt at explaining communism, afterlife (both good and bad) and a very delicate discussion as to why they needed some ‘mummy’ rabbits.
Anyway when the ‘land acquired for development’ sign zooms into view hey presto we’re into a National Planning Policy Framework debate (so much for a day off). The debate went like this:
Why are they building houses? - People need somewhere to live
But why are they building them on the rabbit’s home? - It must be the best land to build houses on and people must want to live there.
But that’s wrong weren’t the rabbits there first? (ummm too soon to talk about rabbits being vermin) Yes it is wrong that’s why it’s good that Fiver can sense danger and some of them can get away.
Daddy we should only build houses where the animals don’t live?
Now if a four year old mind can reach that conclusion so quickly then maybe it’s not too difficult to develop a planning system that balances the need for houses (in the right place) and the needs of biodiversity – then again. Alternatively perhaps for all future policy consultation we should forget about the lobbying, the petitions and just let the four year olds decide what to do.
Tags: green belt development, green space, planning, the land trust
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November 2nd, 2011
As November has snuck upon us once more I’m now turning my thoughts to Christmas and more specifically to Christmas presents! 
Our family has a tradition of employing the Secret Santa method of present exchange which serves to cut down on costs and add a bit of secretive spice to the gift giving. This year we’ve decided to add a bit of homemade craftiness to the mix. For the first year aside from the ‘main present’, everyone will get a personally created gift from our own fair hands….disaster looms I’m sure!!!
Now I’m not saying that the family are difficult to buy for…well actually I am…so to make something for them is positively horrifying! The worst part of this whole scenario was it was my sodding idea!
In my head I was thinking of those perfect family holiday scenes where everyone looks immaculate and smiley, the Christmas dinner is cooked to perfection and on time, nobody gets drunk and loud and certainly nobody would EVER think of cheating or arguing over the post dinner party games…in short the kind of scene where we would exchange exquisite handmade gifts (that wouldn’t be out of place in Liberty’s) that created ooh’s and aah’s aplenty. Given that this picture postcard utopia is only found in films and that my family are about as diverse as a bag of Revels, creating the perfect gift is going to be tricky if not nigh on impossible!
I’ve discounted art…too creative, sewing…bit too crafty, knitting…not really my thing…woodworking…not good enough (I am still exceptionally proud of my secondary school caterpillars book ends though)… poetry….a bit naff…….aaarrrgghhhh….what was I thinking?
However, in the wee small hours my problem was resolved….FOOD!!!!
Now it’s safe to say that we are a group of self-confessed foodies and are partial to the odd tipple (always responsibly you understand) so it’s the perfect solution. I’m thinking Whisky and Apple Chutney for the boys and Sloe Gin for the girls. What’s even better is that the gin is only a repackaging exercise (every gin aficionada knows that year-long fermentation is essential and so I will be dipping into the personal supplies). I’ve attached my personal recipes in case you feel the need to indulge…but I’m off to find some classy, Liberty’s worthy, jars and bottles to ensure I get the required ooh’s and aah’s come the big day!
Sloe Gin Recipe:
Ingredients:
• 1lb/454gm of washed sloes
• 4 oz./112gm of white granulated sugar
• 75cl bottle of medium quality gin
• Sterilised 1 litre bottle or jar (preferably dark coloured to preserver the fruit colour)
Method:
- Wash sloes well and discard any bruised or rotten fruit. Prick fruit several times with a fork and place sloes in your container.
Using a funnel, add the sugar and fill to the rim with gin.
- Shake every day until the sugar is dissolved and then store in a cool, dark place until you can resist it no longer (leave for at least three months, I usually let it mature for a year).
- You can strain the fruit (through muslin/old tea-towel) after 3 months before bottling it, I tend to wait to strain and bottle after a year BUT don’t leave the straining process any longer than a year; leaving the fruit in too long can spoil the liqueur.
- Whiskey & Apple Chutney Recipe:
Ingredients:
• 400g of whiskey soaked apples
• 180g of whiskey soaked raisins
• ¼ teaspoon of ground all spice
• A good grating of fresh nutmeg
• Two health shots of medium quality whiskey
• A sprinkle of sugar
• Sterilised jars
Method:
- Two weeks before put your raisins into some whiskey and leave to soak.
- The night before chop your apples and pop them into some whiskey with a sprinkle of sugar and leave them in the fridge.
- Add all contents to the pan (other than the shots of whiskey) and simmer. There is quite a bit of liquid to start with and this needs to be evaporated off. It can take about 20 minutes.
- Once it ‘looks like chutney’ transfer into your jars, add a cheeky splash of whiskey and seal.
- Normally with chutneys I recommend leaving then to stand for at least 6 weeks before using them but these can be dipped into after a couple of weeks!
Tags: open space, the land trust
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October 31st, 2011
This is my favourite time of year, although I’m sure I say that every time the season changes! I love how the wind rustles through the trees singing an ancient song; how the skies look moody one moment and then clear blue the next.
It’s the time when all your hard work in the garden pays dividends as you harvest the fruit and try to plant out your last bit of salad! Or in my case harvest a very large glut of green tomatoes. So there is only one thing for it…. Its chutney and jam making time!
Now contrary to opinion chutney and jam is a very easy thing to make, you don’t need any fancy gadgets (just a big pan, scales and a big spoon) and the rewards make your feel smug all winter! They also make a great present at Christmas for the person that has everything and will cost a fraction of the price of those you buy in the shops.
So I urge you to don your wellies and get out there looking for free windfalls, it’s been a great season for apples and through great sites like http://www.fruitshare.co.uk/ you could benefit from someone else’s over-haul! But if you go out on your own, just make sure you have the owner’s permission before you start picking, it’s just good manners! And in the interest of karma consider giving a little of the jam/chutney back to the owner to keep you in good grace for next year!
So to help you all along in the cooking stakes here are a few of my favourite recipes……
GLUTNEY CHUTNEY
3lb of any fruit/veg (this is a good one for green tomatoes and large courgettes)
1lb onions
1lb sugar
1tbsp ground ginger
1tbsp mixed spice
½ to ¾ of pint vinegar
Chop the onions and veg into small-ish chunks and place in a large heavy bottomed (Ooo Er?!) pan. Add the vinegar and spices and heat until the mixture begins to boil. Be careful that the mixture doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pan by stirring it regularly.
Add the sugar and give it a good stir in, continue to boil for a few minutes.
Next, turn down the heat so the mixture is simmering, leave to simmer until the mixture has reduced and thickened. It will thicken a little more when it cools but you want the consistency to be right before you remove the pan from the heat. This can take 1hr 30min, just be confident and keep going until it looks like something you’d eat with cheese!
When your chutney is starting to thicken you will need to sterilise your jars, there are a few different ways you can do this; 1) put it through the dishwasher on a hot wash with no powder, 2) put the jars in a pan of boiling water and bring to the boil or 3) place all your jars in the sink and pour over boiling water to fill the jars.
When the chutney is ready, pour the hot water out of the jars and add the chutney, I use a jug for this. Be careful as the jars and the chutney will be HOT! Once the jar is filled put the lid on and make sure it’s tight, turn the jar upside down so the chutney coats all sides of the glass, turn the right way round and leave on the side to cool. As the mixture cools it will draw the button on the lid back down and create a good seal.
FOOL PROOF EASY JAM RECIPE
900g of Fruit (blackberries, plums, raspberries or strawberries)
900g golden granulated sugar
Knob of butter (although it works just as well without)
Put the fruit into a large heavy-bottomed saucepan.
- For blackberries, add 50ml of water and 1½ tbsp. of lemon juice;
- For plums (halved and stoned), use 150ml of water;
- For strawberries, add 3 tbsp. of lemon juice (no water);
- and for raspberries, add nothing. Bring to the boil.
Lower the heat.
- For blackberries, simmer for 15 minutes;
- For plums, simmer for 30-40 minutes;
- For raspberries, simmer for 2 minutes;
- For strawberries, simmer for 5 minutes. The fruit should be soft.
Tip in the sugar, stir over a very low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Raise the heat, bring to a full rolling boil, then rapidly boil blackberries for 10-12 minutes, plums for 10 minutes, raspberries for 5 minutes or strawberries for 20-25 minutes – don’t stir though – until the setting point of 105oC is reached. If you don’t have a thermometer you can test this by putting a saucer in the fridge to go cold, when you have boiled the fruit for the time suggested above, spoon a little onto the cold saucer, if it gets a film on the top and doesn’t flow (e.g. it cools and looks like jam?!) you’re ready to go on to the next stage.
Remove from the heat; skim off any excess scum, then stir a knob of butter across the surface (this helps to dissolve any remaining scum). Leave for about 15 mins so the fruit can settle. Pour into sterilised jars, label and seal.
If these don’t tickle your fancy there are plenty of recipe ideas online, just Google and get inspired!
The stories they tell of how this bit of open space has enriched their lives is incredibly humbling. From the expelled schoolboys that thanks to our Forest Schools Programme now have credible GCSE’s to the elderly lady who having taken up Nordic Walking has lost two stone in weight and has made friends for the first time in years – the touch of the Trust is evident across the country….and that makes me unbelievable proud to be doing what I’m doing!