By Esther Chilton When I moved to Nottinghamshire three years ago, I’d never heard of Clumber Park and yet it’s National Trust’s most visited site. The Trust acquired it in 1946. When my partner suggested we visit, I was curious to find out what brought people to Clumber, especially as it doesn’t have a […]
A National Treasure Read More »
The Hay Literary Festival is not so much a festival of books as of writers, and celebrity writers at that. It’s an opportunity to hear first hand from some real experts. This year’s insights provided a de facto ‘state of the planet’ briefing from a programme in which climate, environment and sustainability featured large. But
In a time of human history that is troubled and confused, it is a delight to learn that all over the world there are hundreds of inspiring projects aimed at overcoming challenges and improving people’s lot. And the more so that there are scores of competent writers and film makers determined to share those stories
Joseph Banks 1743-1820 by Dr Robert Tansey F.L.S., M.B.N.A. Sir Joseph Banks was the famous plant explorer who accompanied Captain Cook on the ‘Endeavour’ in the 1700s whilst he was navigating the world. I had the pleasure of visiting a small museum dedicated to Joseph Banks and his works in the town of Horncastle in
by Dr Robert Tansey Once again, the Glastonbury of the Birding and Natural World has been and gone. What a fantastic three days it was. Held at a new venue close to its former home at Rutland Water, the Rutland Showground, in Oakham, in the East Midlands. It is an excellent venue. No longer having
GLOBAL BIRDFAIR 2023 Read More »
by Bill Streever Climate change has drawn the attention of sentences, pages, and books beyond counting. Perhaps still more literature is needed. After all, some people—even a few who not only know how to read but who do read—have yet to be convinced about the science. Yet there remains for writers and publishers the challenge
A Review of David Lipsky’s The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial Read More »
by David Chandler Spend time near a river, pond, lake or ditch when it’s warm and sunny and you may well see a dragonfly. ‘Dragonfly’ can refer to damselflies as well as the true dragonflies, and with just a little bit of practice, it’s easy to tell the difference. The true dragons have stouter bodies
A report from Sheffield DocFest Has climate, environment and the collapse of global ecosystems dropped off the agenda? To judge from the programme at this year’s SheffieldDocFest you could be forgiven for thinking so. Of some 120 documentary films screened not one could be considered ‘environmental’. Well, not quite true. ‘Between the Rains’, a Kenyan
Documenting our collapsing environment Read More »
The recent sightings of a Walrus in the coastal waters, and at various seaports and harbours of the UK, brings our attention to the fact that that in the 1800s a certain Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, also had a similar encounter. Our interest and love of such a creature was shown by hundreds of people who
Thor the Walrus and his Tour of the UK Read More »
The promise of unlimited cheap energy from nuclear fusion has been around for a long time. It’s touted as the ultimate climate saviour. The new D2N2 joint mayoral authority pins its green strategy on it. But the most the UK’s experimental reactor has run for is five seconds. And a prototype power plant is not
