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What a strange few days, fraught with controversy.
Some of my photos have been used in a local press feature on the controversial management of our precious local wasteland/woodland, Ridgehill Wood, which is under threat from a multi million pound development company with a proven track record of successfully obtaining planning for green belt land (Clowes Developments).
The company is clearly intent on developing the green belt land surrounding the wood, but whilst asserting that the wood itself is subject to a long term management plan (below is an area which has been replanted),
it steadfastly refuses to remove it from a list of sites submitted for potential future development.
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| Machines are never far away |
The sound of birdsong has recently been drowned out by the sound of chainsaws and tracked vehicles. Like most locals, I flip flop from resignation to incandescent rage.
You can view the article here.
Anger and heartbreak over "horrendous felling" of trees at Ridgehill Woods | Stourbridge News
Whatever the company's intentions are for the wood, I support the idea of brownfield sites being used first and foremost and the concept of smart building. I'm troubled by the relaxation of green belt restrictions. Trees are the lungs of the planet and absorb pollutants, (which are believed to contribute to conditions such as Alzheimer's).
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| Ridgehill Wood, Autumn 2020 |
The evidence supporting the important health benefits of green spaces (so called Vitamin G) is huge. Other countries have cottoned onto this idea, but if we continue in this vein, it could be too late. If you're at all interested in conservation, the local Facebook Group is Friends of Ridgehill Wood. It's a private group and members are vetted - only because certain individuals with ulterior motives have tried to join in the past. However, support is always appreciated and seemingly now needed more than ever.
Friends of Ridgehill Woods | Facebook
Women's safety also continues to dominate the headlines, which is making for some interesting conversations with our teenage son, navigating through the weighty topics of equality, feminism, potential demonization of men and the protection of women.
On a slightly lighter note, St Patrick's Day closely followed BBC4's airing of Crock of Gold, the amazing documentary on the life of performer and piss artist Shane MacGowan (who last hit the news in December after the F word was finally censored in radio plays of Fairytale of New York).
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| Deepest County Cork |
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| Blarney Castle |
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| Ballykissangel |
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| The Cartoon Inn |
The image above was taken inside The Cartoon Inn, Rathdrum, the favoured haunt of artists attending the International Cartoon Festival. Their illustrations decorate the interior walls.
So there you have it - golden memories of the Emerald Isle inspired by Crock of Gold. If you haven't seen it yet, I thoroughly recommend it. Whilst it should be subtitled in parts and documents an extreme lifestye (who starts smoking at 4?!), it's still a fascinating watch.
Never mind "A few rounds with Shane MacGowan," lockdown, the woodland shenanigans and the state of the world in general has illustrated that the sooner I can spend some time inside a pub with friends to evaluate the enormity of the last year, the better.
Thanks for reading!
It is always worrying when greenbelt land is targeted. I wish the government would be as fervent in their tree planting schemes as new housing developments. It is a fraught issue in Cornwall too, as building firms make million pound houses, that the locals simply can't afford, blotting beauty spots. The local councils fight it, but when their legal funds dry out (dictated by the government, who have housing quotas) the builders appeal again and are able to push it through.
ReplyDeleteLovely carefree, old sepia photos Claire! My brother and parents visited cork and they met a chatter box old man who swore by eating one un-cooked turnip every day. That's the kind of conversation that only would happen in an Irish pub. The Cartoon Inn looks amazing. Lulu xXx
That's interesting Lulu. The woman who fronts our local campaign actually lives in Cornwall, although she was born and spent much of her life here. I'm guessing she's witnessed how these things can pan out from her time in Cornwall. Irish pubs are the best! x
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