Poignant reminders …

‘…literature can offer new perspectives on our country & society - ones that we need now more than ever. Literature can also help us to consider what a post-UK state might look like: not so much its structure & constitution, but how people feel about it…’ - Caroline Lucas

Nicola Chester Hopefully the large take up of fallow and other options under SFI and other environmental schemes will help reverse this.
As regenerative farmers, using zero till systems, we’ve seen lapwing numbers rise - although unfortunately we’re always battling against predation

This is an absolute tragedy. The loss of these birds, before our very eyes, that epitomised farming in living & recent memory …

Lovely story Patrick Barkham about innovations to help adders on Greenham Common BBO Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trusts (dang it though, was going to be a
Country diary ha!) Have seen our nearby adders disappear due to pheasant predation & habitat destruction. theguardian.com/environment/ar…

Can't you just smell these gorgeous photos? Wiltshire on a wash day ...

It’s a community that noticed, cared, raised the alarm, again & again, in the face of statutory inaction Rescue Hoad's Wood 🍃💚🍃, an ancient bluebell wood & SSSI where 30,000 tonnes of illegal, toxic waste has been dumped. Sign & share the petition to help!

Risk-taking on a Sunday. Washed our only mattress topper & hung it out in the direct flight path of the starling & sparrow eaves-nesting community, doubled over, so it’ll dry slower (but might be out of puppy’s game-reach) ahead of forecast thunderstorms! Go me! #LifeontheEdge

Highly recommend this lovely, lovely festival, in a gorgeous setting ... thoroughly enjoyed being on a panel last year with Kiran Sidhu Anna Jones & Jake Fiennes talking nature & farming - & fun was had!

The gallows on the hill above our house last night. Makes my old phone pics look very shoddy!

We were in awe of the cosmos last night, millions of us sharing similar feelings of wonder & astonishment.

But can we come together to share the same levels of wonderment for our planet & for all the amazing organisms that live beside us within the narrow envelope of life?

Breakfast at #KingsCafe before rolling out my latest leaflet across the constituency.
It's time for a compassionate, present & community focused The Green Party MP here in #Newbury
Fantastic response from residents in #Speen , #ClayHill & #Lambourn
#WantGreenVoteGreen

Did I just see a high distant white-tailed sea eagle fly over FarmED? Evenlode Valley, Oxfordshire! Nothing to compare its size to… Going to find an expert! (Bird not visible here!)

Well, it’s been about 36yrs since I saw you last… very old iPhone capture. Aurora from the back garden, over the rooftop, out in the horses field. Shooting star & noctule bat through them; horses munching & trumpeting farts irreverently through them. North Wessex Downs.

Well, it’s been about 36yrs since I saw you last… very old iPhone capture. Aurora from the back garden, over the rooftop, out in the horses field. Shooting star & noctule bat through them; horses munching & trumpeting farts irreverently through them. North Wessex Downs.

Nicola Chester Hi Nicola, a week or so ago during a tweeting session on #lapwings I mentioned that I had written a poem about their plight that was about to be published. It's out now in Acumen and in full on:
terrysherwood.substack.com

Very proud to be a #HopeFarmStatement signatory!

This is a crucial time for food and farming. We need the next government to get things right, and get them right quickly.

Here's this week's Inkcap Journal digest. Tweeting from the train, as I make my way down south for the FarmED literature festival. Left Newcastle this morning with some trepidation: it'll be my first night away from my daughter 😢
inkcapjournal.co.uk/scottish-rainf…

So excited for the 3rd year of this brilliant, galvanising & spirited Food & Farm Lit Fest. Always come away buzzing, & talking about it for weeks after! Truly active & inspirational speakers … & we’ll be announcing the winner of the Chelsea Green Publishing h en Young Writer’s Prize!

Introducing Climate Fiction Prize judge, #NicolaChester @Nicolawriting, whose passionate advocacy for writing and nature make her an essential member of the team.
We hope you’ll join us at our public launch event @HayFestival 2/6. Get your ticket here: bit.ly/3JHU6Qf