Promoting & Enhancing The Natural Beauty of the Sid Valley
Bluebells are beginning to push their spear-like leaves up through the cold earth and the covering of woodland leaves; spring is dawning. I am at Plyford Farm, situated high in the Sid valley, run by Kath and Nick Gray for 30 years. Spring isRead More
Leave a comment I was fortunate that my childhood in the 1960’s and 70’s was spent living on a small “mixed” farm (cattle – dairy and beef, sheep, pigs, poultry and arable), surrounded by many other similar small farms. I developed an interest, appreciation and understanding ofRead More
Leave a comment Feeding birds in our gardens can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby that provides a number of benefits not just for the birds, but for us as well. From providing food and shelter to promoting biodiversity, there are numerous reasons why we should considerRead More
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I’ve told traditional stories here that reflect a current biodiversity issue. They show a set of values to live a life by, that there are consequences for our behaviour – good or bad- and that we have had a connection to the natural worldRead More
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Someone recently asked me what the SVBG actually did. When we are actively involved in an organisation it is easy to believe everyone knows what we do. But of course it isn’t true. So here’s a run down of our year’s activities for anyoneRead More
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If I was an angel, whenever my mood was getting low, I would fly down to earth to drift through the flowers and butterflies and smile at the furry animals.When my angelic harmony was restored, I would fly back to my cloud feeling happy and grateful that nature on earth had helpedRead More
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Have you noticed the Holly trees in the churchyard and Blackmore Garden? They are overloaded with bright red berries. It is a super year for some tree fruits, traditionally called a mast year from the old term for tree fruits that fattened pigs let into the forest. Read More
Leave a comment Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner Our conker trees are being devoured from the inside, their leaves are being mined, but they don’t mind. This year’s hot dry summer has caused some of our trees to turn brown as if there is an early autumn, butRead More
Leave a comment As we approach late spring there is an abundance of wild flowers at their peak in the hedgerows and meadows. At this time we can also enjoy their brilliance in our gardens and on our lawns. An inspired initiative led by the charity Plantlife,Read More
Leave a comment H G Wells wrote a horror story set in Sidmouth called “The Sea Raiders”. It tells of Mr Fison, a retired tea dealer, staying at a boarding house in Sidmouth. Whilst walking to Ladram Bay along the cliffs he noticed a flurry of seagullsRead More
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