Three great books offering different insights on nature

Three great books, with differing takes on the natural world, offer real challenges and insight for nature lovers. Lake District based farmer and writer, James Rebanks has already produced challenging books in the The Shepherds Life and English Pastoral. But his latest book The Place of Tides (Allen Lane, 2024, £10.99) is a more reflective work, written when Rebanks is at a cross roads in his own life. Rebanks goes on a journey of self discovery, involving spending time out with two of the women who work with eider ducks on the Norwegian outer islands. Rebanks spends three months with Anna and Ingrid, preparing nesting sites for the ducks.Also, seeking to protect the birds from predators like otters, mink and sea eagles. The account is beautifully drawn, showing Anna as someone totally absorbed and fulfilled in what she does (Ingrid is the apprentice). It is Anna's last season doing the work that involves the final act of collecting the eider feathers from the vacated nests. These are then used to make eiderdowns. An old skill but being kept going by the women. The picture is one of humans and nature in balance living sustainably together. Rebanks is at something of a cross roads in his life, driven and burning up - ignoring the things that matter. The three months with Anna and Ingrid see him relax and get things back into perspective as a result of this interchange with nature and someone who has got the equilibrium right. A real cathartic process. Chloe Dalton goes on a similar journey of self discovery by a different route in Raising Hare(Canongate, 2025, £10.99). Dalton is working in a political advisor role at the Foreign Office, when COVID hits. She ends up living, isolated in the country. The story begins when she finds a leveret in the road. She brings it home, searches everywhere for information on what to do to bring up the young hare. A rather beautiful story emerges as Dalton's life is tied to the leveret, which remains based in the house but escapes to surrounding fields during the day, then returns. It has several young, with a variety of domesticity. Dalton discovers nature through her interactions with the hares. She becomes a champion for the hares cause. It is a fascinating story that manages to avoid the sentimental. Dalton for instance refuses to name the animals, seeing this as part of the humans efforts to colonise the wild world. A great insight. John Lewis Stempel has a similarly unsentimental attitude to nature. A farmer, Lewis Stempel shoots for the pot. In many ways, he is the doyen of nature writers. The breadth of his writing is unrivalled, managing to set things in the natural context yet drawing in literary, musical and other references. So there are the works of Shakespeare, John Clare, William Wordsworth and Thomas Hardy. Similarly, the Kinks, Pink Floyd, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Edward Elgar get mentions. A Natural History England (Penguin, 2025,£10.99) is different to the first two books, covering estuaries, park,downs,beechwood, river, field, village, moor, lake, heath, fen and broad and coast. Lewis Stempel goes to different areas for these terrain, such as the Thames Estuary, the Southdowns, Burnham Beeches and the Yorkshire Moors. The book is packed with interesting insights, such as that the decline of cuckoos being linked to changes in farming. And that there are much better conditions for cuckoos in Scotland (30% increase) and Wales (stable) than England (declining). The route back to Africa seems to play a role in survival rates. The Scottish and Welsh birds go south east via Italy, while English birds go south west through Spain. Another interesting view is that well managed grouse moors can be beneficial for biodiversity and other bird species. Lewis Stempel is not a fan of driven shooting but points to how managed moors retain good heather levels. "When management ceases, the waders - the curlew, the plover, the lapwings - who shared the moor with the grouse decline," writes Lewis Stempel. All three of these authors provide valuable insights on the natural world and in the case of Rebanks and Dalton the human psyche. They have a real resonance for those of us who find solace in our own natural world in this area. That being part of nature, as we walk park and flats, watching birds and animals, observing fauna and insect life. Highly recommend all three books to anyone looking to learn more about the natural world and maybe even about themselves.

Graham Potter concedes West Ham must do better, after third home defeat in a row

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace West Ham slid to their third successive home defeat, this time against Crystal Palace, in what is turning into a nightmare season at the London Stadium. What is difficult to fathom is the lacklustre attitude of this West Ham team. This was another game where it seemed the points were there for the taking but West Ham couldn't get up the impetus to make it happen. Crystal Palace took the lead just after the half hour. A corner was met by Marc Guehi, who saw his header come back off the bar but only as far as Jean-Philippe Mateta, who headed home. West Ham nearly snatched an equaliser just before half time, as a decisive move involving El Hadji Malik Diouf, Crysencio Summerville and Callum Wilson ended, when Yeremy Pino finally blocked the shot. After half time, Maxence Lacroix rattled the cross bar with a header. The West Ham equaliser followed quickly after, when a Diouf corner, was met by Jarrod Bowen, who came short to head home. Then, Mateus Fernandez had a header cleared off the line. Kyle Walker Peters also saw his headed effort go wide, after getting on the end of a cross from Lucas Paqueta. But that was the last of West Ham's serious efforts. Then, Palace's Adam Wharton struck a long ball that was headed out to an unmarked Tyrick Mitchell, who turned and volleyed home. Most of the stadium had once again gone before the final whistle. The frustration for the home fans must be that with more effort and bit of luck this game was easily winnable. But that spark was missing, as heads went down and another defeat became inevitable. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner told how his team targeted West Ham's seeming weakness over set plays, with six goals conceded from corners in recent games. The Palace manager explained how having played as a defender for many years, these things can get inside your head. A satisfied Glasner reflected on seeing "many positive things but also a lot of potential." His only complaint was that his team should have killed the game off. West Ham manager, Graham Potter accepted the problem with set plays, declaring that the only way to overcome the problem was hard work, with the players. There were protests from fans before the match. Potter responded, saying he understood the frustration, accepting that "everyone is entitled to an opinion " Opinions are not in short supply at the moment regarding the future at West Ham United.

More beers and more people expected at 3rd Wanstead Beer Festival - 4 October 2025

More beers and more people expected at the 3rd Wanstead Beer Festival The third Wanstead Beer Festival (WBF)is set to kick off at Christchurch halls on 4 October - with more than 50 beers and ciders on offer. There will also be gin, wine, prosecco and a selection of soft drinks. Our hosts, Christchurch, will be offering their superb burgers and hot dogs. Among the beers to look out for are Essex based Elephant School brewery's Mango Unchained, made with real mangos. A 7.2% beer, with a great combination of flavours. Looking for a good bitter, then Milestone brewery's Cromwell Best, fits the bill. It has a deep, slightly malty taste. Then, there is the lighter East London brewery favourite, the award winning Cowcatcher. The always popular champion winning beer Captain Bob from Mighty Oak brewery will again be available. Those who like a dark beer can't go far wrong with Brentwood breweries stout Walrus of Love. Another new beer this year is Broadsword from St George's brewery on Great Wakering. A new brewery this year is Pillars, which will be providing Helles and Pilsner lagers. Redemption brewery bring Rhinelander lager. Also, festival regular Pretty Decent once again provides "I could get better at T*sco for a quid." Among the ciders, there will be a good selection from Somerset based Farmer Jim. Get in early for the tasty Rhubarb Bob. The WBF is once again seeking to blend the local with national in the selection of beers. Another new brewery is Leyton based, Libertalia. Amongst Libertalia's offering will be the popular new bitter Private Eye. Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss out. Bought in advance tickets cost £10, which includes the unique WBF glass. This year there is a new twist, with a bit of colour added. Tickets on the door will be £12. The organisers hope to keep most drinks at £5 or less. Thanks go to all those local businesses who have sponsored the event and help make it possible. Proceeds raised by the event are to be split between three charities - the Wren Group, Wanstead Community Riding Stables and the Christchurch restoration fund. So now the clock is ticking till kick off at 1 pm on Saturday 4 October. To get your ticket, see: www.wansteadbeerfestival.co.uk

West Ham implode, after promising first half

West Ham 0-3 Spurs West Ham once again totally imploded, after holding their own for more than half this game against Spurs at the London Stadium. Whilst the home fans loudly booed returning striker Mohammed Kudus, every time he touched the ball, it was the little Ghanian who had the last laugh, helping dismantle his old team. Then, the boos died away, as most the West Ham fans had already left the stadium before the end. The first half was an evenly matched affair as the two sides largely cancelled each other out. The best effort for West Ham came when Lucas Paqueta rolled the ball wide after Jarrod Bowen found him in the penalty area. For Spurs, Cristian Romero headed the ball home from a corner but was adjudged to have fouled Kyle Walker- Peters in the process. The second half was just a minute old when West Ham hit the self destruct button. First, a totally unmarked, Pape Matar Sarr, came in round the back to head home a corner. Tomas Soucek then lunged in with studs up, hitting João Palhinha In the leg. He was duly sent off. Two minutes after the sending off Romero launched a ball from the back to find Lucas Bergvall, who acrobatically headed home. The rout was completed, when Bergvall wriggled free in the area to lay the ball off for Micky van de Ven to sweep home. Worryingly for West Ham there was little sign of a fight back. Manager Graham Potter rang the changes but to little effect. Many, though, must have wondered about the original selection, packing the central midfield with four players, whilst leaving both strikers (Callum Wilson and Nicolas Fullkrug) on the bench. Potter recognised how events conspired, with a soft goal followed by the red card. "Our home form has not been good for a period of time. All we can do is focus on the positive things," said Potter. Spurs manager Thomas Frank was pleased with the win. "It was a my win and a good performance," said Frank, who pointed out that the club had not won at the London Stadium for six years. This disappointing result will throw further doubt on the future of Potter as West Ham manager.

Is Britain a hopelessly divided, racist country?

The gatherings around asylum hotels over recent weeks have threatened to boil over into violent riots of the type seen last summer. The political class has done precious little to calm things down, with business and trade minister John Reynolds declaring people were upset for "legitimate reasons" about asylum. There have also been declarations that people have the right to protest. Really, the right to gather outside a hotel, terrifying those inside? The government should be taking a stronger line, condemning the often violent protests, whilst defending the right of people to claim asylum. A coalition of far right politicians and publications have collaborated to demonise asylum seekers. So they are not now seen as desperate people seeking sanctuary but criminals preying on the innocent Talking of crime, it was interesting to note the news that 40% of those charged with crimes during the riots last summer had already been reported for domestic violence. Asylum seekers are becoming the target of the mob. It was racist motivations that sparked the riots last summer, and the protests this year around asylum hotels So is the UK just a hopelessly divided, racist society? Well no. Last year, the riots stopped when the majority of tolerant people said enough, coming out in places like Walthamstow in east London to make it clear that this unlawful violence could not go on. Similarly, large counter protests have appeared in places like Epping saying they will not stand for victimisation of asylum seekers. Last year, the government gave a lead, ensuring those convicted of violent acts felt the force of the law. This year, things seem different, with politicians hedging their bets. Reynolds with his comments about legitimate concerns and Neil Hudson, Conservative MP for Epping, declaring that the local asylum hotel must be shut. So, in other words capitulate to the demands of the racist mob. It is ofcourse a good idea to take asylum seekers out of hotels. The government is seeking to do this. Processing needs to speed up, so decisions can be taken and actioned. It would also substantially cut costs if asylum seekers were allowed to work. On the wider point, the flow of asylum seekers will not lessen, as long as the causes such as war and climate change fail to be addressed. Maybe, some of those British arms companies that make so much money out of conflicts around the world could pay some of the asylum costs. Another change that would help deal with the likes of the small boats crisis would be establishing safe routes for those seeking asylum. It was done for Ukrainians, why not every other nationality? What is for certain is that the appeasement of the mob cannot continue.Just shutting hotels is no solution. It is time to stand up for those British values of tolerance, plurality and multi culturalism. These are the values of which all can be proud, not the bigoted, racist utterances of the mob.

New adaptation of Shawshank Redemption starts tour at Theatre Royal Windsor

The Shawshank Redemption Theatre Royal Windsor This excellent stage adaptation of Shawshank Redemption really encapsulates the injustice, yet triumph at the heart of Stephen King's book. It was always going to be a tough task to adapt Shawshank Redemption to the stage, especially when the production hangs in the shadow of the brilliant film, starring Tim Robbins (Andy DuFresne), and Morgan Freeman (Ellis 'Red' Redding). In this stage version, Joe McFadden as DuFresne and Ben Onwukwe as Redding, make a good attempt at walking in the shoes of Robbins and Freeman. Onwukwe, particularly, well captures the wheeler dealer, yet decent nature of the Redding character. He also narrates the whole thing nicely. Bill Ward also does well as Warden Stammas, without quite conjuring up the cold terror of the film version character. Indeed, the violence on stage is somewhat toned down. The plot largely evolves around these three central characters. Original adapters Owen O'Neill and David Johns did a fine job, creating a contracted version of the original whilst remaining true to the narrative. Though, it is an adaptation that has had several rewrites over the years. Director David Esbjornson does a slick job with this version, keeping the momentum going throughout a compact plot. The set can at times seem a little cramped, moving from prison yard to wardens office and the much campaigned for library. But in the main, a limited space, is well used. The overwhelming theme of the play is injustice and the struggle of so many in the system to fight against the odds to get justice. In this case, for Redding and Du Fresne, the final redemption is found on a beach in Mexico. The story ofcourse is also one of an utterly corrupt system that seems to punish those seeking justice - a theme that resonates with the system here and even more in the USA. The US ofcourse always takes things, that one step further, with more stark and brutal scenarios. This production does well in depicting the 1950s system and how little has changed, through to the present day, in terms of brutality and injustice.. An excellent production, well worth seeing. At Theatre Royal Windsor till 6 September, then Darlington Hippodrome 9 to 13 September, Truro Hall - 16 to 20 September, Blackpool Grand Theatre - 23 to 27 September. The run ends next June at the Richmond theatre. For all dates see: https://www.kenwright.com