Woodston - the biography of an English Farm

This is a fascinating book tracing the history of a farm, Woodston, situated on the Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire borders, from the neolithic times right through to present day. John Lewis-Stempel traces the changes in methods of farming and how people lived on the land. The changes from use of animal horns, then flint onto the bronze and iron ages. Each new material bringing technological change. There are the Romans, with their organusation of the land to feed more people. The Anglo- Saxons, much of, whose template still runs today. So most villages and paths/rights of way across the country date back to this era. There is the emphasis on sheep farming during Tudor and Stuart times to the enclosure of land in the 18th and 19th centuries - driving people away. Much of the most destructive activity in terms of biodiversity has occurred since World War II. The rush to grow more during the war, onto the movements to rip up hedgerows, and drench the earth with pesticides and herbicides. These have resulted in the loss of so many birds, mammals and plants. The author contrasts how much more conducive it is to biodiversity to say manually scythe an area rather than run a combine harvester over it - with all the subsequent destruction caused. This book has all the ringing authenticity of a naturalist farmer truly connected to the land. His lived experience, punctuated with a variety poetry, particularly from John Clare. He values farming but only done the right way. So he has stuck with his 1950s Ferguson tractor, rather than move to the modern equivalent. The modern vehicle being computer driven, cutting the direct link to tha land. Lewis-Stempel has some criticism for what he describes as tree planting mania. There is a seperate essay on this in the notes at the back, suffice to say he wants the need to produce more (70%) in order to feed the world to be taken into the tree planting equation. He also sees other ways to reduce carbon as being of equal merit. Also, some harsh words for #meatfree who he describes as "ludicrously anti-ecological". He illustrates this point quoting how managing a wood for four years, allowing cow and pigs to roam, massively increased biodiversity. A final essay, draws some interesting parallels between the handling of the Foot and Mouth crisis in 2001, with Covid today. Government turned to some of the same behavioural scientists at Imperial College then, as it has done with Covid. Then as now, the real answer was vaccination. Highly recommend Woodston, which offers a real insight into how things have developed down the centuries, where things have gone wrong and how a step back in a number of instances could help put things right for the future *Published by Transworld Publishers, part of Penguin Random House Group. £20

Redbridge Council sets out Climate Action Plan but everyone needs to do more

Redbridge Council has just launched its Climate Change Action Plan and Green Urban Landscape Policy. The world is faced by a dual crisis of climate and biodiversity breakdown. The two threats have to be addressed together, they are not mutually exclusive. In the case of carbon emissions in Redbridge, the research conducted shows buildings being the biggest emitters, accounting for 56%. Transport comes next with 36% and waste caused 8% of emissions. The Plan will see retrofitting of properties and commitments to new sustainable levels. On waste, recycling rates have improved with the roll out of wheelie bins. The variety of plastic that can be recycled is also expanding. On transport, council vehicle fleets are converting to electricity. Transport is a very challenging area. The recent London Boroughs Healthy Street scorecards saw Redbridge coming in 31st out of 33. The borough was found to have one of the lowest levels of walking and cycling. But high levels of pedestrian and cyclist casualties plus car ownership. The borough was found to have just 1% of protected cycle lanes, with 15% of the borough covered by 20mph speed limits. Efforts are being made to meet these challenges. The 20mph speed limits are being expanded, whilst, consultation on some more protected cycle lanes in the West of the borough are being rolled out. There are also efforts to expand Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) ,Low Emission Neighbourhoods and School Streets. The Ultra Low Emission Zone will be extended to the West of the borough in October. So things are happening, though there is a long way to go. We are often reminded as councillors about the cycling network in neighbouring boroughs like Waltham Forest and Newham. Also, the CPZ and Low Emission Neighbourhoods in these boroughs. They offer a standard we have to aspire ro reach. However, to get the changes people must come along in support. There has been opposition in Redbridge to School Streets and Quieter Streets schemes. The council listened and acted. But as a result we have a more polluted, less sustainable borough than otherwise might be the case. There does often seem to be opposition to almost any change proposed, no matter how virtuous. The challenge ofcourse for those seeking to make the changes is to communicate and consult better. On biodiversity, the Growzone program, begun in Wanstead, has expanded out across the borough and will spread further with the new urban landscape policy. There is to be more tree planting and cultivation of tree pits. There is much to do and little time to do it. The report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change gave the world 12 years to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees - a quarter of that period has now passed. The Climate Change Action Plan highlights that only 2.4% of emissions in the borough are due to council activities, so the bigger challenge is to get others to also address their carbon footprints. The council has to be a facilitator of change. So for example, encouraging people to move to sustainable energy sources like solar, as well as electric cars. We also all need to take responsibility for our own actions and be less wasteful in everything we do. Really overcoming the threats of Climate Change and Biodiversity loss requires a personal as well as community conversion in the way in which we all live.

Why the slow in vaccinations?

Why are people not getting vaccinated at the moment? Some 89% of the population have received one jab, another 69% have had two. However, this leaves around 5 million adults over the age of 18 who have not been vaccinated at all. Nor does this take account of the 12 million or so children, who are not eligible for vaccination. Back in June, when the release of the final restrictions on day to day life were supposed to be removed, a one month delay was announced. This was in order that more vaccinations could be done to overcome the spread of the virus. It was a race between the vaccines and the Delta variant, we were told. Yet from that moment, vaccination levels dived. Fewer and fewer took the first vaccination and the catch up on second jabs similarly slowed. The slow take up of vaccination has been particularly bad in London, lagging a long way behind the rest of the country. We were assured there was no supply issues. Given the aforesaid, it must have surprised many that the remaining restrictions were released on 19 July 2021, with infections soaring upwards. There seemed to be a total reversal of previous policy, which urged lockdown, social distancing, face coverings, working at home etc. We seemed to move from containing the virus to the herd immunity approach – first adopted, the disgarded at the start of the pandemic. The mantra has always been that though the rates might be going up, hospitalisations and deaths remained relatively low. The vaccine was breaking the link between the virus and hospitalisation and death. This though does not explain why the vaccination rates has slowed so. More than 50% of those finishing up in hospital have not been vaccinated. A doctor writing anonymously in the Guardian newspaper, recalled:”Most of these people have the decency to look sheepish, or to describe themselves as ‘one of those idiots’. Not all mind: some remain defiant as they are wheeled off to intensive care, and their families deny that Covid itself exists even as their relative is placed on a ventilator.” It is very difficult to understand. Some people seem to think they are immune from this disease, despite all the evidence of the past 18 months. There are the conspiracy theorists, who believe it is all some grand plan to take over the world. These fanciful theories gain traction as they float around on social media. There are ofcourse those who medically are not able to have the vaccine but they are very few in terms of the overall population. The cold hard facts are that five million adults have not been vaccinated – if they catch the disease, a growing number will end up in the hospitals. Death levels will rise. Why? The attitude of those who refuse to be vaccinated is the opposite of the vast majority of the population, who could not wait to be jabbed, once the vaccines had been approved. The NHS and local authorities have done a superb job in delivering the vaccination program. It has broken the link between serious illness and death from Covid. So why when we are so near to getting on top of this thing are a sizeable minority of the population still refusing to be jabbed? It is in everyones interest to get vaccinated against this terrible disease, a jab for one is a jab for all. If you have not been vaccinated, please come forward and get your jab.

We need a new normal

The poet Benjamin Zephaniah recently made a very valid point when he said that we don't need to get back to normal, after the pandemic. Normal he argued got us into the present situation. The destructive way in which human beings live is destroying the planet on which life is based. The destruction of biodiversity is killing environments, bringing humans and animals ever closer together. The links between the spread of Covid - 19 and bats has been well documented. It would be incredibly foolhardy to believe that this pandemic is a one off and there won't be another one along for decades. Human beings need to change the way they live, there must be a move away from the destructive, throw away, consumer society. A society that pollutes the air that we breath, destroys the countryside and poisons the waterways. Government at all levels has a role to play. Climate and biodiversity emergences have been declared at all levels but the talking remains well ahead of the actions. We all also need to take individual responsibility. Too many people are happy just to blame others, whilst continuing themselves to live as before. In this area, we have an excellent vibrant community. The response to the pandemic has been fantastic, with people supporting foodbanks, the homesless etc. We are moving forward with efforts to combat the biodiversity and climate crisis. But there is always more that can be done. We all need to take responsibility for our individual actions and realise that all are part of an interconnected community. Somewhere, where we are all our brother and sister's keepers. If we all come together in solidarity then a new just and sustainable normal can be created. A better world for everyone.

Racists must be confronted at all levels

The success of the England football team has rightly been acclaimed throughout the land. The players and management have been a real credit to an open, outward looking country that is welcoming to all. Most of the team are descended from migrants to this country, from Marcus Rashford and Raheem Stirling to Declan Rice and Calvin Phillips. Without immigration, this team would not exist. The manager Gareth Southgate and his players have condemned racism, homophobia and sexism in all of its forms. They have been fine ambassadors for the country and all that is best about it. Rashford has been superb in taking on the the government on providing food for school children. Raheem Stirling has stood up against vile racism, as well as being an outstanding player in the tournament. Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson has stepped up to help out during the pandemic. The team has come to represent everything that is best about the country. The England team should help spread unity in the country, after the ravaging 18 months of the pandemic. Prior to that there has been the division sown by the prolonged Brexit process. Unfortunately, following defeat in the final of the European Championships, the racists have surfaced again, subjecting the black players to a lot of vile abuse. They were condemned from most quarters. This was the unacceptable face of Britain. Racism has always existed in the UK but had become publically unacceptable and made illegal by legislation like the Race Relations Act. However, these previous efforts to confront racists and racism merely drove it underground or into more covert forms. It was always still there. The referendum on EU membership, with its focus on migrants helped to take the lid off racism once again. The result, the vote in favour of Brexit was to effectively give licence to the racists to come back out from under their stones. That is not to say that all Brexiteers are racists far from it, but the divisive debate, with its anti-migrant over tones certainly brought racism back out into the open. Maybe it is a good thing because now racism is so blatant again, people across the country will need to confront it. This is happening, which is encouraging. The bravery of the footballers and other in the public eye is to be applauded for the role they have played. One last thought to ponder. This country was built on immigration, the England football team are all descended from migrants. Without migration, this ageing country will sink. We are already seeing skills shortages, courtesy of leaving the EU. Many of those people that worked in our care homes, staffed the NHS, picked the crops and served the coffees have now gone home. There could come a time when the UK has to go out to beg people to come here to work. Those people are unlikely to come to an island that is hostile to them and dominated by racism. A selfish economic argument but one that many of those who will increasing need the services of the sectors mentioned would do well to dwell upon.

Time government levelled with the public over Covid strategy

Is it not time that the government levelled with the public over Covid? On 21 June, the reason given for delaying the release of all restrictions was in order that more vaccinations could take place. It was a race between the vaccinations and the spread of the new Delta variant. Over the ensuing period vaccination levels have slumped, partly no doubt due to under 40s not being able to receive the Astra Zeneca version. But probably more contributory has been a reluctance by some to be vaccinated. Meanwhile, the Delta variant has spread – predicted to reach 50,000 new infections a day by 19 July 2021. But apparently this does not now matter as we have effectively moved from seeking to squeeze out the variants, by a combination of vaccinations, lockdowns, masks and distancing, to the herd immunity approach. Then there are the confusing statistics. In London, vaccination levels are amongst the lowest in the country at 43% double vaccinated, compared to 65% nationwide. Yet infection rates are 167.7 per 100,000. This compares to areas like Brighton (450 plus per 100,000) and Hastings (381 per 100,000). This is an exact reversal of the position of a couple of months ago, when infection levels were much lower in those southern areas compared to the capital. So what is going on – have more people had the virus in London, so have the anti-bodies? Are there different drivers of the virus? The government must have this data, so should share it in order that we can all better understand where we are heading and why. published in part - Independent - 11/7/2021

Where did people take their anger before social media?

Where did people take out all their anger and frustration before social media? The thought recently occurred on a bright sunny Saturday, when you would have thought there were better things to do than bang out negativity from the keyboard. The council and councillors, often, seem to be the target for the angry brigade. Whatever the council or councillors do is wrong with this group. One subject on that bright sunny day was the newly installed mobility hub (or parklet) on Wanstead High Street. A pleasant new green space in the high street, where people can sit down for free to enjoy the sun and ambiance. The facility has been well used, so far, by people of all ages. School kids having a chat, elderly folk wanting to sit down for a moment on their way home, cyclists wanting somewhere to lock up the bike or electric car users wanting to charge their vehicle. So, what's not to like? The facility is part of efforts to make Wanstead a cleaner, greener place ro live. People will have also noticed the flower displays, new trees and developing grow zones. The angry brigade though are not happy. Waste of money, typical council, who wants to sit in the road were the typical comments. Thankfully, many on the same thread were supportive and enthusiastic about the new green development. A major gripe of the angry brigade was the loss of a couple of parking spaces. Again the argument, what is more important the right to drive or breath clean air. That said, the loss of the spaces hardly warrants a mention given there are plenty of spaces for people to park. No, the issue seems to be the need of some people just to have a go at something or someone. It is a problem of modern society, that finds its outlet via aocial media. Maybe, it is a good thing, how in past times did all this angst come out? But it would be good for people to remember they are attacking other fellow human beings, who, for the most part, are trying to do their best for the community. Everyone has feelings, that should be respected. My own rule on social media is not to say anything that you would not be prepared to say in person to the individual concerned. Sadly, there are all too many people around who seem to need to direct their own fury out into the ether via the keyboard - maybe it is an affirming process? Next time, though, maybe think about it, put the phone or laptop away and just enjoy the sun.