Monday 25 May 2015

Division of Labour

Nothing to do with party politics though feminism may come into it.


This was her third visit to the Old Wall Food Bank in very few minutes, each time stocking up on the handouts and scooting off into the bushes. Dad was working slower, surely he had done his bit? Mostly he fed himself then went up into the tree to sing. After all the family home and its territory need defending.

The Old Wall Caff has become extremely popular with the local bird population and winter conditions and nesting season are when customers are keenest. Much of its appeal is the position. It's sheltered from the prevailing wind by a mature rhododendron barrier making it very attractive in the morning. The sun coming up makes a fine microclimate. The rhododendron provides excellent cover while pines rising above and through the shrubs are also wildlife friendly both being, of course, evergreen. Several pairs of chaffinches, coal tits, blue tits, great tits, robins, dunnocks and a blackcap visit as well as the blackbirds and are fed in return for providing the music. Lizards, voles and shrews sometimes put in an appearance.

Now this great facility is under threat. SRWT is going ahead with its intention of removing the rhododendron here as well as on the south side of the woods despite earlier indications that they would relent. This act of unprecedented callousness is proof if any were needed that the trust is not to be trusted with anything but a commitment to raking in grants for their own benefit rather than that of wildlife. I will of course retract this comment if they change their minds. Please write in if you wish to complain. Just to SRWT will do. There's no planning application reference.

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