Here's the article I wrote for last month's Chatterbox - the original version, rather than the edited one that appeared in the magazine. Written about last year's lockdown, but just as relevant now we're in another one!
The solace of nature on our doorstep
As this difficult year comes to a close, one of things I reflect on is how many of us have found solace in nature. Whether you were already a keen nature watcher at the start of this pandemic, a complete beginner, or somewhere in between, so many of us have found that taking time to notice nature has helped us through various states of lockdown, and provided a balm for the stresses we have felt. This has been a national, indeed international phenomenon: articles about it have appeared in National newspapers, BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch have dedicated time to it, and books have been written about it. But here, I’m keen to look at the local perspective. Having been involved in the creation of a new group just before lockdown in March - the Ketton Green Spaces Group – I would like to take this opportunity both to introduce our group, and to explore what nature has meant to our members over this year.
So what is Ketton Green Spaces Group all about? Well, we are a group of volunteers united in our desire to manage and improve local green areas to increase their biodiversity and sustainability. At the same time, we aim to support positive use and enjoyment of our green spaces, and to increase understanding of their ecology and heritage. Although Covid has curtailed our activities to some extent, we’ve still managed to start some projects. We’ve sown locally collected wildflower seed in the newly planted orchard in Hall Close (watch that space next spring!) Although the tree planting we’d planned for November unfortunately had to be postponed, we’re ready to plant some more trees near the football pitch, together with the Guides and the Football Club. We’ve received many tree seedlings from the Woodland Trust for future planting around our area, and hope to start a small community tree nursery. We’ve begun discussions with local nature organisations about working in partnership, and hope to work with The Welland Rivers Trust on the River Chater.
Amid all this has been the pandemic, and the changes in all our lives it has brought. Ketton is fortunate to have some great green spaces, so even when unable to travel far, people still have fairly good access to the countryside. When I asked the group about their experience of nature this year, I’m sure their responses echoed the feelings of many of you. One responded “There was 'comfort in the familiar' in that I went on (and am still going on) the same walk most days. It is a real privilege to be privy to minute daily changes in nature.” Another member, Anna, commented that, "In a year where hugging trees was more widely acceptable than hugging family and friends, green spaces have become an important escape for me. Going for regular walks in green areas provides me with head space to switch off from the daily grind, much needed calorie burning exercise and lungfuls of fresh air. And don't underestimate the power of the changing seasons on the senses."
There is a growing body of research suggesting that time spent in nature is valuable to our health and wellbeing. For me, although just being outside anywhere with at least some greenery feels good, I get so much more out of being in a habitat brimming with life which I can see, hear, smell, discover and wonder at, and I don’t think I’m alone in that. Picking out the different calls of birds, or watching a myriad of insects going about their business, engages the senses and absorbs our attention. Which brings me onto another of our Ketton Green Space Group actions this year. You may have seen the signs we put by the church about the two species of mining bees that live in the bank under the yew. When we put the first one up in April, we hoped that people walking by on their daily exercise might notice and watch the delightful little black and white Ashy Mining bees, and get just that little bit more enjoyment out of their walk – a chance to be totally absorbed for a few moments by something that isn’t to do with the human world. As a group, we are always discovering and learning about new things, and we’re keen to pass this on!
If we want a rich, diverse, thriving natural world around us - to absorb ourselves in, to connect with, to give solace, to soothe, to provide joy - we need to take steps to help the besieged natural world. Not all “green spaces” are equal in terms of providing habitat. An area which doesn’t have food or shelter for animals at the base of the food chain will not support them or the animals that eat them, and so on up the food chain. Often, simple steps can help so much. For example, Ketton Green Spaces Group have implemented a management plan for the cemetery which simply delays mowing in some areas until a bit later in the year. This will allow limestone-loving plants to flower, so in spring and summer visitors can enjoy a beautiful display of wildflowers, plus the wealth of bees and butterflies they attract. A simple step in your garden would be to leave hedge cutting until after bird nesting season, or if they have berries which will feed birds and other animals, then after the berries have finished – you will get far more winter bird visitors that way! Although most of us who want to help the natural world believe that species have an intrinsic right to survive, separate from any benefit to us humans, I think it’s OK to admit, “I also want to protect this because I love seeing it, and it makes me feel good.”
So, if you are interested in Ketton Green Spaces Group, take a look at our website at https://kettongreen.wixsite.com/kett . You can join in events (Covid permitting…), contact us about wildlife sightings, questions or ideas, or sign up to receive email updates. You can give as little or as much time as you’d like, and we welcome everyone who shares our aims.
On that note, I will close with words from Helen, another member of our group: “I had lived in Ketton for about 18 months before the 1st lockdown. Nature and the natural world has always been important to me but I was always so busy with work I didn’t have time to properly appreciate it. Working from home gave me the time and space I needed to explore the local area, walking along different footpaths and finding out how truly beautiful it is. We are so lucky to have such amazing green spaces: the fields, the nature reserve, the river and the orchards. Now every time I feel stressed or run down I take a walk along one of the footpaths I discovered. Nature is the best medicine and I want to do all I can to help protect and develop these spaces in the village and surrounding areas for everyone to enjoy.”
Jemma Cuthbert
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