Vic Warren's Green Stuff - latest news.

A Very Happy & Sustainable New Year To You

On December 27, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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ALL READERS – I HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY HAPPY & SUSTAINABLE 2012

CPRW Newport & Valleys Branch has had a very busy, and often successful 2011: -

  • We opposed the ‘Energy From Waste’ plant proposed near Merthyr – The proposal was withdrawn
  • We assisted with objections to the greenfield development of 1200 houses at South Sebastopol (Cwmbran) – The Council voted it down
  • We have submitted a lengthy response on the Torfaen Deposit Local Development Plan – We await the result
  • We proposed and (mostly) organised a Landscape Art Exhibition in Newport – For a first attempt it was pretty good – we plan to repeat it in 2012
  • We have been involved in the M4 ‘Corridor Enhancement Measures’ consultation – Continuing – wider public consultation in early 2012
  • We have submitted an objection to the proposed new Gipsy Site in countryside near Bettws (Newport – Awaiting decision

We’ve got a lot to do next year to keep CPRW going and fight off threats to our countryside in the name of conservation and sustainability – come and help us. Check out the CPRW website to get in touch with your local Branch. Or text a small donation: – Text to 70070 – add ‘CPRW28 £5′ (or whatever you wish to donate)

 

TAMWORTH GINGER PIGS AND WELSH BLACK CATTLE

On October 15, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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My farmer wife is reducing the livestock on our hill farm, and so we have various top quality pedigree rare-breed Tamworth pigs, and indigenous Welsh Black cattle for sale. Call her on 07885 790821 if that’s exactly what you are looking for.

We are also selling our meat at Undy Farmers Market for the second time next Saturday (22/10), having had a very friendly welcome on the first occasion. Call the above number for more information.

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THE FORGOTTEN LANDSCAPES PROJECT

On October 15, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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Forgotten Landscapes (FLP) is a partnership project focusing on the development of 27 square miles around Blaenavon as an internationally recognised visitor destination, inevitably working within the aspirations of the remarkable World Heritage Site (WHS) there.  

Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales is fairly obviously interested in all things that relate to landscape, so I caught up with what is happening with FLP at a recent update meeting, a year into the three year project. As the spouse (and business partner, and mucker-out of pigs) of a local farmer and commoner within the FLP area, I also had other interests. The update comprised a very useful series of short presentations by the five FLP staff.

Planning Officer (main man) Steve Rogers introduced the update session by going briefly over the history of the area. The post-ice age wild wooded valleys and natural uplands have been transformed by human activities several times, initially by limited clearance for farming, then with the discovery of iron ore, with more use of timber (charcoal) for furnaces. This led to the seismic change of the Industrial Revolution, of which Blaenavon was a crucible, when all the various natural resources were found in quantity in the Welsh Valleys – iron ore, limestone, coal, water, timber. With no concerns about pollution or health and safety, quarries, mines, furnaces, ironworks proliferated, and large-scale immigration demanded basic housing. So today there is a ‘rich mosaic of geological features, industrial relics and nationally important wildlife habitats’ as the FLP website describes it. And much of the area is still a working agricultural landscape.

FLP’s aims are mainly two-fold: -

  • Conservation – wildlife, traditional farming, industrial heritage
  • Access and interpretation for visitors.

Both of these aims include engaging with local people and encouraging volunteer activities, and safeguarding the ‘treasures’.

The other FLP officers then told us of their specialist work: -

The Commons Officer is working with several commoners Associations and many farmers to restore and enhance the commons – grazing has reduced considerably in recent years, so that bracken and scrub has extended, affecting wildlife and access. Grouse are now rare, for example. Bracken clearance and heather management has started, together with boundary improvement work (drystone walls etc), more livestock is encouraged, machinery is being made available. Reed beds are being established.

The Education & Interpretation Officer told us of her work with schools, engaging local communities and catering for visitors, organizing events and roadshows about FLP. This will shortly even include Smartphone apps for information – how modern is that?  

Landscape Crime Officer (there’s a title you don’t see every day) explained his impressively busy and successful working life, dealing mainly with

  • Flytipping
  • Vehicles driven illegally on commons
  • Arson – fires destroying heather and wildlife
  • Theft of metal as scrap – often heritage artifacts
  • Wildlife crime – contravening Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 protection of plants, birds, animals etc

Many illegal activities have been addressed in less than a year, and incidents reported have reduced. He mentioned the value of information gathered via FarmWatch, OWL, twitter.

The Volunteer Organiser reported substantial activity in this area, with volunteer groups and training increasing, many tasks tackled, working towards sustainability of the FLP initiative when the project ends in two years. 

Steve concluded by publicising the establishment of a Consultative Group, and asked for interested local organisations to be represented.

 A Q&A session followed, and some concerns were voiced by various attendees. The main points I noted and answers given were: -

Lack of information and FLP communication with local interest groups

          The Consultative Group will address this

Ban on grouse shooting – could be the end of shoots and conservation of local moorlands

          Discussions ongoing, but it depends on the recovery of grouse numbers

More visitor information, press & TV coverage

          Discussions taking place with WHS on more joint provision

Insufficient assistance for Commoners

          Liaison ongoing, assistance with bracken clearance & drystone walls, more coming. Increase in grazing     needed

Landowners involved?

          Yes, most supportive, but the largest landowner not interested

………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………

I believe FLP is a unique project, and beneficially seeks to identify and conserve important aspects of landscape. I’m not sure how much influence it has on local planning strategy and/or development control, which of course can greatly affect landscape, but to my mind similar considerations of landscape conservation should apply to all our countryside. I hope FLP is successful in establishing a permanent source of conservation and management in its area, and is widely copied.

One further point, having been involved in a recent Blorenge Commoners Association meeting where we decided not to participate in a Welsh Government Commons agri-environment scheme which promises funding in return for a reduction of Commons-grazed livestock, and other requirements (the meeting was against participation because the conditions attached were ridiculous), it is strange to hear FLP asking for increased grazing, to help maintain wildlife-friendly habitats

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Planning: Valuing Green Spaces – a New Way

On October 2, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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Given the difficulties that environmentalists have had over the years to get Torfaen County Borough to understand our concerns about sacrificing green fields to the gods of growth and ‘development’, it is quite a shock to find a Biodiversity Management System being proposed, as a pilot, for addressing strategic land-use issues (particularly the current Local Development Plan process). Perhaps it is a consequence of the authority’s shock at the decision by the Council to change its collective mind on the large-scale South Sebastopol development.

Whatever the reason, the draft Torfaen Biodiversity Action Plan is at first glance an exciting and innovative new way of bringing biodiversity in from the cold, to be a main consideration in planning strategy, rather than a minor issue which needs only lip service to sideline and ignore. At the same time, one can sense that there may be dangers in establishing formal Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) in this area, if that is the aim. We may gain protection for some valuable green areas, but at the expense of defining other green areas as developable – or so it will be claimed by speculators. At the time of the first South Sebastopol, the planner stated at the Council meeting that Countryside Council for Wales had not objected, so the planning application should be approved; ignoring the fact that CCW’s brief was limited to commenting on statutorily protected areas only (National Parks, AONBs etc) - or so the CCW Chairman told me. (The brief seems to have widened since then).

The gist of this new strategy for biodiversity is: -

1. The need for this was identified from review of the Torfaen Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and conflict within the Local Development Plan (LDP) - I assume the LBAP was being pretty well ignored in the LDP process. The failure of WAG to hit its target to halt biodiversity decline by 2010 must have been due in part to the failure of local authorities to take it seriously.

2. But give someone in Torfaen their due, a consultant was instructed to do something about it, and here is the first step. The ‘Early Draft’ says that it is designed towards  ’mainstreaming biodiversity’ and ‘encouraging public engagement’. Also that ‘ … the value of ecosystem services has been undervalued …’   Most environmentalists would applaud the latter statement. We shall see if it suceeds – but in Torfaen there is hope, in the wake of this current Council’s conversion to enlightenment at South Sebastopol  

3. The points I took away from a recent meeting on the draft strategy were: -

a) Six ecosystem types considered; b) a database (GIS) of all green areas in Torfaen based on this classification to be produced; c) a framework to be established for each (presumably for conservation / enhancement); d) prioritising these areas into 4 ‘Tiers of Value’, defined as Tier 1 – protect, Tier 2 – trade, Tier 3 – ignore, Tier 4 – Enhance;          e)  then applying all this to potential development.

Tier 1 is the gold standard - if it works well, no Tier 1 classified land will be developed. The contentious element is of course the ‘trade’ proposal. Development of Tier 2 areas would be possible if the developer proposed a sufficiently attractive swop – enhancing another area to an equivalent value. I can see a number of concerns and foggy areas in this, for a start will Tier 1 turn out to be a minimum, Tier 3 most of the green areas? (What Tier would South Sebastopol achieve?) Who decides the classification, professionals only, or will there be a public consultation element? Can changes to area classification be accommodated? Amenity (lawn) grassland (Tier 3) is described as ecologically useless – that could be challenged. There are others, but that’s enough for now.

But perhaps I am too churlish – this is an exciting attempt at a really new way of valuing green spaces, and thereby combating unsustainable and irresponsible speculative development. We must hope it is successful, and leads to a transformation away from a planning process that regards green spaces as easy and natural growth of the built environment.  Local readers – GET INVOLVED! Contact TCBC and ask questions about your local green area.

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‘Wonderful Wales’ Landscape Art Exhibition

On September 25, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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CPRW’s art exhibition in the Barnabas Arts House in Newport was opened at a private viewing on Sunday. The exhibition, with 60 exhibits from 7 artists, is a marvellous mixture of styles, all of them terrific, and everyone I spoke to was very complimentary. I was knocked out by the whole thing, we had been worried that it would flop, but so far it has totally exceeded my expectations. There was a good crowd of art enthusiasts at the opening, and most of the artists exhibiting also attended. The gallery is exceptional, a superb venue for an exhibition, and the owner, Janet Martin, had organised it perfectly. There were several sales by the end of the day.

The Barnabas Arts House is more than just a gallery, it also houses studios for artists and crafts, runs courses and art-related activities, and much more – a real community arts centre. So impressive.

IF YOU HAVEN’T VISITED YET, YOU HAVE AN EXTRA WEEK, UP TO AND INCLUDING FRI  7th OCT

The Barnabas Arts House is in New Ruperra St, Pillgwentlly, Newport NP20 2BB (near George St Bridge and the new large ASDA) For more information or directions, call the Barnabas Arts House on 01633-673739 / 264581

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John O’Groats to Lands End – Triple Charity Ride

On September 3, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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This is not an environmental event, but I think it is very worthy of publicising, and also of a modest financial contribution. Two guys from Pontypool, Kevin Weaver and Ian (Charlie) Jackson, are at this time cycling south from John O’Groats with aching muscles and sore bums, raising mony for three charitable causes: -   

* Sparkle Appeal – a new treatment centre in Risca for children with multiple disabilities             * ABF The Soldier’s Charity - aiding soldiers who are injured or otherwise in need                         * St Cadoc’s Church, Trevethin – a lively centre of the local community 

Although they are both fit and have been active sportsmen all their lives, Kevin and Ian are not professional cyclists, and no spring chickens, but as I write this, they have traversed the length of Scotland in just 3 days, mainly in rain and headwinds. Have you been to Scotland? It is BIG! And up and down a lot! I am very impressed - researching the ride for them initially, I thought Scotland alone would take 4/5 days with a following wind. And I hear that at John O’Groats they met other mad guys who had cycled from Lands End, and who said (a) it took them 3 weeks, and (b) north to south is doing it the hard way because of the prevailing wind direction.

So please reward their tremendous efforts, help them to help the three charities, visit  www.sccride.org.uk and www.woodlandsfield.com or tel 01495 742681 (Communities First) to make a donation.

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Reading the Landscape

On August 28, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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I bought a new book last year, and it was a revelation. I thought I’d post a review

THE LIVING LANDSCAPE  -   How to Read and Understand It

Patrick Whitefield    Permanent Publications

Five or six times a year I take a train trip from Cwmbran to Shrewsbury and on to  Welshpool, and I look forward to the journey on this Welsh border line, travelling through the delightful and varying scenery of the Welsh Marches, more often than not with the hills of Wales or Shropshire to the west and lowland to the east. I occasionally write notes of what I see, the differing farms, livestock, trees, field boundaries and trackside herbage, and of course buildings. Often I am surprised at the changes I note, and wonder what I am missing that would explain them. I play at armchair landscape assessment, in a very superficial and defective manner. I guess I am not the only person who plays this game.

So when I saw this new book, I jumped at the chance to understand more about the reasons for the nature of the landscape and countryside I see. And I was not disappointed; Patrick Whitefield’s substantial book is accessible and absorbing, very readable and informative. I now know much more about ‘reading the landscape’, and wherever I travel I shall be looking for changes and reasons, and probably boring my wife with a commentary!

His book is set out very logically, with chapters explaining how geology, soil, height and situation, climate and micro-climate, indigenous animals and livestock, agriculture and other factors all contribute to the formation and evolution of our landscape

Some of the tips, such as the glacial origins of U-shaped valleys, we probably learned at school, and gardeners and wildlife fans will know that some plants are indicative of acid or alkali soils, but how about why molehills tell you the soil is not acid, why jays are responsible for our widespread British Oak, or why medieval fields often have curved boundaries? (Think oxen!). What common wild flower is known as the ‘Poor Man’s Weatherglass’?

Whitefield pulls it all together, and has produced a tour de force on the subject, due to become a standard work. He not only writes easily and informatively, but at times lyrically. One chapter starts: -

“In the drama of the landscape there’s no distinction between actors and scenery. Everything, from rocks to humans, is both part of the scenery and an actor in it”

The only part I found in the least difficult was his long treatise on woodlands and trees. He obviously loves this aspect, and for me it was a little too much. But a minor problem in a wonderful book. For all countryside lovers, this book is exciting and at times entrancing, as one remembers childhood meadows and recognises medieval remnants still here today. My railway trips, and in fact many occasions in familiar and unfamiliar countryside, have been greatly enhanced.

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Lots of chicks, and some beef

On August 20, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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After BSE & Foot & Mouth, farmers these days have to comply with so much ministry and local authority paperwork, and  inspections and testing. And of course we do, often agonising over why the cumulative number of our sheep / cattle / pigs doesn’t quite reconcile with the previous return, and dashing out to the fields to re-count sheep without falling asleep. But when it comes to poultry, we do not have to be so rigorous – our few hens and cocks are totally free range, we only have eggs when we find out where they are laying, and usually they don’t cause us any trouble, just providing colourful additions to our farmyard. But this year they’ve been very productive, over the last few weeks one old hen after another has emerged from undergrowth with a line of multi-coloured chicks. At the last count we have over 30 chicks and half-grown hens and cocks. SO IF ANYONE LOCAL WANTS SOME NEW YOUNG HENS, CALL US!  In the best supermarket tradition, and bearing in mind hens should be kept in small groups, Barbara says - the price will be right, and its buy two, get two free! Hurry hurry, limited stock! Email Barbara on ba.warren@hotmail.co.uk

And while I’m advertising our wares, we were at Usk Farmers Market again today, selling mainly beef, and we have some over. The beef is from our indigenous Welsh Black cattle, which are extensively grazed on our grass and silage, and the herb-rich Blorenge Common, all their lives. They are never fed concentrates, never housed indoors, have as good lives as any cattle while they are with us, some for many years. They grow more slowly than continental breeds, and so, we say, the beef (hung and prepared properly) tastes top class. Email Barbara if you want to try a joint, steak or mince.

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On-farm Creativity

On August 19, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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Our hill farm has terrific views, on a day of good visibility we can see for 30 miles over the Severn towards the Mendips Hills, and if we walk a few steps away from our farmhouse we can catch a glimpse of the Malvern tops. It is marvellous, and we know we are lucky to have landed up here. (Mind, when we are cut off from civilisation in winter blizzards, bucketing water to animals, it is difficult to remember that!)  But last week, on a 90% good day, a pig keeper friend who is also a remarkable artist, visited us with two objects – one pig-related, the other to capture a scene on the farm. In not much over a couple of hours she had a landscape painting and a piggy sketch, both to be worked on further, but both of marvellous quality already. I so admire such skill. And as Jantien is one of the artists contributing to the CPRW–sponsored exhibition in Newport at the end of September, I am looking forward tremendously to the collection of some 60 works of landscape art, all of high quality by professional Welsh artists. Do visit if you can – see details on previous post below, and visit Jantien’s website http://www.jantien.co.uk   We felt privileged to glimpse the creative process, thanks Jantien                                 

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Some things go right!

On August 9, 2011, in Uncategorized, by vic
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As a farmers husband, the way I see farming is that it is always disappointing (unless you are an East Anglian cereal baron, of course). The lambs are always less than expected, the piglets die, the grass doesn’t grow because of lack of rain, the meat doesn’t all sell, the tractor needs a new gearbox, the water pipes freeze up, and we have to bucket it around  …. and so on. But last weekend, our Farmers Market went pretty well, and then when we got home our friendly contractor had started baling the silage, and completed it just before it rained. Amazing. And there were more bales than we expected. Mind, I had to join in for two hours with our rather old Zetor tractor, moving big bales to the wrapper, and I felt like I’d run a marathon next day. I really am too old for that nowadays (and so is the tractor).

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