RURAL MATTERS - monthly column from the CPRE
The World Becomes Welcoming and Good?
I love walking in the Dorset countryside, especially on the hills and downland. I gain a sense of achievement climbing to the top, which promises wonderful and often surprising views of our beautiful landscape. In North Dorset, Hambledon, going from Batcombe to Plush Bulbarrow, Melbury Beacon and along the northern ridge of the Hod Hill are all favourites. All the downland. A detour from Plush seasons have their moments, to the Lyscombe Valley to the but spring is very special as east, with its restored chapel hedgerows first come alive with and ruined farm buildings, is an blackthorn blossom, and then unforgettable experience. the trees begin to leaf. The limey translucent colour of early beech Far from the madding crowds. leaves is magical, especially We are also fortunate that most in juxtaposition to the vivid walks in North Dorset are rarely cobalt of a crowded, unlike bluebell wood. our Jurassic “What a joy walking Birdsong is a coast. I have is. All the cares of life, to agree with real pleasure all the hopeless, inept Bill Bryson, our then as migrating f**kwits that God has former CPRE males arrive at strewn along the Bill President, in their nesting his book The Bryson Highway of grounds first, Road to Little Life suddenly seem far to be followed Dribbling: soon after by “What a joy away and harmless, the female. walking is. and the world Autumn is All the cares becomes tranquil and of life, all the wonderful welcoming and good” hopeless, inept too with leaves turning f**kwits that colour from God has strewn deep butter yellow to russet along the Bill Bryson Highway and copper. We are lucky of Life suddenly seem far away here with lots of long distance and harmless, and the world walking trails, such as the becomes tranquil and welcoming Wessex Ridgeway, the Jubilee and good.” Trail, the Stour Valley Way and The Covid Lockdown may the longest of them all, the have encouraged most of us Hardy Way, which runs for no to walk more, but still not less than 220 miles through enough. It would be great to Thomas Hardy’s Wessex. There see walking displace more is an especially lovely part of it short car journeys, thus easily
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reducing our carbon footprint. A generation ago 70% of British schoolchildren walked to school, now less than half do. It would be wonderful if local planning authorities and housing developers would invest in concepts like the 15-minute neighbourhood, where our workplaces and the services we regularly need can be reached in a short walk from our homes. The recent draft Dorset Council Local Plan was singularly deficient in new ideas here. Keep walking! Rupert Hardy, Chairman North Dorset CPRE The health benefits from walking are legion, and it is not just burning calories: • 5 minutes aids digestion • 20 minutes improves heart health • 30 minutes is good for weight loss, blood pressure and reduces the risk of diabetes • 40 minutes improves blood circulation and reduces stress • 50 minutes will strengthen muscles and improve productivity • 60 minutes relaxes your nerves and brain, increasing creativity. Always free - subscribe here
