Hedgerow Trees: A Strategy for Renewal

"The importance of hedgerow trees:
Hedgerow trees are just one of the many assets that contribute to the
natural wealth of our countryside. As individuals they provide firewood,
habitats for wildlife, offer shade and shelter and often carry local
significance marking boundaries. Collectively however, they provide the
countryside with a stature and irregularity of form that visually defines its
beauty – a cultural asset of unquantifiable value to our society."

From the Game Conservancy Trust. PDF

Dominick Dunne: A Tribute

A beautiful memorial to Dominick Dunne is offered at Vanity Fair
Leave your condolences here.

Wikipedia

Exeter catacombs identified as potential swine flu mortuary

"Exeter city council is considering using 19th century catacombs to store the bodies of swine flu victims if the outbreak worsens.

They’ve identified the empty underground burial chambers in Bartholomew Street, currently used as a tourist attraction, as a potential mortuary.

A council spokesman said the plan would be implemented if the crematorium and cemeteries could not keep up with funeral demands."

Link

BBC: Lorna Doone

Now we can enjoy the romance of Exmoor online...

"The BBC dished up Lorna Doone as its classic costume drama for Christmas 2000 and served its source material well. R. D. Blackmore's novel of dangerous times and inter-clan warfare on Exmoor during the time of the Monmouth Rebellion is highly romantic. At its centre is the ongoing war between John Ridd (Richard Coyle), the yeoman with a noble heart, and Carver Doone, the reckless young leader of the outlawed family who murdered Ridd's father. Aside from their familial enmity, they are also rival suitors for the hand of the eponymous heroine (a spirited performance from Amelia Warner). The production avoids overkill on the swashbuckling front: the battle scenes are grim and bloody; Lorna herself is cocooned by her family but the Doone clan lives in a bleak, rough encampment with few comforts. And in Aidan Gillan's Carver, we have an anti-hero of extraordinary charisma, driven and ultimately destroyed by his single-minded determination to make Lorna his wife or see her dead. A stirring evening's viewing which offers the good old-fashioned satisfaction of just desserts all round." --Piers Ford

Read an online illustrated version of the book here.

BBC: A walk in Lorna Doone country - Link

The Devil Rides Out

Christopher Lee has been knighted. Congratulations, Sir!