Country Diary: New Forest

One midday many years ago I walked through a lush dew-drenched meadow high in Kenya's Aberdare range. The visit was popped into the day's schedule by my African host who thought that it was something I really should experience. He could not have known how, years on, that meadow would haunt me.

So it was with more than passing interest that I was invited to visit some meadows in Blissford. Hidden in a valley, they reminded me how the English countryside once looked. Those who like their countryside neat and tidy might well take offence. But looks can be deceptive. In these fields are both history and hope. The slightly undulating ground indicates that at some time in the distant past this ground was ploughed. The stone-lined drain that breaks out of the stream bank is a further sign that a long time ago work was done to dry out the land.

But it is the meadow plants that catch the eye. These meadows have never been treated with fertilizers, except the dung dropped when grazed, or with herbicides. Elimination of weeds such as ragwort is done by hand. As a consequence, a magnificent variety of plants flourish in them. Clearly, these traditionally maintained meadows provide a habitat that gives nature maximum opportunity to display its diverse creativity. This is a satisfying reward to an owner through whom history and hope are united.