The Shepherd's Tree. John Clare, 1830

Old castaways, now swallowed in neglect, - While thou art towering in thy strength of heart, Stirring the soul to vain imaginings In which life's sordid being hath no part. The wind of that eternal ditty sings, Humming of future things, that burn the mind To leave some fragment of itself behind

Huge elm, with rifted trunk all notched & scarred, Like to a warrior's destiny! I love To stretch me often on thy shadowed sward, And hear the laugh of summer leaves above; Or on thy buttressed roots to sit, & lean In careless attitude, & there reflect On times & deeds and darings that have been -

My article on the elms of Sussex has been published by Eastbourne Reporter - thanks to Rebecca Maer! She is ploughing a lonely furrow as a proper local journalist, getting out & about, meeting people & actually asking questions. It'll never catch on.. www.eastbournereporter.co.uk/elm-trees-ea...

Last week, I had the chance to listen in on a conversation between @who.int and the Mayor of Paris, @annehidalgo.bsky.social. Here are five things other cities could learn (with a bonus bit on the increasing powers of UK Mayors): micromobilitybiz.com/five-things-...

⬇️ "Our universities aren’t “flourishing”, and their revenues aren’t “rising”. Fuel bills for UK consumers haven’t “tumbled” either." Not so sweet and not so little lies.

A mighty mix - thanks to @boniverwi.bsky.social for the recommendation! www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS4Y...

A bit more #treechat @cerysmatthews.bsky.social - in Eastbourne we're lucky to live among some magnificent street elms, rare survivors of Dutch Elm Disease that ravaged the UK in the '70s. A couple of pics - & an article I wrote: flickr.com/photos/16050... www.pressreader.com/uk/bbccountr...

“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)

A few places are left for a 7km Snake River Safari in the lovely Cuckmere valley, East Sussex this Sunday 27th April. The walk is led by Matt Fenton & Rebecca Harris (National Trust). Meet at Seven Sisters visitor centre, Exceat 2.30pm. It's free - to book & more info. email: [email protected]

flickr.com/photos/16050... River Cuckmere in the gloaming. It's the first day of spring - and Liz Overs has reminded me it's launch day for her brilliant new album, Nightjar open.spotify.com/track/2z9lxu...

According to the City of Paris, in the last 10 years 150,000 trees have been planted and 45 hectares of parks created in the city, all intended to not only improve quality-of-life today, but also help the city adapt to and manage summer heatwaves of 50℃ (122F) by 2050. Plant a lot more urban trees.

I’ve published my submission to the government’s Land Use consultation. DEFRA has proposed lots of bold and interesting ideas, many of which I support. But they also underestimate the scale of land use change needed to restore nature & fix water pollution. 1/🧵 whoownsengland.org/2025/03/12/m...

They tried to cancel John Crace from covering the right-wing jamboree at ExCel but no one can stop him filing copy this good www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Happy Burns Night! www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s7R...

Brilliant satirical cover from Private Eye, mocking spineless media organisations and journalists who submit and cower in the face of power 👏

If you’re going to read anything by a British journalist on what’s just happened on the other side of the swamp with Donald Trump, try this by Ed Docx. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

I wrote something about my friend Felicity, whose spirit left us last week bespokecyclegroup.org.uk/2025/01/09/t...

Paris urban biking DOUBLED in just one year. “Cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new records and reshaping the urban landscape.”

Biking to work reduces the odds of dying from cancer by 51%! You’d think transit planners would find the hell out of bike lanes given how much money that saves to public and the government. Even “fiscal conservatives” can’t debunk the obvious societal good and savings from that. Fund bike lanes!

What now for #ActiveTravel as Louise Haigh resigns? Who will replace her and what will their priorities be? We need to see cycling/walking/wheeling getting a fair proportion of the billions of ££££ currently spent to accommodate motor vehicles! www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

I keep listening to this www.youtube.com/watch?v=th4u...

Storm Bert

Remember this picture every time you hear someone in your city say "we're not Amsterdam." This was #Amsterdam in the 1970s. Many of the cities we admire made better choices regarding cars in the past. and are still making better choices today. Better choices instead of excuses.

Harbour lights

Crossing the tracks at Berwick station - cycling home from the bonfire & fireworks display at East Hoathly. Photo by Adrian Manktelow, who got there before me

The Cure's new album is great. But I'm in the mood for this track www.last.fm/music/The+Cu...

Watching Herne burn at East Hoathly, Sussex the other night