Plosky Tolbachik volcano Erupts

Since November a volcano has been erupting in the Kamchatka Peninsula.
If Landscape is what happens when environment is perceived by people -- the wider dissemination of this news is turning a natural event into landscape as we speak

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A saunter around Clarinbridge, in Ireland

Just a wander around Clarinbridge -- Just one thing to point out. At the last picture there is a view into the Burren and on top of the hill, you can just see a cairn. Cairns, tombs etc. on the north side of the Burren overlook Galway Bay, whereaas there are no such sited cairns and tombs on the Atlantic Coast (I found out when doing the Clare Historic Landscape Characterisation. see http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/Landscape/Landscape_Clare/area_1.pdf
 in http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/landscape/publications/landscape-character-assessment-of-co-clare/

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

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Daily life in Medieval Sherwood Forest- Peasant Rights

Reproduced from http://sherwoodforesthistory.blogspot.co.uk/ - an excellent blog and well worth a browse. Much of this applies also to Epping and Hatfield Forests, which extend into Greater London. Epping Forest was preserved for the public by the Corporation of London as a result of popular resistance in favour of the Commoners Right of Lopping, that is to take lower branches from trees as firewood http://www.hillsamenitysociety.co.uk/detail/efbattle.htm

Daily life in Medieval Sherwood Forest- Peasant Rights

Medieval society and the medieval landscape were for the common person predominantly rural and agricultural in nature.

Very little of the landscape was not utilised, and in some areas such as the ‘Champion’ (from the French champ- for field) landscapes of the Midlands, almost every inch was turned over to arable- especially in the boom years of population expanse during the 13^th century.

In Sherwood Forest it was similar, in that almost every resource was used.

Every village had its great open fields, where crops were rotated through the season, and the people farmed strips of land spread throughout them. Each year one field stood fallow to recover for the following years crops.

This fallow field was fertilized by the animals of the village. Pigs and sheep would be concentrated at night into temporary pens to ‘focus’ their fertilization efforts.

Between these times it was necessary to graze animals away from the open fields.

No matter how much an animal fertilizes a field it will always take more nutrients than it returns, if it grazes exclusively from the same field that it fertilizes, as it requires nutrients to grow.

An external source of nutrients and energy was therefore required, and in Sherwood Forest this came from the great heaths and Lyngges ( Old Scandinavian for heather- see There’s Vikings in the Heather entry).

Shepherds and swineherds would tend their flocks and herds on these vast swathes of lowland heath around Sherwood Forest that stretched for mile after mile across the open countryside. Vast areas such as ‘Basforde Lyngges’, the heaths of Rufford Abbey Lordship, ‘Budby Oute Fieldes’ and the ‘Moor of Kirby’, would be dotted with these herds, and the sight of flocks and shepherds would have been common to the traveller passing through the forest.

Each parish had their own areas of woodland, usually at their edges.

In the more populated southern ‘Thorneywood’ area they occupied the high ground between parishes, such as on the ridges between the villages of Lambley, Woodborough and Calverton.

These woods often joined together to form giant woods that could cover miles, but they each had names reflecting to whom they belonged. Carleton Wode, Gedling Wode, Basforde Wode (named after villages) Kettulbarne Haw, Fox Swaht, Prior Stobyn, Samson Wode (after landscape features or owners past and present).

In the ‘High Forest’, (the northern part of Sherwood Forest) these woods were sometimes vast such as the great Maunsfelde (Mansfield) Wode, Sutton Wode, Blidworth Wood and Hay Wode, as well as the great crown woods of the Hay of Birklands, Bilhaugh and Lyndhurst Wood (see Lyndhurst Wood- the chief wood of Sherwood entry).

It is worth reminding that nobody could actually cut down the tress in these woods for timber because it was forbidden by Forest Law (see Forest Law page). However the rights to the woods were heavily guarded by the people, because they had other kinds of rights within them.

As well as the rights to pasture on the great heaths and commons peasants had the right to graze their animals in woodland at certain times of the year. One such time was the ‘Pannage’ season (just after the acorns fell) when peasant could graze their pigs on acorns in the woods of the forest.

Picutre: A peasant beating acorns from the tree for his pigs

These rights to access woods were strictly controlled under Forest Law with ‘Agisters’ acting as tax collectors to control quotas and extract fines (see Forest Law Page)

Peasants also had the right to take some smaller timber from the woods for ‘Haybote’ (hedge repair) and ‘Husbote’ (house repair).

These rights were often jealously guarded!

An Inquisition Post Mortem into the rights of the people of Clipstone Manor, dated20^th April 1327 early in the reign of Edward III shows some of the rights of the peasant to the resources of their land.

The Inquisition was presented in front of John De Crombwell Keeper of the Kings Forest beyond Trent, by the oath of John de Annesley; Philip de Caltoft, knight; Thomas Whaton; Richard Russell; Richard Ingam; John de Holm; Richard de Bestewod (Bestwood); Thomas de Lyndeby; Simon de Lameley; John le Warde of Crathethopre; William Basage; and john Moigne of Carleton…

‘The King’s tenants of his manor of Clypston in Shirwod (Sherwood), which is of ancient demesne of the crown of England, and their ancestors, tenants of the same manor, from time immemorial have been accustomed to have all ferns growing in a place which is now called the park of Clypston, for thirteen shillings and six pence, to be rendered yearly to the King’s ancestors by the hands of the justice of the Forest; and to collect the leaves fallen from the trees in the same place for manuring their lands, without rendering anything therefor; and to have pasture for all kinds of beasts in the same, doing in return the custody of the vert and venison in the same place by two of the tenants’.

This shows how the peasants had customary rights to access the ‘park’ for livestock grazing, and to gather ferns and leaves for fertilizer, (in exchange for looking after the deer and timber for the King)

It also shows that they were empowered enough to appeal through the court system to protect those rights.

The reason for the inquest is that Edward II had closed off access to the park, preventing them from their customary rights. The newly crowned Edward III was being petitioned by the men of Clipstone to have their rights returned. They also informed the King that he was losing the money they would normally pay for their rights!!!

Presumably he would be more likely to listen if his wallet was affected.

The men also pointed out that they could not get sufficient pasture outside of the park for their needs- as stated earlier nutrients for flocks and open fields needed to come from somewhere other than the fields themselves.

So as can be seen the landscape of Sherwood Forest provided opportunities for people to make their living from agriculture and from accessing the resources that the Forest provided around them. It was also the case that people would guard these rights vigorously, petitioning through the courts and to the legal system.

The laws of the land prevented many people from having many things, but they also enshrined rights over generations and the law could be called upon to protect those rights if they were threatened.

(More on farming practices in Medieval Sherwood Forest including the ‘Breck System’, and more on the courts and laws of everyday medieval life coming soon).

London walking tours to sites of agitation and protest.

David Rosenberg http://www.eastendwalks.com/  has a walking tour course starting in April 2013. A great way to acquaint yourself with a landscape of poverty, wealth and protest.
http://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/Humanities/London_walks/In_the_footsteps_of_London%27s_rebels

Dock Strike float (image c/o  http://www.eastendwalks.com/)

Course outline

What is the course about?

The course conveys this exciting history against the backdrop of 19th century and early 20th century London through a series of walking tours to sites of agitation and protest. These tours will include visits to buildings and institutions connected with this history.

What topics will we cover?

We will learn about inspirational individuals and movements that fought for radical change in the workplace, in their communities, and in the political sphere: from Chartists, suffragettes and striking matchgirls, to anarchists, conscientious objectors and anti-fascists. We will also find out what these social movements were demanding and where and how they campaigned to bring about changes in London.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

show you understand the challenges ordinary people faced in London during this period
identify the campaigns that sought to address these challenges
list key individuals that supported these campaigns.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

There are no particular skills needed, just an interest in learning about London’s social and political history and an enthusiasm for discovering and imagining the places where this history happened. You will need to be able to undertake a walking tour of up to 2 hours at a moderate pace, with several stopping points. Some of the walking tours will include an indoor visit so the actual walking will be less than two hours in these sessions .

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

There will be an initial lecture/workshop to set the background scene for the period we will be studying, and the places where we will be walking. This will be followed by a series of walking tours focusing on specific issues, individuals and campaigns. On each tour you will receive an information handout summarising key points. Students will be encouraged to ask questions on the walks and raise discussion points. The final session will be classroom based and will draw together the threads from the different walks to consolidate knowledge of protest movements in the capital and assess their successes and failures. No work is required outside of class although you will be directed to additional reading that you may wish to undertake.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no additional costs. All visits are free. You will need to wear comfortable walking shoes, appropriate clothing for the likely temperature outdoors, an umbrella for days when the weather is less predictable and a bottle of water for refreshment. You may wish to bring a pen and notebook to take your own notes.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 254 of the 12/13 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

Key course information

Dates  09/04/13 - 04/06/13

Day(s)  Tue

Duration  9 weeks

Time  15:00 - 17:00

Fees
Full fee: £96
Senior fee: £58
Concession: £30

Venue   KS - Keeley Street
» View location

Enrol now

Call enrolments: 020 7831 7831

Still got questions?

humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652 

Coal mining by Mountaintop Removal

We are now remodelling the earth's surface in a way that was never possible before....
Read all about it at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountaintop_removal_mining
see it for yourself

The All London Green Grid is launched!

On 10th December 2012,  the All London Green Grid (ALGG) was launched, with publication of the 11 Area Frameworks and the announcement of the Big Green Fund.
The aim of the All London Green Grid is to deliver a broad and deep green infrastructure across London, improving and linking the existing network of green spaces.
The Grid should help to bring about major enhancements for the capital’s wildlife habitats, and help more people to get to know enjoy their benefits.
The ALGG also presents a key opportunity for securing tangible benefits for species dependent on landscape-scale enhancements, such as water vole, bats, fish and butterflies

The All London Green Grid (ALGG) is the green infrastructure strategy for London. It  sets out a vision for the existing networks of green and blue spaces across London, and opportunities to enhance this though a series of projects across a number of area frameworks.  It identifies a wide range of functions that can be delivered by a healthy natural environment, ranging from: ‘adapting to climate change’ and ‘promoting healthy living’ to ‘conserving biodiversity and increasing access to nature’ and ‘enhancing heritage features, geodiversity and landscape character’.

A green infrastructure strategy

The ALGG stems from the earlier East London Green Grid, and is built around four key elements. London’s existing river and other key landscape corridors, including the Thames; established open spaces and identified opportunities for creating new parks, such as the Wandle Valley Regional Park; existing and proposed green connections and corridors, such as the proposed London Riverside Link; and, the designated and protected landscapes that are generally located at the boundary of London and flow across administrative boundaries to neighbouring areas and often include areas of degraded urban fringe.

The ALGG aims to promote a shift from ‘grey to green’ infrastructure in order to secure environmental, social and economic benefits. It progresses a common perception of London as a city punctuated by parks, green spaces and surrounded by countryside, to an appreciation of this network as part of the city’s fundamental infrastructure. This connected network will improve the function, use and performance of our current green infrastructure.  By being connected, the value and function of the ALGG is significantly enhanced so that it can be used in many different ways including by pedestrians, for water management, for cooling the grey urban spaces and as an ecological corridor.

A series of projects that will deliver the ALGG are set out in 11 Area Frameworks, which are due to be formally launched in July 2012. These are:

1   Lee Valley and Finchley Ridge

2   Epping Forest and Roding Valley

3   Thames Chase, Beam and Ingrebourne

5   River Cray and Southern Marshes

6   South East London Green Chain Plus

7   London’s Downlands
8   Wandle Valley

9   Arcadian Thames

10 River Colne and Crane

11 Brent Valley and Barnet Plateau

12 Central London

To support the delivery of these outcomes the All London Green Grid Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG)  provides guidance on the implementation of London Plan policy to:

Links to the London Plan

·         Protect, conserve and enhance London’s strategic network of green and open natural and cultural spaces, to connect the everyday life of the city to a range of experiences and landscapes, town centres, public transport nodes, the countryside in the urban fringe, the Thames and major employment and residential areas;

·         Encourage greater use of, and engagement with, London’s green infrastructure; popularising key destinations within the network and fostering a greater appreciation of London’s natural and cultural landscapes; enhancing visitor facilities and extending and upgrading the walking and cycling networks in between to promote a sense of place and ownership for all who work in, visit and live in London;

·         Secure a network of high quality, well designed and multifunctional green and open spaces to establish a crucial component of urban infrastructure able to address the environmental challenges of the 21st century – most notably climate change.

This aims are in line with the emerging green infrastructure approach to the design, planning and management of landscape resources developing rapidly in Britain, Europe and North America. The objective of this approach is to plan and manage networks of natural and cultural landscapes and open spaces strategically so as to conserve ecosystem functions and provide a range of benefits for people.

The ALGG provides a framework that can connect with other Mayoral and regional initiatives and strategies, including the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and the London Tree & Woodland Framework.

The ALGG SPG provides guidance on the implementation of all the policy framework set out in the London Plan and is the green infrastructure strategy for London. It will be a key document for delivering improvements to the green infrastructure network and to facilitate the identification and delivery of programmes and projects promoted by the boroughs and their partners. The approach can also provide an opportunity to identify and develop green space jobs and skills training for Londoners via volunteering programmes and increasing the demand for skilled green space workers. It will also help encourage local communities to become engaged, in line with the Government’s localism agenda, by highlighting projects in which communities can become involved.

The SPG does not, however, make any specific reference to front or back gardens. This is not to deny their importance but it recognises that many of the decisions made by individual homeowners about changes to their gardens often fall outside the scope of the planning system and thus are beyond the remit of the Guidance.

See also 

http://www.designforlondon.gov.uk/what-we-do/all/all-london-green-grid/pic/1/

http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/News/the-all-london-green-grid-is-launched    (thanks to London Wildlife Trust for text above http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/all-london-green-grid  

http://www.london.gov.uk/publication/all-london-green-grid-spg