All articles in Natural World
28th October, 2019 in Natural World
Paranormal encounters in Britain’s forests
Walking through woodland can be relaxing and enchanting. But as retired clinical psychologist Dr Peter McCue points out, Britain’s woods and forests sometimes play host to strange phenomena. For example, in November 1979, a 61-year-old forestry worker called Robert Taylor encount…
26th July, 2019 in History, Natural World, Society & Culture
Pliny the Younger’s lawn
Although it is often assumed that lawns came into being in medieval times, their origins are actually far earlier, although whether the ‘flowery medes’ apparently favoured by the Persians and Mughals really constituted a grass lawn is most doubtful. What is certain is that the fi…
19th July, 2019 in Natural World, Society & Culture
Indonesia and the coconut
In 2014 Indonesia had a total of 3.6 million hectares of coconut plantations, more than 90 per cent of it farmed by smallholders working an average of just 1.5 hectares each. Copra and the oil derived from it still dominate the industry as they did a century ago, with scant resea…
5th June, 2019 in Folklore, Natural World
Bringing forests to life through the power of stories
“Beware the deep dark wood” they say, “stay on the path, do not wonder or you shall be lost forever.” The forests and woodlands of this world have forever held a special place in our hearts. When we were but cavemen, these mysterious and dangerous places stretched across the land…
20th May, 2019 in Local & Family History, Natural World
A brief history of Cornwall’s rivers
Those visiting Cornwall too often overlook its estuaries in favour of dramatic cliffs and wide-open sandy beaches, but in doing so they fail to appreciate the jewels in its coastal crown. These drowned river valleys are aesthetically diverse, and their respective histories are si…
15th May, 2019 in Folklore, Local & Family History, Natural World
What lies beneath…
The Earth, on whose surface we live out most of our life, has been described as ‘the deep manuscript of time’ – a book of solid and molten rock, written in minerals and moisture, fire and ice. It is a long, slow book, once you dip even a little way below its surface, and look ben…
17th August, 2018 in Biography & Memoir, History, Natural World
What prompted Charles Darwin to publish his theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin spent five years on scientific survey ship HMS Beagle, returning to England in 1836 and by 1838 he was beginning to formulate his natural selection theory. Yet it was not until 1859, after two decades of gestation and hesitation, that his transformative theory…
14th March, 2018 in Natural World
Ask the author: Arthur Parkinson on spring gardening
Arthur Parkinson trained at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew, before working for Sarah Raven at Perch Hill, East Sussex. He was head gardener at the Emma Bridgewater Factory garden and his first book is The Pottery Gardener: Flowers and Hens at the Emma Brid…
16th January, 2018 in Local & Family History, Natural World
The devastating storm of 1953
The devastating North Sea flood of 1953 caused catastrophic damage and loss of life in Scotland, England, Belgium and The Netherlands and became one of the worst peacetime disasters of the 20th century. 307 people died in England, 19 died in Scotland, 28 died in Belgium, 1,8…
13th December, 2017 in Natural World
The joys of burning wood the modern way
Is there anything better to accompany a good book than a roaring wood fire to sit in front of? It’s that time of year when books, frosty nights, and roaring flames come together to form one of life’s greatest treats. I love fires, and always have. Is there any sound more re…
13th February, 2017 in Natural World, Society & Culture, Women in History
Birds of a feather: The female founders of the RSPB
Today, the RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity and the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe. But what many people do not know is that it started life over 125 years ago thanks to the courage and determination of two Victorian women – Emily William…
12th February, 2016 in History, Natural World
Einstein’s Theory of Gravitational Relativity proven after 100 years
Gravitational Waves between two black holes were detected for the first time, proving Einstein’s theory from 1916. “The repercussions of Einstein’s scientific legacy continue to this day. One of the predictions of general relativity – one which has no counterpart in Newton’s theo…