Sprung not Spring

 My posts on this blog continue to decline. As I explained, I'm old and besides, the panic over what our belovéd Council planned for the City Stadium (a.k.a. Battlefield) has faded without ever vanishing from view.

It seems a long time ago when the green space was to be covered with tarmac and used to park 1300 cars (!) next to a blander than bland set of office blocks. Or the time I was told by P.R. consultants for a following development that the woodland edge of the Stadium was 'threatening'.

Not only have offices as a means to rescue the local economy hit serious problems (and now, A.I. ...) the increasing public demand to have green space properly protected has greatly changed outlooks, if not convincingly, policy.

So, as the pressure on these precious spaces has (for now; who knows what lies ahead!?) decreased, the Stadium and Lower Ouseburn area has thrived. Trees are maturing, wildlife sightings and consequent public engagement has developed alongside at pace.

Below, some recent images taken on a walk to the orchard by Byker Farm, past the Portland Road site of a promised Lidl's store, and into the woodland leading under the 'bridges' to the orchard. Despite the unpromising prospect of attempting to grow fruit tees (or anything) in such poor soils, the trees are still there and still growing. I waited for sunshine but none came, alas.

Water company contractor's doing 'something' at the entrance (blocked) to the Ouseburn River tunnel

New Year – New Tricks

 Another year passes – but not like previous years when all kinds of 'threats' lingered over 'Battlefield'. This seems like a new time for this piece of unregistered public open space. The arrival of Wild Intrigue has been a boon; previous custodians Urban Green were not bad despite the aura of suspicion that greeted them. But Intrigue have really gone big on the Battlefield! Much that has been done this year will only cement the idea of Battlefield becoming a properly registered park, placed beyond the reach of the City's 'planners'.

It is all a far cry from the turn of the century when the green lung of Sandyford and Ouseburn might have been gobbled up by corporate interests.

I still haven't got around to fixing the issue of a blog photographic library that records Battlefield's recent history in the biological sense of growing and developing. I hope to do something, even if just a few images from various decades.

Meanwhile, thanks to Wild Intrigue and their volunteers for the great work they have done and will go on to do to this increasingly precious piece of urban green landscape.

Best Wishes for 2026

January 2016