Lighting up green space ...

Whoever we are, wherever we are, contact with something greater than ourselves

The indefatigable John Urquhart has been campaigning for several years to retain the integrity of Havannah Nature Reserve from being entirely swamped by Newcastle City Council's chums and co-partners in ribbon housing development on the city's Green Belt (sic). Here is his latest missal (missile?) delivered to the self promoting 'green conscious' planners in the Civic Centre: 

(The Journal 9th January 2023, reproduced by permission)

 Dear Sir

If anyone wonders why biodiversity is on the decline, they need look no further than Newcastle City Council.  Their latest move on the environment is to drive a strategic lighted path smack through the middle of Havannah Nature Reserve, involving 25 streetlights at a height of five metres each.

Even a nine-year-old child knows that such a plan will play havoc with the ecology of Havannah, particularly nocturnal wildlife and bats.

This plan is a complete misuse of public funds at a time when vital sectors in Newcastle are crying out for cash. If our 78 city councillors are so concerned about putting “development” before wildlife, then they should pay for this plan out of their own pocket.  Already we pay them thousands of pounds a year to act in our best interests, but this certainly is not.  Each of them should also provide an answer to the simple question; “Why are you so unaware of nature that you are prepared to wreck Havannah by putting through this ridiculous lighting scheme?”

Even a nine-year-old deserves an answer to that question.


Yours faithfully

John Urquhart
Cities 4 People

During the restrictions imposed by the Covid Pandemic, millions of us discovered the mental and physical benefits of accessing green spaces close to home; numerous anecdotes and articles attested to the 'saving grace' of being able to walk outside locally, even in the least of green places close to home, islands in which for a while one could lose oneself, unwind, relax, think .... The mental health aspects of contact with nature – even being able to see it from a sick bed – are well known and widely accepted. For this insight into our lives to be pushed ever further away by an entirely financially driven cynical answer to our national housing problem is worse than short sighted*. But it is surely part of a pattern – that our Council's  greenwash is getting so dilute now however much they splash it around, one can see straight through it.

* My thoughts on that real housing crisis will play a part in future posts. Expensive, aspirational housing (often investment vehicles) on the countryside fringes aren't and never were meant to be the answer to the problem.

Year's End

One of the better signs that has emerged in these last few difficult years, has been the recognition of open space, green space and just plain old 'open air' that enhances our shared lives. It's been encouraging to see how well used the City Stadium this has been this year, and hopefully more possibilities to come, for families, residents and wildlife. A new notice board that highlights local events, facilities and artists and makers is another welcome sign of that recognition. All of this is a long way from threats that once seemed poised to snatch this precious green space away and cover it with tarmac!

So, here's to the future!

Seasons Greetings to one and all and a Happy New Year 2024

The Vale in Snow

White Bridge, White Water

When did it start to rain? When will it stop? Everywhere is sodden it seems. Down to the Vale and on to the White Bridge. There, a huge willow brought down by Storm Arwen in distant 2021 has remained in place barely trimmed, and now dams the Ouseburn. The volume of water that struggles to bypass the trunk has built up and overflows into a 'new' old channel looping around the obstacle – water always finds a way – and torrents over the weir beneath a sorry looking White Bridge.

However, it was, in a small way, a spectacle on a very dull day, when the colours of the autumn lightened the mood of winding down towards the year's Shortest Day, and recalling the exciting way nature can never be taken for granted, even here in the heart of a city.

Album of photographs here (off site link)

Slugtown

Slugtown is a gallery and workspce on Wreatham Place, Shieldfield. I have only just become aware of Slugtown, for which apologies.

Slugtown is another welcome sign that there is a spirit of enterprise and connection building across the district, from the Star and Shadow, Biscuit studios and bars and venues on Shieldfield Lane, a slowly building community of talented souls.

Their latest show, Faces, Faces by Ki Yoong is exceptional. A series of compelling portraits beautifully displayed. A must see.

Images are copyright. Used by permission.

Faces, Faces Ki Yoong On view until 21 October 2023 Open Thursday – Saturday, 11 – 5pm, and by appointment Faces, Faces continues until 21 October 2023.  Ki Yoong’s debut solo exhibition seeks to challenge the relationship between observer and the observed in a series of highly rendered, technically virtuosic works.   Full documentation of Faces, Faces and accompanying text are available on our website.   For all enquiries, please email: contact.slugtown@gmail.com Read more → Evening Colours (Opal) Oil on board, copper 30 x 24.5 x 3.5cm 2023 Enquire about this work → Cameo Watercolour on paper 34 x 29.5cm (framed) 2023 Enquire about this work → Sunday Morning Oil on board, copper 30 x 24.5 x 3.5cm 2023 Enquire about this work → Copyright (C) 2023 Slugtown. All rights reserved.

Greening Shieldfield

Shieldfield Street

Once an extensive manufacturing and transport district, Shieldfield has few signs of these past activities to show today. Plans to build over demolished factory sites – offices (for whom?) or apartments, finalised on student housing blocks while Shieldfield experienced the usual infamies of 60s town planning, styles from fashionable architects of the day re-heated for social housing. 

Happily for today, the associated tree planting phase – possibly to soften bleakness or alienating spaces created by T-square wielding 'shared spaces facilitators' – has come into its own. Trees that made it past the pole stage, are now a feature that does much more than soften an edge or blank space. A striking aspect of walking through Shieldfield now are the spreading branches and groves created by a what was once thought little more than a 'detail'.

Sorbus spp. A fine crop of berries

In a world facing climate change, increasing pressures on movement, the contemporary drive to keep, enhance or use green space in our towns and cities is a welcome initiative rolling out around the globe. Shieldfield has had a head start.

I define Shieldfield by the centre pinned to Wretham Place, bounded by Shieldfield Green, Portland Road and Shieldfield Lane cum Clarence Street.

A photographic gallery of my recent walk here (off site page).