47th: Rothbury – Northumberland

This was a bit of a last-minute addition to the project and is probably the newest reserve I’ll ever have the privilege to visit, given that it was only acquired by The Wildlife Trusts in October. It’s a huge reserve with an equally huge amount of potential to become the national flagship for nature recovery that The Trusts want it to be.

During our visit we were the victims of one of the coldest days of the year and the wind whipping across the Simonside Hills can only be described as vicious. We had heard that there were spectacular Neolithic stones bearing globally significant ancient ring and cup carvings, dating back somewhere between 6000 and 3500 years. So we braved the cold and went hunting for them.

We were quickly rewarded by stones that really made you think. It is just incredible that our ancestors made these carvings in this spot, so many thousands of years ago. We were also close to Lordenshaw Hillfort, or rather the mound and few stones that remain of it, a place that is thought to be 2,000 years old. There is no doubt, this place is steeped in history!

Further exploration revealed a small area of mixed woodland, clinging to the river. The trees were small but looked ancient and were wonderfully full of character.

There was one specific tree that had fallen but was still alive and was stunningly beautiful. For me, this tree summarised the way nature, as a whole, is a survivor. Despite the huge amount of suffering we inflict on it, it manages to cope and will spring back remarkably quickly, given the right care and conditions. All we need to do is look after what remains and stop the damage we’re currently inflicting and it will return, helping us restore the balance we so badly need.

A good idea for a piece of artwork I’d say.