August 17th – Some development decisions baffle me totally. Out again at dawn to Four Oaks station, I found myself early and hanging around. I studied the apartment blocks that had been built on the former builder’s yard next to the station. The yard was originally railway sidings last used to serve MotorRail, and is cut into the hill back towards Mere Green. That means a very narrow strip of land with an oblique retaining wall one side, and a view over a commuter railway station at the other. Into this narrow dog-leg, builders have squeezed bland, characterless boxes. 

Presumably, the Mere Green/Four Oaks adress sells them, and the commuter links. I find them utterly hideous, with a dreadful outlook.

August 16th – It is time again for the annual warning: there’s a killer in the hedgerows right now. These stalks of what will become bright red berries grow in hedges, woodlands and other scrub, and grow 6-10 inches tall. Very distinctive, Lords and Ladies is very attractive, particularly to kids, but is one of the most toxic plants in the British Isles. This still ripening example is growing on the woodland water margin of the River Arrow in Redditch.
The berries of Arum Maculatum, also known as Devils and Angels, Cuckoo Pint or Wild Arum contain a poison that causes swelling of the mouth and throat and sickness. Fatality is rare, as the berries are very acid and consuming enough to kill would be a challenge, but the plant causes most admissions to A&E for plant poisoning in the UK.
It’s a gorgeous thing to look at, just don’t touch it, and keep small children away.

August 16th – Redditch, despite its tedious, unrelentingly bland modernity, has an old quarter of sorts. Heading from Church Green down to Abbeydale on the cycle route that passes trough town, I recently noticed this unusual pair of house plaques. Celebrating the coronation of Edward VII and his queen Alexandra in 1902, it’s an unusual thing. Edward was the classic long time king in waiting, Victoria’s son, he spent years in waiting, a situation resonant today. He did, however, more or less invent the modern Royal Family, encouraging his mother to make public appearances, attend openings and suchlike. In the end, the king they called The Peacemaker died in May, 1910 after being on the throne only eight years. Edward was widely considered to be a decent, good monarch and was nicknamed ‘The Uncle of Europe’, due to his scholarly love of peace and foreign affairs.
All reflected in one house in a bland street in a new town.

August 15th – Meanwhile, back at Springhill, near Stonnall, the harvest continues apace. Two days ago, this field behind the pumping station was a ripe crop of wheat. Now, all traces of grain have been stripped by the remarkable efficiency of modern grain harvesting machines. All that remains are the neat rows of straw, waiting for baling.
Straw in this state is described as being ‘in swath’ and is often auctioned for the buyer to come and bale it themselves. Straw has near zero nutritional content, and is mainly used as bedding, and therefore carries a low commercial value.

August 15th – Last spring, every time I came to Redditch, the state of the River Arrow worried me. It had been such a dry year that I feared for the ecology and hydroecology of this little-noticed waterway. The flow slowed to a lazy trickle, the waterfowl and kingfishers vanished. Conditions were bad.
What a difference a bad summer makes. Now, the Arrow is flowing through it’s valley park beautifully, and the sound of flowing water has returned, as have the kingfishers. A remarkable, and most welcome recovery. If you want to know why I was late, it wasn’t the train. I stood for 5 minutes watching the birds and enjoying the spirit of the water.

August 14th -The rabbit population, after being recently ravaged by myxomatosis, seems to be in recovery. EverywhereI go now I see lots of the cute little fellows: this delightful lady was grazing on the bridle way in Arrow Valley Park. Right in the centre of Redditch. There are factories and a main road clanking away not more than 100 yards from here.

August 13th – The proliferation of beans planted as a crop on local farms this year is intriguing me. I’m interested in how they’re harvested, what they’re used for and why, for instance, this field at Lynn, near Stonnall, is being allowed to die and blacken. I know that growing legumes is a valid and effective crop rotation technique to nitrogenate the soil, but letting the crop die is surely a waste, unless they’re used black. An interesting thing, for sure…

August 13th – Out at sunrise and off to Redditch for the first time in a while. Coasting the top of Shire Oak Hill, I noticed the sunrise was looking good from the landfill entrance on the Chester Road. This time of year, the sunrises are usually excellent. Shame the same can’t be said for the weather at the moment – after a few days of warm, welcome summer, it’s back to overcast skies and drizzle. The day turned grey and wet by lunchtime…

August 12th – rounding the bend in the canal opposite Brownhills Canoe Centre, I noticed some debris on the towpath under the hazel thicket that’s grown so well there in recent years. Taking a closer look, I realised that the detritus was partially eaten hazel, or cob nuts, stripped by hungry squirrels. These are a fine, nutritious snack for our furry pals, and birds and foxes will Hoover up the remainder. I always wondered why I’d never seen these bushes fruit…