In spite of the extraordinary lack of rain the grass is now beginning to grow and the cattle are returning to the riverside following a tradition of centuries. Originally the cattle would have been left to their own devices but…

April sees the real beginning of nature’s unfolding pageant. Winter weather may still linger awhile with a brief spell of bitter chill, sleet and hail of ‘blackthorn winter’ but it will be short lived. Most will be unaware of spring’s…

Here in Suffolk we enjoyed another largely benign winter but it certainly came with a sting in its tail in the form of storm Doris. Doris would seem an unlikely sort of name to give a storm and, of course,…

The weather is always a favourite topic of conversation; it is either too cold or hot or perhaps too wet or dry. The most remarkable thing about the winter so far, apart from the dry and largely fine weather, has…

We have enjoyed a largely glorious autumn devoid of grey rain lashed days with strong winds. The rather quieter weather allowed the leaves to stay on the trees and as they lost their chlorophyll they displayed a wonderful range of…

During November the riverside landscape changes dramatically. With the last of the cattle departing from the pastures their agricultural function ceases until the following spring. People tend to think that when the cattle are removed at the end of the…

May’s newsletter highlighted the very obvious wonders of nature in the glorious display of buttercups. For the most part, however, we do not witness such spectacles as a general rule in lowland England. For meadows bursting with blooms one has…

Farming in a traditional way brings enormous benefits for wildlife. Here on the Sudbury riverside the Sudbury Common Lands Charity is currently able to continue the ancient tradition of livestock grazing which has disappeared from much of the Stour valley…

This time of year is often blessed with hot sunny days and long warm evenings when everyone can get out and enjoy the natural beauty of Sudbury’s wonderful riverside. How very fortunate the town is to still have such a…

What a June it was! Rain and yet more rain in hugely ferocious downpours interspersed with a few sunny intervals. The vegetation grew and grew so that it was full on with the strimmers, mowers and blowers to keep everything…