‘Here & There - British Isles’

I often think about what lies beneath my feet: the micro-organisms (the funghi, the bacteria) and the creatures (nematodes, mites, spiders, insects and earthworms) that I’ve learned can transform energy, create and modify their habitat, influence soil health and aid in the transformation of greenhouse gases.  It’s all quite astonishing and rather humbling – without them, life would not exist.

Elsewhere, evidence of ancient life is revealed in the soil through pigments such as Bideford Black from North Devon, created from the fossilised remains of ferns from 300 million years ago. When our wildlife pond was dug in the meadow, I also discovered yellow and blue-grey clays which I can process to use in my work. I am very aware of the changes to our climate that are bringing drought more frequently to the South East of England – the land dries out, the soil becomes as iron and our crops struggle. We too will struggle if we don’t change our relationship with the natural world. The plant life of this planet provides us with everything we need and sequesters the carbon dioxide we are so busy generating through our dependence on fossil fuels.

Close to home, I wonder about what’s beneath my feet

The Ogham is an ancient British labelling and communication system
The soil is our lifeline

Much of Britain was in drought.., with inevitable consequenceS

Field Margins are vital for wildlife
Boulders offer shape and solidity

Bideford Black pigment, created from fossilised ferns
THE PLANTS PROVIDE US WITH EVERYTHING WE NEED