Gordon Hook

Liberal Democrat District Councillor for Buckland and Milber Learn more

Magnificent Westonbirt Arboretum ( and I hope that’s spelt right!)

by admin on 18 August, 2016

I had the huge privilege to visit the National Arboretum at Westonbirt in the Cotswolds earlier this week.What a staggering testimony to the sheer glory of trees! I accept that the day was a wonderful summer day and the farming community were busy about their harvesting business and all seemed right with the world, but to be able to take time and simply wonder in and around a vast array of trees from just about every corner of the globe, and wallow in the serenity and beauty…fabulous.
I had been as a little lad in short trousers, I think I can recall, and had wanted to return and appreciate in maturer years for some considerable time, and Tuesday was the time. I visited again in short trousers (not the same ones) and wondered at the scale and vitality of trees.
We perhaps should consider making more of our local parks to share, if only of course in micro, the beauty that are trees.
If you have the faintest interest in the wonder of nature do make an effort to visit if at all practical; I can assure you the effort will not be wasted. I intend to visit again and am told that October is a good month to visit.

   1 Comment

One Response

  1. Tom Keen says:

    Agreed. I did a botany ‘A’ level field study at Westonbirt in 1966. What a pity that the councils of which you are a member don’t seem to share your evaluation of trees, if their neglect of local woodland is a reliable yardstick. Mind you, they don’t seem to value much at all, certainly not roads, pavements, street-furniture, local amenities, or aesthetically pleasing local environments. But of course, they highly value developers, their own comfort, pomposity and denial of truth and responsibility. So, overall, they’re quite well-balanced.

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