It is a miracle that boar are co-existing in the Forest of Dean. My view of the scenario exactly resonates with Rebecca Hoskin's recent lecture at the Oxford Real Farmers' Conference ie. that we are part of nature, not a superior species to hold dominion over it. There are many places in England in which I don't feel safe or dare to tread because of ghastly humans, yet I don't advocate culling them! If humanity is to survive, it needs to find some humilty and understand that supporting biodiversity is our only safeguard against future pandemics.
Beautiful account of our wonderful and almost exotic boar, Sophie. How lovely to read that they are making a stand for themselves, deep in the English countryside. You should come over to rural France, and see them 'behaving badly'. Sadly, hunted mercilessly here, but it always has me rooted, and holding my breath when I see one crossing my path. Thank you for your fabulous website 🤗
Entanglement is a wonderful word and activity. Chantal is very right, we need to return so much more of it back into the natural world. Merlin Sheldrake’s amazing groundbreaking book (it’s about fungi etc) is titled ‘Entanglement’ and encourages this too. I’m sure you could get him to contribute here too Sophie. Super read Chantal!
Just a note to say I am loving these newsletters so much and the storytelling is so great- I feel more connected to nature even reading these from a flat in Kettering. Thank you!
All so very true - I live in the Forest & that's the best description of living with boar I've read.
I've seen them a few times, sometimes with a dog, and I've never had a real problem, although once on a deer path I had to turn back & take another route because the pig was clearly NOT going to let me past. Maybe there was a sow farrowing?
They don't like small, yappy dogs, it's true, but in general they are curious rather than dangerous. They can do terribly damage to sports fields and other cultivated ground, of course.
I do wish the Forestry would cull the ones that are too close to people, though, rather than the ones that stay well away. It would help.
How wonderful! Why is the automatic reaction always to make things safe and anodyne for humans.
It is a miracle that boar are co-existing in the Forest of Dean. My view of the scenario exactly resonates with Rebecca Hoskin's recent lecture at the Oxford Real Farmers' Conference ie. that we are part of nature, not a superior species to hold dominion over it. There are many places in England in which I don't feel safe or dare to tread because of ghastly humans, yet I don't advocate culling them! If humanity is to survive, it needs to find some humilty and understand that supporting biodiversity is our only safeguard against future pandemics.
Thank you Chantal for a beautifully written and balanced piece. Thank you Sophie for providing the platform to share this.
Beautiful account of our wonderful and almost exotic boar, Sophie. How lovely to read that they are making a stand for themselves, deep in the English countryside. You should come over to rural France, and see them 'behaving badly'. Sadly, hunted mercilessly here, but it always has me rooted, and holding my breath when I see one crossing my path. Thank you for your fabulous website 🤗
That ending! Reminds me so strongly of Fleming's description of encounter:
https://leanlogic.online/encounter/
Excellent article by Chantal Lyons. She takes us into the deep undergrowth of the Forest of Dean with true feeling and understanding.
Entanglement is a wonderful word and activity. Chantal is very right, we need to return so much more of it back into the natural world. Merlin Sheldrake’s amazing groundbreaking book (it’s about fungi etc) is titled ‘Entanglement’ and encourages this too. I’m sure you could get him to contribute here too Sophie. Super read Chantal!
Yes, a very interesting and beautifully written piece
Just a note to say I am loving these newsletters so much and the storytelling is so great- I feel more connected to nature even reading these from a flat in Kettering. Thank you!
All so very true - I live in the Forest & that's the best description of living with boar I've read.
I've seen them a few times, sometimes with a dog, and I've never had a real problem, although once on a deer path I had to turn back & take another route because the pig was clearly NOT going to let me past. Maybe there was a sow farrowing?
They don't like small, yappy dogs, it's true, but in general they are curious rather than dangerous. They can do terribly damage to sports fields and other cultivated ground, of course.
I do wish the Forestry would cull the ones that are too close to people, though, rather than the ones that stay well away. It would help.
Thx, beautiful..