We have every right to ask for more trees and hedges ...

 ... without fear that it can be turned against us in some way.

CLIMATE EDUCATION to improve the bumpy road for our descendants:

Woodland, as a climate emergency measure, for unused farmland will make it more difficult for it to be turned into concrete, brick or tarmac.

Hedges, to mitigate climate instability, and hedgerow maintenance are vital as we see some neglected and, more fencing and barbed wire taking over.  There are subsidies for landowners to put in hedges.

Point them to:

https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/planting-new-hedges-bn11

One local landowner has created a new wood.  I will ask, at Illey House Farm and at Illeybrook Farm, if it was one of them or, who it was, in the coming days.  That is setting a brilliant example and shows what can be done.

Please write and/or visit/phone, to ask for woodland and hedgerow creation to your councillors, MP, Metro Mayor Andy Street and, especially, ask our farmers and landowners, like:

FARMERS/LANDOWNERS

1. Philip Bibbey, 472 Bromsgrove Rd, Hunnington, Halesowen B62 0JL  Philip is sympathetic to walkers and helped us with the latest walkers' gate near the R Stour on a permissive footpath over his land.
2. Mr Charles Bibbey, Tack Farm, Uffmoor Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands, England, B62 0NP.  When writing, thank Charles for helping with the new, magnificent footbridge that Roy Burgess and volunteers built a few years ago.
3. Mrs Sue Tudor, Manor Abbey Farm, Manor Way, Halesowen B62 8RJ  Some years ago, Chris Tudor allowed English Heritage to take over guardianship, or the care, of the Abbey and Infirmary that can be viewed from the public right of way.  Thank her for that!
4. Mr John Bibbey, Breach Farm, Bromsgrove Rd, Hunnington, Halesowen B62 0JS  John is also sympathetic to walkers and welcomes caring walkers on our public rights of way.
5. Mrs Lisa Window-Walker, Horsepool Farm, 164 Bromsgrove Rd, Hunnington, Near Halsowen, Worcestershire, B62 0JX.  She told me of problems; I was horrified and expressed my dismay.  But, there is no harm in us all asking for woodland or hedgerow creation and path improvement.
6. Adam Bayliss, Hollies Farm, Bromsgrove Rd, Hunnington, Halesowen B62 0JU  Adam and son, Harry put in two new wooden stiles on the public path that crosses the Halesowen Railway on the near, N side of the old viaduct site at Dowery Dell.  Thank them for that, please.  Much new fencing has gone up.
7. Dan Tate, Hunnington Farm, 143 Bromsgrove Rd, Halesowen B62 0JX  Dan, in welcoming caring walkers, has fenced us in.  However, he did put in a stile, too.  I have asked if he would cut the hedge to allow walkers to continue to use the penned in path over the years.
8. Dove House Fields Farm, Bromsgrove Road, Romsley  B62 0JN  This farm is now "reactivated", I was told by the owner, for fruit and vegetable growing.  Why not for woodland and hedges, too?
9. Goodrest Farm has a public footpath running through it.  I have found them very pleasant and most obliging.  Horses are more in evidence, now but, let us all ask for climate improving woodland and hedges.
10. David Russell is a big landowner at 442 Bromsgrove Road Halesowen B62 0JL.  His land holding includes part of Halesowen Railway that is barred to the public.  Other land of his has sheep.
11. Beech House, Church Hill, Quinton, Birmingham B32 4BG owns the SE part of the railway that is open to the public to adventure walk, at their own risk, from Dowery Dell to the M5 subway right of way.

Only public pressure, with the pen being mightier and more moral than the sword, can work!  I promise to write, myself in the coming days.  But it needs many more than good ol' me!  Some email addresses, here:

 September 2019 A5 flyer

THANKS!  Write, if only to educate, to inform and to express appreciation to our wonderful farmers who grow our food!