Local life & Little Histories

In Search of the Civil Wars

The Civil Wars, the wars of the Three Kingdoms ravaged the not yet United Kingdom between 1638 and 1660 pitting father against son, brother against brother in a conflict that claimed over 250,000 lives out of a total population of around 5 million.

I started to research the Civil wars a few years ago when I realised that the Cathedral in my then home City of Lichfield had been the site of a siege by the Parliamentarians. Now I am a resident of a different town in the county of Worcestershire with Worcester having the claim for the first real skirmish of the wars at Powick bridge and the final battle around the city of Worcester from which Charles II fled.

Recently as a precursor to more in depth research and more detailed audios I took a six and a half mile walk with my good friend and fellow audio producer Richard Vobes of The Vobes Show along the East bank of the River Seven and to the South of the Teme to Powick Bridge where the first skirmish took place. We then followed a route back on the opposite banks of the Teme and on the West banks of the Seven past the final battle grounds of 1651.

You can listen to our walk below, which is a leisurely walk and speculative account rather than a historically factual documentary and we talk more about what we are seeing on the way.

Click the Play Button to play the 'Circular Walk from Worcester to Powick Bridge' or right click and save as to save the mp3 file.

At the moment I am engrossed in a number of books on the Civil Wars; Civil War The wars of the three kingdoms - Trevor Royal, The Civil wars a military history - John Kenyon & Jane Ohlmeyer, Gods Fury England's Fire - Michael Braddick, Worcestershire Under Arms - Malcolm Atkin, The King's Peace - C V Wedgwood and The Century of Revolution - Christopher Hill, in order to understand more about this fascinating and important subject and so I can hopefully produce a series of audios based on the Civil Wars and my now home County of Worcestershire.

Today we visited Worcester to see a number of displays and re-enactments by various groups from all over the country interested and involved with re-enactments of the Civil War details of which will be in further audios hopefully along with interviews. The photograph at the top and bottom is of a number of the re-enactors at the Cathedral Cloisters demonstrating the use of pike and the use of drum to rally and encourage troops.

Below you will find a short audio of what you might have encountered being proclaimed in order to save your eternal soul!

For further information and links to additional resources and groups please visit the Battle of Worcester Society

The event 'Living History in Worcester V' built on the previous four Living History events bringing history to life from Tudor times to the soldiers of the First World War with living history displays, informational stands for the various societies and organisations involved and drills and displays supplemented with historical talks at the cathedral. I have to admit, the American Civil war and eras such as the First World War don't hold my interest that much, but I guess that is the benefit of having so much there, you will find something that interests you.. Civil War for me the Tudors for Jayne and a computer games shop for the lad... well two out of three isn't bad!

It's not all as 'beard tugging' as you might at first imagine and everyone we spoke to was enthusiastic, friendly, well informed and well 'normal'! In fact I think that Jayne has managed to get us involved with spending a day as peasants from bygone days (I'm not sure that they had digital recording gear back then... maybe I'll hide it up my smock), and I will certainly be following up on some conversations I had during the day. All in all a good day.

Having also visited the Commandary the previous day I can also recommend a visit there if you find yourself in Worcester.

Click the Play Button to play the 'Saving your Soul!' or right click and save as to save the mp3 file.

Winter Festival, Yule, Christmas Podcast

 Well here it is, the Little Histories
 Winter Festival Podcast.

Jayne joins me once again in the studio and we look at many traditions from around the world for the winter season and especially those in December.

 

Click the Play Button to play the 'Winter festival, Yule, Christmas Podcast' or right click and save as to save the mp3 file.

Drawing 'The night before Christmas' from my Sketching site Doodle A Day

In this 40 minute show we talk about customs and beliefs from around the world from Iceland to Rome, to America to the United Kingdom. From the Druids to Father Christmas, from Holly and Ivy, the Holly & Oak Kings to the Christmas tree. We look at some local folk law surrounding Christmas and December and take time to remember that it isn't all about receiving presents or about putting plastic baubles on a plastic tree.

We also have a snippet of an Icelandic Christmas tale from Storynory

Storynory is a site dedicated to downloadable Children's Audio Stories. The brainchild of Hugh Fraser and Matthew Lynn with narration by Natasha Gostwick and prodcution by Hugh Fraser the site has many audio stories including a festive collection. Storynory is an online treasure trove of audio stories where you will find a mixture of new stories, fairy tales, and specially adapted myths and histories. They also have a sprinkling of verse.

All music from the Podsafe Music Network & Magnatune.

Chris Daniels - Cool Yule
Green Druid - Dignity
Richard Savino - Allegro
James Edward - Angels we have heard on high
Calvin Owens - The Christmas Song

Halloween - Ghost Interview & Stories

A special show for Halloween with maybe more shows of a similar ilk to follow.

I have been spending some time researching ghost stories related to my home county of Worcestershire which apparently is the most haunted county in the United Kingdom,

For this audio Jayne joined me in the studio to talk about our different views as to whether ghosts exist or not, what ghosts could be, ghostly or unexplainable personal experiences and ghosts stories from the surround areas in Worcestershire.

Click the Play Button to play the Halloween - Ghost Interview & Stories or right click and save as to save the mp3 file.

Jayne is a firm believer in the spirit world and I have to say that I am not, although as I have no proof either way I won't go as far as to say that it cannot exist. Jayne says that she can feel presences from the 'other side' and there have been occasions when we have been out visiting places where she has been affected by things that the rest of us haven't felt.

We also look at some of the history of the local village of Hanbury and especially at the history of Gallows Green, the history of hangings and burial of suicides as well as at some ghostly happenings in the area.

Hanbury has become well know for it Orbs which were filmed back in 2005 by a BBC camera man. There are also ghost stories associated with the site of the old gallows with vehicles inexplicably breaking down or even setting on fire and gypsies are said to be unwilling to stop at the lay-bye there because of the spirits. Many people have related stories of seeing grey shapes and of having the feeling of not being alone!

I recount the experience of a woman and her son driving in the vicinity where they suddenly encountered an other worldly mist in which the son saw a spectral coach and horses. I also tell the tale of the Lady of Harvington Hall, Mary Yates a Catholic sympathiser in the times of Catholic persecutions who was apparently charged with being a witch (no doubt because she help clergymen to hide). She was hung and is said to still be seen around the Hall and the spot where she was executed.

Jayne also dares me to see a clairvoyant to see if I am still so sceptical after seeing someone who can 'talk to the other side'. Do I accept the challenge?

Listen in and see!

Credits

Effects (used in the podcast) credits to the following from Freesound (www.freesound.org)

DJ Chronos, yewbic, CosmicD, oscillator, analogchill, Erdie, dobroide, Leady, hammerklavier, Anton. If I have missed anyone out please let me know.

Banner Image - The pumpkins carved by Jayne for the studio on Halloween.

Books used for information: Arthur Mee - The King's England Worcestershire (Hanbury description), Roy Palmer - The Folklaw of Worcestershire (Various facts), Anne Bradford - Worcestershire The Haunted County (The Hanbury Coach & Horses)

The Vobes Show with yours truly

A couple of weeks back I was working away in Worthing home of one of the first Internet broadcasters and without doubt one of the most prolific podcasters on the Internet.

With over a thousand shows under his belt broadcasting over the Internet 5 days a week Richard Vobes is a natural infront of the microphone and with a background in various areas of entertainment he has no problem pleasing the audience.

I have known Richard for around 3 years now and on this visit to Worthing, RIchard asked me to pop into the studio (affectionatly known as the beech hut) to take part in one of his 2 hour Internet broadcasts which are released as a shortened 30 minute radio style show and are broadcast live on camera on the Internet for the whole 2 hours duration.

We discussed a large range of things on this show and as usual with Richard things were pretty tongue in cheek and a good time was had by us and I hope the listeners and viewers! Conversation ran across a whole range of subjects but in cutting the interview down into a smaller bite sized audio to put on here I have kept the subjects we discussed to the ones closer to the interests of mine covered on Little Histories from my own web sites, my own podcasts, my attempts at photography and quite a long discussion on bats!

I have cut the original 2 hour broadcast down into a 40 minute podcast which you can play or download below so you can get a taster of the original broadcast,.

Click the Play Button to play the Vobes Show with my good self as his guest or right click and save as to save the mp3 file.

You find out more about The Vobes by clicking the image below. You can listen to the latest and most recent shows, you can also watch the show live Monday to Friday between 8pm and 10pm GMT.

Upton Warren, Broadwater & Pulborough RSPB Reserve

The last couple of weeks has seen me mainly working down in the South of England; in Godalming in Surrey the first week and in Worthing in Sussex on the second week.

Broadwater Park Godalming - Surrey

Happily I found that directly across from the hotel I was staying at in Godalming was a small pool (designated as private fishing) in an area called Broadwater Park, an area of mature tree lined paths grassy open spaces and of course the pool.

I took the opportunity on two mornings to venture out early in the morning to walk around the pool and to see what was around. The water yielded Grey Heron, of course Mallard and a reasonable number of Greater Crested Grebe around eleven in total. What did surprise me though was not the number of species but rather the numbers of small birds in the wooded and tree lined path areas. Longtailed Tit, Robin, Great Tit and Blue Tit were around in very large numbers along with a smaller number of Siskin and Chaffinch. On standing still and allowing the birds to settle the birdsong was glorious and the trees full of movement on a scale that you just don't seem to experience even on the reserve back in Worcestershire. I was also treated to a Common Shrew crossing the path in front of me from the reed lined water to thick undergrowth on the opposite side of the path on the second morning.

On this occasion rather than take the camera I had taken the recording equipment instead and decided to capture some small snippets of the sounds around the pool. Below are two short recordings made from Broadwater Park and in the main of a Robin that sprang into song about two foot above my head with a second Robin just away to the right.

Click to Play or right click to download - Birdsong 1 Broadwater

Click to Play or right click to download - Birdsong 2 Broadwater

Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve - Sussex

The trip to Worthing in Sussex allowed for a visit to Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve and a walk along the circular path linking the hides which runs for approximately two miles. Again the trees were teaming with small birds and the air was alive with birdsong. I was greeted almost immediately by the sight of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and the paths allowed plenty of opportunity to see Longtailed Tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Blue Tit and Nuthatch.

The walk around the reserve path would be pleasant enough even if the hides were not there walking along the tree lined pathways alive with birds and birdsong, then braking out of the wooded areas to be greeted with expansive views over the Arun Valley to the South Downs. A visit to Nettley's hide on the reserve yielded Northern Lapwing, Shellduck, Snipe, Blacktailed Godwit, Cormorant, Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, Canada Geese and a Sparrowhawk which obligingly perched on a post situated on a waterway running to the left of the hide.

Once again I took the recorder out and  recorded a couple of small snippets of the birdsong to be heard along the paths. 

Click to Play or right click to download - Birdsong 3 Pulborough RSPB Reserve

Click to Play or right click to download - Birdsong 4 Pulborough RSPB Reserve

Pulborough was an excellent reserve to visit, the reserve itself a pleasure to walk around, the staff extremely helpful and pleasant, the hides providing good views and information on species and the cafe serving up some excellent food while watching the activity at the feeders. I only wish that I had had more time at the reserve and I will certainly be making another visit as soon as opportunity allows.

You can find more information on the reserve here Pulborough RSPB Nature Reserve

If you listen to the birdsong files and take the time to identify the species then please do drop me a line to let me know what you identify.

Upton Warren WWT Reserve - Worcestershire

A late evening trip down to my local patch of Upton Warren provided views of what is undeniably the largest number of Canada Geese that I have seen at the Moors in the time that I have been visiting the reserve. Over 400 Canada Geese were already settled on the water on arriving with at least another 100 coming in to settle later in the visit. Worryingly however the Geese were constantly being disturbed off the water then flying to the South of the Moors before circling back around and gun shots were heard to the South of the Moors indicating that possibly someone was flushing the Geese off the reserve with people South of the reserve then shooting. This happened several times and although I believe that shooting the Geese is not an offence it is concerning that possibly somebody was on a privately owned reserve to flush them out along with the fact that other species would have been flushed as well.

With the recent heavy rainfall the water levels are still very high at Upton Warren and the islands on the Moors almost totally submerged. However this has had the side effect of bringing waders such as Snipe and Sandpiper to the Moors where as normally they would be the sites to be seen at the Flashes.

The nights are however steadily drawing in and this last evening trip to the Moors saw the light levels becoming an issue at around quater past eight. A rather discouraging thought that the trips will soon be limited to the weekends because of dark early mornings and early evenings.

Upton Warren - Audio Tour

On two fairly lengthy early morning visits to Upton Warren this weekend I took the opportunity to record a 30 minute audio as I walked around the Reserve.

I take you from the Northern Moors part of the reserve from the carpark to the West hide, along the linking pathway between the two parts of the reserve crossing the River Salwarpe in the process and down onto the Flashes part of the reserve, returning back to the Moors this time along the pathways to the East hide.

Rather than spend a lot of time in the hides during the recording I took the opportunity to look at the different aspects of the reserve from the deep wild fowl inhabited water of the Moors, the heavily tree lined pathways allowing good opportunities for Dragonflies, Butterflies, small birds and mammals to the shallow saline areas of water and mud banks of the Flashes providing good habitat for waders such as Sandpiper, Snipe and Curlew.

Click to Play or right click to download - 'In Search of Wildlife - Upton Warren - Audio Tour'

The reserve provides plenty of opportunities to see many different species of wildlife. It isn't all about the birds which may be a presumption of anyone who hasn't visited a reserve such as this. The reserve teams with wildlife from many species of butterfly such as Gatekeeper, Small Copper and Large White to Dragonflies such as Hawkers, Banded Demoiselle, Broad Bodied Chasers and Common Darter.

Mornings and evenings allow good opportunities for seeing mammals such as Rabbit, Fox, Water Vole and if you are lucky you may see an Otter. Evenings bring out the bats such as Common Pipistrelle and Daubentons.

Birds aren't confined to the water; the hedgerows and trees are full of small birds such as Green Finch, Gold Finch, Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit and Bull Finch among others and views over the fields provide good opportunities for seeing raptors such as Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk and Buzzard.

Two firsts for me this weekend at Upton Warren.

This weekend proved to be a rather good weekend for myself as very early Saturday morning (around 7am) I spotted a Grey Plover on the small islands of the Moors pool which was later also verified by a number of other people on the reserve after the tip off from myself.

I also had my first view of the Little Owl which is normally to be seen by the farm to the South of the main Flashes hide.

Obviously to anyone who regularly visits the reserve the species to be seen and the habitats of the reserve will be well known, but to anyone who hasn't maybe visited a reserve before I hope the audio will be informative and of interest.

I hope to revist the reserve with the recording equipment in around a months time to record a seasonal update looking at what has changed on the reserve and updating you on what Migrants the reserve has seen in the meantime.

In Search of Wildlife - Upton Warren early morning visit

An early morning visit to my local patch of Upton Warren Reserve on the Moors side and the first out and about recording for some time.

It was a rather overcast and damp feeling morning but I decided to make a short 15 minute 'In Search of Wildlife' recording and after sending the resident rabbit population scurrying for cover along the path I was rewarded for my troubles with three Kingfisher almost immediately on entering the hide.

Since the feeders are back in action with seed being put into them the smaller birds are more numerous directly in front of the hide and this morning saw a number of Blue Tits and a solitary Bullfinch, the first Bullfinch that I have seen for some time at the reserve. A Jay also flew past the hide within a few minutes of my settling down for the mornings birding.

The previous evening saw little other than large numbers of Black Headed Gull, Mallard and Coot (over 250 Black Headed Gull and a larger number of Mallard than usually seems to be the case with over 120). The Gull all cleared off just a few minutes before we called it a night leaving the water looking rather empty in comparison to before they made their move. However we were treated to two young fox playing and gambolling in the newly cleared area to the Hobden Hall Farm side of the reserve (South). It's rather amazing how quickly the local residents will make use of changes in the landscape around them, the area was previously dense with foliage. As the evenings are now pulling in and of course the rather miserable weather we are having at present doesn't help, the light quite quickly failed and we found ourselves having to head for home earlier than we would have liked to leaving the foxes at their play.

A rather laid back little 15 minute recording here as it was rather early.

Click to Play or right click to download - 'In Search of Wildlife Upton Warren - Moors'

The short early mornings birding turned up the following (details from previous visits can be found here > 2008 Birding List)

07-08-08 Upton Warren - Moors

Moors (AM - Cloudy, dull, damp and fresh - brightening to end of visit)

Kingfisher 3 (Pair flying along far edge of water [Brickhouse Farm side] right to left [South to North]) - Single Kingfisher 3 visits to reeds to R/H side in front of hide (West) perched on water depth marker and overhanging stem nearside bank - several dives) - Bullfinch 1 (Caged feeder in front of hide) - Blue Tits 3 (Caged Feeder in front of hide) - Greater Crested Grebe 4 - Jay 1 (Flew directly in front of hide right to left [South to North]) - Tufted Duck 2 - Common Tern 3 plus 1 young - Coot 90 - Moorehen 2 - Black Headed Gull - Mallard 71 - Lapwing 2 - Cormorant 2 - Grey Heron 2 - Pochard 1 (Centre Island East) - Canada Geese

Top left - Bullfinch from this morning. Bottom right - Black headed Gull from the previous evening.

Habberley Valley Circular Walk

Welcome to a two part audio recorded while walking the Habberley Valley Circular Walk in the county of Warwickshire.

The walk which covers a distance of 2 and a half to just under 4 miles depending on the route taken explores the lovely, peaceful countryside beyond Habberley Valley Nature Reserve in Worcestershire. The walk takes you through a section of the Habberley Valley and on through pastures, woods, alongside a stream, over brooks and over hills.

We decided to walk this circular route after a night of pouring rain so large parts of the route were rather muddy and in places quite interesting to navigate! However the walk was thoroughly enjoyable as it took you through woods, over fields and hills and over and alongside streams and brooks. Half way around the route the walk opens onto the hilltops with expansive views of the countryside around to the Clent hills and the Birmingham plateau in the distance some 15 miles away.

Click below to hear the first section of the afternoons walk from Low Habberley, past Pigstyehill Coppice with Wassell Wood to the left and up to Trimpley and Trimpley Farm with a little unplanned detour as we confused the waymarks on the route.

  Click to Play or right click to download - Habberley Valley Walk Part 1

Click below to hear the second section of the afternoons walk from Trimpley Farm across onto the hill overlooking the glacial valley and what was once a shallow sea, down into Easthams Coppice, over Honey Brook and down past Bekket Rock and Low Habberley Farm and finally to the walks end.

  Click to Play or right click to download - Habberley Valley Walk Part 2

There is a free leaflet available detailing the walk produced by Worcestershire county council and the Wyre Forest district council.

OS Explorer 218 and Landranger 138 maps cover the area and the terrain is undulating pasture, tracks, woodland, with one short, steep, ascent with steps and one, short, fairly steep descent. The leaflet warns that after rain one or two sections may be muddy and we found this to be the case, in fact some sections were extremely muddy and needed care navigating especially the fairly steep descent.

The walk leaflet can be obtained form Worcestershire County Council: Habberley Valley Circular Walk

`Local Life Book, Magazine & Website Roundup

Something different this time!

As my plans last weekend to go off to the Forest of Dean to do some recording got a little waylaid I have decided to do a little roundup of some wildlife and countryside related forums, magazines and books. I might be doing a roundup but I was still out and about while recording, recording today with rabbits and squirrels scampering around the 16 acres of grounds around the hotel I am staying at in Surrey.

  Click to Play or download - 'Local Life - Book Magazine & Website Roundup'.

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To kick off I take a look at the new BBC Countryfile magazine - First issue published October 2007.

The magazine has a good mix of all things outdoors and nature related with articles in issue 1 ranging from Composting tips, to John Craven on Red Kite, Alan Titchmarsh on The Nature of Britain, Haunted Public Houses, the best value mens and womens walking boots under £100, The Future of Farming to The Vampire of Croglin Grange!.

All together a good read and worth picking up.

While on the subject of Countryfile but moving over to the web I talk a little about the BBC Countryfile Magazine Website and Forum. The website has blogs by the magazine staff and the forum is proving to be quite a lively discussion place with members of the BBC Countryfile Magazine taking part.

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While on the subject of the web I talk a little about a great forum to visit and participate in which is the Wild About Britain forum. WAB is an extremely busy forum with a large number of users on at any one given time. There are constant new discussions and it really is a great place to go to talk about the British Countryside and Wildlife and to learn as well. There are numerous members on there with lots of experience in their areas and if you want to have something identified then it is the place to go - pop a picture on the forum and within no time someone will have told you what you have seen or have taken a picture of.

Sometimes forums can be disappointing, however Wild About Britain is not, it is a lively and informative site.

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Moving on I take a look at two recent book purchases. 'The Nature of Britain' Alan Titchmarsh, published by the BBC and Michael Palin and 'New Europe'. Two great books to purchase if you are into nature, the great outdoors or travel writing.

Both books support their respective television series. The Nature of Britain being a celebration of the wildlife and habitats of Britain with the book broken down into habitat types and then further broken down into the species of mammals, birds, invertebrates etc that you will encounter there along with descriptions and photographs.

New Europe comprises of diary entries supported by the usual stunning photography that you expect of any of Michael Plain's adventures. Michael's latest adventure finds him nearer to home this time exploring the countries of Europe which until a few years back were mainly 'closed off' to outside visitors due to the cold war.

Click on the book images to go to the BBC shop website.

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You can find the Countryfile Magazine Website at: BBC Countryfile

The Countryfile Magazine forum can be found at: BBC Countryfile Forum

Wild About Britain can be found at: Wild About Britain Forums

The Nature of Britain is published by BBC Books - ISBN 978-0-56-349398-3 RRP £25

New Europe is published by Orion Books - ISBN 978-0-297-84449-5

Strathclyde - Bothwellhaugh Roman Fort & Bathhouse

An Audio this time recorded in Strathclyde Country Park just outside of Motherwell in Scotland.

The park lies in 400ha of countryside in the valley of the river Clyde and is an area comprising of mature woodlands, rough wetlands, wildlife refuges and open parkland all surrounding Strathclyde Loch.

Within the park there are the remains of Bothwellhaugh Roman Fort & Bathhouse and in this 20 minute audio I take a look at the Roman Fort & Bathhouse as it is now and as it would have been back in the 2nd century.

The bathhouse was central to Roman society and was often one of the first buildings to be erected and as well as being a place for hygiene it was also a very social place to be. The bathhouse would have been used by the Roman soldiers of the nearby Bothwellhaugh Fort which was occupied between 142AD to 162AD and had in the region of 500 Roman soldiers garrisoned there.

The fort of which little remains now, was neither square or rectangular in plan but it was instead a rhomboid with no two walls the same length and no two angles the same. There is evidence of two phases of construction at both the Fort and the Bathhouse.

  Click to Play or download - Strathclyde Roman Fort & Bathhouse

I also take a look at the Antonine wall built by the Romans between the Forth and Clyde in honour of Antoninus Pius by Lollius Urbicus the Governor of Britain around 143AD.

The wall marks the northern most frontier of the Roman Empire and it consisted of a continuous rampart wall and ditch running some 39 miles from Bridgeness in Edinburgh on the Firth of Fourth to Old Kilpatrick on the outskirts of Glasgow near Dumbarton on the Firth of Clyde. The wall was fortified with around 19 forts along it's length at 2 mile intervals and was garrisoned by around 30,000 Roman soldiers.

By 180AD the Antonine wall had been abandoned with the tribes to the North finally driving the Romans back to Hadrians wall far to the South in England.