LEG October Newsletter
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness …
We are hoping you made the best of our summer weather and ready for autum, welcome to our October Newsletter.
Misty dawn unfolds, Gold grasses dance; Harvest moon, Plump fruits, Soft sun's glow.
SCOTLAND ….the big picture. (Clare Hyde)
The Lakeland Fells, Scottish Highlands, and closer to home, the Pennine Moors, are all amazing, iconic, majestic landscapes, but sadly, vast tracts of these upland moors and mountains are now virtually empty of wildlife, having been clear felled or overgrazed, leaving little opportunity for nature to restore itself.
A Scottish conservation charity, ‘Scotland…the big picture’, is working to bring back biodiversity to these landscapes. Their vision is of a vast network of rewilded land and water across Scotland, where wildlife flourishes and people thrive.
My interest in rewilding and regenerative farming inspired me to go on their Rewilding Experience, in the Cairngorms in the late Spring. Staying in a very comfortable mountain lodge deep in Glenfeshie, we enjoyed amazing, locally sourced meals, along with talks, discussions and field visits to a variety of places, all working towards restoring ecosystems…….a farming estate that has introduced beavers to help rewild the artificially straightened river, a smallholding with highland cattle and pigs to help restore rough pasture, and a shooting estate that had fenced tracts of mountainside to allow tree cover to establish.
It was heartening to hear how passionate these people are about ’rewilding’ and how biodiversity is so quickly restored.
I came home committed to applying the same principles of allowing nature to lead the way, on a much smaller scale in my garden! We have to find new ways of prospering alongside nature.
If you have stories and expriences to share please do get in touch.
Celebrating October
As we move into October and the heart of autumn, we're invited to reconnect with nature's rhythms amidst our busy digital lives. This month offers a unique opportunity to note and reflect on seasonal changes - from the vibrant colours of falling leaves to crisp morning mists. Why not try capturing this time of year by drawing, rather than yet another image on your camera?
We can embrace the harvest season through local produce, taking mindful walks, observing wildlife preparing for winter, and joining our community events. The Hunter's Moon and Orionid meteor showers provide perfect excuses for stargazing, while shorter days allow us to enjoy stunning sunrise and sunsets and encourage us to slow down and turn inward.
October is a wonderful time for foraging. Check out our Joys of Foraging information in our newsletter from last Autumn.
Whether crafting seasonal decorations, participating in traditional harvest festivals, foraging or simply sitting quietly in nature, October reminds us of our place within the Earth's cycles. By consciously engaging with the season, we can find balance, reduce stress, and foster a deeper connection to our environment and community.
… and a reminder to share any surplus ‘plump fruits’ such as apples and pears but also veg and seeds in our community stand outside the Health Shop on Berry Lane
How does October make you feel?
Nature Art Competition
We are delighted to annouce our winning Nature Gardens Competition entry is 6 year old Harry Reynolds who has made this fantastic bee hotel with his Grandad.
Harry loves nature, he is always observing everything around him, from the first snowdrops and crocuses of the year to giving a tired insect some water and a safe place to rest. He regularly stops to look at and smell new flowers on the way to school and when we are on walks and is absolutely delighted when he sees exciting creatures like dragonflies and new butterflies. We have raised our own butterflies from caterpillars too.
Well done and we hope you enjoy your bird feeder prize Harry.
Other entries …
Upcoming Events
Social Saturdays.
We meet every 2nd Saturday of the month at Little Town Dairy at 10am for a social chat around ecology issues, local and not-so-local. Next meet - 12 October.
Active Sundays
27th Oct- Join us for wildflower meadow establishing on top park, following mowing of grass.
Longridge Does Christmas
We are starting to think about our contribution to this community event. Our focus will be making wreaths and mandalas from natural materials to give away (for donations). We will be announcing craft days to make these soon and would love your ideas.
Resurgence Magazine Festival of Wellbeing
Saturday 5th Oct. An online day festival of “thought-provoking and progressive talks from some of the world’s most inspiring thinkers and activists” Tickets here
2025
And then look out for 2025 events: a Meeting of Minds weekend with Satish Kumar and others in July, and an Ecological Storytelling Gathering in April / May. More details as these events develop.
What are you Reading?
For our November newsletter, we want to focus on winter comfort reading. Please do share your recommendations, fiction or nonfiction (ideally on an ecological theme) that have entertained or inspired you.
Keep in Touch
A reminder that you can …
And we look forward to connecting at our next social Saturday and active Sunday.
Supporting LEG
For time and other reasons, we are aware that not all can join our activities, so we have made it easier to support us with a donation. Simply use the QR code below and you will be taken to our Stripe page where you can donate. All gratefully received, no matter how small.
Thank You.