I’ve realised connections mean so many things and I have been working on connections of different sorts. Hedgerows create physical connections for so many creatures (birds, insects, rodents and of course the much loved hedgehogs) who can use them to move about and shelter or nest with a level of protection from predators. Modern management of hedges frequently leaves hedges gappy at the bottom with suffocated ‘pom-pom’ like tops so that they don’t do this part of their job at all well. In view of this, yesterday we invited the South England Hedge Laying Society to come and traditionally lay one of our older hedges. It took the team of 28 the whole day to lay about 180 metres of hedge, which is why of course we mostly do a the job with a tractor as it would have taken about 15 minutes! Of course you don’t end up with the same quality of outcome. Once the spring growth comes along, this laid hedge will now provide better nesting sites, better shelter for livestock (as a windbreak) as well as safer travel for small mammals whilst keeping out the predators.

Not only have we a better hedge, it was also sociable and enjoyable to spend time with new people. Making a different sort of connection: the human connection. It uplifts the soul to spend a glorious day passing time and having conversation with others who also enjoy immersing themselves in the outdoors, working to improve the health of the landscape for the benefit of numerous species rather than our own. Not forgetting the health of the hedge itself. By the end of the day all the hedge plants and the hedgerow trees felt as though they were breathing a sigh of relief at being given more space to breathe and display their majesty. We are not the only ones who want to breathe fresh air when given the chance.

Connecting to animals and plants is anther connection which is different again; lighter and more subtle but still present if we choose to adjust our ‘lens’ so that we can perceive it. What a shame this isn’t taught in schools as children are naturally gifted to read the world in this way but they lose it as they get older. We lose all skills that are not utilised as our brain considers it wasteful to have the neural connections sitting there unused. However, our brains are forever neuroplastic so they will reconnect if we open ourselves and start learning again, so it is never too late for anyone to learn. Perhaps the western world would be a kinder place if we were encouraged to sense our world with this lighter touch.

Back at the macro level, tonight we have a meeting with local landowners and farmers looking to create connections across the whole valley. Called Eden for Nature, we are aiming to create corridors of connection across the whole landscape and to connect the two local AONBs (Weald of Kent and the Surrey Hills) by planting new hedgerows, creating wetlands, woodlands and species rich grasslands across the whole area. This mosaic of habitat will be wonderful for wildlife and will make the whole area a thriving community of mixed species. Creating these connections with others who share similar values is exciting and I am hopeful that this will encourage a greater use of agroecological farming in the area as well as getting both landowners and gardeners to realise the amazing potential of us all connecting together.