Comment & Opinion
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John Lewis-Stempel: 'Rewilding is a poor, pathetic box of tools for fixing the state of nature'
Turning the countryside into an eco-Disneyland ignores plenty of problems — most notably, where is our food going to come from?
By John Lewis-Stempel Published
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Patrick Galbraith: We are a brilliant and terrible species who messed it up a long time ago — and that means we have to do things we don't want to
Our columnist laments the painful decisions on culling wild animals which he argues have to be taken if we're to manage the countryside and maintain biodiversity.
By Patrick Galbraith Published
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Minette Batters: The Peppering Project is a 'blueprint for delivering food and Nature security across the country in a way that rewilding on its own never will'
The ex-NFU president reflects on a recent visit to the pioneering nature-recovery project being undertaken by the Duke of Norfolk in West Sussex.
By Minette Batters Published
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Curious Questions: Is being left-handed an advantage?
In days gone by, left-handed children were made to write with the ‘correct’ hand — but these days we understand that being left-handed is no barrier to greatness. In fact, there are endless examples of history's greatest musicians, artists and statesmen being left-handed. So much so that you'll start to wonder if it's actually an advantage.
By Toby Keel Published
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10 ways to save the planet, according to Country Life
There are many practical ways in which we–individuals, groups and Government–can make a difference to our planet, both locally and nationally. As the General Election looms, we present 10 areas where improvement is badly needed.
By Country Life Published
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Jonathan Self: Gossip, atheists, and the cheating husband caught on his own CCTV cameras
Heard it on the grapevine? Then you're simply making use of one of your great evolutionary advantages, says Jonathan Self.
By Jonathan Self Published
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'By the time I wanted to know about the war that had swept over the world and redefined lives, I’d left it too late for first-hand accounts'
Carla Carlisle reflects on the 80th anniversary of D-Day and its legacy of gratitude and awe.
By Carla Carlisle Published
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'The sound of ripping cloth confirmed there was a crisis. And then I remembered I had come as no-knickers-Norma'
Joe Gibbs has a night to forget. Which is ironic, since anyone who reads his account will remember it for years...
By Joe Gibbs Published
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Jonathan Self: Real friendship survives separation, violently different opinions and surprisingly shabby behaviour'
The reopening of a much-loved restaurant is, says Jonathan Self, like a joyous reunion with an old friend.
By Jonathan Self Published
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Carla Carlisle: The Nanny State isn't to be feared — it can fix pretty anything from the NHS to the Post Office
Put your worries aside and join Carla Carlisle on a journey in to common sense.
By Carla Carlisle Published
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Curious Questions: Why did the Garden Cities of Tomorrow never catch on?
The worst excesses of the Industrial Revolution prompted some truly forward-thinking urban planning as far back as the 19th century — yet today, precious few of us live in the idyllic 'garden cities' that were dreamed of. Martin Fone looks at what happened, the benefits that came to pass from those fresh ideas, and what got lost on the way.
By Martin Fone Published
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'Somebody in North London wondered if four plump squirrels would be beyond my remit and a chef in Camberwell wants enough venison offal for a pop-up event'
It was interesting enough to study Freud, sex, gender and the English language, says Patrick Galbraith, but looking back, he wonders if it was really worth the money.
By Patrick Galbraith Published
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Jonathan Self: These are a few of my favourite things (audio version)
Forget bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens — Jonathan Self loves the sound of a burning log shifting in the stove and a tractor misfiring on its way up the lane.
By Jonathan Self Published
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Minette Batters: We need to trade on a level playing field
After six years leading Britain's largest farming union, Minette Batters talks life after the NFU and why MPs of all parties need to take farming more seriously.
By Minette Batters Published
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Opinion: I'm a vicar — and an agnostic. Here's why that makes sense.
On the eve of Easter, the Revd Dr Colin Heber-Percy considers how asking ourselves a question to which we already know the answer, but which we may have forgotten, echoes the message of the Resurrection.
By Rev Dr Colin Heber-Percy Published
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Curious Questions: Why does our tax year start on April 6th?
The tax-year calendar is not as arbitrary as it seems, with a history that dates back to the ancient Roman and is connected to major calendar reforms across Europe.
By Martin Fone Published
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Carla Carlisle: 'Sometimes, repetition brings revelation'
Did we learn the lessons about Donald Trump from eight years ago? Probably not, says Carla Carlisle.
By Carla Carlisle Published
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Curious Questions: Why does Easter move dates every year?
Phoebe Bath researches why exactly Easter is a called a 'moveable feast'.
By Country Life Published
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A dairy farmer's view of Jaipur, the city where traffic stops for sacred cows
Jamie Blackett files his final Farming Life column from the pink city in India, and reflects on how different cultures treat their methane-producing ruminants.
By Jamie Blackett Published
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'Milk, butter, eggs and honey provide a healthy variety with which industrially processed, plant-based food can’t compete'
Country Life's columnist Agromenes believes the tide of public opinion is turning against vegetarian and vegan alternative foods.
By Country Life Published
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Jonathan Self: The peasants are anything but revolting
The people who worked the patchwork farms of Ireland until just a few decades ago are all but gone, laments Jonathan Self.
By Jonathan Self Published