independent commentator
It’s not a tribal blog, it’s a dialogue
Every so often, I aim to produce a pithy (under 800 words) piece always with links to references.
Do apply to do a guest blog – note same word count and references if possible. Be prepared for ‘light touch edit’ to ensure positive, rather than divisive, engagement with the widest range of views.
A departure from my normal prose, this is about a deeply rural country set far from a highly urbanised UK. As we face tough choices over trade, wellbeing, climate, economics, environment while fearing uncertainty – which in Myanmar, is an everyday feeling. Oh, and think again on ‘wet markets.’ A journey by truck, or third-class … Continue reading Fish slapping
My face-to-face ‘field intel’ trips provide enlightenment as to what people really think. Online is one thing, hearing it direct is another. I muse on how land managers, academics, govt, activists might garner insight from each other. A previous ‘intel’ trip along the Marches fielded views of an environmental activist (who once upon a time … Continue reading Join the dots
Ever since I took my first call from the letters Editor at The Times in 1999, I’ve always written about environmental stuff others don’t want to write about. Hedgehog populations, horsemeat, sea eagles, bTB and badgers, raptor conflict, deer, fungi hunters, little owl culls, wildfires, alien conifers, duck shooting, urban foxes, National Parks, indoor livestock, … Continue reading Dear Sir,
An email, received from a tiny conservation organisation raising all its own funds seeking to conserve curlew, is published here as a guest blog Throughout the year, Curlew Country is contacted for advice by many people wanting to help Curlews. Especially now. Right in the middle of breeding season. We want to help others but … Continue reading Curlew public good
The countryside should not be a peaceful place. It should be humming with activity. While it’s hard to sometimes avoid humans, the real racket should be insects. (see postcript below) They have, however, been making a bigger noise in the news. For the purposes of this piece, I will label them all collectively as bugs … Continue reading On insects
Ben Goldsmith was appointed a non-executive director of DEFRA’s board in March 2018. I asked him about a range of environmental and land issues Interview first published by the RICS RY: What is your role in the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)? BG: As an informal adviser to the secretary of state, … Continue reading An informal Defra adviser
“What makes a freethinker is not his beliefs but the way in which he holds them” Bertrand Russell. I’ve never been the one to toe the line or fall in with partisan crowds. Perhaps asking awkward questions, trying to walk in the shoes of others, seek out unsaid thoughts in the room. Or maybe it’s … Continue reading Freethought conservation
An exclusive interview with a previous Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Michael Gove for BBC Countryfile Magazine (first published Feb 2018) RY (Rob Yorke): Firstly, what are your personal connections to rural Britain and where do you love to walk? MG (Michael Gove): Both sides of my family have … Continue reading Gove green
“Calls for game shooting to push ahead with finding alternatives to lead shot are growing louder, both inside and outside of the sport. Rob Yorke offers a personal view on the subject” My piece, in verbatim, originally published in Shooting Gazette magazine October 2019 – now published with reference links and notes. One hundred and … Continue reading We need to talk about lead shot
2020 – a big year to face up to some rocky issues, explore new ground, and re-frame narratives while avoiding going down rabbit holes. Last year has been large for many. Too obvious to name, but here’s an eclectic take on past and future issues to kick off the year. Most unexpected result – after … Continue reading Rocks and rabbit holes
#WoodofStones – a year’s worth of tweets of a tiny National Nature Reserved in Wales