Following an inspiring presentation by Jon Freeman from the Great Trees in the Clyst Valley project, any disappointment at not being included in Exeter’s Valley Parks initiative has been replaced by an exciting view of Pinhoe at the city-fringe of a fantastic 25 year vision for the Clyst Valley Regional Park.
Here’s our letter of support for their latest project:
“As a community-led organisation, Pinhoe Village is committed to celebrating the people, place and natural environment of Pinhoe. We very much hope to work with Routes for Roots and have identified great enthusiasm amongst our local residents to connect to the Clyst Valley vision, wholeheartedly supporting the ambition to connect our growing community to the wildlife-rich countryside on our doorstep.
We are keen to encourage all age groups into the natural environment, as many in our community are struggling with the scale and pace of local developments.
An increasingly urbanised part of the city, the sense of connection to Pinhoe’s heritage and local distinctiveness remains key for residents. The “Story is in the Map” workshops would bring an invaluable set of skills and support for our many local history enthusiasts, as would the opportunity to explore, protect and develop local knowledge of and access to footpaths across Pinhoe – routes which are being completely disorientated by new developments.
We hope to learn how to record, replant and protect our greatly valued trees and hedgerows and to build on our association with such an inspiring vision. The Routes for Roots initiatives would transform our ability to develop local knowledge of and access to our natural environment and would offer huge expertise, valued advocacy and powerful network connections.”
Here’s a useful thought from Shane O’Mara’s new book In Praise of Walking:
“Walking is good for our muscles and posture; it helps to protect & repair organs, and can slow or turn back the ageing of our brains. With our minds in motion we think more creatively, our mood improves and stress levels fall”