Favourite Poetry - The North Ship

I saw three ships go sailing by,
Over the sea, the lifting sea,
And the wind rose in the morning sky,
And one was rigged for a long journey.

The first ship turned towards the west,
Over the sea, the running sea,
And by the wind was all possessed
And carried to a rich country.

The second ship turned towards the east,
Over the sea, the quaking sea,
And the wind hunted it like a beast
To anchor in captivity.

The third ship drove towards the north,
Over the sea, the darkening sea,
But no breath of wind came forth,
And the decks shone frostily.

The northern sky rose high and black
Over the proud unfruitful sea,
East and west the ships came back
Happily or unhappily:

But the third went wide and far
Into an unforgiving sea
Under a fire-spilling star,
And it was rigged for a long journey.


Philip Larkin

Stockbridge Christmas Shopping Evening

Stockbridge has a wonderful late-night Christmas shopping evening in December and this year's was even better organised and attended. The cold and drizzle failed to dampen spirits as the shops served mulled wine and prosecco, sausages and hot dogs while the the Christmas Tree lights were switched on by Alex Lewis. A carol service was held in St Peter's Church.

For more photos, click here

Wellbeing of Women Christmas Fair at the Drapers' Hall 2014

The now annual Christmas Fair organised by Wellbeing of Women at the Drapers' Hall on 1st December was so well attended that at certain times numbers being allowed into the principal rooms had to be limited. The stalls were even more varied and interesting than in previous years and much early Christmas shopping was done. But the crowds made it more difficult to take photos so photos are limited.

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Remembrance Sunday 2014

Uncle Capt Michael Pugh, killed at Anzio near the end of WWII

     

A war poem written by Michael Pugh

The incredible installation of myriads of poppies at the Tower of London


See also War Memorials for some more memorable war poetry

Old Swan House Garden in Summer and Autumn 2014

Some views of the garden in summer and autumn

Favourite Poems - Dirge Without Music

So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:

Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. 

Crowned with lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.

Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.

Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.

A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,

A formula, a phrase remains,—but the best is lost.

The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,

—They are gone. They are gone to feed the roses. 

Elegant and curled is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. 

But I do not approve.

More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave

Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;

Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.

I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned. 

I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.

Dirge Without Music

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Grave Threat to Stockbridge and Longstock from Developers 2014

Latest News: The Test Valley Northern Planning Committee voted to refuse permission for this development at their meeting on 13th November 2014. A splendid result, but not necessarily the end of the matter. 

Stockbridge High St. The site of the the proposed development is the green field above the trees at the far end of the street.

The representation of visual effect of the proposed building of 46 houses above Stockbridge and Longstock, as seen from the Down

Stockbridge and the linked village of Longstock lie in the Test River valley, in some of the most picturesque and unspoilt countryside in Hampshire. The town of Stockbridge has a long and interesting history, having developed from its Roman origins as a key causeway across the river into a thriving centre for fishing and country sports, and is particularly famed for its unusual range of independent shops which flank the broad high street. At either end there is downland and open countryside, and on either side lie a fine grazing marsh and water meadows. 

For the past year the town has been under threat from plans for a completely inappropriate development initiated by a well-connected local councillor seeking personally to benefit from the sale of the proposed site. Apart from the fact that having a councillor who is not able to represent his constituents on an important local issue (as he has to declare an interest and absent himself from any discussion), natural justice requires that our elected councillors should not be able to benefit from large-scale development in areas they represent. 

Currently the developers, David Wilson Homes, have resubmitted their plans for consideration by Test Valley Borough Council before any decision has been taken, as the result of initial fierce local opposition. However, the revised plans do nothing at all to change the basic objections, and have been soundly condemned by many, including the National Trust.  There is no doubt that the development itself would have a dramatic adverse visual impact on the town of Stockbridge and change its aspect and character forever. 

The basic objections to the plans can be summarised as follows:

£  This urban style development is still far too large; it is not suited to its rural location and will only serve to encourage further inappropriate development in the countryside surrounding Stockbridge. 

*Contrary to Chap 7, Policy E1 & Policy E2 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan and Longstock & Stockbridge VDS.

£  In the revised plans David Wilson Homes (DWH) admit that the proposed development of 46 houses and flats will be visually intrusive in this area of open countryside.  The suggested tree planting will do little to address visibility, day or night.  The proposal will significantly change the appearance of the area and have no relationship with the established character and development pattern of the surrounding villages.  It will appear as a sporadic urban development that is out of character and context with this part of the Test Valley.  This site will permanently compromise and irrefutably erode this rural area, irrevocably damaging the character of Stockbridge. 

*Contrary to Chap 7, Policy E1 & Policy E2 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan, Longstock & Stockbridge VDS and Chap 11 & 12 of the NPPF.

£  The affordable housing offered in this development still does not meet actual need for all three parishes.  Current housing figures as at August 2014 show a total requirement for 35 properties;

	1 Bed	2 Bed	3 Bed	4 Bed	Total
Actual Need	31	3	1	0	35
Proposed	3	11	3	1	18

It is clear that the affordable housing offered in this development will not be filled by people with a local connection to the three parishes, contrary to principles of rural affordable housing.   These 18 affordable properties are simply being used to justify building 28 market value houses in undeveloped countryside outside of the defined settlement boundary. 

*Contrary Policy E2 and COM 8 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan and Para 7 and Chap 9 of NPPF.

£   The site is not sustainable.  There is limited employment in Stockbridge and the surrounding villages which will result in residents from this development commuting.  There is only a very limited bus service - no other public transport exists and roads are unsuitable for cyclists.  The site is too far away from the nearest towns to encourage walking.  This will result in an environmentally unacceptable increase in traffic through Stockbridge.  The economic benefits offered by this proposal are overstated and would duplicated if this development were placed anywhere within the Test valley.  Stockbridge cannot cope with such a significant increase in population, it will overwhelm existing infrastructure and result in an unacceptable reduction in service to its current residents. 

*Contrary to Chap 4 Para 4.1 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan, Para 7 and Chap 3 & 4 of NPPF.

£  The development site already experiences problems with rain water runoff which will be exacerbated once built upon.  DWH are using run off statistics collated in 2012 prior to last winter’s flooding**.  Siting a development of this size above a flood plain fails to safeguard existing residents from future flooding.   

*Contrary to Policy E7 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan and Chap 10 & 11 of NPPF.

** See how close Stockbridge came to being flooded in February 2014.  

The local planning officer hearing the case is Mr Jason Owen of Test Valley Borough Council. He can be contacted on planning@testvalley.gov.uk or an online form exists for objection to be filed by 14th October

Favourite Photos: Kei's Photos of China

I have been to China many times, but sadly have hardly done any sightseeing. My daughter Kei is making a trip there now, and her photos of the Yellow Mountains and Mount Huanshan in particular are so spectacular that I am reproducing them here.

Favourite Gardens - The Buildings, Broughton

Panorama of the grass garden

I have posted many photos from this amazing garden before, but on yesterday's NGS visit, it was looking more beautiful than ever. As some of you know, it has been the inspiration for my own grass and gravel garden, which sadly will never reach this level of perfection.

Old Swan House gravel garden in September

Click here for more photos from the Buildings
And here for more photos of Old Swan House in September

Horst at the V&A: Photographer of Style

Horst's Vogue covers

The V&A's superb exhibition of the works of the photographer Horst (1909 - 1999) runs from 6th September to 4th January 2015 is a fine account of his fascinating life and includes his most famous fashion images and portraits as well as some of the more informal shots of those in his gilded circle of friends. Horst lived with my uncle Valentine Lawford (known as Nicholas in the United States) from 1950 to Valentine's death in 1991 and was an occasional visitor at home and took a number of portraits of us (which fortunately did not surface at the exhibition).

Herry and Valentine at Danegate 1949. Photo by Horst

The exhibition website the curator, Susanna Brown, has created is full of wonderful material.

For some photos of the event, click here.