Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2014 | Page 60

COUNTRY LIFE

Countryside news
with Tony Ridd

Island coastal path on its way
The Ramblers are celebrating
news that the Government has
committed to creating a path
around the entire Isle of Wight
coastline.
The Government has now
decided to add the 70-mile
footpath around the Island to
the national scheme. David
Howarth, Isle of Wight Ramblers
Area Chairman, said: "We're
thrilled by the Government's
decision to include the Isle of
Wight in the plan to open up
the whole of the English coast
and extremely grateful to the

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What to look out for...

thousands of people on and off
the Island who have supported
our campaign.”
It means that for the first time
around 10 miles of the Island’s
northern coast will be opened
up for people to enjoy. The coast
path is not just good news for
walkers, but will help to breathe
new life into our coastal towns
and villages, boosting tourism
and the local economy and
reconnecting people with their
stretch of coast, helping to
promote health and wellbeing.
www.iowramblers.com

Red Admiral
The butterfly with its velvety
black wings, intersected by
striking red bands, can be found
almost anywhere, from the
seashore and town gardens,
to the top of our downland.
The adults use a wide variety
of nectar sources, including
Buddleia, Ivy blossom and
bramble. They are also partial to
rotting fruit, such as plums that
have fallen from the tree.

Wood Blewit
Blewit is an old English form of
the word ‘blue’ which describes
the lilac-blue colour often seen
on the base and stem. They have
a pleasant smell and are good to
eat. Found around hedgerows,
country gardens near compost
heaps and deciduous woodland
where the soil is rich with
humus. Wild wood blewits have
been sold at English markets
since the 18th century.

Alder Buckthorn berries
Alder Buckthorn is a colourful,
deciduous tree native to England
and Wales. It thrives in acidic
areas including woodlands,
wet heath lands, bogs and river
banks. It is widespread but rare!
Once pollinated by insects, the
flowers develop into a small
berry, which ripens from green
to red in late summer, and
eventually to a dark purple or
black in early autumn.

Field Maple
Found growing in woodlands,
hedgerows, and on chalk
downland, it is also known as
‘hedge maple’ and is our only
native maple. Mature trees can
grow to 20 metres and live for
up to 350 years. The leaves are
small, dark green and shiny, with
five lobes and rounded teeth.
They fade to a rich golden yellow
before falling in autumn.