Latest news with #CharlesDickens
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Kent landscape that inspired Dickens declared nature reserve
A Kent landscape of ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and chalk grasslands that inspired novelist Charles Dickens has been designated a national nature reserve. Natural England, which advises the Government on the environment, announced the creation of the North Kent Woods and Downs national nature reserve on Friday. This means the 800-acre landscape has been marked out as an area of focus for conservation and nature restoration efforts. The mosaic of different habitats is home to key species including Man and Lady orchids, the Maidstone mining bee, Hazel dormouse and skylarks, around 1,700 ancient and veteran trees, and the Silverhand Estate – one of the UK's largest organic vineyards. Dickens, who lived in different areas of north Kent during his life in the 19th Century, drew inspiration from the landscape in his writings. The nature reserve designation also aims to boost the local economy, tourism and access to nature for around 400,000 people who live within five miles of the reserve and an estimated eight million who live within an hour's drive away. The ancient woodlands have maintained tree cover since the Tudor era, when Henry VIII was said to have given Kent the nickname 'Garden of England'. Natural England's partners, which include the National Trust, Woodland Trust and Kent County Council, will be working to support conservation efforts beyond the boundary of the reserve to create a joined-up approach to nature recovery for a further 1,100 hectares in the surrounding area. Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England said: 'Creating bigger, better and more joined-up natural areas is one of the most vital and fundamental steps we must take in meeting our national targets for Nature's recovery. 'This new reserve, with its hundreds of ancient trees set amid extensive chalk grasslands, lays the foundations for multiple partners to work together to improve Nature across a significant area of countryside.' The reserve comes as the eighth in the King's Series – a programme to establish 25 large-scale national nature reserves across England by 2027 in celebration of Charles' coronation. Nature minister Mary Creagh said: 'This new National Nature reserve will give people the opportunity to explore Kent's magical landscapes from wildflower meadows to ancient woodlands. 'Reserves like this one, and others in the King's Coronation Series, will deliver on our promise to improve access to nature and protect nature-rich habitats, as well as boosting the local economy in line with our Plan for Change.' Nick Johannsen, national landscape director at Kent Downs National Landscape, said: 'The North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve is especially exciting because of the sheer scale, nearly 20 square kilometres of land managed for nature, people, its beauty and history and for scientific research and so close to the urban centres of Gravesend and the Medway Towns. 'Many partners from the public, private, community and charity sectors are working together here, on some of the very best sites for wildlife in England.' With support from Natural England and Kent Downs National Landscape, the reserve will be managed by a number of partners including the National Trust, Woodland Trust, Kent County Council, Plantlife, Silverhand Estate (Vineyard Farms Ltd) and the West Kent Downs Countryside Trust. Meanwhile, affiliated partners include Gravesham Borough Council, Birling Estate, Shorne Parish Council, Tarmac and Forestry England.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Herbert Pocket is far from a minor character in Great Expectations
Well, Zoe Williams, I have heard of Herbert and so has anyone else who's read Great Expectations (Think you know a lot about Dickens? Then who's this Herbert character?, 28 May). Herbert Pocket is a relative of Miss Havisham who fights Pip and is beaten by him. When Pip comes into money, he lives with the Pocket family, aiming to acquire the manners and knowledge of a gentleman. Pip and Herbert share chambers as young men, and so Herbert becomes aware of the Magwitch secret. He helps Pip with the failed escape. Dickens' books teem with characters, but among the crowd Herbert stands out. As does a close friendship between young men to which teenagers can relate. Jane LindenDarsham, Suffolk Herbert Pocket is not a minor character in Great Expectations. We first meet him as a boy on one of Pip's visits to Miss Havisham, where Pip fights with, and defeats, Herbert, which delights Estella, who says to Pip: 'You may kiss me if you like.' Later, when Pip acquires wealth and goes to London, Herbert lodges with him and becomes his guide to behaviour suited to his new station in life: 'It isn't usual to eat peas with a knife.' Anyone who thinks he is a minor character has not read the book properly or only in summary – a practice that I believe is becoming more RobertsManosque, France As a lifelong admirer of Great Expectations, I was puzzled that Zoe Williams could see so little in the character of Herbert Pocket. He is the 'pale young gentleman' who fights with Pip near the beginning of the story. He later becomes Pip's closest friend and shares all his experiences throughout the rest of the book. Pip confides in him about his unrequited love for Estella, and Herbert is able to explain the reason for Miss Havisham's obsessive resentments. Together they respond to the shock of the convict Magwitch's return from transportation and join in the desperate attempt to spirit him to safety. Of all the things that Pip does with his inherited fortune, the only one that he does not regret is setting Herbert up in business. I don't know the wording of the GCSE question about Herbert, but I should think he understands Pip better than any other character. His take on Pip's life story would be kind and sympathetic, but searching and perceptive as well. He seems a very good choice for students to write RigbyOldham, Greater Manchester Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
ITV News
2 days ago
- ITV News
Kent landscape that inspired novelist Charles Dickens declared nature reserve
A Kent landscape of ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and chalk grasslands that inspired novelist Charles Dickens has been designated a national nature reserve. Natural England, which advises the Government on the environment, announced the creation of the North Kent Woods and Downs national nature reserve on Friday. This means the 800-hectare landscape has been marked out as an area of focus for conservation and nature restoration efforts. The mosaic of different habitats is home to key species including Man and Lady orchids, the Maidstone mining bee, Hazel dormouse and skylarks, around 1,700 ancient and veteran trees, and the Silverhand Estate – one of the UK's largest organic vineyards. Dickens, who lived in different areas of north Kent during his life in the 19th Century, drew inspiration from the landscape in his writings. The nature reserve designation also aims to boost the local economy, tourism and access to nature for around 400,000 people who live within five miles of the reserve and an estimated eight million who live within an hour's drive away. The ancient woodlands have maintained tree cover since the Tudor era, when Henry VIII was said to have given Kent the nickname "Garden of England". Natural England's partners, which include the National Trust, Woodland Trust and Kent County Council, will be working to support conservation efforts beyond the boundary of the reserve to create a joined-up approach to nature recovery for a further 1,100 hectares in the surrounding area. Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England said: "Creating bigger, better and more joined-up natural areas is one of the most vital and fundamental steps we must take in meeting our national targets for Nature's recovery. "This new reserve, with its hundreds of ancient trees set amid extensive chalk grasslands, lays the foundations for multiple partners to work together to improve Nature across a significant area of countryside." The reserve comes as the eighth in the King's Series – a programme to establish 25 large-scale national nature reserves across England by 2027 in celebration of Charles' coronation. Nature minister Mary Creagh said: "This new National Nature reserve will give people the opportunity to explore Kent's magical landscapes from wildflower meadows to ancient woodlands. "Reserves like this one, and others in the King's Coronation Series, will deliver on our promise to improve access to nature and protect nature-rich habitats, as well as boosting the local economy in line with our Plan for Change." Nick Johannsen, national landscape director at Kent Downs National Landscape, said: "The North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve is especially exciting because of the sheer scale, nearly 20 square kilometres of land managed for nature, people, its beauty and history and for scientific research and so close to the urban centres of Gravesend and the Medway Towns. "Many partners from the public, private, community and charity sectors are working together here, on some of the very best sites for wildlife in England." With support from Natural England and Kent Downs National Landscape, the reserve will be managed by a number of partners including the National Trust, Woodland Trust, Kent County Council, Plantlife, Silverhand Estate (Vineyard Farms Ltd) and the West Kent Downs Countryside Trust. Meanwhile, affiliated partners include Gravesham Borough Council, Birling Estate, Shorne Parish Council, Tarmac and Forestry England.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Countryside loved by Charles Dickens turned into nature reserve
England's newest national nature reserve will include 800 acres of ancient woodlands and meadows in North Kent Woods and Downs - near the town of Gravesend - influenced some of the writings of Charles Dickens, one of Britain's most famous who lived in parts of the county during his life in the 19th Century, drew inspiration from the landscape, which is full of ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and chalk reserve is the eighth in the King's Series – a programme to establish 25 large-scale national nature reserves across England in celebration of King Charles' coronation. What has been announced? The announcement of the creation of the North Kent Woods and Downs national nature reserve was made by Natural England, which advises the government on the are lots of important plants and animals in area including Man and Lady orchids, the Maidstone mining bee, Hazel dormouse and skylarks and around 1,700 ancient and veteran ancient woodlands have been there for hundreds of years, since the Tudor era, when Henry VIII nicknamed Kent the "Garden of England".The nature reserve aims to boost the local economy, tourism and access to nature for people who live Juniper from Natural England, said: "Creating bigger, better and more joined-up natural areas is one of the most vital and fundamental steps we must take in meeting our national targets for Nature's recovery."This new reserve, with its hundreds of ancient trees set amid extensive chalk grasslands, lays the foundations for multiple partners to work together to improve Nature across a significant area of countryside," he added. Who was Charles Dickens? Charles Dickens was was born in 1812, in Portsmouth on England's south coast, and was one of eight children. His family moved around though, and he grew up in London and wrote 15 novels, five novellas and hundreds of short writing includes books such as Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol - books that are still very widely read wrote about things that many people before him had avoided writing included topics such as people who lived in poverty, who were ill, or who had to fight for their place in society - a lot like he had to do as of his characters were based on real people and their lives. That made people understand his stories more, and reflect on what Britain was like at that time.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Kent landscape that inspired Dickens made nature reserve
A Kent landscape of ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and chalk grasslands that inspired novelist Charles Dickens has been made a national nature England, which advises the government on the environment, has announced the creation of the North Kent Woods and Downs national nature a result, the 800-acre site in Gravesend has been marked out as an area of focus for conservation and nature restoration reserve is the eighth in the King's Series – a programme to establish 25 large-scale national nature reserves across England by 2027 in celebration of King Charles' coronation. The North Kent Woods and Downs is home to species including Man and Lady orchids, the Maidstone mining bee, Hazel dormouse and skylarks, about 1,700 ancient and veteran trees, and the Silverhand Estate – one of the UK's largest organic who lived in different areas of north Kent during his life in the 19th Century, drew inspiration from the landscape in his England's partners, which include the National Trust, Woodland Trust and Kent County Council, will be working to support conservation efforts beyond the boundary of the reserve, to create a joined-up approach to nature recovery for a further 1,100 hectares in the surrounding Juniper, chair of Natural England, said: "Creating bigger, better and more joined-up natural areas is one of the most vital and fundamental steps we must take in meeting our national targets for Nature's recovery."This new reserve, with its hundreds of ancient trees set amid extensive chalk grasslands, lays the foundations for multiple partners to work together to improve Nature across a significant area of countryside."
