Page 27 - BR May 2023

May 2023 May 2023

NIGHTWALK....CHASING SHADOWS More specific details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Bidding a silent farewell to Susan and leaving the Bench outside of Nisa
Rev Ettrick to his demons I continue to Throop. With removal ofthe bench outside of shop in West Street due to deterioration, the
Shortly upon entering the little hamlet I bear right Parish Council has agreed to purchase a new bench. If you wish to make a
down the bridleway that runs alongside the donation in memory of a loved one, in return for a plaque on the bench, please
Piddle. Crossing the little stone bridge I again contact the Clerk on bereregispc@gmail.com. In the meantime, we would like to
pause to look down into the whispering silver thank Jagtar Singh Dhesi at the Nisa shop for providing a temporary replacement
stream, thick with river mist rising into the still night until the new bench arrives.
air. The temperature is still dropping fast and the
grass thick with frost glistening in the moonlight.
Heading down the path a ghostly figure Dog Mess
approaches. Gliding silently along the path line a
barn owl comes towards me around twenty feet We still receive constant complaints of dog mess being left around the village,
above, beautifully silhouetted in the moonlight. It particularly on the paths around Souls Moor and Elder Road, which are heavily
passes overhead and continues on its way, considering me neither threat nor used by parents and school children, but more recently on the pavements on
prey. I turn to watch it rise above the tree line, heading for the water meadows West Street. Whilst there is little we can do to stop this, we would always urge dog
below Turners Puddle to go about its deadly business. owners to be responsible and think of the consequences for others who
encounter this.
On down the path I reach the tree lined pool where
the water meadow relief channel meets the Piddle.
The bare ancient oak at the head of the pool looks Wildlife Group
magnificent in the moonlight. With its rope swing
hanging silently and sinisterly above the river, how The wildlife group
many children have enjoyed that spot over the planted a row of native
centuries and what stories it could tell. Unfortunately trees grown from seeds
the equally ancient oak and its rope swing that sat by Mike Gee which we
alongside the ford I passed earlier was lost to the hope will make an
winds a couple of years previously. It will hopefully attractive edge to the
live on in the memories of those who enjoyed it. n a t u r e r e s e r v e
fence next to the
The pool is a noisy spot tonight. The relief channel is pathway beside the
running full and pouring into the river, twisting and school grounds.
swirling as they come together as one seaward
bound. Such a contrast to sitting under that oak in
the early hours of a Summer night, the river low and Next Meeting
running with the faintest whisper hardly audible
against the sounds of the night. The next meeting will be the Parish Council AGM which will held on Thursday 11
h
May 2023 commencing 7pm at the Village Hall. If you wish to have an item
I sit under the oak watching and listening, sika graze in the field past the far bank, added to the agenda for discussion, please contact the Clerk or a member of
unafraid of my presence with the river between us. A watchful stag the only one the Parish Council by the end of April.
who pays me attention.
Bryan Benjafield
Off again I continue down the path alongside the rushing relief channel. The path
is flooded, nearly to the top of my boots but passable with care. As I walk the
ripples I push ahead of me reflect the moon, it dances ahead between my

74 27