COUNTRY PEOPLE

Fergus Collins, editor

I’ve been lucky to explore some gorgeous landscapes and encounter fabulous wildlife, but it’s the people that I most remember. People who are true country folk – with a quiet but deep knowledge of a craft, of history, of the natural world. I fondly remember exploring Hadrian’s Wall with the humorous historian Gary Reed (September 2011, issue 51), who replayed battles between Romans and Picts using sheep dung to represent legions. And spending a day walking with wise woodsman Vincent Thurkettle in the Brecon Beacons (podcast); birdwatching with the Woodland Trust’s Barry Embling (podcast); and chatting over a glass of wine with our columnist Sara Maitland. All hugely enriching – and increasing my understanding of rural Britain.