A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

I thoroughly enjoyed the recent article on using the countryside as a survival strategy in the event of a major catastrophe (February issue). It was well written, well researched and – as always in your magazine – beautifully photographed. And it encouraged me at least to view my surroundings in a rather different light.

Though hardly a new one. These considerations must have been uppermost in the minds of our distant ancestors when they were first deciding where to settle. Where could they find shelter from bad weather, water for themselves and their animals, a piece of land they could work for crops? And yes, where could they defend themselves against attack? Looking around at the remains of ancient settlements, you’ll see that they mostly came to the same conclusion as your reporters – caves, valleys, shorelines and islands looked the safest bet.

Please don’t be discouraged by some negative reaction from taking a fresh, even controversial look at the countryside. It’s big enough and brave enough to accommodate all kinds of subject matter, not just fluffy lambs and hiking socks.

Editor Fergus Collins replies:

We have had so many letters and emails about this article, with some people saying it had no place in BBC

Countryfile Magazine while others enjoying these occasionally surprising and challenging pieces that make us rethink how we see the countryside. I think I would be most worried if we didn’t get any reactions at all.