I write on the shortest day, shortly after sunrise, 8.02, a fitting day to meander and reflect this passing of 4 seasons, this mark of time. I do it for myself and to share with you. But not for long as the day is short and it will turn, and having dallied in the past, I’ll get out the planning mind, and look forward.
Talking of measuring time, this has been the year of 2 anniversaries:
Ten years ago, June 14th 2014, at Clark and Simpson auction, I bought the wood. June this year the story was encapsulated in 10 stations of the wood, as a progressive theatrical performance staring children from Kinda Forest School, ably directed by Pippa. I loved the process, the planning from January, gathering all people who built the scafFold of this story. Bo (who was me) and Leon who played most of the other parts, were hilarious and brilliant. It was the highlight of my year. A movie is planned.
20 years ago, on a different landmass, Nepal, Bird of Passage was published October 2004, launched at Patan Museum with an exhibition of Sugata’s 1960 photographs taken in Kathmandu valley. (The story of how I came to realise the anniversary is here ). I remember the joy of that moment, seeing adults, then children in the photographs, recognise themselves. The book was the culmination of working with Sugata for 2 years on his life story. It was later clouded by Sugata’s death and this followed what I call 5 years of wilderness. That struggle is passed, in fact it finally loosened when I bought the wood. I only wish it hadn’t taken so long. Now I feel grateful to this man who gave me his story and the opportunity to write it.
Amid these two reflections it was an ambitious action year: the year of 3 back to back conferences:
The first in Durham, Philosophy in the Community, working with Sarah Banks and the SFCP. It was a creative stimulating gathering of international philosophers interested in asking questions. With Sarah we ran a joint workshop ‘In dialogue with Nature’, searching to find the right question. I fell in love with Durham Cathedral, it’s huge cavernous inside.
The National Coppice gathering at Wakelyns attracted coppicers from the length and breadth of England. We talked, exchanged, sang, learned new skills (I learned the art of working with Lime cordage with the great Fey Jones, the Woodland Haberdasher) David and Amanda (Wakelyns Agroforestry) sorted all our logistics, and got involved. I met Les’s friend, (sister of one of his ex wives) Director, Beatrix Wood, opening her film The Magician in Wood, in our open air barn ‘cinema’, night sky clear above us. Coppicers habitually work alone, so this gathering felt an unusually rich social of lone workers.
The second Halesworth Climate Action Conference themed Land & Food, was a huge success, far more focused, with a great supportive team and a subject close to my own life. Peter Hobson woke us up opening the conference. The most moving for me was Katie Graham, walking down the church aisle, singing Heartwood. Our work continues, the group expands, our direction moves into energy for 2025 as we have 5 years to attempt Halesworth Net Zero.
Adrian Ramsay opened the conference reminding us that last year he was on the panel as a regular man, and now a Member of Parliament. All our green energy focused on getting Adrian elected in May paid off, and for the first time in my life I voted for someone who I believed in, and a party which represented me. The unofficial celebration was in Kaliwoods and I got onto the front page of the thank you card!
Spring was INK – when our market town turns in to an impromptu theatre, showing new works by budding play writes. Highlight was Pippa performing in the bus.
It was cousin Tori’s idea to get away in spring, to South Wales. Rosillie, a empty beach loved by our 4 dogs, as well as Charlie, Tori and I. Star fish and huge skies. I failed to cross the Worm – Kali too blind, I not fit enough to save him. Loved the Whiteford Lighthouse, and spending time with Charlie and Tori. In between a few days camping near Snowdon, gentle walking around the foothills, among moss. New Quay unexpectedly meeting two girls both involved in death, sharing fish and chips. (They loved the dogs). Pwllheli with Kevin and Gill. We were an eccentric group, 3 people, Kevin with his large frame, unsteady gait (CP), Gill elegantly dressed, the only one who knew how to pronounce Pwllheli, aged 90 game to fit into any adventure with conversations beginning ‘When I was in Uganda’ and I with 3 boarder collies, mostly on a lead. We travelled well together. We could do it again.
In between, Christopher Titmuss turned 80, and I picked up Bryan, who flew in from Boston. ‘He’s worth it’, we both agreed. He had changed both our lives (Budhgaya, India), and these shifting moments were rich to recognise. I got a taste of Dartington and vowed to return and stay in the same AirBnb run by Belinda, who knew its politics.
On the way back a bit of family: Caroline and Pepita, who caught me up on the service to commemorate Wanda’s life, recently celebrated. Wanda and I span the age range of children from the Kellett sons, she the oldest, and daughter of Gerald reached 92 and I , daughter of Ross, am at 67 years on this earth. I stayed with cousin Berenice, Richard, Tilly Daisy and walked up to the Ridgeway. I saw Richard (Wright) briefly in February, on a visit to Sheffield and more recently on the phone heard he had cashed it all in, bought a boat and summer 25 has plans to sail in the Med. Hats off to him. I spoke to him from Edmunds Sheringham kitchen after Edmund and I spent a few adventurous days together motoring up to Hull for Monica’s funeral in Beverly. It was a pleasure for both of us to spend a bit of time with Rob and Alison. We enjoyed a pilgrimage back to 14 Queensway, agreed Grandma was a tough Victorian without much kindness to us children, found the River Hull, and where we used to disembark from the ferry across the Humber.
Berenice recommended my book of the year Wasps – Endless Forms by Seirian Summer, (a friend of Berenice). The author reads it brilliantly on audible. ‘We have a generic fear of wasps.. Let’s give them a chance to prove themselves. ‘Then came the invention you have all been waiting for – the sting, which has evolved easily from the ovipositor: the life giver became the hunter…. The sting is much more than a weapon, it is a prey carrying kebab stick, a medicinal syringe, delivering antibiotics and mind altering drug.”
At Holton Pits (saved last year now in community ownership) with Marion we organised a Hymenoptera survey; with volunteers the first wood laying of elm on and planting of the first hedge. These were all joyful times but this year I have struggled with the team: we have different visions and I finally left the board of directors in November. Happily one less commitment! (much encouraged by Pippa, a good scrutiny friend).
Talking of deaths. Monica of course. Valerie, Halesworth’s fashion icon. Closer to home Mark Watson, much-missed plant person, died too young (62). (I’d last seen him last year in my kitchen talking climate change) ‘We are in snipers alley’ said Virginia, who turned 80 this year. Keith Payne, also a friend of Virginia, and who was one of the reasons Bob and I came up to Suffolk died in Galway. Roys’ Irene, and Wills’ Jackie from our Elders group. Most profoundly Serena. She was one of those who rocked up here in the 1970’s. I found a connection with her, we shared a dream of co-housing (which neither of us will realise), and she loved the wood, came to Elders. Everyones death is a rehearsal for our own.
Friendships therefore are preciously nourished. Rupert and I did a record breaking tour of Suffolk churches: Dennington (finding the upside down skier – Sciapod), Fritton, Baddingham, Herringfleet, Sommerleyton, Haddiscoe. Yuka spent much of summer here. Les turned 80, celebrated with Emma in Bungay. Christianne and Sonia visited from Germany and came to Strumpshaw. Brian had his brush with cancer but recovered, and we had glorious days away throughout the year, starting with Yarmouth ending in Staverton for my 67th birthday, realising our ignorance of epicormic growths. A luxurious lunch at the Sun in Dedham with Tinks and Clive, after which I managed to fit in a flying visit to the Community in Colchester, still inspiring, mostly now in their 90’s.
Talking about freedom, politically we have had two elections this year: in July UK voted Keir Starmer’s Labour into power with a landslide – the first labour government in 14 years. In November, unbelievably, Trump. Without the support of main stream press, by the popular vote, Republicans won the House and the Senate. Despite two impeachments, multiple criminal indictments a felony conviction, a misogynist a racist, an accused rapist, a man swathed in scandal, who wants to dismantle the government, appointing Musk as his knight of state light. How? And how will this play out on the world stage? Israel/Gaza/Palestine? Ukraine/Russia, whose violent conflicts continued all this year?
Closer to home, in Basildon court Sam got sentenced 18 months (for tunnels dug under the road to Navigator oil terminal. Just Stop Oil). I was grateful to be involved in the debate and witness the rule of law. And delighted a few days ago, to collet Sam from HMP Highpoint, released early. (As the Radio 4 Archers informs, they often release early due to staff shortages at Christmas – although Ed is still inside of course)
Kinda Forest School expanded with Mells vision and energy now employ over 40 facilitators this year, engaging a second woodland, Worlingham, allowing Kaliwood a much needed rest – it is now used 2-3 days a week. We at Elders flourished March to December. Our last project of working with Tamlin a ceramist, involved collecting clay from the land, making pots, hand hugs, objects and firing it in our home made Pit fire – it was emotional and timeless.
Coming across these reflections on this the shortest day not only opens reflection on the day, but the space in between and the comparison to now: body mind differences. I will not write a book again, that time has passed, that energy has gone, that ambition is no longer there. This year has had the same limiting undercurrent continued as last year, but more profound: of now what will not be done, what I will not become. And with an addition of a diminishing capacity. Annoyingly, having stopped smoking the occasional cigarette (which naturally lapsed into more on occasions of writing such as this), helped by Alan Carr in Lowestoft), my breath health has deteriorated, (irregular Tennis and running helps), which drives a need to get things in order. The limiting/diminishing also has a freedom, incapsulated in this walk at Covehithe after clearing out a shed.
The Land inspires and has a future. Crispin dug a pond in the wettest time, shallow but full now, funded by by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The plan was drawn up this year. A mix of woodland and agroforestry a forest garden and community garden. Hiring a tractor, with MJ we flayed, harrowed, sowed herbage seed and rolled the rides. (Fulfilling the bucket list of two elders who drove the tractor too). Ragwort, thistle dominate and will continue to challenge. Two days ago I received confirmation from the Forestry Commission that my EWCO application is successful, and mid January we will plant 7,000 trees.
I almost forgot the dogs. Kali, increasingly deaf and blind, and now leaking, but still plays still walks. Brow became well known on FB as the escaping dog, the castration and GPS tag have helped. He still runs away at the sound of a chain saw, tough for a wood worker, so it’s back to hand tools. (Meanwhile his sister rounds 1,000 sheep a day). Bobji is still the favourite. They are all a joy to me.
The wood cabin, in which I write this, is a heaven away from looking at a screen, and I vow to spend less time hunched over screens and more time drawing, observing, playing, as well as planting of course!
All best wishes to my friends and family and thank you for reading this.
Photographs of moments in 2024
Kalikellett 