norton green village online

Site last updated:
September 2008

On this page:

Issue 1. June 2008. Read all about our beautiful countryside & its inhabitants in The Trent Valley & its surroundings.

Click to view Country Matters main index page .......

norton green village community On-Line

Country Matters / online magazine

	Country Matters
Issue 1. June 2008
Welcome to the first issue of 'Country Matters', our online magazine that takes a closer look at the rich and diverse flora and fauna that inhabit our valley. In each issue we will bring you all types of countryside news including: sightings of rare birds, mammals and plants seen around the area and looking at ways we can all enjoy them. We will also take look at the customs and folk law that belong to each species. In this issue we take a closer look at one of our most common flowers and bring you some very exiting news of sightings of one of our most endangered birds. Spring has sprung! Farmers would always say that 'Spring had not fully arrived until you could set your foot on twelve daisies'. After taking a short walk today I think it's fair to say that spring is truly here.
Common Daisy ( Bellis Pereniss ) The name Daisy derives its name from Anglo Saxon term - daes eage (day's eye) which gives reference to the plant opening its petals each morning and closing them at night. But Roman mythology tells of the origins of the daisy coming from a nymph of the forests and pastures - Nymph Belides, whilst dancing on the edge of a forest caught a glimpse of Virtumns the God of the orchards and to conceal herself from his unwanted attractions she turned herself into a Bellis flower.
A flower probably more familiar to children when spending lazy summer days making Daisy chains and garlands, a practise that originates from pagan rituals that the wearing of the daisy in May would protect them from fairies who were exceptionally mischievous at this time of year. In Victorian times young girls began the practise of using the daisy to foretell if there intended suitor truly loved them, by removing the petals one by one, chanting "he loves me he loves me not", the last petal to determine there true affections. Also young maidens would close their eyes and grab a handful of daisies to determine how many years it would be before they were married and a second handful would foretell of the amount of children they would have. Although the daisy is an unwanted weed to those in search of the perfect lawn, out in our fields they are one of our most colourful and beautiful of wild flowers, but to view them best we have to get down to their level. So next time you stop for a rest whilst out in the countryside, why not sit a while and take a closer look at what grows around our feet.
Barn Owl The Return of the Ghost Hunter It is with the greatest of pleasure that we can inform you that various sightings of Barn Owls hunting in our valley have been brought to our attention. To protect the owls we have decided to keep the area of their sighting close to our chest, but you can be assured that they are coming back . It is most probable that their presence could be due to the change in farming habits, as more and more barns and out - buildings are becoming empty and unused, they then in turn become the perfect nesting place for breeding pairs. Whatever the reason for their return we should be honoured by their presence and hopefully in years to come we have healthy population of birds around us. If any of you are lucky enough to have the pleasure of catching sight of the owls hunting in our area, I am sure that the memory will stay with you for ever, for their silent flight and ghost like presence at dusk is a sight to behold. In the next issue we will be updating you on the sighting of the Barn Owl and delving further into the life and habits of one of our countries most adored of birds. If you have already seen the Barn Owl in our valley please contact us and leave a message with the webmaster.

This is my England Beneath oaken shade I sit Whilst high above on shaded bough The woodpigeon calls that all is well And there about my weary feet Are all of England 's meadows sweet Green sleeves plays through dale and hill For I am in England and all is still Whilst high above on shades bough The Woodpigeon calls that all is well.