Selworthy Beacon, West Somerset
Most of the time, I find myself arguing for change. There are many things in the world that could be improved and so much that people argue to conserve seems to be motivated by a desire to avoid change at any cost.
For me, conservation is a word best approached with caution. I believe that conservation is not an end in itself which has intrinsic value but a means by which something that already has intrinsic value is retained. Examples of things that genuinely need conservation, if I were to have anything to do with it, are few and far between.
However, just occasionally, even die hard change agents, like myself, are brought face to face with the best possible reasons for conservation.
I have just returned from a walk across North Hill, Minehead, Somerset, UK to Selworthy Beacon and I can say, with hand on my heart, that I hope this wonderful little piece of our countryside and moorland never ever changes because, on a sunny spring day, it is perfect.
I parked at the end of North Hill, Minehead, overlooking Porlock and then walked back along the small country road until I saw a wide path to the left. Following this path was a wonderful pleasure.
Behind me, the moorland swooped down into the valley and then up again to Dunkery Beacon. The sun was beaming down from an azure sky and there was a gentle southerly wind fresh on my face. All around me, there was the smell of heather and gorse. Ahead of me, the wide grass path seemed to go on and upwards for ever and the stones that mark Selworthy Beacon were a mere smudge in the distance.
I stood at Selworthy Beacon for about fifteen minutes just enjoying the view across the fields to the Bristol Channel and Wales in the distance. It was just perfect.
Then I walked to the left down another wide path with fields on my right side and the moorland to my left towards Porlock Harbour in the distance. It was a trifle muddy underfoot because we’ve had heavy rain recently but I can truly say that there can be no better place in the world to walk on a sunny day.
Eventually, I came back to the car park, where I was able to pick up my laptop and write this small homily to conservation.
Bye for now
Rob
