The wildflowers of a Berwickshire bard

John Leyden also features in this fine book by naturalist Michael Braithwaite and published by The Berwickshire Naturalists' Club. However the poet/bard in question is George Henderson 1800-1864: the founder member of the club. He writes in his poetry of the land clearance of the time and its effect on the natural environment.


Our bonny burn-sides they hae drained and dug,
The crook o’ the burn they altered too,
The green ferny knowes where the hare lay snug,
They hae cleared o’ ilka buss, and riven wi’ the pleugh.


As such it is an amazingly prescient work when compared to present habitat destruction to grow today's farming fads such as palm oil.

Available direct from Michael Braithwaite, Clarilaw Farmhouse, Hawick, Roxburghshire Scotland TD9 8PT at £7 (cheque to Berwickshire Naturalists' Club) including postage if you are in the UK. I recommend you correspond with Michael if you are outside UK and want a copy of this interesting book. Or use your judgement re: postage and add it to a sterling cheque, any extra could go to the next BNC publication.

You can find more here http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/lifestyle/comment/the-rise-of-the-fall-is-something-to-behold-1-2596146