June 18, 2025 • 39 mins
This week's Wildlife Matters podcast presents a profound exploration of the intricate interrelations between wildlife, nature, and the rich tapestry of folklore surrounding the summer solstice. We shall embark on a captivating journey to the Isle of Avalon, where we shall unravel the enchanting narratives that have long captivated the human imagination. Our discourse will include the noteworthy Animal Aid campaign, which seeks to ban the use of snares in England. This critical movement follows the successful enactment of similar bans in Wales and Scotland. Additionally, we will delve into the historical significance of the summer solstice, reflecting on how our ancestors harmonised their lives with the rhythms of nature. As we traverse the wild wood on a tranquil summer evening, we shall immerse ourselves in the soothing symphony of nature's evening serenaders, further enriching our understanding of the natural world.
The Wildlife Matters podcast delves into the intricate relationship between nature and folklore in its Summer Solstice special. This episode invites listeners to contemplate the historical significance of the summer solstice, a time revered by ancient cultures for its celebration of light, growth, and fertility. We delve into the rich tapestry of traditions that accompany this celestial event, from pagan rituals to contemporary practices, all while emphasising the enduring bond between humanity and the natural world. The episode also features a segment on the Animal Aid campaign, which aims to ban snares in England, highlighting the ethical implications of these devices on non-target species. As we connect the dots between our ancestors' reverence for the solstice and our current environmental challenges, we encourage listeners to reflect on their relationship with the seasons and the flora and fauna that surround them. Furthermore, we invite our audience to join us on a serene evening walk, where they can immerse themselves in the soothing sounds of a summer night, reconnecting with the natural sounds that envelop us in the wild.
Takeaways:
- This episode of Wildlife Matters delves into the enchanting connection between wildlife, folklore, and the mystical Isle of Avalon.
- Listeners are invited to explore the origins of the summer solstice and how our ancestors celebrated this significant event in harmony with nature.
- The episode highlights the urgent campaign by Animal Aid to ban snares in England, following similar successful bans in Wales and Scotland.
- We emphasise the importance of appreciating the soothing sounds of wildlife during summer evenings, enhancing our connection to nature.
- The podcast features a mindful moment where we can listen to the beautiful songs of nature, particularly during a long summer evening.
- Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the rich history and magic of Glastonbury as they explore its ancient sites and natural beauty.
Links referenced in this episode:
- animalaid.org.uk
- glastonburyabbey.com
- https://www.rainbowsendglastonbury.com/
- www.wildlife-matters.org
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Animal Aid
- DEFRA
- National Trust
- The Pyramid Cat
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:26):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters podcast.
This week's episode is filledwith summer delights.
Featuring our Summer Solsticespecial, we will explore the connection
between wildlife and naturealongside folklore, magic and the
enchanting allure of thewhimsical Isle of Avalon.
(00:49):
In this week's WildlifeMatters and Mindful moments, we will
journey to the wild wood wherewe can listen to the beautiful songs
of nature on a long summer evening.
And in this week's WildlifeMatters Nature News, our lead story
covers the animal aid campaignaimed at banning snares in England
(01:12):
following the successful bansenacted by the Welsh and Scottish
governments.
Join us as we delve into theorigins of the summer solstice and
and discover how our ancestorsharmonized with nature and adapted
to the changing seasons.
Our third story.
(01:32):
Join us for an evening walk aswe take a moment to appreciate the
soothing sounds of wildlife ona warm summer's night.
All of this and more is comingup on this week's Wildlife Matters
podcast and Nature News is next.
(02:06):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News
where we take a look at someof the stories from around the world
of wildlife and nature thatyou will want to know more about.
Beginning with the news fromAnimal Aid and their ongoing campaign
to ban snares in England.
As Animal AIDS say it's timeto ban snares in England and they've
(02:32):
been campaigning for a ban onthe manufacture, sale, possession
and use of snares.
The governments of Wales andScotland have both banned them and
Animal Aid are campaigning fora ban in England as well.
So what is a snare and what isit for?
A snare is a thin wire noosewhich is set to catch certain animals
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by the leg or the neck becausethey are accused of killing pheasants
and partridges who aredestined to be shot for so called
sport or damaging crops.
There are two types of snare.
One is illegal, the other islegal, but both can easily fail to
(03:16):
work correctly.
Snares should be checked daily.
Snared animals should bereleased if they are not the target
species and the animal is unharmed.
If the animal is the targetspecies then it will be killed.
DEFRA's own figures statedthat almost 70% of animals caught
(03:38):
in snares were non targetspecies and this could and has included
badgers, pet dogs, pet cats,sheep and lambs.
Do snares cause injury to animals?
Trapped animals will panic andstruggle to get free.
Being trapped in a wire noose.
(03:59):
The wire can cut off into theanimal's flesh.
Depending on how long they aretrapped and how much they struggle,
the snare can cut into anddamage or injure their muscles, deeper
tissues and even their bone.
Animals have been known to tryto chew off their own limbs to escape.
(04:19):
Their pain and distress are unimaginable.
Even if an animal freezes,immobile and does not move once caught,
that is not necessarily good.
There is a condition calledtonic immobility which occurs when
animals are incrediblystressed and it's a condition that
has been recognized in humans.
(04:41):
So what does the snare code ofpractice say?
It states that snares shouldnever be set under or near fences
or other obstructions likesaplings, hedges, walls or gates
that could cause entanglement.
They should not be set wherelivestock could be caught on or near
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an active badger set or on theruns radiating from it in such a
way that the restrained animalcould become fully or partially suspended,
entangled, drowned or strangled.
And if forecasted, weatherconditions are likely to cause poor
welfare or prevent daily inspection.
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And this could include excessheat as well as cold.
Wind, rain, snow and otherfactors must all be considered.
So why haven't snares beenbanned in England?
Well, that's an excellentquestion, especially because the
Government of Wales bannedthem in 2023 and the government in
Scotland banned them in 2024.
(05:47):
Animal Aid, along with manyother groups of organisations, is
campaigning to get them bannedin England in 2025.
The Labour government haspromised to ban snares, so Animal
Aid are working hard to ensurethat this happens as soon as possible
for the sake of all animalswho are at risk of getting caught
(06:08):
in these cruel and archaic devices.
For more information pleasevisit the Animal Aid website.
We will leave a link in theshow notes Our second story this
week asks the topicalquestion, why do we celebrate solstice?
On Saturday, June 21st at3:41am, people across the northern
(06:34):
hemisphere will commencecelebrations to welcome the longest
day of the year and herald theSummer Solstice.
The Summer Solstice has beencelebrated for thousands of years
with its roots in both paganand religious traditions.
It is a time to reconnect withnature when food and nature are abundant
(06:57):
and the focus of thefestivities is fertility and the
life giving powers of the sun.
In pagan Europe, people wouldlight bonfires and dance all night
on Midsummer's Eve accompaniedby rituals led by the Druids.
One of the customs was bonfirejumping where the height of the jump
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was believed to predict thesuccess of the year's crop.
In ancient China, the summersolstice was a significant festival
during which workers weregiven a day off to celebrate the
feminine force known as Yin.
Similarly, the ancient Romanscelebrated with a focus on Vesta,
(07:41):
the goddess of the hearth,home and family.
The summer solstice remains animportant festival in many countries.
Many people stay awake onMidsummer's Eve to greet the sun
as it rises.
Modern Druids famously gatherat Stonehenge for celebrations of
Midsummer, which areintertwined with mysticism and magic
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and believed to be at theirpeak during this time of the year.
Tradition holds that ghostscan cross from the afterlife into
this world, and as seen inShakespeare's A Midsummer Night's
Dream, it is believed that thefairy world is close by, bringing
mischief and chaos to mortalsto ward off malevolent spirits.
(08:26):
Flower crowns aretraditionally worn.
Many midsummer summertraditions focus on reconnecting
with nature, so it's nosurprise that trees and tree worship
feature prominently in bothancient and modern festivals.
At the center of Midsummercelebrations is the oak tree.
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The Celtic word for oak, dua,means doorway.
As the king of the forest, theoak is viewed as the gateway to mystical
realms and and to the new,darker cycle of the year which is
about to begin.
Mistletoe, long believed tohave healing and fertility powers,
is thought to harness the soulof the tree and is at its strongest
(09:11):
when it grows on oak.
During midsummer, the beechtree, with its fresh lime green leaves
brightening the forest, isregarded as the queen of the forest
and consort to the oak king.
For the druids, it symbolizedancient wisdom and was a sacred wood
of the summer solstice.
And according to folklore, ifyou write a wish on a beech twig
(09:35):
and then bury it, your wishwill come true as the twig decays
in the earth.
Hazel trees are believed topossess magical properties and to
ward off evil spirits, and inmedieval times they symbolized fertility.
Stirring jam with a hazel twigis thought to prevent mischievous
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fairies from stealing the jam.
The shimmering tremblingleaves of the beautiful aspen were
believed to carry messagesfrom this world to the afterlife,
and wearing a crown of aspenleaves allowed the wearer to travel
to the underworld and back again.
Traditionally, shields weremade from aspen wood as it was believed
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to protect against evil,making it symbolism particularly
important during the mysticaltime of mid summer.
We hope that this brief lookat the history, customs and folklore
of the solstice have helpedyou to understand how it is so closely
tied to nature and our well being.
(10:41):
Our third story this week is ajaunt in the woodlands on a summer
evening as we share an excerptfrom a recent Wildlife Matters article
for a well being publicationHighlighting the night serenaders
that add an enchanting layerto the natural soundscape Walking
in the woodland on a summernight is a wonderful way to reconnect
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with nature.
Highlighting the nightserenaders that add an enchanting
layer to the naturalsoundscape Most people associate
the cheerful melodies of birdssinging with daytime, but there is
a lesser known yet equallycaptivating world of birds that sing
at night.
(11:25):
The nightingale is oftenregarded as the quintessential master
of night songs.
Its melodic and powerful song,composed of a rapid succession of
whistles, gurgles and trills,fills the night air.
The nightingale's song isfrequently described as one of the
most beautiful and melancholicsounds in nature.
(11:49):
Another nighttime star is the nightjar.
Commonly found in heathlandsand woodlands.
Its distinctive chirring calland aerial displays make make it
a fascinating addition to thenocturnal choir.
While cuckoos are typicallyknown for their cuckoo call during
the day, they also sing atnight, adding to their enigmatic
(12:13):
nature with their mysteriousnight songs.
And you might also hear someof your garden favorites such as
robins and blackbirds, both ofwhom are known to sing through summer
nights.
And of course, we can't forgetthe tawny owls, which communicate
with each other through theirdistinctive twit and twoo calls,
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along with a far broader rangeof vocalizations.
You can join us for a summernight walk on an upcoming Wildlife
Matters podcast to listen toour melodic and nighttime singers,
but for now, that has beenthis week's Wildlife Matters Nature
News.
(13:14):
Each week we make a point ofsharing something special special
with you from time spent innature to help you relax and unwind
and motivate you to get outand into nature.
And on this week's WildlifeMatters Mindful Moments, join us
and enjoy one of the wonderfulwild sounds of our woodlands on a
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long summer's evening.
SA is a truly unique citysound, often described as a persistent
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churning sound resembling themechanical whirring of a clockwork
toy.
Unwinding can be quite eerieand difficult to pinpoint the exact
location due to its rising andfalling pitch, and sometimes it moves
its head while calling,altering its voice.
(15:31):
We hope you enjoyed spendingtime listening to a nightjar on a
summer evening on this week'sWildlife Matters Mindful Moments.
Now it's time for you to joinme before dawn as we set off on a
celebration of the summersolstice to the mystical and magical
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Isle of Avalon for this week'sWildlife Matters main feature.
It's 3am and my alarm jolts me awake.
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I pull back the curtains inthe van and see it is still dark
outside.
Rubbing my eyes, I get out ofbed after getting dressed and enjoying
a strong dark cup of coffee.
I sit in the van's slidingdoor and gaze into the calm, cool
night.
(16:40):
Today was going to be uniqueand very special for it's the summer
solstice.
I decided I wanted to exploresomewhere different, somewhere magical,
somewhere mystical and memorable.
And all roads led me to Glaston.
I parked Raven, my camper van,in the Duncton car park near the
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centre of Glastonbury andwalked around the extensive grounds
of Glastonbury Abbey.
I tried to imagine its glorydays before Henry VII dissolved it.
The abbey was built by a Saxonking Iny of Wessex around 712 and
its history is said to betraced back to an old church in the
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legend of King Arthur is alsoassociated with Glastonbury abbey.
In the 12th century it wasbelieved that the tomb of the legendary
king and his wife Guineverewere found here.
The stone Saxon churchunderwent significant enlargement
in the 10th century under theremit of the Abbot of Glastonbury
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and the future Archbishop ofCanterbury, St Dunstan.
It was added to by theNormans, so much so that in 1086
Domesday Book it listedGlastonbury Abbey as the nation's
wealthiest monastery.
Today, sadly, much ofGlastonbury Abbey was destroyed in
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a Great Fire in 1184 and thenew great church was constructed
and consecrated in 1240.
13 Glastonbury town is alivewith ancient history and medieval
mystique.
There's a story waiting to beheard on every street corner, on
every mud covered cluster ofstones and just about anywhere else
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you might care to look long enough.
As I leave the abbey and walkalong the streets of Glastonbury,
the colourful painted housesthat adorn the whole town capture
my imagination.
Each piece of artwork is asindividual as the artist who created
it and the people living inthe house.
We should all express how wefeel and share that in an amateur
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Banksy style on our ownhouses, which would really brighten
up every town, village andcity in Britain.
Bushycombe Garden is one ofGlastonbury's beauty spots and is
much used by folk visiting thetour by foot.
There are plenty of seatsalong the route, some of which have
been there for over a hundredyears, which is another sign that
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multiple generations of folkhave used this route to the tour.
Following the footpath throughthe gate, banks of trees form a towering
hedgerow on the Right towardsthe end of the steep incline, an
old sycamore on the right hasstood started to consume the fence
post placed at its feet.
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We walk through the KissingGate at the top corner of the Coombe
and head towards Fairy Lane.
At the top of Bushy Combe is amuch visited grand linden or lime
tree across the grass and thisspot offers a stunning view of the
tour and a perfect photoopportunity, one I could not miss.
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The cosy green hollow is linedby hawthorn, elder, hazel, blackthorn,
old field maples, spindle anda magnificent split ash.
On the left, Fairy Lane leadsinto an open field with yet more
views of the tor.
If you take a slight detour tothe top corner of this field, you
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will find an old English oakstanding in the hedgerow.
Its branches reach outhorizontally, spiraling and twisting,
while the two main trunks arefused, resembling snakes mating.
This is what the locals callthe wiggly oak.
We continue walking until wereach the gated entrance to the Toul.
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Three beech trees are plantedat the entrance in dedication to
the goddess Brigid Bridget.
Below them there is amilestone marking eight miles to
Wales.
Legend has it that you shouldannounce your arrival by throwing
a stone.
Once we pass through theKissing Gate leading to the terraces
of the tour, an impressive rowof hawthorns is straight ahead.
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It is a hedgerow that hasgrown out for a long, long time.
There is also a wayfaring treeon the edge of the hedgerow, another
sign sign of pilgrimage fromthe past.
As we reached the top of thetour and joined a large group of
people gathered just before sunrise.
It was now 4:55am and the sunhad cast its first light of a new
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day.
Many people gathered around afire, some cheering, others clapping
and dancing to the steadyrhythm of the drums.
It was a fun way to welcome inthe sunrise on a solstice morning.
We sat and enjoyed views ofthe Somerset countryside from what
is regarded as one of the mostspiritual sites in the uk.
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I looked towards AvalonMarshes and began to dream about
exploring them, which isanother adventure that Wildlife Matters
will bring to you.
Just being in a spiritual andmystical place on the solstice, dawn
is a wonderful experience andwe wanted to soak up every drop of
it.
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So it was a good couple ofhours fueled with coffee and oat
cakes before we set offtowards the Avalon Orchard.
Avalon means apples, the namecoming from the Welsh for apple or
apple tree.
Here in Britain, as elsewherein the world, apples were thought
to represent long life,fruitfulness and health, and were
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often considered to be magical.
The apple was an essentialtree to the Druids, and along with
yew wood, it was used to maketheir wands.
Avalon Orchard is perched onthe slope of the tour.
It appears to be largelymissed by the thousands of visitors
to the tour.
And even today we have thisbeautiful, beautiful orchard all
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to ourselves.
The National Trust looks afterAvalon Orchard as part of the tourist
state, but it doesn't appearto know much about its origin, age
or what types of apples aregrown there.
The trees are undoubtedly oldfor apple trees, I would have guessed
at at least 100, maybe 150years, and are suitably gnarled and
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covered in lichen.
During a later conversationwith a local, I was told that many
of the seats in Bushy Coombewere made from fallen applewood from
the Avalon Orchard.
At the height of summer, theorchard's blossom had gone and the
trees were full of young pinkto green apples, some still wearing
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their now rotting pollen bonnets.
It is still clearly aproductive orchard and we noticed
that many trees had redribbons tied to their branches.
The history behind the use ofribbon trees comes from many places
around the world.
Sometimes known as wishingtrees or rag bushes.
The Irish call them clottiesand the Scots call them cluttie trees.
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The orchards or woodlands usedfor the ribbon trees are often close
to holy wells or water, as isindeed the case here in the Avalon
Orchard.
These trees are oftendecorated with strips of ribbon or
cloth, but always with organicmaterials that will decompose naturally
by visitors who want tofulfill their wishes or in remembrance
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of a loved one, human oranimal who has died.
This sets me thinking aboutthe Arthurian legends that abound
here and that back in Arthur'sday, Glastonbury, or Avalon as the
name translates to, is theisland of apples.
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In Arthur's day, the tourwould have been an island rising
out of the marshes.
And perhaps that is why it issaid that Arthur went to Avalon after
his last battle.
It is also believed that whatwe know as Glastonbury was the isle
of glass, where deceasedheroes were said to dwell.
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We set off again with a headfull of mystery and legend, walking
down the tour towards theWhite Spring.
It is fascinating that the twohealing springs, one white with calcite
and the other tinged red withiron, should raise within a few feet
of each other from the cavernsbeneath Glastonbury.
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Tours.
In honor of the spirit of thewhite Spirit spring, the Victorians
built a magnificent well housein gratitude for the gift of pure
water.
Set apart from the chalicewell, the well house is very enigmatic,
especially when lit withcandles at dusk.
The interior consists of threedomed vaults, each 16ft high, with
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beautiful bowed floors, likethe hull of a boat moored at a port
long to the other world.
Its constant temperature andthe sound of the perpetually flowing
water make it a unique andsacred space.
We move to the open, sunlitgardens of the Red Spring, or the
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Chalice Well.
The water in the Chalice wellcomes from deep within the Earth.
25,000 gallons or 110,000liters flow from the well every day,
which has never failed, evenduring the driest droughts.
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Iron oxide deposits give thewater a reddish hue.
Archaeological finds suggestthat humans may have used the spring's
water over 2,000 years ago.
Set in a beautiful four acregarden, the Chalice well is a serene
space for quiet contemplationand meditation, featuring numerous
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tucked away corners, lawns,flower beds and some majestic trees.
We walked down some steps tothe Vesica Pool, a beautiful sculpture
in a rockery.
A few people were here, somewere sat on benches, others on the
lawn, and some were in theshade of two large yew trees.
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I started chatting with a ladywho tells me that the yew Tree is
around 700 years old, whilethe smaller tree is a spur of the
first.
I love that they are known asthe Guardians of the Gulf.
As we move through the centralgarden and into the small walled
courtyard garden which isknown as King Arthur's Court.
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This courtyard has a healingpoint, a shallow brick lined pool
surrounded by ferns and ivyand is shaded by another ancient
old yew tree.
Here, people are dipping theirfeet in the chilly water around the
pool to cool down.
It's been a long and warmmorning and we have walked a reasonable
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distance already.
So I quickly removed my bootsand joined the others, dipping my
feet into the calming cool water.
And it's a welcome relief onthis warm summer morning.
With my feet refreshed, wewalk barefoot across to the Lion's
Head fountain set in a sunkengarden to drink the spring water
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for the first time.
That water tastes so good andis so refreshing.
I filled my cupped handsseveral times to quench my thirst
and I filled my water bottles.
The water is tested regularlyand even when the garden is closed,
a tap located along the wellhouse lane allows access to water
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from the fountain.
The tap is piped directly fromthe well's source.
Just behind us is the HolyThorn Tree, which I'm told flowers
twice every year, once atChristmas and once at Easter.
According to local legend, thethis tree is the descendant of the
original holy thorn tree thatgrew from where Joseph drove his
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staff into the ground near the well.
A stone path with beds flankedby traditional English country garden
flowers leads us to the farnortheast corner of the garden, where
you will find the beautifulwell head with its immediately recognizable
well well lid.
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It's a popular and busy areaof the garden, so we stop long enough
for me to take a picture ortwo before moving on.
As we walk between the placeswe want to visit, we return to the
thoughts of Arthurian legend.
Glastonbury, or the Isle ofAvalon, is a place steeped in Celtic
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mythology.
It is said that the cave underthe hill is the entrance to the fairy
realm and the underworld ofGwyn Ab Nud and his Cauldron of rebirth.
We arrive back at GlastonburyAbbey to look for the tomb of the
legendary King Arthur.
Nearly everyone has heardstories about King Arthur.
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His sword in the stone, hisKnights of the Round Table, his Kingdom
of Camelot.
But there's little to nohistorical proof of an early British
king.
Arthur.
The legendary king is said tohave ruled sometime around the late
5th to the early 6th centuryand fought against the invading Saxons.
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However, the first mention ofa warrior named Arthur is a few hundred
Years later, in 829, when aWelsh monk called him a commander
who fought alongside the kingsof the Britons.
Then, in 1138, Geoffrey ofMonmouth included King Arthur in
his History of Kings of Britain.
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The medieval storytellers tookit all.
From there, they begancirculating fantastic tales of King
Arthur and his daring deeds,deeds which seemed to grow with each
story.
According to Geoffrey'soriginal story, when Arthur was mortally
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wounded, he was put in a boatand taken to the Isle of Avalon in
hope that he could be healedof his wounds.
And Geoffrey ends his storythere, leaving Arthur in Avalon.
But at that time, no one knewwhere the Isle of Avalon was.
Then, one day in 1191, themonks of the Glastonbury Abbey found
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something strange.
In the old abbey cemetery,they were digging between two old
stone pyramids covered inworn, unreadable markings, when deep
in the ground, they found alarge stone laying flat.
They lifted it out so thatthey could inspect it.
A lead cross was attached tothe back of the stone, the side facing
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downwards.
They pried off the cross andfound an inscription hidden on the
back of it.
All the monks were wonderingat this strange sight.
Then one translated, here liesburied the renowned King Arthur with
Guinevere, his second wife, inthe Isle of Avalon.
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Everyone gasped.
Years earlier, King Henry IIhad sent word to the monks of Glastonbury
about Arthur's burial.
He claimed that an oldsoothsayer had told him Arthur was
buried in a log casket verydeep in the earth.
The monks picked up theirshovels and began digging again with
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more vigour.
They dug deeper and deeperuntil at about 16ft, they hit what
seemed to be a tree buriedhorizontally in the earth.
It was large.
It was a tree trunk coffin,similar to those used in earlier
times.
The word spread.
A large crowd gathered andprobably paid to see the coffin opened.
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After the monks had dug allaround it, they struggled to lift
the top off.
But as they hoisted the woodenlid out of the pit, the remains of
two bodies were revealed, aman and a woman.
There was a lock of braidedblond hair that looked completely
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intact.
However, when a monk went topick it up, it turned to dust in
his hand.
Everyone was astonished whenthey saw King Arthur's skeleton as
it was enormous.
One monk took the shin boneand held it against the tallest man
there and it extended a goodthree inches above his knee.
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His eye sockets were a hand'swidth apart and he had at least 10
wounds on his large skull.
All had scarred except forone, a large one, which was probably
the final blow.
The monks carefully lifted thebones from the grave and wrapped
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the them in cloth.
They would have a new marbletomb made for Arthur and Guinevere
and place it in their church.
The discovery of King Arthur'stomb changed Glastonbury Abbey's
fortunes as people from farand wide began making pilgrimage
to see it.
And that was the end of oursummer solstice adventure.
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We took off to the Pyramid Caton Glastonbury High street, an excellent
fully vegan calf that wehighly recommend you visit and try
one of their exquisitecheesecakes, such as the dragon cheesecake,
which tasted even better thanit looks.
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We hope you enjoyed our summersolstice adventure to Glastonbury,
a place rich in mysticism and magic.
Due to its fascinating historyand the beliefs surrounding ancient
sites such as the Glastonbury tour.
Many visitors report feeling aunique energy in the area, which
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they attribute to the leylines and other unseen forces.
Plastonbury Tours isconsidered a significant location
where ley lines intersect withancient sites, enhancing the spiritual
atmosphere.
Regardless of your beliefs,it's a wonderful place to spend time
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admiring the ancient trees andcontemplating their history, imagining
the stories that they couldshare if only they could speak.
One can reflect on how ourancestors were connected to the changing
seasons and the landscape fromthe pure water of the wells to the
(36:32):
seasonal bounty of the land.
And from the tour you can lookout over the enchanting Avalon Marshes
which will be featured in afuture episode of the Wildlife Matters
Podcast.
(37:03):
We want to extend a warmwelcome to our new listeners and
subscribers this week.
Last week's episode featuringthe watching of wild beavers in Devon
has been incredibly popularand has already become one of our
most listened to episodes.
And with your support we havealso achieved another landmark for
(37:26):
the Wildlife Matters podcastwhere we have exceeded 500,000 downloads.
Yes, that's over half amillion of you who have listened
to our episodes and we areincredibly grateful to everyone who
listens to the WildlifeMatters Podcast.
(37:46):
Thank you.
We set out with a vision toeducate, entertain, inform and engage
like minded wildlife andnature lovers who share our desire
to reach broader audienceswhile advocating for local wildlife
and conservation projects aswell as community groups and standing
(38:09):
up and speaking out to stopthe persecution and destruction of
wildlife and nature.
To achieve this landmark witha self researched, written, recorded
and produced podcast thatremains independent is something
I am incredibly proud to have created.
(38:31):
But it's you, the listener whohas driven us on and helped us evolve
over the last three years andfor that we are incredibly grateful.
Wildlife Matters will returnin two weeks with another incredible
adventure as we go in searchof golden eagles in Galloway.
So be sure to subscribewherever you get your podcasts so
(38:55):
you never miss an episode.
Thank you as always for yourtime today and we hope you found
something that you can takeaway and discuss with your friends
or colleagues when you havethe time.
Until then, stay curious wild ones.
This is Wildlife Matters signing.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters podcast.
This week's episode is filledwith summer delights.
Featuring our Summer Solsticespecial, we will explore the connection
between wildlife and naturealongside folklore, magic and the
enchanting allure of thewhimsical Isle of Avalon.
(00:49):
In this week's WildlifeMatters and Mindful moments, we will
journey to the wild wood wherewe can listen to the beautiful songs
of nature on a long summer evening.
And in this week's WildlifeMatters Nature News, our lead story
covers the animal aid campaignaimed at banning snares in England
(01:12):
following the successful bansenacted by the Welsh and Scottish
governments.
Join us as we delve into theorigins of the summer solstice and
and discover how our ancestorsharmonized with nature and adapted
to the changing seasons.
Our third story.
(01:32):
Join us for an evening walk aswe take a moment to appreciate the
soothing sounds of wildlife ona warm summer's night.
All of this and more is comingup on this week's Wildlife Matters
podcast and Nature News is next.
(02:06):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News
where we take a look at someof the stories from around the world
of wildlife and nature thatyou will want to know more about.
Beginning with the news fromAnimal Aid and their ongoing campaign
to ban snares in England.
As Animal AIDS say it's timeto ban snares in England and they've
(02:32):
been campaigning for a ban onthe manufacture, sale, possession
and use of snares.
The governments of Wales andScotland have both banned them and
Animal Aid are campaigning fora ban in England as well.
So what is a snare and what isit for?
A snare is a thin wire noosewhich is set to catch certain animals
(02:55):
by the leg or the neck becausethey are accused of killing pheasants
and partridges who aredestined to be shot for so called
sport or damaging crops.
There are two types of snare.
One is illegal, the other islegal, but both can easily fail to
(03:16):
work correctly.
Snares should be checked daily.
Snared animals should bereleased if they are not the target
species and the animal is unharmed.
If the animal is the targetspecies then it will be killed.
DEFRA's own figures statedthat almost 70% of animals caught
(03:38):
in snares were non targetspecies and this could and has included
badgers, pet dogs, pet cats,sheep and lambs.
Do snares cause injury to animals?
Trapped animals will panic andstruggle to get free.
Being trapped in a wire noose.
(03:59):
The wire can cut off into theanimal's flesh.
Depending on how long they aretrapped and how much they struggle,
the snare can cut into anddamage or injure their muscles, deeper
tissues and even their bone.
Animals have been known to tryto chew off their own limbs to escape.
(04:19):
Their pain and distress are unimaginable.
Even if an animal freezes,immobile and does not move once caught,
that is not necessarily good.
There is a condition calledtonic immobility which occurs when
animals are incrediblystressed and it's a condition that
has been recognized in humans.
(04:41):
So what does the snare code ofpractice say?
It states that snares shouldnever be set under or near fences
or other obstructions likesaplings, hedges, walls or gates
that could cause entanglement.
They should not be set wherelivestock could be caught on or near
(05:02):
an active badger set or on theruns radiating from it in such a
way that the restrained animalcould become fully or partially suspended,
entangled, drowned or strangled.
And if forecasted, weatherconditions are likely to cause poor
welfare or prevent daily inspection.
(05:24):
And this could include excessheat as well as cold.
Wind, rain, snow and otherfactors must all be considered.
So why haven't snares beenbanned in England?
Well, that's an excellentquestion, especially because the
Government of Wales bannedthem in 2023 and the government in
Scotland banned them in 2024.
(05:47):
Animal Aid, along with manyother groups of organisations, is
campaigning to get them bannedin England in 2025.
The Labour government haspromised to ban snares, so Animal
Aid are working hard to ensurethat this happens as soon as possible
for the sake of all animalswho are at risk of getting caught
(06:08):
in these cruel and archaic devices.
For more information pleasevisit the Animal Aid website.
We will leave a link in theshow notes Our second story this
week asks the topicalquestion, why do we celebrate solstice?
On Saturday, June 21st at3:41am, people across the northern
(06:34):
hemisphere will commencecelebrations to welcome the longest
day of the year and herald theSummer Solstice.
The Summer Solstice has beencelebrated for thousands of years
with its roots in both paganand religious traditions.
It is a time to reconnect withnature when food and nature are abundant
(06:57):
and the focus of thefestivities is fertility and the
life giving powers of the sun.
In pagan Europe, people wouldlight bonfires and dance all night
on Midsummer's Eve accompaniedby rituals led by the Druids.
One of the customs was bonfirejumping where the height of the jump
(07:19):
was believed to predict thesuccess of the year's crop.
In ancient China, the summersolstice was a significant festival
during which workers weregiven a day off to celebrate the
feminine force known as Yin.
Similarly, the ancient Romanscelebrated with a focus on Vesta,
(07:41):
the goddess of the hearth,home and family.
The summer solstice remains animportant festival in many countries.
Many people stay awake onMidsummer's Eve to greet the sun
as it rises.
Modern Druids famously gatherat Stonehenge for celebrations of
Midsummer, which areintertwined with mysticism and magic
(08:03):
and believed to be at theirpeak during this time of the year.
Tradition holds that ghostscan cross from the afterlife into
this world, and as seen inShakespeare's A Midsummer Night's
Dream, it is believed that thefairy world is close by, bringing
mischief and chaos to mortalsto ward off malevolent spirits.
(08:26):
Flower crowns aretraditionally worn.
Many midsummer summertraditions focus on reconnecting
with nature, so it's nosurprise that trees and tree worship
feature prominently in bothancient and modern festivals.
At the center of Midsummercelebrations is the oak tree.
(08:46):
The Celtic word for oak, dua,means doorway.
As the king of the forest, theoak is viewed as the gateway to mystical
realms and and to the new,darker cycle of the year which is
about to begin.
Mistletoe, long believed tohave healing and fertility powers,
is thought to harness the soulof the tree and is at its strongest
(09:11):
when it grows on oak.
During midsummer, the beechtree, with its fresh lime green leaves
brightening the forest, isregarded as the queen of the forest
and consort to the oak king.
For the druids, it symbolizedancient wisdom and was a sacred wood
of the summer solstice.
And according to folklore, ifyou write a wish on a beech twig
(09:35):
and then bury it, your wishwill come true as the twig decays
in the earth.
Hazel trees are believed topossess magical properties and to
ward off evil spirits, and inmedieval times they symbolized fertility.
Stirring jam with a hazel twigis thought to prevent mischievous
(09:57):
fairies from stealing the jam.
The shimmering tremblingleaves of the beautiful aspen were
believed to carry messagesfrom this world to the afterlife,
and wearing a crown of aspenleaves allowed the wearer to travel
to the underworld and back again.
Traditionally, shields weremade from aspen wood as it was believed
(10:20):
to protect against evil,making it symbolism particularly
important during the mysticaltime of mid summer.
We hope that this brief lookat the history, customs and folklore
of the solstice have helpedyou to understand how it is so closely
tied to nature and our well being.
(10:41):
Our third story this week is ajaunt in the woodlands on a summer
evening as we share an excerptfrom a recent Wildlife Matters article
for a well being publicationHighlighting the night serenaders
that add an enchanting layerto the natural soundscape Walking
in the woodland on a summernight is a wonderful way to reconnect
(11:05):
with nature.
Highlighting the nightserenaders that add an enchanting
layer to the naturalsoundscape Most people associate
the cheerful melodies of birdssinging with daytime, but there is
a lesser known yet equallycaptivating world of birds that sing
at night.
(11:25):
The nightingale is oftenregarded as the quintessential master
of night songs.
Its melodic and powerful song,composed of a rapid succession of
whistles, gurgles and trills,fills the night air.
The nightingale's song isfrequently described as one of the
most beautiful and melancholicsounds in nature.
(11:49):
Another nighttime star is the nightjar.
Commonly found in heathlandsand woodlands.
Its distinctive chirring calland aerial displays make make it
a fascinating addition to thenocturnal choir.
While cuckoos are typicallyknown for their cuckoo call during
the day, they also sing atnight, adding to their enigmatic
(12:13):
nature with their mysteriousnight songs.
And you might also hear someof your garden favorites such as
robins and blackbirds, both ofwhom are known to sing through summer
nights.
And of course, we can't forgetthe tawny owls, which communicate
with each other through theirdistinctive twit and twoo calls,
(12:37):
along with a far broader rangeof vocalizations.
You can join us for a summernight walk on an upcoming Wildlife
Matters podcast to listen toour melodic and nighttime singers,
but for now, that has beenthis week's Wildlife Matters Nature
News.
(13:14):
Each week we make a point ofsharing something special special
with you from time spent innature to help you relax and unwind
and motivate you to get outand into nature.
And on this week's WildlifeMatters Mindful Moments, join us
and enjoy one of the wonderfulwild sounds of our woodlands on a
(13:39):
long summer's evening.
SA is a truly unique citysound, often described as a persistent
(15:11):
churning sound resembling themechanical whirring of a clockwork
toy.
Unwinding can be quite eerieand difficult to pinpoint the exact
location due to its rising andfalling pitch, and sometimes it moves
its head while calling,altering its voice.
(15:31):
We hope you enjoyed spendingtime listening to a nightjar on a
summer evening on this week'sWildlife Matters Mindful Moments.
Now it's time for you to joinme before dawn as we set off on a
celebration of the summersolstice to the mystical and magical
(15:54):
Isle of Avalon for this week'sWildlife Matters main feature.
It's 3am and my alarm jolts me awake.
(16:18):
I pull back the curtains inthe van and see it is still dark
outside.
Rubbing my eyes, I get out ofbed after getting dressed and enjoying
a strong dark cup of coffee.
I sit in the van's slidingdoor and gaze into the calm, cool
night.
(16:40):
Today was going to be uniqueand very special for it's the summer
solstice.
I decided I wanted to exploresomewhere different, somewhere magical,
somewhere mystical and memorable.
And all roads led me to Glaston.
I parked Raven, my camper van,in the Duncton car park near the
(17:03):
centre of Glastonbury andwalked around the extensive grounds
of Glastonbury Abbey.
I tried to imagine its glorydays before Henry VII dissolved it.
The abbey was built by a Saxonking Iny of Wessex around 712 and
its history is said to betraced back to an old church in the
(17:28):
legend of King Arthur is alsoassociated with Glastonbury abbey.
In the 12th century it wasbelieved that the tomb of the legendary
king and his wife Guineverewere found here.
The stone Saxon churchunderwent significant enlargement
in the 10th century under theremit of the Abbot of Glastonbury
(17:50):
and the future Archbishop ofCanterbury, St Dunstan.
It was added to by theNormans, so much so that in 1086
Domesday Book it listedGlastonbury Abbey as the nation's
wealthiest monastery.
Today, sadly, much ofGlastonbury Abbey was destroyed in
(18:11):
a Great Fire in 1184 and thenew great church was constructed
and consecrated in 1240.
13 Glastonbury town is alivewith ancient history and medieval
mystique.
There's a story waiting to beheard on every street corner, on
every mud covered cluster ofstones and just about anywhere else
(18:34):
you might care to look long enough.
As I leave the abbey and walkalong the streets of Glastonbury,
the colourful painted housesthat adorn the whole town capture
my imagination.
Each piece of artwork is asindividual as the artist who created
it and the people living inthe house.
We should all express how wefeel and share that in an amateur
(18:58):
Banksy style on our ownhouses, which would really brighten
up every town, village andcity in Britain.
Bushycombe Garden is one ofGlastonbury's beauty spots and is
much used by folk visiting thetour by foot.
There are plenty of seatsalong the route, some of which have
been there for over a hundredyears, which is another sign that
(19:21):
multiple generations of folkhave used this route to the tour.
Following the footpath throughthe gate, banks of trees form a towering
hedgerow on the Right towardsthe end of the steep incline, an
old sycamore on the right hasstood started to consume the fence
post placed at its feet.
(19:41):
We walk through the KissingGate at the top corner of the Coombe
and head towards Fairy Lane.
At the top of Bushy Combe is amuch visited grand linden or lime
tree across the grass and thisspot offers a stunning view of the
tour and a perfect photoopportunity, one I could not miss.
(20:04):
The cosy green hollow is linedby hawthorn, elder, hazel, blackthorn,
old field maples, spindle anda magnificent split ash.
On the left, Fairy Lane leadsinto an open field with yet more
views of the tor.
If you take a slight detour tothe top corner of this field, you
(20:26):
will find an old English oakstanding in the hedgerow.
Its branches reach outhorizontally, spiraling and twisting,
while the two main trunks arefused, resembling snakes mating.
This is what the locals callthe wiggly oak.
We continue walking until wereach the gated entrance to the Toul.
(20:49):
Three beech trees are plantedat the entrance in dedication to
the goddess Brigid Bridget.
Below them there is amilestone marking eight miles to
Wales.
Legend has it that you shouldannounce your arrival by throwing
a stone.
Once we pass through theKissing Gate leading to the terraces
of the tour, an impressive rowof hawthorns is straight ahead.
(21:13):
It is a hedgerow that hasgrown out for a long, long time.
There is also a wayfaring treeon the edge of the hedgerow, another
sign sign of pilgrimage fromthe past.
As we reached the top of thetour and joined a large group of
people gathered just before sunrise.
It was now 4:55am and the sunhad cast its first light of a new
(21:39):
day.
Many people gathered around afire, some cheering, others clapping
and dancing to the steadyrhythm of the drums.
It was a fun way to welcome inthe sunrise on a solstice morning.
We sat and enjoyed views ofthe Somerset countryside from what
is regarded as one of the mostspiritual sites in the uk.
(22:03):
I looked towards AvalonMarshes and began to dream about
exploring them, which isanother adventure that Wildlife Matters
will bring to you.
Just being in a spiritual andmystical place on the solstice, dawn
is a wonderful experience andwe wanted to soak up every drop of
it.
(22:24):
So it was a good couple ofhours fueled with coffee and oat
cakes before we set offtowards the Avalon Orchard.
Avalon means apples, the namecoming from the Welsh for apple or
apple tree.
Here in Britain, as elsewherein the world, apples were thought
to represent long life,fruitfulness and health, and were
(22:47):
often considered to be magical.
The apple was an essentialtree to the Druids, and along with
yew wood, it was used to maketheir wands.
Avalon Orchard is perched onthe slope of the tour.
It appears to be largelymissed by the thousands of visitors
to the tour.
And even today we have thisbeautiful, beautiful orchard all
(23:09):
to ourselves.
The National Trust looks afterAvalon Orchard as part of the tourist
state, but it doesn't appearto know much about its origin, age
or what types of apples aregrown there.
The trees are undoubtedly oldfor apple trees, I would have guessed
at at least 100, maybe 150years, and are suitably gnarled and
(23:32):
covered in lichen.
During a later conversationwith a local, I was told that many
of the seats in Bushy Coombewere made from fallen applewood from
the Avalon Orchard.
At the height of summer, theorchard's blossom had gone and the
trees were full of young pinkto green apples, some still wearing
(23:52):
their now rotting pollen bonnets.
It is still clearly aproductive orchard and we noticed
that many trees had redribbons tied to their branches.
The history behind the use ofribbon trees comes from many places
around the world.
Sometimes known as wishingtrees or rag bushes.
The Irish call them clottiesand the Scots call them cluttie trees.
(24:17):
The orchards or woodlands usedfor the ribbon trees are often close
to holy wells or water, as isindeed the case here in the Avalon
Orchard.
These trees are oftendecorated with strips of ribbon or
cloth, but always with organicmaterials that will decompose naturally
by visitors who want tofulfill their wishes or in remembrance
(24:41):
of a loved one, human oranimal who has died.
This sets me thinking aboutthe Arthurian legends that abound
here and that back in Arthur'sday, Glastonbury, or Avalon as the
name translates to, is theisland of apples.
(25:01):
In Arthur's day, the tourwould have been an island rising
out of the marshes.
And perhaps that is why it issaid that Arthur went to Avalon after
his last battle.
It is also believed that whatwe know as Glastonbury was the isle
of glass, where deceasedheroes were said to dwell.
(25:21):
We set off again with a headfull of mystery and legend, walking
down the tour towards theWhite Spring.
It is fascinating that the twohealing springs, one white with calcite
and the other tinged red withiron, should raise within a few feet
of each other from the cavernsbeneath Glastonbury.
(25:42):
Tours.
In honor of the spirit of thewhite Spirit spring, the Victorians
built a magnificent well housein gratitude for the gift of pure
water.
Set apart from the chalicewell, the well house is very enigmatic,
especially when lit withcandles at dusk.
The interior consists of threedomed vaults, each 16ft high, with
(26:06):
beautiful bowed floors, likethe hull of a boat moored at a port
long to the other world.
Its constant temperature andthe sound of the perpetually flowing
water make it a unique andsacred space.
We move to the open, sunlitgardens of the Red Spring, or the
(26:27):
Chalice Well.
The water in the Chalice wellcomes from deep within the Earth.
25,000 gallons or 110,000liters flow from the well every day,
which has never failed, evenduring the driest droughts.
(26:47):
Iron oxide deposits give thewater a reddish hue.
Archaeological finds suggestthat humans may have used the spring's
water over 2,000 years ago.
Set in a beautiful four acregarden, the Chalice well is a serene
space for quiet contemplationand meditation, featuring numerous
(27:11):
tucked away corners, lawns,flower beds and some majestic trees.
We walked down some steps tothe Vesica Pool, a beautiful sculpture
in a rockery.
A few people were here, somewere sat on benches, others on the
lawn, and some were in theshade of two large yew trees.
(27:32):
I started chatting with a ladywho tells me that the yew Tree is
around 700 years old, whilethe smaller tree is a spur of the
first.
I love that they are known asthe Guardians of the Gulf.
As we move through the centralgarden and into the small walled
courtyard garden which isknown as King Arthur's Court.
(27:54):
This courtyard has a healingpoint, a shallow brick lined pool
surrounded by ferns and ivyand is shaded by another ancient
old yew tree.
Here, people are dipping theirfeet in the chilly water around the
pool to cool down.
It's been a long and warmmorning and we have walked a reasonable
(28:15):
distance already.
So I quickly removed my bootsand joined the others, dipping my
feet into the calming cool water.
And it's a welcome relief onthis warm summer morning.
With my feet refreshed, wewalk barefoot across to the Lion's
Head fountain set in a sunkengarden to drink the spring water
(28:36):
for the first time.
That water tastes so good andis so refreshing.
I filled my cupped handsseveral times to quench my thirst
and I filled my water bottles.
The water is tested regularlyand even when the garden is closed,
a tap located along the wellhouse lane allows access to water
(28:58):
from the fountain.
The tap is piped directly fromthe well's source.
Just behind us is the HolyThorn Tree, which I'm told flowers
twice every year, once atChristmas and once at Easter.
According to local legend, thethis tree is the descendant of the
original holy thorn tree thatgrew from where Joseph drove his
(29:22):
staff into the ground near the well.
A stone path with beds flankedby traditional English country garden
flowers leads us to the farnortheast corner of the garden, where
you will find the beautifulwell head with its immediately recognizable
well well lid.
(29:43):
It's a popular and busy areaof the garden, so we stop long enough
for me to take a picture ortwo before moving on.
As we walk between the placeswe want to visit, we return to the
thoughts of Arthurian legend.
Glastonbury, or the Isle ofAvalon, is a place steeped in Celtic
(30:03):
mythology.
It is said that the cave underthe hill is the entrance to the fairy
realm and the underworld ofGwyn Ab Nud and his Cauldron of rebirth.
We arrive back at GlastonburyAbbey to look for the tomb of the
legendary King Arthur.
Nearly everyone has heardstories about King Arthur.
(30:26):
His sword in the stone, hisKnights of the Round Table, his Kingdom
of Camelot.
But there's little to nohistorical proof of an early British
king.
Arthur.
The legendary king is said tohave ruled sometime around the late
5th to the early 6th centuryand fought against the invading Saxons.
(30:49):
However, the first mention ofa warrior named Arthur is a few hundred
Years later, in 829, when aWelsh monk called him a commander
who fought alongside the kingsof the Britons.
Then, in 1138, Geoffrey ofMonmouth included King Arthur in
his History of Kings of Britain.
(31:11):
The medieval storytellers tookit all.
From there, they begancirculating fantastic tales of King
Arthur and his daring deeds,deeds which seemed to grow with each
story.
According to Geoffrey'soriginal story, when Arthur was mortally
(31:32):
wounded, he was put in a boatand taken to the Isle of Avalon in
hope that he could be healedof his wounds.
And Geoffrey ends his storythere, leaving Arthur in Avalon.
But at that time, no one knewwhere the Isle of Avalon was.
Then, one day in 1191, themonks of the Glastonbury Abbey found
(31:55):
something strange.
In the old abbey cemetery,they were digging between two old
stone pyramids covered inworn, unreadable markings, when deep
in the ground, they found alarge stone laying flat.
They lifted it out so thatthey could inspect it.
A lead cross was attached tothe back of the stone, the side facing
(32:20):
downwards.
They pried off the cross andfound an inscription hidden on the
back of it.
All the monks were wonderingat this strange sight.
Then one translated, here liesburied the renowned King Arthur with
Guinevere, his second wife, inthe Isle of Avalon.
(32:41):
Everyone gasped.
Years earlier, King Henry IIhad sent word to the monks of Glastonbury
about Arthur's burial.
He claimed that an oldsoothsayer had told him Arthur was
buried in a log casket verydeep in the earth.
The monks picked up theirshovels and began digging again with
(33:01):
more vigour.
They dug deeper and deeperuntil at about 16ft, they hit what
seemed to be a tree buriedhorizontally in the earth.
It was large.
It was a tree trunk coffin,similar to those used in earlier
times.
The word spread.
A large crowd gathered andprobably paid to see the coffin opened.
(33:27):
After the monks had dug allaround it, they struggled to lift
the top off.
But as they hoisted the woodenlid out of the pit, the remains of
two bodies were revealed, aman and a woman.
There was a lock of braidedblond hair that looked completely
(33:49):
intact.
However, when a monk went topick it up, it turned to dust in
his hand.
Everyone was astonished whenthey saw King Arthur's skeleton as
it was enormous.
One monk took the shin boneand held it against the tallest man
there and it extended a goodthree inches above his knee.
(34:10):
His eye sockets were a hand'swidth apart and he had at least 10
wounds on his large skull.
All had scarred except forone, a large one, which was probably
the final blow.
The monks carefully lifted thebones from the grave and wrapped
(34:31):
the them in cloth.
They would have a new marbletomb made for Arthur and Guinevere
and place it in their church.
The discovery of King Arthur'stomb changed Glastonbury Abbey's
fortunes as people from farand wide began making pilgrimage
to see it.
And that was the end of oursummer solstice adventure.
(34:55):
We took off to the Pyramid Caton Glastonbury High street, an excellent
fully vegan calf that wehighly recommend you visit and try
one of their exquisitecheesecakes, such as the dragon cheesecake,
which tasted even better thanit looks.
(35:28):
We hope you enjoyed our summersolstice adventure to Glastonbury,
a place rich in mysticism and magic.
Due to its fascinating historyand the beliefs surrounding ancient
sites such as the Glastonbury tour.
Many visitors report feeling aunique energy in the area, which
(35:49):
they attribute to the leylines and other unseen forces.
Plastonbury Tours isconsidered a significant location
where ley lines intersect withancient sites, enhancing the spiritual
atmosphere.
Regardless of your beliefs,it's a wonderful place to spend time
(36:11):
admiring the ancient trees andcontemplating their history, imagining
the stories that they couldshare if only they could speak.
One can reflect on how ourancestors were connected to the changing
seasons and the landscape fromthe pure water of the wells to the
(36:32):
seasonal bounty of the land.
And from the tour you can lookout over the enchanting Avalon Marshes
which will be featured in afuture episode of the Wildlife Matters
Podcast.
(37:03):
We want to extend a warmwelcome to our new listeners and
subscribers this week.
Last week's episode featuringthe watching of wild beavers in Devon
has been incredibly popularand has already become one of our
most listened to episodes.
And with your support we havealso achieved another landmark for
(37:26):
the Wildlife Matters podcastwhere we have exceeded 500,000 downloads.
Yes, that's over half amillion of you who have listened
to our episodes and we areincredibly grateful to everyone who
listens to the WildlifeMatters Podcast.
(37:46):
Thank you.
We set out with a vision toeducate, entertain, inform and engage
like minded wildlife andnature lovers who share our desire
to reach broader audienceswhile advocating for local wildlife
and conservation projects aswell as community groups and standing
(38:09):
up and speaking out to stopthe persecution and destruction of
wildlife and nature.
To achieve this landmark witha self researched, written, recorded
and produced podcast thatremains independent is something
I am incredibly proud to have created.
(38:31):
But it's you, the listener whohas driven us on and helped us evolve
over the last three years andfor that we are incredibly grateful.
Wildlife Matters will returnin two weeks with another incredible
adventure as we go in searchof golden eagles in Galloway.
So be sure to subscribewherever you get your podcasts so
(38:55):
you never miss an episode.
Thank you as always for yourtime today and we hope you found
something that you can takeaway and discuss with your friends
or colleagues when you havethe time.
Until then, stay curious wild ones.
This is Wildlife Matters signing.
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