Who cares?
The Sunday Telegraph reported yesterday, under the headline, Urbanites can't tell a lark from a sparrow, that:
With its rolling hills, unspoilt woodlands and beautiful coastline, the British countryside attracts visitors from across the globe.What's 'shocking' about it? Who cares what the difference is between a lark and a sparrow? I'm tempted to write that the countryside is merely a place for those who can't hack it in cities, but that would probably annoy some people. So I'll restrict myself to pointing out that the countryside is simply somewhere to build when we need more land.But an estimated two million people who live here have never seen it, according to a new study that reveals the depth of the divide between rural and urban areas.
The research also exposes a lack of basic knowledge about the countryside, with people unable to recognise the most fundamental features of rural life.
Countryside campaigners blamed poor public transport and road congestion for the "shocking" findings.
Previous
Blogs: Clive Davis | Melanie Phillips | Americano | Coffee House | Trading Floor
Actions: Print this article | Email to a friend | Permalink | Comments (6)
Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
Advertisement
Stephen Pollard's Blog Roll
Oliver Kamm
Politics, economics and culture from the master. Unmissable.
Daniel Finkelstein's Times Comment Central
A daily must-read.
Tim Worstall
Lots of interesting nibbles - and a ruthless swatter of economic gibberish.
Marginal Revolution
Tyler Cowen's riveting economic blog.
Harry's Place
Must-read left of centre blog from writers who understand the threat to the West.
Thought Experiments
The peerless Bryan Appleyard's blog.
Opera Chic
An American in Milan, on opera.
Intermezzo
A London-based classical music enthusiast.
Jessica Duchen's classical music blog
Does what it says on the tin.
Samizdata
Libertarian blog, packed every day.
Norm's blog
The thoroughly sensible thoughts of renowned left-wing academic Norman Geras, Professor of Government at Manchester. And cricket, too.
Public Interest
Peter Briffa's inimitable take on The Yazzmonster and other assorted demons.
Reform
The public sector reform group; their website is an invaluable source of data and ideas.
Centre for the New Europe
The leading European public policy think tank.
Latest blog posts
sponsored links
Sky - Official Site
Build your own Sky package online. Sky TV, Broadband & Talk only £16.
Sky TV, Broadband & Talk from £16 a Month
Sky TV & free broadband packages available from £16 a month. Choose from a standard free sky box, sky plus or sky hd.
Test Drive a Land Rover
Great choice of versatile vehicles for the drive of your life..
Sky - Official Site
Build your own Sky package online. Sky TV, Broadband & Talk only £16.
Sky TV, Broadband & Talk from £16 a Month
Sky TV & free broadband packages available from £16 a month. Choose from a standard free sky box, sky plus...
ROME CENTRE
PORTA METRONIA, ROME Standing high on the top of one of the seven hills of Rome- the Coelian- this unique
City Breaks. ROME and PARIS
ROME and PARIS: over 350 holiday rentals apartments listed: visit www.romanreference.com and www.parisreference.com or call +39 0648 903612.
Jewellery. RUFFS (Estd. 1904).
Goldsmiths by Design Welcome to Ruffs! You have found a company of Goldsmiths that specialises in the manufacture, amongst other
Spectator Business | Apollo Magazine
Corporate | Advertising | Privacy | Terms
Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP
All Articles and Content Copyright ©2008 by The Spectator | All Rights Reserved
Tom
January 21st, 2008 11:10amSurely it is every bit as shocking that millions didn't know Alison Lamper had a statue in Trafalgar Square!
Jennie
January 21st, 2008 11:33amSo, with all of the UK concreted over, how would we produce food? Or should it all be flown from the other side of the planet?
Ian C
January 21st, 2008 12:12pmA particularly unclever piece that is a long way beneath an otherwise intelligent journalist. The sort of thing that puts your profession in line with estate agents and politicians.
Recusant
January 21st, 2008 4:34pmWell I presume you like National Hunt racing? And Major Millar needs somewhere to train? What's happened to you recently? A level of prickly paranoia is developing, as demonstrated by this post and the one above about Stephen Shakespeare.
Max Kaye
January 21st, 2008 6:44pmYes, it's horrible here in the countryside. Do stay away.
Lee Jakeman
January 21st, 2008 8:47pmWell at least this time there haven't been any anti-semitic responses along the lines of "Jewish cosmopolitans". Just wait, though, I can already hear them sharpening their pencils ...