Peering into the hedgerows

Press, 31 October 1981, Page 17

Peering into the hedgerows

Richard Bell’s Britain. Collins, 1981, 183 pp. Illustrations, index. $23.95. (Reviewed by Thelma Strongman) When “Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady” was published so successfully in 1977, a new niche was created in the publishing world for the naturalist illustrator. “Richard Bell’s Britain” is a book following in this tradition. Within the course of a year, varied locations in differing parts of Britain were visited. Bell recorded the natural sights, sounds and general impressions of the area. He used pen and ink, and watercolours as his medium and accompanied the sketches with interesting notes and charming comments. Bell simply drew what he saw as the components of each environment, whether it was a blow fly or stone wall, a meandering river or the lesser spearwort. He sees all these parts as interrelated, particularly with the geology of the area. Several artists have attempted to capture the English hedgerow — and failed, because of its apparent randomness and differing depths of focus. Richard Bell’s hedgerows are good. One can see

right into them and yet the outer edges seem well defined, and the underlying structure is analysed and explained in the notes. It is arguable whether man’s artefacts are rightfully part of the total natural environment,-or whether they artificially impinge upon it. However, motor bikes, decaying vehicles and discarded plastic gloves are all part of Richard Bell’s Britain. Nature is also found within unusual situations such as derelict brickpits, a ready made concrete depot, and the concrete wasteland surrounding the Festival Hall in London. One is reminded by these instances of the desperate need for further conservation in Britain. Coupled with this is the increasing need for space within a densely populated county. These opposing problems will obviously and depressingly become more difficult to solve, and the book does not ignore this pressure. This is the sort of book which maintains its integrity throughout and into which it is possible to dip in any spare moment. To do so would immediately evoke the feel of the British countryside.