As Midsummer's Day arrives (on Saturday 24th June), the conversation about rural land use, Net Zero, biodiversity and sustainability feels like it is getting more joined-up.  For a long time, these discussions have been taking place in rooms full of people who may be several degrees removed from land ownership or use, with landowners and farmers not necessarily engaged in the conversation, or being represented by proxies.  Now, the tone of the discussion and the buzzwords used are starting to feel more inclusive of those closer to the land, and are recognising the need to appeal to them. 

The circle becoming more complete is a big positive.  The potential for great investment in sustainable land use and natural capital becomes more realisable.  It will still take time, but over the next few years this should make a real difference to rural land use.

But the disconnect between those discussing policy and those instrumental in its application in practice seems to me to reflect the ongoing British urban-rural divide, or at least the perception of such a divide. 

A suitable example, given Midsummer's Day?  Let's look at Morris dancing, probably one of the most unfairly derided cultural activities in the UK, but one that has cultural significance, and one where Morris dancers will be out in force at the moment, provided you go to the right places (the photo is of North West Morris dancers, a change from the usual stock image of blokes dressed in white waving hankies).   Morris dancing is seen as about as rural as one can get, yet has pockets of enthusiasts in various cities (including Bristol), and that sort of cultural affinity in urban areas for what is seen as a strongly rural tradition helps point the way to a greater urban-rural social engagement.  

The reality is that Britain is a small country with generally medium-sized cities, and a large amount of rural land, with a significant cultural history.  We should not be facing an urban/rural divide, but it seems that we are (see for example, Anna Jones' book "Divide – The Relationship Crisis Between Town and Country").  An awful lot of policy is decided based on the participation of those from urban or suburban areas, and on many measures, rural Britain can feel like it’s been left behind.  This is often highlighted in issues such as the availability of broadband, or the approval of diversification projects, with in particular pressures between residential dwellers and landowners and farmers.

The divide should not be ignored, but perhaps more focus on the rhythms of rural Britain – whether seasonal, climatic or (yes) cultural – will help to bridge it.  Or at least pass a sunny summer afternoon enjoyably.