Enclosure

The drawn & annealed 'No. 8 Gauge' mild steel wire [un-galvanised, non-high tensile] through this old oak tree-trunk dates from around 1860, when the 500+ acres of common land 'Forest' around my 'manor' was felled & enclosed (Inclosure Act 1855.) The Commoners (i.e. local people working the land) consequently lost their pannage & turbary rights, access to grazing & winter forage, access to water for their livestock, and access to sources of fuel & building materials. Unsurprisingly, it was the local wealthy landowners who benefited. The Enclosures - don't get me started... Agricultural improvement? Agricultural theft!

On an unrelated note, our 'Bird Feeder Species List' went up to 21 this morning. While I was still padding around in a towel (pre-shower) this morning, I spotted a menacing-looking Sparrowhawk perched on the pole from which the bird nuts hang. Probably not interested in the nuts, rather the House Sparrows that usually feed on them (nowhere to be seen, not surprisingly...)