Concert Plants Seeds for Rural England's Legacy

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is commemorating its centenary with a special concert on March 29 at the Bristol Beacon. This event, co-hosted with the Bristol Youth Orchestra (BYO), will use music and archive film to illustrate the story of the English countryside. A key participant, 17-year-old Esther Clifford, who co-leads the BYO, stressed the profound connection between music and nature, noting its importance to her generation. She articulated a strong awareness among young people regarding the critical state of the environment and the value of organizations like CPRE.

The concert, titled "A Concert for the Countryside," will showcase works by prominent composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams and Edward Elgar, alongside contemporary pieces. Archive film footage will depict the evolving rural landscape, from pre-industrial scenes to the impact of agricultural intensification. In addition to the performance, 100 native trees will be planted in the Avon Valley by BYO members and local volunteers. This initiative, known as the Centenary Woodland Grove, aims to honor the landscapes CPRE has protected since 1926 and to foster a new generation of countryside stewards. The charity is also running a £10,000 crowdfunder for this project and to support hedgerow restoration efforts.