Bluebells

Posted by Admin on 15 May 2006, 4:50 pm

Calving Close Copse may be private, but the ‘blanket’ of bluebells within, is worth a very careful and respectful look at this time of year.
I for one, stumbled on them last week, on a walk down to Medham and could not resist taking a few snaps.

I remember, many years ago, just about every young child came home from the bluebell woods along the banks of the Medina with literally, ‘arms full’ of bluebells.

So much nicer to see them allowed to grow to their full potential.
How many ‘withyskinners’ have had a sneaky peak I wonder ?

4 responses to “Bluebells”

Anonymous says:

15 May 2006 at 5:03 pm

Hi,

I must know, what are ‘withyskinners’?

Cheers
Anonymous says:

24 May 2006 at 5:02 pm

Withyskinners are those of you that were actually ‘born’ in Northwood.

Dont know when this title was originated, but thats how I understand it to be.

Perhaps the website could have a Withyskinner ‘list’ of names.
Anonymous says:

25 May 2006 at 5:01 pm

Thanks for that, you learn something every day.

I found this online:

From Middle English withye, willow branch, from Old English wthig, willow

withe – band or rope made of twisted twigs or stems

Maybe Northwood was the rope making capital of the Island?
Anonymous says:

26 May 2006 at 5:00 pm

Ropemaking ?….I dontknow, but it is reasonable to assume that the old Northwood inhabitants skinned withy’s.

My wife is a ‘withyskinner’ and very proud of it…………..whatever it means