THE SUSTAINABLE LIFE

Our columnist Sebastian Cox looks ahead to festivities and sets some holly and ivy-filled intentions

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The leaves on the hornbeam are the first to turn this year, exposed to the cold easterly wind by the area of chestnut and birch we coppiced last winter. In seeing the trees readying themselves for the winds of winter allows a short-lived fit of panic to run through me, wondering if we’re ready too. Of course, in central heated homes and with a stack of firewood ready for our wood burner, we are. Our sophisticated modern lives mean winter is not a period of survival but a period of festivity and tradition. Perhaps because of this, we’ve somewhat forgotten what we’re celebrating. I adore Christmas – yes, I know this feels early but trust me it’s coming and the more we plan for it the better decisions we can make. For its magic is now a bit tarnished by its modern footprint and how much waste it can cause.