Hidden In Plain Sight
By Jane Scoggins
The thing about driving a car
is that you can get from A to B in one journey. The disadvantage is having to
concentrate on the road ahead. The advantage of travelling by public transport
is you are free to view the unseen.
High up on the top deck of the
coach to Stansted airport I could see the otherwise hidden. Despite the
increase in housing estates, there is still plenty of countryside on the
outskirts of towns like my own. Or so I thought. Within five minutes I could
see from my eagles perch down into a hollow where previously was field and
wood, two enormous diggers scoured the land leaving it ravaged. A bit further,
another dip behind old established high trees, a more progressive project was on
its way, brutalising the land with tons of concrete vomiting from churning
machines onto a factory size base. Cheerful men in high viz jackets without a
care in the world, following instructions. Further still along the road a sign
Beware Lorry Entrance heralded a hidden muddy track leading to a vast area of
semi built houses, some with footprints for 4 or 5 bedroom dwellings for the
elite. The fields, woods and wildlife habitat swept away. Where would they go?
The tarmacked roads and drives, the tiny gardens not able to sustain
pollinators and small country creatures. And then respite from the devastation
of concrete, brick, mortar and steel. A field or two of grass and planted crops.
Ironically sitting in the middle a low concrete Pillbox with sad eyes looking
out across the hectares for the enemy. Not as before for invading soldiers from
another country, but from our own coalition of local and national government
invaders. Determined to sweep away our green and pleasant land in the name of
progress..
Copyright
Jane Scoggins
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