Millions of elms were wiped out by Dutch elm disease in the 20th century, transforming the landscape forever – yet pockets of hope are keeping this beloved tree alive. MARK SEDDON explains

Labour may owe more to Methodism than Marxism, but the wider non-conformist tradition that shaped British democracy is under pressure as protest rights come under increasing attack, warns MARK SEDDON

In his fortnightly column MARK SEDDON reflects on the death of Major Oak and why such ancient trees matter to us

The Wye, Usk, Arrow and Lugg were once treasured for their clean waters – today, pollution and corporate excess are fuelling demands for a return to public ownership, says MARK SEDDON

Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON

Decommissioned railway tracks have been ‘repossessed’ by nature with wild birds the prominent protagonists, writes MARK SEDDON

The life of a modest Norfolk organiser contrasts with the dramatic rise and disappearance of a controversial figure in US labour, says MARK SEDDON

Volunteers have helped revive a pool steeped in England’s rural past and now bursting with life. MARK SEDDON takes a look

In his fortnightly Borderlands column, MARK SEDDON visits overgrown forts along Offa’s Dyke and reflects on wars past and present

Beneath the folklore of leaping salmon lies a stark reality: the River Wye is under siege from industrial agriculture – but locals aren’t letting water polluters off the hook, says MARK SEDDON

From the hills of the England–Wales border, our new fortnightly nature columnist MARK SEDDON reflects on rebellion, faith and the small dramas of rural life — from medieval fugitives to the quiet rescue of a bucket of tadpoles