Nature’s Pace

Kim Vertue

Kim Vertue on ‘Nature’s Pace’

During the lockdown 2020 we were lucky enough to walk daily through woods that offered a view of the mountain we lived on. We grew familiar with its changing moods and often vibrant colours.

The mountain that inspired me held its own secret. During the Second World War it harboured the nation’s most treasured art masterpieces, a safe refuge from the National Gallery and London’s Blitz. Churchill knew how important it was to protect this culture. Innovative science of the day was used to preserve the paintings from their dark dank environment, and occasionally a painting returned to the National Gallery by special request to feed the souls of embattled Londoners during Britain’s darkest hours.

It is hard to imagine how it was back then, but during May 2020 the only aircraft we heard above the birdsong on our woodland walk was a prop plane from that era. Perhaps it had taken part in the VE day anniversary commemorations that year. It conjured…