LIVING BRITAIN.

WINTER REFLECTIONS
PART 4
Match the words and expressions you’ll hear in the next passage with their
definitions:
to demolish 9) to destroy
wasteland 7) barren, desolate or unused land
derelict 13) abandoned, left to fall into ruins.
to reinstate 12) to restore to a former position
to revitalize 1) to put new life into
frontage 11) an extent of a piece of land, a building, river along its front;;
piling 2) heavy beams of steel, concrete, etc. used in construction as a support or foundation
(collective noun)
to shore up 6) to support with a beam;;
a bend 10) a curve or a turn;
to take root 3) to become established
fleeting 5) lasting for a short time;
a landmark 4) a monument of historic interest
to crush 8) to decrease

Watch the passage and answer the questions:

1. How does the mining company compensate for the damage it caused to the
river valley in Derbyshire? What does this practice indicate?
Open cast mines demolished the landscape. This was once the valley of the river
Erewash in Derbyshire. The mining company has considered the needs of wildlife. In
order to preserve what was ones a valuable meadow, the earth has moved. It is the
process of transplantation that is not without its disadvantage but at least the intention is
good and an indication of how serious an issue landscape restoration has now become.
As the mine workings of field, the valley floor is put back and the course of the river
Erewash reinstated exactly as it was.

2. How is the wasteland on Merseyside being brought back to life?

On Merseyside wasteland has been transformed by sowing the wildflower seeds. All kinds
of derelict site throughout the country can be back to life

3. How is the worn-out landscape in the Midlands being changed?

In the Midlands a national forest is being created. Trees are being planted across 200
square miles of worn-out landscape once dominated by the mining industry. It will be a
new forest for the 21st century

4. What is being built on the Greenwich peninsular? What for?

What was the function of pilings? What is their drawback?
How is the bend of the River Thames at this site being transformed?
Even the banks of the river Thames are being revitalized upper site of the
millennium dome. For years the derelict river frontage on the Greenwich peninsula has
been shored up with metal pilings, protections from the flooding but a barrier for the
nature. As part of the work on the dome the banks have been demolished. This bend of the
river is being transformed into a series of terraces which will be flooded twice daily by the
rising tide recreating a natural system of salt marsh and mudflat.

5. What is the positive effect of planting reeds? What interferes with this
effect?
Planting reeds, vegetation found on the lower reaches of the river will encourage wildlife
to return. The new habitat has begun to rake root but while dome is visited by millions
these nearby reed birds must wait for their first residents. Reed buntings and reed warblers
already live just a mile downstream but it will take some time before they become
established in the heart of Greenwich.

6. What things are contrasted and how?

The celebrations of the millennium and the dome itself are fleeting affairs. In a few years
this landmark will be gone but given a chance new reed birds and their wildlife on this
famous bend of the river Thames will be prominent.

Watch on and decide whether the statements are true, partly true or false:
1. The West Pier at Brighton is both a popular resort and home to ten thousands of
starlings. P it is derelict now
2. Starlings use the West Pier for feeding. F They feed on Sussex countryside
3. Starlings will have to leave this place soon, but a grant from the heritage lottery fund
can guarantee their comeback. T
4. It will not be easier to make room for wildlife in the new millennium. T
5. Being more sympathetic, agriculture can eliminate losers. F ..there still will be loses
6. In the last two decades the British starling population has decreased for unknown
reasons. T

Watch on and complete the notes:

1. It would be naïve to imagine that it would be naive to imagine that beyond 2000, all will
be well
2. The actions of individual people in remote parts of the country will be as significant to
the future of British wildlife as the actions of industry and those of us that live in towns
8. At Kyle fishermen have worked together to clean up the local port
9. They are proud of the variety of wildlife that is returned to their harbor
10. Otters scramble aboard the returning trawlers in order to take fish and shrimps from
the nets stood on deck
11. There are plans for a nature reserve with the otters as star attraction
12 The otter has a long history of persecution from hunting, pollution and disturbance,
now it is making a comeback.
13. There are ambitious schemes to reestablish them throughout Britain
14. The aim of the schemes is to see otters back in every river by the year 2010
15. As we approach the start of a new century, it is a good time to reflect on the past and
plan for the future
16. In this crowded island it might seem there is little room for wildlife
17. But as we become more aware of our natural heritage, we realize that we have much to
celebrate
18. The plants and animals of this country have shared with us a long journey through
Time
19. Their destiny is in our hands as shaped living Britain for the new millennium