Marsh Dance
What are they doing, the gulls?
Rising in clouds from the marsh,
Random birds dive and twist,
Spiralling down to the water.
Every morning they perform
Their jerking, unexpected dance.
Great beating waves of white
Disturbing the flow of wings.
The falling darts caressing the water
Rejoining the flock moments later.
Tiny crabs or minute fish, I think.
Anything that moves below the surface,
Ruffling the gleaming sheen.
An aerial circus, whose daily repeats
Ensure continuity of life.
Meanwhile, we watch and fade.
Finding our place, eventually,
Below that other green surface,
Whose creeping tide of white,
Close to the tower,
Mimics the white wings above the marsh.
From "A Kind Of Heaven" by Richard Maslen.
Some Favourite Websites For July 2025:
Halesworth Local Food Database – A directory of high quality local food producers and retailers
Halesworth and the Blyth Valley enjoy easy access to all kinds of amazing local food producers. There are organic farms, rare breed farms, artisan cheese producers, several local breweries and independent shops selling this wonderful local food
Juliet Penwarden Coaching – Juliet Penwarden Coaching - Horse riding and care
Juliet is an experienced and qualified coach who places a strong emphasis on harmony between horse and rider and takes great pleasure in helping partnerships progress, whatever their goals.
Chris Doyle Photography – Beautiful Photos of local nature and recent horse riding events
View extensive online galleries of recent horse shows, show jumping, cross country and other events as well as galleries of local wildlife. Prints are available to order online.
PJN Motor Engineering – Very high quality local sevice
PJN Motor Engineering has been established in Wenhaston for many years and is based on providing a very high quality repair and maintenance service for all car and motorcycle types. Check them out if you need a quick fix or a full overhaul!
Green Haven Holidays - Wheelwrights Cottage – Wonderfully rural ecologically and economically friendly cottage for two
Set in the heart of the village of Rumburgh, close to the Suffolk Heritage Coast, Wheelwright’s Cottage makes an ideal holiday retreat for two or three people. The light and airy open plan cottage is the old wheelwright’s workshop and is renovated to an excellent standard, retaining many of the original features, including beams and oak flooring.