An Unassuming County: The Making of the Bedfordshire Countryside

'An Unassuming County' by Brian Kerr, originally published by Eventispress in 2014, but extensively updated and revised in 2022, traces the history of landscape evolution in one English county - Bedfordshire. The book takes the position that this county has never received much attention and is worth a closer look. The title of 'An Unassuming County' fits well with this part of England: many travel through the county, but few take the time to explore. Using non-technical language, the book begins with a brief geological history and outlines how the geology has shaped the landscape. The impact made by underlying rock formations and later by periods of ice cover are traced with examples from across Bedfordshire, and then explained with special attention given to how the land is used today. Changes over time in the agricultural landscape are described together with the impact that the extraction industries have made on the land. Bedfordshire has a special place in the geological history of England yielding fine brick making clays; a number of excellent building stones; chalk and marl; and specialist sands used extensively in industrial processes. The extraction of these products has left a mark on the landscape and the book looks at how these old workings are being transformed. The green spaces of the county are described with a review of the nature reserves including geological sites in Bedfordshire, and the opportunities for walkers and ramblers in the county are fully set out. The author looks at new and more established initiatives such as the Community Forest of Marston Vale and Country Parks. Finally, The book examines the mounting pressure of the landscape and likely changes in the countryside which may follow from changes in agricultural production and government policy. The pandemic has altered how we think about, and use, the countryside and this book provides a useful introduction to how this small county was shaped by its geological and more recent past. The text is illustrated with colour images and ample maps and diagrams, many of which are new to this edition.

Table of Contents:
1. The Bedfordshire Landscape 2. Scarps and Vales 3. The Chalk Lands 4. The Clay Vales of Bedfordshire 5. The Greensand Ridge 6. The Clay Uplands 7. The River Valleys 8. The Landscape Beneath our Feet 9. People in the Landscape 10. Mud on your Boots 11. The Changing Countryside

About the Author :
Brian Kerr trained as a soil scientist and has applied this knowledge of the environment in unravelling the landscape history of Bedfordshire. He has published three books, the first two focusing on the shaping of the Bedfordshire landscape, and the second on the people who made the greatest impact. His third, 'How to Value a Skylark', debates current topics and controversies regarding decision making impacting the land across the UK. All are readable accounts, which will be of interest to anyone who enjoys being in the countryside. Brian previously worked as a consultant on agricultural projects worldwide and during the past decade has engaged in land projects in the UK, Ireland, Rwanda, and Tanzania. He presently holds a post as a Visiting Fellow at Cranfield University in Bedfordshire, UK.