Bluebell Woods: West London Getting Warmer

April 24, 2011

It was the open day at Perivale Wood today.

Since the 1970s, the Selborne Society has opened the private gates of the ancient deciduous woodland near Ealing for all-comers to enjoy the thousands of magnificent bluebells on the first weekend in May.

But last year they had to give in to the changing climate and move it a week earlier to the last weekend in April - the flowers were coming out and peaking earlier.

Even today it was clear the bluebells were wilting. Indeed, the wardens said this year they were at their beautiful best as early as April 12 - around four weeks earlier than 40 years ago. There is already talk of moving the open day to a week earlier next year.

It's certainly been an exceptionally warm and dry April this year which has undoubtedly been a factor in  the earlier blooming. But even in the last decade the difference is obvious.

April 26, 2003

The photo of Grace above was taken in the wood on April 26, 2003 - almost exactly eight years ago. The bluebells are clearly fresher and stronger than they were today.

And there's no doubt that the collated data since 1970 in this part of west London points to a trend of warmer springs and earlier bluebell carpets.

The conclusion seems obvious: evidence is growing that global warming is making a steady but significant difference to the flora and fauna of Perivale Wood.

Cup Final Countdown: 20 Days To Go

Wembley today from Horsenden Hill.

Cup Final Countdown: 21 Days To Go

Wembley today from Willesden Junction.

Cup Final Countdown: 22 Days To Go

Wembley today from the footbridge over the M4 near Osterley Park.

The WWE Live Wrestling Experience

Rey Mysterio launches a signature rope leap

* My first visit to the 02 Arena since it stopped being called the Millennium Dome - a fabulous venue for this sort of event but so huge I'm not convinced I'd want to watch a gig there.

* Price list: pint of Stella or Becks - £4.50; foot-long hot dog - £4.15; small portion of chips - £3.40.

* The US wrestling view of Britain was summed up by three icons on the set: a London bus, a black cab and a red telephone box.

* The lighting and backdrops were spectacular.

* I'm sure we sat in the same row as Ruth Gledhill, the religious affairs correspondent at The Times - she spent most of the evening walking in and out of the row and treading on toes and the rest of it on her iPad but to be fair she probably had a deadline for one of her excellent reads.

* The wrestling action was very stop-start: it felt like it needed editing together, which it will be when it's shown on TV but that's no consolation for the paying punter.

* Pro-wrestling works better with commentary.

Big Show about to get hit big

* The wrestler called Big Show is a latter day Big Daddy - memorable looks but not enough action.

* Too many of the bouts were grapple fests with not enough spectacular aerial action.

* Rey Mysterio was the best on the night.

* The 02 Arena is very difficult to get away from when a power failure shuts down the Jubilee Line: it meant a Thames boat, the DLR, the Central Line and a 12.30am arrival home.

* Me, Joe and Mark agree: you only need to see live WWE a maximum of once.

Leaving Wembley With Vince: The Video

Wembley Bullet Points

* I've never been up so many escalators inside a football ground before. Made it feel like a shopping centre.

* The view from the upper tier, level with the goal line and with the arch in view opposite, was fabulous, although the steep terracing meant it wasn't for the faint-hearted.

* A pint of Tetley Bitter cost £4.20.

* The chatty man sat/stood next to me was the flag carrier for the Chorlton Blues.

* City didn't turn up for the first half hour and we all thought we were going to get hammered.

* The Berbatov misses after 15 minutes were a good omen.

* Balotelli's shot from 30 yards changed the game even though Van der Sar saved it.

* The Poznan looked amazing when done by thousands of sky blue shirts behind the goal.

* Toure's goal was sensational.

* Scholes' sending off was a magnificent example of karma - he spent the week taunting City in the papers and scored the injury-time winner for United at Eastlands last season.

* Time really can stand still when the fourth official raises that stoppage-time board.

* The Wembley PA helped the celebrations at the end by playing great City songs - Blue Moon, Doves, Oasis.

* City players doing the Poznan with their back to the fans at the end was a nice touch.

* Getting out and on the tube at Wembley Central was a doddle. Hardly saw a United fan but they made a sharp exit at the final whistle.

* The Taste Of Lahore on Wembley High Street does an excellent chicken karahi for £6.50.

* There are no decent pubs or takeaways at Willesden Junction.

* ITV should have done a late-night highlights show but then what do you expect from that mob.

* City are in the FA Cup Final.