An Enchanted Place

In this enchanting and deeply humane book, filmmaker Jonathan Stedall recreates a human Winnie the Pooh tale based in AA Milne's village of Hartfield, threatened by a bypass scheme in neighbouring Ashdown Forest. This leads to the formation of an action group to oppose the plan consisting of motley village characters charmingly evoking characteristics of the original story. The 20 chapter headings reproduce the style of the original, for instance 15 'in which Bertie gets a shoe full of water, and Bunny decides to slow down.' The book is full of gentle observations of human foibles depicted in the hugely diverse characters, for instance in the context of tedious meetings. Bertie the poet 'also knew very well that being human involves the heart as well as their head', something the professor gradually latches onto in the course of his terminal illness. Nor do we need 'chemically resistant bees', but rather healthy natural ecosystems.

Bertie also prefers 'the company of one person to time. He found that people were more honest in that situation.' Sheila is highly practical, always ready to help in an emergency, and 'unfazed by fuse boxes, wasps' nests and even blocked drains.' The professor's scepticism is challenged by the other characters, poignantly in view of his impending death, which he eventually faces with stoicism and tranquillity. Questions of ultimate meaning are never far away – and there is a growing sense of empathy and interconnectedness between the characters and with nature. His priorities shift away from 'social history and politics, good wine and the Ashes.' For all, living fully in the moment is true wisdom, along with the warmth of human company. A wise book to savour and ponder by the fireside with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and one that is bound to make you chuckle in recognition.