WHEN Browne wrote his poem the hawthorn blossom reached its peak during May.

Around 1750 the calendar to England was changed to allow for leap years and around a fortnight was literally back dated.

The leap year was instigated but the recalculation means that hawthorn now reaches its peak in early June, especially in the north.

Hawthorn has looked beautiful this year but many of us have missed its true glory.

This is because the foot and mouth outbreak has quite rightly restricted access to the countryside.

I am already writing down in my diary for 2002 -- 'Don't miss the hawthorn.'

THE HAWTHORN

Among the many buds proclaiming May,

(Decking the fields in holy day's array

Striving who shall surpass in bravery)

Mark the fair blooming of the hawthorn tree

Who finely clothed in a robe of white,

Feeds full the wanton eye with May's delight;

Yet for the bravery that she is in

Doth neither handle card nor wheel to spin,

Nor changeth robes but twice: is never seen

In other colours than in white or green.

Learn then content, young shepherd, from this tree,

Whose greatest wealth is Nature's livery;

And richest ingots never toil to find

Nor care for poverty, but of the mind.

William Browne (1590-1682)