My friend Chris and the former Governor of the Bank of England have quite a lot in common.

At the time, 20 years ago, that Chris and I were talking to schools about green politics we both lived just a few streets away from Eddie George.

Of course, it was one of those huge divides: just turn the corner and you could be in a different world, but nevertheless we all lived quite near each other.

“There will be no more rabbits to pull out of the hat,” Chris would tell the sixth formers with whom we spoke and I always like the metaphor. I wonder how he would feel to know that Eddie George, two decades later, came to the same conclusion! The time has surely come to admit that we have been living beyond our means and that we can’t go on.

And, alas, it is also time for The Oxford Times, who, 10 years ago, agreed to the Wildside column on a six-month trial basis, to finally admit that the six months is up. It has been great writing it — and for you —and I hope you have enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

Together, we have gone from making compost, nurturing embryonic woodland, digging a pond, planting a hedge, and a wildside meadow, experimenting with a woodland veggie patch and even building an eco-cabin — all via poetry, great books, lieder recitals, family celebrations, the cat next door and the rugby world cup.

It has been great fun and it will always be fun because, take it from me, even when times are hard, and about to get harder, there is nothing quite as healing as being in touch with the earth.

And even though the column has reached its end, the Wildside garden will still be here.

The pond will still be hosting newts, frogs, toads and Daisy Dog; the compost heap will still, I hope, be hosting hedgehogs and grass snakes and the eco-cabin will still be hosting family and any readers of The Oxford Times who would like to come and have a cup of tea, or a glass of wine, and talk about anything from high art to compost loos.

So please, forget that English reserve, do the Kiwi thing and get in touch. You will be very welcome.

priscilla.waugh@ntlworld.com