LAND GIRLS
THERE’S SOMETHING OF THE DUNKIRK SPIRIT TO BE FOUND ON MANY OF OUR FARMS. A DETERMINATION TO RALLY ROUND,
SUPPORT OTHERS AND PLAN FOR A POSITIVE FUTURE. AND, IN MANY INSTANCES, IT’S WOMEN WHO ARE TAKING THE LEAD.
‘BBC TWO’S LAMBING LIVE WAS THE TURNING POINT. We had so much correspondence from viewers asking for advice and showing interest in various aspects of country life that we decided to set up Kate’s Country School,’ said Kate Beavan, whose farm near Abergavenny was the location for the first Lambing Live television series presented by Kate Humble and Adam Henson. ‘It’s an idea that had been at the back of my mind for years; the chance to share our knowledge of animal husbandry and land management to people who are keen to learn but perhaps don’t want to enrol on a formal course.’ A lecturer at the local agricultural college and married to a
third-generation farmer, optimistic Kate has all the necessary attributes to make a success of her new venture at Great Trerhew farm. ‘To begin with we’re offering day courses on topics that are simply part of our routine: lambing, sheep shearing, butchery, animal husbandry, wildlife conservation, drystone walling and cider-making. We made 150 gallons of cider last autumn from apples grown elsewhere, and enjoyed it so much that we’ve decided to reinstate the farm’s cider orchard. Future plans also include courses in wood-turning and bee-keeping. All the activities will take place on the farm or in my brother-in-law’s butcher’s shop,’ said Kate, who’s keen to ensure that everyone gets a glimpse of real life in the countryside, not just theoretical learning in a classroom. ‘For a day, they’ll be part of our family on the farm, getting stuck in and sharing lunch around our kitchen table.’ Kate Beavan already has one satisfied student - Kate Humble.
Good friends since the Lambing Live series, they are also fairly close neighbours, with the television presenter having moved to a smallholding in the Wye Valley about five years ago. Kate Humble said, ‘I fully support Kate Beavan’s plans for her Country School. Our shared experience on Lambing Live showed us that there’s a huge interest in how good food is produced, and people want to know how to do it for themselves. The Wye Valley and Vale of Usk have a fine tradition of farming, and it’s just the place to rekindle the public’s interest in food production.’ Kate Humble and her husband recently purchased a former council farm near their home, where they plan to set up a rural skills centre in 2012. Ruth Tudor, farmer, educator and psychotherapist, who farms 2000
acres and co-owns award-winning Trealy Farm Charcuterie with her husband, is trying to help people connect with the realities of farming animals for meat. Her on-farm courses explore farming practices, slaughter, butchery and cooking with the aim of recovering something largely lost today – proper understanding of, and respect for, how food reaches our plates.
visitwyevalley.com
family on the farm... sharing lunch around our kitchen table.’
23 ‘For a day, they’ll be part of our
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56