Round table We are the future
What kind of countryside are we handing on to the next generation and what do they think about it? Rupert Uloth talks to 12 and 13 year olds at Cheam prep school in Berkshire to see what they think Photographs by Richard Cannon
What do you like most about living in the country? Jess Watching wildlife in their natural habitats, like rabbits. They can be quite annoying if they eat your plants, but they’re a nice aspect. Freya I used to live in a flat without a gar- den, and I much prefer the countryside —there’s so much space and quiet. Will I like being able to walk for miles with- out seeing anyone. Sam I used to live in London—if we want- ed to play football, we had to go to the park, so I much prefer the countryside. Hubie I do a lot of riding and I like the space. Charlie I like field sports like shooting. Minna I like the freedom to go out on your pony and not see anyone. Clara I like the sense that not all the world is buildings and traffic and that you can be by yourself.
Do you think it’s easy being a farmer? (None of the panel wanted to be one) Jess It’s hard for them, because they’re try- ing to grow crops and we’re trying to enjoy the countryside. For instance, there are some fields where we walk our dogs and, at certain times of the year, we can’t go on them, so it’s a difficult balance. Will One storm can knock out the whole year’s profit. It’s not a very reliable profession. Sasha One year, you can get a disease in a cow and, if you don’t get to it quickly, your herd will be wiped out. I read a book by a guy called James Herriot and all the cows got TB. Minna Farming is quite competitive,
because you’re all trying to get your prod- ucts into the same places. Arthur My stepdad is a dairy farmer and he’s always saying how tiring it is. He says once you’ve got the job done, it’s lovely. Farming is a good career if you want satis- faction, but it’s tiring and busy and you can’t dip in and out. Charlie I think it’s quite a nice life. I love being around animals, but there are so many threats to farming—floods, droughts, diseases. There’s always something around the corner. Freya I live on a river and, a few weeks ago, it flooded and it looked really dangerous and horrible for the cows. It must be hard for farmers when their animals are suffer- ing and they can’t help them.
Do you think the type of food we eat is important? Minna If you get addicted to fast food, you’ll just pass it on down the generations. For lunch at Cheam, we have a hot-food bar and a salad bar—there’s always meat and a jacket potato, so you can’t really go wrong.
What are your views on supermarkets selling burgers that contained horsemeat? Hubie My dad’s a racehorse trainer, so find- ing that out was quite upsetting for him. Tara It’s the same for me—it’s quite emotional to think that some people don’t have the same connection with horses. I couldn’t stand the thought of eating them when I spend so much time with them and trust them. Will I ate horsemeat in Iceland once, but it
From left: The class of 2013: Anna, Jess, Freya, Will, Sasha and Hubie. Above: Eager to participate in a lively discussion with Rupert Uloth 24 School Life, Spring 2013
www.countrylife.co.uk
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