We are told that the upcoming election will help shape Britain for a generation. True, it will influence the tone and context of the Brexit negotiations, as we choose which 'team' we wish to lead them. However, when it comes to the future of the country it will not be one single government but several that will … Continue reading Choices, choices
I was planning to write about the various manifestos today, analysing them for what each of them offers when it comes to food, farming, the environment and rural communities. However, in the light of the Manchester attack, it doesn't seem right to do this at the moment. The events in Manchester on Monday night have been … Continue reading A message in the light of Manchester
Ed Ford is an arable farmer from near Brentwood in Essex, Chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs and a Trustee of Forage Aid.
Few nature writers today offer a writing style that is quite as approachable as Stephen Moss. His writing lifts you into his direct experience and thought space in a manner that avoids preaching and pretentious language, often a danger in this area, instead offering storytelling that is accessible, humorous and a joy to read. Wild … Continue reading Book Review: ‘Wild Kingdom’ by Stephen Moss
From fly tipping to farm burglaries, deer poaching to hare coursing and suspicious vehicles to sheep worrying, rural crime is a reality for many parts of the countryside. Fortunately people like Tom Balchin, a PCSO from Dorset Police, are on hand to fight it and support rural communities in preventing it as much as possible. I spoke … Continue reading Fighting Crime in the Countryside: An interview with a Rural PCSO
When grief strikes we tend to deal with it in different ways. Our coping mechanisms kick in and we might become overwhelmingly active, or the complete opposite, choosing to withdraw from the world for a while. Taking things in a 'business as usual' way is another method, longing for everything to be normal in a period … Continue reading Down to Earth
With more than 290,000 people working in farming, and more than 70% of the UK’s land under agricultural use, farming has a huge impact, directly and indirectly, on all of us. With many farmers and related businesses operating on both sides of the Scottish border, there would inevitably be significant repercussions for many companies, if … Continue reading How much of an Impact could Scottish Independence have on Farmers in Scotland? – Guest Post by Justin Fox
There is a certain magical tone to the voice of a nightingale, that can only be truly known when directly experienced. The joyful variety of its song (although some would say melancholic), of overwhelming amplitude given its small size, dominates the audiosphere of those places fortunate enough to play host to this melodious passerine. On … Continue reading A Nightingale Walk
Whenever there is news reported about Africa in the west it tends to be bad news. I therefore don't really relish writing this article. I'm following the trend. However, what amazes me is that apart from an article in the FT and in The Independent the mainstream media [I accept that the Ugandan Independent isn't 'mainstream' in … Continue reading African Continent Faces the ArmyWorm
