20,000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED FREE THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWEST May 2015 | Issue 51

What sheep breed to keep? Planting Glads and Dahlias Jonathan ‘Jock’ Paget interview

Letting mother hen do her job Converting agricultural buildings WIN A SET OF 4 FERNS FROM River Cottage: May in the garden ST. BRIDGET Plus: Country news, diary, green issues and wildlife NURSERIES Cover photo courtesy of Nick Hook Photography rural issues | livestock | equipment | poultry | fieldwork | diversification | equine | gardening 1 NATURAL, SUSTAINABLE FENCING AND GARDEN PRODUCTS We offer a full range of willow hurdles, trellis and arches. Standard sizes from £28.30 or bespoke sizes available on request. In-situ service also available - we will come and weave your fencing in situ, please telephone for further details and a quotation. Delivery available, please ring for charges.

Hanging chairs or pod chairs also available. Please check our website for images. Come and visit us and see what’s on offer – a warm welcome awaits you.

■ Enjoy a walk on the Somerset Levels and see the willow growing in the withy beds. ■ Learn about the willow industry and view the rare selection of basket ware in our museum. ■ Browse through our basket shop and craft studios and enjoy refreshments at The Lemon Tree Coffee House. ■ Admission is free but tours of the basket workshops are available Monday to Friday at 11am and 2.30pm at £3.00 per person ■ We are open from 9.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays).

PH Coate & Son Ltd, The Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre, Meare Green Court, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton, TA3 6HY

Tel: 01823 490249 www.coatesenglishwillow.co.uk

2 inside this issue

Competition 5 Win one of three sets of four ferns from St. Bridget Nurseries

GET IN TOUCH Property 7 The Landsman Greenslade Taylor Hunt: Oaklands Farm Think Media (UK) Ltd The Granary & Sawmill Rural issues 8 Tickenham Court Working Tax Credit changes for the Self-Employed Washing Pound Lane Clevedon Equipment 10 North Somerset Old tractor hydraulics BS21 6SB www.thelandsman.co.uk Veterinary practise 12 twitter.com/landsmanlife Worm farming for shepherds

Editorial Diversification 13 Rebecca Hacker Converting agricultural buildings [email protected]

Art Editor Livestock 14 Christy Walters What sheep breed to keep?

Designer Poultry 16-17 Laurie Edwards Letting mother hen do her job Peacocks and guinea fowl Production Rachael Ellway Making a country living 18-19 [email protected] Mike Langman artwork T. 01275 400778

Advertising Equine 20-22 Sandra Griffiths Jonathan ‘Jock’ Paget interview [email protected] T. 01460 55105 Green issues 23 Wind turbines in Dorset? Planning committee says NO Contributors James Whilding, Acorus Competition 24 Colin Knapman BSc (Hons) Win a copy of ‘River Cottage Veg Every Day’ Ian and Gillian Dixon Jeremy Hobson Fieldwork 25 Keith Wheaton-Green Curves, not angles Lucy Le Cocq BSc (Hons) BVMS MRCVS Pammy Riggs Gardening 27-32 RHS Garden Rosemoor Ferns for the garden River Cottage 27 Sally Gregson Planting Glads and Dahlias 28-29 Stephen Davy-Osborne May in the garden 30 Stewart Horne Recipe – Bruschetta with broad beans and asparagus 31 Tracey Morley Jewkes Hard landscaping is looking good 32

Printed by Wildlife 33 Mortons of Horncastle Ltd Beavers are back in England Printed on recycled paper

Disclaimer Book review 33 Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of ‘Learning with Nature’ by Marina Robb, Victoria Mew and Anna Richardson dates, event information and advertisements. ‘Backalong in Somerset’ by Roger Evans The Landsman accepts no responsibility for events that might be cancelled and can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any Country diary 34-38 information or claims made by advertisers included in this magazine. The views expressed Our country year 39 do not necessarily reflect the views of thelandsman. All rights reserved. Reproduction The Wessex Morris Men in whole or part without written permission strictly prohibited.

© Copyright 2015. Think Media (UK) Ltd twitter.com/landsmanlife 3 country news Hedgehogs vs KFC! Fast food chicken chain KFC has BHPS, the company changed the lid agreed to change its packaging design, reducing the size of the hole, following a long campaign by preventing hedgehogs getting their dispose of litter responsibly as it can hedgehog welfare groups. heads in if the cups were littered. have a devastating impact on wildlife.” The change comes after a There was also a Litter Harms Wildlife A spokesperson from KFC said: successful lobby by the British warning stamped onto every new lid. “From today, KFC in the UK and Hedgehog Preservation Society The BHPS acted again following Ireland will cease production of the (BHPS), a tiny charity based in the reports that the KFC Krushems current lid for the Krushems cup. South Shropshire hills, which several milkshake packaging was causing After consultation with the British years ago took on McDonald’s. the same problem. Hedgehog Preservation Society, According to the Society, the design of Chief Executive of BHPS, Fay Vass, KFC has developed a new lid with a McFlurry cup lids meant that when a said: “We are delighted that KFC smaller aperture to prevent potential hedgehog sought out the left over ice are changing their packaging to harm to wildlife and will introduce cream inside, it got the cup stuck on prevent littered cups from harming this into all restaurants over the its head. After much pressure from hedgehogs. We would ask that people coming months.” Time for a farm rent revolution The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has insisted the wanting to maintain current rental levels: “Of course there time has come for landlords to expect to see reductions will be resistance and we are already seeing landlords’ in farm rents, particularly for farm tenancies regulated agents using tactics to dissuade tenants from arguing by the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986. for reductions. One such tactic is to present a case for a The Association insisted that with increases over significant increase in rent in the hope that the tenant will past years, along with continuing low returns across all be frightened into accepting a much lower increase, which sectors of agriculture, rent reductions should now be due. will lock the rent in for the next three years.“ TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn said: “The budgetary Mr Dunn continued: ”Happily, the number of individuals evidence for rent reductions has been there for some offering ridiculous levels of rent at tender are reducing time. However, we have now reached the tipping point but there remain a number of largely owner-occupied and landlords should not be surprised that tenants will farmers with low rent and finance charges on their be using their rent review notices served last year to main holdings making unsustainable bids on short term argue for reductions.” tenancies damaging their own profitability and causing Mr Dunn has warned of aggressive tactics from agents problems for other tenants.”

4 Farmers warned not to hang on to last year’s lambs The National Sheep Association (NSA) is encouraging they are being fed adequately to finish well in advance of farmers to get their old season lambs away quickly to teeth coming up and risking having to be split.” avoid losing out financially. “If lambs are too big the price per kilo is reduced or According to the NSA the practice of carcass splitting kilos are given away free. It requires good management regularly leads to reports of animals being devalued by £25 to finish old season lambs at target weights and condition; per head. The reminder comes as many of last season’s getting it wrong will lead to wastage in the abattoir and lambs reach the age when their first permanent teeth come increased costs which will get passed down the chain.” up, which is the current interpretation of 12 months of age Mr Stocker added: “Determining a lamb’s age through when TSE regulations at European level state that carcasses mouthing is subjective but ultimately decides the value of must be split and the animal’s spinal cord removed. the lamb. The cost to the farmer of the teeth emerging will Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says farmers should devalue the lamb and this problem will only get worse as make sure they are getting their old season lambs to the new season trade ramps up.” market specifications quickly and putting them for sale. The NSA is campaigning for a change to the current He explained: “There are many farmers out there who method of determining when an animal crosses the are still finishing hogg lambs, and at this time of the year theoretic 12-month line and is proposing a date of the end its crucial they are watching body condition closely so of June following the season of birth as a cut-off date for lambs don’t go overweight or out of spec, or to make sure carcass splitting, rather than incisor eruption.

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5 Quickes Farm BLAMPHAYNE SAWMILLS LTD Kitchen specialises Timber Merchant, Building and Fencing Supplies in high quality and Gate Manufacturers based in Honiton, Devon. locally produced We offer a wide range of products ranging from Entrance Gates, Field & Garden Gates, Timber for the building trade, food, served in Sheet materials, Flooring and all types of Fencing across a relaxed and Devon, Somerset, Cornwall and the entire South Coast. For more info or to get a quote, call us on 01404 851 357 family friendly or email [email protected] atmosphere. Iron Bridge, Gittisham, Honiton, Devon, EX14 3AN VISIT US AT WWW.BLAMPHAYNESAWMILLS.CO.UK RAINWATER PRODUCTS LTD Suppliers To Agriculture And Building Industry UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE SPECIAL OFFERS • 100mtr rolls of 80mm and 100mm land drain coil prices from £38.00 Please ring We serve hearty breakfast, • 6mtr lengths of 150mm, 225mm, 300mm, 450mm twinwall pipe for further lunches excellent coffee and prices from £14.95 information • Mdpe Water Pipe 20mm,25mm,32mm,50mm,63mm 01884 cream teas in our beautiful WATER STORAGE TANKS pop-up kitchen, overlooking from 1200 ltr to 20000ltr 881782 • 6000 ltr £675.00, 10000 ltr £995.00, 20000 ltr £1900.00 the stunning Devon valley. email: SEPTIC TANKS IN STOCK sales@ 2800 ltr,3600 ltr, 4500 ltr prices from £495.00 rainwater EXTENDED OPENING HOURS SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS products.com DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS • 6 person £1695.00, 10 person £1995.00,12 person £2100.00 www.rainwater NEW TUFFA UK OIL & DIESEL TANKS products.com FROM 1350LTR TO 15000LTR For more info or to make a booking, please call PLEASE RING FOR SPECIAL OFFERS ON ALL YOUR FUEL TANK NEEDS All prices are 01392 851000 or email [email protected] SPECIAL OFFER 1350 LTR BUNDED OIL TANK £735.00 plus VAT and delivery www.quickesfarmshop.co.uk SPECIAL OFFER 1400 LTR BUNDED FUEL STATION £960.00

ST BRIDGET NURSERIES IN EXETER ARE A FOURTH GENERATION FAMILY RUN FIRM. THEY HAVE BEEN GROWING AWARD WINNING PLANTS SINCE 1925 AND PROPAGATE NEARLY ALL THE PLANTS THEY SELL IN THEIR TWO EXETER GARDEN CENTRES. Plants grown include roses, trees, shrubs, seasonal plants, herbaceous perennials and ferns! To win a set of Ferns, (1 x Athyrium niponicum var. pictum, 1 x Asplenium scolopendrium, 1 x Dryopteris erythrosora and 1 x Osmunda regalis) simply answer the question below, emailing your answer, along with your name and contact details to [email protected] HOW MANY YEARS OF GROWING AWARD WINNING PLANTS ARE ST BRIDGET NURSERIES CELEBRATING THIS YEAR? A. 30 B. 50 C. 90 You can either collect your prize from St Bridget Nurseries or they will mail it to you in the autumn / when weather conditions permit safe transit.

Limited to one entry per household. Closing date for the competition is 31 May 2015. Please include in your entry if you do not want St Bridget Nurseries to use your personal data to contact you by electronic means (email or SMS) with information or future offers.

6 property Oaklands Farm Guide Price £860,000

A versatile residential smallholding including a detached three bedroom house with adjoining vineyards, farm shop and café. Oaklands Farm is the complete package, a superb rural property, with an established accompanying business, set within an area of outstanding natural beauty in East Devon. Just two miles from Honiton, with its useful range of services including schools, banks and a health centre, the attractive farm house has planning permission for modernisation and extension, while an extensive range of modern buildings make up the farm shop, which predominantly sells West country produce, and the café. The adjoining land, bordering the A30, offers a total of just over 25 acres in a mix of sloping productive pasture and vineyards. The Farm is within the peaceful Otter Valley, but with direct access onto the M5 motorway and onto the A303 Exeter/London trunk route.

Property: Oaklands Farm, Monkton, Devon EX14 9QH Guide Price £860,000 Contact: Greenslade Taylor Hunt | Tel: 01404 46222 | www.gth.net

BEVISS & BECKINGSALE ‘It’s just what we wanted, looks SOLICITORS very good and will be very useful’

At Beviss & Beckingsale we have Do you need a building for your hobbies or storage always enjoyed a close relationship for your equipment, vehicles and machinery? with those living and working Make the most of your property with a hobby room, in the rural community. garage, store, workshop or stable block. Whatever the nature of your concerns, we have an expert to help. Offi ces At: Axminster: (01297) 630700 Chard: (01460) 269700 Honiton: (01404) 548050 Seaton: (01297) 626950 www.bevissandbeckingsale.co.uk [email protected] stags.co.uk Let us save you time and trouble STAGS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES with our Turnkey service, including: Stags Planning Team can offer a range • Removing old buildings • Making a planning of specialist services including: application • Preparing the base • Bespoke design and • Change of Use applications construction of your building • Great after-sales service • Viability studies and appraisals • Agricultural Workers’ dwellings Call now for a brochure! • Full planning applications • Large scale development advice 01837 82442 • Strategic planning advice shieldsbuildings.co.uk For advice or assistance with any of the above contact Stags De Bathe Farm, North Tawton Professional Services - 01392 439046 or email: professional@ stags.co.uk to be put in touch with your local professional. Devon EX20 2BE 7 rural issues Working Tax Credit changes for the Self-Employed by Stewart Horne Writing this on April 6, the press is awash with details of changes being introduced in the 2015/2016 tax year; the greatest focus has been on the pension freedoms, where people can access their pension funds as cash. Not being a pension expert I shall not venture further into that! Also getting attention is the increase in personal allowances to £10,600 this year with the politicians all claiming it was their idea.

What has changed is that you won’t need to register for Class 2 or Class 4 National Insurance - your payments will be added to your bill after you’ve filed your Self Assessment tax return. Another change, and one that has had no publicity, is that self-employed people will During the early stages of self-employment it may prove need to meet new criteria in order to claim Working difficult to make a profit. If someone in this situation Tax Credit (WTC). From now on, all new claimants who claims WTC they may be asked to show that they have are using self-employed work to meet the qualifying a commercial approach and how their business would remunerative work test for WTC must show that they are become profitable. This could be demonstrated in a trading on a commercial basis and their business is done business plan. HMRC will use the information provided with a view to achieving profits. The self-employment to reach a decision about the claimant’s current WTC should also be structured, regular and ongoing. award. Claimants may lose their WTC if they cannot provide the evidence asked for and may have to repay For example, if their business activity is a hobby it any tax credits they are not entitled to. is not likely to be considered commercial or have an expectation of realising a profit. These checks are about Clearly this change is important for many small ensuring HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) only pay tax businesses in rural areas; it is estimated that some credits to those who are entitled. WTC will continue to 35 per cent of the self-employed claim WTC. If you support those who are carrying on a genuine business find yourself in this situation, then there will be three activity. These changes will not affect the rules for choices: improve the business profits or, if this is not claiming Child Tax Credit. possible, then maybe a job would be better, or perhaps a combination of job and business to improve family As I understand it self-employed WTC claimants with income levels. This change is something that Business earnings below a threshold (this will be based on working Information Point (BIP) advisors have been highlighting hours and the National Minimum Wage - initially this will to all our business start-ups over recent months and start at 24hrs x £6.50 which equates to £8112 per annum) should any readers want to discuss how they could will be asked by HMRC to provide evidence that they are in make changes to their business in the light of the WTC a regular and organised trade, profession or vocation on a changes please give us a call (01837 659059). commercial basis and with a view to achieving a profit. Footnote on the Basic Payment Scheme: after many The information that HMRC will ask for should be months of battling with the new online system the RPA available as part of normal business activity, for have announced that a paper based application form will example, receipts and expenses, records of sales and be issued with an extended deadline of June 15. Another purchases. They may also ask for supporting documents government IT scheme that has not met expectations; such as a business plan, planned work, cash flow and let’s hope they can get it running before 2016 as it did profit projections. have promise. 8 HALSEof HONITON 01404 42121 West End, Honiton, Devon EX14 1JZ www.halse.co.uk email [email protected] The Machinery Specialists Sawing logs made easy – and safe!

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Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262 9 IMPORTANT NEWS FOR SPECIAL Spring REDUCE CESSPIT OWNERS... Offer SAVE £6.00! Organic Sludge equipment by up to ON 97% Old tractor hydraulics by Ian Dixon This topic can be the subject of at least one SAVE £100’s book if not two, so trying to condense it into a page is a bit of a challenge. Thus to simplify, MUCK MUNCHERS let’s deal with the hydraulic system on a very SEPTIC TANK PUMP-OUTS basic 1960s tractor, which is the basis of even the most modern machine. with Environmentally Friendly ✓ Safe natural Non-Chemical Formulation Those wavy and sticky-out arms which catch ✓ Vastly Reduces Need for ✓ your shins as you walk behind the tractor Expensive Pump-Outs Eliminates Grease Build-Ups are called link arms. They form part of the three point linkage which is used to attach ✓ Prevents Blockages ✓ Counteracts Detergent and Chemical Contaminants 12 Monthly equipment to your tractor. The third link, the Eliminates Unpleasant FLUSHABLE top link, forms the most important element ✓ Smells ✓ Reduces Potential Health Problems Treatments to this method of attaching implements and SAVE £6.00 implement control. NOW The up and down operation of the link arm £28.95! involves a hydraulic pump, a selection of valves and some element of a control system to operate is disabled by a change-over valve and this oil flow them, so for now let us look at how they work from a is directed to the plug-in point and via a hose to your Create an ODOURLESS AND MUCK MUNCHERS user’s point of view. On most tractors the hydraulics are attached equipment. Now there is no ‘control system Helping the Environment controlled by a lever operating through about 90 degrees feedback’ here other than the operator, so you have to BLOCKAGE FREE Sewage Tank Muck Munchers are all entirely biological – containing naturally The Environment Agency and EU Commission and located to the right-hand side of the seat. This will keep watch and stop the oil flow by moving the control have concerns about waste water and pollution occurring enzymes and helpful, healthy little micro-organisms have a few ’modes’ or ways in which it operates the link lever to the point where the tractor stops pumping when of water courses. The action of Muck that set to work in their billions to allow your tank to digest arms. Firstly, and easiest to comprehend, is ‘position’ the ram on the equipment reaches the end of its travel. Munchers has a very positive effect on waste naturally too. reducing pollutants and ensuring water released control mode. When the lever is forward in the down Oil returns to the tractor when the control lever is put in In breaking-down organic solids, and eliminating awful smells, in to the surrounding soil is cleaner and purer. position, the link arms are at their lowest point, when the ‘down’ position and the ram should close under the blockages and overfl ows, they are just doing what nature intended. the lever is in its uppermost position, the link arms are weight of the operated equipment. The net result is that solid waste is reduced by as much FREE Start-Up Booster Kit at their highest point. Halfway is halfway etc. This is as 97% – that means fewer expensive pump-outs. Kick WORTH £16.50! irrespective of load on the link arms. You may have noticed on the right-hand link arm drop rod How do I set Muck Munchers to work... that there is a sort of gearbox thingy with a rod coming out Start Your When you order your first 12 1. Disolve the contents of your Kick-Start Bio-Booster pack Second is ‘draft’ control which is more complicated and of it. This is called a levelling box and will adjust the length CLEANER, Month Treatment Programme, 2. Now, just fl ush it down the loo, to get things going HEALTHIER is used when the tractor is operating ground penetrating of the right-hand drop rod and thus the height of the right- we’ll also send you a FREE equipment such as ploughs or subsoilers. Here the top hand link arm so that the piece of equipment attached to 3. Then each month, simply fl ush down a Muck Septic Munchers soluble sachet pack. Tank! Super-Booster Start-Up Kit link plays an important part as a ‘sensor’ to the ground the three point linkage travels level. It is also used to adjust to ensure rapid biological conditions. You may have noticed a spring on the top the level of a plough in operation, so you can control the TO PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY CALL activation in your tank. link attaching point or that it is loose in some way; this depth of the front furrow relative to the others; this, along 01626 880 912 or visit muck-munchers.co.uk is because either an internal ‘feedback’ rod or external with the adjustable length of the top link which controls control cable takes the movement in this spring and the front and back tilt of the plough or attached equipment, YES – I want a cleaner sewage tank, free-fl owing drains and to save on pump-outs. Total Name Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms sends the signals to the hydraulic control system to means that anything attached to the link arms is really Please Send Me - Price Qty Price 100% either lift or lower the equipment depending on the very adjustable. Finally check chains and stabiliser bars 12 Months’ Muck WAS Delivery Address Satisfaction Guarantee MM12BB1 £34.95 Munchers Programme NOW ground conditions. Thus if a sticky patch of ground is connecting from either part way along or at the implement (12 x MM Solu-Packs) £28.95 We guarantee you’ll see and smell Kick-Start Booster the difference within a couple of weeks. encountered, this puts more load on the top link which ends of the link arms to the outer ends of the rear axle PLUS £16.50 1 FREE 100g Treatment Postcode moves the spring, which moves the rod/cable which tells stop or reduce the sideways sway of mounted equipment, If not satisfi ed, return the remaining 11 Postage, Packaging & Delivery Insurance £3.95 the hydraulics to lift the arms a bit. keeping us all on the straight and narrow. Email address months’ packs and we’ll return every TOTAL AMOUNT penny you’ve spent. Telephone  I enclose my cheque made payable to Bio-Gard Limited Thirdly, ‘external’ mode. This is where ‘position’ control Ian Dixon runs smallholder training courses with his wife  Debit my VISA  Mastercard  Maestro  Code LM315 is used to operate external equipment such as a tipping Gillian at their farm near Okehampton. If you would like Card Number trailer through a plug-in point on the back of the tractor. to gain an understanding of how your old tractor works, Start End Maestro Card Security Date Date Issue Date Number Environmentally Friendly Solutions Usually the oil feeding the internal link arm actuator (the their next ‘Tractor & Machinery’ course is June 7. (last 3 numbers on signature strip) Martin Harvey Name on card Send to Bio-Gard Limited, Director bit inside the tractor that makes the link arms move) Environmentally Friendly Solutions For more details see www.southyeofarm.co.uk Carriage House, Forde Way, Signature 10 Newton Abbott, TQ12 4EY

Environmentally Friendly Solutions

Environmentally Friendly Solutions IMPORTANT NEWS FOR SPECIAL Spring REDUCE CESSPIT OWNERS... Offer SAVE £6.00! Organic Sludge by up to ON 97% SAVE £100’s SEPTIC TANK PUMP-OUTS MUCK MUNCHERS with Environmentally Friendly ✓ Safe natural Non-Chemical Formulation ✓ Vastly Reduces Need for ✓ Expensive Pump-Outs Eliminates Grease Build-Ups ✓ Prevents Blockages ✓ Counteracts Detergent and Chemical Contaminants 12 Monthly ✓ Eliminates Unpleasant FLUSHABLE Smells ✓ Reduces Potential Health Problems Treatments SAVE £6.00 NOW £28.95!

Create an ODOURLESS AND MUCK MUNCHERS BLOCKAGE FREE Sewage Tank Helping the Environment Muck Munchers are all entirely biological – containing naturally The Environment Agency and EU Commission have concerns about waste water and pollution occurring enzymes and helpful, healthy little micro-organisms of water courses. The action of Muck that set to work in their billions to allow your tank to digest Munchers has a very positive effect on waste naturally too. reducing pollutants and ensuring water released In breaking-down organic solids, and eliminating awful smells, in to the surrounding soil is cleaner and purer. blockages and overfl ows, they are just doing what nature intended. The net result is that solid waste is reduced by as much FREE Start-Up Booster Kit as 97% – that means fewer expensive pump-outs. Kick WORTH £16.50! How do I set Muck Munchers to work... Start Your When you order your first 12 1. Disolve the contents of your Kick-Start Bio-Booster pack CLEANER, Month Treatment Programme, 2. Now, just fl ush it down the loo, to get things going HEALTHIER we’ll also send you a FREE 3. Then each month, simply fl ush down a Muck Septic Munchers soluble sachet pack. Tank! Super-Booster Start-Up Kit to ensure rapid biological TO PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY CALL activation in your tank. 01626 880 912 or visit muck-munchers.co.uk YES – I want a cleaner sewage tank, free-fl owing drains and to save on pump-outs. Total Name Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Please Send Me - Price Qty Price 100% 12 Months’ Muck WAS Delivery Address Satisfaction Guarantee MM12BB1 £34.95 Munchers Programme NOW (12 x MM Solu-Packs) £28.95 We guarantee you’ll see and smell Kick-Start Booster the difference within a couple of weeks. PLUS £16.50 1 FREE Postcode 100g Treatment If not satisfi ed, return the remaining 11 £3.95 Postage, Packaging & Delivery Insurance Email address months’ packs and we’ll return every TOTAL AMOUNT penny you’ve spent. Telephone  I enclose my cheque made payable to Bio-Gard Limited  Debit my VISA  Mastercard  Maestro  Code LM315

Card Number Start End Maestro Card Security Date Date Issue Date Number Environmentally Friendly Solutions (last 3 numbers on signature strip) Martin Harvey Name on card Send to Bio-Gard Limited, Director Carriage House, Forde Way, Environmentally Friendly Solutions Signature Newton Abbott, TQ12 4EY 11

Environmentally Friendly Solutions

Environmentally Friendly Solutions veterinary practise

Worm farming for shepherds by Lucy Le Cocq, Synergy Farm Health Sheep and worms are two words that are often heard or the worms can develop resistance from a healthy together, especially over the summer, when a group of population – so no farm is immune to the problem. worms called strongyles are responsible for considerable The key to tackling the problem is to increase production loss, if not carefully managed. They cause awareness and to encourage planning with sheep scouring and weight loss, or to the keen eye, lack of live farmers large and small. Worm egg counting (before weight gain. Lost production is costly, not to mention you and after treating) to determine if any worms survived may be inadvertently helping the worm population to thrive. the treatment is very important. Suitably qualified Farming worms alongside sheep is the approach that professionals including vets are advocating risk based many forward thinking sheep farmers are now taking. pasture management to create strategies to slow the The worms are biologically very clever and are quite growth of the resistance worm population. Some farms literally finding new ways to avoid being killed by are also developing breeding strategies to develop more worming products. resilient sheep that can tolerate worms better, resulting This is not a new problem; in other parts of the world in reduced need for worming. resistant worms have halted sheep production. We are Although we now have two other classes of wormer lucky in the UK that we still have time to manage the (orange and purple) to integrate into our control plans, problem. Every farm is different, but of the three main without other management strategies the risk of classes of worming products (white, clear and yellow) all resistance developing to these classes is real. Wormers have worm populations developing resistance to them cannot be sold without a prescription so take advantage and on some farms the worms are resistant to all three. of the advice available, and take the effort to create a A sheep can pick up resistance worms whilst grazing robust control plan – it will be time well spent. www.acorus.co.uk

Do you have a barn to convert? Appraisals, design, planning application and project management under one roof

Please contact James Whilding 01392873900 Addlepool Business Centre | Woodbury Road Clyst St. George | Exeter | EX3 0NR

12 diversification

By James Whilding Converting agricultural buildings Acorus Rural Property Services Limited The rural economy has and will continue to change. Diversification of land and buildings can facilitate business expansion, providing sustainable alternative income whilst maximising property assets. There may be buildings which have outlived their farming/rural use for whatever reason; some of these structures may be too derelict or too small to offer scope for re-use, whereas others may be structurally sound or can easily be made so and they offer greater potential for conversion.

In many cases diversification has required planning consent and this has proven to be the primary restriction hampering development in recent years. Government policy now supports sustainable growth and expansion 500m2 the developer needs to apply to the LPA for a of all types of agricultural and other land-based rural determination as to whether prior approval is required. businesses both through conversion of existing buildings The LPA will assess the proposal in terms of any impact and well designed new buildings. The 2012 introduction on transport and highways, noise impact, contamination of the National Planning Policy Framework and new and flood risks on site and immediate neighbours will permitted development rights have increased the options be consulted. For schemes greater than 500m2 a full in terms of planning, although not all local policy has been planning application is required. brought up to date to reflect this change. In 2014 Government extended permitted development Historically, agricultural buildings have received rights to include the change of use of an agricultural preferential treatment within the planning system both building into residential use. Based on a maximum in terms of permitted development and how applications floorspace of 450m2 and up to three dwellings, are assessed. There is some agricultural development prior approval (56 day notice) relating to noise, land which by its very nature is deemed to be minor and contamination, flooding, traffic and the desirability of does not always require planning permission. In such the site and location is needed. Unfortunately this is not circumstances prior notification may not be required. available in Article 1(5) areas such as National Parks, AONBs and Conservation Areas and does not apply to A change in use of an agricultural building in many listed buildings. Amongst other criteria, the subject circumstances will require consent from the local building must have been solely in agricultural use at the planning authority (LPA). The exception may be where 20 March 2013 forming part of an established agricultural the predominant use remains agricultural and does not unit and any building operations must be reasonably change the external appearance of the building. Otherwise necessary and not result in the converted building the development either needs to benefit from permitted extending beyond its existing dimensions. development rights and comply with the associated prior notification procedure or a full change of use planning Prior to submission of a planning application there is application needs to be submitted to the LPA. scope to undertake pre-application consultation with the LPA to ascertain the likelihood of success. New provisions came into force in May 2013 allowing a change of use of existing agricultural buildings to a Whichever route is deemed appropriate, other factors to ‘flexible use’ falling within commercial-use classes contemplate in seeking a conversion include your own such as shops, restaurants and cafes and business. skills and aspirations, access, topography, landscape, For buildings where the cumulative floor space does designations, markets, availability of capital, tax, not exceed 150m2, a simple notification process to the inheritance planning and the potential need to comply LPA is required. For schemes beyond 150m2 and below with Building Regulations. 13 livestock

What sheep breed to keep? by Gillian Dixon As the farming landscape changes and as people want conditions. Your ground, soil type, grass quality and to know more about the provenance of their food, an altitude will dictate which breeds will thrive best on your increasing number of people are buying up small pockets holding. A sheep that does well on the lush lowlands in of land wanting to become self-sufficient and work their Dorset will struggle on the poorer grazing of Dartmoor, land for the benefit of themselves and the environment. but conversely, a hardy mountain breed will often thrive in Having married into a farming family myself, and run the a gentler lowland situation. In the West country alone we farm business now for 15 years, we have witnessed many have eight local breeds: the White or Grey Faced Dartmoor, changes. We quickly realised that with our small Devon Devon Closewool, Devon and Cornwall Longwool, Exmoor farm we could not survive by simply raising stock to sell Horn, Portland, Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset. at market as my father-in-law had done. We needed to do Where to start? Before choosing a breed, you need to something a little different, so we focussed on keeping focus on why you want sheep, as not all will suit every rare breeds, and consequently our market is directed situation. Is it to keep the grass down, provide you and your towards smallholders just starting out and wanting a few family with delicious known-provenance meat, an attraction interesting sheep to graze their fields. In addition, for nine for your holiday let or are they to give you an annual crop years now, we have run introductory courses in keeping of naturally coloured wool to spin, knit and create with? pigs, poultry and sheep to help new livestock keepers gain Look at what is kept locally, talk to neighbouring farmers an understanding of basic handling and management of of their experience. Smallholders tend to favour rare and their animals. It also gives me peace of mind to know that native breeds to more commercial crosses, and with the stock we have carefully raised are going to an educated show season soon upon us, there is a good opportunity to home, where they will be responsibly looked after. compare many of these breeds alongside each other and to With lambing season just coming to an end I feel what talk to their owners about the attributes of each. Be warned better opportunity than to share my experiences with though, we do become rather passionate and biased those of you thinking ‘could I actually do it?’, of where to towards our own chosen breed! start and what sheep breed to keep? At home we have six pure bred flocks and a few In Britain we have literally hundreds of native sheep individual sheep of different breeds used on our sheep breeds all developed to suit a particular landscape and keeping courses as examples of those good to start with, 14 livestock and those best avoided, until you are more confident in are the only known handling livestock. breed of sheep that Many of Britain’s prettiest sheep are also some of don’t tend to eat the flightiest, so are not necessarily a good choice for tree bark, so can beginners as they can be tricky to handle until you gain be safely grazed in some experience (if you can catch them that is); the orchards or conifer Castlemilk Moorit, North Ronaldsay and Manx Loaghtan plantations without for example. Our smaller breeds tend to be mountain damaging the sheep, which fall in to the same flighty category. Long trees and are used wooled breeds such as the Dartmoor, Wensleydale or increasingly in commercial Christmas tree plantations for Lincoln Longwool can be tricky when you’re just starting just this purpose (but then I am biased as these are our out as they can be prone to ‘fly strike’ (maggots, not main flock at home). nice) and becoming ‘cast’, stuck on their backs when the There is even a modern breed called an ‘Easycare’ weather is warm and wet. sheep which does what the label says. It is all white, is not If your priority is to produce quality fibre for spinning, prone to lameness, sheds its wool naturally so does not knitting, felting and other crafts, rather than for box require shearing, and is a milky prolific ewe. loads of meat to fill the freezer, the fine fleeced Portland, More recently I have been won over by Ryelands, so Shetland or Gotland come to mind. Shetlands have the called as they were developed in the rye growing area advantage of coming in about 40 different recognised around Hereford. Ryelands occur most commonly in natural colour patterns. They can be nervous but with white, but there is also as a ‘coloured’ variant in shades of time can be tamed to come to the bucket. Gotlands brown to grey. They are a real teddy-bear sheep, docile, have a lustrous grey fleece that hangs in ringlets and stocky, produce a good carcass (all-be-it slow maturing), are the tamest sheep I have ever encountered, making and have a superb dense fleece. To my mind, the perfect management for first timers a doddle. When walking smallholders’ sheep – but your shearer will dislike them some up the road to a new field one day, we encountered as there is wool everywhere, from leg to face, that needs a car, I rattled my feed bucket and the sheep obediently trimming so is more fiddly at shearing time. gathered around me in a gateway as the car passed; Whatever breed you choose, you’ve got to enjoy looking I don’t know any other breed that would do that. They do at it and working with it. A valuable lesson however, is need shearing twice a year though to make the best of that if after a year or two you find your sheep are not their fleece. The black and white Jacob is very attractive thriving on your ground, or if you are struggling to catch and popular with spinners as they offer two to three and turn them, then you aren’t stuck with them, you can colours in one fleece; however, a word of caution as you change and try something else. Sheep keeping should not do have to be careful when handling sheep with horns, be a chore, they are lovely beasts, go on, give it a go. skirts are out of the question and bruises a plenty! Any of the downland breeds such as Hampshire, Polled Gillian and her husband Ian farm near Okehampton Dorset, Southdown or Shropshires make an excellent in Devon and run introductory smallholding courses. sheep for beginners. They produce stocky fast growing Their next sheep keeping courses are May 9, July lambs and are reasonably easy to manage. They are 26 and October 24 2015. Follow their daily farming mostly white with a super fleece for crafting. Shropshires activities on Twitter @southyeoeast

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Letting mother hen do her job by Pammy Riggs Once the task of raising a the eggs are collected every day, the hen in question sits brood of chicks enters a tight in her nest and has taken to making the most peculiar hen’s mind, she becomes disgruntled noises when disturbed. If removed forcibly from fanatical: a proper stubborn the nest she rushes back, feathers splayed out, giving off a streak appears out of very distressed vibe. Poor Hen, she even appears to have nowhere, she develops a lost some feathers from her under carriage. The family one-track mind. I see this decide to allow the Broody Hen to follow her instincts. ‘driven’ behaviour as a How can she be helped? Separate this hen from the measure of the power of others and make a safe secure spot for her, preferably evolution, the ‘procreational at ground level. Make sure the eggs she is sitting on are urge’ made visible in the form of determined Mother- fertile. If no cockerel is present, source fertile eggs from to-be Hen. Once the Procreate Now switch has been the internet, a poultry auction or friend who has a cockerel triggered by the combination of day length and her stage with their birds. Give her food and water close by her nest. of maturity, she is on a mission. Occasionally remove her from the nest so she bothers Step one. Find a suitable place to make a nest. In the to eat and drink, and do the other necessary smelly wild this would be well concealed and always at ground business. She will growl at you; wear stout gloves if you level. For domesticated hens the task is somewhat more are afraid of being pecked (doesn’t usually draw blood!). difficult when confined in a pen. Mark off on your calendar at 21 days from when the Step two. Fill the nest with eggs. In the wild a daily fertile eggs were introduced. And wait. And wait. Expect deposit of one egg until the required number, 13ish, has to see and hear some tiny peeping faces appearing from been reached. For domesticated hens there is the problem under a concerned and crooning proud Mother Hen - give of the blasted human stealing the eggs every day! three clear days after the initial 21 before worrying or Step three. Hunker down and sit tight on the eggs for disturbing the hen and chicks. Give Mum and chicks a safe 21 days. For the domestic hen, the blessing of the human environment to explore. keeper is needed here. A delighted family look proudly on at their delightful Step four. Once the first chicks are hatched, countdown Mother Hen looking over her brood of chicks. How sweet starts for a maximum of three days, anything not up-and- they are. at-it by then will be left behind. For the domesticated hen Now fast forward six months. It is November, cold, wet this rule also applies. and muddy underfoot. Once tiny chicks have matured into Step five. Out and about with Mother Hen who will do strapping and scrapping youngsters, half of them boys, her very best to teach her chicks about the environment, now noisy cockerels testing out their fighting skills. Does wild or domesticated, that they have been born into, and our family know what to do with these thugs now? If the to guard them with her life. answer is ‘No!’ then they should have refrained from Scenario: a family notice that one of their back garden putting the eggs under the hen in the first place, no matter hens has become reluctant to leave the nest box. Even when how tempting!

Pet pigs? Small flock? Rare breed? • Meet other smallholders • Share, Discuss & Learn at vet run workshops • Save when you vaccinate • Vet visit and health plan outline • Smallholder specific seasonal newsletter Call us or e-mail us to discuss how being a member 01935 83682 could benefit you, and your animals! Email: [email protected] www.synergyfarmhealth.com

16 poultry

Peacocks and guinea fowl by Pammy Riggs Peacocks shimmy their splayed feathers, display and With food and water and little disturbance except from dance for attention from their peahens, but all this the people who will have daily contact with them they glamour and display is best watched from a distance, will settle in. unless you are an expert in peacock husbandry. There is certainly something of Beauty and the Beast These magnificent birds, with a beautiful array of rolled into one with these large birds. tail feathers, gleaming kingfisher blue fore feathers Another exciting and somewhat challenging bird to and a dashing upstanding battledress helmet worthy keep if you are looking for something more exotic than of the proudest Roman soldier, have their own rules a backyard chicken is the guinea fowl. Still found wild and regulations when it comes to getting up close and in Africa, its fantastical looks and most amazing spotty personal. It is tempting to want to ‘tame’ your peacock feathers have taken it to all corners of the globe. In the and they do respond to ‘treats’, but actually keeping a days when hat wearing was de rigueur, milliners chose respectful hierarchy where you are considered just a these dapper feathers again and again. wee bit too scary for very close proximity, can be to your If the peacock comes in at number one as Beauty and advantage. Using treats to lure a peacock into the safety the Beast, then the guinea fowl must surely bear the role of a shed is a good use of treats but an over-confident of The Comedian. brazen peacock, or one that believes it is time to reign A first close look at an adult guinea fowl head has superior over the human hosts by demanding treats, is to cause wonder, a second look, mirth! Its domed pretty frightening. ‘helmet’ and comical forward facing cup-like wattles Peacocks attack from behind, jumping onto the back are just the start. Add to that the weirdest of insistent of the neck. Thumping down with spurred feet will calls and you really have the comic of the bird world. cause injuries, physical and mental! ALWAYS KEEP These little thugs tear around in groups calling and CHILDREN A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM PEACOCKS. shouting as they go. Paradoxically their start in life as These birds do bear a grudge and you have no way of keets (guinea fowl speak for ‘chick’) is one so sweet knowing if they have been frightened or badly treated and good-looking. More like cherubic winged chipmunk by others before you. babies, tawny, with a striped back, they are so cute. Use them on your estate to enhance the vista and Strange that they grow into the oddity that is adult impress your visitors. If keeping peafowl is your guinea fowl. preference, pay attention to instructions from your Both these species are fiercely territorial. The peacock peafowl breeder. They will tell you to keep any new guarding, fighting intruders of ‘his’ space and the birds well-confined until they have really settled into guinea fowl beating the bounds regularly, at top speed, their new home and consider it their ‘own’. Chasing a whilst creating a tremendous racket, bent on extending fleeing peacock is no fun. Their instinct is to look for the territory at every opportunity. Both like to fly and ‘home’ and they will choose the main road to run away roost high up in trees, on rooftops and on top of your unless properly integrated into their new surroundings. car. Watch out for droppings and never stand under Provide a roomy shed with an outdoor run if possible. a roosting peacock, you may regret it!

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17 making a country living

Mike Langman artwork by Stephen Davy-Osborne If you have visited an RSPB reserve or are a reader of their publications, the chances are you are already familiar with Mike Langman’s beautiful illustrations that bring birds to life on the page or information board. But there were two clear defining points in his artistic career that could have so easily led him down another path from that of making his living doing what he loves the most - capturing the characteristics of wildlife in watercolour.

“I have always been interested in wildlife for as long as I can much harder than my peers” he explained. “You retain more remember and my parents always encouraged me” said Mike information when you draw and sketch, it becomes that who spends his days combing the South Devon countryside much easier because you know what you are looking at.” and coastline in search of his next subject matter. His artistic talents were put to good use at the time by As a child his interest in creating wildlife on paper making Christmas cards for the group, but it wasn’t long began by drawing animals and birds from books before he before he submitted one of his creations to a national YOC was encouraged to spend many an afternoon at Paignton competition, depicting a family of grey wagtails feeding at Zoo, armed with a sketchbook, where his love of drawing a stream on Dartmoor. The piece wowed the judges and from life really took off. When he discovered there was a was subsequently published in the YOC magazine. “After branch of the RSPB’s Young Ornithologists Club (YOC) in winning the competition I was spurred on to paint harder Torbay he became a member and was hooked for life. and make a career of it” he said. “The observation required with the drawing helped me He ventured to art college in Middlesex where he to become a better birdwatcher because I was looking that undertook a three month placement to put his skills to 18 making a country living

practical use at the RSPB, having written to them attaching “It’s not always birds, because I am interested in his competition winning piece in the hope they might be wildlife in general, although my primary passion is still able to offer him a place. While on the placement, a full- birds” he said. “Living in the South West I have always time job came up that really fitted the bill. “It was suggested been interested in watching sea birds. You have to sit that I wouldn’t get it because I didn’t have enough there and wait for them to come to you and have the experience” he recalled. “But I went for it and I got it.” right weather conditions to bring them in. In the autumn This was before he had completed his course and so I enjoy getting out and looking for warblers, which can he was faced with the agonising decision of cutting his be very difficult to find.” course short and taking the dream job or going back “I keep a notebook with me at all times so I can make to college. It was to be the first of his encounters with sketches. I am also encouraging other birdwatchers to get a major career crossroads. “I never looked back on it” back to sketch books. Nowadays everyone seems to have he said. “In not going back to college I was building up a a camera and the notebook has been left behind. If you’re portfolio of real work at the RSPB.” using a camera you’re not really looking at something, He carried out the job for four years before taking on you’re looking at it on a screen. With a notebook you’re another position with his beloved YOC, all the while carrying looking harder at it and investigating it. That’s just not out illustration work in his free time. The RSPB opened something you would do with a camera. I still firmly many doors for Mike, who at one point found himself believe that that those who make sketches will make accompanying colleague Richard Porter to Yemen to assist better birdwatchers because they are observing the bird, with the publication of a conservation document for local not just pushing a button on a camera. Once you have people. Richard was also working on a field guide on birds made the effort to draw a bird you remember it. Plus, a of the Middle East and enlisted Mike’s talents to provide the sketchbook is wonderful to have on your shelf at the end illustrations. It was becoming apparent there just weren’t of the year and brings all of the memories flooding back.” enough additional hours in the evenings and weekends to All of Mike’s notes are submitted to the Devon carry out the commissions that were coming his way. Birdwatching and Preservation Society and he urges “I had to make the decision whether to carry on my job others to report their wildlife findings to an organisation or give up and become a freelance artist. It was entirely so there is a record for the future. the right move to Naturally after many years of observing wildlife it was make, just like not only so long before he became that little bit more hands- completing my on. For the past 16 years, he has built up a winter feeding course. I left the station in a Torbay car park for a flock of the incredibly RSPB and became rare cirl bunting. “At one point they were down to 80 pairs a freelance artist in the whole of the UK and they were all in Devon” he in 1991.” Mike’s explained. “Over the years the population has grown to work has now been about 800 birds, although they are mostly confined within published across a the Devon county borders. Their range hasn’t increased number of titles and that much. But this winter I counted 54 birds on the his detailed paintings ground at once. For me that is a real triumph - 54 out of are often featured in a population of 800 is just tremendous. It has got to be many birdwatching something you enjoy and something you enjoy doing.” magazines every month. www.mikelangman.co.uk 19 equine

Jonathon ‘Jock’ Paget interview by Tracey Morley Jewkes Jonathan ‘Jock’ Paget is a New slow them down to set them up for the upcoming bigger Zealand equestrian who won a class. If I don’t have enough angle in a shoulder in, I will bronze medal in Team eventing ride a few tests with too much angle. Sure the judges will at the 2012 Summer Olympics. In comment but that’s fine. I know what I am doing. If I get 2013 he became only the second time faults in the show jumping chances are that it will rider to win the Badminton Horse be me using this as an opportunity to slow that particular Trials on debut, after fellow New horse down to make sure that they are ready for the big Zealander Mark Todd. one… so it’s not unusual to see me come last or to clock Jock’s two Badminton rides up 30 or 40 times faults at a one-day event. this year are Clifton Promise and These competitions are used as training sessions to Clifton Lush. He is based in Wiltshire. help the horse prepare for the major challenges that Q: So the excitement of Badminton is building and you await them. have already won it. What are you most looking forward Q: Why do you do that at a competition and not at home? to at Badminton 2015? For me, this is exactly what the one-day events are there Winning it again! (Grins). for – you simply can’t replicate the unique competition Q: What’s the balance between talent, luck, support atmosphere at home even if you have the grounds or and horsepower? facilities the horse won’t be wound up so you need to use Anything you do at an elite level has to be consistently those competitions to train. Promise is fast so I need to competitive… you have to have the system in place to keep him going slowly and for him to be ready to respond succeed and have every confidence in it. Of course you also when I ask him to really go for it. need to have horsepower if you want to be in the winner’s Q: Tell us how it all started for you? circle, so the fact is you need a top horse to be successful. I started out my working life in a totally different You have to be a good competitor but there is always profession – about as far away from equestrianism as an element of luck too – a slip here or there can write off you can get, as an apprentice bricklayer! During the last your chances of winning. year of the apprenticeship, at the age of 18, I developed Q: How do you handle nerves in the start box? an interest in riding after my father purchased an old It is a nervous time and there is a lot of pressure but I trotting horse. At first I just used to ride at weekends but have learned to enjoy it. It’s the best part of the cross- slowly my love affair with horses kicked in and I became country. Some people try and ignore the fear, but I think addicted. From the trotting horse I moved onto a stock that’s wrong. I think you need to become the master of horse and got into rodeo riding, but frankly eight seconds your fear; you can’t ignore it and block it out. Sure you can of being in the saddle before being broncked off just didn’t block out your surroundings, but not your feelings! By do it for me! I began to develop a fascination with how the time you are in the start box the work has been done, horses tick and wanted to improve my understanding of you are fully prepared after months and months of work these great animals. totally focused and to a degree this alleviates some of Realising that perhaps my heart was not in becoming a the pressure. I know that when people see us start they bona fide brickie, I decided I needed to take some time out all say ‘WOW how do you do that?’ but they aren’t aware and, for some reason I felt a pull towards Ireland. Through that you have been involved in training the horse over an agency, I then secured a position working for Kevin an extended period of time, to a point that you know they McNab in Queensland. I’d watched a few videos featuring are capable of taking on the course. By the time you see the action at Badminton and Burghley and thought it us, every tool has been sharpened and by then, I am fully looked like fun. When I first saw Kevin ride I thought I’d expecting the horse to go well. never seen anything like it and didn’t even realise it was Q: To have already won Badminton takes time, possible for a horse to perform at that level. preparation and a strong competitive drive - is it all I became Kevin’s working pupil and slowly, slowly about winning every competition? started to learn about the world of eventing and that was No. Look at my horses – take Promise for example. I will it, I was hooked. aim to attend two key events per year: Badminton and Q: Did you look at other disciplines? Burghley. Then look at the amount of preparation required No, for me it has only ever been about eventing – I was and to achieve this. The horse needs to attend a number of am obsessed with the sport and it has never crossed my events before the main competition. The dressage work mind to look elsewhere. Although of course I guess you may need to be adapted; if they are a little quick I will could say I’ve tried my hand at rodeo riding! I love getting 20 equine to know the horses I ride and the really fun aspect of the It’s my system and I need the owners to buy into it. They job for me is still building that special relationship, it is know they are then going to get the best they can from literally what makes me want to get out of bed in morning. their horse and me. If they want to see more results over The personality of a horse or pony is so important – I a period of time, then we can organise the work schedule love all types of horses but I get a real kick out of getting to achieve this. However, to be honest if an owner came to to know their individual personalities. Seeing how the me and said: “I want to win every competition we enter” little ponies react to the kids blows me away. They are I would simply decline the opportunity to work with them. so obliging, I love seeing how they work so hard to get Q: Who do you train with and aspire to? the kids get out of trouble and try to please you. When Michael Yung is whom I aspire to. I was in New Zealand I did over 200 different lessons My main coach is Erik Duvander who has trained me for the month that I was there, which was great to see how eight years. Kevin McNab is the man I learnt my system all the different horses reacted to the exercises. It was from, we talk all the time and speak exactly the same brilliant to have the opportunity to attend those clinics and language. Andrew Gould helps with me the dressage, that is where I really learned to hone my skills as a rider, as does Stephen Clarke; for the show jumping it’s Luis constantly going through all the different exercises and Alverez Cevera. witnessing the response from the horse. Q: Where does your killer competitive streak come Promise is very much my ‘type’ of horse but I can from and how do you control it? honestly say that I enjoy working with all of them – the I think it’s important to note the distinction between relationship with Promise is exceptional though. Every being a good competitor and being a good rider. I am day I learn from their reactions, I watch everything and I always trying to balance this. By the time I get to the remember it. competition I have trained relentlessly and sharpened up Q: How do you overcome a training problem – what’s our performance in all three disciplines. On the day of the your formula for success? competition I am very focused, I go for it and always make A horse will be able to tell you what the problem is by his sure I feel ready and am in with a serious chance of a win. or her behaviour and reaction to certain situations. There It’s all or nothing on the day. is absolutely no point in constantly repeating the same routines over and over, you need to treat each horse as an individual and monitor their specific responses to various requests. The most important thing to remember is that no two horses are the same – there is no one ‘type’ of horse. Q: What is your training ethos, approach? I spend a lot of time working on the basics and the little details, I won’t move the horses on until I have established the fundamentals and can work from a solid foundation. They must be through and accepting a contact and working in front of the leg. There is absolutely no point pushing forwards until we’ve established a good rhythm and nailed any balance issues. Only then will I progress to the next level, it can take a year but I NEVER compromise on the basics. Q: Talk me though last year where you faced having Q: Owners – how hard is it to build a winning working a positive drugs test and how it was all resolved … relationship with each owner and does it work, how So I got a positive test – that was the worst week of my much control do you have? life, I was just in shock. I kept waking up thinking that it I manage the owners by working with them all on an was a nightmare then realising it was real, it was terrible. individual basis. I maintain a calendar book for each horse I had to quickly start my research to find out what had detailing the horse’s progress and achievements and happened and where it had come from. Obviously I knew I training regime. hadn’t administered any drugs, so my initial thought was I ask the owners which competitions they are aiming to sabotage, because I just didn’t know how else it could attend and do well at. I always book the competition and have happened. Once we identified the source in one of work backwards from there, adapting a training regime the products we were using, then I was able to relax a bit to ensure that the horse is 100 per cent ready in plenty of and start the process. It was a long journey and I just had time. So, if we book a Badminton then we carefully plan to get my teeth into it and get on with it. The tough part which other competitions can be used to best prepare the was that of course I was getting slated and my reputation horse for the main event. was at stake but I knew I just had to hang on in there and 21 equine wait for the process and the evidence to come to light, Pure Feed Company is that their feeds represent the which I was confident it would. But it was a long road that closest you can get to a natural feeding regime for the I had to tread first. horse, which really appeals to me. It is vital for your horse I couldn’t go into my local store without there being a to be a horse and for their body to work naturally, you horrible atmosphere and my family was also affected. It can’t top that – put simply, artificial can’t beat natural. was very traumatic. The best thing so far this year was that Your horse needs the best nutrition and access to vital when I sat down to prepare the training book for the next vitamins and minerals to cope with the serious physical 12 months and I sat down to start writing out the plans, I challenges that are commensurate with top-level genuinely wrote 2014 at the top not 2015. I just lost a year. competitions, so getting the balance is so important. We’ve Last year I was merely going through the motions, I barely always struggled to keep the weight on Shady Grey but on remember it now. I had all these horses competing and it this feeding regime he copes really well. He is a marathon was just a whirlwind so it was fantastic to start this year runner and always looked skinny but now he is round with a clean sheet, literally. and looks great. Q: Tell me about the day you were officially cleared? Q: How easy is the Pure Feed system to understand? I was at Hartbury on the official day of being cleared. We I understood the various different levels from the off – I knew quite early on from all the testing where it had come love that it fundamentally has the same content and you from but it was a matter of connecting the dots and that’s can just go up or down a level dependent on your horses’ what took the time. We were confident of the outcome but needs. I don’t have to be a nutritionist to work this out and the most important thing was that I wanted everyone to I don’t have to have four different products to achieve the read that I WAS NOT a doper… I needed to make sure that results, I can just use one. This is the easiest way to get the my credibility and integrity as a professional rider was balance right, as all the hard work has been done for you. restored. Once we got through the tribunal I knew it had Q: How are the horses performing after being on the gone well, we had all the answers and scientific evidence The Pure Feed regime? to back everything up so we had a great case… When they All of them are doing great and far better than before the lifted the suspension the lawyer actually said it represented switch to The Pure Feed Company. Initially, they were all really positive news. We knew at that point that I would get a little high energy but this was just a case of getting the exonerated but I was not in a position to say anything. feed proportions right, the team was great, they were here So August 7 I was at Hartbury for several days and then with me weighing out the portions and helping to ascertain took one day to go to Aston Le Walls. At the competition, the precise needs for my horse and now it is perfect. everyone was talking and taking photos and I just had to My horses are all only fed on PURE FEED and I have keep my head down and ride. So on the days that we should lots of individual horses whose condition and fitness is have been celebrating, we had to get on with it and carry on testament to the excellent nutrition provided by the Pure preparing for the World Championships. I just felt immense Feed regime. Promise did Burghley and Shady did Etoile relief but was not really in the mood for celebration. de Pau and Osberton, which represented the first run out Q: The Pure Feed Company stood by you throughout the on the feed. All the horses looked good and performed whole proceedings – how did that make you feel? really well. They carried weight and I had lots of positive If I am honest, I was quite surprised! When I first met comments about how good they look. John Calder of The Pure Feed Company I loved the sound For me getting the feeding basics right is important, of the system, loved his passion for the product and the but it’s not easy, now I don’t have to guess anymore. story of how the brand had evolved. I just felt it suited me I’m very happy. but we only reached an agreement a month before the Q: What does the future hold for you? positive test came out! Right now it is time to rebuild. I have three four star I spoke to John and totally expected us to part company. horses and a few three stars and I have an exciting bunch I did not expect someone that I hardly knew to stay of young horses coming through too. I have moved to the with me when I had just been accused of doping. I was new yard so we are busy doing the groundwork now. dumbfounded when he said: “I will continue to back the I would love Promise or Lush to be the horse for Rio but man I met, who in my mind is innocent until proven guilty.” who knows? We have to take it one day at a time. Behind I thought it was incredible. At that time people surprised them I have Diesel Green and Signature who are both me both in a negative and a positive way. John’s reaction showing great potential. was unexpected and I was so grateful and humbled by it. Q: Any advice for other aspiring eventers? When I talked to my family and inner circle of friends, they Just keep having a go. It’s a tough sport, there are more all said ‘are you serious why would he do that, what a guy!’ bad times than good but the good times are great! Q: How do we dispel the myth of ‘I use it because it’s free?’ I am not a nutritionist but what I’ve learned about The Good luck and kick on at Badminton Jock! 22 green issues Wind turbines in Dorset? Planning committee says NO by Keith Wheaton-Green I recently attended a wind turbine planning determination in a crowded village hall when the planning committee (well six of the 11 members attending) decided the fate of - would not sacrifice their views from around the village an application for four large wind turbines. We all listened to give the younger generation a better future. Yet just to officers of the council and AONB explain the landscape think what the generation before the baby boomers and heritage sensitivities (the turbines would be seen in sacrificed in the 30s, 40s and 50s! the setting of listed buildings and the beautiful Dorset landscape) followed by numerous speakers against and Anyone wanting to live in Hardy’s Dorset should stop using for the application. electricity, swap their car for a horse and cart, live in a very small draughty house and campaign to take out pylons Those opposed to the application made the point that our and large roads. If we walk backwards into the future, we landscape must be preserved, that the turbines would be will suffer because we can’t see where we are going. seen from village houses and gardens and even that wind turbines damage people’s health. The CPRE claimed that I spoke up for farmers. They may be sitting on land and renewable energy targets in Dorset had been exceeded so property worth millions with large sums flowing through no new installations were needed. Each speaker received their business but their disposable income can be modest. rapturous applause. They work very long hours as standard and consider themselves guardians of the land (and landscape) which I have witnessed a few campaigns to oppose wind turbine they expect to pass on to their children rather than realise applications in Somerset and Dorset. There is usually paper wealth. assistance from outside organisations. Meetings, leaflets and doorstep petitions are arranged. The purpose, of I was once told by a farmer - only half-jokingly - that I course, is to raise anxiety levels. Misinformation is shouldn’t expect him to take my opinions on local matters spread such as bird and bat populations are put at risk, seriously because my family had not been in Dorset since infra sound prevents people sleeping and gives them Saxon times. Despite that comment, farmers are usually headaches, house prices will fall and tourists will stay quiet, self-effacing, not prone to voicing their opinions away. Wind turbines are inefficient and generate hardly and actually can be intimidated. anything. Sometimes photographs that exaggerate the scale are published. Wind turbines make sense to farmers because they give resource efficient future financial security. The opposing In reality, the choice to approve or not - as the officers and camp is very ably led, sometimes by people who have members present acknowledged - is justified on the basis moved into the area to retire. They put high value on the of a subjective view of landscape and visual aesthetics. landscape the farming community have created and look after, but look to the past rather than the constant change About seven of us spoke up in favour of the application. It and planning for the future they may have experienced in was explained that climate change is an issue that needs their own working lives. to be dealt with so urgently we need to move to 100 per cent of our electricity from renewables ASAP, that wind The media are underestimating the connection between turbines are the cheapest technology but that there are people’s voting intentions and their views on climate very few sites suitable for their installation in Dorset. change. The Green surge is largely due to younger people who feel there is a strong sense of injustice against their When I spoke, looking out onto the big audience of grey- generation. Baby boomers have had it good with their big haired baby boomers while younger people were at work, cars and houses and jetting around the world on holiday, I realised just where the divide in opinion lay. The majority putting carbon in the atmosphere and future generations of the audience - many retired to timeless Hardy’s Dorset in jeopardy. 23 bespoke timber construction projects throughout Dorset and the surrounding counties using the latest techniques combined with time honoured skills Glazed Oak Garden Rooms Timber Extensions Oak Framed Garages Porches & Loggia

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24 fieldwork

Curves, not angles by Jeremy Hobson As the dry weather approaches, May is a good time to think about any necessary ditch improvements In certain situations, you might be found guilty of breaking the law if you were to drain land considered essential wildlife habitat. In less sensitive areas - and bearing in mind all that was written with regard to riparian ownership and responsibilities in February’s ‘Field-work’ - it might well be possible to create a new ditch or improve existing ones on your property. If you do, you’ll be in good company as, at least according to Ranulph Higden, a monk degrees from horizontal.’ More recently, John Seymour of Chester, writing circa 1350 on the subject of Edward II: writing in The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency ‘...from his youth he devoted himself in private to the art of (2003) simply opined that: ‘If you are having to dig the ditch rowing and driving carts, of digging ditches and thatching by hand you won’t want it too deep!’ houses… and to other pointless trivial occupations There are, though, certain general formulae set out with unsuitable for the son of a king.’ regards to height x width x depth. Various internet sites Whether of royal descent or not, assuming an each independently suggest that a ditch should typically understanding of the legalities, a ditch should follow the be: ‘at least 300mm deep and 300mm wide at the base… lie of the land and maintain an adequate fall throughout its chamfered and widening to approximately 500mm at the length. Ideally, it should not be straight, but instead include top [and be]…at least 500mm away from [any] path edge to a gentle curve or two in order to slow down the flow of avoid collapse into the ditch.’ water - angles are best avoided as water forcing its way Naturally, the whole point of a ditch is to drain nearby past such points could result in unwanted bank erosion. land and keep the subsequent water flowing - but it Ensuring a variety of bankside profiles will also help in doesn’t mean to say that, irrespective of whether or not it encouraging a greater diversity of wildlife species and, passes through a garden area or a chunk of countryside, where possible, the shallower slopes should be in places it should be a blot on the landscape. Obviously one cannot which receive the most sunlight. be created without digging out soil which then needs to be Primrose McConnell’s The Agricultural Handbook of put somewhere. Forming a bank on which wildlife friendly 1883 had it that: ‘Approximate dimensions depend mainly plants and shrubs can be planted at a later date is one way on the volume of water the ditch is expected to carry at of preventing an eyesore and is certainly cheaper than peak flow times. This will depend on catchment area, having the soil taken elsewhere. soil type and gradient.’ It went on to further explain: ‘The As well as being more beneficial in slowing water flow usual rule-of-thumb guide is to make the top width [of the and being less likely to erode over time, a meandering bank] equal to the sum of the bottom width and the depth. ditch is far more aesthetically pleasing than a straight one On heavy clay land sides can be steeper than this but on - and is certainly preferable when it comes to enhancing lighter, sandy soils the batter [slope] should be about 30 the prospects for water-loving flora and fauna.

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By Penny King, Ferns for the garden RHS Garden Rosemoor

It is that wonderful time of the year again when our garden plants are waking from the long cold winter in reaction to the lengthening and warmer days. It is a joy to encounter the soft green leaves and cheery delicate blooms of the early flowering woodland plants. Among these are the architectural and flowerless plants we call ferns. Their unfurling fronds are particularly attractive at this time of the year and resemble fiddle heads and croziers and are so named. Choose from many forms and fresh greens, some a little more theatrical, such as the Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum These spots are the sori which are little factories that AGM). This deciduous and delightfully delicate beauty is produce spores for reproduction. They are carried on the a bright silver-grey suffused with purple veining. Many wind to a suitable place to grow and form a new plant. Our species and cultivars of this genus enable you to liven up primitive ferns developed around the Carboniferous period the stage of a deeply shaded, moist and damp corner. some three million years ago and existed long before The evergreen hart’s tongue fern (Asplenium flowering plants evolved to produce seed. scolopendrium AGM) has robust, leathery and entire fronds Stately Blechnum chilense AGM, an extremely tough and produces soft fresh green croziers covered in silky evergreen fern, copes well with some sun. It spreads white scales. A native of our countryside, it complements and can colonise an area in moist soil. This complements the ‘Autumn Fern’ (Dryopteris erythrosora AGM), a large the large, native deciduous regal fern (Osmunda regalis fern that holds itself well throughout the winter months AGM) that likes to sit on the water’s edge. The deciduous fading from midgreen to butter yellow. Now, fresh rusty sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis AGM) also favours this coloured fiddleheads project through these, developing into space. Interestingly, these ferns produce vegetative and finely divided fronds of dark green with a little surprise of fertile fronds which look quite different on the same plant! pink spots beneath. Who said ferns were boring? 27 gardening

Planting Glads

and Dahlias by Sally Gregson

Until mid-summer the colours of English picking flowers are pastel soft and delicate. Perhaps a bright tulip among the creams and lemons of the narcissi, a bunch of ranunculus with thickly saturated colours to bring a touch of pizazz to a lunch table, or a jug of sumptuous peonies are the few exceptions to prove the rule. Now in May it’s time to welcome the summer fiesta.

Once all danger of frost is over it’s safe to plant out the red spiky flowers. ‘Bishop of Auckland’ has single, red dahlias. Ideally these were started off last month in large velvet flowers, around sparkling yellow stamens. The pots in a frost-free glasshouse, a conservatory, or a sunny reds could be set off by the shocking pink of ‘Englehardt’s porch, so now they will have started shooting from their Matador’ with black leaves, the tidy puce-purple flowers fat tubers, ready to throw up flowers from July onwards. of ‘Purple Flame’ or the single, in-your-face magenta of ‘Roxy’. Deep red also makes a startling contrast with Plant them out in enriched soil, with their tops just below ‘Jescot Julie’ whose petals are the colour of apricot skins the surface so that only the leaves and new shoots are with red-purple backs, ‘David Howard’ with deep apricot- showing. If you have slug and snail problems, and that orange double flowers and dark foliage, or ‘New Baby’s means all of us, put your deterrents in place straight marmalade orange pom-poms. Dahlias do bear more away. The slimy ones love fresh greens. Then push in a palely subtle flowers too. Contrast the ivory and white specially made support, or three or four tall canes around flowered forms with bunches of green-headed Ammi each plant. Make a circlet of string around the canes about majus, or lime yellow dill flowers with splashes of red 30cm (12ins) from the ground to contain the emerging and pink cosmos. shoots and keep them growing straight up. Ten or fifteen years ago dahlias were scorned, considered Some of the most useful colours are in the red and too blowzy, and not quite nice. But thanks in no small part orange spectrum: ‘Chat Noir’ with red-black flowers on to the late, great Christopher Lloyd of Dixter, they have long dark stems or ‘Arabian Night’ with equally deep returned not just to our borders but to the picking garden. 28 gardening

Their exuberance and joie de vivre can only be matched greens that are proving most popular in the later months. by that other much spurned flower, the show gladiolus. The earlier, hardy varieties are best grown in full sun and Dame Edna Everage threw armfuls of them into the shelter in rich, well-drained soil in the picking garden. audience at the end of every show as a laughing gesture And those that flower in December are best grown in big, to bad taste. Now, happily, they seem to be turning the five litre pots to move into a greenhouse, conservatory, corner of acceptance like the dahlias. or sunny porch, to provide shelter from early frosts. Start with a green ‘Froggy’ and a spidery ‘Evening Glow’, with a Grown in a cutting garden flower at the same time as few white ‘Ja Dank’ for Christmas arrangements to start dahlias and are every bit as flamboyant. Each corm your collection. I guarantee you’ll soon be hooked. produces one glorious spike for cutting and then dies down to recover from its over-exuberance. If the corms are left in the ground over the winter they often spend the next few years making scores of tiny corms the size of ball-bearings, rather than re-flowering. These cormlets take about four or five years to grow big enough to flower, so perhaps they are best dug out of a dedicated bed and discarded. If you can extract them all from the lumps of soil, that is.

So plant the corms fortnightly in succession from late April until the end of May to provide a non-stop supply of flowers. Among the most useful colours are the deep, dark reds of ‘Blackjack’ or ‘Espresso’ which contrast well with lime greens such as ‘Green Star’, creamy-white ‘Sancerre’, or the ruffled flowers of ‘White Prosperity’. Add any of these to a bunch of scarlet dahlias and the colours sing. Some of the Propagating Dahlias more elaborately bi-coloured forms are not entirely suitable for arranging with dahlias, but it’s worth experimenting. 1. As the new shoots lengthen in spring, select some that are about 10cm (4ins) long and cut them cleanly As the autumn rains start to spoil the show it’s time to off the tuber with a sharp knife turn to another of those old-fashioned stalwarts, the chrysanths. A generation or two ago they would be 2. Remove the tip of the shoot primped and preened for the show-bench in autumn, and a few still are. In France they are the mainstay of ‘Tous 3. Dip just the cut end in some hormone rooting Saints’, November 1, when everyone takes enormous pots powder and tap off the excess of perfect, beautiful chrysanths to their local cemetery to remember past generations of their families. 4. Insert them around the edge of a 10cm (4ins) deep pot filled loosely to the brim with a 50:50 mix of Nowadays chrysanths are rising above their old horticultural sharp sand or grit: potting compost associations and being grown for picking right up to Christmas. And again it’s the reds, purples and lime 5. Firm each cutting down with your fingers

6. Label each pot with name, number and date

7. Water it well to settle in the cuttings

8. They should be rooted in two to three weeks

9. Once the roots are pushing through the drainage holes at the bottom, gently tip them out and pot up each rooted cutting into a 10cm (4ins) pot filled with potting compost

10. They will be ready to plant out by the end of June and should flower in August.

29 gardening

by Will Livingstone, May in the garden River Cottage

As summer fast approaches the garden erupts into life. Although a busy and somewhat stressful month for the gardener, all of this is far outweighed by our excitement for the blossoms, bees and bountiful spring crops headed our way. The first peas, broad beans, carrots and radishes find their way into the kitchens to be lightly cooked or eaten raw for a sweetness we’ve been missing all winter.

I find it wise to become reacquainted with the hoe at this the last of the overwintering crops makes way for tomatoes, time of year - regular hoeing on dry days will reduce weed chillies, aubergines and peppers. It is now warm enough to growth and save a lot of hand-weeding down the line. move them from the safety of the propagation tunnel and Sowing your seeds in well-marked rows will give you a into their final home. Whenever planting in a covered growing good indication of newly emerging seedlings and help to area, water will be the main issue. Too much? Not enough? prevent any accidents. These are always the questions we ask. Incorporating lots Be aware of the dreaded late frost; it is still a risk at this of well-rotted organic matter will help with water retention time of year, so protect tender plants with fleece or a cold and of course plant health. I find watering little and often to frame, hardening them off during warmer nights. Haulms be ineffective, as most of the water will evaporate with the of early potatoes will require earthing up. Once they have early summer heat. I water once a week in spring and twice reached ten inches high, draw up the soil over the leaves a week in summer soaking very well, making sure the water until completely covered, forming a flat topped ridge - it penetrates the soil fully. Frequently damping-down paths and should, once finished, resemble a newly ploughed field, the walls of your polytunnel or glasshouse will increase the protecting the leaves from any late frosts and allowing humidity and lessen the transpiration rate of your plants, and a greater depth of soil for tuber growth. in turn the need for water is lessened. Asparagus fever has struck! We check our asparagus As your broad beans start flowering, blackfly becomes a beds every morning for new growth - it may seem like an real threat - an infestation can destroy a crop in a matter of obsession, but the spears can put on six inches of growth days. To prevent, pinch out the top three inches of growth, overnight and are best if eaten straight away. If they have removing the breeding habitat and promoting branching been left too long, the spears can become woody. Keep an of the plant, in turn increasing yield. A strong jet of water, eye out for asparagus beetle and pick off if present. or simply removing blackfly by hand, can also be effective. Our summer brassicas are ready to plant out. Planting Companion planting with edible flowers like nasturtiums and in fertile, free draining soil will give you the best chance of calendula will lure the aphid away from your precious crop. success. Planting deep and firming in will encourage sturdy Want to learn more about your garden and its produce? root growth preventing the brassicas from rocking in the wind. Book a place on my evening dining event on May 28 at River Our polytunnels are undergoing a transition period. Clearing Cottage HQ. Call to book on 01297 630 314 30 gardening

Bruschetta with broad beans and asparagus

This is a fantastic celebration of the crossover between the last of the asparagus and the first baby broad beans. Later in the summer, you can use a few French beans, just blanched and still crunchy, instead of the asparagus.

Serves 4 12–15 asparagus spears, trimmed 200g baby broad beans (podded weight) A bunch of spring onions 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 large slices of sourdough or other robust bread 1 garlic clove, halved (optional) Extra virgin olive oil, to trickle About 50g mild, crumbly goat’s cheese Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the asparagus spears and blanch for 2 minutes. Scoop them out and drain. Let the water come back to the boil. Now add the baby broad beans and blanch for just 30–60 seconds until tender, then drain.

Trim the spring onions, leaving just a little of the green end attached. Slice on the diagonal into 1–2cm pieces. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, add the spring onions and fry fairly gently for 2–3 minutes, until just starting to soften.

Cut the asparagus spears into 2–3cm pieces and add, along with the broad beans, to the spring onions in the pan. Add salt and pepper and toss the whole lot together over the heat, for just a minute, then take off the heat.

Meanwhile, toast the bread. Rub very lightly with the cut garlic clove, if you like. Trickle the toast with a little olive oil. Crumble the goat’s cheese over the veg in the pan and stir very lightly again. Pile this veg mixture on to the toast, trickle with a touch more olive oil, and serve.

This recipe features in Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s book ‘River Cottage Veg Every Day’, published by Bloomsbury Publishing plc, and available from rivercottage.net.

For a chance to win a copy of ‘River Cottage Veg Every Day’ please enter our competition on page 24.

31 gardening

Hard landscaping is looking good By Colin Knapman Good ‘hard landscaping’ adds a great deal to the dynamics of a garden and goes far beyond its practical functions into creating beautiful outdoor living spaces.

To clarify, ‘hard landscaping’ refers to all the construction materials used in gardens and cultivated landscapes such as paving, bricks, gravel and aggregates, as well as timber items like pergolas, sheds, decking etc. as opposed to soft landscaping which includes all the living plants. It is such a vast topic that I will concentrate on the non-timber materials which are quarried and come from the ground. Quarried stone is a finite unsustainable material so it has to be used in a responsible manner. Local gravel is low cost and noisy (which can be a bit of an intruder deterrent) with the downside that weeds grow Patios through and need raking over from time to time. Natural Gone are the days of one size grey concrete slabs laid in but not inspiring could be the best way to describe it. areas just to stop you stepping into the mud. Today there is a mind-boggling array of quarried and reconstituted Driveway blocks, pavers or setts can be either natural stone in different sizes, colours, patterns and textures to materials like granite setts and clay pavers or reconstituted choose from. Modern patios are built in such a way as to stone and concrete pavers. They can look very good and be be an extension of our everyday living area, especially practical but sometimes out of keeping with the property when incorporated with covered pergolas, ever more style - so think carefully before committing. comfortable outdoor furniture and barbeques that are akin to mini kitchens. Resin bonded has been around for a while but is now permeable and therefore more acceptable. It is basically Pathways gravel and glue, so when laid on a firm compacted base, They don’t have to be in straight lines from A to B: they can the clear glue dries and you are left with a very hard be curved, constructed as stepping stones or be irregular smooth bonded gravel finish. It can look fabulous but is shapes with random planting or gravel areas set within. Add more expensive. some outdoor lighting evenly spaced along the path with a walk through pergola and it becomes a stunning feature of Eco paving grids are rigid (often recycled) plastic the overall garden layout and no longer just a path. egg crate panels that lock together, are permeable and allow for a more natural garden appearance as Drives and Driveways they are back filled with gravel or planted with grass. It is important that when laying a new driveway, They can withstand heavy weights so are ideal for permeable materials are used; in fact local councils often vehicle parking. insist on it but if using a recognised driveway product it should automatically be permeable. There are several Design, planning and installation choices of material. Some amazing gardens can be created with the hard landscaping material available today, but mistakes and wrong decisions can be costly so it is often worth getting professional design advice at the outset. The same applies to the construction: if you are not confident to do it properly yourself get someone in. A good starting point is to talk to your local builder’s merchant, garden centre or landscape contractor, or I am at the end of the phone (01425 655038). It can be quite an upheaval but the results are well worth it.

Colin Knapman BSc (Hons) CK Garden Design 32 wildlife

Beavers are back in England Devon Wildlife Trust Beavers are back in England – and now it’s official! Echinococcus multilocularis. In March, Devon Wildlife Trust supervised the re-release The trapping and testing of five healthy beavers back on to the River Otter in east were done as a condition of a Photo: Nick Upton Devon. The animals had been temporarily removed from licence granted by Natural England to Devon Wildlife Trust. the wild in February to be tested for disease. The re-release of the beavers signals the start of the The beavers are thought to have been living on the River River Otter Beaver Trial. The five-year, DWT-led project will Otter for years, but they became national news in February measure the impact of these animals on landscape, water 2014 when video emerged showing kits (youngsters) with flow, water quality, wildlife, fish and local communities. their parents. This proved that a population of breeding At its conclusion, the project will present Natural England beavers was present in England, the first for centuries. with its evidence. This will inform decisions on the future The Government’s initial response was to plan removal of the Devon beavers – and on possible re-introductions of the beavers into captivity. The risk of imported disease elsewhere in England. from beavers of European origin was Defra’s main concern. Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive Harry Barton But Devon Wildlife Trust proposed an alternative: test called the re-introduction ‘a milestone in conservation them for disease, but if they were healthy, all beavers history’. He said: “Our biggest challenge is now funding should be returned to the river, provided they had local this work. Our message to supporters of the beavers is to community support. donate what they can. By giving you’ll be part of a unique Five beavers were caught in February and taken to a chapter in our nation’s natural history.” specialist facility for health screening. The results proved them free of diseases including bovine TB and the tapeworm www.devonwildlifetrust.org/devons-wild-beavers-appeal book reviews

Learning with Nature by Marina Robb, Victoria Mew and Anna Richardson Born out of frustration with how out of touch with nature the modern generation have become, the authors have brought together a wonderful selection of activities and games designed to get children away from their computer screens and iPads, out of doors, and exploring and questioning their natural environment. The book is well structured and divided into sections of games, naturalist and seasonal activities, and survival skills. Each new activity lists the resources required, intended age group , duration of the task, followed by clear ‘how to’ instructions, variations on the main theme and indicates the invisible learning outcomes and related activities found elsewhere in the book. From building a bug hotel, making leaf prints, scavenger hunting, building a camp fire, collecting and cooking wild food, to sensory meditation, there is plenty here to ignite the imagination. With a thought provoking forward by Chris Packham, this well illustrated and helpful book should appeal to parents, teachers, youth groups and anyone working with children. Published by Green Books, 2015, £17.99

Backalong in Somerset by Roger Evans Being Somerset born and Somerset bred means Roger Evans has more than a tale or two to tell of his life in the county. From WIs knitting thongs to exploding toilets, shrinking policemen and runaway hearses, he shares some of his more absurd yarns of everyday life. Other stories include a human maypole with three excited dogs criss-crossing their leads making progress impossible, as well as the funny side of taking part in local carnivals. He also gets to the bottom of just what did happen to Camelot, the M5 camel, created by Bridgwater’s Ramblers Carnival Club, who was mysteriously kidnapped by a secret terrorist group. He explains: “If you have ever witnessed a Highland fling on the steps of Admiral Blake’s statue, or seen a six-foot fox being hunted through the town by huntsmen in evening dress, or watched with amazement as a group of cyclists passed through the bars of the White Hart Hotel, or seen traffic stopped in St John Street whilst an inter club tug-o-war competition was held, then you have probably witnessed a Rambler stunt.” Published by Countryside Books £7.95 33 country diary

Events, shows & courses

2-4 May Northlew, nr Okehampton Cost: £76 (£56 for members) Spring Craft and Design Fair email: [email protected] or call Mark on 10am - 4pm, Normal Garden Admission. Treat yourself 01237 451186 or 0792 6969346 for more details. over the Bank Holiday Weekend with a visit to Rosemoor’s Craft and Design Fair where you can browse amongst stalls 9 May of beautiful and unusual hand crafted items for home and An Introduction to Sheep Keeping garden. www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor or call 0845 2658072. A beginner’s guide to sheep keeping including, current regulations, choosing a breed, feeding, annual management, 4 May handling, health problems. 10am-5:00pm £54.95/person Uffculme Show & Country Fair (£100/couple). Nr Okehampton. For further information Bridwell Avenue, Uffculme, Cullompton. The Culm Valley Tel: 01837 810274 email: [email protected] Spring Event, a great family day out. Classic cars/vintage web: www.southyeofarm.co.uk tractors & machinery, motor bikes, Kennel Club dog shows, trade and craft stalls, fun fair. Call 01884 840300, 9 May www.uffculmeshow.co.uk. Exe Valley Rotary are supporting Turf Hedging Alzheimer’s Research UK, for a change to win a Ferguson Courses run from 9.15am - 4.30pm at Culvertor tractor visit www.exevalleyrotary.org.uk/prize-draw Farm, Farthing Lane, Marldon TQ3 1RR. Fees are £20 per day DRST members and £30 for non members. 5 & 6 May Lunch/refreshments not included. Suitable clothing is CITY & GUILDS NPTC LEVEL 2 Chainsaw Competence recommended for safety and comfort. Contact Mick A two day course for the amateur chainsaw operator. Godfrey on 01548 821156 after 6.30pm or www.drst.org.uk The course covers Chainsaw Maintenance, crosscutting and Operations (tree felling up to 150mm) for occasional 9 May users. NPTC assessment included, successful candidates Printmaking Workshop will receive an NPTC certificate. Time: 9:00 - 16:00 Venue: Learn to create lino-prints with simple techniques with near Newton Abbot Cost: £251 (£231 for members) Sarah Morrish. Cost £80 (inc. materials). Limited places. email: [email protected] or call Mark Book online at www.kingcombe.org or call 01300 320684. on 01237 451186 or 0792 6969346 for more details. 9 & 10 May 7 May Devon Chilli Fiesta Bath & West Grassland UK Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 4pm Normal Garden 100 acres of working demonstrations - including muck, Admission. This second Devon Chilli Fiesta is again held in slurry & clamp loading. Trade stands, Topical Seminars partnership with Dartmoor Chilli Farm. For more info visit Financial & Technical Advice. For further information www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor or call 0845 2658072 & to purchase tickets visit www.bathandwest.com 10 May 7 May An Introduction to Keeping Sheep Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston at River Cottage A beginners guide to sheep care including current River Cottage play host to Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston regulations, choosing a breed, feeding, annual for an evening of live music and River Cottage food. Joining management, handling problems. Time: 10:00 - 16:00 them is special guest Grant Gordy all the way from the USA. Venue: Northlew nr Okehampton Cost: £50 (£30 for £75pp. www.rivercottage.net or call 01297 630 314. members) email: [email protected] or call Mark on 01237 451186 or 0792 6969346 for more details. 7 May Building and Maintaining your own Website 11 May If you sell your own produce direct, have holiday cottages Breadmaking or B&B’s to advertise, or just want to put your farm or A relaxed and informative day learning the art of smallholding on the Internet map, a website is an absolute breadmaking at Streamcombe Cookery School on the must-have. This course will teach you how to create and edge of Exmoor. A hands-on course covering all of the maintain your own website. Time: 10:00 – 16:30 Venue: fundamental techniques, creating sourdough loaves, brioche, 34 country diary focaccia, naans, tortillas and fruit loaves. 10am-5pm. £125pp 20 May including lunch and refreshments. For more info contact Ian Introduction to Deer management - Blackdown on 01398 322873, email [email protected] or and East Devon Woodland Association visit www.streamcombecookery.co.uk 10am – 4pm Park Farm, Wellington, TA21 9NP. An introduction to deer management covering all aspects, 14 May high seats, stalking, diseases, deer damage, densities, Willow Baskets senses, risks, the law, safety, and lots more all By DSC 2 Making a basket woven from Somerset willow with local trainer. Cost: £90 or £75 to BEDWA members, to include a experienced tutor. All materials and a delicious vegetarian light lunch. Booking essential. For more info contact John lunch included. Cost £85pp. www.dorsetruralskills.co.uk Greenshields on 01823 660764 or e-mail parkfarm@ tinyonline.co.uk. More details at www.woodbiz.co.uk 16 May Wild Lorton Day ‘Owls’ 20 May Lorton Meadows NR, 10am – 4pm. Conservation Centre is Local Lunch open for visitors. Come along and follow a self-guided trail A delicious home-cooked vegetarian lunch followed walk around the reserve, then drop in for a hot drink, watch by a tour of the grounds (weather permitting). Just £8 birds nesting on screen, peruse our selection of wildlife for two courses (£4 children), booking essential. books & id guides. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk Arrive from 12.30pm for lunch at 1pm. Call 01297 560342, email [email protected] or visit 16 May www.monktonwyldcourt.co.uk English Pieced patchwork Full instruction in stitching traditional designs by Jo kingdom. 21-23 May 10.00am - 4.00pm at Sampford Courtney. Cost £50 (£30 for Devon County Show members) email: [email protected] or call The Showground, Westpoint, Exeter. An annual three-day Mark on 01237 451186 or 0792 6969346. celebration of all that’s great about our countryside. You can expect lots of farm animals, the best local food & drink, 16 May West Country crafts and plenty of fun and entertainment for How to build your own pole barn and field shelter all the family. www.devoncountyshow.co.uk We will show how to make and mix foundations, put up a roof and fit steel roofing sheets. How to fit guttering 22-24 May and how to use tools such as a laser level. Tutor: Philip Scything and Grassland Management with Simon Fairlie Foster. Cost £62 (£42 for members) email: training@ Learn the history, sociology and methodology of scything devonsmallholders.co.uk or call Mark on 01237 451186 and grassland management. Suitable for beginners and or 0792 6969346 for more details. advanced scythe users. Course fee £135, Accommodation available from £15pppn For information and booking call 17 May 01297 560 342, email [email protected] or visit Incubation, Hatching & Rearing Poultry www.monktonwyldcourt.co.uk If you’ve kept poultry for a while & now want to start hatching & rearing your own young birds, this course is 22 May for you. Tutor: Gillian Dixon Time: 1000 - 1600. Venue: Steve Knightley at River Cottage Northlew, near Okehampton Cost: £50 (£30 for members) Solo gig on the River Cottage HQ stage, opening our annual email: [email protected] or call Mark on May Food Fair. The concert will take place in our marquee 01237 451186 or 0792 6969346 for more details. with both seating and standing available. There will be delicious River Cottage barbeque food available to buy on 16-17 May the night, along with a fully licensed bar. £15pp. For more Royal Welsh Spring Festival info visit www.rivercottage.net or call 01297 630 314. The number one event for smallholding, gardening and sustainable living. Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Wales. 23 May Further information on 01982 553683 or www.rwas.co.uk Plant Sale And Cream Tea Trees For Dorset invites you to the annual plant sale, which 16 & 17 May as usual includes cream teas and a lovely garden and will Plant Heritage Spring Fair be held on the, at 2pm. This year Chris Davids is kindly 10am - 3pm Normal Admission. Plant Heritage allowing us to hold the plant sale at Manor Farm, Stratton, Members Free with Membership Card. For more info where you will be able to wander around her attractive visit www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor or call 0845 2658072. garden. For more info, visit www.treesfordorset.co.uk 35 SMALLHOLDING Silky Fox Saws COURSES Competition

One day hands-on courses in Silky Fox Saws Keeping Poultry, Pigs, Sheep, Foxley Estate Offi ce, Mansel Lacy, Lambing, Land Management, Winners Hereford HR4 7HQ Tel: 01981 590224 Tractor Maintenance & more! Secateurs and Hedgeshears in superb Fax: 01981 590355 Winners of a copy of high quality tempered Japanese steel plus… the world’s fi nest pruning saws www.silkyfox.co.uk £54.95/person A job for All Seasons Eirian Norton from Gwynedd, Monique Hustinx & Andrew Hall from Dorset, Competition Winners Liz Cresswell from Devon Winners of Trill Seasons Box Northlew | Devon | 01837 810274 Lesley Radford from London, Nicola Allen from Brighton e: [email protected] & Sarah Reynolds-Smith www.southyeofarm.co.uk from Beaminster & John Seear from Dorset DORSET DOWN FAST FINISHING SHROPSHIRE SHEEP LAMBS OFF GRASS Traditional, Diverse & Productive “Tree Friendly” Dorset Down Sheep Breeders’ Association National Show & Sale Shrewsbury SUNDAY 26th July Havett Farm, Dobwalls, & Melton Mowbray Friday 11th & Saturday 12th July Liskeard PL14 6HB Tel: 01579 320273 For more information, please visit our website [email protected] www.shropshire-sheep.co.uk or contact our www.dorsetdownsheep.org.uk sales officer, Claire Jakeman 07766 238 346 KING of the PRIME LAMB BREED Streamcombe Cookery School LAURELFARM Dulverton - Exmoor - Somerset HERBS& EDIBLES Breadmaking Pot grown herbs and edibles Fish cookery delivered to your door. Culinary techniques Laurel Farm Herbs & Edibles Game & seasonal food supplies the highest quality plants to retail and mail order. All plants Baking & desserts are grown in peat-free compost Italian food ATV’s NEW & USED without chemicals or artificial heat. Quads for Sale, Trailers & Equipment plus Browse online, download a Supplied, Near Axminster Team building catalogue or telephone for a chat. Private groups Agricultural & General Engineering Moorland Barn, and Fabrication work undertaken Day courses from £125 Whiddon Down, Okehampton, [email protected] Devon EX20 2QL SIMON DUFF ENGINEERING 01398 322873 Tel. 01647 400 301 01460 220731 GREENSLADES [email protected] www.streamcombecookery.co.ukGrounds Maintenance laurelfarmherbs.co.uk www.axe-atv.co.uk

GREENSLADES  Grounds Maintenance  DESIGN CONSTRUCT MAINTAIN

Grounds ROOFTOP RELAXATION Weed Control   Maintenance   Hedge Cutting Landscape Design   Sportsfield Hard & Soft Maintenance Landscaping   Fence Construction Grass Cutting GOLD MEDAL SHOWCASE GARDEN

CANNINGTON, BRIDGWATER, SOMERSET TA5 2LF Tel: 01278 653205 www.greenslades.biz   36

 country diary

23 May 23-31 May Poultry Keeping for Beginners Budding Gardeners Competition Introductory course for the beginner, covering choosing Every Day, 10am - 6pm Normal Garden Admission. Run & handling birds, housing, feeding, daily care, rearing & by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. A display of common health problems. 10am-5:00pm £54.95/p (£100/ Pallet Gardens made by local schools, come and vote for couple). Nr Okehampton. For further info t: 01837 810274, your favourite in the People’s Choice Awards. For more e: [email protected] w: www.southyeofarm.co.uk info visit www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor or call 0845 2658072.

23 May 24 May Mad Dog Mcrea at River Cottage Goat Husbandry A night of spectacular live music at River Cottage HQ for a A general introduction to all aspects of looking after post-Food Fair Gig Night on Saturday. Mad Dog Mcrea will be goats. Including which breed to choose, handling goats, raising hands, lifting feet and getting the party started in the administering medicines, hoof trimming, milking, housing, meadow field with their spellbinding recipe of folk, pop, rock, feeding breeding etc. Wear work clothes and strong shoes. jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your body’ music. £15pp. For Tutor: Peter Oldfield Venue: Holsworthy Cost: £50 (£30 for more info visit www.rivercottage.net or call 01297 630 314 members) email: [email protected] or call Mark on 01237 451186 or 0792 6969346 for more details. 23 & 24 May River Cottage Spring Food Fair 2015 26 May Enjoy the best of the season at River Cottage Spring Food Pom-Pom Flowers & Bees - Wool Workshop for Families Fair. Pull on your wellies, round up the family and join Hugh Tuesday, 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm. Normal Garden and the team on the farm for a weekend full of growing, Admission. Make your own super fluffy flowers and cooking and (most importantly) eating. £12.50pp. For more bees to buzz around them out of woollen pom-poms, info visit www.rivercottage.net or call 01297 630 314 a drop-in finger knitting workshop suitable for boys and girls of all ages. Run by Alison and Ann Murray 23-25 May of All2Knit fame. For more information visit Carnivorous Plants Exhibition www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor or call 0845 2658072. 10am - 4pm Normal Garden Admission. The Carnivorous Plant Society run two free talks a day at 11.30am and 26 May 2.30pm, covering the natural history and cultivation of Wild Photography Fun Day these unusual plants. For more information visit or call 10am - 1pm. Learn about wildlife photography from an 0845 2658072 expert then have a practice on & around Chesil Beach. Meet at the Chesil Beach Centre. Adults £5, children £3. 23-25 May Bring your own camera. Suitable for beginners. Booking Kingcombe Arts Weekend. essential: 01305 206191 www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk Weekend of creativity at The Kingcombe Centre, West Dorset. Art exhibitions & demonstration. www.kingcombe.org.uk 25 May Sherborne Country Fair 23-25 May Held in the grounds of Sherborne Castle this spectacular Wildlife Babies lakeside event highlights traditional rural skills, as well Spring sees a boom in the arrival of wildlife babies and as those more modern. The Fair is open from 10am sadly an increase in the number of orphaned animals to 6pm and car parking is free. Adults £12; £10.20 and birds brought into Secret World Wildlife Rescue. in advance, Family ticket £29 (2x adults + 3 children); Come along on this special weekend and meet some of in advance £24.65 Children under five years free. the tiny youngsters in our care. Donations towards our Visit www.sherbornecountryfair.com for advance tickets. work will be gratefully received. No booking required. Opening times - 10am to 4pm each day. For more 26 May info visit www.secretworld.org Secret World Wildlife Caterpillar Kids – Meadow Minibeasts Rescue, New Road, East Huntspill, Highbridge, TA9 3PZ. Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve (£2/child, Family Event), 10.30am – 12.30pm. Explore the meadows of Lorton 23-31 May & discover marvellous minibeasts hiding amongst the May Half Term: Theme ‘Super Power Flowers’ long grass, plus games, art & more with the Community Super Power Flowers Trail around the garden. Conservation Officer. No unaccompanied children. Normal Garden Admission For more information visit Booking essential, please contact the Community www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor or call 0845 2658072. Conservation Officer 01305 816546. 37 country diarydiary

26 & 28 May 29 May Cycle and Dine Teenagers can weld too Book a perfect Devonshire day, cycling the lanes and A day in the workshop for a parent and teenager. Cost: countryside in the morning with Jurassic Electric, before £155pp. For more info visit www.dorsetruralskills.co.uk arriving at wonderful River Cottage HQ for a sumptuous two-course lunch in Hugh’s famous farmhouse. £70pp. For 30 May more info visit www.rivercottage.net or call 01297 630 314. Lorton Meadows Family Festival 11am – 3pm. A day of fun wildlife activities, crafts, 27 May competitions & games. Explore the reserve on our wildlife Willow Flowers with Mary Jannaway - Craft trail & get an edible prize at the end. Try your hand at fishing Workshop for Families for ducks, join in wildlife games, discover the mini-beasties Wednesday, 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm. Drop-in craft lurking in the ponds & woods, enter ‘best nest’ competition workshop for families. Normal Garden Admission. & make a puppet to take home. Tea/coffee & cakes For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor available, or bring a picnic. Lorton Meadows Conservation or call 0845 2658072. Centre, Lorton Lane, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.

27 May 30 May Eco-Crabbing Poultry Breeding & Genetics Workshop 1.30 – 3pm, Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge. Workshop with Poultry expert and Fancy Fowl magazine Learn how to catch & care for crabs without harming other editor, Grant Brereton at South Yeo Farm East, Northlew, rockpool animals. £3pp, cost includes kit, bait & equipment. Devon. Covering many aspects of breeding as well as looking For more info visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk at the inheritance of particular traits in poultry (nothing too intense). Birds are being bred specifically for this course, 27-30 May and you will be able to handle some day-old chicks, which Royal Bath & West Show will be used to demonstrate how sex-linked genes work and Bath & West Showground. From the country’s finest how we can make the most of them. 10am-5pm, lunch and livestock and over 600 trade stands to the British Cheese refreshment provided. Guest speakers and prize giveaways. Awards and the British Cider Championships, there really www.gbpoultry.com, places limited. Cost £35. is something for everyone at England’s biggest celebration of rural life. Visit www.bathandwest.com 30 May Cobblestoning 28 May 9.15am - 4.30pm at Higher Nicholls Nymet, North Tawton, Super Spinning Pin Wheel Flower - Craft Workshop EX20 2BP. £20/day DRST members, £30 for non members. for Families Lunch/refreshments not included. Steel toe capped boots, 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm Normal Admission. Join gloves and waterproof clothing recommended. Call Mick us to make an interactive flower. For more information Godfrey: 01548 821156 after 6.30pm or visit www.drst.org.uk visit www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor or call 0845 2658072 30 May 28 May Artists Tour with Carol Mackenzie-Gale An Evening with Head Gardener Will Livingstone Veg 2-4pm an introduction to her hand and digitally printed & Hedge work, Carol will lead us through her inspirations, via her On Thursday River Cottage Head Gardener, Will digital awakening, to the intriguing connection between Livingstone, will host an evening of seasonal veg and Zen and the road tanker. Event is free, but please book. vibrant hedgerows along with fabulous River Cottage Call 01626 832 223. Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Riverside food. £75pp. For more info visit www.rivercottage.net Mill, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9AF. www.crafts.org.uk or call 01297 630 314. 31 May 29 May Practical scything for the smallholder Become your own Super Powered Flower - Craft Orchard Link has asked Alastair Inglis (member of the Workshop for Families Scythe Association) to run a session in South Devon. 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm Normal Garden Admission For anyone with areas unsuitable for mechanical cutting/ Using Petals and Leaves decorate your superhero mask mowing. Scythe set-up, use, sharpening, maintenance and wristbands to become a Super Powered Flower and practical session. Scythes provided. Booking advised. yourself to explore the garden. For more information Fee: £40 (£35 Orchard Link members). Contact Gill visit www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor or call 0845 2658072. Gairdner 01803 847962 or [email protected] 38 our country year The Wessex Morris Men It is going to be early starts all round for members of the Wessex Morris Men this month as they jingle their way around a rather busy May.

Bringing in May Day on the first day of the month they will be found dancing on the old maypole site above the Giant’s head in Cerne Abbas in Dorset at sunrise. They will then bring their colourful routines into the village square at Cerne for all those not up in time to see the day in, before heading north to Sherborne for another display on the “Around Christmas the farming activities were rather quiet, Abbey Steps. and again come May it was a similar sort of thing. The men hadn’t started sowing seeds so they were a bit skint, Formed in 1957, the Wessex Morris Men have built up and needed to do something to earn a bit of beer money.” quite a reputation for themselves, not just in their native Either way, Morris dancing has been taken to the hearts West Dorset but also as an international side, taking their of countryfolk as that most English of traditions. routines across the channel to Poland, Germany, France, Austria and the Channel Islands. The early rise on May 1 might seem like the side’s biggest challenge of the month, but it is the May bank holiday Bagman Jim Gailer said the quaint old English tradition had Monday which will see them put themselves through their international appeal and that there are sides of Morris men paces as they carry out a bumper tour of appearances up and down the English countryside. While the origins of across the three counties of Somerset, Dorset and Morris dancing remain shrouded in mystery (like many Wiltshire, all in the course of a day. of their traditions to the average onlooker), Jim explained the tradition was most likely to have been out of the land: They will kick things off at Haynes International Motor Museum in Sparkford at 11am before moving on to the Stags Head Inn at Yarlington for noon. From here they will venture on to the most happening place in Somerset of Durslade Farm in Bruton for 1.30pm before a visit to the Seymour Arms in Witham Friary at 4.30pm. Then they will cross the county border into Wiltshire to perform at the Somerset Arms in Maiden Bradley at 6pm, before rounding off their tour in Dorset’s most northerly village of Bourton at the White Lion Inn at 7.30pm.

They will also continue the with weekly Monday evening tours as well as making appearances at the Sherborne Castle Country Fair, the Royal Bath and West Show and the Wessex Folk Festival.

The side are also the owners of the infamous Dorset Ooser - a giant creature with a wooden head and large horns cloaked in the hide of a calf and supported on a stick. His appearances are rare, but can often be found with the side before sunrise on May 1.

For full listings of their appearances visit www.wessexmorrismen.co.uk For news, events and chit chat twitter.com/landsmanlife 39 40