Neil Heseltine, who farms in Malham and is also Chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, shares his optimism for farming that enhances nature, and the future of commoning.
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Clive Turner is passionate about beetles. Here he talks about how vital these beetles are for life, and how their own wellbeing and the health of grazing animals are connected - and he shares results from the Dartmoor Dung Beetle survey.
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As part of the wider programme of natural flood management work on Harford and Ugborough Moors, research is being carried out to assess different techniques for increasing tree cover on the common. We meet Tom Murphy, a lecturer from the University of Plymouth, to find out more about the process, and how an increase in tree cover can benefit the common.
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As the Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery project gets underway, Harriet finds out more from Mark Owen and Naomi Oakley on their farm in the middle of the national park.
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Molinia cover has been extending across Dartmoor national park over the last 30 years. An Our Upland Commons project has been trialling methods to reduce its dominance and bring back a mosaic of habitats. Adrian Colston talks to Harriet Fraser about this project and the challenges of making changes in a landscape where there are many different organisations and individuals involved.
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Upland farmer Tom Lloyd is secretary of the Longmynd Commoners Association, and with other commoners, grazes sheep on the Longmynd. Here he talks to Harriet Fraser about his experience of farming, the value of the heritage of commons in Shropshire, and collaborative work to care for this special place.
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Adrian Shepherd, who leads the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s Land Management team, reflects on managing the land well into the future. When we meet, we stroll onto the flanks of Winder, on Brant Fell Common, overlooking Sedbergh.
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Dartmoor drystone wall specialist Martin Stallard shares his passion for the art and craft of walling, and the pleasures of working out on the moors, continuing a tradition and a skill that goes back centuries.
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During a Dartmoor pony drift commoners work together to round up the ponies from the moors, and urge them down to the farmyard to be sorted. It’s fast, and vast areas are covered. When we joined for the day, we also learnt about the heritage of ponies, and some of the farmers’ thoughts about the future for ponies on Dartmoor.
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Jane Saxon is General Manager for the National Trust, overseeing the North and West of the Lake District. In this interview she talks to Harriet Fraser about her role, and working with tenants and other organisations in their joint care of the Lake District, aiming to increase resilience for nature and people in the 21st Century.
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As part of a wider plan for natural flood management, the spring mires on Harford Common are being restored. It’s a process that helps the land hold water that flows from the springs, and encourages the recovery of a wetland habitat, with sphagnum mosses, and peat. Angelique McBride shares insights into the project, in conversation with Harriet Fraser.
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Herdwick ewes inspect the camera before being rounded up and brought into line for judging at the 2023 Matterdale and St Johns Sheep Show.
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For Will Dawson it’s another busy day: time to shear the flock of Dalesbred sheep. In this short film, Will shares the process of shearing the sheep and storing the film and then, with a sigh of relief, letting the sheep back onto Ingleborough Fell.
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A short film shot by Will Dawson while gathering sheep off Ingleborough Common. Join Will as he works with other commoners, and their dogs, to bring the sheep down to the fell wall and into the yard.
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Winter in the Yorkshire Dales, and commoner Will Dawson heads out to feed the sheep: join him in this short film made while he tends the flock.
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Farmer Will Dawson takes us out into the fields to witness a day of making hay and silage: one of the annual tasks of a Yorkshire Dales commoner that’s a critical part of the farming year. Will it stay dry for long enough?
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How might upland farmers become more involved in restoring peat and increasing sphagnum growth in the uplands? Harriet spoke to Simon Bland, from Dalefoot Farm, Bampton Common, to find out more about his vision, and Dalefoot’s work in producing peat-free compost, and restoring peatlands across the country.
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Lambing is a time for seemingly endless chores, and, on occasions, some hands-on assistance for a lamb coming into the world. This poem by Harriet was inspired by her time with John Heighway, in the Shropshire Hills.
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