BY ALLISON LEE Jennyruth Workshops began in the garden shed of Barrie and his son, Jonathan, who has Down Syndrome. Barrie wanted to give his son the chance to develop skills, as opportunities were few and far between at the time. As things progressed, Barrie and his wife, Sue, decided that other adults with learning disabilities should also have the opportunity to develop their skills … Continue reading Thriving Through Craft And Care
BY ALLISON LEE If ever there were a hamlet that might have come straight from a children’s fairy tale, it is Rievaulx in the Rye Valley, North Yorkshire. With its narrow, winding lanes, pretty houses—some with thatched roofs—and a quietness city dwellers can only dream of, it really is the quintessential English country village. What it lacks in amenities (you won’t find a corner shop … Continue reading Rievaulx
BY ALLISON LEE It is often said that animal companionship offers significant benefits to humans, and having had the pleasure of owning a variety of animals—both domestic and farm—I can certainly attest to this. While cats and dogs are the most common domestic companions, many farm animals can also provide endless fun and companionship. Animal interaction brings a range of mental and emotional benefits, including … Continue reading Hooves, Snouts, and Heart
BY ALLISON LEE Autumn is a busy time on the smallholding. It’s time to plan ahead for the winter months and complete all essential jobs before the weather turns. Autumn is one of my favourite times of year. Because the weather is unpredictable, it can feel like the end of summer rather than the beginning of winter. With animals and a smallholding to keep, I … Continue reading Autumn on the Smallholding
BY ALLISON LEE The famous annual Masham Sheep Fair takes place in Masham Market Square and around the town on the last weekend of September. In 2026, it was held on 26 and 27 September, and I went along to see what it was all about. The weather was a perfect blend of sunshine and a gentle breeze, with not a drop of rain in … Continue reading Masham Sheep Fair
BY ALLISON LEE Goathland is a picturesque moorland village in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. It attracts visitors from all over because it is renowned for being a filming location for ITV’s Heartbeat and the Harry Potter films. Goathland is about nine miles from the coastal town of Whitby and roughly an hour’s drive from York. It can be reached by the North Yorkshire … Continue reading Goathland
BY ALLISON LEE Anyone who owns animals knows the problem of filling drinking troughs and buckets all too well. Time is usually of the essence, so we leave the hose in the container while we move on to the next job, trying not to forget to switch it off when the bucket or trough is full. Inevitably, we get distracted, forget about the hose, and … Continue reading Saving Water, One Bucket at a Time
BY ALLISON LEE A walled garden has existed at Duncombe Park in Helmsley since 1758. It was built to supply fruit and vegetables for the Feversham family; however, after World War One, the garden’s role as a source of food for the family ended. After the last leaseholder left the property, it fell into dereliction until a local practice nurse, Alison Ticehurst, recognised its potential … Continue reading The Walled Garden
BY ALLISON LEE When an invitation arrived in my inbox to attend the Sakura Spa Launch at Gisborough Hall, I was happy to accept. It had been many years since I last visited the Hall, and I was intrigued to see how things had changed. Gisborough Hall is a country house retreat set a short distance from the coast and tucked away in the beautiful … Continue reading Sakura
BY ALLISON LEE Whilst we are all well aware of the rapid damage our planet is suffering, not everyone knows how they can help minimise environmental harm and social exploitation. Yet each of us can make a significant difference simply by considering where we buy our clothing. Fast fashion brands enable rapid production and target fashion-conscious consumers seeking trendy, low-cost clothes. This inherently drives environmental … Continue reading Aspiga
BY ALLISON LEE Organised by the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS), the International Supreme Sheepdog Trial is a prestigious annual event that brings together top handlers and their dogs from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland to compete for the title of Supreme Champion. The competition showcases the dogs’ natural instincts and abilities, as well as the strength of their partnership with their handlers. Using only … Continue reading The International Supreme Sheepdog Trial 2026
BY ALLISON LEE The Ryedale Show is held annually on the last Tuesday in July; this year, it fell on the 28th. Established in 1855, it is a traditional agricultural show run for the farming and local communities, and it truly has something to offer everyone. Though much smaller than the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate, Ryedale remains highly popular. Set against the picturesque Duncombe Park … Continue reading The Ryedale Show
BY ALLISON LEE To many people, bees and wasps are nothing more than annoying stingers that ruin summer barbecues and seem intent on causing pain. But in reality, these insects are environmental powerhouses. Most are vital pollinators or highly effective pest controllers, so before you reach for the swatter, it’s worth pausing to consider their value. We all know the importance of the honey bee, … Continue reading Beyond the Sting
BY ALLISON LEE We are all familiar with the ways in which aches and pains can disrupt daily life, and I understand the work that chiropractors do—using hands-on, non-invasive therapies to relieve pain and improve mobility. However, until recently, I had no idea that chiropractors could also treat animals. Living on a smallholding with a variety of animals, I was intrigued to learn about the … Continue reading From Stables to Clinic
BY ALLISON LEE I had the pleasure of visiting the Great Yorkshire Show again this year, and it was another fantastic experience. Due to high demand, the number of tickets increased from 35,000 per day to 37,500, and all four days sold out. Despite the lengthy queues to enter the showground, our usual hour-long journey took almost three times as long. The event was well … Continue reading The Great Yorkshire Show
BY ALLISON LEE Byland Abbey is a ruined monastery and small village located in Byland, North Yorkshire. Founded as a Savigniac house in 1135, the abbey was later absorbed into the Cistercian order in 1147. Its early history was marked by disputes with four other religious institutions: Furness Abbey, Calder Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey, and Newburgh Priory. By the late 14th century, however, Byland was regarded … Continue reading Byland
BY ALLISON LEE Hannah Dale and her husband, Jack, founded Wrendale Designs in 2012—a giftware brand built around Hannah’s watercolour paintings of wildlife. With a background in zoology, Hannah has long drawn creative inspiration from the natural world. Over the years, the couple have grown Wrendale into a much-loved brand with global reach, winning numerous industry awards and two King’s Awards for International Trade. The … Continue reading Wrendale
BY ALLISON LEE In April 2025, Steven Nesbitt received a wake-up call that would change his life. “I’ve been a farmer all my life,” Steven told me. “My grandfather lived to be 96, and my father is now 93, so I thought I was immortal.” When he began to feel unwell and struggled to keep up with his farming work—let alone walk up hills—he sought … Continue reading Rusty the Bull
BY ALLISON LEE In 2018, Pret A Manger—the British multinational sandwich chain founded in London in 1983—made a public promise to stop selling fast‑growing chickens by 2026. However, the company has now delayed that commitment until 2032, a decision that has provoked fierce backlash from animal welfare advocates. In response, campaigners have unveiled a giant ‘frankenchicken’ sculpture outside one of Pret’s flagship stores to draw … Continue reading Fast-growing Chickens
BY ALLISON LEE Putting respite at the heart of UK Farming At its core, BZy Shepherd is more than just a livestock contracting and farm-sitting service—it is a movement dedicated to restoring balance to the lives of British farmers. Co-founded by young duo Holly Zeidler and Adam Broomhead, alongside their six-year-old collie, Tweed, the enterprise provides trusted, fully comprehensive cover across sheep, beef, dairy, and … Continue reading BZy Shepherd
