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
BY ALLISON LEE Lewis Clark first started fishing with his grandfather. While fly fishing for trout, he was introduced to the countryside, and his grandfather taught him about the life cycles of various insects and the different species of birds that fed on them. Lewis’s passion for fly fishing continued while he worked in London, and he spent many weekends fishing the chalk streams of … Continue reading From Chalk Streams to Chichester
BY ALLISON LEE You may have seen claims that over six million donkeys are slaughtered each year in horrifying conditions to produce ejiao, a gelatin used in supplements, food, and cosmetics sold globally—including on major online retailers like Amazon. While the numbers and the cruelty are well-documented, the full picture includes some important context. An investigation by Brooke, the Working Donkey and Horse Charity, confirms … Continue reading On the Trade in Donkeys
BY ALLISON LEE The BBC show fronted by two comedians, Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse, is entering its tenth season. However, this programme – which isn’t really about fishing as a sport, but about two good friends helping each other come to terms with their health problems – will be missing one very special little chap. Ted, a Patterdale cross terrier who was abandoned at … Continue reading R.I.P Ted
BY ALLISON LEE Osmotherley is an attractive village nestled in the North York Moors, with a population of around 700. Its streets are lined with trees and grass verges, and stone-clad houses make it the archetypal picturesque village. Narrow alleys run between the houses, and a market cross takes centre stage. One particularly interesting building in the centre of the village is the former Thompson’s … Continue reading Osmotherley
BY ALLISON LEE Lastingham is one of my favourite places to visit in the North York Moors National Park. Steeped in history and set amidst breathtaking scenery, this picturesque village sits on the southern fringe of the park and has welcomed visitors for centuries, drawn by its postcard-perfect charm and warm hospitality. Two inviting options for accommodation in the village are Lastingham Grange and The … Continue reading Lastingham
BY ALLISON LEE Raby Castle, Park and Gardens is set in picturesque parkland near Staindrop in County Durham, where both red and fallow deer roam. The castle is one of the most impressive intact castles in England. Built by the powerful Neville family in the 14th century, it has been home to the Vane family for nearly 400 years. It was also the home of … Continue reading Raby in Bloom
BY ALLISON LEE Alison O’Neill comes from a family of hill farmers, so farming is deeply rooted in her heritage. She describes her family as “Sedbergh folk who started farming in Garsdale, in the Yorkshire Dales.” Alison recalls her father’s sale of the family farm in the late ’70s following his heart attack. She found the experience very distressing, especially since he was the final … Continue reading Daughter of the Dales
BY ALLISON LEE Tommy Banks is a multi-award-winning chef who champions hyper-local, sustainable, and seasonal produce. As Chef Patron and Co-Owner, he oversees The Black Swan, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Oldstead, North Yorkshire. Born and raised in the small village of Oldstead, Tommy comes from a farming background and has watched his family farm the local land throughout his life. In 2006, the family bought … Continue reading The Black Swan
BY ALLISON LEE Colne Valley Museum – a Grade II listed building – is housed in four cottages built in the 1840s by the Pearsons, a family of independent cloth manufacturers whose relatives still live in Golcar today. These weavers’ cottages, named ‘Spring Rock’ by James and Sally Pearson, were built into the steep hillside, with the traditional entrance for the lower rooms (like our modern … Continue reading Colne Valley Museum
