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 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 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 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
BY ALLISON LEE Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary started in 2009 when Alexandra Smith recognised a growing need for a safe, permanent place for injured, orphaned, sick and displaced wildlife in the local area. Alexandra’s journey began when she started volunteering at her local veterinary practice and chose to care for two pigeons that needed long-term care. As most veterinary practices are unable to house wild animals … Continue reading Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary
BY ALLISON LEE The Wainwrights have farmed the rolling countryside of Ryedale in North Yorkshire since 1962. The farm consists of a mixture of arable land and livestock. Henry Wainwright works alongside his father; however, shortly after Henry returned to the family farm from agricultural college, the family realised that in order for it to be viable for him to work full-time, they needed to … Continue reading The Flower Belt
BY ALLISON LEE Raby Castle, Park and Gardens is set in picturesque parkland where both red and fallow deer roam near Staindrop in County Durham. Today, Raby Castle’s custodians are Lord and Lady Barnard and with the team around them, they were the driving force behind an exciting three-year major development in the castle grounds to create a new leading lifestyle destination for the north … Continue reading Raby
BY ALLISON LEE Regular readers know I’m a passionate advocate for genuine animal charities. I deeply admire those who dedicate their time and resources to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing homes for neglected or abandoned animals. This week, I want to highlight the remarkable work of an animal sanctuary in the US. Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit charity in Parksville, New York, nestled in … Continue reading Arthur’s Acres
BY ALLISON LEE Farming is classed as one of the most dangerous jobs in the United Kingdom, with a higher death rate than any other profession—and it is not difficult to see why. The agricultural sector involves a range of serious risks, including those from heavy machinery, hazardous environments, livestock injuries, contact with harmful substances, and falls from height, among the most common dangers. It … Continue reading The Wheelchair Farmer
BY ALLISON LEE In October 1930, Dorothy Brooke and her husband, Geoffrey, relocated to Cairo following his appointment to command the British Cavalry Brigade in Egypt. Horses already featured heavily in the Brookes’ lives — Geoffrey was the author of several books on horsemanship, and Dorothy had been a devotee of all things equine since childhood. Born in Melrose, in the Scottish Borders, on 1st … Continue reading The Brooke Charity
BY ALLISON LEE Lately, my social media feeds seem increasingly filled with fundraising posts. While I fully appreciate that charities depend on donations—and that, as cash disappears from daily life, traditional collection methods are dwindling—I can’t help but feel uneasy about the sheer volume of personal online appeals. I wonder if this approach is becoming too normalised, and whether it might sometimes channel money to … Continue reading Animal Crowdfunding – Should We Fall For it?
BY ALLISON LEE There can’t be many dogs that own a wardrobe to rival their owners. However, for Monti, owning luxury clothing isn’t something he has to worry about—thanks to his owner, Toni Walker, and her business, Wag and Wool. Toni Walker became a dog owner in 2018 when Monti came to live with her and her partner, and they quickly found him to be … Continue reading Wag and Wool
BY ALLISON LEE I am constantly in awe of the number of farmers who have diversified to protect their incomes. I have spoken to numerous farmers who, for various reasons, have had to tap into an alternative income to keep their farms afloat. They do this without complaint or blame, quite simply because they have no choice. Many of today’s young farmers have been brought … Continue reading Smiths
