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 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 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 When my husband and I moved our smallholding from West to North Yorkshire in 2024, one of the most worrying factors for me was having to find a new farrier. I had used the same farrier since acquiring my miniature Shetland ponies and miniature Mediterranean donkeys, and they knew him well. Initially, as they were all very young, they were nervous of … Continue reading The World Champion Farrier
BY ALLISON LEE The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) was founded in 1874 with the intention of encouraging, improving, and advancing bee culture in the United Kingdom—particularly as a means of bettering the condition of cottagers and the agricultural labouring classes, as well as advocating for humanity toward the industrious labourer: the honey bee. Originally established as a London-based beekeepers’ club, the BBKA evolved within a … Continue reading Not Just a Celebrity Hobby
BY ALLISON LEE I had the pleasure of a two night stay at Swinton Park Hotel recently and it was a truly amazing experience. The hotel is a Grade II castle set in stunning gardens and parkland at the heart of the 20,000 acre Swinton Estate. It is the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton and the informal stately home experience makes this dog … Continue reading The Swinton Estate – Part II
BY ALLISON LEE Driving up to the Swinton Park Hotel, even on a dark night in November, is truly enchanting. The warm lights, the sweeping driveway and the genuine welcome makes this hotel one of the most charming in North Yorkshire. The Swinton Park Hotel is an opulent, Grade II castle set in 200 acres of manicured gardens and parkland at the very heart of the … Continue reading The Swinton Estate – Part I
BY ALLISON LEE Model, Claire Turner and her husband and daughter moved from London to the New Forest in 2019 primarily for a change of life and a good choice of schools. Just two years later, in 2021, she founded Alpaca Apparel which was inspired by a deep connection to nature and a desire to offer a more sustainable alternative to mass-produced fashion. Claire’s journey … Continue reading Alpaca Apparel
BY ALLISON LEE Hannah Russell is an author and countryside enthusiast who lives in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Born and bred in this incredible part of the country, she is surrounded by rolling hills and wildlife and now resides on the Swinton Estate with more than twenty of her own animals, including ponies, sheep, donkeys, dogs, alpacas, and even tortoises. As a child, Hannah spent … Continue reading Hannah Russell
BY ALLISON LEE When our three little pigs were big enough that they wouldn’t be considered prime prey for foxes or birds, we moved them outside into a paddock of their own. It must have been a little piggy heaven for them. I decided initially to put them in a small pen, and when they had become accustomed to being outside permanently, I would move … Continue reading Three Little Pigs
BY ALLISON LEE Those that live near the River Tees may have heard of Sockburn. For me, Sockburn is a stone’s throw away from the house I moved into at the end of 2024. However it was not until very recently that I learned of Sockburn’s legend. For a thousand years The Sockburn Worm was the most famous and feared dragon legend in the North of … Continue reading The Sockburn Worm
BY ALLISON LEE Kiplin Hall is an absolute gem standing serenely close to the River Swale in the Vale of Mowbray in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside. Situated between the historic market towns of Richmond and Northallerton, Kiplin Hall has been owned by four families, related by blood and marriage, and this year celebrates its 400th year of history. George Calvert built Kiplin Hall in … Continue reading Kiplin
BY ALLISON LEE After enjoying a rare evening out with friends, I was woken the next morning at 6.30 am by a call from a neighbouring farmer. He told me that my ponies, Chieftain and Jo-Jo, had escaped and were making their way past the community hall towards the next village! I can honestly say I have never got dressed so quickly in my life. … Continue reading Ponies’ Night on the Town
