Barnyard Buzz Dorset April 2024

Over the years the corners of the grass between the hardstandings has been eroded away because camping units are getting bigger and cutting the corners.  So I decided to trim back the damaged parts and leave a space for some crushed concrete and road planings to be put there later instead –  to make it easier for campers to park up. [1]  [2]

As I hope to further develop the “wild area” near the River Char located in front of the farm buildings for campers, it was necessary (after scraping the mud off last month) to cover the farm yard over with road planings to make it easier for campers to reach the area.  [3] [4]

Probably the most interesting camper staying during the month was a motorcyclist from France. [5] He was currently on a 2 month road trip with his motorbike which he called “Alya”.  He started his trip in Paris and then went down to Morocco, returned to France and crossed it from south to north, and then came to the UK.  His plan was to explore this country for a few weeks.  His current home is in Peru, and is living in the Amazon rainforest.  He has built a holistic retreat centre there offering yoga, meditation and plant medicine ceremonies with native shamans.  What a fascinating way of life!

Alisha, who has developed into an expert tractor driver, chain harrowed all the fields on the farm, [6] (if you look hard at this photo you will see the stripes on the grass!) Her constant companion was Millie who just sat there as a contented passenger!  [7] Chain harrowing is part of any pasture management programme done in the spring preferably after grazing, in conjunction with rolling and before any fertilizer application.  It removes dead thatch, lifts vegetation up and levels any mole hills.  It allows air movement and root aeration which helps the soil to breathe, improves water infiltration, and reduces disease by exposing fungi and bacteria to sunlight.

Alisha also spread artificial fertilizer on some of the land on the farm.  [8]  This is  manufactured from petrol or natural gas.  They can contain a wide variety of nutrients including nitrates, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium.  Artificial fertilizers contain a relatively high quantity of nutrients so smaller volumes of them are needed.  They are generally less expensive to make than natural fertilisers and can release their nutrients into the soil very quickly.

Lambing continued during April and Alisha had plenty of takers for feeding lambs.  There was a spectre in their midst wearing a luminescent hoody during this session. [9]  The single chick from the first hatch in the incubator had to wait another 3 weeks before s/he had any companions in the run.  [10]

This club has been in existence since the early 1960s.  It is currently being run by Alisha, Natasha and Joanna, being chairperson, secretary and treasurer respectively.  It is a very active and enthusiastic club, and takes part in nearly every competition that the county has to offer throughout the year, which includes cookery, stock judging, public speaking, sports and drama to name but a few.  They have managed to reach national finals several times in 2024!

The club currently has 50 members of all age groups from 10 – 28.  It is important to emphasise that you don’t have to be a farmer to be a young farmer.  The club has members who are still studying at school or university, accountants, vets, agricultural engineers, as well as lots of farmers.  MV YFC always puts a strong focus on fundraising throughout the year. 2024 the chosen charities are Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and Ukraine.  These fund raising events include the Winter Freshwater Ball, The Big Breakfast, Easter Bingo, Pantomime and Quiz Night.  [12] [13] They have raised £10,000 this year!

Other events that were organised by the MV YFC during the year was the Dorset YFC Sheep Show Competition.  Here are photos of Alisha and Sam in readiness for the show.  [14]  [15]

The highlight of the young farmers’ year is the Annual Rally.  This year it was at Deverel Farm, Milborne St Andrew, near Blandford on 13 April.  There was a wide range of competitions throughout the day from Bale Structures, Tug of War, to how many crackers can be eaten and a selfie with a farm animal.  The Marshwood Vale YFC won the Rally Shield as they achieved the most points during the day.  [16]

YFC clubs within England and Wales are one of the largest rural youth organisations dedicated to young people who have a love for agriculture and rural life.  There are 23,000 members with a unique opportunity to develop skills, work with their local communities, travel abroad, take part in a varied competitions programme and enjoy a dynamic social life.

Lucy and Chit are two very enthusiastic conservationists who live in Ryall, which is part of the Whitchurch Canonicorum area.  Cock Crowing Farm is a small 17 acre farm, in the making, at Eype, near Bridport.  It is based on regenerative farming principles, and the product of their environmental interests and  work over the past 40 years.

Lucy started off in market research in the 80s, changing her career in the late 1990s to horticulture and garden design.  Chit was an engineer and designer who became an environmental consultant and expert in energy efficiency.

Their concern about the climate and ecological emergency is one of the core reasons for them acquiring the land in October 2022.  The recent abnormal wet weather in the UK is expected to result in a very significant reduction in 2024 crop yields.

The projects they are running at the moment involve the now completed planting of a two acre multi crop orchard, run on regenerative agricultural principles; five acres of wild flower meadows; ten acres of traditional meadow grasses, and an experimental mushroom growing area.  They have already planted 700 hedging trees to improve new and existing hedgerows, and 100 specialist nut, (including pecans and sweet chestnuts), fruit and some unusual but tasty edible trees and shrubs.  The new hedging plants are generally native trees, e.g. hazel, cornus (dogwood), holly, wayfaring tree, blackthorn, hawthorn and field maple. [17] [18] [19]

Lucy’s background undoubtedly helps with the growing challenges;  they both have had to learn other skills including how to use a scythe**. [20]  They have had some fairly intensive training with several local experts and Chit attended a course with Simon Fairlie, from Monkton Wyld Court, which was very useful.    During my visit to their farm, local enthusiast John Dalton showed everyone how to sharpen the scythe. [21]  In my childhood I can remember my father doing this many times. He used the tool mainly for cutting out the corners in grass fields where the mowing machine couldn’t reach, to ensure that every last blade was cut for making hay.

Scything seems to be helping the (almost) 2 year old wild flower meadow get established and was a useful addition to the cut and collect mower loaned in Autumn from the AONB/Dorset Wildlife team for another part of the meadow.  By keeping the grass down – particularly important in early spring – sunlight can reach the emerging newly sown perennial wildflowers more easily (yellow rattle also helps in reducing grass vigour but takes a while to get going).  Scything is surprisingly efficient with a small team and certainly provides a work-out!.  You do have to factor in time for raking and removing the cuttings from your wildflower meadows afterwards though, comments Chit.

Lucy admitted that the scythe is more difficult to operate than it looks. A lot of concentration has to go on the technique. [22]  It was quite magical seeing the men and women in unison scything the field with the regular “swishing” that went with it.  [23]  This hay rake [24] was used in the field to put the dried grass (from a previous scything session) into bigger swards to make loading into a trailer easier.  [25]  Some of the hay will go for animals and some as compost for the mulch for the trees and shrubs.  At a later date they will be producing lower sugar hay from the fields, suitable, amongst other uses for horses with dietary issues.  To aid this, they have sown an appropriate range of meadow grasses and herbs avoiding rye grass for this reason.

When Lucy was asked if they wanted to learn any more skills in the future she commented that they needed to improve their social media skills, especially web design!

Lucy and Chit are obviously very determined to carry their regenerative ideas through to increase the biodiversity of plants, insects and birds, regeneration of soil health with increased micro fauna (which includes worms), and to increase soil carbon sequestration. Ultimately, the goal is to provide some “climate resilient” foods to Bridport while increasing food (and homes) for nature.

** The origin of the scythe is unknown but it is thought that they may date back as far as c 5000 BC.  In Dorset it was still being used in the late 1800s before the horse drawn mowing machine came into existence.  The scythe is still an indispensable tool for farmers in developing countries and in mountainous terrain.  In Romania, in the highland areas, scything is a very important annual activity taking about 2-3 weeks to complete.  In other parts of the Balkans scything competitions are held where the winner takes away a small silver scythe.  In small Serbian towns, scything is treasured as part of the local folklore and the winners of friendly competitions are rewarded richly with food and drink.

This brilliant idea was suggested by Sue Johnson, who has been heavily involved with the church for sometime.  It was a one off event.

The menu was extensive:  Option 1  Tea, coffee, fruit juice, bacon or sausage bap, egg optional, choice of yogurts, fresh fruit, pastries and toast with marmalade, jam or honey @ £10.00 per adult.  [26]

Option 2.  The same as above, but minus the bacon or sausage bap and optional egg @ £7.50 per adult.

All children under 12 @ £6.00.  The meals were excellently cooked by Kay and her team [27] and attracted quite a lot trade,  [28] [29] which included someone from Sweden and Ukraine.  All proceeds for this event went to the church and Friends of Mountjoy School, Beaminster.

People at Wootton Fitzpaine were again treated to a brilliant Artsreach event in April. [30]  It was written by Bob Whitley, who played guitars and mandola.  Lee Mackenzie played the cello.  [31]

We were quickly taken back, in thought and action, to the 16th century and the story of the triumph and tragedy of Anne Bolelyn, who was the second wife of Henry VIII.

As we all know Henry VIII was unhappy that his first wife Katherine of Aragon had not produced a male heir, having lost all her male children soon after birth.  The only child to survive was Mary.  Additionally Katherine had not conceived in seven years.  He was looking for a younger queen who he hoped would be more productive.  He was concerned that without a strong male Tudor King England would return to the violence and instability of the Wars of the Roses with an end to the Tudor dynasty!

Anne Bolelyn was sent abroad by her family to gain a European court education.  After eight years she was recalled to England and within a year became a maid of honour to Queen Katherine.  She was a glamorous and sophisticated lady at court where she attracted several suitors, one being Harry Percy heir to the Earl of Northumberland.  Cardinal Wolsey put a stop to this affair so making Anne “unattached”.  Henry, by this time was determined to end his first marriage and turned his attentions from Mary Boleyn to her younger sister Anne.  [32]  [33]

Initially Henry had hoped to be divorced by 1527 and to marry Anne.  Wolsey wasn’t happy about this marriage either but did approach the Pope about the divorce.  This was opposed.  Anne believed that Wolsey was not trying hard enough as he was hoping to dissuade Henry from marrying Anne.  Wolsey was eventually brought down and Thomas Cromwell took his place.  By 1531 Queen Katherine was banished from court and Anne Boleyn took over the Queen’s apartments and was in command at court.  After 6 years of waiting Anne was 31 and was putting immense pressure on Henry to make her his Queen before she had wasted all her childbearing years.  They were eventually married on 25 January 1533.  Eight months later a daughter Elizabeth was born.  Of course Henry was expecting a son, and duly cancelled a jousting match in honour of the birth of a boy!

Anne miscarried a boy in July 1534.  By the summer of 1535 Anne was aware that Henry’s interest was waning, but there were rumours that Henry’s ability to father a son was diminishing!  By this time Henry thought perhaps he just needed another younger wife as he took a greater interest in Jane Seymour, one of Anne Bolelyn’s ladies-in-waiting.  Anne fell pregnant again, but miscarried another boy in January 1536.  At this point Henry demanded Thomas Cromwell find a way to rid him of Anne Bolelyn.  So Cromwell turned to Anne’s ladies in waiting where he had “spies”.   Lady Rochford furnished Cromwell with rumours and accusations against Anne Bolelyn.  Under duress Mark Smeton, Anne’s musician, confessed to adultery with the Queen and named others too.  The  trial of Anne’s supposed “lovers” took place in 12 May 1536 where they were all found guilty and sentenced to death.

Anne was tried on 15 May and although she calmly expressed her innocence she was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death as was her brother George.  The men were all executed on 17 May and Anne lost her head on 19 May.

One wonders why Henry’s wives had so much trouble conceiving boys or have them born only to die just after birth.  Did Henry have an undisclosed ailment that caused this?  We shall never know!

After Anne’s daughter Elizabeth became queen in 1558, Anne became venerated as a martyr and heroine of the English Reformation.  She has also been called “the most influential and important queen consort England has ever had” as she provided the occasion for Henry to declare the English Church’s independence from the Vatican.

THE NEXT NEWSLETTER WILL BE A COMBINATION OF BOTH MAY AND JUNE NEWS, WHICH WILL COME OUT IN JULY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Alisha Lambert,  Bob Whitley, Lucy Sommers, Chit Chong and Sue Johnson.