Southern Belle

still do in fact, there is a certain level of expectation that differs to a male counterpart. So I would definitely tell my younger self to not be embarrassed when the yard is full of men, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something and always make sure you take pride in what you do.

There are a lot of misconceptions as to what agriculture is or what you have to be or do to be classed as a farmer! You can still work within agriculture and not have ever driven a tractor!!

Also, being the ‘bosses daughter’ or a ‘farmers daughter’ comes with a whole load of other complications! But we won’t go into that!! Ha ha!

Do you have any hobbies? Yes! I love shooting. I try and get out shooting as much as I can, whether that be clay grounds, simulated game days or the real thing! I also love travelling. Of course in the last few years it’s definitely just been around the UK, but that has been great. I’ve ventured to lots of new places throughout the country, and in fact next week I’ll have been in all four nations of the UK within about 9 days! Including the Republic of Ireland, as I’m being treated to a trip to Dublin for my birthday!

Why did you decide to join WiAS? I initially decided to join WiAS as I wanted to be part of a group of like minded people. I really feel like I’ve found my tribe within WiAS. I really wanted to meet other women across Scotland that were in a similar position to me!

What standout moments have there been for you since joining the group? I have a few standout moments actually.

Firstly, how welcome I was made to feel within the group when I joined the committee. I was completed shocked when my name was announced to be part of the committee. I was incredibly nervous, but the girls put me straight at ease!

Secondly, I was given the opportunity to host a WiAS event in March of 2022! I love organising events, so I definitely took that in my stride. Alongside the help and contribution from the rest of the committee, the event was a great success! You can’t normally boast about beautiful sunshine and 17 degrees in the middle of March in Scotland, that’s for sure!

Lastly, what really stood out for me recently was the reception we received when we hosted a breakfast at the Royal Highland Show! The turnout for that event was fantastic and it was a hugely successful event that I am sure everyone that participated enjoyed thoroughly! It was great to see so many like minded people in one room!

Why, in your opinion, is WiAS important? WiAS is important as it provides a platform for women in agriculture to find a space where they can relate to a lot of their fellow members! It’s a space where stories can be shared, good or bad, experiences, tips and tricks of the trade!

What would you say to someone thinking of joining the group? I would encourage anyone thinking about joining to do so! There is no pressure and to sign up is free! The group is for absolutely everyone! It is really a great way to network, as well as learn new skills with plenty of opportunities for farm visits across Scotland!

How can someone get involved in WiAS? You can become involved by becoming a member through our website! From there, you will get invites to any upcoming events!

Our next event is the WiAS AGM on the 9th of November at the Royal Highland Showground. We will have a range of speakers, opportunity to catch up with friends and meet new people, as well as lunch and refreshments!

Only the seasons change

The swallows have gone and have been replaced by the Barnacle geese flying in from their Norwegian homeland. They are accompanied by the arrival of the wildfowlers and the daily greeting on our darkening early morning dog walks, switches to the booms from the shooters, from the clucking from the nearby pheasant rearing pens, now mothballed for the winter.

My Bird Nerd ap on my phone, which has all summer identified the birds you can hear but not see, doesn’t recognise geese of any kind and despite being told by the local RSPB warden that you can identify them by their call, which is either “winkers, wonkers or wankers” – they still all sound like geese to me, albeit with a Scandinavian accent.

Harvest thanksgiving too has arrived and we are very grateful in D & G for the marvellous summer we’ve enjoyed and the bulging hay barns due to spells of more than three days without rain!

Last week we had a visit at the church from Hugh Pym, of BBC Health Editor fame, who, with a group of friends from St Columba’s Church, in London (next to Harrods) were visiting some of the significant historic sites in the area, including The Ruthwell Cross. Lovely normal people! They enjoyed the chat during the “finger buffet” after the service and in particular that country churchgoers combine walking their dogs with the Sunday service, earning my dog pride of place on the front page of the next St Columba’s newsletter, much to the disappointment of our local politicians, who don’t normally come to the church but had turned up for a photo opportunity!

Having rung the church bell with tears in my eyes 96 times, (it’s a very small bell) only two weeks before, to mark the passing of HM The Queen, it was lovely to celebrate the joys of our village with visitors.

The spectacular autumn sunsets have returned and I’m wakened by the sound of the geese coming off the Solway to graze on the fields. Late summer evenings on the patio with neighbours, are now sausage casserole nights in but the company and fun remain the same and it will be no time until the swallows arrive again …