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www.countrymen.org.uk
The Countryman’s Diary Issue 2 - Winter 2013 The farmer, Mrs J. Plumley, writes this month... The winter has given us more rain than we needed; the farm now has more lakes than fields. We have had several rescues nearby, both from the emergency services and our own tractor. It made me think about how often farmers come to the rescue during floods and snowstorms. It is something that rarely gets mentioned, but I am sure it must save thousands of pounds each year. The best news was that our TB was clear! A real relief, as it is my
greatest worry for the herd. However, I always keep in mind those who are going through months of distress waiting for results. Nothing seems to have changed since the 1940s, except the number of cows being slaughtered. Lastly, Alfie - the farm’s Jack Russell - has decided he is retiring from farming at the age of five. He refuses to go out in the wind or rain and just buries his head in a sofa. I thought we had instilled a strong work ethic in him, but he seems to have become soft over Christmas!
Turkey and poetry The Countrymen’s Club held its Christmas celebratation on 19th December. We all enjoyed a fine roast dinner, with Brussels grown by John F. as well as Rylands Farm beef. Mole Valley Farmers kindly donated some gifts for a secret santa. Philip and Bill helped prepare the meal and there wasn’t much left so it must have been tasty! Then we recited some William Barnes poems, which some of us found easier than others as he wrote them in the Dorset dialect.
The Countrymen’s Club is a group that meets every weekday afternoon at a working farm near Sherborne, Dorset. It is for older men who want to remain active and involved in the countryside, but who are finding it increasingly difficult to get about. To find out more and to help keep traditional farming practices alive, contact Brian or Dominic on 01963 210703 / countrymen@futureroots.net
Days gone by
Upcoming events
The countrymen have been busy crafting, harvesting, sowing, repairing and chatting.
We have got lots of events planned for the coming months:
We made our Christmas wreaths in the month before the holidays using hay, evergreen foliage, rosehips, dried fruit and the like. Some countrymen have also been crafting their hazel walking sticks. Winter vegetables have been pricked out from the heated propagators, and resown in the beds of the polytunnel. Forks and tools have been repaired and plenty of tea and cake eaten.
Dorset memories remembered Wed., 6 February Hedgelaying and wassailing Wed., 13 February Talk by the Dorset Blue Soup Co. Wed., 20 February Farming artifacts from Sherborne Museum Wed., 27 February Green woodworking Coming soon
Old country ways Did you know?
That Candlemas on the 2nd February lies midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox... Or what the old country saying ‘A farmer should, on Candlemas Day, have half his corn and half his hay’ mean?