BBC4

Repeated from some time ago. I thought it was an excellent programme when I saw it last time. I really hope a time doesn’t come when this way of life can’t survive.

Made by a French girl I was at uni with – she’s a farmer’s daughter herself. It’s a cracking bit of documentary filming. And yes, I did snog her on a ferry to Amsterdam, which makes me a bit famous too.

As a sheep farmer in a similar marginal part of the UK uplands I can categorically say that the writing is very much on the wall for this way of life… sadly. I can relate to every aspect of the program as it very much follows my own experiences. However, a combination in a shift in eating habits, a complete lack of profitability in the sheepmeat sector without aid payments, and public pressure to rewild the uplands (AKA George Monbiots’ personal crusade to leave a legacy) mean that small family farms in the UK uplands will die out within the next 20 years at most. Brexit will probably be the final nail in the coffin.

I live in mid Wales and personally I wouldn’t miss sheep farming.

My kids used to play with quite a few of those from Forest School when we were in Teesdale.

Teesdale is a very special place.

That was really good stuff. Best thing I’ve seen in tv for a while.
I grew up on a dairy farm, council tenants.
Can’t imagine trying to make ends meet sheep farming nowadays.

welshfarner, I’m aware of Monbiot’s crusade but not “public pressure”. Do the public really give a toss, one way or the other?