The Farming Year - Autumn
Cotswold Life|September 2019
So what do farmers actually do from dayto-day and week-to-week? In the first of a quarterly series, Katie Jarvis finds out
Ian Boyd
The Farming Year - Autumn

How many hours a day do farmers work? What are the regular jobs that need doing, and how do they fit in with the seasons? We’ll be following the Boyds - a third generation farming family - throughout the next year as they run Whittington Lodge Farm, 900 feet up in the countryside outside Cheltenham.

The farm is organic, Pasture For Lifecertified, and practises regenerative agriculture, focusing on caring for soil and enriching biodiversity. Ian is responsible for general farm work, as well as tending their herd of pedigree Hereford cattle. Cathy runs the farm B&B, and manages meat retail sales in partnership her daughter, Steph Ackrill. Steph also runs her own business, Bhoid: contemporary British fashion accessories. In the longer term, Steph is preparing to take over the farm.

The farming programme on Radio 4 [Farming Today] begins at 5.45 so I’m always up at half five. (I’m not allowed up until then!) But I usually wake earlier, thinking: ‘Another half hour…’ I always start my day with tea, and a Bourbon biscuit from a secret drawer in my office. My sister reminded me that dad used to bring us a glass of Ribena and a Bourbon first thing when we were kids - and I’ve done it ever since!

I’m sure people picture me on a tractor day and night, but that’s not the reality. So much time goes into planning the movements of the farm, and I tend to be on the computer first thing. Cathy will sometimes say, “I’ve got to the end of my office pile!” I don’t think I’ve ever got to the end of mine. Steph is a big help with office work, especially in making the farm accounts digital – great fun!

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Cotswold Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Cotswold Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COTSWOLD LIFEView All
Gloucestershire After The War
Cotswold Life

Gloucestershire After The War

Discovering the county’s Arts and Crafts memorials of the First World War

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh
Cotswold Life

THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh

The days are getting shorter but there’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful, says Sue Bradley, who discovers how a Cotswolds town is becoming more wildlife-friendly and pots up some bulbs for an insect-friendly spring display

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
Mr Ashbee would approve
Cotswold Life

Mr Ashbee would approve

In the true spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement, creativity has kept the Chipping Campden community ticking over during lockdown

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
The Cotswolds at war
Cotswold Life

The Cotswolds at war

These might be peaceful hills and vales, but our contribution to the war effort was considerable

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
Trust in good, local food
Cotswold Life

Trust in good, local food

‘I’ve been following The Country Food Trust’s activities with admiration since it was founded’

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Why Cath is an open book
Cotswold Life

Why Cath is an open book

Cath Kidston has opened up almost every nook and cranny of her Cotswold idyll in a new book, A Place Called Home. Katie Jarvis spoke to Cath ahead of her appearance at this year’s Stroud Book Festival STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL – THIS YEAR FREE AND ONLINE: NOVEMBER 4-8

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2020
From the Cotswolds to the world
Cotswold Life

From the Cotswolds to the world

Most people know that the Cotswolds have featured in a fair few Hollywood movies and TV series.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
The Wild Hunt
Cotswold Life

The Wild Hunt

In search of the legendary King Herla in the Malvern Hills

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Fighting spirit amid the flowers
Cotswold Life

Fighting spirit amid the flowers

Tracy Spiers visits Warwick, a beautiful town that is open for business and ready to welcome visitors

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020
Final journey
Cotswold Life

Final journey

Cheltenham author and volunteer on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), Nicolas Wheatley, recounts the fascinating story of funeral trains

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020