readers & reading

A book that changed everything

James Rebanks describes reading a book which changed 'everything'. Can you name a book which did the same for you? ...

Read More

a quote to note

A new breed of cultural object

I loved the unashamed enthusiasm of this statement, Rebanks having dedicated his life to preserving both this rare, tough breed...

Read More

put in a good word

Jantelagen

A Swedish word used in the north of England – the unwritten rule that forbids anyone to feel or act...

Read More

put in a good word

Hefted

The sheep are ‘hefted’, taught a sense of belonging to a place by their mothers when they are lambs.   They...

Read More

a quote to note

In praise of clannish cattle

A charming tribute to cows by a man better known for being a sheep farmer. 

I had forgotten how...

Read More

a quote to note

Choking on our freedoms

James Rebanks is a pithy and compelling writer and an impassioned farmer.  I loved and celebrated his

Read More

metaphors

Opinion

A lovely quirky way to illustrate how far a prized tup has divided opinions.   A tup is a ram, Marmite...

Read More

a quote to note

Tell them

This fellow farmer may have encouraged James Rebanks to write his clear-eyed, concise and moving account of the changes witnessed...

Read More

a quote to note

Thoughts on modern life

I found this passage striking and moving, perhaps putting its finger on the pulse of much contemporary malaise. It feels...

Read More

put in a good word

Shearling

A ewe who lambs for the first time.

...

Read More

a quote to note

This is my life

This statement of arrow-straight simplicity could serve as an occasional sanity check. If it rings true, we’re on track. If it causes a flinch or a...

Read More