Keld Charity Tractor Run - May 2021

 Keld Charity Tractor Run 2021 in aid of Parkinsons UK

On Sunday 29th May 2021 twenty six tractors and their passengers left Pry House Farm, Keld in Upper Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales on a 28 mile run to raise funds for Parkinsons UK.

The tractors passed through the villages of Thwaite and Muker before heading towards the open fell and some tricky off-road sections.

From start to finish the sun shone in the bluest of skies.  As the tractors trundled along, smiles were broad, children waved and people gave most generously.  The atmosphere was amazing!

The Yorkshire flag was flying, Parkinsons t-shirts were worn with pride and the Parkinsons UK balloons, tied to tractor mirrors & grills, helped to promote the cause.

Leaving the leafly lanes in the valley bottom behind the tractors make their way up on to the open fell 

and further still to the top of the world!

The tractors come in all colour ........

shapes .....

....... and sizes

Some carry passengers in specially designed seats ....

....... however modern tractors have passenger seats as standard. 

After several miles of tractor driving the lunch stop is a welcome break.

A time to relax, catch up with like minded friends and generally talk tractors!

From the oldest tractor driver to the youngest passenger (on her very first tractor run!) everyone had a memorable and enjoyable day.

We chose Parkinsons UK as this year's charity to support our good friend Caroline who has had Parkinsons for 19 years.  As with all conditions it is only through dedicated research that progress is made and the benefits passed on to those who need them.  The tractor run, raffle and generous donations from well wishers and by standers made in excess of £1000.  A huge thank you to everyone who helped to raise this fantastic total which far exceeded anything we could have dreamed of.

 

A Homemade and Locally Produced Yorkshire Welcome

~ Upper Swaledale Holidays ~

Where the welcome is warm, homemade or locally produced

At Pry House Farm B&B we use locally produced products whenever possible.  Rydale Preserves for breakfast marmalade and conserves, Wensleydale Creamery for butter and Ann Forshaw's farmhouse yoghurts.

The Home Farmer Milk Vending Trailer has been providing milk for the past 3 years. The milk comes from their free range herd of 100 cows that graze the rolling hills of Wensleydale for as long as the Yorkshire weather allows before being brought into sheds for the winter.

I regularly use the Vending Trailer and often take friends to experience buying locally produced milk in a glass bottle.  I love the idea of getting back to using glass bottles instead of plastic.  The uniqueness of the converted horse trailer is pure genius. It is moved daily and can be found in a different Wensleydale village each day.

In addition to milk The Home Farmer also makes their own Wensleydale cheese.  Handmade on the farm using a slow traditional recipe their cheese, Old Roan, is smooth, creamy and flavoursome. 

https://www.thehomefarmer.co.uk/p/homepage.html

Baking day - a batch of homemade Herdwick shortbread biscuits!

 Farmhouse bed & breakfast, self catering holiday cottage or glamping in the Shepherd's Hut? We aim to make your stay memorable and special.  See you soon!  

 

Lambing Time on the Farm

 Lambing Time at Pry House Farm

Lambing is a busy time on the farm.  Hundreds of lambs are born between mid April and the end of May.  Some of our sheep have their lambs in the buildings in the yard but many more have them in the fields surrounding the farmhouse and the Shepherd's Hut

Every year brings its problems. Spring 2021 has been particularly cold.  Hard frosts every night during April and snow at the beginning of May has held back any new spring grass. Our sheep are hungry and now more than ever, when they are rearing lambs, they need plenty of feed.

The arrival of the the quad bike & trailer with hay for the feeder soon attracts a crowd.

But its the rattle of sugar beet in a bag that has the sheep running from every direction.

This and all the lambing antics of the day is in full view of the farmhouse and Shepherd's Hut providing endless hours of entertainment.

Seasons on the Hill Farm

 Seasons on the Hill Farm by David Ian Short

A photographic view of the work and lives of a farming family in a North Yorkshire dale.

Ian Short is a well known photographer based in Richmond.  He runs photography courses for experts and beginners and often brings his students to Birkdale   https://www.ianshortphotography.co.uk/   

It has been an ambition of Ian's to create a photographic book of Birkdale and Upper Swaledale showcasing our beautiful dale through the seasons.  For a few years Ian has shadowed Chris, Raymond and Andrew as they have gone about their work on the farm, in the meadows & pastures and on the moor.  He has taken photographs at Tan Hill Show, Muker Show and the auction marts.  Seasons on the Hill Farm features over 200 photographs and covers all aspects of hill farming life in the upper dale.  

In addition Ian has captured the dramatic, unspoilt beauty of Upper Swaledale; the changing colours of the seasons, the visiting wildlife, the waterfalls and wild flowers.

Printed on top quality paper and elegantly bound, Season on the Hill Farm costs £15.00 plus postage & packing.  The book is being sold on a not-for-profit basis with all monies made being donated to charities that will benefit the dale.  If you would like a copy please email glenda_calvert@hotmail.co.uk

Seasons on the Hill Farm is the realisation of Ian Short's dream. In part the Calvert family have enabled that however I firmly believe that it is the Calverts who are the winners.  Seasons on the Hill Farm is a tribute to our work and way of life and legacy for generations of Calverts to come.  Thank you, Ian.    

The winter of 1979 and a remarkable rescue

 The Winter of 1979

People talk about the bad winters of 1947 and 1979 when it snowed for weeks or even months on end. The winter of 1979 is the most memorable for the present generation and it is the year of a remarkable rescue of two young Dutchmen by Clifford Harker who lived and farmed at Pry House Farm at that time.

Today (8/01/2021) I have been on the moor with Chris to feed the White Spots heft of yows where the rescue took place. The photo above shows the remains of the 2 hay stores that were pivotal to the story. The corrugated roof in the foreground is all that remains of the hay store where Clifford was getting hay for his sheep. The old railway hut beyond was where the two young men were sheltering having got their car stuck in a snow drift close to Tailbrigg Hill. When Clifford came across them the younger man was not in good shape but there was no alternative but to walk the three & a half miles back to Pry House Farm - no 4 wheel drive tractors or quad bikes in those days.

As I travelled back to the farm in the safety of our tractor I marvelled at the toughness and the sheer strength of character of the farmers of that generation who walked for miles to tend their stock every day no matter what the weather threw at them. In the winter of 1979 Chris remembers walking onto the moor with his father to feed the sheep for 23 consecutive days, the road being unpassable by vehicles of the day. It is without doubt that Clifford's dedication to the welfare of his sheep resulted in two lives being saved.

For the full story click here http://pryhousefarm.blogspot.com/2015/07/1979-blizzard-victim-returns-to-pry.html

Locked down, Snowed in but not Down & Out!

 A walk on the wild & wintery side to Birkdale Tarn

'When you're down and troubled' ..... 'take a walk on the wild side'.

Mixed lyrics but not a mixed message - walking is such a good tonic

Birkdale Tarn, remote and frozen.  I didn't test the ice.  I didn't even go down to the waters edge.  I'd already waded through snow drifts that almost stole my wellies so I was taking no chances.  The day was calm & still but the risk of snow coming from nowhere was ever present and I was on my own. 

So reluctantly I turned and headed back, following my footprints until home came into view.

Walking on the Snow Line

 Walking on the Snow Line

Flinging back the curtains to find the tops glistening white and a distinct snow line is an exciting start to the day during a winter break at Hillcrest Cottage, Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales.     

A short drive out of the village and rising only a few hundred feet , you are soon walking along the snow line.

 Crisp under foot, blue skies above, hardly a breath of wind and miles and miles of footpaths to yourself.

The snow that was tantalisingly close from the window is soon a reality.  A winter wonderland to explore, a dream cottage to return to, good food to enjoy, a log burner to warm heart & body, a holiday to lift the spirits.

Details of where to walk, the best places for food and insider tips of how to get the best from your holiday will be sent to you before you arrive.  http://www.upperswaledaleholidays.co.uk/hillcrest.html 

Looking forward to welcoming you already.