Category: Events

Written in the Land was designed to complement the Landscape Decisions programme, placing a focus on the decisions made every day by those who live and work in rural places. Representations of the British countryside are often strangely contradictory. Rural landscapes can become an ideological battleground for issues of policy, media and culture, but despite their inherent familiarity, they are also frequently portrayed as belonging to a different world, with opaque systems of conventions and rules.  

This sense of difference, the amorphous “non-urban” that surrounds the bulk of our population, has been heightened by a surge in popularity of writing which looks in at the countryside from the position of a visitor. It’s no coincidence that this kind of “nature writing” overlaps with travel writing, and while these writers respond to an important need for a predominantly urban UK majority, they also risk alienating voices which originate in rural landscapes. Of course, we don’t want to tear down the voices of nature writers, but balanced discussion requires counterargument and for that we need to amplify those voices which are so often spoken for, without speaking themselves.  

In our deeply historied island, landscapes are artefacts created by the long partnership of human activity and natural processes, and rural livelihoods exist within structures and systems that may be many centuries old. Despite this, the decisions we take every day in the countryside do not always feel like a conscious or strategic movement. Decisions take a variety of forms, and some may be just a small part of plans determined decades, or even lifetimes, beforehand. Working through a daily list of small chores or tasks, an over-arching decision might seem vastly abstract; there isn’t always time to zoom out and consider the strategic meaning of an action when sheep are off to market in the morning and there’s paperwork to do.  

The literal experience of landscape decision-making is frequently balanced against more immediate concerns, while also having complex roots in history, tradition, family and connection to place.  Such decisions cannot always be expressed in the formal language of policy and evidence, or even cause and effect, instead they shift into the worlds of feeling, of rightness, of what needs to be done. They are no less valid for that, and Written in the Land is our contribution to developing the skills required to articulate the rationales that underpin them.  

The pieces in this exhibition explore the varifocal experience of living and working in landscapes, of big issues and small decisions. Andy Roberts examines the root of his decision to step from suburban living into a life embedded in the countryside. Carey Coombs’ extract gives a snapshot of what it is to be an older farmer who has handed decision-making to a younger generation. Emma Hillier lays out the tension and strain of official decision-making when it might mean the destruction of your livestock. Jamie Forman takes us back to his childhood and the reality of a farming life, as opposed to the urban perception. Tom Dutson talks us through his landscape, reminding us how much we share the landscape with other forms of life making their own decisions. Kevin Ford vividly describes the exhausting and exhilarating decision after decision that is required at lambing time. Harry McKerchar brings us his lifetime of veterinary experience and humour, showing us that events can also be determined by chance.  

The stars of the show

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Emma Hillier runs a small livestock farm in Devon with her husband. Formerly an English teacher, her farming focus is on Devon ruby cattle and British Lop pigs. Read ‘It’s Monday Morning’

Jamie Forman is farmers’ son who has crossed over to land management. Brought up on a tenanted dairy farm in South Leicestershire, he now manages a large, publicly-owned estate in the East Midlands and lives surrounded by the countryside his family has farmed since the 1600s. As a result of Written in the Land he has started his own blog: Jamiewritestoo.wordpress.com Read ‘Winter Chores’

Andy Roberts is a countryman and field sports enthusiast with an interest in nature friendly farming. He lives in the urban fringes of South Yorkshire but has an affinity with southern Scotland. He is most content when exploring the fields, woods, estuaries, rivers and lakes with a dog at his side for company. Andy is vice-chair of the Wild Carp Trust conservation charity. Read ‘A thousand acres of sky’

Tom Dutson and his family have a small farm in the Lake District where they combine a forestry and sawmilling business with keeping rare breed cattle, sheep and goats. Tom enjoys working his native Dales ponies in the woods and on the farm. Listen to ‘Sunday morning meadow ramblings’

Harry McKerchar worked for forty years as a country vet in the Scottish Borders, treating all types of livestock, horses and pets. He has always had a passion for storytelling and now, in retirement, is trying to put his life experiences down for his family. Harry writes a daily post for a local wildlife group about what he sees on his walks, whether birds, beesties, farming, plants or fungi. He hasn’t missed a day since the first Covid lockdown. Read ‘Harry Houdini’

Kevin Ford lives on the edge of Salisbury Plain, near Stonehenge. He has been connected with agriculture all his working life, spending the first 23 years as a stockman, shepherd and livestock manager. Read ‘Lambing’

Carey Coombs farms close to Dunsyre, which lies at the southern end of the Pentland Hills. He breeds Beef Shorthorn cattle alongside a flock of Lleyn ewes. The farm is also home to a selection of horses, buzzards, roe deer, curlews, foxes, lapwings, skylarks, hares and peacocks. Read ‘Heather Lowpers’

Emily Diamand is a published author who won The Times prize for children’s fiction in 2008, and has been nominated for the Carnegie prize along with many other accolades. Emily describes herself as ‘a bookish child who always wanted to save the world’, her fantasy adventure stories come with an environmental twist, helped along by her experience of working with environmental organisations and in organic farming. After becoming a published author Emily went on to develop creative writing workshops and is active in promoting reading and writing, especially in her home county of North Yorkshire.

Patrick Laurie is a published author, farmer and freelance journalist with a long-standing interest in the environment. He writes a hugely popular blog Working for Grouse – in addition to writing and farming in the beautiful Scottish countryside, he works for Soil Association Scotland on a program which supports conservation projects on farmland, and contributes to writing courses – we don’t know where he finds the time!

The mentors

At the end of the course we asked participants for anonymous feedback including suggestions about how we could improve the course; we’re pleased to report that everyone enjoyed their time on the course and gave ‘very well delivered’ and ‘very useful’ ratings to our questions about delivery and content.

What (if any) difference has attending the course made for you?

“The topics covered have provided some extremely useful points of reference, things I can repeatedly come back to and work from and around. The practical tasks within each workshop were invaluable, a chance to immediately put into practice what had been discussed and not only get feedback, but also listen, learn from and get to know others on the course. The 1-2-1’s were very useful too, Emily gave feedback and explanations for her recommendations but also brilliant ideas and suggestions for where my writing could go and how I can bridge the gap between country sports and nature writing. I feel much more confident about my writing and am excited by the thought that a book is not beyond me!”

“Improved my writing, Voice, Character, Description Free writing, genuine pleasure. Decision now on My Stories, how to take them forward, and Nature writing /post/blog. All positive.” 

“The classes were well structured and provided very useful focused stimuli for important aspects of my writing. In addition it was a huge benefit to be in the ‘company’ of like minded writers.”

“The course has been really built my confidence as a nature writer and consolidated my feeling that the voices of farmers and land workers are an invaluable part of the genre moving forward. Not only this, but it has created an entirely new community of writers, with a range of different voices and background, who I am sure will remain in touch in the months and years to come. What a wonderful way to bring people together and create a sense of worth for those rural voices who are so often vilified or unheard. Emily and Patrick really are the ‘dream team’, and their skills complement each other perfectly, offering a wide range of techniques to those of us fortunate enough to have been part of this experience. Thank you so much, Landscape Decisions, for providing the funding. “

“As fairly new to writing, I found the course really fascinating, it opened a new vision on different aspects of writing as well as a new outlook when reading books”

“The course has opened up my writing. The discussion with mentors and fellow students has really helped me feel more at ease with my writing and given me the confidence boost to put my work out there in a more structured manner. The different sessions have helped in various ways, validating the knowledge I didn’t realise I had or opening my eyes to a different perspective on the work (and my thoughts).”

What could be improved? 

“Perhaps consider recording each workshop and making these available to those attending. it would be nice to watch and revisit each workshop again for reference and motivation.”

“More one-to-ones, found that positive criticism extremely helpful. Like minded participants, all with positive feed to each other.”

“Not much, but could possibly have been a better outline delivered at the start so participants had a better idea of what to expect. Also it has been slightly unclear as to how much writing is appropriate for submission for scrutiny by the tutors.”  

“Nothing!”

“There was so much to take in, the course could have been a couple of weeks longer, just to help absorb all the information”

“Perhaps some accompanying notes. More sessions.”

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

“I mentioned a class of 2021 re-union of sorts in the future, would be great to catch up in a year’s time and see how everyone is progressing. Other than that, I’d just like to say thank you, both Emily & Patrick have been brilliant, very encouraging and so willing to share their knowledge and experiences. I feel very fortunate to have been able to take part and learn so much.”

“Was not aware of exhibition , very keen to continue with creative aspects of course. Too short.” 

“I hope you can keep these valuable courses going.” 

“Well, only one thing! I would love to be part of an extended course, which builds on the work already delivered. I also think a residential, which took place in one of the landscapes we all so clearly love, would be a wonderful idea!”

“Just to say Emily and Patrick’s presentation and approach to the subject  were clear, concise and very informative.”

“I’ve really enjoyed participating in the course, it’s been an invaluable journey into my writing and very enlightening view of the writing process via the thoughts and experiences of Emily and Patrick.”