Swaledale and Wensleydale Environmental Farmers Group Host a Memorable Gathering
The Swaledale and Wensleydale Environmental Farmers (SWEF) Group were thrilled to welcome around 60 guests to the premier evening of the much-anticipated Audio-Visual History film, “The Dales – Farming a Living Landscape”. The event took place on 4th March at Wensleydale Rugby Club, bringing together a fantastic mix of local farmers, supporters, and friends of the dales.
Attendees included representatives from Natural Capital Advisory, Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the Farmer Network, underlining the collaborative spirit that’s so vital to our rural communities. The evening was a true celebration of the region’s agricultural heritage, expertly captured by Hutchinson Photography and Project Managed by Emma Orde-Powlett.
The film features an impressive line-up of local farming voices: Martin Calvert, Raymond Calvert, Steven Porter, Chris Porter, Adrian Thornton-Berry, Julia Carr, Tim Brown, Nick Prince, William Lambert, Adam Hunter, Stuart Raw and Andrew Holdsworth. Their stories and insights brought to life the challenges and triumphs of farming in the dales, offering a heartfelt tribute to the landscapes we all cherish.
No premier would be complete without good food, drink, and, of course, popcorn. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, with plenty of opportunity for discussion and camaraderie. The film received glowing feedback, sparking energetic conversations about how best to share its message more widely and explore its potential to influence future funding and policy for environmental farming in the area.
In addition to the film, the evening also included a comprehensive update from the SWEF Project Manager, who highlighted the progress and ambitions of current projects across Swaledale and Wensleydale. It was inspiring to see so many people invested in the future of our land and community. Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, and helped make the evening such a success. The positive energy and constructive ideas shared will no doubt help shape the next steps for both the film and our ongoing SWEF initiatives. Here’s to many more evenings celebrating the best of our Dales together!