What’s in this issue?
With Christmas now firmly on the horizon, we’ve gone behind the scenes at a festive tractor parade in Leicestershire. They’re an extraordinary sight – with hundreds of tractors driving along country roads and through market towns, and the farmers themselves put in a huge amount of effort to decorate their powerful steeds, raising tens of thousands of pounds for local charities in the process. We’ve also included a quick guide to a dozen festive tractor runs around the country on page 120, but it’s worth Googling your nearest one and jumping in the largest vehicle you can find with friends and family and going along. Elsewhere in this edition, we’ve got a 17-page guide to all your festive food needs, plus a fabulous competition to win a racing weekend in Cheltenham.
Also
in this edition…
- ‘Buy My Turkey’ - we look at the annual NFU campaign to encourage consumers to buy a farm-fresh, British whole turkey for the festive season.
- Chef Miranda Gore Browne is focusing on the trimmings that accompany the Christmas dinner and has five great ways to jazz up your festive feast.
- Competition time - win a racing weekend to Cheltenham to attend Festival trials day in January!
- We’re used to bringing a tree in every year, but what do we know about the varieties we choose – what has influenced their shape, roots and colour? Why do they have needles, why do they produce oils and what’s the purpose of their scent?
- Is it possible to decorate your garden and outdoor spaces for Christmas? Nicola Stocken attempts to stay classy…
- Buyer’s guide - we’re looking at practical accessories for your 4x4 or pick-up – from roof racks to dog crates.
- Farmer Joe Stanley reports back from the farm and explains the value of planting clover to the farming toolbox.
- Emily Scaife takes us around the country to the rural places that were important to Sir Winston Churchill as we celebrate 150 years since his birth.
- Top of the crops – Michael Barker focuses on the festive vegetable that’s a must-have at Christmas, the parsnip.
- Christmas gift guide - 50 great Christmas present ideas for nature lovers, dog owners, gardeners and country folk!
- If you’re on your festive travels over the next few weeks, how do you look after your dog and ensure they don’t suffer from separation-anxiety?
- Nature Magpie - A look at the iconic British bird, with an inextricable link to Christmas, the robin
