What’s in this issue?
8 May 2025 marks 80 years since VE Day – victory over Hitler and fascism in Europe. It’s also a momentous anniversary as that brave generation who fought the war - abroad and on the home front - begin to march into history. In a 14-page special, Dr Tessa Dunlop talks to some of those precious veterans who remember the war and VE Day, and we look at the commemorative events being held to mark the occasion. We’ll also focus on the critical role that the countryside and food production played in World War Two.
Elsewhere, as the campaign to stop the damaging family farm tax continues, we’ll provide you with all the latest campaign news, and chef Miranda Gore Browne cooks up some delicious recipes with seasonal, British ingredients.
Finally, footballing legend and keen fisherman David Seaman tells us what are the three things he just can’t live without!
Also
in this edition…
- Stop the family farm tax - The campaign to stop the damaging family farm tax continues and we provide you with all the latest campaign news.
- View from the Farm – Joe Stanley is preparing the farm’s crops for spring and undertaking maintenance work on trees and hedgerows.
- Climate-friendly farming- We visit Dalefoot Compost in Cumbria who use sheep’s wool and bracken to produce environmentally-friendly compost.
- Celebrate Great British Beef Week with delicious recipes for a summer vegetable and beef traybake, plus, asparagus, pea and pancetta tart, and rhubarb meringue slabs from Miranda Gore Browne.
- Weaving a tail – Charlotte Reather finds out about the rare and unusual craft of horsehair weaving.
- Test your grey matter with our quizzes, crossword, word searches and puzzles!
- From the wilds of the Himalayas to the peaks and troughs of Tulipmania, tulips have emerged from a long and tumultuous history to take centre-stage in fabulous festivals the world over, as Nicola Stocken discovers.
- Walking – We chat to author Raynor Wynn, as her book ‘The Salt Path’ is made into a film starring Gillian Anderson and Jeremy Isaacs.
- Buyer’s guide – Fancy a little of the extraordinary in your next off-road vehicle? James Andrews ventures off-piste into the wacky world of imports and conversions.
- Tessa Dunlop looks at the formation and achievements of the Women’s Land Army during World War Two – in the battle to feed Britain.
- Diary dates - As the days lengthen, we’ll be giving our handy guide to all the shows and events to attend in rural Britain this month.
- Three things I can’t live without… With footballing legend David Seaman. Known as ‘Safe Hands’, he won 75 caps for England and a slew of trophies with Arsenal FC
