While shepherds watched their flocks...

Posted by Ian Brown on December 16, 2007 2:45 PM | Permalink

Is tradition a good thing? By definition it is something tested by time and the views of many -against an ever changing background. Two nativity plays at school and church have set this theme running in my mind. As regional chair of LEAF I also understand about a mix of traditional actions - such as rotations - being interlinked with the techno' solutions, such as GPS mapping of nutrient levels.

Christmas and New year is - while accepting the cultural mix elewhere in the UK - a time to think carefully about what course we should take in the next twelve months - farming circles have even more reason to be taking stock.

The biblical arrival of christ is about the last time shepherds were taken seriously so the fact they are once again troubled will probably be missed by many who need to be listening. The economy of our uplands are yet again in peril, although I notice last week that National Parks are in favour with Defra. Shooting, forestry and farming cattle or sheep in the semi-wilderness areas of the Northern Uplands is not a lot of fun. I was on Carlcroft Farm on the Scotland/England border and saw first hand the exposed nature of the grazing and how through Northumberland Tourism Partnership the story of the production can add value - at a time when the choice is a de-stocking of the hills.

My family hail from Elsdon, Northumberland and I understand why we moved nearer civilisation - as I prepare to fly out to Brussels tomorrow to talk about entrepreneurship across the 27 countries of Europe I am aware that there are many stories that we should all be giving some thought to over this holiday period.... and yes several of them involve shepherds!

Ian