English Pastoral by James Rebanks
James Rebanks was born into a line of farmers who have worked the same patch of land in the Lake District for generations. As a young man, he was expected to take over the farm and continue to manage it in much the same way as his father and grandfather. However, he recognised the unsustainable damage done by intensive farming practices and challenged the unquestioned traditions that he grew up with. When James’ father passed away, his grief was tangled in their years of disagreements over how to manage the farm.
This book is first an emotional story of love of land and personal grief, relatable to countless rural communities. It is also a story of hope, exploring the ways that passion and understanding of ecology can help us find sustainable ways to care for the natural world and honour a heritage.
This month’s location: Horton, South Gloucestershire