INFORMATION

General Information

During the year 2000 D J Clark built a visual record of the Lancaster & Morecambe district using photographs and information submitted by those that feature in the pictures. The project was conducted in association with Lancaster Museum and has been archived for future generations to look back at the district at the turn of the new Millennium. For more information on the project visit the information page. If you find a caption is wrong or there is a fault with the page please e-mail D J Clark.

Date: August 29th, 2000
Location: Over Wyresdale

Photographer's Diary

August 29th - Tuesday - Catshaw Farm

I was introduced to John Drinkhall at the Bowland Initiative some months previously. He was a very modern looking man who spoke frankly but intelligently. I had asked to spend a day on a farm and this was one of two that were suggested. John farmed with his Uncle Tom, three sons and two farm hands. The farm was rented, as was all the farms in this area from the Duke of Westminster. A wealthy man who mixed in the highest circles and also happened to own most of the trough of Bowland.

It was a 6 AM start and I was late. A clear blue sky made the morning more attractive though I was never one for mornings. I drove down the long drive to his house, only to find no one about. I followed the cows and ended up in the milking shed along with John and two of the workmen. I introduced myself and began taking pictures. I was expected, the Internet site ran before me as all had logged on and found pictures from previous excursions to the area.

It was a long hall to breakfast. I jumped on the back of a quad bike and was given a tour of the farm. It was all sheep and cows, as far as the eye could see. After breakfast I met the boys, all very confident and hard working. I was amazed to see the youngest jump into a tractor and drive it off around the farm. It was a fun life for them but I kept thinking of how hard it must be as well.
Coffee break came sooner than I thought followed by a sheep sighting exercise. After lunch, another hearty meal I shot some efforts to clear some land to make an entry to a new barn, followed by the beginning of Siloing. Before leaving Mrs Drinkhall, took me down the valley to meet the game keeper. He was there to feed the grouse. A strange but old custom of the Duke's was to breed Grouse and Pheasant so he could shoot them ? I somehow wonder how long this will go on.

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