On March 1st at the Hired Lad, Penrith Auction Mart, the Federation of Cumbria Commoners will be celebrating fell farming culture.
Well known speakers

The Federation is bringing together well-known speakers and a film maker to share their work on the history, heritage and culture of the farmers and shepherds who use common land.

Angus Winchester, University of Lancaster has recently published “Common Land in Britain” which investigates every facet of common land from the medieval period to present day. Angus will focus on the history of heafs and hefting.

Andrew Humphries, a driving force behind the formation of the Federation of Cumbria Commoners, was Vice Principle and Hill Farm Director at Newton Rigg College, Cumbria. Andrew taught countless shepherds the skills of sheep farming while at the same time gaining insights into local commoning culture. He will share his thoughts on commoning culture and why it endures today.

Documentary film maker

Sarah Beddington, a documentary film maker based in London is currently making “ON COMMON LAND” a feature length film taking an in-depth look at hill farmers across the Lake District National Park at this critical time for them. Sarah will be screening an 8-minute film that was shown at the Oxford Real farming Conference in January.

A look at changes in the last 20 years

Finally, we are close to completing the data collection to update the 2025 Lakeland Shepherds’ Guide. Jennifer Dodsworth will give a summary of changes we’ve noticed in the past 20 years.

The AGM and conference start at 2.00pm. Tea and coffee provided. All members welcome. For further information please contact Viv Lewis, Administrator on 07748185049 or email viv@cumbriacommoners.org,uk