A Celebration of Hill Farming Communities and the Uplands

Hill farming communities play a vital role in many areas of our lives, literally providing access to everything from food to fresh air. Food and Farming for REAL is organised by farmers and small businesses who believe passionately in the preservation of the uplands and the communities that depend on them.

Your support presented in a petition at No.10.

Following the success of the REAL showcase at Kilnsey Show, where in excess of 2000 people signed a petition pledging their support of the English Uplands, and an attendance at Masham Sheep Fair where the public also gave generous support to the petition, 5 members of the REAL and Kilnsey Show committees traveled to London. The aim of the day was to meet with Ministers and discuss some of the problems affecting Upland communities.

The meeting, which was set up to highlight the fact that many English small hill and moorland farmers are crumbling under the pressures of grant changes, bureaucratic costs and low prices caused by competition from other countries and disease problems like Foot and Mouth and Bluetongue, was attended by William Hague MP , Anne Mackintosh, Robert Goodwill, David Curry and the shadow agriculture Minister Jim Paice .

A report of the show, together with the petition was then presented at No 10 Downing Street with the message: “Thank you for the support provided to the uplands in the past – here is the demonstration of the success we have achieved with it. But… what are the plans for the future? Will the government now confirm the uplands will be given the same level of support for the future as it has had to date?”

We don’t have a Minister with specific responsibility for the Uplands. The importance and diversity of the English Uplands encompassing so much more than farming should be recognized and nurtured

The Food and Farming For Real campaign is calling for a full review of Upland areas to be undertaken. The factors that should be considered in this review should take into account all the deliverables from these areas including - food security, extensive production, carbon footprint, tourism, leisure pursuits, contribution to the local economy and the importance of the Uplands as a natural heritage

Businesses in the Uplands will do all they can to maintain these wonderful areas, but it is now time for Government to say what is wanted from these areas and how they are to be saved for the future

Childrens Cookery Theatre will have award winning chef.

There will be a children's cookery theatre at the show this year with award winning chef Andrew Wood.

Andrew won a Gold medal in the 2006 Salon Culinaire de Londres competition, one of the world's most prestigious professional culinary competitions.

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So what now?

We intend to develop the REAL idea and will begin this by using the website as a centre for news, information and resources. We would welcome any feedback you might have and any suggestions for what might be included in the site. Please feel free to get in touch with us at info@foodandfarming4real.co.uk

Food and Farming for REAL are pleased to support the ARC Addington Fund.