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Women and rural life

Women from Carmarthen to Cumbria to Somerset talk about the challenges and pleasures of leading a rural life: flooding, support for older people, running a business and farming.

Jane Garvey speaks to women from Carmarthen to Cambridgeshire and Cumbria to Somerset to get a sense of the challenges and pleasures of leading a rural life.
We speak to three women about the impact flooding on the Somerset Levels has had on their lives.
Julia Wilson from the Rural Development Council, Cumbria and Melanie Murdoch of AGE UK in Cambridgeshire discuss the challenges of isolation in rural communities.
23 year old Caryl Hughes is the first young person to be awarded a one year scholarship to run the National Trust's Llyndy Isaf farm in Snowdonia - she gives us a tour of the sheep farm and tells us about her love of what's considered to be one of the most beautiful hill farms in Wales.
And Women in Rural Enterprise was set up ten years ago by Polly Gibb and now has 60 networks around the country. We talk to Polly about setting up a rural business along with Helen Culshaw of Ascendency Internet Marketing and Rebecca Rayner of Glebe Farm Foods.

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58 minutes

Last on

Mon 5 May 2014 10:00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4

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Somerset levels of flooding

This winter was the wettest in England and Wales since 1976 and Somerset was one of the worst hit areas, where more than 600 houses had been flooded. Sarah Swadling went to the Somerset Levels to meet three women rebuilding homes and businesses in the aftermath of the flooding.ÌýÌý

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Challenges of rural life

Julia Wilson, Rural Community Council Cumbria (RCCC) andÌýMelanie Murdoch, Age UKÌý discuss discuss the challenges of rural life.

Welsh Sheep Farmer

Not many 23 year olds get the chance to take charge of a 614 acre Welsh hill farm, but Caryl Hughes is doing that right now.ÌýÌý Caryl is the first young person to be awarded a one year scholarship to run the National Trust’s Llyndy Isaf Ìýfarm in Snowdonia in North Wales.ÌýÌý The farm is considered to be one of the most beautiful and iconic in Wales and was acquired by the Trust in 2011 following a million pound fundraising campaign.ÌýÌýThe scholarship is run jointly by the National Trust and the Wales Young Farmers’ Club.Ìý Caryl – accompanied by her sheep dog, Mist – moved onto the farm last September.ÌýÌý Since then she’s concentrated on re-establishing the farm’s livestock and now has more than a hundred sheep and some Welsh Black cattle.ÌýÌýLouise Adamson has been to meet Caryl at her busiest time of the year – lambing.ÌýÌý

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Women in rural business

Polly Gibb, director of Women in Rural Enterprise (WIRE), ÌýHelen Culshaw, Ascendancy Internet Marketing and Rebecca Rayner, organic flour producer discuss.

Credits

Presenter Jane Garvey
Producer Kirsty Starkey
Interviewed Guest Bryony Sadler
Interviewed Guest Marion Hilling
Interviewed Guest Heather Venn
Interviewed Guest Julia Wilson
Interviewed Guest Melanie Murdoch
Interviewed Guest Caryl Hughes
Interviewed Guest Polly Gibb
Interviewed Guest Helen Culshaw
Interviewed Guest Rebecca Rayner

Broadcast

  • Mon 5 May 2014 10:00
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4

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  • Woman's Hour

    Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.