Archive

  • Swarm control methods

    IF bees didn't sting and swarm nearly everyone would want to keep them on their smallholding so that they could enjoy having their own honey for breakfast. We can't do much about beekeepers getting the odd sting, because it is an occupational hazard,

  • The new goatkeepers' guide

    LAST time we looked at goats for a purpose and assuming, as a smallholder, you are looking for a productive goat, eventually you are going to end up with a "goat with an udder." When looking at the fibre and meat producing goats, we need only consider

  • Striving for top quality fibre

    ANYONE who has had the good fortune to feel a garment or other product made from fine alpaca will realise what a superb fibre it is. Light, warm and non-allergenic, it has been likened to cashmere. However, we must be realistic and acknowledge that the

  • MAY 2007

    May 3-6 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials - 01454 218272 www.badminton-horse.co.uk 5 Plant Fair - hundreds of plants including rare species and historic walled garden open all day. Crug Farm, Caernarfon in aid of Welsh Historic Gardens Trust

  • Good news from the Royal

    THE Poultry Show at the Royal Show, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire takes place from Sunday 1 July to Tuesday 3 July 2007. There are classes for Large Fowl, Bantams, Ducks, Geese, Turkeys and Eggs along with poultry themed handicraft classes as well. The

  • Planning permission for polytunnels

    I DON'T know if you are aware, but many councils are now insisting on planning permission for polytunnels. There is a petition against this at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/noPP4polytunnels/ (No Planning Permission for Polytunnels) "Polytunnels are a

  • Do you recognise this pear tree?

    WHEN this photograph was taken, the row of pear trees was a hundred years old. The tallest one on the right of picture produces bullet hard, dark green, usually small and sometimes deformed fruit. Once you have learnt when to pick them, how to store them

  • MAY 2007

    GREEN issues are everywhere, the news, the papers, the shops - all are paying anything ranging from lip service to real attention to the threat of climate change and ecological disaster caused by humans.But look through Smallholder from the seventies

  • Enter the Calor Rural Pub in the Community Award 2007

    IS your village pub the heart of your community, the life and soul of your village? Is it much more than just a place to eat, drink and be merry? Perhaps it doubles up as a post office or shop? Maybe it provides a much-needed créche facility or acts