The Wonders of the Countryside

A new publication from Over the Field

It’s been rather quiet on Over the Field recently. As the year dies down and the festive season is in full swing, I suppose a lull in activity is fairly normal. The fact that we have finally just completed our house move to Sedbergh also plays a part! We moved in last Monday — and to give you a feel of how dense and rich the community is, we were immediately invited to a Christmas gathering at a neighbour’s house who saw us move in!

The view from our house that greeted us on our first morning.

Though the completed house move is news to celebrate, that is not why I have decided to publish one last post this year. I have some rather big news to share and that is I have just launched a sister publication to Over the Field — The Village Green.

I have realised that I was trying to cover too much on Over the Field. Many of you have signed up to receive posts on agrarianism and farming or on nature and ecology. You haven’t necessarily signed up to receive articles on British heritage, the wonders of the countryside, old churches, poetry, and British traditions. For that a separate publication is on order. Hence the genesis of The Village Green.

On The Village Green you can expect to read posts that tell the stories of our countryside and its inhabitants and posts that bring to life the features and particularities of our landscapes — enabling you to see Britain with eyes afresh and with a deeper understanding of how the countryside works and what makes it special. There will be posts on the wonder of local old churches, unique farming traditions, cherished traditions, and treasured species and rare breeds. And photographs. Lots of photographs. Some by others but many taken by myself as I travel around these green and pleasant lands. I hope those who live in Briton and those who live elsewhere will both find much to enjoy on The Village Green (and perhaps you will be in inspired to visit if you never have before).

I have decided that the great majority of these posts will be for paid subscribers only, though they will all come with a free preview which should give you a flavour of what is in store (£20 for a year). Being a full-time writer is not cheap or easy in this age of AI-enhanced competition and travelling around the country to see and take pictures of sites is not without cost. I hope you understand the need for the paywall. There will, however, be the odd free post and all the poetry pieces I publish will be free for all to read and enjoy.

If you are already a paid subscriber to Over the Field, you can comment below or message me for 6 months free subscription to The Village Green, and all Founding Members/Patrons will receive an ongoing free subscription to The Village Green if they message me that they want it.

Its also worth reminding that today and tomorrow are the last days where a paid subscription to Over the Field is on 25% off which you can take advantage of here:

Coming up on The Village Green will be an exploration of Europe’s oldest wooden Church (and the story engraved inside of the Wolf that guarded the King’s head); a feature on the Terrible Knitters of Dent; a feature on books to look out for in second hand shops that are gold mines for anyone who loves British heritage; and lots lots more.

Greensted, the Oldest Wooden Church in Europe.

If The Village Green seems like something you will enjoy I encourage you to subscribe below and if not, don’t worry. Over the Field will remain my main publication and I have some essays in the works that I look forward to sharing with you.

Thank you all again for your support this year

Warmly

Hadden