In this interview Gordon gives his personal account of the changes in agricultural practices in the Rusland Valley over the past 70 years.
Gordon’s father first became a land owner when he bought Crosslands Farm in 1947. Gordon and his twin, Donald, worked the farm until 1994, gradually expanding its acreage and dairy herd. As rather innovative farmers, they ran flocks of both fell and lowland sheep and made an early move to silage production in the 1950’s, when tractors gradually replaced their two horses.
Gordon shares his thoughts about the loss of some agricultural land and a decline in the number of  family run farms.
Gordon has long been a much respected, highly active member of the Rusland Community, having been an early key member of Young Farmers and a range of other farming,sporting and leisure groups. He continues to participate fully in the Rusland Spring and Summer Shows where his dahlias usually take the honours

Gordon Wilkinson master edit

Lovely recollections of growing up in Oxen Park

Zella Slater Master Edit

Carol talks about a lifetime of sheep farming on the fells above Oxen Park at Abbot park farm

Carol Dickinson Master Edit

In this fascinating interview Ron shares his extensive knowledge of local history with us. Tales of the Bouth area and the changing landscape over the years abound as this talk reveals the secrets of the local area, and gives us insights into local houses, buildings and strange landscape features. Definitely worth a listen!

Ron Mein Master Edit

Cal Withers OH Master Edit

Dick Burrow Interview

Gordon Wilkinson & Cal Withers in conversation

Rusland Horizons: Oral Histories Project: Interview with Jim Johnson

Rusland Horizons: Interview with Jim Johnson

Interview with Iain Kellet, farmer at Finsthwaite

Iain Kellet Interview - Finsthwaite

Interview with Margaret Dryden, brought up in Tilberthwaite and brought up her children in Oxen Park

Interview with Margaret Dryden, originally of Tilberthwaite

Interview with Mike Thwaites, local master craftsman

Rusland Horizons

Popular tracks