This year is the time for real change for farmers - Jill Thorp
It was a great relief to make it through the festive period with no emergency dash to our vets, no panicked phone call to Shona and no worrying wait to see if our little dog would survive.
Boo had managed to control herself and no mince pies were consumed. The fruit and nut mix remained safe and no raisins passed her lips.
There was no climbing up onto the kitchen work surface and raiding of cupboards and presents under the tree remained untouched.
Perhaps the speed at which Paul can polish off a box of mince pies meant she never got the chance to steal any or maybe old age has taught her to avoid them at all costs. Whatever the reason, she behaved.
The winter solstice was met with much relief by all, especially those that tend to livestock and work outdoors.
Whilst the ancient festivals and rites that were once celebrated on this significant day have long since dwindled and remain only in the history books, most will rejoice in the lengthening of days and shortening of nights.
Our farming forefathers would have held the winter solstice in high regard and worked their land and animals around the astronomical calendar.
For us, we’re just glad that the doom and gloom of darkness will soon ease. Spring will soon be upon us and the lambing fields alive with new life.
Calves will arrive and our beloved Curlews will once again soar overhead and the new sun will spread some much needed warmth.
Going into a new year with such unrest would ordinarily feel worrying and add to the ever present worry.
However, as I sit and watch with growing pride our fellow farmers stand up and make their voices heard, I can’t help but feel we’ve reached a turning point.
Whilst our main public service broadcaster seem loathe to give us any airtime and avoid at all costs any sort of acknowledgement of the mounting tensions in Europe, our voices are now being heard.
Crippling those people that provide food for their nation is utter lunacy and incredibly short sighted. However, I believe the tide will soon turn and people will take note.
Our own little farm, forever trapped between this fast moving world will be subject to big changes. None of us can escape that, but we too are not going down without a fight.
Too long have we worked this land, too long have we cared for our animals and the unique wildlife we share this windswept little part of the country with, to just walk away and accept the new changes.
None of us should be fighting battles, driving to London to be heard and absolutely not one single one of us should be fighting to keep our homes, our livelihoods.
Our time is spent on the hill, the lambing sheds, the wheat fields, the parlour, not battling our way through the choked, alien streets of the capital.
This new year will see change, real change. The message is clear and must be heard. Support us or lose us. And starve.