Sue Woodcock: A star is born as Brillo makes acting debut

The other will have to wait a few days until we finally catch her.

This is a stunningly beautiful part of the world, especially at this time of year. It is no wonder that we get so many visitors. The reality TV show that is coming to Grassington, which so many people were against, is still going ahead. I had occasion to wryly smile to myself when I was present at a group where the TV lady was talking to us, trying to get a flavour of village life here. One of us who had vehemently opposed the show was sweetness and light when she was asked to participate.

That afternoon I was involved in another filming activity. A company was making commercials for the internet for a firm that makes "exceedingly good cakes".

The film crew needed a lovely farmhouse and some impressive scenery. My place was too remote and too old-fashioned but they found the perfect place in Kettlewell. What they didn't have there were animals. They asked could I provide them with four chickens and a dog?

I agreed and having rushed round energetically catching the requisite chickens, stuffed them in cages and loaded all three dogs in the car and headed up the dale.

With a degree of trepidation I released them in the leafy lane and threw down some corn. I had visions of them taking off across the countryside. I should have had more faith. They behaved perfectly, looking seemingly calm and clucking at the right time. Once the scene was shot, an army of fit and keen film crew ably recaptured the birds and we secured them in the car. So far, so good.

While I was waiting I took the dogs down to the stream. The director saw them and immediately selected Brillo as his choice. The lovely actress was fortunately a dog lover and made friends with the little dog. When the time came we drove in the farmer's four-wheel-drive up to the top of the hill on a very bumpy track and started filming. I needed to be there as Brillo wasn't too sure of herself. As soon as she cottoned on to what she had to do, I saw a new side to her. Talk about being a prima donna! She made very sure that her best side was to the camera and that she looked cute, peering through the gate and I am afraid she rather stole the show. After so much adoration and attention Brillo is full of herself.

The fine weather has meant it is time for haymaking. The fields are now striped with the yellow of cut grass and the darker green of the cut hay. From dawn till dusk the tractors are working in the fields and wherever you drive it is behind trailers of cut grass blowing wisps everywhere. I love the smell of new-mown hay. Summer is here in all its glory and I can think of nowhere more beautiful.

The Grassington Festival is going well. Crowds of visitors throng the square listening to the excellent music and enjoying the entertainment. Happy people eating ice creams and using our local hostelries and cafs are all a welcome sight. It makes driving around hard work but it is good for the economy of the village. When I get up to my place I revel in the peace and tranquillity here. Sometimes I am just too busy to receive visitors and at other times I prefer to have my own space. I need time to see what is around me and to observe how nature is working and I love to watch the swallows during the day and the bats at night as they flit around and get on with raising their young. Everywhere there is new life and it is always a miracle to me anyway.