Farmland

About half of Redmire Civil Parish is moorland or rough grazing. The other half, at a lower altitude, is mainly pasture with some meadow, and woodland. Farming is generally concerned with sheep or dairy. This involves both grazing and silage making. There is also a little hay making. The area used for dairy has declined, giving way to horses. All rely on grass. There is no permanent arable farming. Up to the late 20th century there were many small, mixed, farms. These have slowly amalgamated, giving fewer, but larger farms, but these are still local family buisnesses. Fields are bounded by a mix of drystone walls, hedges and post and wire fencing. Although there are some larger fields, the old medieval pattern of small fields is still evident on the ground. Evidence of past ridge and furrow ploughing and strip lynchets remain in present day pasture fields.

Slide 1: Sheep grazing in valley pasture. Wood End. Redmire. October.

Slide 2: Silage meadow seeded with triticale as a forage crop. Church Lane. Redmire. November.

Slide 3: Pattern of former ridge and furrow ploughing in pasture. Wood End. Redmire. December

Slide 4: Silage collection. Church Lane. Redmire. May.

Slide 5: Silage feed for sheep. Redmire Pastures. February.

Slide 6: Remains of wood pasture with Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna. Redmire Pastures. November.

Slide 7: Meadow with Buttercup and Pignut. Middle Road. Redmire. May.