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A Merry Country Christmas - let's enjoy it

21 December, 2001

John Sheard argues that, after an appalling year, we deserve to let our hair down.

BY ANY stretch of the imagination, 2001 was an awful year in the countryside: millions of farm animals destroyed, hundreds of businesses pushed near to - or into - bankruptcy, and a Government which is still fumbling to come to terms with many rural issues.

Well, a black year is nearly over. It's Christmas. And there are signs that things may be getting better. So let's enjoy it.

In the past few days, there has been good news. The Yorkshire Dales National Park yesterday announced that it would be reopening footpaths in Wensleydale and Bishopdale in time for the holiday - and hopes to have more open in the Settle-Skipton area very soon.

The Dales Recovery Appeal announced that it had passed its ambitious £1 million target by more than £150,000 - and will soon have distributed half a million of that.

Many species of British birds are making a comeback after years of decline, according to the latest census (see News). The French have been found guilty of illegally blocking Britain's £400 million beef exports (although this story is nowhere near its end).

And Prince Charles himself popped in for a pint at the local in Stainforth.

All this, I hope, shows that people do care about our countryside. It augers well for the future and although there will be a bumpy ride ahead, maybe we countryfolk are not quite so isolated as we feared.

However, as I have said many times before in this column, we can also do much to help our neighbours, our local businesses, and ourselves. So here is Sheardie's guide to a Merry Country Christmas:

Buy much of your Yuletide food and grog in local shops rather than go to town-based supermarkets.
If you're going out for a meal, chose a local restaurant.
Have a pint in the local, like HRH. The landlord needs the business.
Go to church, even if you are not a regular worshipper. That, too, needs your support - and everyone loves Christmas carols anyway.
Then put your feet up and relax. You've deserved it.

I join with all the Daelnet team in wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

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