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George Henderson and The Farming Ladder

Sybil Ruscoe finds out about George Henderson, the Cotswold farmer who inspired WWII soldiers to take up farming. His widow Elizabeth explains why his writing was so influential.

Sybil Ruscoe finds out about George Henderson, the innovative Cotswold farmer and writer who inspired soldiers returning from WWII to take up farming.

His widow Elizabeth - who arrived at Oathill Farm as a landgirl - explains why his writing was so influential. His book, 'The Farming Ladder' - published in 1944 - persuaded her, and many others, that small farms could be highly productive. She and her children are joined by Graham Harvey, the agricultural story advisor on The Archers, who is so impressed by what George Henderson achieved that he's written a play about him.

We also meet George's granddaughter Kate, who's in her early 20s, and is continuing the family's work on the farm today.

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22 minutes

Last on

Sun 24 May 2015 06:35

Broadcast

  • Sun 24 May 2015 06:35