Countryside

Kirree buzzes off to a bee auction, Simon talks dead slow - no change there then - and the Young Farmers get ready for their annual stage appearance 

The Laurel and Hardy of the Manx countryside return for a new series. Kirree chats with Alan Webster, a judge at the Grassland Society Awards, as well as competitor Will Duggan, whilst Simon catches up with one of the leading veg growers and suppliers on the Island, Stuart Allinson.

Kirree gets into her wet weather gear (no surprises there) to check out the annual Manannan Sheep Dog Trials at Bishopscourt Farm, whilst Simon goes back to school to see what's being taught in rural sciences at Ramsey Grammar School.

Simon and Kirree sample some of the delights of this year's Food and Drink Festival, including sea food, meats, sushi, chillis and natural dog food!

In a packed show, the dynamic duo check out two of the Island's best Horticultural Shows in Ballaugh and Ramsey, whilst Simon also checks out the vintage tractors at Ballacrebbin and horses and riders at the Manx Chasers National Qualifier at Ballig in Jurby.

Kirree heads north for an event at the Grove in Ramsey organised by Manx Carriage Driving for the Disabled whilst Simon drops into the annual produce show at St Johns.

Kirree checks out this year's Young Farmer's Field Day whilst Simon explores the fascinating museum which tells the story of the Knockaloe Internment Camp

Kirree talks to visiting young farmers at the Royal Show and the Secretary of the Southern show post event and the ever young Bob Kewley talks to Simon about a lifetime of visiting the Southern . .

Kirree and Simon report on the Royal Manx Agricultural Show 2023

They're back! The beauty and the beast of rural Manx life return for a new series - as Kirree looks back at his year's Southern Agricultural Show and Simon heads up the Sulby Horticultural Society Annual Show!

Kirree Kermode and Simon Clarke report on the wonderfully non-PC  and massively popular annual gathering which is the Young Farmers Concert at the Gaiety Theatre . . which had been postponed due to the March snow.

Kirree catches up with the indefatigable Ruth Mead from Red Mie Farm, whilst Simon tries to get to grips with Forsythia at the Ramsey Horticultural Spring event and admires the handiwork of members of the Manx Model Boat Club.

Kirree drops into the Manx Cat Cafe to see if things are still purring along one year in and Simon braves the rain to check out the Island's Orienteering scene

After a snowstorm on the Island, Simon talks to Michael Taggart about searching for sheep on the hills and hears about the postponement of the Young Farmers' Concert, whilst Kirree talks to Chris Kneale from the Rural Business Consultancy Ltd about reducing carbon footprints and the future of farming on the Island. 

Simon chats to farmer David Brew about about growing milling wheat on the Island after the closure of Ramsey Bakery, whilst Kirree heads up north to hear from the ladies of the Ramsey Dog Training Club as they prepare for Crufts . 

Simon tries to cadge a few free spuds from Regaby fruit and veg man Brian Radcliffe and Kirree finds out what's happening with the Southern Vintage Engine and Tractor Club

They're back! The Hit Man and Her of rural Manx life, Simon Clarke and Kirree Kermode return for a new series of Countryside. Tonight Simon has gone to nature and Kirree is chatting up a 92 year old ploughman . . .

Kirree chats with the Mart's auctioneer Peter Quayle about the last year's trade, whilst Simon heads south to chat to farmer and Cleveland Medal winning singer, Paul Costain

Simon talks to Neil Masson and his wife about their state-of-the art dairy herd whilst Kirree hears from Ned Kennaugh about farming back in times gone by!

Kirree drops into the Home of Rest for Old Horses to hear about their new plans and Simon chats with Manx Birdlife MD Neil Morris about Bird Flu on the Island and looking after your garden birds in the winter.

Kirree drops in to this year's Christmas Primestock Show at Knockaloe and the second part of the show at the meatplant.

Kirree visits the 65th Chrysanthemum and Produce show, while Simon finds out about a new mushroom business on the Island

Kirree heads to the Annual Bee Keepers Convention while Clarky channels his inner Viking and speaks to the man behind the new the Viking Village.

Kirree catches up with MNFU President Ean Parsons to see how the farming year has panned out whilst Simon goes to the dogs. Sheep dogs that is . . .

In the last of the current series, Simon and Kirree visit this year's Royal Manx Agricultural Show 2022 Simon heads down north to check out another community initiative in Jurby - brunch, munch and lunch. Or is it Munch, brunch and lunch? Who knows . . . 

Simon and Kirree take a trip to the Sulby Horticultural Show and look ahead to the Royal Manx Agricultural Show. Plus we hear what the Young Farmers are upto over the next few months.

Manx Radio's favourite son and daughter of the soil visit this year's Southern Agricultural Show and chat to some of the key characters

The team visit the sheepdog trials and discover a very international flavour to the event; Kirree looks ahead to the Southern show; and Clark meets the Queen. No, really!

Kirree hangs out with the likely lads at the Southern Vintage Engine and Tractor Club rally in Colby, whilst Simon fights the gales at the Andreas Summer fayre

A solo start to the new series for Kirree as Simon is down with the lhurgy  ..  . so she heads back to school to hear from students at the only school on the Island with an on-site farm.

Farmers on the Isle of Man have raised more than £10,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Ukraine at a special auction held by Central Marts.

Kirree went along and spoke to some of the people involved.

It's the one we've been waiting for! This week's double-length episode of Countryside features highlights from the 2022 Young Farmers Concert and interviews with performers, chairs, judges and other officials all recorded at the Gaiety Theatre. Grab a cuppa, or something stronger, and enjoy!

In this week's edition, KIrree takes a trip to the Braaid Eistedffod and looks ahead to the Cronk Y Voddy Spud in a Tub competition.

And Simon finds out more about the Northern Lights Choir and also orienteering in the Isle of Man.

This week on Countryside, Simon speaks with sheepdog trainer Richard Crowe from Bishopscourt Farm, about lambing, training and protecting sheep from dogs;  while Kirree speaks with Andree Dubbeldam about the Island's saplings and tree planting and also finds out about University College Isle of Man's agricultural courses with Alan Harrison and some of the students. 

Kirree heads to Billown Quarry to speak with people behind the University College Isle of Man Horticulture schemes and Simon visits the Managing Director of Manx Birdlife at the Point of Ayre, where a new nature reserve is being created.

Kirree speaks to Ian Hartley from Carrs Billington, a UK company that sells farming and agricultural supplies, who was the judge at the Manx Grassland Society Awards in January. Meanwhile, Simon's been to Ballakinnag Farm in Smeale to catch up with Dave Brew, who tells him the rising cost of fertiliser could have longterm effects on farmers and consumers alike.

Simon and Kirree are back with the first Countryside of the year. Kirree catches up with the organisers of the Young Farmers Concert and speaks with some of the famous faces queuing for the hottest tickets in town, while Simon finds out about the Isle of Man Ploughing Association's national event at their new venue in the North.

Kirree speaks to Peter Quayle, Simon visits a butcher in the North of the Island and Manx farmers have been receiving training in animal welfare standards. Plus, what will be on your table for Christmas dinner?

Simon catches up with Neil Young from Ronaldsway Met Office to discuss the impact Storm Barra had on the Island's agricultural and horticultural communities. Kirree speaks to Stephen and Ray Gawne at Pooil Vaaish. Then Simon finds out what the Isle of Man bloodhounds have been getting up to.

Produced by William King for Manx Radio.

Kathleen Graham from the Curragh's Wildlife Park reflects on the life of Kush the Red Panda, the Young Farmers are preparing for the Christmas Tractor Run, and Kirree teaches Simon all 'ewe' need to know about sheep basics.

Produced by William King for Manx Radio.

Kirree catches up with champions at the Christmas Primestock Show and the St Johns Honey Show and Simon visits the Ayre United Mhellia.

Produced by William King for Manx Radio.

Simon and Kirree speak to Chris Gregory from Isle of Play, members of the Federation of Young Farmers, and Simon reflects on a recent helicopter trip around the Island.

Produced by William King for Manx Radio.

Simon & Kirree explore Viking longhouses, lots of flowers and Dolphins too

Simon & Kirree discuss ploughing matches in the rain and getting crafty.

In the last of the current series, Kirree heads south to a tractor rally and Simon heads the opposite way - no change there then - to find out about farming in Smeale and how to count bats . . .

Kirree talks to MNFU president Tim Johnston and joins friends of MNH in Santon for tea and cake in a beautiful garden .. . while Simon celebrates camping in Ballaugh and tries to tempt Kirree under canvas again ..  

Kirree gets down with the cats at the island's first Manx cat cafe and Simon catches up with the ongoing work on Ramsey's Queen's Pier - and finds out about opening plans for its 135th anniversary this summer!

Kirree gets spiky with Sandy and pops along to harvest in the barn whilst Simon hears how contractors have been coping in the fields this year.

In the first of a new series, Simon and Kirree head along to the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival 2020.