Snowdonia: A Year on the Farm

It's winter in Snowdonia. As storms batter the mountains of north Wales, five farming families battle the elements to rear their animals as they prepare for a year like no other. On the slopes of Cadair Idris, husband and wife Ken and Lisa Markham are gathering their flock of Welsh mountain sheep into the pens, but with the wind and rain beating down, herding their animals is challenging work for them and their team of trusty sheepdogs.

It's lambing season in Snowdonia but as Covid-19 spreads across the world, Wales is in lockdown. The five farming families are left to film themselves during one of the busiest times of year. For the farmers of Eryri, spring means the joy of seeing new life arrive on the farms and in the fields. Their flocks of Welsh mountain sheep will all lamb within just a few weeks and many of the cattle are also in calf. It means long hours and lots of hard work for the families.

As summer arrives in Snowdonia, it's time for the farmers to gather their sheep off the mountain slopes ready for shearing. With a lot of livestock to round up and much ground to cover, a team of good dogs and good shepherds is vital.

It's the height of summer in Snowdonia and, for hill farmers, that means shearing time. It's an important job but also a chance for families and friends working and living Eryri to come together. Near Ysbyty Ifan, Beca Glyn and her family load their trailer to head up to the mountain where they shear their flock. Helping out is Beca's cousin Meredur a super-star shearer who travels the world with his trade. Beca hasn't picked up a set of shears in a few years but she's determined to improve her skills.

With summer making way for autumn, the farmers of Eryri begin to reap the fruits of their labour as they send their livestock to market and prepare for the winter months. On the slopes of Cadair Idris, husband and wife team Ken and Lisa Markham are rounding up their ram lambs. A local livestock buyer is coming to select the cream of the Markham's crop. The money made from selling these lambs will be the first major income raised from the farm for months.

Winter is around the corner and for the Snowdonia farmers it's time to look back on one extraordinary year and start planning for the next when the farming calendar begins again.