Posted by Gordon on April 13, 2005 at 20:47:38 from 213.78.161.236 user Coniston_Old_Man.
Robert Hill's recent post suggests that Tyson's farm was based on High Yewdale, Coniston. Is this the case?
High Yewdale was given to the National Trust, along with other farms, by Beatrix Potter. For many years Johnny Birkett has been the tenant, and a better man the NT could not have wished for - but he is retiring in a few months time.
The National Trust has decided not to relet this farm - despite many potential tenants - but to break it up and lease the land to other local farms. This has caused a great deal of local concern. The NT says that the farm is no longer viable because of reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) but those against such a course point out that High Yewdalle is one of the better fell farms in NT ownership and that if that one is not 'viable' then very few are.
Local Coniston people have recently sent a 400 strong petition to the National Trust asking them to reconsider the matter - but it appears that the NT are prepared only to explain their action, not to change it.
I rather think that even the taciturn Tyson would have had something to say . . . . .