Countryside

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.