Alison O'Neill. Photo: Ian Lawson

Alison O'Neill, with boots. Photo: Ian Lawson

A walking guide dubbed the Barefoot Shepherdess will be the speaker at the Wainwright Society’s annual lecture.

Alison O’Neill, who lives and works on a farm near the Howgills is an advocate for the landscape of the area, and works as a shepherdess, farmer, walks guide and writer.

She said: “I believe in working with the landscape and not against it. If I don’t look after it, the landscape won’t look after me.”

Derek Cockell of the Wainwright Society, whose members are aficionados of the works of the late guidebook writer, said: “After an idyllic childhood running wild and barefoot on the hills, Alison left home as a teenager and travelled around Europe working in a number of big cities.

“Returning to Sedbergh in her early 30s she was horrified to find that the lifestyle she knew and loved was dying, with small farms being sold off to larger operators so she vowed to find her own farm and despite her lack of experience as a farmer, leased Shacklabank.

“She invested in a herd of beef cattle just before the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, which were going to be her main breadwinner; instead they nearly bankrupted her.

“She was forced to diversify and started guided walks across the fells, using the title the Barefoot Shepherdess. She developed such a good reputation that she found herself working across the Dales and Lakes.

“She then started giving talks about her life and lifestyle which again subsidised her income from the farm. Latterly, Alison has been promoting her own designs of tweed clothing. Her long term aim is to create tweed out of the wool from her own Kendal rough fell sheep, of which she has a flock of around 150.

“Her farm is managed on sound ecological principles. Much of the wildlife that left the surrounding areas has returned, from otters and local roe deer to butterflies and dragon flies.”

The lecture, on 25 October, costs £12, or £8 to Wainwright Society members. Tickets are available from Rheged.

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