New photography exhibition spotlights the crucial role of women in upland farming

A home-grown exhibition has opened in Lancashire, celebrating the pivotal role women play in the success of family farms in the remote uplands of the Forest of Bowland.

‘Empowering Women: Champions of Upland Farming’ is a collection of portraits and interviews which capture the essence of life on upland family farms in remote rural areas like the Forest of Bowland.

Dedicated to women in farming around the world, the exhibition has been curated by Tarja Wilson, from the Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership, who has worked with farming communities for more than 30 years.

The portraits are accompanied by snippets of recorded interviews with female farmers and a soundscape recorded and arranged by local artist Rob St John as part of his ‘Are You Lost?’ project. Are You Lost is part of the nationwide National Landscapes Association ‘Nature Calling’ outdoor community arts programme.

The women portrayed in the exhibition live and breathe family farm life in the Forest of Bowland and play a pivotal role in the future of farming at a time of sweeping changes in the agricultural sector.

The exhibition focuses on women like Sarah Whitwell, who runs a 185-acre mixed dairy and sheep farm with husband Graham on the edge of the picture postcard village of Waddington. And despite working in an utterly idyllic location, Sarah doesn’t sugar-coat the reality of life of a family farm.

“When it’s pitch-black and hailing sideways at 4.30am on a February morning and you’ve got to go and find a ewe who’s struggling to deliver, then make sure you’re back to get the kids up and give them breakfast, before taking them to school and maybe grabbing a bite to eat – and then your day job starts – you do sometimes ask yourself why you put yourself through it.”

The exhibition opens at Clitheroe Castle Museum on June 6 and will tour various locations across the Forest of Bowland during the summer – with a showcase finale at the Hodder Valley Show in September.

Posted
21st May 2025
in News