On Saturday November 18, between 10am and 3pm, farmers, producers, fellow foodies and artisan crafters will come together to showcase their wares at the free event. Visit the new exhibition by Amy Bateman in our People’s Gallery from the 16th of November until the 23rd of March 2024. Amy is British Life Photographer of the Year. She is the author and photographer behind the Lakeland Book of the Year –‘Forty Farms.’ Rhian Harris, Chief Executive Lakeland Arts says, “As an arts and heritage charity, Lakeland Arts encourages creativity and the exploration of landscape and identity. We’re delighted to be hosting Forty Farms which brings to life the stories of local farmers who for generations have been fundamental in shaping the landscape and culture of this region.” There is also a chance to win a special hamper, with the proceeds from the raffle going to Growing Well, which enables mental health and wellbeing through growing organic fruit and vegetables. Over the course of a year, Amy conducted frank conversations about the financial challenge of farming in a fast-changing world; about the tightrope balance of producing quality food for the nation in sensitive heritage landscapes; and about the challenges and opportunities of working in an area that is internationally famed for its beauty.

In March 2021, British Life Photographer of the Year Amy Bateman embarked on a journey to record the stories of forty farms in Cumbria. Helen has appeared on Sky News, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC World Service, talkRadio, and GB News. An experienced chairperson and speaker, she regularly chairs conferences and events for, among others, literature festivals, award ceremonies, and tech shows. She was also a Guest Lecturer at Westminster University in the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, and a Guest Lecturer at City University and at MMU. She taught Music Journalism at Salford University for a number of years, and taught Political Reporting at Huddersfield University. In 2017, she was shortlisted for Person with Purpose at the Northern Power Women Awards. In 2019, she was a judge for the HWA Gold Crown Awards which recognise the best historical novels. In March 2020 Amy, a farmer and photographer, embarked on a journey to record the stories of 40 farms in Cumbria to produce a coffee table book. The Forty Farms Photographic Exhibition at Low Sizergh Barn is openuntil April 2024. Every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day: 9 am – 5.30 pm. There are no entry or parking fees. Opening of the Forty Farms Photographic Exhibition Trail at Low Sizergh near Kendal. The exhibition by Photographer Amy Bateman in association with H&H Group features photos taken on 40 farms throughout Cumbria. : 18 November 2023In March 2021, British Life Photographer of the Year Amy Bateman embarked on a journey to record the stories of Forty Farms in Cumbria. Forty Farms was Published in Sept 2022. It won Lakeland Book of the Year the book has also become a successful Photographic touring exhibition. Dalefoot Farm ('Dalefoot Composts'), Heltondale near Penrith – Compost, peatland restoration, sheep Now people will have the chance to see her images in a unique setting – as they are being installed outdoors, along a two-mile farm and woodland walk at Low Sizergh Barn, on the outskirts of Kendal. In March 2021, Amy embarked on a journey to record the stories of Forty Farms in the Lake District and Cumbria, at a pivotal moment for British agriculture.

The accompanying conversations with farmers, often frank, sometimes funny, and occasionally painful, reflect the critical issues facing farming today.

Over the course of a year, Amy conducted frank conversations about the financial challenge of farming in post-Brexit Britain; the tightrope balance of producing quality food in nature-rich landscapes; and the highs and lows of working in an area internationally famed for its beauty. An extraordinary photographic exhibition documenting the stories of 40 Cumbrian farmers will open in the Lake District next month. This March experience a photographic exhibition documenting the stories of 40 Cumbrian farmers at Windermere Jetty Museum in the Lake District.

Amy’s life through a lens came after having children. Having giving up her previous career to look after them at home on the farm, the camera went with her, capturing their early years along with farm life. She won British Life Photographer of the year and she is now a commercial photographer. I hope this exhibition will take you beyond the farm gate into the lives of farmers and change perceptions of how the countryside is managed. The rural urban divide feels wider than ever, and my hope is that this exhibition can play a part in narrowing the gulf between food producers, farmers and consumers.” There will be times when part of the Forty Farms exhibition can’t be viewed temporarily because the learning centre is being used for an activity. They provide so much, including food for our tables, accommodation for our visitors and, importantly, they provide care for the Cumbrian environment we all love.Some of the 40 farmers featured are our customers and it is a privilege to be able to highlight their work through this farm-based outdoor exhibition of Amy’s wonderful images.” The Forty Farms exhibition will be in the Gallery, Rheged, Penrith LA8 9NB from now until 4 January 2023.

The book reveals frank conversations about the financial challenges experienced by upland farmers; the tightrope balance of producing quality food in nature-rich protected landscapes; and the highs and lows of working in an area internationally famed for its beauty.Entry to the People’s Gallery is free and open to public Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:30-16:30. Forty Farms has developed a life of its own as an exhibition in the Gallery at Rheged opened in September 2022 and received over 60,000 visitors, a full-colour book published by David and much more. The exhibition moved to the Windermere Jetty and is currently being curated for the Food Museum, Stowmarket, East Anglia, to open in May 2024 until feb 2025. Dalefoot Farm (‘Dalefoot Composts’), Heltondale near Penrith – Compost, peatland restoration, sheep