At The Field's Edge

Book excerpt: Adrian Bell was farming and writing during a period when the English countryside underwent its most significant transformation for hundreds of years. His work, spanning sixty years from 1920 to 1980, not only documents this agricultural revolution, but also warns of the effects it will have both for the environment and for society. As these consequences dominate the English countryside today, Bell's views have relevance and importance to its future management. At the Field's Edge appraises Bell's prescient but still timely observations about the ecology, economy and culture of the British countryside, and introduces his beautifully crafted prose to a new generation of readers. Though he has been largely neglected until now, Bell's voice is one we should listen to, not least because he is one of our greatest writers about farming and rural life. If we pause at the field's edge with him for a moment, we get a lesson not only in aesthetic appreciation, but also a message about what is disappearing from the countryside.A thoughtful and engaging exploration of Adrian Bell's writing and his 'practical' relevance to contemporary debates about the English countryside.The period from 1920 to 1980 saw the most significant transformation of the countryside for hundreds of years.Will be of great interest to British and rural historians and anyone interested in rural affairs.Examines factors that continue to impact and jeopardize the countryside; the rise of industrial farming and its environmental impact and the growing separation of the country and the city.Illustrated with black & white photographs and artworks.Richard Hawking's interest in the writing of Adrian Bell stems from growing up on a small 70-acre farm - he is also the creator of The Adrian Bell Society website.