Home Page

An ordinary old farmstead... plenty of past, but what future?

A stone built house, barns, pig cote; high above the Derwent valley in Derbyshire, with far-reaching views; not remote but feels like it.

Small organic fields enclosed by ancient dry stone walls, bordered by semi-natural woodland.

No great merit, but still intact.

The view of High Leas Farm, Past (1967) and Present.
Aerial Photo of High Leas Farm and Littlemoor Wood.

Please look at the Past, Present, and Future? pages.

There is plenty of interest in good organic food, but that is nowhere near enough. The place is run down and falling down! To save it we need to learn from the past.

• Why were there so many changes of tenant?
• What opportunities does technology bring?
• Is sustainability a dream, and what do we even mean by it?
• Would we be allowed to have several families living here, as once was the case? Would that be the answer?
• And what about succession? How can this or any family farm be handed on? Is sale inevitable? How can young farmers start?

We want to have a crack at these problems. We'll need some help, and we think there are some opportunities.

N.B. High Leas Farm is sometimes known as High Lees Farm.