Stephen Lord

Stephen manages Forest Hall farm for the Levens Estate, overseeing the welfare of cattle and sheep and an extensive area of land. He seems measured and has the wisdom of years as he weighs up his role as a manager – rather than a farmer or a shepherd – and tells us what it takes to work this land, and why it matters.

When we meet on a misty day in August, he recalls being caught crag fast on a fell above Haweswater and being put off ledges and heights for life ... he prefers to stay down and his shepherds do the gathering.

Fuller interview to come