The sixth and final programme in this series poduced by CBTV Productions for Tyne Tees Television of a year in the life of John Dodd and his family who live at Sillywrea Farm in Northumberland and use only Clydesdale horses to work their land. Title: The Last Horseman Filmed during December the programme begins with John, his son-in-law David Wise and farm hand Norman Barbour harvesting swede for use next spring to feed the sheep and lambs. John leads horse Sandy who is attached to a...

The sixth and final programme in this series poduced by CBTV Productions for Tyne Tees Television of a year in the life of John Dodd and his family who live at Sillywrea Farm in Northumberland and use only Clydesdale horses to work their land. Title: The Last Horseman Filmed during December the programme begins with John, his son-in-law David Wise and farm hand Norman Barbour harvesting swede for use next spring to feed the sheep and lambs. John leads horse Sandy who is attached to a machine that pulls the swede from the ground. David and Norman use folks to prick and load into a horse and wage. Interview with David about the problems of finding and maintaining a working 'bogie' as they can't be bought or made by local joiners. They have two which they rotate. John and David take a 'bogie' from the barn and take it to a local sawmill who can make or repair. Interview with Martin Jackson, the sawmill owner who use to work on a farm and understands their needs. In a workshop John gives a description of what he needs to a joiner. At the Annual Horse Sale at Wigton in Cumbria various horses in metal stalls and the auction in progress. John started coming here fifty years ago, he chats with other farmers while looking at the horses. He complains about the low prices now a days for horses. Title: The Last Horseman. End of Part One Title: The Last Horseman: Part Two The second part begins with John and David in the barn attaching the new shaft to the 'bogie' and painting it. In a pasture field, or 'leigh'(?) John ploughs the field with Sandy and Davy. Sandy has proved to be an exceptional horse. John says that on paper he's retired, but for now he will do what he can as long as he can. He is a 'son of the land'. Back in the farmyard David and Norman attach a horse to the bogie and go riding out of the yard with David's son Richard. David talks about how he got into farming and working with horses. He hopes Richard will want to follow him, and he will continue working the land as long as it is economically viable. Back in the 'leigh' at dusk John leads the horse's home. At Allendale in Northumberland and 'guisers' or local men in costumes walking around the town carrying flaming barrels as part of the New Year's Eve tradition. No one knows how long it has been going on. John, David and family watch the proceeding as the content of the barrels are thrown onto a bonfire. David says that they don't come every year, only really every 8-10 years now Richard is old enough. John says that farmers are great optimists and hopes the best for the new year. Back on the farm a new horse, Robert, arrives by lorry and is led into the stables with the other horses. The programme ends with John sowing seed in the summer while David works a chain harrier. John finishes by saying that the land is more important than the people as the land will be here for ever. He believes that no one has the right to abuse the land or horses. However, as long as the jobs are done in the season, he is doing right by both the land and his horses. Title: With thanks to Northern Arts Credit: Camera Simon Crouch, Lee Sutterby Credit: Additional Camera Kip Halsey Credit: Music John Cook Credit: Graphics Keith Dover Credit: Dubbing Mixer Andy Ludbrook Credit: Editor David Hindmarsh Credit: Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Credit: Producer Charles Bowden End credit: CBTV Production for Tyne Tees Television. © Tyne Tees Television MM