Shows
CountrySlide65: Awards, Advice and AnnouncementsThis episode encompasses the Eat Game Awards, Schoffel and GWCT Awards, Advice for the government about how to help rural communities and livelihoods, and a few special announcements!CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.You can contact us by email on: contact@countryslide.co.ukLinks- Subscribe on Patreon for extra content (you can cancel at any time)- If you enjoy what we do, consider a one-off tip on Ko-fi- Eat Game Awards- S...
2026-02-061h 04CountrySlide64: Big Farmland Bird Count and Operation Turtle Dove with Mark NowersMark Nowers is our guest on the podcast this week to talk about the upcoming GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count and his day job with Operation Turtle Dove.Mark's interest in the natural world and particularly birds started at a young age and the knowledge and enthusiasm that he shares with others is just fantastic. In the show, they talk about why Turtle Doves have their own special project, what the Big Farmland Bird Count is and how you can get involved as well as some of the experiences that Richard and Callum have had whilst out with...
2026-01-301h 07CountrySlide63: Irreplaceable Kit, Unwanted Skills and Food CultureA last minute double booking leaves Richard P and Callum at the helm to answer questions sent in by our patrons.Topics vary from what's been googled recently to how we can improve connection to rural matters through food, to favourite flavours, a particularly soppy answer from RP and derailing of all sorts.Next week we have the fabulous Mark Nowers on to talk about the Big Farmland Bird Count!CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your...
2026-01-231h 03CountrySlide62: Schöffel Countryside Awards with Marcus Janssen and Alastair LeakeMarcus Janssen and Dr Alastair Leake talk to Richard P and Callum about the Schöffel Countryside Awards as we enter their second year.From the creation of the awards, to the nomination and judging process, right through to creating a special award for one man who has dedicated 60 years of his life to the countryside, this is an episode all about awards which celebrate conservation across all sectors.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Links-Enter or nominate someone f...
2026-01-161h 01CountrySlide61: Poultices, Perfect Light and Analysing PupilsIn a bid to understand each other's work a little bit better, we divulge what we think Joe Public doesn't know about our jobs. Be prepared to hear about tame vets, styles, lighting, savoy cabbage, reading people and working to often awkward timelines.We also learn a bit more about the people who taught these guys!CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions to the calendar...
2026-01-091h 00CountrySlide60: New Year's Honours - Our WayThis year the guys each choose their picks for an OBE, Knighthood and elevation to the House of Lords...Somehow during this they also manage to cover: Meat, Hugo's special brine, Gold Blue Peter Badges, heroic Turtledoves, gangsters and how to wind up Negus!CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions to the calendar or for fun at: contact@countryslide.co.uk Links
2026-01-021h 04CountrySlide59: Boxing Day Hunt and Inheritance TaxMerry Christmas to you all!The trio are full of festive spirit(s) as they talk about the realities of trail hunting and what happened with the law surrounding the initial ban on hunting.They also discuss the recent back pedalling on changes to Agricultural Property Relief related to IHT.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions to the calendar or for fun at: contact@countryslide...
2025-12-261h 06CountrySlideSacrifice at Christmas : The Tragedy of Solomon BrowneThis is a different episode for us, but it's one we felt compelled to share.On 19th December 1981 a dramatic rescue played out on the English coast, involving a stricken cargo ship being driven towards a rocky shore by a storm. It's an important story of courage, skill, sacrifice and decisions that ultimately led to tragedy which affected an entire community.Tonight is the anniversary of that incident, and in this episode we pull together the original radio transmissions to tell the story of the crews of the Union Star and the Solomon Browne.
2025-12-1951 minCountrySlide58: Champagne and Tractor runsAs we wind down to Christmas a more relaxed show is in order - this week we talk simply about plans for the big day and what gifts we would bestow on our PM, Keir Starmer.If you happen to be close to Arundel - this weekend there is a tractor run happening with all proceeds going to Papyrus and Chestnut Tree Hospice.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin...
2025-12-1945 minCountrySlide57: 2025 Christmas Gift GuideThey say that you should only repeat good things, but we decided to rebel and repeat our Christmas Gift Guide format once again this year! If you're reading this in 2035 then I apologise that we have now repeated it 10 times...Following the usual format, Richard, Callum and Richard have each chosen a gift under £10, one under £100 and one over £100 and then proceed to question or better each others choices (all links below). So if you're struggling to find something for the person you love - why not ignore everything that the guys say and just buy a gift pat...
2025-12-121h 09CountrySlide56: Rural economies, booze and visualising timeThe variances in rural economies, machines breaking the peace, questionable home brews and an unexpected turn into how we view time - can you point at January?Richard and Richard attempt to navigate unpredictable seas on the good ship CountrySlide whilst Callum is away taking photos of lovely people and even lovelier port!CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions to the calendar or for fun at: contact...
2025-12-0545 minCountrySlide55: The Budget, BBC and Leslie DolphinThe dream team discuss budget predictions, the farmer's protesting in London, announcements about minimum wage and the impacts on many rural businesses, martial arts, an insider's perspective of the BBC (thank you to Anna Jones and Andy Wilman) and it's balanced representation of stories. Negus even manages to squeeze in a mention of Suffolk's own Leslie Dolphin.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions to the calendar or for fun...
2025-11-281h 00CountrySlide54: One Year of CountrySlideWe're 1!It's been a fantastic year of recording, editing and reading comments and reviews on the show. We've loved every minute of it and to celebrate we sat down as usual to record and episode, as usual.This week the guys talk about the news that game dealers in Belgium are no longer going to be taking game birds from the UK (aside from honouring existing contracts) This is possibly just the beginning of a prediction coming true that Europe will no longer be taking game from UK suppliers. This calls into question where the future of...
2025-11-211h 03CountrySlide53: Wild Trout Trust with Shaun LeonardShaun Leonard, director of the Wild Trout Trust talks with the guys about the challenges facing our native trout and what makes them so incredible and able to adapt to conditions worldwide. Our rivers aren't in a great shape, although as Shaun recalls they were once much worse, and it isn't in fact all pollution and run-off. The Wild Trout Trust are involved in improving habitats for wild brown trout (and therefore other fish) around the country through adding in woody debris, removing physical barriers and educating land managers and the general public.The conversation then turns towards...
2025-11-141h 05CountrySlide52: Mental Health with MarkThis week, Richard and Richard are joined by Mark, former Army Chaplain, Church of England minister and farmer, for a thoughtful conversation about faith, farming, and mental health in rural Britain. From Normandy beaches to North Oxfordshire fields, they explore the links between the military and the land, the quiet role of the rural church, and why resilience matters more than resistance. With humour, honesty, and a touch of birdsong for Armistice, CountrySlide welcomes its newest recruit: the Padre of the Countryside.As we head into winter life can get more isolating, depression can set in and the unpredictability of...
2025-11-071h 23CountrySlide51: ABBA, Brandecosse and the truth about WaterproofsFollowing on from the high level conversation last week, we offer you respite from the effects of nights drawing in and the clocks changing with imagery you never knew you wanted and stories which explain a lot about our hosts. There's also some useful intelligence included about how waterproof fabrics really work, comfortable and durable boots which actually last and some of our plans for the future ("useful" in the loosest sense of the word).The Patreon only aftershow is dominated by Callum's account of nearly dying on a marsh for a pittance and the latest instalment of...
2025-10-3159 minCountrySlide50: Frostbitten with Nigel VardyNigel Vardy is an outdoorsman in every sense of the word; he grew up in the Peak District fishing for his dinner and hunting for his tea and exploring the woodlands around his home. He is now an accomplished mountaineer, adventurer and motivational speaker who recounts how he lost his fingers, toes and nose to frostbite after the weather closed in on an attempt to summit Denali in Alaska.Richard P and Nigel talk through topics ranging from sizing footwear with no toes, the crossover between mountaineering and field sports, respect for our countryside and wildlife, and the...
2025-10-241h 29CountrySlide49: £35million LemursWe catch up with Richard, Callum and Richard after a couple of weeks apart and explore what £35 million could achieve if spent on improving things for British wildlife. Richard P talks about some of the current funding available and the Pittman-Robertson act, whilst Richard N champions gathering baseline data and Callum provides a parent's perspective.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions to the calendar or for fun a...
2025-10-171h 02CountrySlide48: Defra Peat Map Failure and Richard's MotherWe welcomed 2 guests on this weeks episode, Cat Frampton and Richard's mother A.A Prideaux.Cat talks with Richard and Richard about the England Peat Map released in May 2025 and the problems and errors which have designated reservoirs, walls, hedges and rocky outcroppings as deep peat. We did record for a full hour with Cat, but due to technical issues it sadly only recorded Negus and Prideaux for the last 45 minutes and then blank space where once there was informative content from Cat. Don't worry - we'll invite her back on with a more stable connection!...
2025-10-1059 minCountrySlide47: Our Favourite TreesThe gang are back together and taking every detour available. They shatter our image of Richard Negus, take us down a tangent around the perceptions of traditional management activities vs modern land management and question whether Callum's job is in fact real - hair and makeup for the double decker bus please!Finally we talk about favourite trees, from historical Oaks to rare Black Poplar and the trees which hold meaning. If you have a favourite tree or species of tree we would love to hear from you!CountrySlide is a podcast that looks...
2025-10-031h 04CountrySlideThe Mullet: Is it too late to build a business from my hobby?The Mullet is our small rural business and marketing advice mini-series, brought to you by Richard P and Callum of CountrySlide.Gareth from Wales (which isn't on another planet as Callum likes to believe) has written in asking whether it is too late to build up a brand for his hobby business and transform it into a real money maker.Callum and Richard weigh up the pros and cons of turning something you love into a job and discuss what Gareth could do to develop his love of walking sticks and wood carving into...
2025-10-0115 minCountrySlide46: Autumn Days When the Grass is JewelledThis week Callum couldn't make it so we've brought in a stunt double in the form of Poor Producer Amy. Together the Richards and Amy talk about the signs of Autumn - everything from bats to hedges, fruits to frosts!The trio also discuss a recent article about the decline of birds and the state of wildlife recording overall.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions t...
2025-09-261h 04CountrySlide45: Positive Forestry with Nick and MattThis week we interview Matt (Aspect Forestry and Rural Management) and Nick (Kilmaha Forestry) about what actually happens in forestry and the moves in the last 20 years away from bare monocultures and towards more diverse and sensitive plantations.We cover every stage of forestry and the consideration taken for nature, from planting and selective weeding through to after care and harvesting of timber with minimal ground damage, and the benefits of using timber over other Carbon expensive materials like steel and concrete.Finally the guys talk about the industry as a whole and the impact that...
2025-09-191h 22CountrySlideNews1: Environment vs Food Production and Outdoors for AllAccess to nature and an increase of arable land going into environmental schemes are the hot topics this week.A recent study has shown that 42.3% of farmers across the UK reduced their cropped arable area to take part in agri-environment schemes for harvest 2025, with the majority being in the South East and East of England where less productive and marginal ground which is difficult to access with machinery are being put into schemes to improve profitability and help the environment.Meanwhile a Labour-led all-party parliamentary group has released a report which concludes that there is not...
2025-09-1631 minCountrySlide44: Hedgerow Fest, Political Reshuffles and CoasteeringA download of information about the fantastic Hedgerow Fest in Ireland, what the recent changes in government could mean for rural communities, and how Wild Justice can sometimes be an ally.Callum eventually turns up after a day of no signal and horse shenanigans to disrupt things!CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions to the calendar or for fun at: contact@countryslide.co.uk
2025-09-1254 minCountrySlideThe Mullet: When to go all in on your own businessThe Mullet is our small rural business and marketing advice mini-series, brought to you by Richard P and Callum of CountrySlide.Whilst feeding us with Pheasant burgers hot off the grill at the Game Fair, Hugo asked how to tell when it's time to grow some balls and quit the day job to focus entirely on the side hustle/passion project/own business.Whether your thing is smoking meat or laying hedges (or both) there are a few things to think about before throwing everything that you've got into it....
2025-09-0925 minCountrySlide43: Back to School...in France?After a month off from regular podcast recording, we've wrangled Richard N and Callum into giving us the lowdown on what they did over the summer holidays. Callum has been to France in search of fine food, family friendly lakes and adventures with his son. Meanwhile Richard has been learning more about the wider nature writing audience through his book tour.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions...
2025-09-051h 06CountrySlideThe Mullet : How to grow when the algorithm is against youThe Mullet is our small rural business and marketing advice mini-series, brought to you by Richard P and Callum of CountrySlide.This episode we answer a question from Danum Blades about how to get around the meta algorithm which appears to be slowing his growth on social media as a craftsman who makes and sells knives.You can give Alan a follow over on @DanumbladesIf you have a question, please DM us or send an email on contact@countryslide.co.uk
2025-09-0223 minCountrySlide42: Game and Wildlife Conservation with Nick Von WestenholzWe sat down with Nick Von Westenholz CEO of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and had a conversation about what it has been like for him so far, the challenges facing rural wildlife and landowners and managers in 2025, the function of conservation organisations and plans for GWCT in the future.This episode was recorded on the GWCT stand at The Game Fair with a backdrop of lively chatter and burgers being cooked.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of...
2025-08-2941 minCountrySlide41: Live at FolkEast!A little bonus episode in the form of Richard interviewing Richard about hedgelaying and his book live on stage at FolkEast. There's even a little preview of what the audiobook might sound like!CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions to the calendar or for fun at: contact@countryslide.co.uk Links- Subscribe on Patreon for extra content (you can cancel a...
2025-08-261h 20CountrySlide40: The Cornish Episode with Avian SandercockRichard P sat down with Avian Sandercock - regular cohost of the Guns on Pegs podcast, ex-gin distiller, current gin drinker, woodland manager and proud Cornish man.The pair talk about Cornwall's different coastlines and Avian's struggle to find local apple trees, experimenting with gin flavours - Clotted cream infused gin anyone?, and the realities of being in a syndicate shoot and managing a small woodland. The conversation flows from topic to topic like a river full of pools and gives vibes of a pub chat between friends.This episode was recorded on the Guns on...
2025-08-2237 minCountrySlide39: Farmer Clusters and the Importance of Data with Megan and Lizzie from GWCTFarmer Clusters have been referenced more times than we can count in the last 38 episodes so we went straight to the source and arranged a conversation with Megan Lock and Lizzie Grayshon from GWCT who facilitate Farmer Clusters, work with waders, monitor wildlife and offer advice to farmers across the UK.Richard Negus takes the helm for this interview and the three discuss Wild Quail, the problems facing our breeding waders, how the government could help, mapping hedgerow habitat and more.This episode was recorded behind the GWCT stand at The Game Fair with a backdrop...
2025-08-1541 minCountrySlide38: Protecting Rural Life with Tim BonnerWe interviewed Tim Bonner, Chief Executive at Countryside Alliance, and asked him about working in/around politics, upcoming policy and legislative changes which will affect shooting, what has changed in the last 20 years, the impacts of social media, and whether or not a cocker spaniel should be retrieving pink-footed geese. All bundled in with some light-hearted banter and chat.This episode was recorded on the Countryside Alliance stand at The Game Fair with a backdrop of headache inducing orange carpet and background chatter.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and...
2025-08-0841 minCountrySlide37: Perpetually FrenchFeeling a bit giddy from having fun at The Game Fair... Richard, Callum and Richard discuss tricking people into foraging in the wrong areas, meeting listeners at the Game Fair, mushrooms, Grey Squirrels, and the harvest.CountrySlide is a podcast that looks at farming, conservation and life in the British countryside.Send us photos of your interesting trinkets that your other half wants to burn or bin as submissions to the calendar or for fun at: contact@countryslide.co.uk Links- North Wales Mushrooms on Instagram...
2025-08-0156 min