In Spring 2005, the Fells and Dales LEADER+ Programme commissioned 11 amateur photographers to record farming and other aspects of local production over the course of a year. During 2005/6, several thousand photos were taken, of which 65 of the best have been chosen to form an exhibition touring Cumbria until October 2006.

The face of farming has changed considerably over recent years … for example quad bikes are a common sight on farms now, silage bales are wrapped in the field using high spec machinery, and farmers seem to be getting older! As farming enters a new era with the new single farm payments it will be interesting to see what changes the future holds.

The aim of the photography residency was to create an archive of farming and local production here and now in Cumbria, before the face of it changes once more. Many of the photographers are farmers and farmers' wives, others take photos as a hobby outside their normal jobs and lives. The photos are therefore not posed and show ordinary people going about their everyday lives. It is also a celebration of how Cumbria has moved on since the devastation of Foot and Mouth in 2001.

"Pride of Cumbria" is a photographic tribute to the farmers, craftspeople and artisans of Cumbria's Lake District. Throughout March & April it was held at High Head Sculpture Valley before going to the West Cumberland Hospital in June and part of July, Rheged in the last two weeks of July, Farfield Mill (Sedbergh) in August, The Theatre by the Lake (Keswick) in September, and Dickie Doodles Wine Bar (Kendal) in October. The exhibition shows Cumbria at her best with a thriving economy based on local produce, and reflects how farming affects the Lake District Scenery.

Please click on the links below to view other projects of the month: