Make a cow laugh: A first year in farming

by John Holgate

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor

234 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Jerome · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful read, filled with wonderful moments, situations where one had to laugh, and times I was filled with envy, my mind filled with wonder if I could make this leap and enjoy this lifestyle.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whether it's about a GP in the North of England (Robert Russell), owning a bookshop in Wigtown (Shaun Bythell), renovating an Olive Farm in the South of France (Carol Drinkwater), crofting on the Isle of Skye (Lillian Beckwith), or teaching in the Yorkshire Dales (Gervase Phinn) I just love these fictionalised, semi-autobiographical, fly-on-the-wall, insights into other people's lives. Often they're life-affirming stories of human and community spirit. So, finding this "tale of a townie's first year in farming" instantly appealed to me. I've now learnt there's little to be found for the faint-hearted in animal husbandry. Yet there is plenty to be admired about people, like the Holgate's, who have been prepared to take a risk, face a challenge head-on and (surely with the benefit of hindsight) learn to see the funny side of their choicest encounters.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my sister's favourite book about a family from London moving to Wales to run a farm. It's such a sweet, comforting story that makes you want to follow in their footsteps. The book was published in 1977 so it feels nostalgic with it's traditional chapter titles such as 'Shirley's amazing parsnip wine'. My favourite chapter was 'Christmas in the Country'. It takes you back to a time when life seemed simpler and more connected than it is now. I enjoyed reading how supportive the other farmers and neighbours were to the Holgate's and the community that they became part of. Which is hard to find these days. I think people who enjoyed reading/watching Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small and watching Clarkson's Farm would enjoy reading this. A lovely book 🤗

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Holgate family left suburbia for a small farm near the Welsh border with nothing by a Do-It-Yourself textbook for guidance.

This book, is the tale of their first year in farming.

First livestock purchases, leaky roofs, planting barley, cows with diarrhoea, stubborn animals, breeding cows, sheep & pigs. Births of calfs, lambs & piglets - all the highs and lows of their first year in farming are here.

Written in a humourous and light fashion it's very easy to read along as they move from bumbling city folk towards being country folk.

Interesting reading, I enjoyed it.

Gives you a look into not only farm life in general, but farm life 40 odd years ago.

[Tim Corke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written, humourous and enjoyable read detailing the first year adventure in farming by suburban Londoners. It seemed as though I was there sharing the escapades, naivety and experiences gained by the family due to the natural flow and tone of the book. Will definitely keep an eye out for the second one :)