Countryside
A weekly look at the news, the views and the people behind the Manx countryside and farming industry with Simon Clarke and Kirree Kermode.
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Episodes
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COUNTRYSIDE 04 NOVEMBER 2025
Tuesday, 4 November 2025
Kirree hears about an unusual exhibition in Ballabeg, with a large collectioin of wedding dresses whilst Simon continues his conversation with well-known Manx farmer, John Quayle and hears about his long-time association with the Royal Manx and how he started out in fur and feather!
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COUNTRYSIDE 28 OCTOBER 2025
Tuesday, 28 October 2025
Kirree talks to Welsh farmer Rhys Williams about joint farmning venture and succession, whilst David Christian tells us about the World Manx Association, while Simon enjoys a great chat with Manx farmer John Quayle
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COUNTRYSIDE 21 OCTOBER 2025
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Simon chats about less usual birds for him with head of Manx Birdlife Alison Leonard and then heads to the pumpkin field in Sulby, while Kirree catches up with retiring president of the MNFU Ean Parsons
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COUNTRYSIDE 14 OCTOBER 2025
Tuesday, 14 October 2025
The dynamic duo of the countryside are back as is Simon! Kirree chats about Manx farmers for schools with the MNFU Chair, whilst Simon hears about a prestigious nomination for the IOM Fed of Young Farmers Tractor run and enjoys Michael Heritage Past and Present exhibition
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ROYAL MANX AGRICULTURAL SHOW 2025
Tuesday, 7 October 2025
As we approach a new autumn season of Countryside, Kirree Kermode looks back at this year's Royal Manx Show . ..
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COUNTRYSIDE 29 JULY 2025
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Simon and Kirree visit the Southern District Agricultural Show - not a long journey for Kirree as it turns out - look forward to the Royal and also hear from the new Head of Engagement at the Manx Wildlife Trust.
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COUNTRYSIDE 22 JULY 2025
Tuesday, 22 July 2025
In this week's Countryside, Kirree catches up with the organisers of the Southern District Agricultural Show which returns this weekend to Orrisdale Farm, while Clarky goes for a train ride, as he learns all about the Great Laxey Mine Railway.
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COUNTRYSIDE 15 JULY 2025
Tuesday, 15 July 2025
In this week's Countryside, Kirree hears more about the "truth about wool" from a fascinating visitor from Patagonia and Simon takes a tour of a beautiful garden in Sulby.And we speak to Nicola Curphey and Paula Dunlop from the charity Isle Stand Up to Suicide, about the struggles farmers and people working within agriculture may face around mental health and isolation.Click here for more details about the charity: Home | IsleStandUpToSuicideWARNING: This podcast contains references to suicide.
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COUNTRYSIDE 08 JULY
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Kirree heads to Baldwin to meet the Young Farmers as they host shearing and stock-judging whilst Simon investigates reports winter barley being combined already . .
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COUNTRYSIDE 01 JULY 2025
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Simon talks to contractor Phillip Hampton and visits an iconic plane on display at the Manx Aviation and Military Museum, whilst Kirree drops into the 113th Laa Columb Killey Festival in Arbory
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COUNTRYSIDE 24 JUNE 2025
Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Simon and Kirree head to Ballagawne for the FWAG Silver Lapwing Awards highlighting farming and conservation work
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COUNTRYSIDE 17 JUNE 2025
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
The Laurel and Hardy of rural Mann are back for another series of Countryside, as Kirree heads out to the Southern Vintage Engine and Tractor Club annual rally whilst Simon finds out about the importance of your pets' diet
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COUNTRYSIDE 15 APRIL 2025
Tuesday, 15 April 2025
In the last show in the current series, Kirree catches up with MNFU President Ean Parsons on how the industry has been faring recently, whilst Simon speaks to Vicki Sloane-Masson about winning a prestigious Holstein UK Master Breeder Award for 2025
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COUNTRYSIDE 08 APRIL 2025
Tuesday, 8 April 2025
Kirree gets her gardening head on as she heads to this year's seed swap event in Laxey, whilst Simon talks to a farmer who has moved into dairy rather than out of it and dons his camo to meet the IOM Airsoft group.
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COUNTRYSIDE 01 APRIL 2025
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Kirree goes herbal with the Manx herbalist whilst Simon catches up with Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch and the latest sightings of Moonlight and Starlight
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COUNTRYSIDE 25 MARCH 2025
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Kirree enjoys a 3 course meal from farm to fork at the UCM, while Clarky goes to the Ramsey Horitcultural Society Spring Show
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COUNTRYSIDE 18 MARCH 2025
Tuesday, 18 March 2025
Kirree joins FWAG for a tour of Ballenevin Compost - she knows how to show the boys a good time - whilst Simon talks to Richard Crowe about his sheepdog trialling and farming at Bishopscourt.
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COUNTRYSIDE 11 MARCH 2025
Tuesday, 11 March 2025
Simon and Kirree look back at the Young Farmers' Concert 2025. Loud, bawdy and always close to the bone, the pair chat to actors, directors, judges, Gaiety staff and sponsors. Stand back . . .
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COUNTRYSIDE 04 MARCH 2025
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
Simon drops into Ramsey Farmers' Market and checks on last minute arrangements for the annual Young Farmers' Concert whilst Kirree heads to Ballown Farm in Ballasalla for the Mannin Ploughing Match
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COUNTRYSIDE 25 FEBRUARY 2025 - Allansons veg, Thomas Cleator and Museum of the Moon
Tuesday, 25 February 2025
The dynamic duo of rural Mann return for a new series! Simon chats to local veg farmers Stuart Allanson and his son James and pops along to Peel Cathedral to hear about the Museum of the Moon exhibition, whilst Kirree talks to young farmer Thomas Cleator who's inviting members of the public to get involved in farm work.
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Ned Kennaugh - Christmas on the farm
Monday, 23 December 2024
Kirree Kermode sits down with Manxman Ned Kennaugh to chat Christmasses past and present on the farm.
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A very special COUNTRYSIDE Christmas
Friday, 20 December 2024
In a special Christmas episode, Clarky and Kirree catch up with Bri Radcliffe, Ned Kennaugh and Andrea Faragher.
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COUNTRYSIDE 03 DECEMBER 2024 - XMAS PRIMESTOCK SHOW, ANDREW NORTH and DOT TILBURY
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
Kirree heads to IOM Meats again to chat to those involved in the Xmas Primestock show, whilst Simon talks to Andrew North about International Mens' Day and Dot Tilbury about a lifetime's entertaining around the Manx Countryside
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COUNTRYSIDE 26 NOV 2024 - soggy wellies and the scallop season
Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Clarky talks to Nigel Taylor from the Fur and Feather Society and David Beard from the Manx Fish Producers organisation about how the king scallop season is going, while Kirree catches up with auctioneer Peter Quayle about farming in general on the Island.
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COUNTRYSIDE 19 NOV 2024 - Kings Award for MWT and Chrysanthemum Show at Morton Hall
Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Simon talks to members of the Manx Wildlife Trust after they receive the Kings Award for Voluntary Services whilst Kirree heads south to visit the annual Chrysanthemum Show at Morton Hall in Castletown
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COUNTRYSIDE 12 NOVEMBER 2024 - Vintage Tractor ploughing and 3 (above) average auctioneers
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
Kirree heads to Santon to see the Southern Vintage Engine and Tractor Ploughing Match whilst Simon talks to the three (Above) Average Auctioneers
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COUNTRYSIDE 05 NOVEMBER 2024 - Bronze Chough Award and animal safety on bonfire night
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
The gruesome twosome of rural pastures return with a new series and start with the award of the bronze chough and tips on how to keep your animals safe and sound this bonfire night
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Kirree Kermode reports on this year's Royal Agricultural Show at Knockaloe
Tuesday, 13 August 2024
Kirree is let loose on her own to chat to the champions, reserves and officials at this year's Royal Agricultural Show at Knockaloe
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COUNTRYSIDE 06 AUGUST 2024 - Preview of Royal Manx and 90 years of IOM Creamery
Tuesday, 6 August 2024
Simon celebrates 90 years of the Isle of Man Creamery chatting to current chair Dougie Cooil and one of the first to provide milk to the Creamery, 90 year old Raymond Teare, while Kirree heads to Knockaloe to see how preparations are coming along for this year's Royal Manx Agricultural Show.
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COUNTRYSIDE 30 JULY 2024 - Southern Agricultural Show!
Tuesday, 30 July 2024
The rustic ramblers, Kirree and Simon, enjoy the delights of this year's Southern Agricultural Show, talking to exhibitors, winners, reserves and judges.