This talk covers the rich history and long tradition of cheese and butter making in Swaledale, going back to the time of the Cistercian monks. The dairy industry was once essential for small farms, providing additional income from the sale of butter and cheese at local markets or to exchange with local trades people for other goods. Almost every farm would produce cheese and butter; with farmers' wives and daughters working long hours using traditional methods that had been passed down through the generations.
This talk is a reminder of a time when everything was hard manual work and Dales people had little leisure time due to all the work that was required for a farm to survive and support the family.
Refreshments served afterwards.