Biggleswick Beginnings: Real Food with Richard Vobes & Julia

In this episode of Food For Thought Radio, I sit down with Richard Vobes and the lovely Julia to talk about their two-and-a-half-acre adventure as “The English Couple” and their Bagelswicke Farm series. We explore rewilded land, nettles-as-nourishment, no-dig growing, polytunnels, and the deep joy (and learning curves) of becoming more self-sufficient later in life. We also wander into wider themes: the pull of community, spending slow time in nature, and how small, local acts—growing veg, sharing surplus, teaching practical skills—can rebuild resilience and hope. From naming ancient oaks to brewing nettle feed and celebrating the first harvest of cabbages that “cost a fortune” to grow, Richard and Julia share how playfulness and purpose can coexist on a homestead. We finish on the power of parallel, like‑minded networks—home‑ed hubs such as HOPE Sussex—and the simple practices that keep spirits up: hands in soil, birdsong at dawn, sunsets with friends, and plates filled with real food grown with love.'The English Couple' YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@the-english-coupleRichard Vobes (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@RichardVobesJulia Hartley (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@JuliaHartleyHOPE Sussex Community (home‑education hub near Battle, East Sussex): https://hopesussex.co.uk/Matt Le Tissier (background info): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Le_TissierDane Wigington’s Geoengineering Watch (site referenced in discussion): https://geoengineeringwatch.org/World Economic Forum (WEF): https://www.weforum.org/UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairsRosemary Conley (referenced regarding historic low‑fat dieting): https://rosemaryconley.com/