“Hill farming exhibition is a timely reminder of upland incomes.”

Tim Farron, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hill Farming, recently attended 'Gathering' an exhibition focusing on the lives of hill farmers. Artists Observer Young Photojournalist of the Year award winner Kate Bellis and Sally Matthews combined photography, painting and sculpture to reveal the beauty of a life in the hills, as well as the day to day struggles that hill farmers face.

The art portrays both the hardiness and beauty of hill varieties of livestock through Sally Matthew's life size sculptures of cows and sheep, which were made from wire work, cow dung and straw. Kate Bellis's photo's capture the daily activities of a hill farming family, from feeding lambs by the fireside to tending to the flock outdoors.

Tim said "I had a wonderful time at the Gathering exhibition and I was very impressed by the talents of the artists. I feel that it is a wonderful way of drawing attention to the plight of hill farmers who struggle to make a living. I hope this will help to turn the spot light on the upcoming uplands and hill farming consultations.

"I also feel that it is very important to keep up to date with the issues surrounding hill farming – and will be talking to farmers from Sedbergh in my constituency in the coming weeks."

The exhibition is being held at the Robert Sandelson Gallery, Cork Street, London and can be seen until February 3rd.