Wilson & Ashley
Unfiltered. Unexpected. Unapologetically Honest.
Welcome to The Wilson & Ashley Podcast — where no farming topic is off limits. But this isn't just a farming podcast...
Broadcast from their unique mobile studio, Rebecca Wilson, a sheep and arable farmer from Yorkshire and Charlotte Ashley, a dairy farmer from Cumbria, bring you conversations around food, farming and rural life that are guaranteed to get heads turning.
Inspired by what’s trending — from recent articles to viral videos — each episode blends reality, farming, and pop culture in equal measure.
With the straight talking approach that followers have come to know and love from these two women in agriculture, conversations are honest, hilarious and real - like voice notes between two friends who aren't afraid to say what everyone else is thinking.
Drawing on their own farming knowledge along with voice notes from friends, listeners of the podcast and industry experts, they're bringing a new perspective on rural life.
Whether you're a full time farmer, never set foot on a farm or fall somewhere in between, we're pleased to have you on board!
Got a story, a strong opinion, or a reel we just have to talk about? Drop us a DM or a voice note — we want you to be part of the conversation!
Subscribe now and let’s get into it!
New episode released every other Tuesday
Follow us on social media:
@wilsonandashley
@rebeccawilsonfarming
@charlotteashleyfarm
Email us:
letschat@wilsonandashley.co.uk
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Wilson & Ashley
Episode 10: Child Labour Claims & Clarkson’s TB Lockdown
Put your thoughts into the mix
This week on the podcast, we’re tackling two big talking points in farming — one heated debate, and one devastating disease.
First up: children on farms. After Farmers Weekly ran a piece comparing farm kids to Victorian chimney sweeps, the backlash was fierce.
We're asking are the clickbait headlines distracting from farming’s real health and safety issues? Do farm kids grow up safer and more risk-aware, or should children be kept away from farm work altogether? And is comparing supervised help to slave labour just a step too far?
Then, in part two: bovine TB hits Clarkson’s Farm. It’s an old story for farmers, but the Clarkson name has thrust TB into the mainstream. We break down what TB actually is, why farms go into ‘lockdown’, and the devastating financial and emotional toll it takes — with average costs topping £20,000 per farm and some losing hundreds of thousands.
We look at the testing system (and its failings), the need for better science, and the ongoing battle over badger culling. With more than 13,000 cattle slaughtered in 2024 — the highest on record — TB remains farming’s most painful, costly and controversial challenge.
Two topics, plenty of opinions, and the usual Wilson & Ashley honesty.
Thank you to our contributors on this week's episode:
Abi Coombes
Andrew Meredith
Charles Goadby
Steve Evans
Gareth Wyn Jones
Maria Warne
Sophie Bell
Hannah Jackson
https://www.fwi.co.uk/business/farm-safety-stars-free-e-learning-course-helps-protect-children-on-farms?fw_source=home_business
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If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation.
Subscribe now and let’s get into it!
@wilsonandashley
@rebeccawilsonfarming
@charlotteashleyfarm
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