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
Powered by Ridgeline Clothing
Wilson & Ashley
Episode 18: Farmers vs the Met Police and the True Cost of Shearing
Put your thoughts into the mix
In this episode, we’re tackling the controversy around the recent Budget Day farmer protest in London — what was meant to be a well-planned, low-disruption demonstration against the proposed “family farm tax” turned chaotic after the Met Police reversed permissions less than 24 hours before farmers arrived. Tractors were banned from Whitehall, some still made it into central London, a few were seized, and several farmers were arrested simply for bringing their vehicles. We chat through why this happened, the questions Victoria Atkins has now put to the Met, and whether farmers are right to feel they’re experiencing “two-tier policing.”
We then switch gears to the biodegrading wool video that’s gone viral on social media. One comment really stuck with us: “Every polyester shirt ever produced is still here.”
With Charlotte’s background in wool processing, we talk through why we shear sheep, UK wool quality, and the realities of the wool market — including our own worked example of just how little profit a 200-ewe flock can make once shearing and labour are accounted for.
We also highlight the real strengths of wool: its ability to absorb moisture, its low environmental footprint, and the fact it naturally locks away carbon — a stark contrast to synthetics.
We also share insights from the British Wool event at St Martins University in London, covering farmer-to-fashion storytelling, consumer perceptions, and the high standards of British sheep farming.
Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/
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
Powered by Ridgeline Clothing
Whilst we endeavour to research podcast topics to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all conversations and as such, the podcast does not constitute professional advice.
