Too Long a Winter

[Brian Bainbridge digs out a ewe that was buried in a snowdrift]

Reporter:
How many have you ever lost? What's the worst lot?

Brian Bainbridge:
Well there was a hell of a storm in '63. We lost 350 here. It was just too long a winter for them. Not buried by snow - just too long a winter for them.

[Hannah Hauxwell is dragging a reluctant bullock along the lane. Suddenly it rears and gallops off, with Hannah hanging onto its rope]

Hannah Hauxwell:
[desperately] Oh, you little beast!

[she arrives at a neighbouring farm where the farmer will take the bullock to market]

Hannah Hauxwell:
I've had a bit of a fight. But I've managed.

Hannah Hauxwell:
I think I have a system of keeping expenditure down to the very bare necessities. In some respects I wouldn't even say that I can even afford *some* necessities. But I keep it down to the bare essentials - I put the brake on and keep it on. It's the only way.

Reporter:
What about food?

Hannah Hauxwell:
[hesitantly] Well, food, it's... I sort of... It's like the other things - I just sort of try to economise.

Reporter:
What did you have for your lunch today?

Hannah Hauxwell:
[laughing nervously] Butter and bread.

Reporter:
What really keeps you here? What's the tie?

Hannah Hauxwell:
I'm attached to the place because my family have lived here since my great-grandfather's time - no-one else has lived in this house since it was built, but our family. And the lovely countryside through the iron gate down the new road. I've often thought... It's my favourite walk, and I've stopped and looked, and I've thought that it's one thing - if I haven't money in my pocket, it's one thing nobody can rob me of. It's mine. It's mine for the taking.

[talking about marriage]

Reporter:
During winter, Hannah can go for ten days without seeing another soul. She's forty-six. There's never been a man in her life - no real prospect of marriage.

Hannah Hauxwell:
Well that's something that one can't just choose to do. A good marriage is a good thing, if one's privileged to meet anyone. I think there's all the difference in the world between a good marriage and being on one's own. But of course if it isn't a success then there can be nothing worse than being obliged to share a roof with someone you're utterly at variance with. That's terrible. But that's something... it's in other hands. You can't choose - one can't go into a shop and say "I want a husband".

Reporter:
Have you ever thought of leaving the dale?

Hannah Hauxwell:
I don't know. I think the time might come when I can't stay here. But as long as I can, I would like... I'm very much attached to the place - it's home. As long as I can, I think the old house and me will stay together.