IT WAS all grass and gaiters for trainee cleric Mr Martin Anderson this week.
The second year theology student swapped life at Cranmer Hall, Durham, for the less predictable life on a dairy farm at South Cowton, near Northallerton.
The 26-year-old was one of four trainee Anglican priests who spent the week learning about the lifestyle and the problems facing farming families.
They spent this week on farms in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds and on Sunday will worship in the local church before shadowing and observing the work of the clergy in the area next week.
Mr Anderson, a former care assistant for children with special needs, is originally from Stockton.
He spent this week with Mr and Mrs David Alderson where he helped collect bales in and feed some of the new-born calves.
Next week he will shadow the Rev Shirley Griffiths, vicar of the Cowtons.
Elswhere, Mr Martin Hawkes, who is 28, and a former civil servant, spent this week at Ravenscar Farm, one of the most isolated farms in the county, before shadowing the Rev Tim Tunley, vicar of Swaledale.
Mr Jim Craig, aged 27, a former youth worker, spent his first week at High Jervaulx Farm which produces Brymor Ice Cream and is next week with the Rev David Eyles, Rector of Middleham with Coverdale and East Witton.
Mr James Saunders, a former care assistant, who is 28, has been with the Yorkshire Dales national park authority, and is next week with the Rev Sue Whitehouse, vicar of Aysgarth with Bolton cum Redmire
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