A farmers’ life at Yuletide

Farmer Gill Paterson and her family make sure the stables are trimmed up for the festive season, and the horses are treated to a Christmas dinner of boiled barley, linseed, carrots and bran.

For the family though, it’s business as usual on December 25.

Gill said: “Christmas Day is the same as any other day for us.

“We have to get up and feed the horses and muck them out, the calves and all the livestock needs to be fed. You just have to go about your general duties.”

Gill, who’s had the Batley farm in her family for 61 years, said she tried to prepare for Christmas Day as much as she could the night before.

But with cows, sheep and horses to care for, Gill’s family doesn’t have a day off.

While many of us are sat around the tree and opening presents, they will be up and about, feeding the animals whatever the weather.

“The job is the job and it’s what we do,” Gill said.