Michael Morpurgo on 50 years in Devon: How a remote farm changed thousands of lives
Sir Michael Morpurgo's new memoir, Down Burrow Lane, looks back at 50 years of family life, writing and charity work at Nethercott Farm in Devon
Celebrated children's author Sir Michael Morpurgo has released a new memoir today charting 50 years of his life in rural Devon and the charity work that has brought more than 105,000 children and young people to its farms.
Down Burrow Lane: Life and Love on the Farm, published on Thursday, September 17, reflects on the former Children’s Laureate's decision to relocate to Nethercott Farm near Iddesleigh in 1976.
Morpurgo was a young schoolteacher when he moved to the farm, where he later became a writer.
Publisher Hodder Press described the farm as the backdrop and inspiration for many of his best-loved books, including War Horse and Private Peaceful.
The memoir also comes as Farms for City Children marks its 50th anniversary.
Michael and Clare Morpurgo founded the charity in 1976, with the aim of giving children from towns and cities the opportunity to connect with nature, food and farming through stays on working farms.
According to Farms for City Children, more than 105,000 children and young people have visited its farms since the first school arrived at Nethercott House in 1976.
Corinna Csaky, chief executive of Farms for City Children, told The Moorlander that the charity was founded with a vision that "every child should have the chance to connect with nature, food and farming".
"Michael has often described Farms for City Children as the greatest story he and Clare created together. Down Burrow Lane offers readers the opportunity to discover that story in his own words,” she said.
"We are hugely grateful that Michael and Clare are donating all author royalties from the book to support the next chapter of our charity’s story."
The new book tells the story of Michael and Clare's life on the farm over five decades, including their family life and the experiences of the children who visited through the charity.
The Moorlander also contacted Dogberry & Finch Books in Okehampton, which will host Morpurgo for a signing event next month.
Owner Dr Kate McCloskey said the shop had seen strong local interest in the memoir.
"Michael and Clare Morpurgo are known and well-loved by so many here in Okehampton as well as in Iddesleigh and North Devon so it’s no surprise that we’ve had a record number of pre-orders for Down Burrow Lane, and today has seen a steady stream of locals coming in for their copies,” she said.
Dr McCloskey described the memoir as "an inspiring memoir of vision and tenacity, of love, friendship, community, of the life-changing benefits of immersing children in nature and the daily routines of farming life".
She added that she had visited Nethercott House for an open day and described the place as "a most magical place", saying the charity had provided a "life-changing, hands-on experience of nature and the daily routines of farming life for upwards of a hundred thousand city children".
Dogberry & Finch Books is due to welcome Morpurgo on Saturday, October 31, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm to sign copies of Down Burrow Lane bought at the event or pre-ordered through the shop.