THE Rev Rob Hilton, who spent a recent sabbatical studying shepherding and building his own shepherd’s hut, was delighted to meet the real thing last week when Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen, visited Christchurch, Ilkley.

The capacity audience was enthralled by Amanda’s explanation of how, after an unpromising start in Huddersfield, she determined to be a shepherd. Always with a twinkle in her eye and an honesty in the telling, she described farm and family life at Ravenseat Farm, “ a bleak and austere place” 1350 feet above sea level in Swaledale. The 16,000 visitors following the coast-to-coast route ensure that for part of the year it is far from a lonely place.

At the close, Amanda answered questions and signed copies of her books.

The Rev Hilton was pleased to invite Amanda to visit his own shepherd's hut Hilda. He said: "We talked about how we both acquired our shepherd’s huts. Hers is available at Ravenseat Farm for visitors to stay in. Mine is more of a quiet retreat for prayer and reflection. Like me, she doesn’t have anything in it that doesn’t ‘fit’. I have decorated mine with lambing ropes, a crook and dagging shears; hers has books about shepherding and a wonderful find, from a second hand shop, of the Biblical quote, ‘The Lord’s my shepherd’ in stained glass.”

Of the talk, the Rev Hilton added: “Amanda told us she doesn’t preach and has no message. But anyone who’s heard her or talked to her knows why she is so popular: friendly, willing, open and, as she often says, ‘getting on with life’. She lives out the fullness of life – something that’s very much celebrated within the Christian faith – which is why we were so pleased to host her at Christchurch.”