A photo-documentary of rural life in a small corner of Monmouthshire has just been produced by Raglan photographer Robert Hughes LRPS.

His first book, ‘End of an era’ documented the last years of Abergavenny Livestock market, and with a wealth of material available, decided to expand his talents into documenting liffe within a 10 mile radius of Raglan.

From farms to churches, village life to shows, Robert captures the essence of life in a small corner of the county.

With sections on crafts, orchards, and an atmospheric chapter on season, he brings a taste of country living into the living room of everyone.

Well-known faces such as Cathy Godfrey and Tony Bradley appear alongside those that make the countryside the rich tapestry of characters that it is, a tapestry that the author warns may have to change with the new laws and regulations, from Brexit to climate change, leaving the traditional model of farming behind that has endured for generations.

“Brexit will be an important milestone for farming in the UK as the Common Agricultural Farm payments” he says and gives examples of how farms are already diversifying to meet the challenge, suggesting new breeds of animas such as bison,

Alpacas and Llamas may well appear alongside those we already accept as part of the countryside.

He is grateful to Cathy Godfrey for allowing him to use Gilbert Heath’s poems in the book and John and the late Maureen Teague for pointing him in the right direction of many of the pictures at Cefn Coch Farm. Also Robert Gardner for allowing Robert to use his poem.

“It goes without saying that without the co-operation of the farmers and varius organisations this book would not have been possible” Robert adds.

Published by Country Books, ‘Down Country Lanes’ it is available in Stephen’s Bookshop Monmouth and Rossitors (Monmouth Ross) Raglan and from www.roberthughesphotographer.co.uk, price £20