Fermentation is one of those ancient arts that you might not even realise we rely on daily, but it’s behind so many of the flavours and products we love. From the tangy taste of bread, cheese and yogh

Fred de Fossard

From a milliner inspired by topiary to a model-turned-ecological gardener and a couple who swapped jobs in telecommunications for growing vegetables, Sir David Beckham’s rural heroes tell Julie Harding why craft and the countryside are key

SARAH DITUM

Bob Cooper of Macclesfield, Cheshire remembers: From an early age, I have always loved reading and writing. My best subject at school was English to the detriment of maths, and I managed to become top

Turn fries into dinner with this loaded sweet potato and parsnip fries recipe. Topped with crispy bacon, a creamy blue cheese sauce and tangy pickled cabbage, this is a meal everyone can enjoy. Serves