We’re delighted to let you know that our co-founder Sir Michael Morpurgo’s much-anticipated memoir, Down Burrow Lane, has been published by Hodder today. This beautiful new book tells the extraordinary story of life, family, farming and friendship that began fifty years ago on our Devon farm and continues to inspire generations today.
Farms for City Children sits at the heart of the story, interwoven with Michael and Clare’s reflections on family life, farming and the community they built together in Devon. Alongside deeply personal memories, readers will discover how the landscape, people and experiences of rural life helped shape Michael’s journey to become one of Britain’s most beloved authors.
Michael has often described Farms for City Children as the greatest story he and Clare created together and this remarkable memoir offers the wonderful opportunity to read that story in full. It brings to life the early days at Nethercott House and the challenges and triumphs of building our charity, while highlighting the lasting impact the Morpurgos’ vision has had on generations of children and young people.
The memoir celebrates not only Michael and Clare’s enduring love for each other and the countryside, but also the countless children, teachers, supporters, staff, volunteers and members of our wider farm communities who have been part of the charity’s journey. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary year, the book provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how the passion and dedication of our founders, with the collective support and commitment of so many others, has created an organisation that has enabled more than 108,000 children and young people to grow and thrive on our farms.
For anyone who has stayed on one of our farms, supported what we do or worked or volunteered with the charity over the past five decades, it promises to be a particularly special read.
A thank you to our founders
We are especially grateful that Michael and Clare have chosen to donate all author royalties from the book to Farms for City Children. Their continued dedication and generosity will help ensure that future generations of children and young people can benefit from life-changing experiences on our farms. It is a wonderful gift to the charity and one for which we give our heartfelt thanks.
The Hodder edition of Down Burrow Lane is available now in all good bookshops. You can also find details of upcoming events for Down Burrow Lane on Michael’s Facebook page.
