During a recent trip to the Cotswolds I couldn’t help but notice not only the colourful fields of rapeseed but also the vibrant purple strips of lavender. Apart from being on the wrong side of the road I could well have been driving through Provence. We have a tremendous success story about British lavender-growing in August’s issue of Countryman which is on sale this week. Also in the magazine we look at rising kites… the bird variety… and also someone making a living out of sheep poo. Yes, there’s still a lot to celebrate about our countryside.