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Page 10 Rural Life


February, 2009


February, 2009


A shear del to farm alp


ABOVE: Jackie and Dave Bush with baby alpaca Oliver. lET and BELOW lEFT: Alpacas on the faim.


1


local area, some taken by our own photographers and others submitted by readers. This prompted Rural Life


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reader Sue Bristo from Lon- gridge to get in touch and allow us to reproduce some other own superb ‘winter scene’ pic­ tures from the Ribble Valley. Sue says that although she’s


lived in the area all her life she is still discovering hidden gems around Lancashire and finding new stunning views right here on her doorstep. Sue says: “I have only just


started to take photos probably since about 2004, but I have al­ ways been a keen walker, out and about most weekends en­ joying the scenes for myself, but now the camera goes every­ where vvith me so that I can let everyone enjoy the countryside as much as I do.” • Any readers who would like to submit their photos for in­ clusion in our Rural Life Pic­ ture Gallery can e-mail them to: richard.machin@lep.co.uk, or post them to us at: Rural Life, Garstang Courier, 7 Pringle Court, Park Hill Road, Garstang, PR3ILN.


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N recent editions we have featured a selection of photographs from the


Pfcfaresfy/tMffniVCOlMET By ANDREA ASHWORTH


(ATFORTH may not be the first place most peo- 'ple would think of if


Sue’s photos capture winter glory


wanting to start up their own al­ paca farm. But for former lorry driver Dave


Bush and his wife Jackie the village location provided the ideal spot to start breeding their own herd of the timid south American animals. Tlie couple moved to Bay Horse


Lane in the village in 2003 after needing to find a suitable home to accommodate their severely dis­ abled son Bradley, 11, who suffers from cerebral palsy. And as the property had previ­


ously been used by a wheelchair user, they decided to move in - the acre of land attached to the home also providing Dave with the op­ portunity to follow his farming dreams. “Tlie reason we came here was -


because of Bradley,” said Dave, 51. “We had to find a property that was able to accommodate his needs and as it was already a disabled house, because the woman who lived here before us used a wheelchair, we bought it.” Dave and Jackie, who are both


full-time carers for Bradley, started up the farm by buying in sheep first; of all. But after finding the animals less


than exciting, they soon gave their sheep away and moved on to the more exotic alpaca. Dave, originally from Rochdale,


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said: “Sheep live to die basically and they’re a bit boring. So we’d thought about alpacas many years ago after seeing them on television. “We started looking into it and


researching it and we found two mother al­ pacas and cria (their offspring) in Gloucester­ shire and bought them.” Unfortu­


nately, tragedy hit just three hours after buying the animals... when one of the cria died of a heart defect. But this


failed to deter the couple and they contin­ ued buying more land to home the an­ imals-as well as bulk­ ing up their stock of al-


pacas. “I read ar­


The thick crimped coat of an alpaca.


ticles how I could do it but it was . going to take years to get a sizeable herd,” said Dave. “So we ended up buying 12 females in 2007 and a male last year.”


Rural Life Page 11 r .v . , : ■


Jackie, 46, added: “He got bored


waiting for the babies to be bom basically so he bought some more!” Operating as Southview Alpacas,


the couple now have 30 Huacaya alpacas on 12 acres of land. They bred 12 cria last year and are hop­ ing for 13 this year. And despite finding the sales cli-


matehard-firstlybecauseofFoot and Mouth restrictions, then Blue- tongue and now the credit crunch - they are hoping for great things after recently selling hvo males and loaning an-' other out to Farmer Parrs Ani­ mal World at Fleetwood.


Alpacas get together.


- “The)^re v e ^ timid animals,” - said Jackie, who also breeds Mainecoon cats of which she now has seven. Dave


added: “The more time you spend with them the more they will put ■ up with you. Eventudly theywill come to you if they get used to you.” Thecou-


plehave given their alpacas . names such


as Indy, Star, Dakota and Calva­ dos. A female alpaca with the in­ triguing name of Odd Eyes is the leader of the herd. All tlie animals are pedigreed.


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microchipped and registered with the British Alpaca Society. The couple are also members of the newly formed North West Alpaca Group. “They’re like sheep really in that


they’re easy to look after,” said Dave. “The only thing they need is a vitamin supplement because they don’t get the nutrition they need here because of the lack of sun. “They’re not bothered about


snow but they’re not particularly keen on rain. And they’re good weather forecasters - if bad weath­ er’s coming they charge straight into the barn!” As well as breeding the alpacas


to sell, Dave and Jackie also have them sheared once a year and their fleeces sent to a mini-mill in Wales to be made into wool. This is then knitted into garments such as baby clothes, hats and jumpers by Jack­ ie’s mum Maria Miller and family friend Maria Ovari. “For us having the alpacas is


about escapism,” said Dave. “You get outside and you’re thinking about something else. “And it’s very enjoyable when .


you’re getting animals born - we had four born in one weekend once.” The couple, who also have a Rot­


tweiler called Anya and two other cats as well as the alpacas and Mainecoon cats, have a busy year ahead. Tliey are hoping to show their alpacas off at Scorton Show for the first time in June as well as sell wool and garments at the event. They are also planning to attend


some of the pedigree alpaca shows that are held up and down the country. To find out more about


Southview Alpacas and to look around the farm contact Dave and Jackie Bush on 01772 690690 or email djbush@tiscali.co.uk Their website can also be found at http://southview-alpacas.piczo.com


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