—+ p ' -1 ■ e* Wednesday,August 27,20]^ Wednesday,August 27.2014 RURAL LIFE I


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As well as getting to know sheep in general, Katie has chosen to show her Herdwicks, which has meant learning another set o f skills -h o w to prepare them fo r the judges' scrutiny. This month she was at the Lunesdale Agricultural Show in


Kirkby Lonsdale where she spent most o f her time helping man a stall on behalf o f North West Auctions and the rest handling her Herdwicks. Katie won third place in the best gimmer lamb section and[second in the best one-shear


. gimmer section- Katie chose five of her small flock of nine to show and,


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having had the sheep shorn early to ensure a good growth of fleece, began the final preparation the week before the show. " Ired-ochred them, "sh e says, explaining th a t this tradi-


tional way o f showing Herdwicks involves colouring their backs deep red. This is done with a paste, which is smoothed


across the fleece to produce a rich russet finish. Herdwicks have been marked in this way fo r centuries


because it helps farmers to bcate them on the fells where they might otherwise be mistaken fo r part o f the scenery.


The day before the show, each Herdwick's face and legs are washed to reveal the characteristic bright white features


. providing a stark contrast to the red. Herdwicks are actually black when they're born


and then once they've been shorn at one year old they "


gradually turn grey - but they should still have a white head and ears," says Katie. "A good specimen should have a nice tig h t fleece and they're a sturdy breed so you want a b it of fodder on them -


they shouldn't be like a hat rack!"


' SheeP are- slowly, earning Katie's respect, but she admits she is still learning.


" I tend to go with my g ut instinct," she says. "I check it's


g ot four legs ... that's always a good start. And then you want it to look alert, not down in the dumps because Herdwicks are


professionals from planning and land experts to surveyors- and arbitrators.


Near Old Hutton, not far from the Lancashire Cumbria border,


[ Chris and Anne Gibson and stepson Matthew Berry farm - 1,050 acres of land, part tenanted and part owned. In the last


four years they’ve had approaches from energy and utility companies interested in, or requiring access to, their land.


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• . , * Herdwicks are probably one o f the hardiest breeds o f sheep in the UK and are found *


»)..■&*# mainly in Cumbria, particularly in the Lake- ’ - District National Park.


They can live on mountains up to 3 ,0 0 0 fe e t ^ High and, as well as grass, are happy to grazedn lichens, mosses and wild plants, something th a t is'—’j


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■ ?a*c! to account for the distinctive flavour o f their s meat.


’ - 1 , ‘ " . ‘ ^ ^ The origin o f the breed itself is unknown, b u t


-4 ; the most common theory is that the ancestors of^Herdwick sheep were farmed by early Norse


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. The name Herdwick or herdvyck, "sheep p a s - '. - 7 . )' i .y ,v'A


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■ Among their many positive qualities is an . ' inherited homing instinct, which allows them' ' '


J t t® to be easily managed on large unfenced ' •. : ^


areas o f common land. This ability is helped


by the tradition o f grazing lambs from hill flocks" ■ with their mother on the'heaf'belonging


to a particular farm. This 'hefting' instils in them a ' -


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ture", is recorded in documents dating back t o i ' ^ the 12th century.


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life-long knowledge o f where on the fell they should be grazing.


- . D?spite the Region's harsh climate, Herdwicks cope well. They are brilliantly adapted to the '


- cold, we t conditions - which might ’ : see 2,000mm o f rain in a year ; ' -


n - and have a heavy, dense ?■: . fleece with an undercoat of


iW.fine wool over the whole ' 'b o d y . ,


; , They d id n 't d o as well, however,


P 'r - k 'f durin9 the drastic culls o f the foot ■ fo x jl# - and mouth outbreak in 2001, which


-saw an estimated 30,000 of 75,000 Herdwicks lost.


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0- If.ark hanging over their contribution to ’ ' t.L.' the environment; with fears that their " ‘


K And more recently there was a question,'


5% grazing was doing' more damage to the' i7: ;' fells thah'godd; N ow sheep grazing is


^ seen as something tha t contributes to ■ ^ v biodiversity.


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They turned to respected experts from North West Auctions professional team for advice; as Chris explains:


“As a result of the input from John Hughes and. his team we’ve been able to benefit from the approaches from United Utilities, National Grid and Banks Renewals. We now have income coming in from four turbines and through easements giving access to the Haweswater Aqueduct and a pylon.”


“Matthew is also using their architectural consultant and „ chartered building surveyor Greg Gilding to design a new house for him on the farm.


“I would definitely recommend the NWA team to others. 77:777 M 111 !‘!v -"S’ ; iiv-,Xi,Wv,1‘Srt5 Hs»vf.W> i* *5* *■ * ■' v ^


Ip n i^ i? need t0 keep up With new fundin9 formuias and ffnd


snH r / t0J'"cr®ase Productivity, manage the environment and respond to development approaches and potential. L


S a business that depends on input from a wide range of ,re?UlrementS' '°0k for diversification opportunities,


With the growing of crops and the rearing of animals come a whole host of considerations no matter the size of the. farm.


is a unique and complex business. ■ -


Clegg, their Chartered Surveyor and Land Agent! (Bottom Vz page advertorial, heading) Experts in our field


NWA Professional team is made up of highly experienced and dedicated professionals who help agricultural businesses thrive in increasingly difficult times.


Based at Lancaster Auction Mart and Junction 36 Rural Auction Centre, they ably advice clients on how to make the very best of their business property and assets. NWA Professional offer a fully integrated, one-stop-shop service to all customers including negotiating compensation claims, resolving landlord and tenant matters, acting in arbitration matters, conducting valuations, instructing on lettings and sales as well as giving guidance on environmental schemes and single farm payments.


They offer clear, expert advice using their years of experience and a professional approach to find a cost-effective solution.


NWA Property and Professional practice throughout North Lancashire, South Cumbria and West Yorkshire.


Call the NWA Professional team to find out how they can help you.


John Hughes FIA (Scot) FLAA - Land Agent, Auctioneer and Valuer 015395 66215/07970 830517


john@nwauctions.co.uk


Michael Mashiter FRICS FAAV - Chartered Surveyor, Land Agent, Valuer and Auctioneer 015395 62214/07713 787511 Michael@nwauctions.co.uk


Rodney Coward - Farm Advisory Services


Manager 015395 66213 / 07717 548966 Rodney@nwauctions.co.uk


Greg Gilding BSc (Hons) MRICS - Chartered Building Surveyor 07969 994945 greg@nwauctions.co.uk


Sarah Clegg BSc (Hons)MSc MRICS - Chartered Surveyor and Land Agent


01539 566229/07795 048511 i


They ve given excellent advice, they are competitively priced and are friendly to deal with.”


Matthw Berry (far left) and Chris Gibson (far right) turned to NWAs professional team for advice. Pictured centre is Sarah


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