Tangled

Today I tested my knee on another gentle walk round Castor Hanglands - better but still a bit of healing to do. I was surprised at exactly how autumnal everything appeared, perhaps exacerbated by the fact that they have started grazing part of the area during the summer - almost certainly beneficial for the sward in the long term, but resulting in far fewer flowers than in recent years. 

This was one of the conservation grazers - a very friendly Black Leicester Longwool. The Leicester Longwool sheep breed has existed for many years although the present breed looks quite different to the sheep improved by Robert Bakewell in the 1750's. The current breed is hardy, long –lived, easily managed and the ewes are good mothers. The sheep can survive in many different climates, in exposed conditions, with little extra food and sometimes with little water. The above characteristics, together with the long attractive lustre fleece and the friendly nature make the current Leicester Longwool ideal for today's emphasis in farmland management on stewardship and the environment. 


A recent development has been the establishment of a black flock book. Although it is known that Bakewell had at least one black sheep the breed has been considered to be white. The popularity of black sheep (or more accurately coloured sheep) has grown over the past ten years, in part due to the demand for its attractive fleece. This one was certainly rather beautiful, though her curly fleece meant that she had gathered many seed pods of agrimony, which is frequent around the edges of the area.