Description

This is a broad introductory day looking at native sheep care, birth and death, environmental and conservation considerations and legal requirements.
During the day we will cover:
Meeting this year’s mums and lambs.
Practicalities of outdoor spring lambing.
Demonstration of ‘back friendly’ blade shearing
(if a suitable unshorn sheep is still available).
Rolling, grading and picking a fleece.
Sheep breeds, fleece, size and temperament.
Assessing the health & needs of the land.
Managing sheep for biodiversity.
Organic certification and land management.
End of life: intentional and accidental losses.
Legal responsibilities and required paperwork
Balls, tails and feet.
We will spend the day outdoors with the sheep in the community orchards and on the chalk grassland, at Hardwick Estate in South Oxfordshire very near the River Thames. If the weather is challenging we will be able to spend some of the time undercover in our workshop space. We supply a kettle or urn of hot water, some nibbles and all the necessaries for making tea, coffee and hot drinks but please bring your own packed lunch.

Participants will be limited to 10 to ensure individual attention.

The cost for the day is £100 (we are able to offer one concessionary significantly reduced price place for each workshop, (please Contact Us  about this)