Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit and Herdwick Sheep

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This post is for Claudia Kirkland (@CRK109) who revealed that she likes hearing about different sheep breeds. When we were in the Lake District in England I was thrilled to see some Herdwicks. It doesn't take much to please some people, does it? The Herdwick is a coarse-woolled hill breed. What is particularly interesting about this and some other indigenous British breeds is that they are hefted or 'heafed' meaning they instinctively keep to their own area of the country. Mothers stay on their own 'patch' and the lambs learn the heaf from their mothers. Fences aren't necessary and, after shearing or dipping, the flocks immediately return to their own patch on the common land. 'Herdwyck' actually means 'sheep pasture' and the word is documented as far back as the 12th century. Beatrix Potter (creator of Peter Rabbit and his pals) was a great fan of the breed and owned property in this area. When she bequeathed her farms to the National Trust, a stipulation was that the farms were to be stocked with Herdwicks. In 2002 entire flocks throughout Britain were eradicated during the foot and mouth crisis. Because the animals heaf, it was not easy to replace stock. Lambs are born almost black and become lighter as they grow. The fleece is virtually two-in-one with an undercoat of fine wool and a dark, coarse outer fleece which is heavy and dense and a strong, coarse mane round the neck and top of the shoulder. The wool is of little commercial value or use, although some is used for carpet making and for speciality fabrics. The meat is very flavoursome and of high quality. Native breeds play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of life in their particular regions. Photo copyright Vince Evans