Thursday 26 April 2018

Four Legs Good

On the Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire the two-legged occupants haven't always fared that well over the centuries. Those who were poor found themselves ousted from their village as the owners of the Hall extended the parkland around their vast mansion. And the people in the big house themselves, after a few generations of each family, generally produced someone who spent or gambled their way into destitution and had to sell up. Now it's looked after by the National Trust and you have to pay just to look around.

Meanwhile, down on the farm, things continue much as before. You can find four-legged inhabitants here that you''ll no longer find in other places. Lets meet some of the rare breed animals of Home Farm.


Oxford Sandy And Black Pigs


Oxford Sandy And Blacks are also known as the Plum Pudding Pig (I wonder why!) and are thought to be one of the older breeds of pig in Britain. If you've never seen one then I'm not at all surprised as they've been brought back from the edge of extinction by just a few dedicated breeders. They are particularly cute when they are piglets:



Portland Sheep


The great attraction at Wimpole Hall at this time of year are the young lambs and the outside chance of seeing an actual birth. Portland sheep are one of several sheep breeds to be seen on the farm, They are an old breed that have remained separate from other breeds by the virtue of coming from an island, (an almost-island anyway), the Isle of Portland. 

At one time they were essential to Portland's economy though they gradually grew fewer in number until their very existence was threatened and they disappeared completely from their home territory. There is now a herd on Portland once again, being looked after by the inmates of Portland Prison.


White Park Cattle


Yet another ancient breed, and this one may have been around more than two thousand years. They are descended, it's thought, from the wild white cattle which once roamed these islands. White Park Cattle should feel very at home here as they were originally kept in parks around medieval manors, but over the centuries it became less fashionable to keep cattle in parks and the breed began to die out. The White Park is the emblem of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. 


Tamworth Pig


We've met Tamworths on this blog before, but such handsome beasts can surely be seen again. They hail, surprisingly enough, from Tamworth in Staffordshire and are thought to be descended from pigs brought from Ireland. They are closer genetically to wild boar than other domesticated breeds.


Whitefaced Woodland Sheep


The Whitefaced Woodland is a breed from the South Pennines and is one of the biggest breeds of mountain sheep. They are an extremely attractive-looking breed. They are also known as Penistone Sheep from the Yorkshire town where they were sold at the market.


Bagot Goats


It is recorded that as long ago as 1389 Sir John Bagot of Blithefield Hall in Staffordshire kept a herd of black and white goats which in time became known by his name. They are an extremely self-reliant breed and lived a semi-feral existence though confined to the park, all the management that was needed was an occasional cull to control their numbers. The billy goats can develop very impressive horns.




Norfolk Horn Sheep


On an earlier post about different breeds of farm animals someone commented that they didn't know there were so many types of sheep. In fact there are over 60 breeds in the UK so we've still got a few more to go! The Norfolk Horn for example. These sheep once thrived and prospered in the dry, sandy Brecklands of Norfolk, but dwindled down to just one flock in 1919, but their numbers were built up by just one devoted breeder. 


Middle White Pigs


Aw, come on, you can't resist such a pretty face, can you? This beautiful Miss Piggy is a Middle White. They were first bred in Yorkshire in the nineteenth century by cross-breeding (you're not going to believe this) a Large White with a Small White - they don't go in for fancy names up in Yorkshire! They are an extremely placid and friendly breed. Go on, you know you want another picture....



What a sexy smile!


Take care.



17 comments:

  1. That last photo made me laugh! I had no idea there were so many unusual breeds of farm animals. I love those first pigs, with their spots, they are quite attractive.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It would be very interesting indeed to see these rare breeds and it is encouraging that we have made the effort to preserve them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gosh, John, I could look at each photo for a long time. Aren't pigs amazing creatures, so funny and sweet at the same time. Same goes for the sheep.
    Thanks for the smile! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Interesting to see these different animals. I love those Plum Pudding Pigs, never seen or heard of them but they sure are cute. The last photo is great, that is one happy pig.
    Nice photos and thank you, John.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The pigs are definitely the stars of that post!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Delightful! If that last photo doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will! Great post, John!

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOL... that IS a sexy and mischievous smile!! Gotta love those little piglets. Super-cute!

    ReplyDelete
  8. LOL! What wonderful animal shots!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thought I recognised the first pig, lovely set of photos but my favourite are the pigs

    ReplyDelete
  10. It was nice to see them.I have not seen these types of animals before. Thanks for sharing:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pretty piggies but I think they'll soon be wantin' some mud. And I think the goats have some spring mischief up their sleeves, especially the one in front with the subtle arrogant look.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I dunno...that Middlewhite pig is not the most attractive of the pigs featured here. The facial close up reminds me, too much, of Donald J.T. Ick.

    What a fascinating place this is -- nice to know that some breeds have been brought back from near extinction.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Guess I'm agreeing with the majority of comments in liking th plum pudding pigs best. It doesn't hurt that get such a yummy name!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi, I enjoyed all your terrific animal pictures. A few made me smile!
    Happy weekend, Gosia.

    ReplyDelete
  15. One soay sheep left here......I feel so sad x

    ReplyDelete
  16. All adorable in every way. Four legs good indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I agree all lovable critters John.. at least their mums think so 😀 The Middle-White in the last shot has a decidedly 'trumpish' look, I think it's the hair 😀😀

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'll try to answer any questions via a comment or e-mail within the next day or two (no hard questions, please!).