New Addition
A heifer calf at last! Born on VE Day so she could only be called one thing! Victoria (Vicky)!
Lockdown
March 23rd 2020 was the start of a strange period in the UK with the country put on lockdown due to Corvid 19 a pandemic virus that hit the world. Our life here on the farm did not change much as it coincided with a break in wet weather and Spring arriving with a bang. […]
Sage Harvest
This year the English perennial sage has been harvested and distilled. The oil to be used in flavouring and fragrances.
Lambing 2020
It was a slow start on 26th February to this years lambing season. A set of twins, nothing for a week, then a busy 2 weeks with two or three sets of twins every day. Finishing with a two week break at the end for the last set of twins. Lots of ewe lambs, two […]
Spring Jobs
Its been busy busy as Spring has sprung. Grass to be fertilised, Slug Pelleting, Harrowing and rolling.
Past and Present
Winny Banbury Wolverton 1937 Hand Rearing 45 Lambs / Sarah Sladen Wolverton 2020 Hand Rearing 1 Lamb!
Michael Carr Walford
It is great sadness that we have to report the passing of Michael Walford. He was the 3rd generation to farm here. He was passionate about the countryside, farming and trees. It is sad that he will not see the fulfilment of the woodland management scheme and planting of new copses.
Then and Now
Pedigree Traditional Hereford Cattle. Front Field 1957 Pedigree Dexter Cattle 2020 Dairy Cattle, in front field, on holiday from Lasham 1970 Pedigree Dexter Cattle, in front field, on TB restrician 2020
RIP Bear
RIP Bear Very sadly Bear suffered a heart attack when we moved him into a new field with some new ladies. Perhaps it was too much for an old man!
New Year New Uniform
Our first branded fleeces from Father Christmas! A useful marketing tool on the show circuit.
Roll on Show Season
1st January is the first day we can shear Black Welsh Mountain sheep for showing. So the poor show selected rams and shearling ewes were given a shock today as their coats were removed. However they are happily installed in a warm barn with lots of food, which in this wet winter is a luxury compared […]
Royal Berkshire Show
A great way to end the show season. Black Welsh Mountain Sheep breed champion with a ewe lamb. 3 out of 4 of our sheep in the championship. Then 3rd with our group of three out of 20 plus interbreed groups.
A sad day
Today we said goodbye to our 11 year old breeding cow. She failed the dreaded TB test. Leaving behind her 48 day old calf. Life is cruel. Myrtle has given us lots of calves, mainly steers for the freezer but also two wonderful Heifers to join our herd. She will be missed.
Alresford Show
A return to this lovely local show. The last time I showed pigs here 8 years ago! The stewards were so helpful on arrival and made the day very enjoyable. It helped that we won best ewe lamb and champion Wool on the Hoof with Boysie the ram lamb. A very large cup for a […]
Rare Breed Survival Trust
The Chiltern and London Branch of the RBST hosted thier end of year get together with us on Sunday. After a tour of another local farm, the group came to see our piglets, Cattle and sheep. A brief explation of what we are doing here to try to improve the soli through smothering black grass […]
Defra Farm Visit
We were the host for a visit from Defra and Natural England to see on the ground what the Higher level stewardship looks like and how it is helping in the working of the farm. We disscussed how future schemes could be less complex for managing and what additions we as a farm would like […]
Egham Royal Show
A wonderful day winning all classes in my section and then winning wool on the hoof champion. The trophy donated and presented by the legendary Maurice Duce. I so wanted to win the inagual trophy last year but was pipped to the post. I am so pleased to come back and win it this year.
BBC Countryfile Live
Our Black Welsh Mountain sheep supporting The Farmyard at BBC Countryfile Live. An interesting change from rosette chasing but great to interact with the public and promote this wonderful breed. We also had some Kune Kune Pigs there.
South East Farmer
Nice to see oneself in print! Thank you Alan West you were a great judge and not just because we won!
New Forest Show Day 2
Wow! Hill and Heath Champion and Interbreed Champion. This Shearling ewe is doing us proud.
New Forest Show Day 1
Our first Black and White rosette. Black Welsh Mountain Breed Champion. 206 was a star. We also won reserve champion fleece and were first in our category in Wool on the Hoof.
Lambeth Show
Hill and Heath Champion and Interbreed Champion. Well done Brandon and 206. Great team on a hot day. The Lambeth show is an amazing collection of food and music from around the world and an a farm section on the side. Incredible to think you are in the middle of London. The people are so interested […]
Hay Cut
GS4 cut and baled for cattle fodder. Michael helping to count the bales. Wild flowers cut and baled. Wonderful meadow hay for our cattle and sheep this winter and to sell. Great harvest.
German Camomile Harvest
First harvest of this crop. Its been a good growing year. Read about its benefits in our Crops page.
Interbreed Champion
This weekend we have been showing our Black Welsh Mountain sheep at The Rare Breeds Survival Trust show at Mudchute City Farm. All in view of Canary Wharf in London. There was an impressive collection of over a 118 sheep from 21 breeds competing in their different sections. We Won!!
90 years at The Old House
Decendents of Hugh Walford celebrate 90 years of being at The Old House
First calf of the year
Eddie was born on 4th May 2019. His mothers udders were so low to the ground we had to shut them in and put him onto the teet every 4 hours or so to make sure he got the hang of getting on his knees to reach them. After a few days he was going […]
