GAWMLESS END
Description
History
The Sheep
Farm Activities
- D.I.Y. hurdles
Trees
ROSSENDALE VALLEY
Britannia Coconutters
Local Wildlife
Local Walking
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The Farm
Gawmless End is a Registered Smallholding. Its fields are rich
in plant
species, many of which are becoming rare these days: for
generations the type of farming carried out here has been traditional
haymaking and livestock management. The haymaking season is short because of regional and altitude factors, and the fields are small and steep: for this reason, making hay with small-scale equipment and late in the season is a necessity. This is what has preserved much of the traditional flora, though hay has not been made here for a year or two.
See also the page about our Jacob Sheep
A few chickens are usually kept. Currently we've got Warrens, a hybrid breed based on Rhode Island Reds, which we also used to keep. Prior to a visit from local foxes, we had Silver Dorkings and Barnevelders. (More on Barnevelders here.) It is difficult to get replacement stock of the rare RED DORKINGS these days, and we have had to stop keeping these (more on the Dorking Breed here and here.Doing it oneself
Smallholding is farming on a small scale. The economics of this do not support the purchase of expensive equipment, so what cannot be hired is made from materials to hand. There is always something to make or mend.Check out the GAWMLESS END gate hurdle and other tips.