Farm on the M62: From show ring to battle for uplands - Jill Thorp
Another year at our favourite show has come and gone and of course this one, like all the ones before it, didn’t disappoint. It was hot, very hot and it was busy and packed with every type of entertainment, stall and displays you would hope to see at an agricultural show of this standing. From sheep shearing to line dancing, show jumping to cattle parades, it was superb. Paul managed to enjoy a couple of days in and amongst dashing home to press on with jobs that couldn’t wait, whilst I spent the week there.
I would like to say we performed well in the ring with our two breeds, but we were well and truly outclassed in the Bluefaced Leicester ring! The competition was very strong and our late born lambs just didn’t stand a chance. I was over the moon, however, to see a lovely family secure the overall ticket with one of my favourite tups, the wonderful Ronnie! The Whitefaced Woodlands made up for it and we ended up taking the overall breed champion with our aged ewe, High Moss Hattie. It’s always an absolute joy to be in the Interbreed Championship and be a part of a huge line up of such a variety of world class sheep.
Whilst I would still argue that I’d like to see our hill sheep with our own Interbreed class to give them a fair crack at the whip, my greater argument would be that the judge does some basic research into the breeds he is likely to encounter on the day. I’m not suggesting that the judge become an expert on every breed overnight but if you are lucky enough to be appointed such a prestigious role then at least have half an idea of what you’re looking at!
As much as we enjoyed the show, the endless photos from our friends at home who were directly affected by the fires still raging on, left us feeling pretty helpless. The devastation is on a huge scale, with two fires, one at Dovestones, the other at Tintwistle causing major trouble for all the lads and lasses that are out there fighting it. It feels like it has become the norm, an accepted part of our spring and summer months. There is little coverage on the national news and support from those sat in our capital is non existent.
Whilst fire crews from surrounding counties work together with our farmers and game keepers, people are still out there, blocking roads, ignoring the closed footpath signs to try and get close to the fire and even more incredulously, are still up there having BBQs. Aside from those that are fighting it and those directly affected by it, it’s old news now and people have almost become blasé about it.
For those of us that live, breathe and cherish our uplands, we are all too aware of the far reaching consequences of a fire like this. I’ve seen countless posts on social media about it being good for the moor and it’ll all grow back in no time. I’m afraid there is nothing good about this type of burn, it is an environmental disaster and I’m afraid until our precious uplands are closed off to all these idiots that treat them like a dispensable play area, the destruction will continue.