The late autumn shepherds’ meets are quiet shows that focus solely on sheep, with perhaps a fell race or a shepherd’s dog competition as well. Sheep are a serious business in the fells, and at the Buttermere meet there are classes for every age of sheep, several groups of sheep, sheep shown in show red colour and those with natural colour, sheep with the best mouth. But there is only one breed – Herdwick.
Herdwick sheep are not only part of the landscape here – there are cultural events centred around them. The meets held at this time of year may be entered by any shepherd from the parish of the meet or any adjoining parish. They were originally set up for shepherds to walk to with their tips (their rams; they’re called tups in some parts of Cumbria, tips in others). They will then sell, swap or hire them ready for tipping time.
The tips here are getting restless. They know that soon it will be time for them to be “loused” among the yows, who will quietly grow lambs over the winter ready for springtime. Today at Gatesgarth Farm the sheep are contained in a long run of metal hurdles for the show and every couple of minutes there is the sound of metal crashing as the tips try to get to the yows in neighbouring pens.
From a picnic table bending under the weight of the silver cups, the classes are shouted out in turn, and shepherds skilfully guide the correct sheep out of their pens for that class. “Best group of eight, then three yows natural colour”. The sheep are brought out and the judge looks at each one in turn. There is no rush, no hurry, very little chat. Everybody waits quietly until the rosettes are handed out.
The final class of the day is for the overall champion sheep. All the winners from the previous classes go head to head in the final. Johnny Bland from Yew Tree Farm in Borrowdale wins, following his win at Borrowdale last week. He looks genuinely delighted as he calls his whole family over for the prizegiving. It’s been a successful day.
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