Michael & Patricia Gray talk about their rare breed Shetland sheep flock. They have lived at Nut Tree Cottage in Lower Chicksgrove for almost 50 years. Now retired, Michael was an army doctor specialising in aviation medicine and Patricia a professional horsewoman, whose living was horses.
Apshill & Mandeville Pedigree Shetland Flocks
In 1999, we bought six pedigree Shetland shearling* ewes followed at tupping* time by a ram.
Shetland Sheep have for generations been noted for their very soft and well crimped fleece. The wool is the finest of all native breeds and shows an amazing variety of colours and markings. The breed can be traced back to at least 500AD, to Norwegians settling in Scotland and the northern isles, who brought their own sheep to mix with the ancient Soay types already there.
*shearling = a sheep that has been sheared once
*tupping = the act of a ram (or tup) mating with a ewe
It didn’t take too long before we realised that we were going to have to sell some of them. Shetlands mainly produce twins, with triplets happening most years.
As we were members of the Shetland Sheep Society we had met a few of the other members and we were encouraged to enter the world of showing.
Halter training followed, along with the purchase of a trailer, we were shown one with a deck & two ramps which seemed excessive at the time, however we went for it and it has proved to be just what was required.
Without being fully aware how competitive this was, we chose to enter the Shetland Show & Sale at Frome and were confronted by members with their championship winning flocks coming from far flung areas, which included Scotland.
This happened to be the National Show, which we have since discovered moves to different parts of the country each year.
Our sheep were liked by both the judge and buyers which was very pleasing.
Our lives were now to become ruled by the showing season, which begins with Sherborne Castle Country Fair Rare Breeds Show in May and ends with Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show in September.
We have coloured Shetlands with the most beautiful fleece, which I prepare to show as well as sell to spinners & general craft people.
I was a spinner & weaver long before having sheep and have always been a member of the Wiltshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers.
Left: Giving a talk /demonstration to the FIL group in Fovant Village Hall.
I am also a felter, wet felting and needle felting, and my creations are shown, from time to time winning the trophy for the Best Craft Item in Show.
Another byproduct are the sheepskins, which I also show successfully, some of them are sold as far away as Australia.
Photo 1 : Two sheepskins which were shown at the Sedgemoor Rare Breeds Show & Sale where they were awarded the Championship & Reserve Championship competing against strong competition.
Photo 2: Grey Katmoget sheepskin.
Photo 3: What I call Flashy sheepskin.
Photo 4: Mandeville flock mature rams.
Photo 5: A display of locks of fleeces, showing a variety of colours, crimp (small waves) & staple length.
Photo 6: Sunrise at Apshill barn.
Trish Gray
Email: mrstrishgray@aol.com
Instagram: @trishshetlands
WhatsApp: 07902 226603
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