Shetland sheep fleece sale
21 May 2009
Shearing of the Trust’s sheep flock at St Catherine’s Hill was completed recently with the help of contract shearer, Andy Barrett, and the Winchester reserves volunteer team. These super fine Shetland sheep fleeces are available in white, grey, black, brown and fawn at £2 each.
For several years the Trust has grazed St Catherine's Hill and Broughton Down Wildlife Reserves with its own flock of Shetland sheep. The primitive Shetland breed is ideal for restoring flower-rich downland from overgrown scrub being able to thrive on courser grasses and browsing young scrub. Short open grassland sheltered by some young scrub is ideal for the many butterflies, such as chalkhill blue and brown argus that rely on these small remnants of unimproved downland.
Some Shetland sheep still naturally shed part of their fleece and can look a bit shaggy in early spring. So after the threat of frosts have passed its time for us to help them lose that thick winter coat. The wet weather made it difficult to plan the day to mobilise the many Winchester volunteers, but our luck was in, the rain held off long enough to shear the 100+ sheep and keep the fleeces dry. The fine Shetland wool is ideal for spinning, felting and weaving.
For more information, please contact Mike Allen, South Downs Reserves Officer, on 07831 692963 or email MichaelA@hwt.org.uk
