Their farm is right up on the tops with inspirational views. I think if I lived there I would be permanently stood at the windows. They told us what it is like in winter when they are cut off by snowfall and how difficult it can be for the animals. The interesting conversation ranged from trail bikes, and their use on farms, to pictures hanging on the wall - some of which Sheila had painted herself, to talk of the Shows and Derbyshire Gritstone sheep. John actually judges these.
For the interest of 'townies' like myself, I found the following through Google :- Winter Hill Scrapbook by Dave Lane.
When most people think of a sheep, they think of … well …. a sheep!
They all look the same don't they? Actually no they don't - and there are
hundreds of different types of sheep in the fields, on the hills and
mountains of the British Isles. Different varieties of sheep are grown for
different purposes (some for meat, some for wool, others for breeding)
and some types fare better in different environments.
Sheep are both a blessing and a curse on Winter Hill. They are a blessing
because they look nice, they sound nice, they eat what's left of my butties
to save me taking them home and most importantly, they provide a
livelihood for local farmers. They are a curse because they seem to eat
everything and the Hill looks as it does now, mainly because of the sheep.
Unless an area is fenced off, no trees or shrubs grow, they are quickly
devoured. Where sheep are present, the vegetation is usually very short
and certain plant species are unable to survive the continuous close
grazing. The presence of sheep maintains the generally deforested top of
Winter Hill.
There are three main varieties of sheep grazing on Winter Hill.
"Derbyshire Gritstone", a mountain and hill variety which is found
mainly in Derbyshire and the Pennine Districts of Lancashire &
Yorkshire with a few also found in Wales. They are distinguished by their
faces and legs being white with black markings and there is no wool
growing on these parts either. They are hornless. Their wool is one of the
finest of all grown by the blackfaced type of sheep and it is extensively
used in the high quality hosiery business.
Page 10
Also seen on the Hill is the Swaledale, dark upper face with grey muzzle
and a tuft of wool on the forehead. Both sexes are horned. It is found in
the fells, moorlands and high ground of the six counties of Northern
England and it lives easily in exposed places.
Many Swaledale ewes are used for breeding the very popular Mules, and
the finer quality wool from this breed of sheep (the Swaledales that is!) is
used for the manufacture of tweeds, rug wool and some of the thicker
hand-knitting wools. Much of the wool is of coarse quality but this is
ideal for the making of carpets.
The final variety found on the Hill is the Cheviot.
Page 11
The Cheviot is distinguishable by its erect ears, white face and legs with a
ruff of wool behind the ears. There is no wool on the face or legs below
the knee or hock. The males are occasionally horned. The wool quality
varies from fairly course to quite fine and is used for manufacture into
clothing - ranging from rugged sportswear to lighter town suitings.
Cheviot wool is also used for making blankets, rugs and hosiery yarns.
You need never again wonder what type the sheep are on Winter Hill!
However, just to confuse you, the breeds listed are only those you will
find on the Hill itself - in the fields on the lower flanks of the Hill you
will also find Mules, Dalesbred and Lonks plus a few other crossbreed
varieties.
Dalesbred - distinguishable by its black face with distinct white mark at either side of
its nostrils. The legs are also black and white and they have a rounded low set pair of
horns. The fleece is tough and springy and is ideal for making carpet yarns.
Dalesbred can survive in the bleakest conditions and on the roughest pastures.
The sheep on the upper parts of the hill are free to roam and are brought
back down the hill several times a year for mating (known as "tupping")
usually around October/early November, lambing around April and for
clipping in June/July. They may also be brought off the hill for dipping
and worming although some farms dip the flock at clipping time, whilst
others delay the dipping for a month or so until a little fleece has re-
grown.
They also showed us a stick. You see I always think of questions to ask afterwards. I think I was so overwhelmed by excitement my brain was addled. So I shall ask them here and if any kind person can enlighten me I would be very grateful.
Where do they get the wood from to make these sticks?
How do they get that deep rich warm colour?
How do they get them so smooth?
All too soon it was time to head back for home. Graham drove us back along the valley and into Wincle parish where we saw another chapel/school which has become a private residence before heading for Macclesfield.
The conversations on the way included Joseph asking questions about how the Common Agricultural Policy affects farming something he is studying at school for geography.
All in all what a brilliant day. Going to the area the Remingtons lived in gives me a much clearer understanding of their lives, something I could not get from just researching documents. However it has also thrown up loads more questions.
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