The Farmers Mart Aug-Sep 2018 - Issue 58 | Page 38

38 RISBY GRANGE
AUG/SEP 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk
Champion Longwools, a wedding
dress and a passion for a breed
SITUATED in a small hamlet in the
Lincolnshire Wolds is Risby Grange,
home to Ian and Louise Fairburn, a
farming couple who are passionate
about Lincoln Longwools. The
couple first met, when Mrs Fairburn
was looking for someone to install
a farm track at her home. After
searching in the Yellow Pages, she
came across Mr Fairburn’s firm. It
was love at first sight for them both,
Ian said: “I opened the Land Rover
door when I arrived and said that’s
the girl I’m going to marry.”
They established the flock in
2004 from 6 ewes and a single ram.
Since then the flock has grown to
a strong breeding flock of 35 ewes.
They keep a total of 70 Lincolns at
any one time, which includes stock
rams and perpetual show stock.
The flock are grazed on a varied
permanent pasture, with water
supplied by natural springs. Ram-
blers walking the Viking Way, a na-
tional trail which crosses through
their pasture land, means walkers
can view the flock all year round.
Not only will they be able to view
the Longwools, but also enjoy the
magnificent landscape which the
Longwools graze in.
The Longwool is one of the
largest native breeds of sheep in
the UK, whom at one time would
have dominated the countryside,
especially in the Eastern counties.
They’re a hardy breed and were
once in great demand, being
exported around the world, their
fleece was also of great value and
highly prized commercially. With
the decline of the British wool
industry and the drive for cheaper
meat products, have had a great
impact on the breed which has
threatened its very survival. This
magnificent breed of sheep has
now become a vulnerable rare
breed.
“Living in Lincolnshire made
them the obvious choice. Although
it can be at times hard work, it is
thoroughly enjoyable and reward-
ing lo live alongside them.”
When Ian and Louise tied the
knot in 2009, Lisa decided to
prove that British wool was still
a wonderful commodity to be
celebrated. With this in mind she
came up with the idea of de-
signing her own wedding dress,
making use of wool from her own
flock. The dress was designed
to showcase the full range of
possibilities with the one garment. Longwools, maintaining the high
She utilised hand spun wool in the standards of the breed, and
form of crocheted pattern with
helping to ensure its survival. They
tiny crowns, each of which had
regularly exhibit at shows around
a crystal sewn on to look like a
the country, this gives them the
jewel, as well as felted wool. Then opportunity to showcase the
for dramatic effect, she used the
breed to a wider audience. Over
natural raw wool for the lower
the years they’ve won several
half of the dress. The Daily Mail
awards including Breed Champion
carried a short article about the
and Overall Show Supreme at the
dress, along with several images
Lincolnshire show in 2013.
which went viral and captured
Recently Louise was filmed with
the media’s attention all over the
the flock for the BBC TV show,
world.
Antiques Road Trip, the pro-
Ian and Louise’s aim with
gramme features antiques experts
their flock is to breed pedigree
travelling around the UK searching
74138 - GrahamEdwards - ETH.pdf 1 05/07/2018 15:09:22
for treasures and competing to
make the most money at auction,
coupled with short snippets along
the way about the area they are
travelling around. Philip Serrrel,
one of the antiques experts, was
filmed with Louise and her flock
whilst the show was in the Market
Rasen area. The episode featur-
ing the flock will be aired in the
Autumn.
We wish both Ian and Louise
all the best and best of luck going
forward.
www. risbygrangelongwools.co.uk
Accou
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and ta
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for far
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We are proud to support The Risby
Flock of Lincoln Longwools.
CM
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For more information on our services,
please call us on 01522 815100 or visit
our website at www.nicholsonsca.co.uk
www.nicholsonsca.co.uk
CMY
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Proud suppliers to Ian and Louise Fairburn
of Risby Grange wishing them continued success
Moor Lane, Full Sutton, York, YO41 1HX
Tel: [phone] (evening)
Fax: [phone]
www.edwardstrailers.co.uk