Area of pasture available for grazing

The sheep graze 6.5 acres of rough grazing on very sandy soil with inclines on three sides.  We have split the land into several paddocks to allow for grazing rotation and to assist running our blood lines at breeding time.  The pasture is well drained although, in hot summers it gets very dry.

Reason for keeping a Flock of Manx Loaghtan

We bought our first Manx Loghtan stock many years ago, a ram lamb and four ewe lambs.  At that time, we already had experience of rare breed sheep.  We had a small flock of Hebrideans and Castlemilk Moorits.  We happened to holiday on the Isle of Man and fell in love with Manx Loaghtan sheep at the Gibbs of the Grove Museum, which had a sizeable flock, and the same year we were very fortunate to buy what turned out to be top quality stock at the Rare Breeds Show & Sale at Stoneleigh.

Our flock began with a ram lamb from Mrs Jean Newby, Nibheath William, three ewe lambs from Cotswold Farm Park and a fourth ewe lamb from Andy Bryan and Jo Corrigan’s flock, Peppard Polly.  These were all sheep from excellent stock lines and proved to be a solid foundation for the Lewislox Flock.  We now only keep a flock of Manx Loaghtans. 

Initially, our interest in Manx Loaghtan sheep centred on the preservation of the breed and we found them excellent for conservation grazing.  Our interest was further strengthened by the size of the carcass, which is a little bigger than the Hebrideans and Castlemilk Moorits.  We found the Manx Loaghtan sheep relatively easy to handle and of a size which yields excellent quality meat with a fat content which is low and yet very succulent.

Preservation of the Breed

We have been attracted to Manx Loaghtans as a rare breed primarily to ensure its continuing existence as a unique, rare breed sheep.  As members of the MLSBG, we have worked with Manx Loaghtan breeders on the Isle of Man to preserve the diversity of the breed within its breed parameters and yet seek to keep a broad set of breed characteristics across both the island and mainland flocks.  We have been proud to be part of that project.  Above all,  for preservation of the breed, a sheep must uses and markets and its own place in the economy.  The uses of the Manx Loaghtan sheep underpin the quest for its preservation

Fleece and Wool

Wool is perhaps the most sustainable of all the flock gives us, produced effortlessly each year by the sheep themselves!  The most satisfying projects which we have pursued with our Manx Loaghtans have focused on their wool. Some years ago, we investigated wool processing, both for knitting yarn and for weaving cloth.  As a result of this we have produced machine spun balled wool in 4ply, double knitting and Aran weight and we have also had Manx Loaghtan wool spun into weaving yarn and then woven into cloth.  We have produced, in all, six types of cloth, including two weaves of plain Manx cloth, and four further cloths where we have had the cloth woven from both Manx and other rare breed sheep wools, Hebridean, Shetland and Wensleydale. With these cloths we have also produced throws, pashminas, cushions, hats, dresses, and other garments.  Barry and our son in law have had three-piece suits made from the Manx/Hebridean cloth by a set of independent York based tailors, Mullen & Mullen.

Our woollen yarn and cloth have travelled far and wide being purchased by customers nationwide and from the USA, Poland, and Australia.

Meat

We do not cross breed as we are dedicated to maintaining unique Manx Loaghtan meat. The butchery of Manx Loaghtan sheep and its fabulous meat creates a differentiated place for it in the food market. Whilst we only have our sheep butchered for our own consumption, we sell surplus living stock each year for finishing, butchery and sale through a rare breed meat outlet uniquely promoting and selling Manx Loaghtan meat.  Whilst tasty and succulent, Manx Loaghtan meat is naturally lean with a lower  fat content in comparison to other sheep including that of commercial breeds.  Manx Loaghtans are relatively slow growing, and we have found 18 months of age to be the optimum time for slaughter.

Conservation Grazing

Manx Loaghtans are excellent for conservation grazers. They will eat tough grasses and keep these bullying plants to a balanced level thus ensuringthat specifically indigenous ranges of wild flowers retain their place in the ecosystem. We have used our sheep for conservation grazing for about fifteen years on 20 acres at a local Country Park. Their work at the park was to graze an area close to a reservoir surrounded and overgrown by willow.  Our Manx Loaghtans cleared the area in one season, significantly reducing the work of the Park Rangers and achieving a better balance of the flora overall.