Always keen to help enable someone to get into sheep
. And especially rare sheep
. And super especially if they might be interested in producing fleece for us crafters
My first thought was Norfolk Horn. The precursor to the Suffolk, and actually recreated from almost extinct by reverse engineering Suffolk x Southdown.
And how I would love to have a supplier of this fabulous fleece close by
. Lol. It’s one of my favourite breeds, and is also a fave of Deborah Robson, co-author of the Fleece and Fibre Sourcebook.
Another rare breed with nice fleece for spinning, and a downland type, is Oxford Down. Spinners go mad for the coloured ones especially, but I’m not sure the breed Soc is so keen
Another rare breed that might be of interest is the Border Leicester. I’ll buy a tup lamb off you for crossing if you go that route
.
Portland might be a bit too independent-minded for you, but I believe they’re easy to look after, and the fleece is very popular.
An idea from left field.. At North Ash Farm, vet and farmer Mike has been breeding Exmoorino for many years. Extraordinary fleece. 1st cross Exmoor Horn x his merino/bowmont is to my mind just about the perfect fleece for spinning. 2nd cross (1/4 Exmoor Horn) is super fine and super soft. Just a thought.