[Fowgill Farm]

Bumblebear
go to the GOS website members section and you will find a list of breeders in the Anglia area any of which will be glad to talk to you and may let you visit them.
There are lots of courses now as people have jumped on the bandwagon, the good ones come by recommendation eg Oaklands, HH, Liz Shankland, these are all experienced pig people who know their stuff. One thing to ask of somebody running  a course is to ask how long they've been keeping pigs, if its only a couple of years, look abit further they're still learning, i've been keeping pigs now for 8yrs and i'm still learning. I started with a day at Pig Parardise and it was a good introduction but not compared to actually going to a breeder and talking to them.
HTh
mandy

[chickenfeed]

we are in cambridgeshire if you want to pop over and talk pigs and pig keeping i also know of other breeders around here that would welcome you to look around and talk pigs too.
 

[chickenfeed]

just a thought wayland show (its in norfolk) is on 5th august why not come over and see the pigs and have a chat to the breeders its only a small show as far a pig shows go but very friendly 

[rispainfarm]

Totally agree Fowgill, we kept all types of traditional breeds for 10 years before we did courses.  Its all very well teaching facts (which can be learnt from a book anyway) but its the inside knowledge and the tips you only learn from experience that makes a good course

[Bumblebear]

It was the Paradise Pig course we initally enquired about and depsite being initally impressed by their experience etc their marketing literature was the full-on "pig day out" and really put me off.  Quite frankly I objected to paying £16 extra for a roast pork lunch too - a pack lunch and early finish would have done me!

We went to the Norfolk Show but that was primarily to see the goats; we do usually go to the Wayland Show so I will definitely swing by the pigs this time and get chatting.  Will an of you guys be there, so I can hunt you out?

[princesspiggy]

It was the Paradise Pig course we initally enquired about and depsite being initally impressed by their experience etc their marketing literature was the full-on "pig day out" and really put me off.  Quite frankly I objected to paying £16 extra for a roast pork lunch too - a pack lunch and early finish would have done me!

We went to the Norfolk Show but that was primarily to see the goats; we do usually go to the Wayland Show so I will definitely swing by the pigs this time and get chatting.  Will an of you guys be there, so I can hunt you out?

iv never met tony but have spoken over the fone a few times and he is v knowledgeable and informative.
wev had customers visiting here many times - before reserving pigs, including breeding stock. to me discussing pig breeding would be normal conversation if u were wanting breeders but some people get rather embarrassed, and would rather have a nice conversation and stroke the piggys and take a photo. horses for courses. 

[chickenfeed]

It was the Paradise Pig course we initally enquired about and depsite being initally impressed by their experience etc their marketing literature was the full-on "pig day out" and really put me off.  Quite frankly I objected to paying £16 extra for a roast pork lunch too - a pack lunch and early finish would have done me!

We went to the Norfolk Show but that was primarily to see the goats; we do usually go to the Wayland Show so I will definitely swing by the pigs this time and get chatting.  Will an of you guys be there, so I can hunt you out?

we will be there with the pigs.

[Eastling]

We would also recommend Oaklands course. Very well done and very informative.The book is  great  to have for reference. 

[Button End Beasts]

I did the pig paradise course a few years ago and it was very, very good. I learnt a lot and Tony has been more than happy to answer questions in the years following the course. I have to say though the website and all the marketing,blurb very nearly put me off the whole thing.

[thenovice]

Just go for it! If you are just keping a couple for few months, do some research and take the plunge. This forum is great for sound advice. A roll of stock netting 12.5m by 12.5m is sufficient for 2 meat pigs, and a lot more space than commercial porkers get. Good luck