[graham-j]

Hi, I am new to the forum.I have a field and an old bramley orchard.I currently keep chickens,ducks and quail behind my house,along with raised beds for vegetables.I also keep geese,a small flock of sheep that I am keen to expand.I have recently just got some turkeys for the first time.
I have looked at several small holding and farming forums and this one seems to be by far the best.

Graham.

[Blinkers]

Hello from Glorious Sunny South West Wales 
Whereabout in/around Canterbury are you?    That was my stomping ground as a teenager  .

[Bionic]

Welcome to the forum Graham  You will find lots of information here and some very helpful people
Sally

[SallyintNorth]

Welcome Graham  from a blowy but thankfully dry north Cumbria.  Finished clipping the sheep (commercial flock - Texel, Charollais, North Country Mules and crosses therefrom) yesterday - yay!

We, of course, agree with you that this is the best smallholder forum

What sort of sheep you got?

[graham-j]

Hi,thanks I live just outside chartham.My sheep are Texel x Suffolk's.I bought some store lambs last summer as a good way of starting with sheep.I have 3 left which I which will be slaughtered as hoggets at the end of summer.They are currently employed keeping someone's grass short.
I am just about to buy another dozen stores to do the same again this year,I am also looking to buy some ewe lambs to start building my own flock.
I sheared my 3 remaining sheep my self last week,a little late I know,but the weather and if I'm honest fear of harming them has been holding me back.Boy that was hard work,I'm now in my mid forty's and I guess the consequences of to much good living is starting to  add up.

Graham.

[skidley]

Hello
from a super sunny and warm Ruckinge, just outside of Ashford, not far from you at all. I used to ride/work in Waltham and my best friend lived on shalmsford street! Small world.

[graham-j]

Hi,I know Ruckinge fairly well a friend used to work at the motorcycle place that was there Brian Valetine Motorcycles.More of a coincidence I also used to ride at Waltham at Merry Mervin's riding school Tuesdays and Saturdays,but that was a long time ago.I would love to take up riding again but I am probably a bit on the stout side for most horses nowadays.I also drank in the Nelson,and compasses pubs and the Duke at Petham.

Graham.

[skidley]

Chaucer stables! You wouldn't recognise it now. I don't suppose you remember Alison potter who worked at the yard? Mrs mervin had retired by the time I started riding there, but still took a keen interest in how well the yard was swept!

[graham-j]

Hi,Sorry I can remember faces but not names.I can remember the names of three of the horses.Gilpin an old hunter who was so slow he virtually went backwards Honey and Natalie were my favorites two horses.There was a lady who worked there called Ann,I can remember her as we used to go to her place with are poney's for the charity ride at Postling.Mrs.Mervin was extremely strict she certainly knew how put the fear of god in you if you did something wrong.None the less I have some very fond memories of being there.

Graham.

[Rosemary]

Hello and welcome from windy Carnoustie 

[darkbrowneggs]

Hi and welcome from lovely warm Worcestershire 

[Blinkers]

Heavens, Mary Mervin - now there's a blast from the past.   Know all the place your guys have mentioned and the pubs  .  My brother lives in Challock these days but I haven't been back that way for a good few years.   Cor.....takes me back hearing about all those places 

[graham-j]

Hi,and thanks for making me feel welcome,darkbrowneggs I recognize you from some of the poultry forums.What area of Canterbury did you come from Blinkers I know you said your brother lives in Challock,that is same place as Fred Hams the renowned poultry man lives.

Graham.

[Blinkers]

Hi Graham - we lived in Ickham......and my first ever job was as a telephonist in the Old Mill in Wickhambreaux, when it was a Animal Feed Merchants.   Littlebourne (can't remember the name of the pub)  was a favourite haunt in late teens as was Wingham (Red Lion?)   Memories aaahhhhh.

[montana]

Hi Graham,
We live in Fawkham near Brands Hatch, we have Jacob sheep, Gloucester Old Spot pigs ,Turkeys,Chickens and Chinese Geese.
 
Kind regards
 
Michael and Gill