Wensleydale sheep are a breed of domestic sheep that originated in the region of Wensleydale in North Yorkshire. This breed normally possesses a blue-grey face and the breed was developed in the 19th Century by crossing English Leicester and Teeswater sheep.
One of the largest and heaviest of all sheep breeds, the Wensleydale has long ringlet-like locks of wool. It is categorised ‘at risk’ but The Rare Breeds Survival of the UK’ has fewer than 1500 registered breeding females; it is predominately used today as a ram breed on order to cross with other types of breeds to obtain market lambs.
The Wensleydale suffered its worst spell of existence during the foot and mouth crisis of 2001. During this time over 10,000 of the Wensleydale breed were culled. The breed is well loved by many breeders, for the reasons of versatility and it’s magnificent fleece which is of high value when shaun. Although the breeds most predominant and common strain is white, the breed also has a rarer black colouring, and we at Vauxhall City Farm are proud to say that we have ‘Lamby’.
‘Lamby’ was born at Vauxhall City Farm, and experienced a hard entry into the world – her mother rejected her and in order to secure her survival, the farm manager had to give her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and then she slept under a heat lamp to give her warmth.
Reece the farmyard intern, who started volunteering at the farm when he was only 13 years old, cared for ‘Lamby’ when she was a baby.
Each winter season ‘Lamby’ goes off to experience ‘breeding’ and returns to give delight to the visitors at the farm. In 2008 Reece entered ‘Lamby’ into the Capel Manor Show and ‘Lamby’ was awarded 1st Prize as the best breed of sheep amongst London City Farms.
