Dear Campton

Well what a spring we've had!  We were finally let out when spring came at the end of March, I didn't think we would ever see the grass again, there is only some much hay and carrots a bull calf can eat!

Our lambing started with a flurry in both speed and snow, we had 29 lambs from 12 ewes (seven sets of triplets, three sets of twins and two singles) must be something in the Campton water!

They are now all growing well and fast with the lush grass that eventually came along with the late spring.

This year the sheep had the pleasure of the Campton school reception year to visit; they behaved wonderfully and are a credit to their school. They decided to name a lamb Ron- we had to name his brother "later" so when they are together.

The Dexter cows have been busy as well, calving started in early May in Top field (next to Priory Road); the neighbours along Priory Road had quite a few practical midwife lessons from Louise and Andrew. Bo the cow started first in the middle of a heavy rainstorm and produced a long legged boy called Tie! 

Then mum had a new brother for me, his name is Geezer as mum is Diamond, then we had another bull calf from Clover, he was named "Liquorice" by the  year fours of Campton School.

Sheila the red cow managed the most spectacular birth, she thought it would be great fun to give birth in the middle of the last hail storm of Spring and just as Louise and Andrew sat down for dinner with friends for the first time this year- the dinner was ruined but the day was memorable with a James Herriot impersonation from Andrew Shelia finally produced a lovely heifer calf named Kylie! (I think Andrew lives in hope!), they can often be seen looking over the gate on the Gravenhurst Road.

We also had some Collie pups arrive in January - he's a sly one that Brock, more youngsters to care for but I'm glad to say they all found good homes to work for.

This year there appears to be more rabbits than grass; they are everywhere, good hunting for the buzzard in the early mornings, although they are doing considerable damage to the grass and hedges the youngsters are very cute!

The lambs are due to finish early August and then the cycle starts again for both the sheep, cows and farmer.

I am also growing like a good 'un and will be signing my column over to Kylie in the Autumn for all the details and news in this corner of Campton.

All the best

Neil the Campton calf

Me hiding in the grass with my aunts
 

Dear Campton,

Sorry its been such a long while since my last note, but things have been rather busy!

You may have noticed that we are not in any of the fields at the moment, we are now snug and warm in a big barn
with ad-lib hay, deep warm straw and a particularly nice salt lick- Cow heaven!, I say let the snow and rain do it's worst...... Louise and Andrew would rather not have the snow!

Well the lambs have all been sold and some of the local people of Campton seem to have enjoyed them as well! (New orders for next years crop taken now)

The ewes have been sent off to the "boyfriends" for a few weeks and are due back at the end of January to Top Field on Priory Road, they have all been ultrasonically scanned to see if they have twins or not (another modern addition to the farmers skills). Some of them appear to have triplets so that should be fun in the cold month of March when lambing begins!!

I was moved with my aunts and mates from the Water Meadow in late Autumn after eating all of the luscious traditional meadow grass, I must say we did a particularly fine job on it and I am pleased to report I did not go into the trailer without a fight - managed to clear a four foot high hurdle with no faults....hmmmmm... wonder if there is an opening in the British Equestrian team for the London Olympics?

Whilst I was down in the Water Meadow we regularly spotted the Campton Black Squirrel along with Buzzards, Herons and a Red Kite! (not the type with a string attached) there was some spectacular mists, Campton is indeed a gem of a village to live in.

We had the school over again for a Geography lesson, some how the Cow pats and a free rein seemed better than listening to Andrew talk about the difference between Agriculture in Bedfordshire and the Peak District. Sir Stanley Odell also joined in describing the old methods of farming in comparison to today's methods. (Bet they didn't ultra sound sheep!). That daft collie Brock showed off again by jumping the gates (not quite as good as me) and playing that little known Campton sport of Brussel Sprout bobbing in the water trough, if you want to know more ask any of the children in year four of Campton Lower school, but be prepared for an odd story!

Some local news. A lovely new hedge and  trees have been planted along the far end of Top Field including an Evergreen Oak in Memory of Audrey Odell. It's growing well and will be another asset to Campton whilst providing shelter for us in a few years.

Some rather more exciting news is my mum and aunts are due to calve at the end of May, so I will have some more friends to play with (although mum says I have to be careful as I am a bit clumsy!), looks like Louise and Andrew won't be sleeping this spring!

Well, I must sign off now as a new bale of hay is being dropped in and I am feeling a wee bit peckish! I will report in the spring on the lambing and impending arrivals from mum.

If you are interested in the Dexter Breed a good place to visit is www.dextercattle.co.uk, great for details and information on Britain's smallest breed of cattle.

regards


Neil the Campton Calf