SHACKLABANK FARM
FIRBANK
SHACKLABANK FARM dates from the early 1600’s and belongs to the Diocese of Bradford. It is managed on their behalf by the Killington Charities.
The O’Neill family took on the tenancy in May 1999. Alison O' Neill is the farmer, husband John helps with farm maintenance and additional labour is bought in for clipping and silage.
HISTORY
The local area is distinctive for its Quaker associations. George Fox’s 'pulpit' is a mile up the road; this is where George Fox preached to a 1000 people in 1652.
© Copyright 2007
TERRAIN
Traditional Hill Farm in the Howgills. The immediate area is known as Firbank. This typical size of small hill farm used to be
able to sustain one family.
SIZE OF THE FARM
The total area of the farm is 30 acres; 20 of which is inbye and 10acres fell allotment.
LIVESTOCK & NUMBERS
The Livestock is made up of
60 sheep breeding flock (including 15 for replacements);50-50 Rough Fell plus Texel/Cheviots.
The texel tup is put to the rough fell ewes to produce a great fat lamb.
4 Hill cows: Aberdeen Angus X
3 Fell Ponies
Hens (40) and Ducks (10)GRAZING & CONSERVATION
Shacklabank has been in entry level stewardship for 8 years and is working towards organic status.
Fell ponies used for small tasks around the farm (and as pack ponies for walks).
The Cumbria Fells and Dales Leader + programme is based at Voluntary Action Cumbria and is part-financed by the European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund of the European Union and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. This project is part of a trans-national project with Gévaudan Leader + Programme, Lozère, France.
© Copyright 2008 Cumbria Hill Farms