The Flock – Emily's Fleece

My Flock

All of my little flock are rare breed Black Lincoln Longwools. They are much cherished and will spend the whole of their lives on our holding. Lincolns are a large and very friendly breed of sheep, and because they are handled almost daily mine are very tame. More than anything they love a good cheek and chin rub! I shall introduce them below.

The Lincoln Longwool is a very old breed of sheep, first mentioned in writing during the Eighteenth Century. Their wool has long been valued for its length, lustre and its beautiful flowing curls. The Lincolnshire Longwool Association was formed in 1896, and the Black Lincoln Longwool was officially recognised in 1984.

Black Lincolns are not, as their name suggest, black. Their heads and legs are dark, but their fleece can range between silver to dark grey or brown.

They are sheared once a year, usually in mid June. By this time their fleeces have grown long and curly, but I think they are glad to have them removed! The fleeces are very large, weighing 12-15lb. I skirt them immediately after shearing, to remove matted and dirty wool from the edges. The fleece is then ready to be stored, and turned into beautiful felted seat pads and rugs.

Emily

Emily, after whom Emily’s Fleece is named the largest of my sheep. She is very much the leader, always coming up first for attention! When she arrived, her fleece was a deep brown, but over successive years it has grown in a variety of lovely silvery grey’s.

Martha

Martha is my poster girl! You will see her face on all my flyers and cards – and at the top of this website! When she first arrived she was very shy, but has now discovered the joys of having her chins rubbed. She will stand there for as long as I have the time to fuss her. Her fleece is a warm cream, with a beautiful lustre to it.

Ivy

Ivy is the cheeky one! She loves to be fussed and have her chin and cheeks rubbed. But most of all she loves to scratch her head on the side of my wellies. Bliss! And she loves to put her face up to mine and touch noses! Her fleece is darker, and looks a beautiful dark grey. Each year it is slightly different – sometimes lighter, sometimes darker. Interestingly, when it is washed, her wool is actually a lovely mixture of greys and browns.