Popular Farmers’ Fellgather Event returns to Grasmere Sports

Grasmere Sports takes place on Sunday 24^th August. It always draws a huge crowd of visitors and is one of the premier Lake District events of the summer season. Last year the Farmer Network in partnership with several organisation’s and local farmers, held a very successful “Fellgather” Event.

By popular demand the Fellgather is back at Grasmere Sports once again on Sunday. With support from the Lake District’s Farming in Protected Landscapes program, members of the public will be given the opportunity to meet the shepherds and the sheep that have shaped the revered landscape of this World Heritage Site.

The event is being spearheaded by The Farmer Network in partnership with the Lake District National Park, The National Trust, The Foundation for Common Land and the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association. The event will offer an insight into how farming can be balanced with nature to provide sustainable farm production whilst improving the natural environment in years to come.

Adam Day Managing Director of the Farmer Network says “Across the Lake District shepherds work together on the high fells to gather their sheep and bring them down to the lower pastures. This is an age-old tradition combining unique skills and knowledge of the terrain. Our buying public is always fascinated and very supportive of the farmers when they learn about those unique farming systems.

Displays will take place throughout the day including traditional hand shearing, wool crafts and a sheep show explaining the finer points of preparing for and judging the iconic Herdwick Sheep. There will also be a mock auction afterwards. Adam continues “We’re expecting some record prices on the day as demand for our hill sheep has never been as strong”!

Claire Foster, Farming Officer for the Lake District National Park says “We will be talking about the link between hill farming, food, landscape, nature and the cultural heritage that it supports.  It will be a great opportunity for visitors to talk to the shepherds and learn about sheep that have shaped the Lake District over many generations.