A Breed Apart…

“Eco Ewe in Norfolk is an example of an amazing family farming business that diversifies not just in producing food for all of us to enjoy, but also in sustainable production of their sheep with lovely woolly jumpers and rugs. Their luxury lifestyle range showcases their ethics and by being based around zero waste and they are fully sustainable & quintessentially British.”

The concept behind conserving this breed is to whole-heartedly share our values of producing traceable, sustainable products with zero waste, through positive regenerative impacts supporting our farm and British manufacturing all whilst raising the profile of this rare breed.

We have innumerable connections of provenance with our ‘Herling’ flock of Norfolk horns that are fortunate to graze where we still see evidence of ancient tracks which were used in times gone by to transport droves of sheep to and from the fairs, so we are literally following in our ancestors’ footprints.

We have had a problematic departure from nature, and should be celebrating these native breeds which have evolved not just to survive but to thrive in their native landscapes, heritage breeds may take longer to mature, but they’re healthier creatures as a result. It’s the seasons that dictate the level of grazing and the taste of their meat is immeasurable in comparison to imported meats available in supermarkets.

Many UK farmers like us are creating Ecological food systems that function without degrading soils, land, water or biodiversity. When you have a native breed, that have similar genotypic and phenotypic characteristics such as the Norfolk Horns, these features develop to become accustomed to a defined environment, making them the perfect agri-environmental example.

Our Native breeds such as the Norfolk Horns were bred to thrive in farming systems,we had years ago with low environmental impact and low input. They’re a breed apart being one of the oldest in the UK however, though numbers now are healthier, there remains a decline in breeding dams and progeny.

As a family of first-generation farmers, that began 8 years ago we were from the onset very passionate and enthused to raise the profile of this indigenous breed and share our rich history of Wool & Textile industry. The Herlings’ were a family of great antiquity in this parish and are buried in St. Peter & Paul Church at the east end of the south isle in a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, called Herlings’ chapel, it being the burial place of that family adorned in his effigies, with that of his wife, beautifully carved in marble, lie on the top of the alter tomb. On his breast are his own arms and those of his mother, his feet lay on a lion and the whole tomb is encompassed in Pelicans, Unicorns and Crescents. It is these emblems in the stonework that has inspired our designs, patterns & knitwear using our Norfolk Horn 4 ply & DK yarn. Through this process it means we’ve celebrated the efforts of our historic past and modernized it to a new, younger generation and made our own bit of history for others to enjoy in years to come and keep the story of our heritage very much at the forefront of rural village life. Our Luxury, sustainable, lifestyle range is ethical and environmentally conscious, creating true character for living spaces sharing its uniqueness & originality which not only raises the profile of this indigenous breed, but also dramatically increasing the value and desirability with its authenticity as well as providing an insight into its heritage.