A calf called Nettle is to join ARK’s menagerie at Stonebridge Meadow

A male Belted Galloway calf called ‘Nettle’ will be the latest addition to the grazing stock at Stonebridge Meadow.  Nettle, pictured here at one day old, will be coming to Marlborough in the Spring.

Last year three Wiltshire ewes and their five lambs grazed happily all summer in Coopers Meadow and Harriet, a belted Galloway, and her calf Campanula, spent several months as pioneer grazers in Stonebridge Meadow.

These animals have been purchased by Action for the River Kennet or donated to them and have been much admired.  Nettle is Harriet’s second calf and is pictured with her.

“Grazing with animals is a key part of managing Marlborough’s old meadows to help them to revert back to wildflower meadows, which are attractive to look at and support a diversity of plants and insects,” ARK director Charlotte Hitchmough told Marlborough News Online.

ARK members and attendees at its AGM were able to buy high quality beef and lamb, which was sold in partnership with local business Andrews Butchers in Marlborough.

Sales have been very successful and ARK has derived income of over £2,000 from them. This money is being used to meet ongoing costs of managing the meadows.  

Anyone who wants to buy this local produce can register their interest  by emailing carolyn@riverkennet.org.

Martin Gibson, treasurer of ARK, looks after the animals for the rest of the year at his farm in Minal.  ARK pays the costs of delivering and collecting the animals but all other expenses are donated.