Earlier today 9 Wiltshire Horn sheep arrived at Cooper’s Meadow, where they will spend the summer munching away on lush green plants and willow. Popular with Town Mill residents, local children and visitors to the town, the sheep, who belong to Clive Hibberd, will gradually graze their way through the dominating vegetation.
Ready to welcome the sheep to their newly fenced home on Cooper’s Meadow were local residents Val and Dominic Compton, Marlborough Town Council’s Grounds Manager, Nigel Weatherly and his assistant, Anna Forbes, Senior Project Officer at ARK (Action for the River Kennet), and ARK volunteers.
Anna said, “We are really thrilled to welcome back the sheep who will carry out their conservation grazing on Cooper’s Meadow. This manages the meadow in a traditional and more natural way than mowing. The long-term aim is to increase biodiversity, so to increase native grasses and other plants, which in turn is beneficial to important pollinating insects and other wildlife. It’s really unusual to have a water meadow with livestock in the heart of the town. ARK and Marlborough Town Council are really grateful to have Clive on board with the project.”
Dominic told Marlborough.news, “It’s an exciting day. I love seeing the sheep here.”
Nigel commented, “I’m delighted we can take part in this conservation project.”
Dog owners are reminded that dogs must be on the lead at all times in this area. Last year there was an unfortunate incident when a dog, off the lead, attacked a ewe who needed a weekend of treatment from a vet.
ARK volunteers have been trained as ‘sheep lookers’ and will be checking the sheep everyday as well as checking the fencing and removing any litter from the meadow. Please do not feed the sheep. The east section of the water meadow is still accessible to everyone.
If you have any concerns please contact Nigel on 07715639827, out of hours 07593584095 or Clive, the sheep owner, on 07437454728.
Rock ‘n Rain on The Parade, but a great day out at the Family Festival
