The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2018 - Issue 56 | Page 42

42 HOME FARM APR/MAY 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk Photographing the Teeswater Breed After spotting one of Melissa Peakman’s photographs on-line, Jason caught up with her to chat about her ongoing project, photographing the Teeswater Breed of sheep. 72081 - Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart - 8TH.pdf 1 26/04/2018 15:44:48 72129 - CarrsBillingtonAgric. - 16TH.pdf 1 27/04/2018 Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart Ltd LEEDS ROAD, OTLEY, LS21 3BD Proud to be associated with John Liddle of K A Liddle & Partners, Home Farm, Stainburn, Otley C M Y CM MY CY CMY K See your stock sold & collect your pay on the same day at our “friendly” Yorkshire livestock mart ON-FARM SALES, LAND & PROPERTY SALES, VALUATIONS & CLAIMS CONDUCTED MONDAYS (Weekly 9.30am) Prime Pigs & Sheep, Cull & Prime Ca�le. THURSDAYS (Aug - Nov 11.30am) Fortnightly Sales of Breeding & Store Sheep - Inc. on Thursday 30th Aug 2018 - Annual Show & Sale of Gimmer Shearlings on behalf of Masham Sheep Breeders Associa�on. FRIDAYS (Fortnightly 10.45am) Store Sheep, Pigs, Dairy, Calves, S�rks, Breeding & Store Ca�le. C We are proud to be associated with The Liddle Family, Home Farm, Stainburn M SATURDAYS (Monthly) Y Farm Equip, Tools, Sundries, etc at 10am & Fur/Feather at CM 12noon Also Inc. on... Saturday 27th Oct 2018 MY Special sec�on for Vintage Items/Machinery. CY Saturday 6th Oct 2018 Sale of Bulbs, Shrubs, Roses, CMY Fruit Trees for Market Gardener from Wisbech. Wednesday (21st Nov 2018 6pm) K Sale of Beswick, BFA, China, Collectables, Furniture & Bric-a-Brac. Tel: [phone] | Fax: [phone] Ian Smith FdSc FLAA (Market Manager) 07738 043771 www.wharfedale-farmers.co.uk | email: wfam@auc�onmarts.com Agricultural & Rural Supplies Skipton Country Store 01756 792166 carrs-billington.com THE project came about following a chat with Christina Liddle, after the Teeswater Breeders Association annual sale and show. Melissa loves to tell a story of an event and has been a regular visitor to local agri- cultural shows over the last few years. In October last year the Teeswater Breeders Association approached Melissa and asked if she’d attend their annual show, where she realised that a potential project telling the story of what goes on behind and be- yond the shows. The aim of the project is to capture an accurate reflection of a year in the life of the breed, covering both the breed and the farmers. Showing the reality of what goes on beyond what people see at an agricul- tural show. So far in the five months since she started the project, will seven more to go. Melissa has covered several aspects of the farming year, including tupping, scanning, lamb- ing as well as the uses of the Teeswater fleece. With seven months still to go on the pro- ject Melissa explains what she has planned; “I’ve still a long way to go with a Summer of attending agricultural shows ahead of me. I’ll be attending shows with different breed- ers, following show preparation and their journeys as well as the shows themselves - and Masham Sheep Fair, of course. And my year will finish at the Show and Sale again at Leyburn in October. As the project has developed more 12:29:51 breeders have become aware of my pho- tographs and come on board, so, if time allows, I’ll be including environmental por- traits too, of Teeswater breeders near and far around the UK. I’ve even been invited to visit a flock in John O’Groats and would love to fit in a visit up there!” One of the farming families she’s worked closely with are the Morphet’s, whose children keep, tend and show their Teeswa- ters. The children are very hands-on and enjoyed showing Melissa all aspects of how they look after their sheep. Lambing has been one of the more dif- ficult aspects of the project from a photo- graphic perspective. Melissa said when talking about lambing; “I’ve become used to sitting in lambing sheds surrounded by nosy lambs and curious ewes - just waiting. I’ve captured one lambing by staying on a farm for the weekend, with the breeders keeping a watchful eye on the sheep during the night, visiting and monitoring them.” Melissa was on standby for three farms all within a 30-minute drive, which meant keeping her waterproofs and camera within easy reach ready to photograph a Teeswater lambing at any time of the day. “Although I’ve taken other lambing shots, getting to a farm at the right time to capture a Teeswater is a challenge.” Melissa has said its been an enjoyable project to work on. The sheep have greeted her with enthusiasm, on occasion with nos- es pushed into the camera lens hood. She’s hoping that project will help to achieve more recognition for the breed. “I’m working closely with the breeders and really do want this project to help pro- mote the breed.” The project has been entirely self-fund- ed, and she’s hoping to achieve sponsor- ship to exhibit the photographs during 2019. Going forward Melissa is hoping to undertake similar paid projects with other rare breeds or within the agricultural envi- ronment, though not necessarily 12 months long. [email protected] http://facebook.com/MJPeakmanPhotography