The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2015 - Issue 42 | Page 43

The Heigh Family Serving the rural business community and building a positive future We are an established practice of Chartered Certified Accountants, who have assisted local business owners for over 50 years. Pleased to be associated with Raymond Heigh and wish him success for the future 29 Main Street, Bentham Lancaster, Lancashire, LA2 7HQ T: 01524 261206 E: [email protected] there are those who have much larger flocks. I’ve had ewe lambs that have made £1500 and £1000. Zwartbles lamb is also on a number of restaurant menus in London and TV chef James Martin has cooked with it.’ ‘I started showing them the first year I took them on at Westmorland County Show. There weren’t that many Zwartbles there and I won at the first attempt.’ Raymond starts his showing season each year with Otley and normally takes in Skelton, Great Yorkshire, Penrith, Gargrave, Lunesdale, Great Eccleston, Bentham, Kilnsey, Westmorland and Nidderdale. ‘We usually do Kilnsey but this year we did Wensleydale instead as it was our northern branch show and if you try to do too many close together I believe your animals can become a bit show-weary. My sister Denise has two young daughters Grace and Charlotte and they help me with the showing. Charlotte was champion young handler at the Great Yorkshire this year in her class with one of my Zwartbles.’ ‘Last year we won four breed championships. This year we’ve won five and we’ve done well in the interbreeds taking a reserve championship for the first time. That’s an indication of how the breed is now accepted after 20 years. I judged at Ripley Show this year and the Zwartbles I put forward got the interbreed reserve championship there too.’ One of Raymond’s greatest friends in the breed is Martin Preston who he met the first time he showed in 2005. ‘Martin would probably have been the first to show them at the Great Yorkshire Show. When we attend shows outside of the county we’re now known as the Yorkshire Boys within the breed.’ PANEL Raymond also works part-time for Procter’s Farms near Wray and at Bentham livestock market on a Wednesday evening and at the breeding sheep sales. Wendy’s father William Joel came to Brook House Farm from Bracken Bottom in the 1940s with his wife Phyllis. They had Dairy Shorthorns before moving on to Holstein Friesians. Wendy and husband Robert who comes from Dent and worked on a farm in Sedbergh took over the farm when Wendy’s father retired in the 1970s. Wendy showed dairy cows for a number of years at Bentham, Lancaster and the Royal Lancashire. GREEN SMITHY, BENTHAM, NR LANCASTER, LA2 7DH Tel: [phone] www.paxtons.co.uk Proud to be associated with the Heigh Family, wishing them continued success Think farm insurance. Bluefin are delighted to support Raymond Heigh. 01539 732 000 [email protected] bluefingroup.co.uk Think . www.farmers-mart.co.uk Oct/Nov 2015 43