9.30am to 5pm

The course

Thinking of setting up your own smallholding? Explore the feasibility of a small operation keeping sheep.  Learn about all aspects of managing these animal.  The day will be filled with information and advice on feeding, breeding, housing, hygiene and the regulations surrounding animal husbandry. A DEFRA representative will give a short presentation on movement licences and other regulations

A tour of the Southdown sheep kept at the Museum will be used to illustrate the talks.

The tutors

David Burden is a retired Farm Manager. David has been mad about farming from a very young age. He joined Midhurst Young Farmers when he was 14 years old. He went to Brinsbury and Plumpton Agricultural College and has worked continuously from 1958 – 2008 as a Farm Manager. During his working life he has been very much involved in dairy herds, beef, sheep and pigs. He has been an active member in many related Farm Associations over the years; Young Farmers Clubs, National Farmers Union, Southdown sheep Society, Southdown Conservation Board and Southdown Planning Committee.
In 1980 David along with Helen and the support of the rest of the family, he founded the Duncton Flock of Southdown Sheep as his own enterprise. The flock was started with 10 ewes and currently they have a flock of 250 sheep.

Helen Burden has grown up in the farm environment living on a working farm until she was 23 years old. Helen now works and lives in London during the week where she is employed as a Marketing Manager for a Financial Services Company. She spends most of her weekends in Sussex to help with the husbandry for the sheep.

Participant information

Please wear clean working clothes and bring Wellingtons, for the outdoors session, which can be disinfected to ensure mutual bio security.  Disinfectant hand wash will be provided.

Fee

£65 per person, to include tuition, a light lunch, teas and coffees.

The Museum

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits.  It is also home to the award winning and innovative Downland Gridshell, which houses a conservation workshop and artefact store, and is also used for many practical courses.  The Museum runs a full programme of courses in historic building conservation and traditional rural trades and crafts, along with MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation. Please telephone for further details.

To book,download a form here. Alternatively, fill in the booking request below.

Make a Booking Request

 
This is an initial booking request form, and does not guarantee a place on the course. The Adult Learning Team will check the availability of the course, and reply to you as soon as possible - usually within one working day.