"Shropshires" are a historic breed
Wroxeter Sheep
Here at The Wroxeter Hotel we are host to the only flock of black Shropshire Sheep in the World. Throughout history Shropshire Sheep have been an extremely successful breed because of their fine fleece, robustness and good nature. These qualities have seen them exported throughout the Country and indeed the World. But typically they are white sheep with black faces and lower legs.
Wroxeter's black sheep story
Local farmer Pippa Geddes has been keeping “Shropshires” for a number of years and using their wool for her soft toy knitting business, Flock of Ages. However it is extremely difficult to dye wool black using the natural techniques Pippa favours. So when she became aware of the black “Shropshire” lambs born in Yorkshire she decided to swap them for some of her conventional sheep. The Shropshire Sheep Society does not currently recognise black sheep as true breeds so Pippa felt it unwise to keep them with her main flock and asked The Wroxeter to “put them up”. Naturally we were delighted!
There are currently three black ewes staying at the Hotel with a black ram and wether staying elsewhere. Pippa intends to introduce the ewes and ram in the Summer to increase the flock.
At present the sheep have no official names although the Hotel staff have named one “Blondie” for obvious reasons. In due course they will be named after famous Shropshire people so it is most likely we will have a Charles and a Mary (Darwin and Webb). Perhaps you could suggest other names?
The sheep have been shorn for the first time on the 29th May and products made with the black wool will be available from Flock of Ages in due course!
