Thank ewe for NHS you just can’t bleat
NHS staff and other key workers were due to have extra ‘wool-wishers’ when the Valley gives them a round of applause this Thursday evening.
Emma Jackson, who runs a small working farm in Stacksteads, plans to lead her sheep to baa for the NHS, and has even decorated their coats with colourful rainbows!
Emma, who is a key worker herself looking after dementia patients at Olive House retirement home, said she would be recording the sheep’s offering on Facebook in the hope that it would send a positive message to others in her position.
“Key workers are to be praised and we know how much all the neighbours love to watch our sheep and lambs,” she said.
“I feel for residents and staff in these worrying times so I send my support in the only way I can show it.”
The rainbows painted on the sheep have also sparked excitement among residents who have passed by the farm on their daily walks, especially children.
Emma added: “I think it’s lovely to give farming a little bit of enthusiasm from young people, and to lift locals’ spirits.”
Two particularly special sheep will be leading the chorus, Miles and his great, great-grandmother Geraldine. Miles had a challenging start in life and after a difficult birth it was doubtful he would survive - but Emma says that with plenty of tender loving care he bounced back and now has a unique, affectionate character.
Emma said: “I called him Miles as it means soldier and I needed him to be strong. Miles is nearly one and has turned into a remarkable ram lamb. He is big and strong but with the most beautiful nature.
“Sheep feel the same emotions as humans - happy, sad, lonely or depressed.
“Quite fascinating really, as people don’t think of sheep this way.
“They are shy and nervous animals - but not Miles!”
Miles and Geraldine live with a number of other sheep at the farm, as well as cows, horses, poultry and working dogs.
Farming is truly a family affair for Emma, following in the footsteps of her late father and grandfather, both former farmers.
Now her whole family is involved in keeping her farm going, including her partner James, daughters Lorna and Shona and Shona’s boyfriend Tom, and stepchildren Fawn and Isaac.