Get the flock out of here!
HIMLEY Hall and Park had to hastily close its gates on Thursday morning last week when a flock of sheep wandered into the grounds.
Staff on site quickly got into shepherd mode and rounded up the 250-strong herd, which had wandered into the park from a neighbouring field when the electric fence containing them broke down.
The park had to be briefly closed to visitors in order to protect the sheep and their lambs, who seemed to particularly enjoy themselves.
Thankfully no sheep were harmed and they returned quietly to their field following their brief jaunt to the site, which is usually more popular with people, and the park was back open again shortly after 9am.
Tracey Reece, site manager, said, “It wasn’t quite what we were expecting when we turned up for work, but then again, every day here is different!
“The sheep seemed to enjoy their time grazing on the lawn and returned home with good grace.
“I think they wanted to get in before the Bank Holiday weekend, to make the most of our beautiful site and the bluebells which are really coming into their own.”
Himley Hall is an 18th century manor house set amid 80 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown. Home to the wealthy Ward family, later Earls of Dudley, the hall has seen several visits by royalty. In the Second World War the south wing was used as a Red Cross Hospital.
After the war the hall was sold to the newly created National Coal Board for a regional headquarters. While it was being converted a fire broke out, devastating the south wing.
In 1966 the NCB put the hall up for sale and it was bought jointly by Wolverhampton and Dudley Councils, with the parkland opened up to the public. In 1988 Dudley bought Wolverhampton’s share, gaining outright ownership, and in the early ’90s began a phased program of restoration.