Hoof your way to a wild cattle-themed day
THE centuries-old story of a Northumberland herd of wild white cattle will be explored during an open day today at the estate where they roam.
Through trailer rides and walking tours, the Chillingham Wild Cattle Association is offering a special opportunity for visitors to see parts of the 360-acre cattle park not normally open to the public
Through the tours and talks, visitors can learn about the natural habitat of the cattle, the history of the cattle park and the family who cared for the herd, plus the continuing contributions the animals are making to scientific and environmental studies.
The Chillingham wild cattle herd is unique in that each beast is a clone of the next. With around 100 cows and bulls, the herd is completely wild, with no human intervention other than, very occasionally, for humane reasons.
The Chillingham animals are said to be the only survivors of the wild herds which once roamed Britain’s forests.
They have lived on the estate for at least 400 years, and probably much longer.
The cattle were in the care of the family of the Earls of Tankerville for their recorded history up to 1971, when Lord Tankerville bequeathed them to the Chillingham Wild Cattle Association.
His son, the 9th earl, died in 1980 and the Chillingham estate was sold. After the intervention of the 10th Duke of Northumberland, the park and its surrounding woodlands were acquired by the Sir James Knott Charitable Trust. The association, a charity, bought the park in 2005. The site’s hemmel visitor centre will be the venue for talks by three experts. At noon Dr John Fletcher, an expert on medieval deer parks, will speak about the history of the cattle park. At 1pm Charles Bain Smith, grandson of Violet, Dowager Countess of Tankerville, will explain his family connections to Chillingham, his memories of Chillingham Castle and the importance of the cattle to his family.
At 2pm researcher in paleoecology Dr Eline van Asperen will talk about the impact of the cattle on vegetation.
At 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm and 3pm there will be a warden-led walking tour, and trailer rides at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
Ellie Waddington, cattle park warden, said: “These cattle are unique, dating back centuries, and it will be educational, informative and great day out.”