Ailish Ross 29 West Midlands
Ailish may be a an already familiar face to many as her job with the Texel Sheep Society regularly takes her across the UK to sales and shows meeting NSA members. This role has given Ailish fantastic opportunity to travel and network, but she admits her knowledge and experience of the wider sector is something she would like build on and she hopes the programme will help her to achieve this. Although her day job keeps her away from practical farming, Ailish enjoys spending weekends shepherding alongside her partner in South Wales running a flock of 1,200 Lleyn ewes. She says: “I am happiest working outside with sheep. I do not come from a farming background but have worked hard over the past 10 years to gain experience and I hope to soon be in a position to start my own small flock. The ambassador programme will put me in an even better position to do so.”
April/May Update
I am sitting writing this blog update in Birmingham airport, waiting for a flight for the first show of the season, for me – Balmoral, reflecting on the past few months. The year seems to be flying by, and has been rather hectic, with travelling between Warwickshire and my partners farm in South Wales – with the small task of lambing in between!
I was lucky enough to get the best of both worlds this year and work my 9-5 from ‘home’ which allowed me to get involved with lambing on the farm for all other hours I was able. The team at Cwm Risca lamb 1100, Lleyn X ewes, mostly outside, which was a new system for me to get used to. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and learnt lots of new things on the way. I have been told I am welcome back for many years to come, which was a relief!
As with all other farmers this Spring – the weather was not our friend. The constant rainfall made conditions very challenging at times. However, now with a couple of weeks of sunny showers and warm days – even managed to get some t-shirts and shorts farming in(!!) – the lambs are looking well out on the valley, growing like mushrooms. Which is a wonderful sight.
With the summer show season upon us, I am out the office at shows, events or sales almost every week until September. The Texel Sheep Society is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, so we are delivering additional events and initiatives. Really looking forward to these, to honor this great achievement.
Come and say hello if you see me out and about!
Ailish may be a an already familiar face to many as her job with the Texel Sheep Society regularly takes her across the UK to sales and shows meeting NSA members. This role has given Ailish fantastic opportunity to travel and network, but she admits her knowledge and experience of the wider sector is something she would like build on and she hopes the programme will help her to achieve this. Although her day job keeps her away from practical farming, Ailish enjoys spending weekends shepherding alongside her partner in South Wales running a flock of 1,200 Lleyn ewes. She says: “I am happiest working outside with sheep. I do not come from a farming background but have worked hard over the past 10 years to gain experience and I hope to soon be in a position to start my own small flock. The ambassador programme will put me in an even better position to do so.”
April/May Update
I am sitting writing this blog update in Birmingham airport, waiting for a flight for the first show of the season, for me – Balmoral, reflecting on the past few months. The year seems to be flying by, and has been rather hectic, with travelling between Warwickshire and my partners farm in South Wales – with the small task of lambing in between!
I was lucky enough to get the best of both worlds this year and work my 9-5 from ‘home’ which allowed me to get involved with lambing on the farm for all other hours I was able. The team at Cwm Risca lamb 1100, Lleyn X ewes, mostly outside, which was a new system for me to get used to. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and learnt lots of new things on the way. I have been told I am welcome back for many years to come, which was a relief!
As with all other farmers this Spring – the weather was not our friend. The constant rainfall made conditions very challenging at times. However, now with a couple of weeks of sunny showers and warm days – even managed to get some t-shirts and shorts farming in(!!) – the lambs are looking well out on the valley, growing like mushrooms. Which is a wonderful sight.
With the summer show season upon us, I am out the office at shows, events or sales almost every week until September. The Texel Sheep Society is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, so we are delivering additional events and initiatives. Really looking forward to these, to honor this great achievement.
Come and say hello if you see me out and about!
