A smallholding is a residential property that is situated within its own land, which in size could be described as being more than a garden, but less than a farm. In the UK, a smallholding is generally regarded as being less than 50 acres. The smallholding idyll is a life of subsistence, upholding land-based skills and crafts and minimising the impact on the environment. In reality, for many the lifestyle is not so much about wood fired heating and cooking, natural spring water supplies and living off-grid but a kind of hybrid existence. In our small hamlet I have had the privilege to get to know a gentleman who has been living on his small estate since 1958. These days he keeps a flock of Charollais sheep. These are a large sized breed of domestic sheep developed in the early 1800’s in France. They are a meat sheep breed, legendary for easy lambing.
For the past four years I have been privy to the hard work and commitment that my neighbour puts in to producing beautiful lambs each year on his smallholding. As one who thankfully doesn’t get involved in the night shifts, the whole process is a joy.
Continuing the theme of setting myself projects close to home, it was fortunate that these friends and neighbours allowed me to photograph the work that they do in the lambing season.
A documentary style of photography is fast becoming my preferred photographic genre. Increasingly I find that a singular showstopper image falls short of telling the whole story.
I am so enamoured and impressed by what is achieved on this smallholding, in the 21st century, that I hope to continue to share more images with you as I follow their story through the seasons.
The shots for this blog were taken over a period of several days with a variety of cameras, ranging from an iPhone 6 (no, that is not an error!) to the Canon 5D Mk lV, a Leica Q2 and a Nikon FM2N (film camera).
From the arrival of the tups to the miracle of the birthing Ewes, the lambing season is now a highlight of the year for us. And the joy of watching the skipping and bleating lambs leave the pens and run out onto the grass with their mothers in late Spring is unsurpassed.
