LOW HULLOCK HOWE

BAMPTON

• THE FARM
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• ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES
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• VISITORS

LOW HULLOCK HOWE is run by Carl and Ruth Walters. Carl and Ruth are full time and get help and support from both their fathers and their two children.

Carl is Chairman of the Bampton Commoners Association. He has also been Chair and is currently vice-chair of the Federation of Cumbria Commoners. He attended a national gathering of Commoners associations 6/7th August 2007 and this was very worthwhile and encouraging. He is a Director of The Cumbria Farmers Network (previously Rural Futures). He has been a Parish Councillor, and is Chairman of  the Village Hall Commitee and Chairman of the Youth Club.

On average he gives one day a week to social and community work.

Ruth is Chair of the Bampton Trust; a registered charity which has raised £60K.

HISTORY

The farmhouse was built in 1693. Low Hullock Howe was originally a smallholding; it was made into a farm in the 1960’s.

All of the land was a compulsory purchase as water catchment by United Utilities (then Manchester Corporation) in the 1930’s. The Walters family moved here in 1991.

LOCATION

© Copyright 2008

TERRAIN

Rising to over a 1000 feet, Low Hullock Howe is a typical upland fell farm; north east facing on very steep ground, with rights on Bampton Common.

SIZE OF THE FARM

The total area of the farm is 107 hectares.

LIVESTOCK & NUMBERS

The Livestock is made up of:

65 suckler cows; mainly pure limousin crossed with a Belgian Blue
800 sheep; swaledales
Pure Blue faced Leicesters flock (18)

Chickens, cats and dogs.

GRAZING & CONSERVATION

There is an ESA scheme on the fell. The Bampton Commoners Association are working towards a Higher Level Entry scheme and have just completed an environment management plan for the common.

Carl and Ruth have rights on Bampton Common for:
1638 sheep
82 cows
18 horses
6 geese

There is an  ESA scheme for the farm which has four years to complete.

Carl and Ruth work with the RSPB and their landlord, United Utilities,  to encourage bird life, mainly lapwings in the spring and finches over winter.

There are three small arable plots and the Walters also cultivate 10 acres a  year; barley, turnips, and/or lupins.

They have also been participating  in a ‘Wealth of Wildlife’ scheme for 3 years, recreating hay meadows (under Tier 2 ESA) using plug plants and over-seeding.