STONE ENDS FARM

MOSEDALE

THE FARM

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

VISITORS

STONE ENDS FARM in Mosedale is run by Bob Clark and his son, who both work on a part-time basis, hiring in additional labour occassionally too.

HISTORY

The farm buildings date from the 17th century. Stone Ends has a long connection with Bob Clark’s family; the story begins in 1844 six generations before the birth of his grandmother at the farm. This was when the main house was built. Consequently there are many family members living in the area.

Before 1844, the family was involved with milling in various parts of Cumberland, and many of them were Quakers.

At one time the manager of Carrock Mine lodged here and John Peel is reputed to have stayed here.

From 1920-1982 it was not in the possession of the family. Stone Ends was bought in 1982, from the son of a farmer who was a tenant of Bob Clark’s great grandparents on another holding that they owned in addition to Stone Ends. The farm was bought without stock and the Clark family heafed a sheep flock to Carrock Fell. Currently, there is a herd of pedigree highland cattle known as Carrock Fell Fold.

In the late 1990’s a Herdwick flock was set up in parallel with the Swaledales. Owing to Foot and Mouth disease the numbers of Swales were reduced. The Herdwicks were retained and are being managed within an improvement programme.

LOCATION

TERRAIN

An upland farm; 800 feet above sea level. The name reflects the relation to Carrock Fell; the stone line ends here.

Allegedly, the land on the eastern boundary which runs onto Mosedale Moss, was a lake (many centuries ago) and is now of great interest to geologists and landscape archaeologists. Mosedale Moss has a rich history of mineral extraction.

SIZE OF THE FARM

14.4 hectares; the farm is reliant on fell grazing rights on Carrock Fell, sharing this with 4 other farms who also have access to Carrock Fell.

When Bob Clark’s great grandparents were on the farm, it would have been c. 36.5 hectares.

LIVESTOCK & NUMBERS

Highland cattle Herd of 25 Carrock Fell fold.

Herdwick Flock: 90 ewes; 35 shearlings coming into the flock and approx 50 gimmer lambs born in 2007.

Male lambs are finished as shearlings for the local farm shop, run by a neighbouring farm (this means greater size and weight); they are grass fed close to the farm and on Carrock Fell.

GRAZING & CONSERVATION

Entry Level Stewardship awarded in 2007 supports the maintenance of the fabric of the farm, hedgerows, walls and vernacular buildings.

Herdwicks are trained to their section of the fell with young lambs spending time on the fell with their mothers where their instinct for heafing is learnt. Carrock Fell is immediately outside the farm, and management of stock between the fell and the farm is made easier because of hog holes.

The topography and scree of Carrock Fell allows the Herdwicks to shelter and sometimes hide when they need to be gathered!

There is an on-going issue with heafing on Carrock Fell. The reduction of flock numbers does not reduce the intensity of grazing across the common; sheep select the most palatable areas at the expense of overall ecological balance.

Stone Ends does not produce its own fodder; the size of the fields is small and there is now more crop available since the foot and mouth epidemic. A neighbouring farm provides fodder.