š Roundoak Summer Newsletter ā 2025 šāFrom Rare Breeds to Festivals in the Fields ā A Season to Rememberā
- Louise Illsley
- Jul 15
- 7 min read
Hello from Roundoak!
Itās been a busy few months here on the farm, and with summer in full swing, weāre excited to share everything weāve been up to. From lambing and shearing to newborn arrivals and show-stopping moments ā thereās never a dull moment at Roundoak!
š Lambing Weekend & Rare Breed Babies
We kicked off summer with our Lambing Weekend, and what a season itās been! With 110 lambs born and several adopted lambs joining the flock (welcome Tilly, Lola and Dotty!), it was a huge success and over 900 people attended!
Our lambing happens a little later in the year because our rare breeds have smaller, more vulnerable newborns that struggle in colder spring weather, so early summer lambing is crucial to their survival.
One of the most magical moments? Watching Evie (age 5) our granddaughter assist in birthing her first lamb ā truly unforgettable.
š New Arrivals: Albion Calf & Champion Irish Moileds
We're thrilled to announce the birth of our first Albion heifer calf! The Albion is a critically rare breed once widespread in the UK, known for its docile temperament and excellent maternal instincts. With only a few registered breeders left, every calf born is a significant step toward preservation.
Meanwhile, our Irish Moiled heifer calf āHollyā stole the show at the Kent County Show this year. She and handler Rose returned with:
š 1st in Conformation Class
š„ Champion Native
š„ Reserve Champion Overall (against continentals!)
šļø 4th in Young Handler
āØ Best Turned Out
The Irish Moiled is a native breed of Northern Ireland ā naturally polled, beautifully marked, and incredibly hardy. Our breeding programme ensures genetic strength and promotes the survival of these heritage breeds. We couldnāt do it without the incredible support and knowledge of the Irish Moiled Cattle Society, whose advice has been invaluable.
š¦ Another Vaynol Calf Born
Our commitment to conserving rare breeds continues with the birth of another Vaynol calf ā a breed with fewer than 150 animals globally. With ancient roots in Britain, their preservation is vital. Roundoak is proud to contribute to the national effort to safeguard this primitive, hardy breed for future generations.
š· Piglets Galore!
Thelma, our lovely Oxford Sandy and Black pig, gave birth to 11 gorgeous piglets. Watching them grow is pure joy! Each has a distinct personality and watching mum interact with them is fascinating.
Fun piglet fact: The first piglet born usually claims the best teat (highest milk flow), while the last born often becomes the runt. Pigs also use a special "grunt" to call their babies at feeding time ā and the piglets will always return to their chosen teat. Nature is incredible!
š¦ Duckling Surprise
In a delightful surprise, our female duck returned to the pond with 10 little ducklings in tow ā all hatched naturally! Seeing them take their first swim was a heartwarming sight and a lovely reminder of the wild magic that lives here at Roundoak.
āļø Shearing Season
All of our sheep were recently sheared ā a necessary and important task in sheep welfare. Shearing:
Prevents overheating in warmer months
Reduces the risk of flystrike
Keeps fleece clean and manageable
While the process may look dramatic, it's done carefully and professionally to keep the animals safe and cool.
š„ The Heat & The Farm
This summerās heatwave has hit the farm hard. With little rainfall and soaring temperatures, our grass growth has slowed dramatically, meaning weāve had to buy in extra feed much earlier than usual. This adds considerable cost and pressure ā something all farmers dread during a hot, dry season.
But itās not just the fields feeling the heat ā our animals are affected too.
āļø Effects of Heat on Farm Animals:
Cattle & Sheep struggle to regulate their body temperature, especially those with thicker coats or darker colouring. Shade becomes essential, and we have to monitor them closely for signs of heat stress, such as rapid breathing, drooling, or listlessness.
Pigs are particularly sensitive to heat and canāt sweat. We keep them cool by ensuring mud wallows and shaded areas, and increase water availability so they can stay hydrated.
Poultry, like ducks and chickens, also suffer in high temperatures and can stop laying eggs when stressed. They require cool shelters, fresh water, and ventilation to stay healthy.
Young animals, like piglets and lambs, are especially vulnerable and need more frequent checks during hot spells.
š± Farming Through a Drought:
Pasture dries up, meaning less natural grazing and higher dependency on purchased hay or silage.
Water troughs need constant refilling, and maintaining clean, cool water becomes a full-time job.
The soil becomes dusty and compacted, making it harder for future seeding and planting.
š©āš¾ Young Hands on Deck
Some of our grandchildren joined us for work experience this summer ans helping around the farm for events! We have 10 grandchildren in total but some special mentions to:
Eddy took to the fields, helping manage day-to-day farm life
Sophia supported in the office, helping Coles Group with admin
And of course, Evie with her lambing moment of glory - see video above.
Daisy and Betty helping dad, Dan run the Yard Bar at the Sunday Social
We love seeing the next generation getting stuck in and building their connection to the farm.
š©āš« New Partnership: New Line Learning Academy
Weāre excited to share that Roundoak has recently partnered with New Line Learning, a local school offering hands-on learning opportunities for students.
This new relationship actually came about quite naturally, as many good things do! A member of staff from the school stayed on our campsite, and after a good chat about the farm and some of the challenges the school had been facing with their agricultural programme, we realised there was a perfect fit.
Previously, some students had to pause their studies mid-course due to the school needing a new location for their practical farming sessions. Weāre proud that Roundoak can now step in and provide those much-needed experiences.
So far, sessions are running through until September, and we're hopeful that this will become a long-term local partnership supporting education, rare breeds, and hands-on land-based learning for young people in our community.
šŖ Sunday Socials & Glastonbury Vibes
Our Sunday Socials returned this year and June was extra special with a Glastonbury twist! Big thanks to Dan, who created a vibrant day with vinyl tunes and a Human Jukebox. It was a scorcher, but your support made it unforgettable!
š Celebrating Love ā Roundoak Weddings
We were honoured to host Jordan & Seagoneyās wedding in June ā a stunning woodland celebration filled with sunshine, laughter, and a surprise real-life superhero guest! Huge credit to the ladies for transforming the space into a magical venue full of personal touches, it certainly was a good one to start the wedding season off!
š Meet a Highlander + Afternoon Tea
Our popular Meet a Highlander sessions continue to be a hit ā and now with a sweet new twist! Weāve partnered with Mother Hubbardās Bakes to introduce Afternoon Tea Boxes.
Our first āMeet a Highlander + Afternoon Teaā on August 30th has already sold out! These will now be held monthly ā keep an eye out to book early.
šļø Campsite Buzz & Upgrades
Our campsite has been thriving this summer with last-minute bookings pouring in. Weāre also excited to announce the opening of our Family Campsite at Kingsoak, and brand-new toilets and showers will be completed this month ā all about improving your stay with us!
š² Coming Up: Sylvan Table ā A Woodland Feast
Mark your calendars!
On August 22nd, weāre hosting our first Sylvan Table Dining Experience in the woods.
Expect
:š½ļø A 3-course meal by a private chef
š¶ Live music under the trees
š„ A complimentary welcome drink
Ā£65 per person
An intimate, nature-filled evening you wonāt want to miss!
Book tickets here:
šļø A Well-Earned Break for Norman & Ruth
Despite how incredibly busy things have been here on the farm, weāre pleased to share that Norman and Ruth managed to steal away for a much-needed escape to their beloved Scotland.
With their trusty motorhome packed and ready, they took off on a scenic tour around some of the countryās most remote and breathtaking spots ā soaking in the quiet, the beauty, and, most importantly, the rest!
Luckily on this visit they didnt take the trailer so no new animals were returned back with them from this visit!
The farm was left in the very capable hands of Guy and Rose, who kept everything running smoothly while they were away. As anyone who knows them will agree, Norman and Ruth rarely stop, so this time to recharge in the highlands was well deserved.
š¬ We Love Hearing From You!
We just want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who takes the time to leave us a review after visiting the farm ā whether youāve stayed on the campsite, joined a Meet a Highlander session, or just popped by for a Sunday Social.
As a small team ā and a family ā your kind words mean the world to us.
They make us incredibly proud of what we've built here at Roundoak, and remind us that all the early mornings, late nights, and hard work are truly worth it.
If youāre thinking about joining us for a countryside escape, weād love to welcome you.
To book a stay on the farm, please get in touch with Guy, our Campsite Manager, who will be happy to help you plan your visit. - 07440633841
If you haven't left us a review, there is still time, and we are offering a BBQ hamper for the the newest reviewer, which all will be drawn out of a hat!
See what others think....
Thank you, as always, for being part of the Roundoak family ā whether you're a visitor, camper, volunteer, or curious follower. This season has been filled with new life, new memories, and the magic of the land we love.
Until next time,
The Roundoak Team šæ
Comments