The name Parvabrook was conceived over 20 years ago as the prefix for our flock of Manx Loaghtan sheep. The word was derived from the village name, Parva, meaning ‘Little’, and from the stream at the bottom of our fields, hence Parvabrook, ‘Little Brook Sheep’.

We have since expanded into small flocks of creamy, white Portlands and chunky, Coloured Ryelands with lovely shades from grey to russet. When our sheep come home to lamb during March, they stay in a barn close to the house so that we can keep an eye on them. Waiting for lambs and spending time with the ewes in deep, clean straw is one of the greatest pleasures of keeping sheep.

By the beginning of May when the flock have been back in the fields for a while and the lambs are more independent, we bring them in and decide which of the group to show. We begin at Hertfordshire County Show at the end of May and finish our season in September with the RBST (Rare Breed Survival Trust) Show and Sale at Melton Mowbray. By the end of October, we select small groups of ewes to run with unrelated rams, who will stay together until Christmas.