Heron Meadow in Roydon celebrates sheep day

A wellbeing and healing meadow has hosted a weekend event celebrating sheep.

Community Interest Company Heron Meadow, which is a 10-acre site in Roydon, hosted the open day on July 1 to celebrate the ancient connections between people and sheep.

Activities on the day recognised the many ways that sheep have contributed to the history of humans flourishing, for around 10 thousand years.

Nine illustrated panels were displayed, depicting this evolving relationship, whilst the age-old crafts of carding and spinning wool were demonstrated by members of the Diss Guild of spinners and weavers.

Visitors were encouraged to try their hand at making two-ply yarn, spinning with the wheel and peg weaving. A real wooden loom was set up in the yurt and throughout the day children and adults were able to learn the basics and contribute to making a panel using different yarns and colours.

Wool dying, yarn spinning and pottery demonstrations were also on offer through the day, with earthenware traditionally used to store sheep’s milk and cheeses.

The notable star of the day was Gilbert the Torwen Welsh Mountain shearling lamb. Gilbert’s black fleece had been shorn a few weeks back and was now being spun, woven and felted – so he went over to inspect the proceedings and say hello to some of the visitors.

Anna Magee, co-director of Heron Meadow, said: “Heron Meadow CIC is a small centre for healing and learning in nature, based in a Waveney river meadow at Roydon.

Heron Meadow CIC has a network of collaborative connections locally and hosts weekly therapy sessions run by Apricot Centre which offers wellbeing services for children and families.

For more information about Heron Meadow, go to heron-meadow.jimdosite.com