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The Beulah is a traditional Welsh breed used to graze hillsides. It is named for its distinctive black and white face and legs. Beulahs are hardy and intelligent medium-sized sheep with somewhat lustrous fleece. Their ability to live independently outdoors makes them popular in conservation grazing. The Nude Ewe Beulahs are located at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve in Oxfordshire.

The Aston Rowant Beulah Speckled Face flock. Photo by Mick Venters/Natural England

The Hebridean is an ancient breed that originated - as its name implies - off the west coast of Scotland. Hebrideans evolved from sheep brought by the Vikings over 1000 years ago. By the early 20th century they had almost disappeared and are now making a comeback. They are small hardy sheep, able to cope with almost any weather conditions. In fact their fleece sheds water, allowing them to stay dry even in heavy rain. The fleece is ideally black but may lighten with age, and can become caramel coloured if sun-bleached. Both sexes have horns, usually two but sometimes more.

Hebrideans are very popular in conservation grazing as they can thrive on rough grasses, bramble, bark and young shrubs. This tendency to wander about in rough vegetation means that the fleece gets quite knotted, tangled and dirty. About half of an average Hebridean fleece is usually unsuitable for spinning. But the other half of the fleece yields a beautiful dark wool good for outerwear, mittens, hats and bags.

Photos: top Jim Champion; middle Lucy Boynton; bottom (the freshly shorn Pegsdon Hills flock) Heather Webb

The Norfolk Horn is an ancient breed which evolved in the Brecklands and was popular until the 19th century. Many Norfolk Horns were mated to Southdowns rams to form the well-known Suffolk breed. By 1950 however, only a single flock of 10 Norfolk Horn ewes and two rams remained. These became the founding members of today's breed.

This is a slim-bodied sheep with long black legs and faces, both free of wool. Both sexes are strongly horned. The fleece is short, white and close, and is popular with hand spinners.

The Nude Ewe Norfolk Horns are in a mixed flock at Knocking Hoe National Nature Reserve. Small quantities of Norfolk Horn yarn are being handspun especially for The Nude Ewe.

Freshly shorn Norfolk Horn ewes from Knocking Hoe. Photo by Heather Webb

The North Ronaldsay is an endangered breed from Orkney Island. It is hardy and athletic, ranging easily over rocky terrain. It is also one of the few breeds that loves to eat seaweed! Unlike Hebrideans, North Ronaldsays shed their fleece. Traditionally, however, the soft grey fleece is plucked, or 'rooed' instead. North Ronaldsays are used by the Wildlife Trust in Northamptonshire.

North Ronaldsay lamb. Photo courtesy Wildlife Trust BCNP

The Wensleydale is a very large sheep with long, lustrous fleece. It originated in the Yorkshire Dales in the 19th century. Most Wensleydales are white with a distinctive blue head and ears, however a few black herds do exist. The Wensleydales pictured here are from a small South Bedfordshire flock.

Wensleydales are the softest sheep in Britain, producing luxurious, high-quality wool.

Wensleydales at the trough. Photo by Erika Pratt

BedsLife - Bedfordshire & Luton Biodiversity Partnership

℅ Central Bedfordshire Council

Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street

Bedford MK42 9AP

Tel 300 300 6025

Graze Beds

℅ Wildlife Trust

Priory Country Park, Barkers Lane

Bedford MK41 9SH

Tel 01234 362776