Prehistoric humans domesticated sheep between 11,000 and 9,000 BC, recognizing their value for meat, milk, and wool. By the Middle Ages, the wool trade was a cornerstone of the British economy, funding significant construction projects and embedding wool's importance in national symbols, such as the Speaker of the House of Lords' Woolsack.
However, the industry is currently facing a crisis. Synthetic fibers offer a cheaper alternative to pure wool, leading to a decline in its favor. This economic pressure forces many British sheep farmers to destroy or bury their wool, while consumers increasingly opt for imported lamb. As a result, many of the UK's 63 native sheep breeds are now at risk of extinction.
Farmer and conservationist Polly Pullar, author of "In the Company of Sheep," defends traditional sheep farming and emphasizes its role in preserving the British countryside, particularly the ancient hill farms. Pullar's book details her travels across Britain, meeting farmers in regions like Dorset, Yorkshire, Wales, the Lake District, the Scottish Borders, and the Western Isles. The book argues that sheep are intelligent, strong-willed, and affectionate, dispelling common misconceptions.
Pullar warns that indifference to the decline of sheep farming, viewing sheep merely as a picturesque element of the landscape, would lead to a significantly diminished Britain. The book is available from the Mail Bookshop.