Oxford Down flock grazes the Clumps

Lauren and Dan Marriott, who have just started a tenancy with Farm Step at the Earth Trust, will be selling their Little Wittenham Lamb for the first time at Wallingford Local Producers’ Market in the Regal Centre on Saturday (November 9). The Marriotts have brought a flock of more than 300 pure-bred Romney sheep from the South Downs to graze on Wittenham Clumps, and will also graze a smaller flock of Oxford Down sheep.

Wendy Tobitt, chair of the Wallingford Local Producers’ Market, welcomed the new farmers. “The market is the perfect place for Lauren and Dan to start trading. Little Wittenham Lamb is exactly the type of local business that we support. Our customers will be delighted to have locally farmed lamb available at least once a month.”

The farming venture at Little Wittenham is a new career for Dan and Lauren, both of whom have worked in food and agriculture industries. They have taken over the land farmed by Camilla and Roly Puzey who moved to West Sussex in September.

The Marriotts chose the Romney and the Oxford Down breeds of sheep because they will do well on the grassland of Wittenham Clumps. “It will be good to see the Oxford Down sheep grazing in their ‘home territory’. Like the Romney breed, they are very hardy and we look forward to them lambing in the spring,” Lauren said.