Manor Farm Farming Activities

The Victorian farm buildings are extensive because when they were built they catered for over 750 acres not the present 420, certain of the buildings are on an 1847 OS map indicating that these may be older. These old Traditional farm buildings are more or less still intact with not many alterations from when originally built. Since then more modern buildings have been added but trying to save the older ones. The present farmhouse only dates back to 1890 replacing one that was built on the East side of the Church.

The site of the original Manor of the De Heslerton is thought to be behind the Church associated with the Moat and other remains of the shruken medeval village of Heslerton Parva.

The farm is principally a commercial farm, being a mixed arable and sheep farm, but has also diversified and offers Bed and Breakfast , Caravan Club CL site and, Fishing pond

Recently Conservation work has as is still being done over a 10 year program. Firstly it joined FWAG the Farm and Wildlife Advisory Group and then the DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Scheme . This will enhance the wildlife on the farm and open new footpaths, together with planting hedgerows, trees and laying older hedges. Setaside is used for increasing the wildlife, some in 6 meter arable margins within the countryside stewardship scheme . Other areas are specially sown for wild birds to feed on in the winter, the rest for ground nesting birds to nest on in the summer.

The Arable crops are grown in rotation. wheat followed by barley with a break from cereals in the form of a root crop . Where grass is grown this is classed as permanent and is not ploughed out. The grass is near the church is the location of the old village and has not been ploughed for at least 75 years. This is part of the stewardship scheme.

Livestock

The farm carries a ewe flock of about 100 ewes. The breed is a cross bred of Sufflok and a Texel, we retain females for the flock . The ewes will have one, two, three, or very rarely four lambs. Lambing is typically from mid March to Mid April. It is the aim to have two lambs per ewe; lambs born as triplets one is taken off and put to singles if it is seen that the ewe can feed another lamb.  Other livestock are ponies, Chickens and cats!.

 

 

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