The Sheep's in the Meadow - Humorous tales of a Hampshire shepherd and his flock during fifty-plus years of rural change, 1956-2007

So, gather round as we delve into the splendidly eccentric life of David Sullivan, a man who’s done more with sheep than most of us could dream of with a sports car. Yes, this isn’t just a biography; it’s a rollicking ride through the fields of hilarity and hard work, brought to life by his wife Eileen, who decided that David’s sheep shenanigans deserved a wider audience. 

Once a city slicker from Aldershot—where the closest thing to a sheep was probably a fluffy toy—David transitioned from urban life to the gritty reality of farming. It started in his teenage years on a remote farm in Exmoor, where he probably learned that sheep have a remarkable ability to ignore you when you call them. From there, he bounced around the farms of Kent and Sussex like a sheep on a trampoline, until he and Eileen made the bold move to Hurstbourne Tarrant in Hampshire in 1965.

Now, picture this: a 45-year-old David, armed with nothing but sheer determination and a penchant for wool, decides it’s high time to start his own farming venture. Enter the revolutionary idea of Sheep Share Farming. This genius concept had him managing around 3,000 sheep while landowners provided the grazing land. It’s like a timeshare, but instead of a beach house, you’ve got a flock of sheep. 

In Hampshire, David and Eileen raised their two sons amidst a menagerie of animals. Even in retirement, David was still wrangling 350 ewes, all while wearing multiple hats—School Governor, Parish Council Chairman, Delegate to the British Wool Marketing Board, and Chairman of the Hampshire Sheep Group. If you thought that was impressive, just wait until you hear about his side gig as a lay pastor at the local Gospel Hall. There, he and Eileen hosted a Children’s Club and Bible Class, proving that while he might have been knee-deep in sheep, he was also deeply invested in his community.

And let’s not forget about the aspiring farmers he mentored along the way. Not only did he guide them through the intricacies of farming, but he also made their visits utterly enjoyable—because what’s better than learning about livestock while having a good laugh?

So, if you're intrigued by farming, rural life, or simply in need of a good chuckle, Eileen’s portrait of David’s whimsical journey through the world of sheep farming is nothing short of a delightful masterpiece. Prepare to be inspired, entertained, and perhaps a little envious of a life well-lived among the woolly wonders.

Publisher - Woodfield Publishing

Language - English

Paperback

Contributors

Author

Eileen Sullivan

Published Date - July 02 2024

ISBN - 9781846830440

Dimensions - 23.4 x 15.6 x 0.9 cm

Page Count - 156