Seahaven Hard of Hearing Club

Our speaker this month was Ian Everest, who was talking about Shepherds of the South Downs – their lives and times. The earliest record of a shepherd was a gentleman called Cuthman of Bosham in West Sussex. He travelled around pushing his mother on a cart until he found work. He was said to have received a message from God that wherever he stopped next he was to build a house and a church. He stopped and built a wooden house and a wooden church. This was in the village of Steyning, West Sussex, and the church that stands now is on the site of the original wooden church. Cuthman worked as a shepherd and eventually became a Saint. Many churches in Sussex are named St Cuthman’s.

John Elman is the shepherd who became known as the first man to breed South Down sheep, which became the favourite breed of sheep for many years (photo right). His tomb is in Glynde Cemetery.

There is a saying ‘Guy Fawkes’ ram produces April fools lambs’. This is because the shepherds’ year starts in November when each ram serves approximately 50 sheep. The new lambs are born around April 1st. At lambing time a shepherd can be out 24 hours a day, making pens for the sheep and being on hand when the lambs are born. The shepherds used to be out in all weathers until the shepherds huts’ were introduced, which was a godsend to the shepherds as they could go inside to make a hot drink and dry themselves off. Sheep washing had to be done once a year and Exceat was used for this purpose for farms in our area. Another place for sheep washing was Fulking, by the Shepherd and Dog pub, where a stream runs out by the side of the pub. Sheep also had to be dipped once a year, which was quite a dangerous job with the chemicals involved.

Andrew White

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The lip reading classes were really interesting with subjects such as TV, cycling, chocolate and Fratterinies discussed. The new term started on Tuesday 19th April at Sutton Corner Barn (formerly the 60 plus club) at 10am.

The next meeting on 6th May is an visit to Fairwarp for tea.The mini bus will leave St James’ at 2pm.

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