It's the annual ‘gather’ of the native Herdwick sheep, a spectacle that has graced the Lake District fells for over a millennium. This annual event, known simply as "The Gather," is not just a practical necessity; it's a living testament to the resilience, skill, and deep-rooted connection between the farmers and their Herdwick sheep.
At the break of dawn, shepherds set out on their journey to the peaks, with their trusty sheepdogs by their side, they navigate the rugged terrain, herding together small pockets of Herdwick’s into one collective group. The process is not just about rounding up the scattered flocks; it's a communal effort, with farmers working together to bring in their sheep from the unfenced common lands.
The Herdwick sheep, renowned for their hardiness and resilience, play their part in this ancient tradition. Their innate ‘hefting’ instinct drives them to roam free among the fells, blending seamlessly into the landscape with their thick woollen coats. But when the call of ‘The Gather’ echoes through the valleys, they gather together to descend from the high fells for lambing and shearing.
For over a thousand years, the gather has been an integral part of Cumbrian life, marking the transition of the seasons as spring blossoms into summer.
The timing of these events is crucial, typically occurring in the early spring as the weather becomes more favourable. Narrow paths, known as "trods," favoured by the sheep but absent from any map, become the highways of the flock as they make their way home.
As the flock finally reaches lower ground, the wildness of the fells gradually gives way to fields and paddocks shaped by human hands. With the touch of a skilled shepherd, the sheep are guided through the final gate, marking the end of their journey. The ewes are then bedded down to mark the beginning of the lambing season. Then, before the sheep are allowed to roam free once again, the Herdwick's thick coats, a necessity for survival in the harsh mountain climate, are sheared away, in preparation for the summer months.
The importance of ‘The Gather’ extends beyond its practical purpose, it's a celebration of tradition and the enduring bond between shepherds and sheep. For over a thousand years, this ritual has played out on the slopes of the Lake District, a living link to the past. And while technology may have its place – it's the age-old skills and knowledge passed down through generations that truly drive the Gather.
