Mrs Down's Diary January 14 2009

The reason he was reminiscing about his old clipping gang days, was coming across a number of Dorset sheep in the unlikely setting of a nativity scene. Dorset can lamb out of season and so are ideal for being able to produce lambs, on tap so to speak, to provide newborn lambs for a Christmas/New Year production.

One of the ewes had only lambed minutes before our arrival on the scene, and I had all on to stop John climbing over the pen sides to give her a hand with her next lamb.

"Oh that's disgusting" came a voice from behind me as Mrs Ewe eventually managed the job on her own.

Well how else are lambs and calves and any creature, including us for that matter, supposed to make their appearance in this world. Clearly this lady behind me preferred for the lamb to be delivered by stork in a pristine baby blanket.

We were at my grandson Ollie's birthday party, held on a farm that had made a major investment in entertainment as a diversification option.

Their stock was beautifully cared for. The Charolais cattle magnificent.

Pigs impeccable. Poultry immaculate. Sheep spotless ( apart from any newborns of course).

They also had a selection of small animals and pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits, all cared for in the same flawless conditions. John was very impressed but not won over to the idea of changing our way of living. Too many people. He is not a lover of the public. Barely tolerates his family for most of the time.

But back to the nativity scene. Although it could possibly be described as naff, it was in fact one of the most sensitive renditions of the Christmas story I have seen in public place. Almost fitting for a church. And around the virtually life sized figures the newborn lambs, a donkey and calves were housed. Set in a proper stable. Very naturalistic.

By now of course Santa Claus had fled the scene. His grotto locked up until next year. He was probably the elderly guy with a beard on tractor rides duty. John chatted away to one or two of the staff who were on almost permanent mucking out duty. Don't want to upset the public with all that farm manure. Although the farm park has been operating successfully for a few years, it appears that next year, as for many businesses, will be make or break time.

"We've got problems about where to store the muck and spread it with these new Nitrate vulnerable zones" a farm worker said."Up to now we've been able to get another farm to take it, but they can't next year. Requires too much investment for them. And if people do not have the same amount of disposable income, a trip here is the sort of luxury they can easily do without."

"What will you do?" I asked. "Our best option is to get rid of the stock, close the farm park down and just go completely arable" was the answer.

"All these new environmental rules and the economic climate are just killing the job. I doubt it will be a Happy New Year for us." Nor for all that super stock.