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We're still here!
Welcome to the newly updated Kypie Farm website!
Anne Mair-Chapman
7 days ago2 min read


Create a Beautiful Spring Wreath with Our Wool in a Relaxing Workshop
Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home with handmade decorations that bring warmth and charm. Imagine crafting a stunning felted wreath using wool shorn just a few feet away from where you’ll be working. Join Kirsty and Anne for a creative, unique experience. Why Choose a Felted Spring Wreath Workshop? Crafting a wreath from felted wool offers a tactile, rewarding experience that connects you to the materials and the season. Unlike store-bought decorations, a felted
Anne Mair-Chapman
Apr 52 min read


Sheep Trekking - The new "must do" family activity.... Who knew??
What a start to our kitchen table idea, in fact, I couldn't have hoped for better. Following our official launch on social media at the end of January for bookings opening from the 23rd March, I'm absolutely over the moon to say that we have been fully booked weeks and even months in advance with only a few dates remaining in July and August before our flock takes a well deserved rest until October half term! And with a flurry of new followers and subscribers, now would be a
Anne Mair-Chapman
May 15, 20252 min read


Our first foray into Agritourism!
A year and a bit in the making, so we were very excited to officially launch Valais Wanders towards the end of January '25. Born, like most good ideas, from a kitchen table glass of wine or two type of evening, where Dad jokingly mentioned Valais Blacknose sheep as an addition to our Kypie flock but adding value in a completely different way to our other breeds.............. Agritourism! Well, say no more Dad! Valais Blacknose ewes bought, followed by the realisation that hal
Anne Mair-Chapman
Feb 17, 20252 min read


Countryfile comes to Kypie....and signing off for 2024!
Note to self - I really must stop saying yes to things before I have the full information. During a fleeting conversation with our friendly auctioneer at Glendale Show, I casually agreed to be interviewed by a film crew at home before Kelso Ram Sales..... I didn't give it another thought. So when we received an email from BBC Countryfile a week later I vowed to ask more questions before saying yes!! Knowing how "out of favour" Countryfile had become in recent years with the f
Anne Mair-Chapman
Dec 22, 20242 min read


March through to August 2024...
Six Inches of Soil I just can't help myself! At the beginning of the year, I decided in my infinite wisdom, that it was a good idea to organise a screening of Six inches of Soil. This independent film tells the story of some young British farmers who are standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food - "to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities". Following on from the critical acclaimed films Kiss the Ground and
Anne Mair-Chapman
Dec 9, 20242 min read


Lessons from the Lambing Shed....
Back in November last year, I had the bright idea to host some school visits over lambing time, an idea that was well received and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We welcomed pupils aged 5 to 15 to join us for a typical day in the lambing shed where we covered pet lamb feeding (and cuddles) to signs of a lambing ewe, health and hygiene practices to dealing with difficult births and everything in between. Our youngest visitors absolutely adored their time with the oh so
Anne Mair-Chapman
Nov 26, 20241 min read


And the prize for the least consistent blog writer goes to......
Hi, yep that would be me....... but this will be the first of a few blog catch-ups to bring you all up to speed! First to round off 2023! LEAF Open Farm Sunday So, our 3rd LEAF Open Farm Sunday (back in June 2023) came and went with 251 visitors enjoying some beautiful weather, delicious treats, stunning walks and the chance to talk to the team about what we do and why. Our friends from Cheviot Alpacas returned for their 2nd year, always a huge hit, as did The Tray Bake Fairy
Anne Mair-Chapman
Nov 25, 20243 min read


The countdown is well and truly on.....
.......and the signs are up! We are 1 week away from our 3rd LEAF Open Farm Sunday on the 11th June and in true “1 week to go” style, we are all flat out getting jobs done in between everything else that needs done. Road sides and bridleways are cut, general tidy up is underway and signs are going up. The excitement is building but it does seem to have clashed with a busy few weeks in other areas too! Last week I took part in the NFU Farmers for Schools Training with 16 other
Anne Mair-Chapman
Jun 4, 20232 min read


LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2023
A day in the countryside and an opportunity to ask a real farmer some of your burning questions, oh and it's FREE! In early 2020, I remember telling my father that even though I had started doing a bit of work with LEAF Open Farm Sunday as their NE England Ambassador, "don't worry, I have no intention of opening our farm to the public!" Fast forward to 2023 and this will be our 3rd year hosting! "What a fantastic morning at the LEAF farm open day! Thanks to the farm team for
Anne Mair-Chapman
Apr 25, 20232 min read


Recorded webinar for Women's Ag Group - LEAF Open Farm Sunday
A little while back I was delighted to speak to Rachel Middleton, the founder of the Women's AG Group, about all things LEAF Open Farm Sunday. You may or may not know that I'm the LEAF Open Farm Sunday Ambassador for the northeast of England and I am now in my third year of being involved with and hosting this amazing event. Grab a cuppa or pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy the chat between Rachel and I...... Planning your LEAF Open Farm Sunday hints, tips and ideas. -
Anne Mair-Chapman
Apr 5, 20231 min read


Shout out to a Farmer
At the end of last year I was very kindly asked to contribute to a new feature for the LEAF Education Newsletter "Shout out to a Farmer". As a new LEAF Education Farming Member I jumped at the chance to help them out. The advice, training and availability of resources is outstanding and they have made our leap into hosting school visits a lot less daunting! Here's my piece below and for the full newsletter, just follow this link LEAF Education Newsletter | Spring Term 2023 (c
Anne Mair-Chapman
Feb 20, 20231 min read


Lambing 2023
Night-shift, lambing 2023, the lull in-between checks........ Let's write my first blog! As I sit in the warmth of my living room, not 50m from the main lambing shed, sporadically checking over the expectant ewes via our "lambing cam", I can't help but think back to lambing when we first moved to Kypie in 1991. For years, lambing commenced on the 25th March, coinciding, like for many family farms, with the two weeks of Easter holidays. The weather was usually kind and we woul
Anne Mair-Chapman
Feb 15, 20232 min read
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