She stipulated in her will that the farms she left to the Trust should be let at a moderate rent, and that the landlord's flocks of sheep on the fell farms should be pure Herdwick in breed. Beatrix was the first woman to be elected president-designate of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders' Association, which continues to flourish. The present secretary of The Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association is G. F. Brown, South Cottage, Kirkland, Frizington, Cumbria. The National Trust now owns 92 hill farms, many of which have a mainly Herdwick landlord's flock. The Trust has a total holding of about 52,000 sheep, of which 21,000 are landlords' flocks.
Herdwick meat is vacuum packed and ready to take home.
It is from source and fully traceable. Also available are an interesting variety of sheep based gifts. See 'The Relphs of Borrowdale' article in a recent National Trust Members' Newsletter, for more information. Whole and half Herdwick lambs, sausage and herdi-burgers are also available by mail order , from Mr Naylor, Middle Row Farmhouse, Wasdale Head, Seascale, tel 019467 26306.