I was in on my own last night so have been surfing..........as you do........
I found an article in the Welsh, Western Mail entitled "Swap sheep for wine and say hello to the good life" (Dec 5 2006).
It would appear that some farmers on Anglesey have given up keeping sheep, replacing them with grapevines. They believe that their lives "have improved greatly as a result", although they don't say exactly how. It is also suggested that "if enough farmers become winemakers, on the island and in North-West Wales, the area can be formally declared a wine-producing region".
Now I can't see it, myself. You've only got to look at the windswept terrain to have some doubts. However, someone called Tom Barlow, who already grows grapes on the island claims that " Anglesey gets 60 more hours of sunshine than Bordeaux" and that it is "superb for growing grapes." In fact, he claims, he "doesn't get enough rain".
This same man goes on to suggest that the farming of sheep and other livestock might "turn out to be a historical blip for Anglesey", encouraged over the years by EU subsidies. Whereas proof of wine making can be traced back to Roman times due to the discovery, during building works near Holyhead, of vine roots from what appears to be a very large Roman vineyard.
Western Mail, Wales Dec 5 2006
To read full text, go to:
I found an article in the Welsh, Western Mail entitled "Swap sheep for wine and say hello to the good life" (Dec 5 2006).
It would appear that some farmers on Anglesey have given up keeping sheep, replacing them with grapevines. They believe that their lives "have improved greatly as a result", although they don't say exactly how. It is also suggested that "if enough farmers become winemakers, on the island and in North-West Wales, the area can be formally declared a wine-producing region".
Now I can't see it, myself. You've only got to look at the windswept terrain to have some doubts. However, someone called Tom Barlow, who already grows grapes on the island claims that " Anglesey gets 60 more hours of sunshine than Bordeaux" and that it is "superb for growing grapes." In fact, he claims, he "doesn't get enough rain".
This same man goes on to suggest that the farming of sheep and other livestock might "turn out to be a historical blip for Anglesey", encouraged over the years by EU subsidies. Whereas proof of wine making can be traced back to Roman times due to the discovery, during building works near Holyhead, of vine roots from what appears to be a very large Roman vineyard.
Western Mail, Wales Dec 5 2006
To read full text, go to:
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/farming/farming/tm_headline=swap-sheep-for-wine-and-say-hello-to-the-good-life&method=full&objectid=18208915&siteid=50082-name_page.html#story_continue
The idea of being thought of as a 'blip' - historical or otherwise - isn't very nice at all. And I think that sheep are superbly fitted for the rugged landscape on Anglesy. And that it will be a shame if they all disappeared. And, what will happen to all the sheep dogs?
The idea of being thought of as a 'blip' - historical or otherwise - isn't very nice at all. And I think that sheep are superbly fitted for the rugged landscape on Anglesy. And that it will be a shame if they all disappeared. And, what will happen to all the sheep dogs?
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