It was some twelve years ago when I bought my first batch of weaners from market. These were bought for fathering purposes, but I became captivated by their endearing manner and decided to buy a couple of Large Black sows and a boar in order to help protect this rare breed. One of the sows I purchased was, in fact, one of only four remaining in the U.K. at that time, from the 'Jewel Line'.

I thoroughly enjoyed keeping these pigs and they also proved to be therapeutic for the residents living in our homes (our other business is residential care for adults who have a learning disability).

Soon after, I decided to venture into a second breed and after visiting the Rare Breed Show & Sale at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, I came home with my first Gloucestershire Old Spot gilt.

I found a boar to serve my new gilt quite locally in Herefordshire, and it was here that my interest in showing pigs was inspired! Just a few months after purchasing another couple of Gloucester Old Spots, we arrived on the showing circuit.

We were ecstatic to win our first Rosette and by the end of the show we had most definitely been bitten by the bug.