Sadberge Sheep

Happy New Year two ewes!

Well, this was my first thought when driving through the not very aptly named village of Sadberge at the weekend.

Sadberge is anything but, with a warm and friendly community of residents, a homely pub, a welcoming community library in the old bus stop and an icing sugar dusting of snow to give it picture postcard perfectness.

However, running loose on the village green were The Sadberge Sheep.

I noticed the absence of a pinfold (now I've written about these, I know what they are!) There was no one to take stock of the Sadberge Flock!

Two life size aluminium sheep were seen to be striding across the green, maybe making a break for the Buck Inn! They're conspicuous and eye-catching with coats that looked warmer than mine.

Look at the twist of the wool and the pull in the metal. It almost looked like giant coffee beans!

I asked around about the significance of the sheep and was told there were more. Thanks to Phillippa Walker, who snapped some more pictures for me on her run the next day!

Sadberge is an old Danish word for a flat hill. It's bang on, as a drive around the area affords great views, and the village itself is lovely. The sheep, however, are a slight mystery.

In 2015 a local private benefactor provided funding for a suitable sculpture to be placed on the village green. The happy people of Sadberge were consulted, and a variety of ideas were put forward, with a small flock of woolly lumps being plumped for by the villagers!

In 2019, the sheep took up their positions. It appears they were perhaps made in Shropshire by Oswestry based forge Black Country Metal Works, but as these even-toed ungulates were donated by a private benefactor for the enjoyment of the village, it's been difficult to source any nitty gritty details.

I have however, been shown some images of the sheep, dressed for all seasons. During the pandemic, they were covid conscientious, all wearing masks! At Christmas, no one goes cold, with full Santa suits and reindeer antlers to make festive sheepdeer...worthy of four 'e' indeed!

They're a much loved contrib-ewetion to the community.

Someone should open a male hairdresser's and call it Sadberge Baa Baas!

If you're passing, there are six to spot (or so I've herd!) two on the village green, two next to the brick bus stop library (if you fancy a sheep peep at any of the books in stock), and two outside the old post office next to the Tuns pub.

People are very proud of them. It shows. It's nice to have something to share which is a talking point in the community.