Photo of the Week: North Country Mule’s ‘thank you’ for help

We love this photo of 20-year-old lambing assistant Amy Anderson with twin lambs – it looks like mum ewe is thanking her for her help.

Amy is working at Hillworth Court Estate in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, during lambing, while training to be a vet at nearby Hartpury University.

The sheep in the picture is a North Country Mule who, while being a good mum, sadly has very little milk; Amy has been substituting this by bottle-feeding the twin lambs.

See also: Photo of the week: Twins add to budding Suffolk flock

Amy with twin lambs © Amy Anderson

Farm owner Rob Thatcher’s executive assistant Kate Campbell-Filkry sent the photo in.

She says: “Amy doesn’t come from a farming background, but her passion and common sense have really shone through since she’s been with us.

“Her enthusiasm is infectious and while she has learned a huge amount from Rob – who has been lambing for more than 30 years – I think she may also have taught him a thing or two!”

Amy started on the eighth-generation family farm in February and got the job via The Lambing Club group on Facebook.

Her help has freed up Rob and his son to focus on other aspects of the wider estate – be it drilling, completing property renovations or fencing.

In addition to sheep farming, the estate has diversified into lettings (residential, commercial and land), events and a livery yard. 

We find it so refreshing to hear how valuable young people are to the industry and how hard-working they are. Good luck with your career, Amy!

You can upload your farm photos to our Farmlife Framed gallery and our Lambing 2025 gallery.