Courses

General Course Information

This is general information that applies to most courses but please ask if there is something you would like to know about that isn’t included

Timings

The course begins at 10.00 am in the Torver Schoolroom. The day is very interactive, so please bring all your questions and we always have a question and answer session at the end of day to pick up anything else you want to clarify. We finish around 4.00pm but are flexible as often a good debate ends the day.

Venue

There is ample parking and toilets here.

It is very easy to locate being on the only main road through the village and is right next to the Church.

Hot and cold drinks are available through the day

Lunch

Please bring a packed lunch.

Pie and Sausage Tasting

When available we may have some of our own sausage to taste at lunch

Pork and Pork Products for Sale

Please contact us in advance if you are interested in our pork products and to see if we will have any available on the day

Clothing

Boots or wellies that can be disinfected and washed are essential but must be removed before entering the hall. Please bring clean footwear especially if you have had contact with pigs recently.

Overalls or leggings for the farm sections are required so you can keep your other clothes clean for the session in the hall.

We are generally lucky with the weather but warm layers and gloves are advised.

Directions

The postcode for the Torver Schoolroom is LA21 8##.

From Junction 36 of the M6 follow the signs for the A590 to Barrow. At Greenodd (approx 14 miles) turn right across the carriageway and follow new road (A5092) for about 2 miles looking for a right turn for Coniston (A5084). Take this road and stay on it for about 4 miles. You will pass Lake Coniston and drop into Torver on a T junction. Turn left and look for the hall on your right next to the Church

From the West coast I suggest you follow the coast road down to Broughton, taking two lefts at the High Cross Inn after you have crossed the Duddon Bridge. You can’t miss the bridge as it has traffic lights and the High Cross is at the top of the first hill after it. It is about 4 miles to Torver and once into the village look for the Church and hall on the right

From North Cumbria you can come down to Junction 36 of the M6 or come through the Lakes, Keswick, Grasmere, Ambleside to Coniston. From Coniston follow road to Torver. The hall will be on your left as you approach the village centre

From the East you will reach the M6 at some point so can then follow above instructions.

Any problems or queries with your journey please get in touch.

Any problems on the day phone Carole on 07599922387

Accommodation

Please see “booking” page for details of local providers.

We look forward to spending the day with you.

• Butchery Courses
• Pig Keeping Courses

Testimonials

Dear Carole and John,

I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful time myself, and my 11 year old son Harry, had on your pig keeping and pig showing courses. As well as being really informative the courses were good fun. I especially wanted to thank you for letting my son Harry show one of your pigs at the Great Yorkshire show. He won a rosette and it was a day we will both always remember.

Ian and Harry.

• Teresa

   

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• Ian and Harry

   

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• Ian and Harry

   

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• Harry

   

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For my birthday I was treated to a weekend course on how to show pigs with John Sutcliffe and Carole Barr, which was advertised in the Old Spot breeders club magazine.

I live in East Anglia right on the coast and I have a small herd of pedigree pigs.

The course gave me the confidence and some basic knowledge to go and have a go at the local county show, which I did.

I got a 1st, a 2nd, a reserve, and a special reserve in British Pig Association’s young pig of the year class. What a result!

The course showed me how to pick out what stock to show and what the judges look for. Plus how to wash and care for your animals along with lots of other little tit bits.

All my pigs were on the small side but on the course their advice was a good little one will beat a bad big one and that’s what happened.

I would recommend this course not just if you want to show but also because it is a good way to improve your knowledge which leads to you having a better herd.

I had great fun and lots of help from friendly piggy people and cannot wait for my next show

Teresa from Suffolk.

The thing I really liked about the course was its practical nature from start to finish but when you are working with pigs there will always be fun.

The advise I received on the day gave me the confidence to take the plunge and get my own pigs and I’ve never looked back since.

Take your wellies and plenty of note paper.

Carole was also very supportive after the course and gave us lots of encouragement and help.

Val from Lancashire