Cllr Geoffrey Theobald

Potential volunteer shepherds have been signing up to join Brighton & Hove City Council’s sheep watching scheme which has proved so popular that the council has decided to close applications for the time being.
 
The council launched its urban shepherd scheme when it introduced sheep to graze in open spaces and downland areas of the city. To help keep an eye on the sheep the council invited local people to train as urban shepherds, or ‘lookerers.’

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“The response was amazing, with volunteers coming forward from all ages and all walks of life,”  

“In fact, the scheme has been so successful that we have now had to stop taking applications for this winter otherwise we will end up with more shepherds than sheep! “
 
The council now has 72 trained lookerers and 47 more on the waiting list.

Councillor Theobald added:
“It’s a great position to be in as we plan to extend grazing to more areas of the city.
 
"For the local community there’s a real ‘feel good’ factor of seeing the sheep virtually on their doorstep.”
 
This winter will see flocks of sheep grazing in six areas of the city -  Wild  Park , Beacon Hill, Bevendean Down, Waterhall, Whitehawk and Sheepcote Valley .
 
Sheep used are from a local farm and they graze at various locations for periods during the winter months.
 
For more information view: 
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/lookerers