I have enthusiasms which tremble on the edge of obsessions. Some fade away after about two years - here are a selection of the longer-lasting ones. They include cats, Victorian cards, gardening, Baroque opera and early music, counter tenor singers, reading and stone circles and megaliths. I mention some here, and others are referred to on my home page.
There is a complete page devoted to my Victorian cards. I have also expanded my Stone Circles and Megaliths section into its own page, just click Standing Stones on the left.

EARLY MUSIC | IRISH WATER SPANIELS | OXFORD SANDY AND BLACK PIGS | SUNDEY BELTEX SHEEP | VICTORIAN CARDS | WILDLIFE GARDEN
OXFORD SANDY AND BLACK PIGS
The most glamorous pig in the world – golden haired with black spots. Also known as the Plum Porridge Pig or the Oxford Forest Pig. A real smallholder pig – friendly and tough living. In 1919 Sanders Spencer author of Pigs. Breeds and Management”, described it as ‘a far better pig… the old fashioned plum pudding, or black and white spotted pig, common in Northamptonshire, Leciestershire and Oxfordshire.”
Its admirers claimed it was one of the ancestors of the modern Berkshire pig. “The breeders of these spotted pigs can fairly claim for them that they are prolific, good sucklers, hardy, good rustlers, and make splendid pigs for cottagers, as they have considerable storage capacity.” By the time he wrote about it, many Oxford sandy and blacks were “of a rusty colour” due to Tamworth blood – the colour now found in this breed.
Then the breed was a local one, in the Oxfordshire area for many years. In l949 there were only seven registered boards and in the l960s there were only about two main breeders left. They swapped sows and some how the breed kept going until l976. That year there was only one pure bred pig, a sow, left. Several crossbreds with Tamworth blood in them also existed. That was the same year as the formation of the Rare Breeds Society.
But the society, alas, took the view that the breed was all but exterminated and should be allowed to die out. (This, remember, was before the days of DNA testing. Nowadays we might well think more of making sure the Oxford Sandy and black gene was preserved rather than preserving man-made collection of registered individuals.)
So the Oxford Sandy and Black was due to go the way of the Dorset Gold Tip pig (only 2 boards left in l949), the Lincolnshire curled coated pig (in l961 only 27 registered pigs) or the legendary Irish greyhound pig that could clear a five bar gate.
The Lincolnshire Curly Coated pig breed society closed in l972. But the Oxford Sandy and Black did die out thanks to dedicated breeders. They worked from crossbreds and a proper breed society was founded in l985 and the first president was Geoffrey Cloke, a truly great pig man. The Oxford Sandy and Black gene was saved.
While the Rare Breeds Society still working on the template of breeds not genes, still hold off from recognition, the British Pig Association have given Oxford Sandy and Black pigs official recognition. In 2004 there were 55 breeders. Unlike the modern Gloucester old spot (now usually with only one spot), it has kept its spots and makes a wonderful farm park pig. The piglets, bright gold and spotty, are adored by children! You can now see the breed on www.oxfordsandypigs.co.uk








IRISH WATER SPANIELS
Water Spaniels have been part of our family for over three generations and my sister breeds these. Over the last 35 years Jill McAree has tried to keep to certain guidelines in choosing the Radicott breeding lines. She has chosen to breed for physical strength and good health, amiable personality, a kind eye and, of course, no close parentage, always with working ability in mind. Currently Witch, Juno and Vesta pick up on the Eastnor and Whitborne Estates. She is a member of the Irish Water Spaniel Association. For more pictures consult http://www.jillymcaree.co.uk
SUNDEY BELTEX SHEEP
My sister, Jill McAree, breeds these stocky little sheep with big backsides. Her stock was built on a selection of ewes she imported from Belgium in 1999. She usually has some stock available. Her flock is in the scrapie scheme and is M.V. monitored. She has won numerous prizes. She is a member of the Beltex Sheep Society – www.beltex.co.uk For more pictures consult http://www.jillymcaree.co.uk
 

MY WILDLIFE GARDEN

In creating and maintaining a wildlife garden I was lucky enough to have the help of garden designer, Brian Macdonald. My aim is to encourage wildlife by growing natives species. In the lawn live daisies, plantains, and dandelions. On the border between lawn and shrubs wild daffodils and early daffodil varieties like Queen Annešs double are succeeded by salad burnet, oxeye daisy, mallows, knapweeds, clarys, meadow cranesbill, and sweet rocket. Foxgloves, mullein, and teasel give architectural distinction. Butterflies and moths, slugs and snails, blackbirds and hedge sparrows, wood mice and hedgehogs now flourish in my garden.

The garden was designed by Brian Macdonald. Email: boxwood@clara.net
EARLY MUSIC
I cannot say much about my interest in early music, and sharing it with you will have to wait until this site can carry sound. In the meantime, here is a useful link.
Link to early music in the UK: http://www.earlymusic.org.uk 		Harp & Lute

Victorian Postcards
VICTORIAN CARDS
I have a large collection of Victorian and Edwardian "Pet Postcards" which I'd love to share with you. Here is a selection - which will be updated from time to time.