IN MEMORIAM
Animals we have loved and lost
JACK
In April 2020 we took on Jack from KC Horse Rescue in Herefordshire when he was aged 25. He was very underweight when he arrived - the rescue was short of space so he came straight here after his check-ups. He had come from a riding school which lost its licence; he was kept out over the winter with 25 other horses with no rugs or hard feed and only one bale of hay between them. We are very proud to have helped out KC and their wonderful horses.
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After thoroughly enjoyed a second career driving, thern retired fully in the Autumn of 2025. He was very sadly euthanised in February 2026, and has left an enormous hole. We were privileged to have cared for him, if only for less than six short years. ​
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Jack the day he arrived.
Jack two months after coming to Berllan.
He loved exploring the local lanes.
Jack had amazing success at his very first driving show - aged 30!
Bran
Bran (Westerly Majestic Eagle 32A), our beloved and gentle boar, died in his sleep, cuddled up to his favourite ladies in January 2025. He was with us for four years and, at eight, was a good age for a working boar, but is very much missed by us as well as his ladies.
A gentle giant at 400kg, he was very considerate with his ladies, but also friendly with people and always gave us a “huff” in greeting. With his massive ears obscuring much of his vision he pottered contentedly through life and, as befits a creature of his size and dignity, almost never broke into a run. As well as his food, he enjoyed his work. In his time with us he sired more than a hundred piglets at Berllan, and scores more on hire to other pedigree Large Black herds. He leaves a large legacy of Large Black pigs, and a very big hole here at Berllan. His are big shoes to fill in every sense.
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Branwen
Branwen, (Trausmawr Warbler 2) was only with us for five weeks, but her gentle, loving nature endeared her to us very quickly. We bought her in pig with her first litter to try to help the rare Warbler line. There were complications during her farrowing and, despite four vets working on her for hours including doing a Caesarian section, a very rare operation on a pig, she sadly died the next day in August 2024. We hand-raised her three surviving piglets and have kept her daughter, Olwen, to breed from and continue her dam's legacy of helping to save the Warbler line.
Pip
Pip the dog, our rising 16 rescued curly-coated collie heartrendingly had to be euthanised in April 2023. She spent many years as a Pets As Therapy dog visiting care and dementia homes. She also competed at agility and was in a display team travelling the country to demonstrate obedience, flyball, agility, tricks and fire-jumping, and even made a couple of television appearances. She really enjoyed supervising our activities on the farm, and simply adored visiting the local beach at Pembrey.
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After over 15 years of being central to our family, she has left an enormous hole. She is buried in her favourite field.
Twiggy
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Twiggy, (Pfolly Fashion 138) was our foundation sow. Very sadly she had to be euthanised in February 2022 due to an eye infection suspected to be associated with a brain tumour. She was a real character and raised almost fifty piglets for us.