The Slingsby Herd (circa 1980)
This is a rare picture of the Slingsby Jersey Herd in the Ings Field on Alder Tree Reach by the River Ouse. The herd was kept at Red House from 1977 to 1984 and managed in partnership with Chris Reynolds who ran the farm. There were over eighty cows in the herd which was made up of 50 milkers and 30 followers. Milking took place in a parlour built on the concrete yard between the Big Barn and Dairy Stables with the refrigeration and storage equipment kept in the dairy stable nearest to the all-weather arena.
The milk produced by these cows was exceptionally creamy and, for the perfect breakfast, the trick was to sneak into the dairy after the morning milking but before Mr Reynolds had had chance to switch on the agitator in the tank. Then carefully skim off some of the thick yellowy cream from the top of the tank and pour that on your cornflakes. Of course, if Mr Reynolds caught you, there would be trouble.