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12
Nov 2020
Nidd farming sisters save bull from drowning
When flooding struck last week, two farmers from Nidd leapt into action alongside the emergency services to rescue a young bull and herd of cows from drowning.
Sisters Fran Robinson and Hannah Blakey, who tend cattle and sheep on their 150-acre farm, were alerted to the plight of the stranded animals on social media.
Fran told the Stray Ferret:
The Blakey family has been farming in the Ripon area for 25 years and, with a call to their auntie Anne, they were able to find a telephone number for the farmer whose bull was in peril, having slipped into the river from a field near Ure Bank Top.
The bull’s owner was in Halifax and at least 40 minutes away – so welcomed the offer of help from two women who are highly experienced in handling cattle.
Fran said:
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The cows moved further down the flooded field onto a small section of banking at the bottom of Ure Bank Top.
Hannah, said:
Although the cows were safe, the young Limousin bull's life was still in jeopardy.
Fran said:
The bull did re-emerge, bobbing upside down like a giant cork in the swollen water with legs flailing.
Hannah ran across to the other side of the bridge shouting to the bull, trying to get him to right himself and swim to the bank.
Fran pointed out:
But it wasn't. Hannah said:
Fran added:
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