The celebrated Kingston Lacy herd of North Devon cattle was established by Walter Ralph Bankes towards the end of the 19th century. His son, Ralph, continued to maintain it and on his death in 1981 made it a specific part of his bequest of the Kingston Lacy estate to the National Trust. Since then the Trust has taken great care of this fine herd. It has become a feature of the park and may often be seen by visitors to the property. It is currently one of the responsibilities of Nigel Chalk, Gardens and Countryside Manager. The day-to-day management is undertaken by herdsman Peter Cox.
The herd is not a dairy herd. It exists for the production of beef, which may be obtained from local butchers and also is served in the Stables Restaurant at Kingston Lacy.
In order to keep the herd healthy and to avoid in-breeding it is necessary to introduce a new bull from time to time. It was decided that it would be time for a change at the end of the 2009 breeding season. This came to the notice of the Association committee which, after discussion, felt that the gift of a bull to Kingston Lacy would be an appropriate application of Association funds.
After taking expert advice the pedigree bull who appears in the photographs was purchased from breeder Mr Malcolm Herd of Whitefield Farm in Somerset. His pedigree name is Whitefield Gullable but, since this is rather cumbersome for everyday use, he has been given a pet name, Percy. He was born on 5th May 2007 and has a very good pedigree. He was chosen for the Kingston Lacy herd as he brings an excellent blood line, as well as good size and conformation.
He will run with the cows from early May until August each year and they will have his first calves in April and May 2011. During the winter he will live in the Bull Pens at Home Farm.
The estate has said that it is most grateful for the gift that has enabled it to purchase such a wonderful bull. The Association will have the satisfaction of knowing that it has contributed some of the genes that will now for ever be present in the North Devons of Kingston Lacy.
(Latest information: It appears that in his first year Percy was graced with
14 wives and is now the proud father of 13 healthy calves.)
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