Sweet Home Alpaca Farm closes after bird flu outbreak
As a result, the remaining 113 chickens at the farm had to be culled.
This has caused the farm, which was named the Best Tour and Attraction in Pembrokeshire for 2024 by TripAdvisor, to close temporarily, meaning no alpaca experiences can take place.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the farm, which has raised more than £2,000 of its £5,000 target so far.
Sweet Home Alpaca in Haverfordwest has been forced to temporarily close after a bird-flu outbreak (Image: Sweet Home Alpaca) Angela Frayling-James of Sweet Home Alpaca said on Facebook and via the GoFundMe: "We want to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported us during this challenging time.
"A special thank you goes to Peter for setting up the GoFundMe for us—without your help, there would be no light at the end of the tunnel."
They added that everyone's "love, support, and generosity" mean the world to them, and that every penny raised is going directly toward animal welfare.
Angela and her husband Alex had set up the business during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and have been overwhelmed by the support of the community after they have been forced to get rid of all of their stock and alpaca fleece as a result of the outbreak.
Angela and her husband Alex started the farm in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic (Image: Angela Frayling-James)
When the bird flu outbreak was discovered, Sweet Home Alpaca had to take some "difficult actions" in order to comply with regulations.
The shop stock, feed, and alpaca fleece from the past year all had to be destroyed and disposed of.
The field also needs to be harrowed, but this has been complicated by restrictions that prevent anyone from being on-site.
Angela explained: "Unfortunately, we do not have the machinery to do this ourselves, and the authorities will not open the site again until this step is completed."
They added that they hope to rescue more chickens in the future but are currently awaiting guidance on when they can reopen.
The harrowing of the field is a crucial step before they will be considered for reopening.
Angela Frayling-James of Sweet Home Alpaca had taken to Facebook to thank the community for their support (Image: Sweet Home Alpaca) She continued: "This week has been one of the most intense and emotional journeys we've ever experienced.
"We faced a heartbreaking challenge when our 120 rescue chickens fell ill due to bird flu and had to be culled.
"Watching them struggle was incredibly tough, but through it all, our community's support has been nothing short of extraordinary.
"We genuinely couldn't have managed this crisis without each and every one of you.
"Your kindness, love, and encouragement have kept us going when things felt overwhelming."
The bird-flu outbreak has left the farm with no chickens (Image: Angela Frayling-James)The farm hopes to reopen as soon as possible, but this cannot happen until all the requirements by APHA are completed.
The funds raised through the GoFundMe will help provide the necessary medical attention, food, and warmth for the alpacas, and all the animals under the farm's protection.
Angela added: "The love and kindness we've received have overwhelmed us in the best way possible.
"It's brought tears to our eyes multiple times and reaffirmed why we do this work—for these animals, and for a community that truly cares.
"Your support reminds us there is always light and hope even in dark times.
"Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us, for believing in this cause, and for helping us heal and protect these wonderful creatures."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
Where does the Scottish tech ecosystem go from here?
Remote working can ber beneficial for startups and scale-ups (Picture: The biggest shift in running a business is the rise in remote working, not AI, writes James Lucas Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish technology sector is experiencing a moment. After a tough couple of years post-Covid boom, we are entering a period of rejuvenation, resulting in a collective sigh of relief by leaders in the ecosystem. Playing a part in this is not only the investment success seen by those involved in Techscaler (which to date has seen companies linked with it secure £66m in investment), but also more recently from Par Equity's merger with Manchester's Praetura to create a £670m Northern Powerhouse. All of this reinforces Scotland's long-standing heritage as a home of invention and innovation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite this positivity, some might consider this one of the most challenging market environments for sustaining a business, not just starting one. James Lucas, CEO, CirrusHQ While of course, during all of this, aspects like managing cash flow are vital (a lesson that has stayed with me since I studied Business Studies at school), the world has evolved considerably – and the way in which the ecosystem is cultivated and led must also evolve. Having started my own tech business over a decade ago, the biggest shift in running a business is not AI; it has been the rise in remote working. While many believe this was Covid's doing, it was something we have practiced since Day One – and even now, more of our team work remotely than they do in the office. Approximately 70 per cent of our team live more than one hour away from the office. Despite calls from global corporates heralding the need to return to the office full time, I would caution that emulating this could significantly hinder the growth of Scottish tech businesses, particularly startups and scale-ups. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We found that abandoning office presenteeism and being flexible in our expectation of office attendance and team members' lives outside of work, has not only enriched our culture, but it has also meant that we have been able to hire and retain talent that might ordinarily have overlooked us. By focusing on skills and cultural fit (rather than postcode), the sector will extend its talent horizons considerably and boost opportunities for success. Pandemics aside, broader macroeconomic and geopolitical factors (for example interest rate rises and inflation) have increased the pressure on the Scottish business landscape and taught us to be more resilient. In the tech sector that also means being prepared for a slowdown in tech investment as IT budgets become leaner. This can place considerable pressure on even the most experienced business leader, but for an ambitious, fledgling tech entrepreneur, potentially with investors seeking a return, the heat is turned up further. Despite this, we should not be afraid to evolve and challenge even our own thinking – particularly with the expectation placed on us. With all the brilliance and innovation that exists in Scotland today, there's always the chance that the market isn't ready, or that feedback demands a fundamental change to the original blueprint. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad My advice? Make sure that you are amenable to change rather than going all in on version 1.0: iteration can bring beauty and open you up to new people, thinking, audiences and success. Go with the gut and grow with your thinking. As a sector, we must also move beyond only seeing success in tangible tech. Too often, I see brilliant entrepreneurs knocked back from investment as they have created a service which cannot be held in the palm of their hand. Given that computer programming and consultancy makes up 85 per cent of all Scottish digital tech businesses, as a collective we need to retune our thinking and see B2B tech as something just as impactful (maybe even as valuable) as a piece of hardware. Afterall, this relatively narrow view is peculiar given the success of financial services in Scotland which equally doesn't produce a tactile product, so why is that different in tech? Such a recognition will unlock even more investment streams, foster diverse innovation and attract broader talent, positioning Scotland as a true leader in the global digital economy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad At the end of the day, even with ecosystem rejuvenation, there must be realism. While the dream of success, riches or impact might be where the sector is headed, we must keep in mind that Rome wasn't built in a day, and so we cannot expect the same for those scaling their business here. Scotland is full of entrepreneurial talent and a great place to start a business. With a skilled and talented workforce, I'm confident that we will see an explosion of new tech companies over the coming years. For the sector to achieve this, we need to ensure that there is collective self-belief, an openness to change and awareness of what is going on outside of Scotland's borders. By maintaining sight of an achievable target and recognising the bigger picture, while there might be tough times ahead, with a determined mindset we can achieve anything.
ITV News
18 hours ago
- ITV News
MP James McMurdock says ‘business dealings' compliant after he resigns Reform whip
MP James McMurdock has said 'all' of his 'business dealings' complied with regulations after he resigned the Reform UK whip amid questions related to Covid loans. The MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock 'removed the party whip from himself' pending the outcome of an investigation relating to allegations around 'business propriety during the pandemic'. The Sunday Times published a story on Saturday which alleged two businesses connected to Mr McMurdock took out Covid-19 loans totalling £70,000 during the pandemic. In a statement posted on X on Saturday afternoon, Mr McMurdock said he had been contacted by a reporter. 'I confirmed to the journalist that all my business dealings had always been conducted fully within the law and in compliance with all regulations and that appropriately qualified professionals had reviewed all activity confirming the same.' He added: 'As a precautionary measure, and for the protection of Reform UK, I have asked to have the whip suspended temporarily.' According to Companies House, Mr McMurdock is listed as the current director of Gym Live Health and Fitness Limited, and a former director of J A M Financial Limited, a position he resigned in 2021. Both firms are shown to have overdue accounts and confirmation statements, and both have an 'active proposal to strike off'. Reform's chief whip Lee Anderson had earlier said that the allegations against Mr McMurdock which led to him removing the whip 'relate to business propriety during the pandemic and before he became an MP'. Mr Anderson said Mr McMurdock has 'agreed to co-operate in full with any investigation'. In a statement published on Reform's X account on Saturday afternoon, Mr Anderson said: 'I have today received a call from James McMurdock who has advised me, as chief whip, that he has removed the party whip from himself pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations that are likely to be published by a national newspaper. 'The allegations relate to business propriety during the pandemic and before he became an MP,' Mr Anderson said. The statement said Reform would not be commenting further for the moment. Mr McMurdock has represented South Basildon and East Thurrock since last July's general election. He won the seat by 98 votes, beating Labour into second place, and taking the seat from the Conservatives. Labour chairwoman Ellie Reeves has said that the party 'owe the public an urgent answer about the financial conduct of Mr McMurdock'. 'The public deserve to know about the proper use of public funds by Reform UK MPs given their new councils claim to be conducting inquiries into 'government efficiency'. Does Farage think he is fit to be an MP?' she said. Of the five MPs elected under the Reform banner in July 2024, two now sit as independents. Rupert Lowe, who represents Great Yarmouth, was suspended earlier this year following allegations about his conduct which he has denied.
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Our once-deprived seaside town has become UK's ‘Shoreditch-on-Sea' filled with influencers… it's a blessing & a curse
The town was once the 33rd most deprived area of England SHORE DEAL Our once-deprived seaside town has become UK's 'Shoreditch-on-Sea' filled with influencers… it's a blessing & a curse Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOCALS claim their once deprived seaside town is becoming an influencer hot spot. Residents say the sudden influx of Londoners is both a blessing and a curse with the thousands strong gentrifying force now relocating to their town. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Margate is home to a huge community of relocated Londoners Credit: Getty 5 The seaside town has been dubbed 'Shoreditch-on-sea' Credit: Getty Cliftonville West, an area of Margate, has seen a huge influx of so called DFLs (Down From Londoners) since the pandemic. The town has earned a new nickname amidst the growing relocation of middle class, big city workers, now branded "Shoreditch-on-sea." According to The Telegraph nearly 6,000 people from the capital relocated to the area since the Covid-19 pandemic. Cliftonville West is now reportedly the place in England that has been most gentrified over the past ten years. Property in the area now costs double what it did in 2010 and the number of residents who are university graduates has almost doubled between the 2011 and 2021 censuses. Following the Second World War the town didn't build any new hotels, a new theatre, conference centre or other attractions to keep up its seasonal trade. Relying almost exclusively on this seasonal holiday trade, Margate began to decline and became on of the most deprived areas in England. Following the slide into deprivation the town's hotels have been left neglected and ill suited to locals in need of housing. Dan Thompson, an artists and historian, was left homeless for six months after struggling to find an affordable rental property. He said Margate has always been a bit rough and added that bids to make it a more attractive neighbourhood made it a town built to attract DFLs. We live in UK's trendiest seaside town that's home to 'national treasure' beach lido - but NOBODY can swim in it In the 2000s hospital admissions for drugs and alcohol were five times the average for Kent and by 2010 it was the 33rd most deprived area in England. Since then the town has turned things around with new attractions bringing in tourists, money and relocaters. The opening of a gallery on the seafront in 2011 contributed more than £110 million to the local economy and by the end of the decade things began to turn around. Rock band, The Libertines converted a dilapidated B&B into a boutique hotel and the neighbourhood was set to be named the coolest in the country by Time Out. 5 Locals say DFLs price them out of homes Credit: Alamy 5 DFLs have brought a new wave of tourism to the area Credit: Alamy After the pandemic influencers began to flock to the town bringing a new, wealthy group to the area. Dan Thompson moved to the area before the gentrification and has lived there since, working to help improve the area. Thompson told The Telegraph: "The wave that came down during and post-Covid were coming down seeing the town as finished. "It had coffee shops, it had wine bars, it had galleries, it had all of that. They were coming down as consumers.' New residents who moved after the pandemic claim that old timers hate the DFLs. Sophie Brown, 34, moved from south London eight years ago, she now runs a queer bar and community space in the town. She said: 'There are a lot of old-time Margate people who absolutely hate DFLs like us. "They think that we're coming in to gentrify the place and really destroy it. "We think we're making it better and also trying to make things better for local people.' The influx of wealthy Londoners has caused house prices to skyrocket and left locals without the means to afford their own town anymore. Sophie continued: 'People that were born and bred here, they're pretty angry at us. We are part of the problem, there's no sugar-coating it.' While gentrification has made it harder for locals to afford the town, it has brought back some of the tourists. New businesses, fine dining and street food has seen the tourism industry slowly pick up again. Dan Thompson added: 'If you'd have come here in 2004 and spoken to local people, you wouldn't have wanted to come back. 'Now even the most grumpy of locals, who are moaning about the dog s*** and the bins not being emptied, they'll also tell you that the beaches and the sunsets are beautiful.'
