Meet the Team
We milk our goats once a day as we do not take their Kids off them (as most large commercial operations normally do). Taking only a small amount of milk leaves more than enough for the littlest team members of our happy herd. Our Goats all have names, and we consider them a part of our family. We take immense pride in their care, health, and happiness.
Rosemary
A shy but very clever Goat, Rosemary is an important member of the Willow Way Herd. She is calm and has an air of mystery to her. She will stand and stare at you and you will never quite know what she is thinking. She is an excellent Mummy to her two baby Billy Kids born in February ‘Patchouli and Lime’. They run rings around her and certainly keep her on her toes! A Beautiful Anglo Nubian that produces lots of lovely creamy milk for her babies and still has plenty spare for our soaps.
Chamomile
The most confident character in the Willow Way Herd. She reminds me of a noisy neighbour and always wants to be involved first in whatever is happening on the small holding. She loves her food and will try to munch on anything making the most bizarre noises as she eats. She really makes us all laugh! We are always on guard as she will try to nibble your clothes, hats and even your hair given half the chance! Chamomile enjoys being hand milked for the extra treats and attention she receives. An excellent Mummy to her baby Billy Kid born in late February ‘Sage’. She produces lots of lovely creamy milk for Sage and has plenty spare for our soaps.
Best Friends
Treacle and Figgy
Treacle
Our first Anglo Nubian breed of Goat purchased at Skipton Auction Mart a couple of years ago. She has won awards for her milk production and quality. She is the Boss of the Willow Way Herd and keeps everyone in line! (although she will occasionally let her best friend Figgy get her own way) I know you are not supposed to have favourites so don’t tell the others! But Treacle is extra special to me. She has had two daughters whilst living at Willow Way and is the most caring and loving Mother. She makes it look like a complete breeze.
Figgy
A Lively Character Figgy is our largest Anglo Nubian Goat. She is very friendly and enjoys a good scratch and brush. She follows Treacle around and they have become inseparable. She will always come up to you to say hello and see if you have bought her a treat! A beautiful Goat and another valued member of the team.
Best Friends
Peppermint and Clove
Best Friends
Peppermint and Clove
Our newest additions to the Willow Way Herd bought earlier this year from another local Goat Keeper. Peppermint is the more confident one out of this duo and is always there to protect her best friend Clove when there is a disagreement between the older members of the herd. She will stand in front of Clove like a little bodyguard! It’s extremely sweet to see them play together, eat together and even nap together. Side by side, a true beautiful friendship that will last for the rest of their lives. Clove is so shy now, but we are working on bringing out her confidence. She also looks like she is always smiling. Peppermint reminds me of a young figgy with her black and white dappled ears and is growing more confident by the day. I do wonder if one day she will be the Boss.
Best Friends
Lavender and Litsea
Best Friends
Lavender and Litsea
These two lovely girls are friendly Members of the Willow Way herd and have a strong friendship. Lavender is very curious where as Litsea is laid back. They both get on well with everyone in the herd (most of the time!) and enjoy munching on fresh hay and playing out in the field together. Litsea is the beautiful dappled black and white Anglo Nubian Goat, and Lavender is the beautiful black Anglo Nubian Goat with a very shiny coat! Both valued Members of our team we look forward to watching them grow.
Cedar and Spruce
Cedar and Spruce
Introducing the Billy Goats… Cedar and Spruce.
Both very stinky, very giddy but also very affectionate. Two handsome Anglo Nubian Goats both have similar happy go lucky characters and get on very well together. An adventurous pair, always wanting attention and of course more food! They have their own section of the small holding to keep them separate from the Nanny Goats for the majority of the year, where they can play out bouncing around in the field, jumping over tractor tyres, or have a relaxing snooze in their Man Cave/Billy Shed. Cedar is the proud father of the Kids born earlier this year. Important Members of the Willow Way Team who bring smiles and joy to our lives.
Debby
Debby
Designer and creator of Willow Way Produce, Debby hand makes all our Goats Milk Soaps using the traditional cold process method:
“With a large family I was concerned about the amount of chemicals and synthetic ingredients that we were using on our skin and the impact that had on the environment. Many of the products that claimed to be natural, were full of preservatives and hidden chemicals. I began checking ingredient labels and searching for more sustainable options to use on our skin. I then came across Goats Milk Soap.
Our whole family tried it, including my daughter with Eczema. We found it suited all our different skin types, and the bars lasted much longer than the plastic bottles of body and face wash that we were previously using, therefore saving us money.
We have raised Goats since 2020 on our small holding in Yorkshire and it seamed a wonderful idea to make our own Soap with the milk our Nannies produce during kidding time.
With my absolute love for goats, creativity, crafting, and science, I began on my Goats Milk Soap making journey. With years of research and testing different recipes (all on myself, my family, and friends) I formulated my own special base recipe with which I am extremely happy. It was most important to me not only to use 100% natural skin-loving ingredients, but to use organic ingredients of the highest quality.
Blending essential oil combinations took me right back to the nature loving little girl having fun making potions and perfumes out of flower petals in my Mum’s Garden along with all the neighbours gardens too!
Martin
Martin
Martin looks after all the Goats at Willow Way Small Holding (as well as our free to roam chickens). He checks over each one daily for any potential health problems, making sure they are all fit and well. He feeds them with plenty of fresh hey made at Willow Way and makes sure they always have access to clean water, as well as bedding up their sleeping pens with fresh straw. He also has the job of trimming their feet and is on hand at kidding time to make sure everything goes smoothly.
As a child, Martin dreamed of becoming a vet. He observed operations and examinations, also helping with the chores at the local practice every Saturday. At the age of twelve he started working at a local farm gaining invaluable knowledge. He took a different career path into agricultural and plant contracting, but his interest and experience in animal welfare, health and care has been extremely beneficial.
With the help of their Children, Martin and Debby take great care of their little herd to make sure they live healthy happy lives.