Last updated at 14:37, Friday, 20 May 2011

RATHER than kicking back and taking things easy, Doug Lockhart is one of the new breed of retirees to finish in their fifties in order to carry on working.

Not that he considers his smallholding work, despite putting in as many hours as he did in the office.

In breeding Hereford cattle, he’s fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Growing up in Bardsea nurtured an interest in animals he’s held ever since.

But his career path took him to Glaxo, where he worked for 34 years.

“At the time I was choosing a career, farming didn’t have the money,” he explains.

Whether prospects have improved for today’s farmers is debatable but Doug isn’t in it for the money – he breeds Herefords for pleasure.

And with three young calves cavorting round the barn, Doug’s smallholding at Biggar Village is a cheery place to be at the moment.

The first of the new batch was born on April 26, the second on May 2 and the third on May 8.

With their huge, heavily-lashed eyes, the calves look docile until they start to buck around their pens. Overhead, swallows dip in and out of the corrugated roof, adding to the rural milieu.

“They’re comical,” says Doug, in response to a particularly boisterous canter from one of the calves.

“When there’s two together they’re a bit playful,” he adds with a chuckle.

Doug’s cattle live an idyllic life. Spread over 15 acres of prime land off Thorny Nook Lane, the cattle spend their days at the smallholding munching buttercups and gazing at the horses in the adjoining field. They’re breeding stock, unlike most of their contemporaries who will be fattened for beef.

Despite being a relative newcomer – he bought the land when he retired six years ago – Doug is now an accredited pedigree breeder.

His are the Walney Island Thoroughbreds, although Doug’s granddaughter Jasmine prefers to give them more cuddly names.

Tony and Troy, his young bulls, were sold this week to farmers in Bootle and Kirkby, and in the paddock are Biddy and Countess and their calves King and Dolly, born in January.

Doug has specifically chosen Herefords for their temperament.

“They’re so quiet and placid,” says Doug.

“I don’t have a favourite. They all get treated the same.

“I’m originally from Bardsea and used to go to the local farmer there who used to keep Herefords. They were always very quiet and placid animals and it’s gone from there.

“There are a lot more farmers coming back to these breeds. “Everybody had Herefords at one time.

“They went out of fashion when they brought Limousin and Charolais in.”

Doug has been breeding for three years now and is satisfying current trends by moving to a darker colouring.

“Last year we changed the stock bull and went under a new breeder called Dieulacresse Herefords.

“A lot of people like the darker colouring.”

Explaining what he looks for in their appearance, Doug says: “Nice shape and back end, a nice straight line and good depth in the body and good colour.

“People have asked me if I will show them but there’s a lot to do.”

As it is, the smallholding is a seven-day-a-week hobby.

“I’m down between 6.30am and 7am every day to make sure everything’s alright. It keeps you fit,” he adds.

“There’s other things you could be doing. You could go to the pub every day. It keeps me out of mischief.”

As for retirement hotspots, Doug couldn’t have chosen better.

He’s got the seaside and the country virtually on the doorstep of his Mallard Drive home.

Five-year-old Jasmine has expressed an interest in keeping hens and Doug’s going to try his best to encourage her interest in cattle.

“Just don’t mention ponies,” adds the 58-year-old.

In realising his childhood dream, Doug says: “It’s been everything I hoped it would be. Glaxo was a great place to work but as it got bigger I couldn’t get out of there quick enough.”

First published at 13:03, Friday, 20 May 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk