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SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi<br />
Wednesday <strong>August</strong> 8 <strong>2018</strong> 27<br />
Meet the alpacas<br />
at Sherlin Alpaca stud farm<br />
Established in 1999 by Lindsay and<br />
Sheryl Riddle, the delightful Sherlin Alpaca<br />
stud farm is sited on 22 hectares of land<br />
between West Melton and Templeton.<br />
Starting with five alpacas, the couple<br />
gradually increased their herd and they<br />
now have around 300 head, from which<br />
they breed to sell stock and also shear the<br />
fibre for making alpaca products.<br />
They carry the two alpaca breeds – the<br />
Huacaya, which has a coat similar to a<br />
sheep fleece, and the Suri, which has a<br />
fleece like dreadlocks. Both breeds come in<br />
all the alpaca colours – black, brown, fawn,<br />
grey and white.<br />
Lindsay says alpacas are easy to care for,<br />
have personality, and make ideal pets for<br />
a lifestyle block. They eat grass when it’s<br />
plentiful and meadow hay, lucerne baleage<br />
or lucerne chaff in the winter. The young<br />
alpacas are halter trained at Sherlin, so<br />
they can be taken for walks. For anyone<br />
interested in acquiring two or more<br />
animals, Lindsay and Sheryl will provide<br />
all the necessary advice on their care and<br />
requirements.<br />
“We like to get to know the people who<br />
are looking to buy alpacas and we explain<br />
how and why we got into breeding them<br />
and what they can expect,” Lindsay says.<br />
Sherlin Alpaca offers farm tours, during<br />
which visitors can see the alpacas and hand<br />
feed them. They also have a shop with a wide<br />
selection of alpaca-orientated products on<br />
display. These include items hand-knitted<br />
by Sheryl such as clothes for babies and<br />
children up to five years of age. They design<br />
and make their own thermal socks, which<br />
are very popular, and the Comfy Sock, a<br />
bed sock suitable for diabetics, or anyone<br />
who has cold feet in bed. They also have<br />
garments from Peru, the home country of<br />
the alpaca.<br />
Lindsay and Sheryl take their mobile<br />
unit and alpacas to A&P Shows around<br />
Canterbury, while the <strong>2018</strong> National<br />
Alpaca Show being held in Christchurch at<br />
the A&P Showgrounds from October 5-7<br />
is an opportunity for the public to see the<br />
country’s top alpacas compete for Best in<br />
Show. An alpaca shown by Sherlin won the<br />
honour at the first National Show in 2004.<br />
To book a farm tour, or for further<br />
enquiries, phone 349 7524, see their<br />
website www.sherlin-alpaca.co.nz or visit<br />
the alpaca shop at Sherlin Alpaca, 43<br />
Lawford Road.<br />
NOW OPEN<br />
IN WEST MELTON<br />
Your Friendly West Melton<br />
Community Vet Centre<br />
West Melton Village,<br />
Unit 3, 736 Weedons Ross Rd<br />
P 03 347 4546<br />
E nurses@westmeltonvets.co.nz<br />
OPENING DATE<br />
25 AUGUST<br />
9.30am - 1pm every Saturday rain or shine!<br />
Great variety of stalls<br />
Still some spaces available<br />
Plenty of parking<br />
254 Lawford Rd. Westmelton. Contact Taylah 022 <strong>08</strong>4 9790<br />
GOLD<br />
CARD<br />
LUNCHES<br />
MON - FRI<br />
Woodfired Pizzas / Full Menu •<br />
$20 Pizzas Mon / Tues •<br />
$7 Beers 4-6pm Every day •<br />
Gaming Room •<br />
Tues Quiz Nights •<br />
$15 Burgers Wed •<br />
$15 Curry Thurs / Fri •<br />
Roasts every lunch and Sunday nights $22 •<br />
Function room - Fundraisers/private dining •<br />
Takeaways Available •<br />
Open 7 days Coffee/Lunch/Dinner<br />
Open 11.30am Mon-Sat | Ph 03 421 6481<br />
Sunday Breakfast from 9am<br />
West Melton Village, Weedons Ross Road<br />
www.twofatpossums.co.nz<br />
Courtesy Van available