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Selwyn Times: August 08, 2018

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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

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