BBC HomeExplore the BBC

16 December 2009
Accessibility help
Text only
CumbriaCumbria

BBC Homepage
England
»BBC Local
Cumbria
Things to do
People & Places
Nature
History
Religion & Ethics
Arts and Culture
BBC Introducing
TV & Radio

Sites near Cumbria

Isle of Man
Lancashire
North Yorkshire
South Scotland
Tyne
Wear

Related BBC Sites

England
 

Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

 

General

Wilma the pig with 'mum' Bramble in the barn
Wilma the pig with 'mum' Bramble

Pork or Pet?

Bramble the collie dog has saved Wilma's bacon.... for now.

When Wilma was born at the start of April she was the littlest piggy of all and struggled to compete with her siblings for her mother Marjorie's attention. Two of the sow's ten piglets died at birth so owner Nick decided to rescue Wilma by keeping her warm in the family's cottage in Low Lorton near Cockermouth. Wilma immediately made herself comfy in Bramble, the collie dog's bed, but Bramble didn't mind, she just climbed in too.

Now the family faces a dilemma about what to do with Wilma as she grows bigger. Nick Lawler tells Natalie Mace about the difficult decision he faces.

audio Pork or Pet? >
Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer

What do you think should happen to Wilma? Vote now using the buttons on the right hand side of the page.

Piggy-Puppy?

The unlikely pair became inseparable; walking, sleeping and feeding together. Bramble even licks off the milk Wilma spills on herself at feeding time. Despite being bottle fed, Wilma will still attempt the impossible and try to suckle from Bramble.

Wilma on bucket

But Wilma's bacon was only saved so she can be sent to market, returning as sausage for Nick's guests at Winder Hall Country House.

Reason this little piggy should stay at home

  • Wilma's returned to living outdoors now she can no longer fit in Bramble's dog basket. Should she follow in her mother's footsteps and become the family's prime pork producer?

Reason this little piggy should go to market

  • Nick doesn't believe the littlest, weakest piglet will breed well.  And why should Wilma be saved when her siblings will certainly become pork chops?

BBC Radio Cumbria's breakfast programme asked you whether Wilma should become Pork or Pet. 

audio Your views on Wilma's future >
Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer
last updated: 09/05/07
SEE ALSO
home
HOME
email
EMAIL
print
PRINT
Go to the top of the page
TOP
SITE CONTENTS
SEE ALSO

Vote
What should happen to Wilma?
Sent to market
Breeding sow
Remains a pet
Centrefold in Farmer's Weekly

[an error occurred while processing this directive]


About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy