In Booth, the tiniest of Derbyshire hamlets, near Hayfield. This sheepwash was constructed in the early 20th century to replace one lost during the construction of the Kinder Reservoir. The biannual sheep wash was a community affair with local farmers sharing the workload. Wives would provide sustenance with children joining the fun. In May the wash removed peat accumulated over the winter in the sheep’s fleeces. In September the sheep were wash again after lambs had been weaned. Each farmer and shepherd had their own recipe was using soft soap and creosote to kill lice and keds. The wash fell out of practice in the 1930s.
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