Freedom Of Spirit Magazine Nov/Dec/Jan 2011/12
Latest Issue Nov/Dec/Jan
Mainline Border
Collie Centre
Collie Centre
Golcar Farm
Spring Lane
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 3AU
Spring Lane
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 3AU
01274 564163
Meg - 1979 – 1992
Nine National trials
English team 1983
English team 1983
The first of our Main Line of dogs
and the inspiration for MBCC
and the inspiration for MBCC
The Corporate Collie ™ Sheepdog Experience is unique to Mainline and is not in association with any other Experience.
There isn’t a more perfect day than being on the edge of the moors steeped in the history of the Yorkshire Dales and experiencing one of man’s oldest skills.
Our Sheepdog Experience is the perfect day out – a day to remember.
There isn’t a more perfect day than being on the edge of the moors steeped in the history of the Yorkshire Dales and experiencing one of man’s oldest skills.
Our Sheepdog Experience is the perfect day out – a day to remember.
You will experience a day in the company of our fully trained, fun loving sheepdogs learning not just the skills of working a trained dog but how they are trained, their history, their future and their adaptability into companion homes, you can ask as many questions as you want as your day will be spent with instructors who are fully qualified trainers and behaviourists.
Expand your knowledge of this traditional skill and learn a little about yourself along the way. You will be amazed about how much the collie, at both work and rest, can teach you about yourself and others in a fun non confrontational way.
Days are run in small personal groups and include a break for lunch (not included) which you can either bring your own or enjoy a trip to the local pub, there is plenty of opportunity to have a chat and a laugh and meet new friends.
Mainline Border Collie Centre has a team of sheepdogs all trained to a high standard and all capable of making decisions in the line of duty. From learning the basics of handling a sheepdog you will progress to working several different dogs, and you will ‘shepherd’ a small flock of sheep around a course designed to test the handling skills you have learned.
A sheepdogs herding instinct is natural but it has been enhanced through the years by selective breeding, providing the modern day shepherd with a dog that is not only invaluable in its line of work but also a loyal and trusting companion.
Training a dog to work sheep requires not only skill and patience but also knowledge of the dog’s mind and of its basic instincts. Working a trained sheepdog requires a similar knowledge of the dog’s mind, for to work a pack dog the handler must first learn to think like a pack dog. The Sheepdog Experience is not about rushing into a field and trying to move sheep from one area to another with a dog you hardly know and with no skill or feeling involved. It is about the history of the breed, the basic instincts, understanding the working mind of the collie and learning to harmonize with it.
Expand your knowledge of this traditional skill and learn a little about yourself along the way. You will be amazed about how much the collie, at both work and rest, can teach you about yourself and others in a fun non confrontational way.
Days are run in small personal groups and include a break for lunch (not included) which you can either bring your own or enjoy a trip to the local pub, there is plenty of opportunity to have a chat and a laugh and meet new friends.
Mainline Border Collie Centre has a team of sheepdogs all trained to a high standard and all capable of making decisions in the line of duty. From learning the basics of handling a sheepdog you will progress to working several different dogs, and you will ‘shepherd’ a small flock of sheep around a course designed to test the handling skills you have learned.
A sheepdogs herding instinct is natural but it has been enhanced through the years by selective breeding, providing the modern day shepherd with a dog that is not only invaluable in its line of work but also a loyal and trusting companion.
Training a dog to work sheep requires not only skill and patience but also knowledge of the dog’s mind and of its basic instincts. Working a trained sheepdog requires a similar knowledge of the dog’s mind, for to work a pack dog the handler must first learn to think like a pack dog. The Sheepdog Experience is not about rushing into a field and trying to move sheep from one area to another with a dog you hardly know and with no skill or feeling involved. It is about the history of the breed, the basic instincts, understanding the working mind of the collie and learning to harmonize with it.
We welcome your questions, so when you are not interacting we expect you to be recharging your question list. Pack leaders do not just ‘happen’, they observe, learn and understand their subjects! Not only is our Sheepdog Experience unique it gives you the opportunity to learn as much as possible about farming, sheep, sheepdogs and trialling.
You will also be surprised at how much you learn about communication and confidence and if you have a dog of your own you will pick up tips on training. Golcar farm is not a show farm, it is a working farm, our dogs are all working dogs and although they will try to make you work they will also make you laugh. Book your day at Mainline, relax, learn and have fun with a bunch of cheeky happy collies. We have all weather facilities so if the weather is cold and wet we can keep you warm and dry while you are learning the basics, but we still expect you to be a ‘proper’ shepherd and work in the rain when you are given a 'task’ to complete!
The Sheepdog Experience is available all year but not on a daily basis so please book early to avoid disappointment. £80 per person, includes Tea/coffee/biscuits etc. ad lib. Excellent local ‘pub grub’ available for lunch, facilities available for packed lunches.
Why not buy a friend or family member a Sheepdog Experience gift voucher as a special gift? Personalized vouchers are valid for nine months all you need to do is post to us: The recipient’s name to appear on the voucher and their address. Your own details and postal address for the voucher to be sent to and your cheque payable to Mainline Border Collie Centre and we will do the rest.
Post to: MBCC,
Golcar Farm,
Spring Lane,
Bingley,
West Yorkshire,
BD16 3AU
Also at Mainline
You will also be surprised at how much you learn about communication and confidence and if you have a dog of your own you will pick up tips on training. Golcar farm is not a show farm, it is a working farm, our dogs are all working dogs and although they will try to make you work they will also make you laugh. Book your day at Mainline, relax, learn and have fun with a bunch of cheeky happy collies. We have all weather facilities so if the weather is cold and wet we can keep you warm and dry while you are learning the basics, but we still expect you to be a ‘proper’ shepherd and work in the rain when you are given a 'task’ to complete!
The Sheepdog Experience is available all year but not on a daily basis so please book early to avoid disappointment. £80 per person, includes Tea/coffee/biscuits etc. ad lib. Excellent local ‘pub grub’ available for lunch, facilities available for packed lunches.
Why not buy a friend or family member a Sheepdog Experience gift voucher as a special gift? Personalized vouchers are valid for nine months all you need to do is post to us: The recipient’s name to appear on the voucher and their address. Your own details and postal address for the voucher to be sent to and your cheque payable to Mainline Border Collie Centre and we will do the rest.
Post to: MBCC,
Golcar Farm,
Spring Lane,
Bingley,
West Yorkshire,
BD16 3AU
Also at Mainline
- Junior Sheepdog Experience
- Individual Sheepdog Experience
- Shepherding Experience (a follow up for those who have already been on the Sheepdog Experience)
- Border Collie Experience (Sheepdog Experience taster)
- Country Rides Trekking - for something completely different you can explore the Yorkshire moors on horseback or book yourself on one of our Historic Rides, for more information visit the Country Rides site via the link on our home page
- The Freedom of Spirit Trust for Border Collies (FOSTBC) is also based at Mainline, to find more information please visit the Trust site via the link on our home page
Please note advance bookings are not taken for December, January and February
Turning your visit to the Dales into a mini break? Go to our Visiting Yorkshire page to find out more about places of interest and history.
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUR NEWS PAGE FOR DIARY DATES AND EVENTS
Quotes from our visitors book
‘I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day and the dogs taught me a lot about myself, which in all honesty I already knew but didn't really like to admit to. I have now returned home with a fresh approach to my own dog and how I interact with him.’
‘I had to write and thank you again for the wonderful afternoon I spent with you and your ‘team’ I shall always remember my sheepdog experience at Mainline. Out of interest I have already put some of your advice for Meg into action, including changing her diet. That was such interesting information and we were grateful for it.’
‘We want to thank you very sincerely for a delightful and interesting day yesterday learning about sheepdogs and their ways in understanding the human race. We were fascinated in the events of the day and the way it developed. Really an 'eye' opener in many ways and very enjoyable’
‘I just wanted to write and say a big THANKYOU for my 'Sheepdog Experience' last Monday. (I was the one who was initially afraid of the sheep!!!) My husband and I agreed it was the best day we'd had in ages. I loved your dogs (and eventually the sheep) and I couldn’t wait to get home and play the tape back to see ourselves working your dogs.’
‘We just wanted to email you and thank you for a great day last Friday. It surpassed our expectations. In particular we'd like to thank the dogs, singling out Robert for his ‘assistance’ in the final run.’
‘Thank you so much for the wonderful day we spent with you and your dogs at the ‘Sheepdog Experience’. It was wonderful to watch the dogs at work. We never appreciated before just how clever they are!’
For a list of local accommodation please click here
‘I had to write and thank you again for the wonderful afternoon I spent with you and your ‘team’ I shall always remember my sheepdog experience at Mainline. Out of interest I have already put some of your advice for Meg into action, including changing her diet. That was such interesting information and we were grateful for it.’
‘We want to thank you very sincerely for a delightful and interesting day yesterday learning about sheepdogs and their ways in understanding the human race. We were fascinated in the events of the day and the way it developed. Really an 'eye' opener in many ways and very enjoyable’
‘I just wanted to write and say a big THANKYOU for my 'Sheepdog Experience' last Monday. (I was the one who was initially afraid of the sheep!!!) My husband and I agreed it was the best day we'd had in ages. I loved your dogs (and eventually the sheep) and I couldn’t wait to get home and play the tape back to see ourselves working your dogs.’
‘We just wanted to email you and thank you for a great day last Friday. It surpassed our expectations. In particular we'd like to thank the dogs, singling out Robert for his ‘assistance’ in the final run.’
‘Thank you so much for the wonderful day we spent with you and your dogs at the ‘Sheepdog Experience’. It was wonderful to watch the dogs at work. We never appreciated before just how clever they are!’
For a list of local accommodation please click here
