Club history

The Fenland Goatkeepers and Smallholders Club is a practical and social club which forms a network of families who can offer each other advice, support and help and which also facilitates the exchange of produce, skills and ideas.

The Club holds monthly meetings, with speakers on different topics and also publishes a bimonthly magazine which is packed with informative and humorous articles, news, views and advertisements.

The Club was originally started, as a Goatkeepers society, in the early 1970's, but as fashions changed and goats declined in popularity the membership dropped to only 27.  In October 1994 the Club was transformed into the more general smallholders group it is today.  Since then the membership has grown to over 140 families spread throughout East Anglia and the East Midlands.

The Club is still centred around Wisbech and the winter programme of meetings takes place in West Walton Village hall, on the last Sunday of every month, starting at 2.30pm.  Meetings are largely social in nature, although wedged in between the gossip and the wonderful home-made cakes, there is usually a speaker or demonstration.  Summer meetings are held on different members' smallholdings and offer the chance to learn from other members' ideas.

Most of the members run their holdings as a hobby with the added bonus of producing much of their own food.  However, some are much more commercial and rely on their produce to make a living.

Club members keep a variety of livestock, including sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, horses, donkeys and deer as well as bees for honey and all types of poultry and fowl.  Most members also grow their own vegetables and fruit.  Many have practical skills from building and electrical work to spinning and rug making.

As the membership broadens both in area and range of interests, we aim to respond to the membership's needs and interests to maintain a lively and vibrant Club.