Practical Pigs Magazine Practical Pigs Spring 2013 Back Issue

MY VISIT to meet Jamie Emberson and his
Tamworths for this month’s owner’s tale reminded
me, yet again, just how powerful pigs can be. I don’t
mean ‘powerful’ in any sort of sinister way, of
course; perhaps that’s the wrong word. I’m talking
about the in uence they can have. The power they
possess to bring people together and to ­ re the
enthusiasm of those who keep them.
In Jamie’s case – his story starts on p42 – he
­ rst got involved completely by chance, following
a random, work-related happening. His essentially
urban upbringing held no clue about the way
things were to turn out yet, slowly but surely, pigs
‘invaded’ his life. They unlocked in him an
awareness for livestock, for the food he and his
family were eating and for the wider issues
surrounding animal health and welfare.
As you’ll discover from the article, his
Tamworths are now an integral and totally
absorbing part of his life; a passion which is
driving him towards an ever-more timeconsuming
involvement, as well as a new and
exciting business interest. Thinking about it,
perhaps ‘powerful’ is the right word, after all!