THE North of England Mule Sheep Association (NEMSA) has unveiled a new sponsor, Eden Farm Supplies (Brough) Ltd.

It is regarded as a fitting partnership between one of the UK’s biggest sheep breed associations in terms of numbers and one of the North of England’s best-known agricultural supply firms.

“We are delighted to welcome Eden Farm Supplies on board as a new sponsor. They are already well-known and well-used by many of our members across our northern heartlands and we look forward to further cementing this partnership,” said NEMSA’s national chairman, third generation North of England Mule breeder Chris Harrison, who farms at Coatlith Hill, Alston.

Eden Farm Supplies was established 39 years ago in Church Brough, Kirkby Stephen, by Geoff and Carol Tunstall, initially working out of a relation’s living room.

They then took over a shop and store in Brough village, where they remained for 12 years and in 2000 further expanded and moved to the current head office premises, main shop and yard in Winton on the A685 between Kirkby Stephen and Brough.

The company, whose portfolio includes animal health products, dairy hygiene, clothing, feed and livestock equipment, now covers an area encompassing Cumbria, Lancashire, Durham, Northumberland and North Yorkshire, as far north as the Scottish Borders, as far south as Cheshire.

Standalone auction shops are also located at marts in Darlington, Leyburn, Bentham and Penrith, and the Eden Farm Supplies’ workforce now stands at about 20-strong, with a travelling sales team covering the majority of the company’s key trading areas. Geoff and Carol Tunstall remain as directors of the company, as well as their son Stephen.

Geoff Tunstall said: “We’re excited to start working alongside NEMSA to help support many of our valued customers old and new.”