Two years after Storm Ciarán huffed, puffed and blew one little pig’s house down, Brooklands Farm witnessed drama again – this time during Storm Goretti – when seven piglets were born.
The litter, of which six piglets survived, are the children of Trotter Junior, and the grandchildren of Trotter, Brooklands Farm’s much-loved late “daddy pig”, whose house was blown away in 2023 – an event that was said to have left him traumatised.
The arrival of the piglets followed the loss of Trotter, who died after suffering a broken leg, and Trotter Junior, who passed away at just two years old.
Brooklands Farm was among those keeping a close eye on the weather as the latest storm battered the island with winds of up to 95mph on Thursday night.
The St Brelade farm had suffered significant damage during Storm Ciarán, when its shop flooded and three pig houses were destroyed, along with trees and part of a barn roof.
Speaking after Storm Goretti, Kate Hackett, from Brooklands Farm, said the damage this time was “minimal”.
“I watched the CCTV all night,” she said. “We had one pig house in a field where it shouldn’t be, a bit of broken fencing and a broken trailer.
“The pigs were really good too; they’ve slept a lot. I’m really happy to say, we did quite well.”
Amid the storm, the farm also welcomed new life – with seven piglets born during the night.
Remembering the original “daddy pig”, Trotter, Kate said: “He was such a brilliant pig. He was so funny.”
She compared Trotter to “one of those dogs whose tongue is always out”.
Although one of the piglets has since died, six remain, continuing Trotter’s bloodline and legacy on the farm.
Kate recently took over the running of Brooklands Farm from her dad, Jon Hackett.
“It is a wonderful way to spend my days, but a lot of heartache comes with it,” she explained.
“I’ve had to toughen up since I took over. I don’t know how my dad coped. I fall in love with all of [the animals].”
GALLERY…
