Langley Dam is part of the Langley Estate.
It is on Nilston Rigg Farm, an upland farm rearing suckler cows and sheep. The farm is managed in a family partnership consisting of Benedict Bates and his eldest sister; Annabelle Morshead. We run up to 140 breeding cows and 1200 ewes.
Annabelle has managed the sheep flock for more years than she would like to admit, and has produced many show winning Blackface sheep. Her fat lambs top Hexham mart on an almost weekly basis. She also takes a keen interest in rural politics and is a previous chairperson of the Northumberland Country Landowners Association. She has 2 sons who both work locally and occasionally help out on the farm.
Benedict is responsible for the cattle, arable and paperwork side of the business and is actively involved in the management of the fishing. He has 5 sons from 2 marriages, ranging in age from 27 to 8. When they are not taking up his spare time he is a passionate Newcastle United supporter.
