Nikki is the face of the farm, if you need anything, you’ll talk to Nikki. She loves animals and has a background in animal handling going back 50 years. She grew up looking after and riding horses, much to the dismay of her parents, and has worked as a professional groom and yard manager at various times in her life. She has also worked with other types of livestock, and pets, such as goats, pigs and cattle.

She has a deep understanding of British flora and fauna which began when her grandad began showing her where the birds nested when she was only three. Her fascination with Natural History has never waned and if you join her in the fields, she will often stop to point out one of the many rarely seen countryside species which make Black Horse Farm their home, such as Red Kites, Cinnabar moths and lizards.

Nikki worked as a civil servant for many years until Solomons Alpacas was ready for her to go full time in July 2020. Through her professional career she was a Staff and Operations manager running a unit of c200 with her team. It was there that she became the go to person for developing and running training and workshops of any type required such as “workplace coaching for confidence” and “how to give effective feedback”.

Although Nikki enjoyed her time in the Civil Service and the other “indoor“ work she has done, her heart was always in the countryside.

Nikki and her husband Jon are the feet on the ground at the farm and the driving force behind it.

Jon is the silent type who will build, carry, and mend anything that needs it on the farm. He is a master craftsman, although he’d never tell you that, he doesn’t like technology (he carries around a brick mobile phone) and would rather use a scythe to cut the vegetation back than one of those “irritating petrol strimmer’s” – just as nature intended. Not a bad thing as it helps keep our environment as untouched by chemicals as possible.

If you visit us you will probably see Jon around, but he prefers to remain in the background just getting on with stuff. But most importantly, the alpacas love him. 

The Rest of the Family

The rest of the extended family are in and around when needed for activities such as hay bailing, painting sheds, cutting brambles, collecting pebbles from the stream or acorns, etc. Including the various dogs and cats who also accompany their fur mamas and papas on the days work. Two of the “children,” Claire and Nina (even though we’re adults), are helping out with the other ‘tech-y’ (website and such) bits and bobs. You’ll be interacting with us and Nikki on the inter-web. Make sure you follow Solomons Alpacas on Facebook to keep updated on all the farm happenings.