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| Highland cows saved me after breakdown, says nurse | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Chloe Lucas looks after her five Highland cattle in Wickford | Chloe Lucas looks after her five Highland cattle in Wickford |
| A paediatric nurse who suffered a nervous breakdown during the pandemic says taking on ownership of a small herd of Highland cows "saved her". | |
| Chloe Lucas, 38, worked as a sister nurse at Basildon Hospital in Essex during the pandemic, but the trauma she witnessed meant she was signed off for three months. | Chloe Lucas, 38, worked as a sister nurse at Basildon Hospital in Essex during the pandemic, but the trauma she witnessed meant she was signed off for three months. |
| After taking an interest in farming - inspired by watching episodes of Clarkson's Farm - Chloe eventually took on the hairy, horned cattle. | |
| "Since doing this, I feel good; I feel more in control of my mental health," she said. | "Since doing this, I feel good; I feel more in control of my mental health," she said. |
| 'So privileged' | 'So privileged' |
| Ms Lucas, who has worked at the hospital for 10 years, said the pandemic "was really damaging for my mental health". | Ms Lucas, who has worked at the hospital for 10 years, said the pandemic "was really damaging for my mental health". |
| "It was the most horrific thing that I have ever been through in my life and my nursing career," she said. | "It was the most horrific thing that I have ever been through in my life and my nursing career," she said. |
| The five cows - called Isla, Catriona, Beatrix, Dally and Murphy - all have their own personalities, Chloe said | |
| Chloe says watching episodes of Clarkson's Farm and the BBC's Countryfile during her recovery made her curious. | Chloe says watching episodes of Clarkson's Farm and the BBC's Countryfile during her recovery made her curious. |
| Volunteering on farms in Essex, Norfolk, Kent and Devon, Chloe learned skills including driving tractors and how to deliver lambs and calves. | Volunteering on farms in Essex, Norfolk, Kent and Devon, Chloe learned skills including driving tractors and how to deliver lambs and calves. |
| Working on land in Maldon on the Essex coast, Chloe moved two Highlands down from a farm in Norfolk before adding to her herd. | Working on land in Maldon on the Essex coast, Chloe moved two Highlands down from a farm in Norfolk before adding to her herd. |
| "They're so relaxed and chilled out, they've all got their own personality," Chloe said. | "They're so relaxed and chilled out, they've all got their own personality," Chloe said. |
| "There is something about the Highland cows that is so magnificent, I just feel so privileged." | "There is something about the Highland cows that is so magnificent, I just feel so privileged." |
| Laura Chimes says she is "at peace" when she volunteers with the herd | Laura Chimes says she is "at peace" when she volunteers with the herd |
| Chloe's friend Laura Chimes volunteers with the livestock, and says they have been like "therapy" for her after losing her father two years ago. | Chloe's friend Laura Chimes volunteers with the livestock, and says they have been like "therapy" for her after losing her father two years ago. |
| "When I've done all the jobs, I'll sit there and look at them, and I'll think about my dad but in such a positive, happy way," she said. | "When I've done all the jobs, I'll sit there and look at them, and I'll think about my dad but in such a positive, happy way," she said. |
| "I'm at peace here." | "I'm at peace here." |
| 'Sustainable land management' | 'Sustainable land management' |
| The cows currently live at the back of The Hoppy Acre, external rabbit sanctuary in Wickford, but Chloe has struck a deal with Basildon Council to allow the herd to graze at two other sites in Billericay - Hannakins and Norsey Meadow nature reserve. | |
| The council said this forms part of a meadow restoration project created alongside Natural England. | The council said this forms part of a meadow restoration project created alongside Natural England. |
| "By grazing at different times of the year, the cattle help to manage the vegetation in a way that mimics natural processes, reducing the need for tractors and other machinery," a council spokesperson said. | "By grazing at different times of the year, the cattle help to manage the vegetation in a way that mimics natural processes, reducing the need for tractors and other machinery," a council spokesperson said. |
| "This not only lowers our carbon emissions but also promotes a more diverse and resilient ecosystem. | "This not only lowers our carbon emissions but also promotes a more diverse and resilient ecosystem. |
| "We are excited about the positive impact this project will have on our local environment and look forward to seeing the benefits of this sustainable approach to land management." | "We are excited about the positive impact this project will have on our local environment and look forward to seeing the benefits of this sustainable approach to land management." |
| Chloe hoped to be able to move the Highlands to their new pastures in the spring. | Chloe hoped to be able to move the Highlands to their new pastures in the spring. |
| "Honestly, they have saved me," she said. | "Honestly, they have saved me," she said. |
| "This is my happy place, my little haven so, yeah, it's been amazing." | "This is my happy place, my little haven so, yeah, it's been amazing." |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? | Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? |
| Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. | Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. |