Unfortunately I won't be around later in the month to ask the question I would really like an answer to, namely:

Farmer Frank, I saw the pictures in the last mag of you enjoying yourself among the youngsters in Blackpool, I guess that, as someone who is young at heart, you enjoyed yourself immensely.   I'm a bit concerned, however, about the lamb you always have in your arms.  Is this the same one you were photographed with when your advice column first started, or is it one of this year's lambs.  To be honest it looks like the same one, and given that it doesn't seem to change position, I am wondering whether it is alive or dead? 

I was wondering that too and I think that it is dead, as One of our lambs died a fortnight ago and The chickens dug it up last night and it looked pretty much the same...

~Meggiewes~

Jacobus:

Farmer Frank, I saw the pictures in the last mag of you enjoying yourself among the youngsters in Blackpool, I guess that, as someone who is young at heart, you enjoyed yourself immensely.   I'm a bit concerned, however, about the lamb you always have in your arms.  Is this the same one you were photographed with when your advice column first started, or is it one of this year's lambs.  To be honest it looks like the same one, and given that it doesn't seem to change position, I am wondering whether it is alive or dead? 

Afternoon Jacobus,

I did enjoy myself with the Young Farmers in Blackpool, thanks for asking, even though one tried to lead me out of a pub at one point, telling me the bingo was happening at the other side of town. The only downside was that I caught a bit of sun down by the groynes (I was sunbathing beside the pier).

As for your query about the lamb, well spotted, it is a stuffed one. The landlord in the hotel where I was staying wouldn't allow real sheep. The killjoy.

My live surgery, incidentally, is on the evening of May 21.

I'm glad you've put our minds at rest, Farmer Frank, we wouldn't like to see you carted off to clink by the RSPCA for drinking with an under-age lamb!

As we all know a cute, cuddly creature can be a bit of a babe magnet so now I'm wondering if a stuffed one has the same effect?

 Judging by the photos of all the girls with their arms around him yes unless he slipped them some money to pose with him. I'll have to get some tips from him.

Just a quick reminder that Farmer Frank (assuming we can track the old goat down!) will be holding a "live surgery" on FWi tomorrow evening (May 21) between 6pm and 9pm. He's all ready for your questions! If you can't join in tomorrow, feel free to post your questions here and I'll pass them onto him...

I hope I can get back from Devon County Show in time!

We're currently in the pub with Farmer Frank, plying him with pickled eggs and pints of mild while trying to help him type answers to your questions.

If there's anything you need his advice on, drop into our live surgery -

Sorry old link didn't work - try this one:

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/21/115717/farmer-frank-live-surgery-read-the-full-transcript.html