The herd has a very interesting past:-

Gavin's father, James Andrew Paterson moved from Torfoot Farm, in the West of Scotland in 1925, and eventually established four herds of 72 head each in Norfolk, all with unregistered.

In the late 1940's and early 1950's, registration of the herds began, with two pedigree Ayrshire herds (John Paterson) and two Friesian herds (Gavin).

The Smallburgh herd was registered in 1948 and two years later in 1950, the Lyngate prefix and herd was established. Lyngate was formed with TB free heifers purchased in Scotland, with the remainder, graded up through the supplementary register.

The National Dairy Show at Olympia, London was a challenge, and showing triggered off a greater interest in the breeding of the herd. The Lyngate and Smallburgh cattle were shown at Olympia every year from 1953 until 1970, when the show finished. In 1970 Lyngate won 26 awards at Olympia.

Smallburgh Brenda Supreme Champion Olympia 1953 Disqualified from milking trials in 1954 for giving too muck milk, before winning the production trails again in 1955.

Lyngate Car Link 2nd Supreme Champion Olympia 1970 2nd young cow on Inspection 1967 1st Insp & 3rd prod trials 1968 1st Insp & 3rd prod trials snr cows 1969 Morrison Trophy winner (Trials & Insp performance over 3 consecutive shows). The Lily family today descends from Car Link

Lyngate Betty Sired by Smallburgh Ragapple Peter Betty had 12 calves, and was twice Champion at the Norfolk Show 1955 & 1956 Twice 1st prize at Glasgow Dairy Show 1957 and 1958 The Babs family today descends about 10 generations ago to Betty

Lyngate Handsome 47 VG Sired by Lavenham Buttermaker Gave 7323kg at 4.03% fat in her 2nd lact 1st Royal Norfolk, 1st Aylsham , 1st & Action Girl North West Dairy Show 1975. 2nd Insp, 4th yield & Insp Dairy Event 1976. 1st & Champion Suffolk, Norfolk, 1st & Res Champion East of England, 3rd cow in milk North West Dairy Show 1977. She completed 10 lactations over 10.5 years The Handsome family is still in the herd today