The North East made a strong contribution to the Agricultural revolution. The Culley brothers, originally Darlington farmers, later set up at Fenton in north Northumberland. They paid a visit to the famous Robert Bakewell in 1762 and 1763, to see his New Leicester breed of sheep and returned home to cross this with their native Teeswater sheep, creating the Border-Leicester breed.
A description is preserved of one of Culley's sheep in 1786. Its girth was 4 feet 8 inches and 'his Mutton was of the most Beautiful bright Colour, and fine Grain marbled with fat and lean... This Breed of Sheep has a greater quantity of Mutton than any kind we know of... It is this Nutritious kind that not only satisfies the hunger of our Manufacturers at the cheapest rate, but enables them to make those Exertions in Labour, at which surrounding nations may wonder, but cannot attain to.'
All the Culleys maintained journals as well as correspondence with Robert Bakewell and other progressive farmers, fortunately preserved in the Northumberland records Office. George was the leading partner and published his Observations on Livestock in 1786. This most influential man is commemorated in the graveyard of Ford Church by a stone marked simply 'George Culley'.