Dorset Sheep Newsletter December 2015

DORSET HORN & POLL DORSET SHEEP BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION This year’s AGM took us to the picturesque Peak District of Derbyshire, home to the well known Sandy Lane Flock belonging to Mr. Sam Driver. Sam is a passionate breeder of both Horn and Polled Dorsets.

Dec 2015

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The weekend began for myself and my fellow Irish contingency on Friday evening when we arrived at the beautiful town of Buxton and the Palace Hotel. An evening of social banter was had by all and after a late finish to the evening a few cloudy heads appeared on Saturday morning for our AGM Things went well at this meeting with a few important topics discussed with our new President Mr Richard Hole taking up his new position. Again our promotions machine, James Royan, was in full flight with us all sporting our new t-shirts to enter our online photographic competition of most unusual place to have your picture taken while wearing the t-shirt.

R S E T D

After a wild, wet and windy start to the morning we boarded our buses outside the hotel and made our way to our first stop. Here we were shown how Sam uses his Dorset Horn rams on his Lonk sheep to produce his first cross dorset ewes that provide the backbone to his commercial enterprise. No other place in the world I believe would we have seen so many Horned Dorset stock rams in 1 batch.

I A R Y

Our next stop took us to the home of the Sandy Lane flock in Glossop where Sam and his family put on a marvellous lunch which was very much appreciated and enjoyed by all.

Sam presented some pens here including his pedigree stock rams and also some Pens 1 of ram Lambs and shearlings for sale.

Our next and final stop was close to Manchester airport where Sam and his family, with the help of some very eager sheepdogs, gathered up large numbers of heavily in lamb pedigree ewes, followed by hogget’s and ewe lambs.

As the evening began to close in we made our way back to the hotel and looked forward to the nights events ahead. After a lovely meal, we were treated to a very witty, comical and what one can only describe as a very tongue in cheek presentation from our Guest Speaker, Peter Slack, regarding the continuing plight of the Peak District ramblers and walkers and their interaction with the landowners who tirelessly come to their rescue . It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The night was finished off by a raffle which included an array of fabulous prizes which were generously contributed by both Dorset breeders and other kind sponsors. These included tickets to a Manchester United match, a sheep dog pup donated by the Driver Family amongst many other things.

Many thanks to everyone who donated the prizes and also of course to those who bid for them to raise a great deal of money on the night.

Thanks must go to the Driver Family for the weekend and their efforts both in organising the day at their farm and also all that took place at the hotel as everyone had a fantastic time.

Ben Lamb, Chairman A selection of photos taken at the AGM (With many thanks to Graham Cubitt for taking these photographs)

From left to right, Harry, Sam & Johnnie Driver

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Models for the day, modelling the new Society clothing range

James Royan presenting Richard Hole the trophy for the Overall Champion Flock

Richard Hole presenting William Carson the trophy for the Best Medium Flock

Richard Hole presenting Steven Lyons the trophy for the Best Small Flock

Liz Matthews presenting Shane Wilson with The David Matthews Memorial Cup – “The Cornella Cup”

Richard Hole presenting Marg Cowley with the President’s Trophy 3

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SATURDAY, 7th NOVEMBER, 2015 Confirmation of President Richard Hole was elected as President for the coming year.

Election of Auditors Mitchells Chartered Accountants were re-elected as the Society’s accountants.

Election of Council Members The President reported that Roger Brown was standing down from Council and the following were standing for re-election: Mr W Carson, Mr L French, Mr G Jones, Mr A Kingdon and Mr T Wright. One new nomination had been received from Mr Joe Larder, leaving 6 places on Council for 6 nominations.

All the above were elected on to Council.

Election of President Elect Edwin Pocock was elected as President Elect.

The Cornella Cup (The David Matthews Memorial Trophy) Mr Shane Wilson was presented with the David Matthews Memorial Trophy.

Presentation of the President’s Trophy On behalf of Andrew Kingdon, Richard Hole awarded this trophy to Marg Cowley, the Breed Secretary.

COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, 9TH DECEMBER, 2015 Council AGM Chairman Ben Lamb was elected as Society Chairman Vice-Chairman James Royan was elected as Society Vice-Chairman Treasurer Chris Davis was re-elected as Treasurer 4

Finance & General Purposes Committee Jim Dufosee, Francis Fooks, and David Rossiter were re-elected on to the F & GP Committee.

Samantha Vigus (Accountant), Nigel Wernham and Phillip Baker were co-opted on to the F & GP Committee.

South West NSA – 1 Society Member There was no election. If any member would be interested in being the Society representative for the South West NSA, please contact the Breed Secretary. There are usually three meetings a year in April, July/August and December and the AGM in February. The meetings are held at 7.30 p.m. in Exeter.

FLOCK COMPETITION It was agreed that in future the range of sheep numbers should be set for each class as follows: Small Flock Medium Flock Large Flock

4 – 40 sheep 41 – 150 sheep 151 + Over

It is also re-iterated that the winners are not obliged to host an open day, but may be given the opportunity to do so.

It was agreed that in future it would just be the Overall Champion Flock that would not be allowed to enter the following year, instead of the winners of each of the 3 main classes.

It was agreed that as well as having a class for the group of stock rams, there would be a new class for the best individual stock ram, which would then be known as the “Dorset ram of the year”.

Joe Larder wished to donate a trophy for this class in memory of this father, which was very gratefully received.

It was reported that the 2016 Flock competition would be judged at the end of July/early August.

UNIFORM FOR SHOWING Following on from discussion at the AGM the following was agreed: There will be a 2 year trial period with members either wearing a white coat and/or a uniform for showing. The uniform should consist of a white shirt, the new breed society tie and a pair of navy blue trousers.

This trial would be evaluated at the December, 2017 Council meeting.

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP The following new applications for membership were accepted: Master Tom Baker (Junior), Somerset Mr A Bourne, Worcestershire Mrs A Britton, Devon Mr H Coulter, Northern Ireland Messrs. M & R Hall (Junior), Northern Ireland Mr Malcolm Keys, Northern Ireland Mr John Lawrey, Somerset Mr Robert Watters, Northern Ireland Miss C Wilson & Mr S Hole, Dorset

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Non Flock Owning Prefix: Birchwood Prefix: Harvest Prefix: Shrub Bank Prefix: Ballycraig Prefix: Rathwarren Prefix: Footlands Prefix: Forest View Prefix: Oak Tree

DAVID MATTHEWS AWARD FOR SHANE Shane Wilson of the Legaloy flock of Pedigree Poll Dorsets based in Ballyclare, Co.Antrim, was the recent winner of the David Matthews Memorial Trophy – the Cornella Cup. Shane established his flock in 2007, aged ten and now currently runs 30 pedigree ewes and is a regular on the local show circuit with many successful outings, which has contributed to him being the first winner of the Cornella Cup from the province.

David Matthews himself was a long established Dorset breeder who started his Cornella flock of polled Dorsets over fifty years ago, with sheep he purchased from the Bradstock dispersal sale. As a breeder he placed great emphasis on performance recording, initially with MLC and more recently with the Signet recording group. He made great use of a frequent lambing system to combine his interest in quality sheep with quantity to ensure a profitable flock with plenty of sheep for all of the society sales. He has also been hailed as one of the pioneering breeders in purchasing Dorset genetics from as far afield as New Zealand in an effort to improve the breed and supply outcross sires.

After David’s death four years ago his wife Liz wanted to set up a memorial in recognition of his passion for the Dorset sheep, so she presented the David Matthews Memorial Trophy – the Cornella Cup, to be presented annually to an enterprising young Dorset breeder. The winner is picked by the President of the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders Association based on a short resume of the flock owned by each of the young breeders, together with their sheep experiences and achievements to date. Each year one representative from Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales is nominated for the award and this year our local nominee was Shane Andrew Kingdon, President for the last year, and owner of the Polgreen flock of Poll Dorsets, a 170 strong ewe flock situated in Cornwall, had a great task ahead of him choosing his winner of the award.

After some deliberation Shane’s application stood out to him for a few reasons. Namely that Shane included not only his achievements and successes, the pinnacle being winning the Dorset Championship at the Royal Ulster Show as a 12 year old, within his application but also the disappointments and problems that he has faced when working with sheep, something that every sheep farmer can relate to. Our President also acknowledged and appreciated Shane’s honesty in saying how difficult he had found it to put into words all the experiences, trials and tribulations that the Legaloy flock had been through. For these reasons he had picked Shane as this year’s worthy winner.

Liz Matthews presenting Shane with his trophy

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DAVID MATTHEWS MEMORIAL TROPHY AND BURSARY THE CORNELLA CUP Nominations are now invited for the above trophy and bursary for 2016.

Nominees will be required to forward a CV together with their sheep experiences and achievements to date.to the President.

Together with the trophy Liz Matthews gave an extremely generous bursary of £1,000, £100 of which to be given every year for ten years to the winner to help towards their expenses in attending the AGM. If you would like to nominate somebody please send your nomination, stating your reasons for the nomination, to the Breed Secretary by the June Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, 29th June, 2016.

The winner will be chosen by our President, Mr Richard Hole.

The winner will be informed well before the AGM and their cheque for £100 sent to them in advance so they have the funds. However, the trophy will still be presented at the AGM together with a replica glass tumbler to keep.

NSA NORTHERN IRELAND The Northern Ireland Dorset sheep breeders club, under leadership from Club Chairman, Michael Maybin, and Vice Chair person, Amy McConnell, put on a very impressive exhibition at NSA Northern Ireland Sheep Focus on 6th July, 2015.

On the weeks preceding the exhibition day the stand was expertly prepared by renewing the paint work and updating the corporate image of the NI Dorset Club, and then erected by Allister McNeill and Seamus Mullan who put lots of time and effort into making sure every last detail was in place before it was transported to the event.

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At the exhibition venue, McClelland;s Livestock centre in Ballymena, the Northern Ireland Club committee turned out in force to assist Seamus and Allister re erect the Club’s exhibition stand for the event the following day, during which time, Michael Maybin was also busy making sure that the sheep exhibits that would fill the four display pens were also prepared and ready for the event.

The terrific quality sheep that adorned the Dorset stand were generously provided by Laura Weir, Gracehill, David Stevenson, Ahoghill, and Thomas Wright, Ballymoney, and were a tremendous testament of the quality of Dorset sheep in Northern Ireland.

On the event day, when the gates opened to the sheep farming community, the professional image and manner that the NI Club committee put across to interested producers was rewarded with a continual stream of sheep farmers from across the whole island of Ireland praising the quality of the Dorset sheep in front of them and the pro active enthusiasm that the breeders had for the Dorset breed.

The unique selling points of the Dorset breed were displayed on large colourful aluboards and this was assisted by a purpose made NI Dorset Club publicity leaflet expertly commissioned by the club’s breed promotion officer, Laura Weir.

The spin off to the club’s attendance at this specific focused event was a rally of new purchasers at the Club’s official sales and an overwhelming demand to breeders for pedigree Dorset ewe lambs from mid summer to winter.

A big thank you must go out to all the committee members who went above and beyond the norm to promote the Dorset breed and in doing so has in no doubt put the breed in a stronger position within the sheep breeding nation and has also seen Dorset sheep going to new farms that had never had the pleasure of owning Dorsets before.

The future is bright, the future is Dorset Sheep William Carson 8

NI Dorset Club 26th Annual Autumn Show And Sale Report On Wednesday the 14th October the NI Dorset Club held their annual autumn show and sale in McClelland’s livestock market, Ballymena. The judge for this evening was Mr Ben Lamb of the Richhill flock of both poll and horned Dorsets in Armagh. Ben is currently the chairman of the Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset Sheep Breeders Association.

With 106 female entries there were many ewes for prospective buyers to choose from. Leading the trade for the evening was the first prize ewe lamb and overall show champion, lot 32, from Richard Currie’s Hilltop flock in Ballymena. This Hilltop Patrick daughter, which is scanned in lamb with twins to Hilltop Pioneer, was knocked down for 550gns and is making her way to a new home in Dundrod with Ellen McClure. The Hilltop flock enjoyed a highly successful sale with the four ewe lamb entries averaging £454. This meant that Richard’s lambs achieved the second and fourth highest prices in the ewe lamb section, as lot 34 sold for 450gns to J Harbinson of Limavady and lot 31 reached 350gns to A Sloane in Dromore.

The third highest price in the section was a Ballytaggart ewe lamb from Thomas Wright, Kilraughts, this ewe lamb fetched 400gns to Glen Millar of Moneymore.

Horned ewe lambs sold to a top of 190gns from N Hammond, Stewartstown to P Anderson, Portstewart.

Our reserve champion of the evening was the first prize ram lamb entered for sale by J&C Robson of Doagh. ThisBallyhamage ram lamb was first prize lamb in Antrim show during the summer and was eventually sold for 520gns to C Poots of Dromore.

Other leading prices in the ram lamb section were 450gns from Paul Crawford, Islandmagee for an entry from Thomas Wright, Kilraughts and 380gns for another lamb of J&C Robson to A Hanna, Ballynahinch.

Shearling ewes topped 400gns for an entry from our judge B Lamb, Richhill to J Harbinson, Limavady, whilst aged ewes reached 320gns, which was achieved by an entry from the Tardree flock of J&I Wilson, Ballymoney to M Wright, Magheramorne. Horned ewes sold to a top of 180gns from N Hammond, Stewartstown to I Magee, Larne.

Ewe Lamb Average: Ewe Average: Ram Average:

£189.88 £172.38 £399.00

See full show results on show results page 9

2016 BREED ADVERTISING BROCHURE Don’t forget, that if you want to advertise in the Society 2016 Advertising brochure, I need your adverts, please, by 31 January, 2016

The costings for placing an advertisement are: Full Page Half Page Quarter Page

£100 £60 £40

2016 NSA EVENTS Sheep South West, Salisbury National Sheep Event, Malvern

7 June 27 July

2016 SALE DATES NI Spring Ram Sale May Fair Llandovery Worcester 44th NI Annual Premier Export Show & Sale Chelford 5th Annual Hilltown EU Export Show & Sale Carlisle 27th NI Autumn Sale

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Monday, 14 March Tuesday, 3 & Wednesday 4 May Saturday, 25 June Saturday, 9 July Monday, 25 July To be confirmed Friday, 12 August Friday, 26 August Wednesday, 12 October

SHOW RESULTS 26th BALLYMENA AUTUMN SALE, Northern Ireland Judge: Mr Ben Lamb Breed Champion: Reserve Breed Champion:

Mr R Currie J & C Robson

Ewe lamb:

1. Mr R Currie 2. Mr J McFetridge 3. Mr S Wilson

Shearling ewe:

1. Mr N Hammond

Aged ewe:

1. Mr N Hammond 2. Mr J Wilson 3. Mr N Hammond

Ram lamb:

1. J & C Robson 2. J & C Robson 3. Mr C Chambers 4. Mr T Wright

Shearling Ram:

1. Mr J Wilson 2. Mr A Fleming ANTRIM, Northern Ireland Breed Champion: Reserve Breed Champion:

J & C Robson Mr J Patterson

Ram, any age:

1. J & C Robson 2. Miss E McClure

Ewe, 2 year old and over:

1. Mr S Wilson 2. Mr J Patterson

Shearling Ewe:

1. Mr J Patterson 2. J & C Robson

Ewe Lamb:

1. J & C Robson 2. J & C Robson

Group of Three:

1. J & C Robson 2. Mr J Patterson ROYAL WELSH WINTER FAIR Champion Pure Lowland:

Griffiths & Davies

1. Griffiths & Davies 2. Mr M James 3. Griffiths & Davies 4. Miss L Crowther 5. Mr M James 6. Mr & Mrs H Roberts

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THE ASSOCIATION WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OUR MEMBERS A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

DORSET HORN & POLL DORSET SHEEP BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION Agriculture House, Acland Road Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1EF Tel/Fax: 01305 262126

DISCLAIMER The Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association produce this newsletter in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies contained therein.

e-mail: dorsetsheep@xlnmail.com website: www.dorsetsheep.org,uk Breed Secretary: Marguerite Cowley

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