North East Club Report By Katie Boyes, Secretary
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nother year, another lockdown. The start of 2021 was rather a measly one at that. The January lockdown ruined our hopes of a summer of showing and socialising. Our year kicked off with the Stirling bull sales in February and where Andrew and Yvonne Leedham sold two bulls for good trade. Grangewood Kingdom 19 selling away to G T & S Coghill, Orkney at 9,500gns and Grangewood Kingpin 19 selling away to Mixbury Hall Simmentals at 8,000gns. It should also be noted that Alex Bulmer of Habton Simmentals, Malton a relatively new member in the area bought Backmuir Kraken for 15,000 gns. March brought the Melton Mowbray sale where the Hollingsworth family sold Midhope Jasmine, a Woodhall Everhart sired in-calf heifer. She sold to a new breeder C Chuck, Skegness at 2300gns. Next stop for our club was the Worcester sale on the 1st May. The Grangewood herd were out again, this time claiming Overall Supreme Champion with Grangewood Keegan, an entirely home bred bull. Sired by Grangewood Glenlivet and out of Grangewood Tollie’s Hope (full sister to Grangewood Baron 2012 Stirling Junior Champion). In Reserve was the Midhope herd with Midhope Kerry, a two year old heifer sired by Rockytop Hurricane and in-calf to Denizes Kingston 19. Grangewood Keegan sold at 7000gns and headed home with J Wainwright, Macclesfield. Midhope Kerry sold at 3850gns and headed home with G Palk, Paignton. This sale had bulls in demand and on averages, £977.50 up on last year. A fortnight later we were up at the Carlisle Spring Sale where both the Hollingsworths and the Leedhams were out in force again. Midhope Kiera stood 1st, Female Champion and Reserve Overall Champion, with Midhope Kelly behind her in 2nd place. Keira is sired by Woodhall Everhart and out of Midhope Eclair. She sold for 2600gns and sold away to AJ Wilson, Ayrshire. Midhope Kelly, a Rockytop Hurricane daughter sold for 2600ns to IR Appleton, Hartlepool. 156
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www.britishsimmental.co.uk
Trade was sticky and prices were not where members hoped, however top price for the North East club went to Grangewood Kennedy who sold at 3,800gns. Kennedy was also sired by Grangewood Glenlivet and came back home to the North East with RI Jones, Whitby. May 21st also saw the herd reduction sale of Stephen Stubbings, Sledmere herd at Malton Livestock Market. 53 head of cattle compromising of pedigrees and cross-bred cattle were sold.
Grangewood Keegan
Top price cow was £2,600 for a Simmental x cow with calf at foot. Cows and calves made an average of £1,787. Mr Stubbings heifers averaged £1,192 with stronger heifers pushing for £1750. Younger heifers topped at £1,500 for a 12 month old. The end of the month also brought our club AGM which was held at Scarthingwell Golf Course on 30th May. This could have been a very sorrowful day for our North East Club. The lovely and long-standing Jayne Pick stood down as secretary, and Craig Hollingsworth also stood down as chairman. The club drew a complete blank. Was this the time to close the club and amalgamate with another? I sat there, not really knowing many of the elder members thinking surely not. As a young member this is my passion and I can’t have our club close down after only just joining. So without really thinking about what the role entailed I jumped at the opportunity. With big boots to fill, Jayne stood as club secretary for 20 years! We are all extremely grateful for what Jayne has done for our club and proud of her longstanding achievement. Then the task of finding a new chairman. Andrew Leedham was plucked from everyone’s thoughts.
Midhope Kerry
Midhope Heavenly Light
Grangewood Kingdom
After a visit and a couple of phone calls I had him persuaded. Andrew is from the renowned Grangewood Herd. He farms at Rowan Farm, Lockton. With the help of Yvonne his lovely wife we have managed to get the club going again. Thank you both. It must also be noted that Andrew Steele will also be standing on as our club treasurer. Which we are extremely grateful for.
Midhope Kiera
