BAS REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on the North East and Borders Alpaca Group
North East and Borders Alpaca Group CHAIR: Debra Steward, Dargan Alpacas SECRETARY: Teri White, Bingfield Alpacas TREASURER: Paul Rippon, Barnacre Alpacas,
Nebag.info@yahoo.com @nebaguk
42 Alpaca #87
H
ello from the wonderful North East and Scottish Borders! The North East and Borders Alpaca Group (Nebag) is a friendly group of about 20 herds spread over hundreds of square miles, writes Teri White, from Bingfield Alpacas and Paul Rippon, of Barnacre Alpacas. Nebag was started many years ago by local alpaca breeders with the aim of helping and supporting their community. This founding purpose still resonates and every day we ask each other questions to obtain help and improve the wellbeing of ourselves and our alpacas. We’re a mixed group ranging from nonbreeding pets to our biggest breeder with a herd of 290 alpacas. We have several multi champions, although equally they consider their alpacas to be pets too! Some of our members are just starting out on their alpaca journey while others have had alpacas for 24 years. Our members are also from all walks of life and as a result we have a real mix of ideas and advice which we believe makes us a very strong group. Our membership capitalises on the beautiful landscape we live in and offers visitors a healthy amount of alpaca trekking/meet and greets as well as informative and educational talks. Some of our members have combined this with visitor/holiday accommodation allowing people to recharge their batteries and give their mental health a real boost. Some members use their wonderful alpaca fleece to make knitted, crocheted and felted goods which they sell in person, online and at craft markets/fairs.
Keeping in touch
During the Covid-19 pandemic, like many others we’ve used technology including WhatsApp and Zoom to stay in touch. In the grips of the pandemic we met for a Zoom talk with Paul Vallely from Art of Fibre. This was a great success and raised much needed funds for NHS charities. In May it was wonderful to meet in person for our annual general meeting (AGM). This was very kindly hosted by one of our members, Barnacre Alpacas. We were able to be socially distanced in the barn and we sat on hay bales while we had our usual healthy debate and discussions. The AGM also brought about some changes to the committee. Our newly elected chair is, Debra Steward of Dargan Alpacas. Our secretary is me, Teri White of Bingfield Alpacas, and me, Paul Rippon from Barnacre Alpacas, continuing as treasurer.
Halter show plans
The big news is that we are thrilled to be planning a Halter Show for late November 2021 which will be held at Hexham Mart. More information about this will be available soon. Covid-19 restrictions permitting we also plan to have a tour of the Border Mill up in Duns, Scotland and have a full-on fleecy day. We also have other exciting events being lined up, including one for the crocheting fans. We welcome enquiries from anyone who needs help or wants to join our group, with free membership this year!
