of the AGM of the Southdown Sheep Society, held at Caspidge Pines Farm, Pikespool Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 1LH on Saturday 2nd August 2003 at 2 pm.
PRESENT: Mr R H Backshall, President in the chair and 61 members and friends.
Apologies: Mr. F. K. Mitchell, TD; Mr. & Mrs. W. Thomson; The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum; Mr. & Mrs. Brian Lambert; D. G. Burden; Canon Donald Johnson; Mr. & Mrs. A. Brown; Mrs. R. King; Mr. John Randall; Mr. David Randall and Sarah Mitchell.
MINUTES of the AGM held on the 10th August 2002 as circulated were confirmed and signed.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT for the year ending 31st December 2002 was presented by Mr. Neil Stainthorpe, the Hon. Treasurer, and were unanimously adopted.
ANNUAL REPORT of COUNCIL was presented by Mr Alan Mummery, the Chairman of Council, and received. Special mention was made of the work of Mrs. Hilary Jupp for the Society web site and thanks were given to her. The report was received.
PRESIDENT 2003 Mr Stephen Humphrey
PRESIDENT ELECT Mrs Susan Harmer.
A VOTE of THANKS was proposed by Mr. H. G. Hughes to Mr. Robert Backshall for his work as President and he was unanimously made a Vice President of the Society
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| Robert Backshall with his daughters |
COUNCIL ELECTIONS for six places for three years. The following were elected: R H Backshall, S J Cook, Sir Richard Cooper BT, Stephen Humphrey, Sharon Pond and Neil Stainthorpe. The following were not elected: Paul Humphrey, Alexandra Long and Mark Littmoden. Thanks were expressed to those who stood for election and were not elected
OPEN DISCUSSION: The following matters were discussed and, where appropriate, referred to Council.
a. Mr J D Goode spoke on his retirement and forthcoming dispersal sale and especially thanked the Secretary for his support and friendship over the years
b. Mrs Gail Sprake spoke on the new goods that were for sale.
c. Mr Brian Rideout spoke on the suggestion that untrimmed class for Southdowns be introduced at Shows
d. Details about the Scrapie Scheme were circulated and noted
e. Entries for the Melton Mowbray Show and Sale were circulated
f. Mr H George Hughes spoke on the change of letters to numbers for the Year letter. He felt that a letter could still be used provided it was used last
THANKS were expressed to Mr and Mrs Taylor and all their helpers for an excellent meal and Field Day
TROPHIES were presented by Mrs. Sally Taylor and Miss Rachel Backshall.
Comment made by Mr John D. Goode at the AGM of the Southdown Sheep Society at Bromsgrove on Saturday 2nd August 2003:
Mr President,
Thank you for the opportunity to voice some observations over the last eighteen
years of our membership of the Southdown Sheep Society. This AGM & Field
Day will be our last as Southdown Sheep Breeders due to medical advice and what
I prefer to describe as maturity and not advancing years.
We shall both remain as members of the Society and I would like to think I will
have the opportunity to carry on judging in the future.
When we purchased our first Southdowns from Hugh Clark in 1985 I remember the
day as clearly as if it was yesterday. We came away from Moulton as the proud
owners of six ewes, with the odd corner tooth missing but right in the bag.
These ewes had bred well for Hugh in their time in his flock and so they were
to us a valuable asset as the foundation blood lines for our Manor Flock. Due
to their age they did not cost the earth, which was helpful in those days of
yesteryear.
Having acquired the sheep we then had to contact the Secretary, Clive
Pritchard. He was very helpful and made us feel wanted as new members of the
Southdown Sheep Society. During our association with the Society we have
realised what an asset he is. So much so that other Societies envy us having
such a dedicated person as our Secretary. We are also privileged to have him as
our friend, which has proved invaluable over the years in different ways. Apart
from the Southdown Sheep Society he is a pillar of strength in his local church
raising huge sums of money - when he puts his hand to the plough - so to speak
- he does not look back till the task is complete. This is the man we have had
as our Secretary for 37 years and who has always given the Society 110%
service.
I am reminded of the old adage united we stand - divided we fall.
May I take this opportunity to urge you to go forth in unity as a Society in
continuing the Southdown's success.
I would like to thank those - they know who they are - who have given Doris and
myself tremendous support over the past two very difficult years. It has been
very much appreciated. Thank you.
John Goode.
Click here to view pictures of the AGM and Open Day
Click here to see Accounts and Balance Sheet