A.G.M.
A.G.M. & Field Day, 2006
Held at Meens Farm, All Saints, Halesworth, Suffolk, the home of Gail and Michael Sprake on Saturday, August 12th.
This was a special occasion in which all members had the opportunity to join in celebrating Clive Pritchard's remarkable achievement of nearly 40 years as Secretary of the Southdown Sheep Society.
100+ members, friends and guests attended.
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| Setting off to view the flock before lunch |
| Photo by Paddy Miller |
Guest speaker was John Thorley, also Hugh T. Clark MBE and President Philip Whitcombe spoke as part of the farewell celebrations for Clive.
The Chairman, Alan Mummery, made the presentations on behalf of the Council and Society.
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| Alan Mummery presenting the Southdown ram figurine to Clive Pritchard |
| Photo by Chris Rhead |
Clive was presented with a framed citation making him an Honorary Life Member; a framed letter from the Private Secretary of HRH The Prince of Wales wishing him well on his retirement and thanking him for all he has done over the years for Brtish agriculture in general, and the Southdown breed in particular; a digital camera and case, and a limited edition model of a Southdown ram, modelled on the 2005 Royal Show winner (shearling ram bred by S. J. Cook)
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| The Southdown model Shearling Ram - limited edition
- available for sale. For more details contact the Secretary |
| Photo by Gail Sprake |
THANK YOU!I want to thank all the members of the Southdown Sheep Society who made it possible for me to receive such a wonderful present at the AGM & Field Day on Saturday the 12th August 2006 in Suffolk. First my thanks must go to Michael and Gail Sprake for a wonderful meal and day – it was excellent. The presents were as follows :-
I am still overwhelmed by the magnitude of these presents and the good wishes of the Society. I especially want to thank Alan Mummery the Chairman and all members of the Council for the way they went to so much trouble in making sure that I had a good send off. Also I want to thank all of you for your friendship over the years which has meant so much to me. In one way I did not want to give up being your Secretary but the flesh is weak and I know that I cannot travel as I used to do and it is better to go when you are in the prime of things My best wishes to the Society and all the members and thank you all very much. Clive Pritchard |
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| Guest speaker John Thorley |
| Photo by Gail Sprake |
The Annual General Meeting was held at 2.30 p.m., following a delicious lunch, at which Clive's presentations had been made.
Twenty-four members had sent apologies for absence. The Minutes of the 2005 AGM were passed and approved, as were the Financial Statement and the Annual Report of Council for the year ending December 31st, 2005.
The President for 2006 is Mrs Sharon Pond, the President Elect, Irving Pallister Esq. The retiring President, Philip Whitcombe, made the presentation to the new President, Sharon Pond
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| Sharon Pond and Philip Whitcombe |
| Photo by Chris Rhead |
Council Election - annually 6 council members come up for re-election ( it's a 3 year term of office). One seat was free following the death of Sir Richard Cooper; Sharon Pond did not stand for re-election. The four other existing council members were re-elected (Sid Cook, Neil Stainthorpe, Stephen Humphrey and Bob Backshall). The two remaining seats were filled by the two other nominations: Lindsay Dane from Soham, Cambs, and Mark Littmoden from Lewes, East Sussex. No vote was needed this year.
Open Discussion - quite a bit of general discussion/questions but the Chairman kept it brief as it was getting late (Clive's lunchtime presentation and speeches lasted approx 1 hour!). Basic topics were:
- Council to discuss/consider the possibility of publishing the Flock Book on an annual basis. To be reviewed at the Autumn Council meeting
- Southdown breed "on the rise" says John Thorley. Much interest in the breed as a terminal sire at the Sheep 2006 event - BUT must be the correct shape/size/length of animal to supply the market
- There is a need for hard facts and figures on growth rates, killing out percentages, weight at slaughter, grading at slaughter. Some kind of in-house recording system (voluntary of course!) would be a good idea, possibly involving an agricultural college or some other recognised/respected organisation. To be discussed further at Autumn Council meeting.
- Revision of breed description in the Flock Book. Much discussion as to the finer details ie slug/horn, black star on nose. To be discussed at Counil meeting
- Judges and judging - guidance/training needed for newly appointed judges. To be discussed at Council meeting
- All members approved of the sculpture of Southdown ram commissioned for Clive. This is a limited edition and models are available to purchase. Full details to follow on the web site and in the Autumn newsletter
The Chairman, Alan Mummery, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Sprake and family for their kind hospitality in holding the Field Day at their farm.
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Material Copyright © 2002 The Southdown Sheep Society