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Welsh Sheep 2005

The Southdown Stand at the Welsh Sheep 2005 event

Photos by Gareth Hughes

National Sheep Event, Malvern

Ellie Sprake manning the Society Stand, Malvern 2004

Stephen Humphrey manning the Society stand, Malvern 2004

Award to Ram Sale Chairman

George Hughes, NSA Wales and Borders Ram Sale Chairman, is honoured for shrewd stewardship of the sales over 25 years

The man who has overseen the progress of what has become Europe's biggest multi-breed ram sale, at the Royal Welsh Showground, was in celebratory mood at its 25th anniversary. The record-breaking NSA Wales and Borders Ram Sale, which had begun with such small ambitions, chalked up a £2.1 million turnover and boasted a top price of 4,600 guineas for a Charollais ram lamb.

George Hughes (l) with his award winning shearling ewe

Surprise presentation
Founder and current chairman, Carmarthen farmer George Hughes, was made a surprise presentation as a tribute to his foresight and shrewd stewardship of the sale. He was given a Mary Greise painting, which depicts him, his sheep, and the sale.
And, in the first year of a Southdown breed show, George took the championship with a shearling ewe. It was as he took his sheep up for the breed award that NSA Chief Executive, John Thorley, presented him with the specially commissioned painting.
George Hughes has spent his life breeding quality sheep and promoting the industry. He has been particularly involved in producer-led marketing of high quality breeding sheep.
His name has been associated with most of the main events and achievements over the last 30 years. He is vice-president and a past chairman of the NSA, a council member and exhibitor with the Royal Smithfield Club and has judged at more than 130 shows, including twelve 'Royals'.
He was awarded the Sir Bryner Jones Memorial Award in 1976 'for the person who has made an exceptional contribution to the sheep industry in Wales'. He received the 1983 George Hedley Award for 'Outstanding Services to the Sheep Industry'.

Catalyst
He says it's satisfying to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the sale at a time of renewed vigour in the industry. He also takes pride in the fact that it has acted as a catalyst and prompted many more ram and other sales.
"We've shown that it's possible for a group of producers to go and make a good sale", he says. "There was only the Abergavenny Suffolk sale and a few others, but now the number of sales held around the country is incredible".
Mr. Hughes concedes that it took courage, and eighteen months, to get the first sale up and running. He had hoped in 1978 to attract 150 rams and in the event they had 664.
He said this year's trading underlined the value the sheep industry put on the choice and quality offered at Builth. Scrapie genotyping had also been a strong factor, but not at the expense of quality.
Farmers' Weekly

John Goode and his Southdown winning rosettes  Best Wishes on your retirement

Annual General Meeting, 2003

For full details and Minutes of the Meeting, click here.

To see photographs of the AGM and Open Day, click here

Results of Flock Competition, 2002

Judge: Paul Humphrey

For full details, click here

Royal Smithfield Show

Held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London SE5 9TA, Sunday, 24th November 2002 to Wednesday, 27th November 2002.

Southdown
1st Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
2nd Jonanthan M A Long
3rd D r Randall & S M Mitchell
VHC Sir Richard Cooper BT
HC Sir Richard Cooper BT

Pen of three butchers' weight lambs up to 105 kg
2nd Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer

Pen of three butchers' weight lambs over 105 & up to 122 kg
2nd Jonathan M A Long

Pen of three butchers' weight lambs up to 150 kg
VHC Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer

Pen of three other pure bred shortwoolled lambs
3rd D R Randalll & S M Mitchell

Young Farmers Sheep Pen of two lambs
1st Woody Harmer Southdown ram x Mule x Suffolk ewes

NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MEAT
Lamb carcass sired by a native breed
1st Jonanthan M A Long Southdown / Southdown
2nd P McLead Smith Southdown / Southdown
3rd Jonathan M A Long Southdown / Southdown
4th Jonathan M A Long Southdown / Suffolk cross

Southdown Council Meeting

23rd October, 2002. There was 100 per cent attendance at this meeting, nineteen plus the Secretary.

Welcome to new Council members Mrs. Ann Crowe, Mrs. Gail Sprake, Mr. George Elliott, Mr. Peter Ballard, and Mr. Jonathan Long.

Mr. Alan Mummery was elected Chairman, Mrs. Alexandra Long Vice Chairman, and Mr. Neil Stainthorpe Hon. Treasurer.

Thanks to Mr.Peter Bircher, the former Chairman, who did not stand for re-election at the A.G.M., and Mr. F. Keith Mitchell, who stood down as Hon. Treasurer.

Flock Competition. It was agreed that the judging should be completed by the end of September.

The web site was approved. It is on www.southdownsheepsociety.co.uk and all members are invited to view. Mr. Jonathan Long and Sir Richard Cooper, Bt. were appointed to be on an advisory board. Thanks were expressed to Mrs. Jupp for all her help with the site.

The Society supported the refurbishment of some Southdown figures by George Garrard which have been in the cellars of the Natural History Museum for over 100 years. They have been on display at Carlisle and Exeter.

NSA Sheep Sale at Builth Wells was a good start with 19 Southdowns. We hope to build on this in future years.

RBST National Show was held in 2002 at Moreton in the Marsh without the sale. The judge, Mr. S.J. Cook, reported on the turnout when Mrs. Joan Hayes won the Champion Southdown and was Reserve Overall Champion.

Southdown Newsletter. Thanks were given to Mr. John Randall, who started the Newsletter. The editor is now Mrs. Susan Harmer, assisted by Mrs. Susan Thomson.

Mr. John Randall was made an honorary Life Member for his services to the breed.

SHEEP 2002 was not so good as in previous years, mainly because of lack of trade stands and because of Foot & Mouth.

SOUTHDOWN SALE in the Midlands, 2003. The Council discussed the possibility of having a sale in the Midlands in 2003, especially as it appears that there will not be a sale organised by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Various venues were discussed and the Council will meet again in January, 2003 to discuss the matter further.

Royal Smithfield Show, 2002. It was agreed to have a small display under the auspices of the National Sheep Association.

RBST Semen collection. It was agreed to support this scheme and ask members to agree for rams to be used. Expenses will be paid.

NINETEEN new members were welcomed into the Society.

AGM and FIELD DAY, 2002. Thanks were expressed to Mr. & Mrs. David Humphrey and Stephen and Paul Humphrey for an excellent day.

COUNCIL Meetings. As there is rather a lot of business to get through, it was decided to try three meetings a year instead of two.

Return to Archive Index

Field Day, August 1997 - Steepdown ewes at Moulton Ram Sale

At the Field Day - Judging the Wool

The wool being made ready for judging at the Field Day

This document maintained by rutinum@aol.com.
Material Copyright © 2002 The Southdown Sheep Society.