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NEW SECRETARY for the SOUTHDOWNS

At the Council meeting held on Wednesday the 19th October 2005, the Council unanimously appointed Mrs. Gail Sprake as the new Secretary of the Southdown Sheep Society to take over when the present Secretary, Clive Pritchard, retires on the 31st March 2006.

David Burden, the Vice Chairman, in proposing that she be appointed, said that the Council has made a very good choice.

'It is a daunting task to take over from the present Secretary after he has served the Society well for forty years but I feel honoured that the Society has chosen me,’ said Mrs Sprake after the Council meeting.

The registered office of the Society moved to Suffolk in April, 2006.

Letter from the Secretary, May 2005

Dear Friends

I write to let you all know that after nearly forty years I have decided to retire as Secretary of the Southdown Sheep Society as from the 31st March 2006 when I shall have reached the age of seventy five years.

It has not been an easy decision for me to take as I shall miss the post very much indeed. Whist I was at David Humphrey’s funeral earlier this year, after I had spoken, my mind turned to my age compared to that of David who died at the age of seventy, and I felt the time had come to make this decision. I do not want to go on to the point when people say that I am too old for the job. I did the same when I retired as Town Clerk. I was older than sixty five years but wanted to go when I was ready.

To mark my retirement I have written a book about the Southdown Sheep, with my thoughts on its illustrious past and what I feel the future should be. It is now with the printers and will be available later this year. I hope that you will consider buying a copy. It will have lots of photographs and comments as well as views of members.

The cost will be £20 per copy and if you want it posted it will cost an extra £5 for postage and packing. Those who order and pay before the book is printed will have their names printed in the book.

I shall have the opportunity to speak to most of you before I leave but I want to thank you all for your kindness to me. I hope I will remain your friend.

Yours sincerely, Clive Pritchard

Click here for order form for the book, which can be printed out and mailed

The retiring Secretary, Clive Pritchard BA, LLB (Hons) LLM (Wales) after receiving his LLM degree at Cardiff, 2002

Sir Richard Cooper

Sir Richard Cooper, Bt., of Lower Farm, Cheddington, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3JA, was killed in a car accident on the morning of Sunday, 5th March 2006.

Letter of appreciation for Sir Richard Cooper, Bt. from the Society
Article on Sir Richard Cooper's ancestor, Sir Richard Powell Cooper, Bt.

A.G.M. & Field Day, 2005

For Report, Results of Council Election, etc., click here

A.G.M. Saturday 14th August 2004

A HAPPY EVENT

The 2004 AGM & Field Day held at Mill Laine Farm, Offham, Lewes East Sussex on Saturday the 14th August 2004, by kind invitation of Mr. & Mrs. Justin Harmer and Mr. & Mrs. Paul Wakeham-Dawson, was a very successful and happy event. Some 90 members and friends attended and had a wonderful lunch provided by the hosts.

Chris Lloyd of EBLEX gave a talk on Better Returns and then we visited the Wakeham-Dawson and Harmer flock of pedigree Southdowns. After the lunch came the AGM of the Society, chaired by Mr Stephen Humphrey the President. The Financial affairs of the Society appear to be healthy with a profit in 2003 of £3197. Alan Mummery, the Chairman of Council, presented the Annual Report and a vote of thanks was passed to the retiring President, who was made a Vice President of the Society. The new President is Mrs. Susan Harmer, and the President elect is Mr. Philip Whitcombe.

The election to the Council showed a change, with new members being elected. David Craig and Sarah Mitchell did not seek re-election. Alan Mummery, Susan Harmer and Susan Thomson were elected. New members elected were Paul Humphrey, Brian Rideout and Anne Lambert.

There were twelve nominations, resulting in Jonathan Long not being re-elected and Adam Brown, Basil Cooper, Lindsay Dane and Gerald Hayes not being elected.

Open Discussion took place on the Sale at Maidstone, Publicity for sales, Dates of Council meetings, Older ram and older ewe classes at shows, Shorn Southdown Sheep classes, as well as a comment from Mr. John Goode following his dispersal sale in 2003. All these matters will be brought up at the next meeting of the Council.

Special thanks were given to the Harmers and the Wakeham-Dawsons for the excellent Field Day and Venue overlooking the site of the battle of Lewes, where democracy first was fought over !!!!

The Trophies were presented by Miss Elizabeth Harmer and Mrs Susan Harmer was invested as President by Mr Stephen Humphrey.

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RESULT of COUNCIL ELECTION at the AGM

Elected
Alan Mummery 43 votes
Susan Harmer 39 votes
Paul Humphrey 37 votes
Susan Thomson 34 votes
Brian Rideout 33 votes
Anne Lambert 26 votes

Not elected
Adam Brown 21 votes
Jonathan Long 7 votes
Basil Cooper 6 votes
Lindsay Dane 6 votes
John Stammers 5 votes
Gerald Hayes 4 votes

Thanks to those who were not re-elected and those who were not elected. Thanks also to those who retired this time as members of Council

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MESSAGE from Mr. J. D. GOODE to the 2004 AGM

At the 2003 AGM & Field Day I announced that it would be our last AGM as Southdown Breeders as our dispersal of the Manor Flock would take place on the 16th August 2003. A decision not taken lightly and not without some degree of hesitation. We would like to thank all those who attended the sale to support, and especially those who purchased our Southdowns.

The sale itself proved more satisfactory regarding prices realised and indeed developed into quite a historical occasion for the Southdown Sheep Society, as the breed record price for a Southdown was broken not once but three times within a matter of minutes. This helped to lighten our hearts somewhat in saying our final goodbyes to our Manor Flock.

We wish all those purchasers well for the future. The Southdown will remain our favourite breed and the friends we have made through the Society are very much appreciated. True friends will see you through the bad times as well as the good and are worth their weight in gold. Thank you.

I personally hope to continue my association with the breed by judging at various shows around the country, which is a hands-on approach so to speak, if you will pardon the pun. We wish the Society well for the future.

For more photographs from the AGM, click here

Mrs. Susan Harmer, 2004 President of the Southdown Sheep Society, with her son & daughters, Liz, Woody, & Gussy, and her winning Southdowns

PRESS RELEASE

Royal Show 2004 SHARON POND SWEEPS THE BOARD with her SOUTHDOWN SHEEP

Mrs Sharon Pond of Golford Gate Farm, Golford, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3NX; Telephone: 01580 713901; Mobile: 07733005256

Won the OVERALL SHEEP PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE TERMINAL Sire Group. This was open to Beltex, Berrichon du Cher, Charollias, Dorset Down, Hampshire Down, Oxford Down, Ryeland, Southdown, Suffolk, Texel and Vendeen.

In the Southdown classes she won the Shearling Ram Class, the Ram Lamb Class, the Shearling Ewe Class, the Ewe Lamb Class and the Group of Four Sheep for which she was awarded the Miller Hallett Trophy.

She won the Northumberland Trophy for the Champion Best Exhibit and the Hazelton Trophy for the Best of the Opposite Sex to the Champion.

The Southdown Judge, Mr Sidney J. Cook from Lincolnshire, said that he took particular care in choosing the winners of the group so that the pair could go forward to the Sheep Pairs Championship resulting in Sharon Pond's win.

This follows up her wins at the South of England Show where she won the Percy Filkins Trophy for the Overall Southdown Champion, winning also the Shearling Ram Class and the Ram Lamb Class.

She won the Southdown Championship at the Heathfield Show

Further information from Sharon Pond, tel. 01580 713901 and 007733005256 (mobile) and Clive Pritchard, Secretary, tel. 01234 830007.

Southdown - the breed that makes ends meat

Letter received by Society Secretary

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would just like to sing the praises of Mr Charles Bull of Peasmarsh. He has a mention within your list of breeders in east Sussex and we live in the same village so were delighted to see he lived so close.

We are looking to purchase Southdowns for the first time and were passing Mr Bull's house as he came down his drive. We got chatting and Mr Bull was most polite. He gave us tips, helped us with our questions and worries, and promised full after-sales support if needed.

I cannot recommend Charles Bull higher. Just thought you'd like to know.

Thank you, Tony Leahy, Peasmarsh

REPORT of Council, Southdown Sheep Society
One year to 31st December 2003

1. Mr Stephen Humphrey is our 98th President and we thank him for his direction during the year.
2. The Officers for the year are:
   Alan Mummery, Chairman
   David Burden Vice Chairman
   Neil Stainthorpe Hon Treasurer
   At the 2003 AGM Mrs. Alex Long was not re-elected and we thank her for the work she has done for the Society over the years.
   Members of Council are:
   Retire 2004: Alan Mummery, Susan Harmer, Susan Thomson, David Craig, Jonathan Long. Sarah Mitchell.
   Retire 2005: David Burden, Gail Sprake, H. George Hughes, Peter Ballard, Ann Crowe, George Elliott
   Retire 2006: Robert Backshall, Sidney J Cook, Neil Stainthorpe, Stephen Humphrey, Sir Richard Cooper BT, Sharon Pond.
3. The accounts for the year ending 31st December 2003 show a healthy profit of £3197 compared with £3565 in 2002. This includes amounts set aside for the printing of the Flock Book and the new leaflet. The Hon. Treasurer is to be congratulated on his grasp of financial matters.
4. In 2003 the Council met three times mainly because of the excess business we have to consider now. There is a difference between length of meetings in the last few years than some years ago. We seem to spend more time discussing items that do not matter. There is also another problem in that I feel that all Council members should attend all meetings unless they have a very good reason. I know that they do not get expenses and many Council members are fed up with the way one or two hog the time and speak at length and frequently on every item but the way to overcome this is to be present and to use your vote.
5. Sheila Colman left the Society £1000 to purchase a trophy for the best ewe at the South of England Show. This has been done and in 2003 it was won by Messrs Wakeham-Dawson and Harmer. She also left £1000 for the purchase of a trophy for the Royal Show. This is still subject to negotiation.
6. We had a very good Field Day in 2003 at Bromsgrove and we thank Sally and Sidney Taylor for their hard work.
7. The John Goode Dispersal Sale in 2003 broke the record set up in Chichester before the war for the sale price of a Southdown. East Dean T 51 of 1997, the Royal Welsh Champion in 2003, was purchased by his original owner for 1350 guineas.
8. The Melton Mowbray Traditional Sale organised by the Breed Societies including the Southdowns was held in September 2003 and was a success. The 2004 Sale is also in September.
9. The new leaflet has been circulated and we hope will draw attention to the use of Southdown rams as a terminal sire. Please circulate these as much as possible. (click here to see leaflet)
10. Thank you to all members and their families and friends who support the Society. It is much appreciated.

Alan Mummery Chairman

SOUTHDOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday 8th October 2003

14 Council members were present.

Mrs Sharon Pond was welcomed on her first meeting after her election.

Chairman - Alan Mummery was elected.
Vice Chairman - David Burden was elected.
Hon Treasurer - Neil Stainthorpe was elected.

SHEILA COLMAN TROPHY
It was agreed that it should remain the property of the Society as Sheila left money to the Society to buy it.

SEMEN COLLECTION
There are two systems, the RBST which collects all types of Genotype Results and the DEFRA which would collect only the top grades It was agreed to support both.

SHOW and SALES
Reports were given on the John Goode dispersal sale, the NSA Builth Wells Show & Sale, the Dolphin Sale, and the Melton Mowbray Show & Sale. It was agreed to support the Melton Mowbray Sale if it is held in 2004. It was also agreed to have a Southdown Sale at Maidstone Cattle Market on Saturday, 7th August 2004. It was agreed to support the National Sheep Event at Malvern on Wednesday the 24th July 2004.

PUBLICITY
The new brochure is at the design stage and all members of Council will receive a proof.

ROYAL WELSH SHOW
It was noted that from 2004 there will be a new Ewe class: two shear which has raised a lamb this year

WEB SITE
Many people have congratulated the Society on this excellent web site

SALE of GOODS
Mrs Gail Sprake was congratulated on the excellent way she has handled this venture

PRIZE CARDS & ROSETTES
It was agreed to update these.

WELCOME to new members:
J.P. & S.M. Flight, Ian & Sharon Hensall, Mrs S. Greener, Sylvia Hughes, Helen & Simon Lakin, G. M. Sutherland, R. D. Westwood, Elaine Lester, English Nature, D.G & M.Y. Crundell, Mrs M. Hollis, Bryan & Janet Banner, Graham & Sue Dickinson, Buxsall Southdowns, Mrs Heather Timms, Mr. & Mrs. R. H. Bowles, Howard N. Wood, Mr. & Mrs. A. W. Harris, B. P. Halliday, Jane & David Sachon, and Mark Brown.

SECRETARY'S salary was increased to £4000 p.a. He will be paid extra for the work entailed in putting in the new computer system

THE CHAIRMAN said he would be putting forward documents to introduce discussion on sub Committees to advise on finance, genotyping, shows & sales, semen archive, flock competition and also regional breeders groups

NEXT MEETING Wednesday 21st April 2004

Sheila Colman Trophy

The trophy presented by the late Sheila Colman has now been purchased by the Society and is inscribed 'The Sheila Colman Trophy in memory of Thomas'. It will be awarded to the winner of the Southdown ewe class at the South of England Show and was presented for the first time in 2003, when it was awarded to Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer.

From the Chairman (January, 2003)

Annual General Meeting, 2003

The A.G.M. of the Southdown Sheep Society will be held at Caspidge Pine Farm, Pikespool Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 1LH, by kind invitation of Sally and Sidney Taylor, on Saturday 2nd AUGUST 2003 at 2 pm.
Clive Pritchard. Secretary

AGENDA

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of the AGM held on the 10th August 2002

3. To receive the accounts for the year ending the 31st December 2002 presented by Mr Neil Stainthorpe the Hon Treasurer.

4. To receive the Annual Report of Council presented by the Chairman Mr Alan Mummery MRICS

5. President 2003/2004 Mr Stephen Humphrey President Elect Mrs Susan Harmer

6. To propose a Vote of Thanks to the retiring President Mr Robert H Backshall and to make him a Vice President of the Society

7. Council elections Six Places for three years

8. Open discussion

9. Presentation of Trophies

Auction of prints

Lot 1 South Down Sheep Samuel Howitt c 1808
Lot 2 Ewe & Lamb Southdown Bred by Thomas Ellman Beddington Steel engraved c 1880
Lot 3 Smithfield 1874 Hugh Penfold's Southdowns included
Lot 4 Three Prize South Down Wethers 1836 Mr S Grantham Stoneham near Lewes
Lot 5 Three South Down Rams 1841 Jonas Webb
Lot 6 Royal show Lewes. 1852. Three breeds one of which is Southdown

Southdown Sheep Society Annual General Meeting, 2002

East Dean ewe lambs (Photo by Mrs. Chris Rhead)

East Dean ewe lambs (Photo by Mrs. Chris Rhead)

East Dean rams (Photo by Mrs. Chris Rhead)

East Dean rams (photo by Mrs. Chris Rhead)

ANNUAL REPORT OF COUNCIL

for the year ending 31st December 2002:

1. Mr. Robert H. Backshall became our 97th President and we thank him for his direction during the year.

2 During 2002 Mr. Peter Bircher, our President for 2001 and also Chairman of the Council, decided to step down from the Council because of his health. We thank him for his work for the Society over the years and wish him well.

3. Also Mr. F. Keith Mitchell, TD stepped down as Hon. Treasurer and he is also to be thanked for his work for the Society.

4. Mr. John Randall retired from his post as editor of our magazine. The Council made him an honorary member of the Society and he is also to be thanked for all the work he has done over many years.

5. Thank you also to Mr. David Humphrey and Mr. John D. Goode, who did not seek re-election to the Council. We wish them well in the future.

6. We now have new officers as follows:
Chairman - Alan Mummery MRICS
Vice Chairman - Mrs. Alex Long
Hon Treasurer - Neil Stainthorpe
Magazine Editor - Mrs. Susan Harmer, assisted by Mrs. Sue Thomson

7. We have some new members of Council. The full list of Council members is R. H. Backshall, Peter Ballard, David Burden, Sid Cook, Sir Richard Cooper BT, David Craig, Ann Crow, George Elliott, Susan Harmer, H. George Hughes, Stephen Humphrey, Alex Long, Jonathan Long, Sarah Mitchell, Alan Mummery, Neil Stainthorpe and Sue Thomson.

8. Mention also must be made of the award of a LLM Degree with Honours from the University of Wales to our Secretary who has completed 36 years in this office. He feels that it will not be long before he will be retiring.

9. The new rules came into force this year. The main point is that all ram lambs and ewes lambs must be individually registered in the Flock Book at a cost of £5 per ram lamb and £2 per ewe lamb by the 31st. December in the year of birth. Up to the 31st. December in the second year after birth they can be registered at £20 each but after that they are not able to be registered.

10. During the year the final and dispersal sale of the Steepdown Flock of the late Sheila Colman was held. This was tinged with sadness and we must record our view that she was a great lady and will be sorely missed. In her will she left £1000 to the Society for the purchase of a trophy in memory of Thomas, her French Southdown ram, to be awarded at the South of England Show.

11. The web site is up and running and we have had many good reports of it. Thanks are due to all who have written items and to Mrs. Hilary Jupp for her assistance, which she has given without charge. The Secretary is always willing to put members' items on the site which is www.southdownsheepsociety.co.uk.

12. The new Newsletter and the Year Book for 2003 have been circulated. It is pleasing the see that many of our members have advertised and joined the Breeders' List.

13. Many members have joined the National or the Rare Breeds Scrapie Plan and have had their Southdowns tested. The results are all satisfactory. DEFRA's report can be seen in the Year Book and on the web site. All members are recommended to join the scheme. DEFRA helpline is 0845 601 4858

14. Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. David Humphrey, Mr. Stephen and Mr. Paul Humphrey for an excellent AGM and Field Day in East Dean. The 2003 AGM & Field Day will be held on Saturday the 3rd August 2003 at Bromsgrove by kind invitation of Sidney and Brenda Taylor.

15. During 2002 Her Majesty the Queen honoured Mr. Hugh T. Clark with the award of the MBE in recognition of his work over many years to the sheep industry. Congratulations.

16. The accounts for the year ending the 31st December 2002 showed a healthy profit of £3565. The new Treasurer is to be congratulated on his quick grasp of the Society finances

17. What of the future? The fact that so many members paid to go in our Breeders List is a sign that we are coming to the end of the tunnel, as is the fact 28 new Flockmasters joined the Society in 2002

Alan Mummery, Chairman

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