a Southdown Sheep Society tie
Issue 1 Spring 2006
Thank you for nearly forty years of service
In December 1967 Hugh Clark, M.B.E. received a letter from Reginald Noakes, the then Secretary, regarding his successor as Secretary to the Southdown Sheep Society. In his letter Mr. Noakes stated that he was not sure "if he is suitable...but I suppose it will all turn out all right in the end."
That successor was Clive Pritchard. And yes, it did turn out "all right in the end."
When Clive retired on March 31st this year he was the longest serving breed society secretary in Great Britain; a truly remarkable achievement.
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| Clive Pritchard presenting HRH Prince Charles
with a Southdown Sheep Society tie |
Clive has watched as generation of sheep breeders joined the ranks of the Southdown Sheep Society. His knowledge of the workings of the Society and its history cannot be matched.
We are fortunate that he has taken the time and trouble to commit to paper many of this thoughts and memories. Clive's book "Treacle in the Morning" has recently been published.
Now at last Clive has a little more time to spend as he wishes, being able to do all of the things that up until now he has not had the time to do.
The whole of the Southdown Sheep Society owes him an enormous debt of gratitude, for both his dedication and hard work over his many years of service. We wish him a long, active and fulfilling retirement.
Help to preserve the genetic heritage of the breed
There are currently two schemes running to collect semen in order to preserve genotypes and help protect the heritage of rare breeds.
The National Scrapie Plan scheme is concerned with storing genotypes of scrapie susceptible animals, therefore they do not require ARR/ARR animals. If eligible, rams are collected and returned to you free of charge and breeders earn £50 if their ram's semen freezes successfully.
The Rare Breed Survival Trust's scheme concentrates more on preserving the diversity of genotypes. For each sheep that takes part, the breeder earns £20, plus 15% of the semen harvested is stored for them free of charge.
It is important that rams submitted are good representations of the breed and, whilst several have already taken part, more are needed.
For more details take a look at http://www.southdownsheepsociety.co.uk/scrapie3.htm#value for the NSP/NSIP scheme and at http://www.southdownsheepsociety.co.uk/semenarchive.htm#semen for the RBST scheme.
Southdown Breeders beat Sheepdog Ladies by a Whisker
On 15 February, 2006 a team from the East Anglian Soiuthdown Breeders' Group made our debut in the East Anglian Sheep Clubs' annual quiz. The Manger pub at Bradfield Combust, near Bury St. Edmunds, was full of sheep people, with teams from the Bottisham Shepherds' Club, the East Anglian Sheepdog Society (whose lady members wisely formed a separate team from their menfolk), Hampshire Downs and Suffolks.
The Southdowns were represented by Jayne Hutley, Mrs. Hutley, senior, Linda and Lindsay Dane, Gail Sprake and Ken Riggall. We turned out to be a well-balanced team with everyone contributing points.
After a closely fought contest, except for the Sheepdog men, who lagged way behind, the Southdown team emerged tied in first place with the Sheepdog ladies. Quizmaster Colin Ayres turned to his sudden death tiebreak questions and, after several which bemused both teams, the Southdowns came out on top when we knew that malachite is a mineral containing copper.
The prize for winning was a nice shield, which has been competed for since 1996, and the privilege of organising next year's contest. It will be at the same venue on Thursday, 15th February 2007. It would be good to enter two Southdown teams next year, so put it in your diary now. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening with a tasty buffet laid on by the pub.
Why not enter?
Why not enter your flock of Southdowns into the 2006 Flock Competition? There are three separate classes: one for larger flocks, one for smaller flocks, and the third is a novice class. You could also win one of the five other trophies that are judged at the same time.
The judge this year is Mr. Jim Cresswell from Norfolk. Jim has a lifetime's experience of sheep and a tour of one's flock in the company of a master judge is always a valuable learning experience.
More details, together with entry forms, can be found on http://www.southdownsheepsociety.co.uk/flockcomp06.htm, or telephone the Office (01986 782251, Mobile: 07885 777921) if you need any help. Entries close on September 1st. Judging will take place from late September and the results are published in late October.
Go on, have a go this year!
Meet Our New Secretary
Gail, from near Halesworth in Suffolk, has just taken on the challenging and time consuming role of the Secretary to the Southdown Sheep Society.
She runs a mixed farm of 600 acres with her husband Michael. The farm is mainly arable and has been in the family for over a hundred years.
They keep a small herd of Irish Moiled Cattle, and various horses and ponies, as well as their flock of Southdowns. Gail fell in loe with Southdowns twenty years ago when they started with five ewes of Moulton stock from Hugh and Mary Clark.
Gail and Michael were first attracted to the breed because they fancied something a little different and their size and beautiful appearance appealed. They quickly became 'addicted' and their flock has grown over the last twenty years to just over forty ewes.
Gail has had many favourites over the years, but the most memorable were two old girls called Phyllis and Phoebe. These were the first ewes that were bought. She remembers that they taught them a great deal; they were forgiving when mistakes were made, always had twins, never needed a helping hand at lambing time. They finally died of old age within months of each other and are buried in the orchard.
Gail particularly enjoys the miracle of watching new life begin at lambing time, together with the anticipation of seeing if all of those plans of which ram to put to which ewe have been successful.
Gail loves showing her sheep, which over the years has been a family affair. Through the world of Southdowns she has met so many genuine and pleasant people and made many lifelong friends.
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| Gail showing her Southdowns |
She enjoys spending spare time with her two daughters, Philippa and Ellie, and she does some private tuition in French and German to 'keep her hand in'. She frequently does battle with the weeds in her garden, sometimes successfully, and can even be found playing the harmonium for her local church.
New Members
A very warm welcome to all of the new members of the Society:
Trevor Crowe and Joy de Ruiter, Northumberland
Roundhurst Farms Ltd., Haslemere
Jane and Allen Brown, Retford
Mrs. F.J. Stevenson, Launceston
Miss M. Wallace, Ashburton
Helen and Stuart Pullin, Weymouth
G. and J. Newell, Co. Down, N. Ireland
G.R. Hargreaves-Jones, Shropshire
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Wakehurst Place, Sussex
Harry McKelvey, Sussex
David Bennett, Ashford
The Wetland Trust, Sussex
Amanda Wood, Oxfordshire
Mrs. M.L. Knibbs, Leicestershire
Mr. A.J. Lorentzen, Leamington Spa
Mr. and Mrs. Christian, Suffolk
Trevor Rogers, Penzance
For Sale & Wanted
"The Southdown Sheep" by Valerie Porter is available from
the Secretary at £10, plus £3 p & p.
This lovely hardback book was published by the Weald and Downland Open Air
Museum in 1991, on behalf of the Southdown Sheep Society in honour of two
centuries of the breed which John Ellman was the first to improve, and to
celebrate the Society's Centenary.
Southdown Centenary Mug from 1991
Our Chairman, Alan Mummery, is desperately seeking one of the limited edition
mugs produced for the Centenary Celebrations in 1991. If you have one of these
mugs which you are willing to sell, please let Alan know. It will make his day!
Older Flock Books
Whilst moving the office of the Society from Bedfordshire to Suffolk, we have
unearthed many older Flock Books. These make fascinating reading and offer a
great opportunity to trace the ancestors of our current flocks.
It has been decided to offer these for sale at £5 each, plus post &
packing, available from the Secretary.
Flock Books are available for the following years:
1946, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1971/72, 1983/84, 1985/86. 1989/90,
1991/92. 1995/96, 1997/98, 1999/2000, 2001/02
Do be quick, as the number of copies we have are limited.