Field Day & A.G.M., 2008

The 2008 Southdown Field Day was held on Saturday August 2nd at North Hele Farm, Clayhanger, Tiverton, Devon, by kind permission of Adam & Caroline Brown and the South West Breeders Group.

Despite continuous rain prior to the event, the weather was kind to us on the day and 65 members and friends enjoyed an excellent day in beautiful surroundings.

Following coffee members were welcomed by Adam who gave a brief talk on the farming enterprises at North Hele Farm. Many members then chose to join the guided farm walk to wander the hillsides inspecting the Gunton Flock, one of the largest and longest established flocks in the country.

In addition to the farm walk members were invited to participate in the ram judging competition, and a competition to guess the combined weight of the butchers' lambs.

Guest speakers gave their presentations before lunch. Sue Blacker of the Natural Fibre Company in Cornwall explained in detail what is involved with the natural processing of the fleeces she deals with. Her company processes approximately 1 tonne of fleeces per month. Wool is sorted, scoured, teased, spun and finished to suit individual customers' requirements. She explained that her company is the first organically accredited dye plant in the UK. Her company has plans to produce own label yarns and knitwear, throws etc which will be marketed via their website ( www.thenaturalfibre.co.uk ) In addition to processing fleeces for individual customers, she also buys in suitable fleeces for her own requirements.

Sue Blacker judged the Fleece Competition and explained her reasons for placing the fleeces in her chosen order. She selected a fleece from David Burden's flock which she complimented on having "astonishing strength".

Alan Draper, the second guest speaker, urged members to re-focus as breeders to ensure that we breed sheep of the highest quality, in order to produce good rams which in turn will produce high quality cross bred butchers' lambs within the commercial market. He stressed that a good ram should have wide shoulders, be full and square at the back with full quarters, a narrow dock and great width. Alan talked members through his selection of the best rams within the ram judging competition and members had an opportunity to compare their own judging placings with Alan as master judge.

Following an excellent lunch made up entirely of locally sourced produce, the formal part of the day took place with the Annual General Meeting. The Chairman thanked Irving Pallister for his support and contribution as President and Irving was unanimously appointed a Vice President of the Society. The incoming President is H. George Hughes, MBE. President Elect is Neil Stainthorpe.

Following the formal part of the AGM the Chairman invited any questions from the members present. A wide range of topics were covered, including upset prices, minimum weights, Society Shows & Sales and performance recording.

The issues of lambing dates and shearing dates were much discussed - see elsewhere in the newsletter for clarification of the current rules and regulations regarding lambing and shearing dates.

The issues raised at the AGM will be discussed at the next meeting of Council and by the relevant sub-committees, and members will be kept up to date.