South West Group
Co-ordinators:
Sarah Cartwright Tel: 01984 667217 Email: Cartwright742@btinternet.com
Adam & Caroline Brown Tel: 01398 361245 Email: adamandcaroline@googlemail.com
Annual Report from the South West Southdown Sheep Group 2010
The year started, as it ended, with plenty of snow, ice and generally unfriendly weather. The annual lunch in January had to be cancelled as so many members were snowed in, and the lambing season was not too good. However, several members excelled throughout the show season, and we managed to fit in two excellent events in the autumn.
At the end of June, a small party flew from Exeter to Edinburgh for the sheep showing day at the Royal Highland Show. This was a huge success and, despite the very early start and late return, was enjoyed by all participants.
The show season started in May with keen competition between members in the South West. At the Devon County Show Messrs Brown, Wallace and Woollard shared the honours, each winning a championship, and the Browns had Reserve Breed Champion. At the Royal Cornwall Show in June the Browns and Miranda Wallace also shone, Miranda taking most of the Championships leaving Adam and Caroline the Champion and Reserve Female Southdown. In August, Anna Woollard did very well at the Honiton Show, while at Okehampton, the Browns won the Best Group of Three, and Anna won a Reserve Championship. Congratulations to all the winners. Showing is extremely hard work and it is good to see Southdowns making their mark.
In September, the group toured Fenland Sheepskin tannery at Bridgwater which proved to be a very interesting and informative morning’s visit, following the whole process from raw skins through to the finished article which can cover about twenty stages. This tour was rounded off with a visit to a local hostelry for refreshment and further discussion.
The Natural Fibre Company in Launceston was the final expedition of the year. This led on nicely from the tannery, being a mill producing yarn from fleece mainly for knitting. Despite a busy schedule, Sue Blacker herself took us round and, again, this was a fascinating morning, ending in similar style to the previous visit.
Sarah Cartwright
