The Annual General Meeting of the Southdown Sheep Society will be held in Sibson Village Hall, Sheepy Road, Sibson, Leicestershire, CV13 6LE on Saturday August 15th 2026 at 11.15am
Outline programme for the day
10.30 onwards – coffee and refreshments available
11.15am – 2026 Annual General Meeting
1.00pm – LUNCH
2.30pm – Visit to the Bentley Flock of pedigree Suffolk sheep at Lodge Farm, Atterton, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV13 6JZ
The Suffolk sheep originated in the late 18th century in the Bury St. Edmunds area of Suffolk, England. They were developed by crossing Norfolk Horn ewes with Southdown rams to combine hardiness with superior mutton quality. The breed was officially named in 1797. These sheep were originally known as ‘Southdown Norfolks’, or locally, as “Black faces.”
The Bentley flock is a pedigree Suffolk sheep flock based in Atterton, Nuneaton, managed by Charles and Matt Harding. Established in 1960 by Tom Harding; the flock is currently operated by the third generation of the Harding family. Matt Harding was winner of the Sheep Innovator of the Year at British Farming Awards in 2021. Focused on producing forage-fed rams for commercial farmers, the flock emphasizes functional traits such as ease of lambing, lamb vigor, and ability to thrive on grass-only systems. The flock consists of 180 pedigree Suffolk ewes, along with 150 Aberblack and 70 Aberfield nucleus ewes.
The flock has shifted its focus from showing sheep to breeding commercial rams that perform well on forage. Rams are reared and sold on a forage-only system without hard feed, and animals are wintered on forage rape or stubble turnips. Rams are selected for functional traits, including foot health, lambing ease, and the ability to hold condition. New Zealand Genetics are used to improve traits like lamb vigour and to reduce dirty back ends. The flock uses Signet Performance Recording, ultrasound scanning and CT scanning to track growth rates and muscle depths.
To learn more about the Bentley Flock before the Field Day, take a look at this video.
The AGM Notice is included in the Year Book and all AGM documents are available to download from the Southdown Sheep Society website. If you would like a paper copy, then please contact the Southdown office. A booking form for the Field Day is included with the Year Book, all details available on the website.
