Central Region News Archive 

News & Events in 2012

Central Region Young Handlers Competition 

Every year in the Central Region we award prizes to the region's children who have taken part in shows this year. For this we need to know the child`s name and age, which shows they competed in, if they were placed, what prize they won and if possible the Judge's name. The sheep does not have to be the child`s own, but it does need to have been a Jacob! Any Young Handler classes entered can be included for this, as long as the sheep shown was again a Jacob.

Please send entries by email to hayley@meadowland-flock.co.uk or by post to:
Hayley Higginson, Meadowview House, 162 Holmes Chapel Road, Somerford, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4QB.
The entries need to be in by 26th October please. If you have any queries then please contact Hayley.

Central Region Young Handlers Competition
 

News & Events in 2011

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Central Region AGM and Autumn Meeting

Sunday 27th November 2011 ô�°� 11.00am for 11.30am

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2011

Central Region Open Day At Blackbrook Farm

Hosted by Ben and Tori Stanley

The day had an excellent start with a hot drink, courtesy of PJ, and bacon bap welcoming the members, featuring Blackbrook’s own rare breed bacon. We gathered as John Emberton and Stan Taylor introduced the day and our hosts. The focus was on showing, from selecting the show stock, to washing and trimming and finally two ‘shows’, one with experienced handlers demonstrating how it is done and one with those new to sheep showing.

Gathering at the start of the day

John Emberton Assisted by Stan Taylor introducing the days and the hosts Ben and Tori Stanley

The flock comprises of both four and two horns and a number of ewes and lambs were penned to one side of the barn and several were identified and looked at closely from the showing perspective.  There followed a very interesting and informative debate between the experienced members about these points.  Ben commented that he had introduced two horn sheep with a view to improving the conformation towards his ultimate aim of producing a commercial carcass.

Selcting Lambs. Robert Price demonstrating the points to looks for.

Hayley Higginson then demonstrated the washing of the sheep, working up a good lather.  The photographer was poised to catch an action shot of the sheep shaking its coat at full lather but was disappointed as Hayley clearly had whispered in the sheep’s ear and it was behaving itself.

Getting a good lather.

The company moved on to trimming and four volunteer sheep were made available to the inexperienced trimmers amongst the audience, after a demonstration of how to do it by Richard Chapman. With great gusto and a little apprehension in some quarters but with great concentration, the snipping and teasing began. With guidance and encouragement progress was made and it was an excellent way to start learn the skills of sheep preparation.

Richard Chapman demonstrating trimming

Having a go under Richard's watchful eye.

At this point the food for lunch was ready and we feasted on Ben and Tori’s Blackbrook burgers and sausages, ably supported with a salad provided by Jean Simmons, and followed by copious and sumptuous desserts. Delicious.

Dinner

Afterwards the attention moved to a pen of prepared ewes.  Four were selected and they were shown by four experienced members.  Judging was Chairman Elect Robert Locker and commentating on the process was Clive Richardson who had come down from the far reaches of Cumbria.  It made a fascinating study as Robert went through the judging process and Clive explaining, very lucidly what he was doing and why.  There were discussions about choices made and the variables that were balanced out in the judging process to make a final decision on the order the sheep were put in.

Ewes ready for showing

Following this the four sheep were handed to inexperienced members and the judging process began again.  There was help on hand, some subtle and some overt and even the sheep were decidedly co-operative.  Although somewhat apprehensive at first, the handlers soon began to relax and start to ‘show’ their charges.  Doing is by far the best way to learn.

Showing for the first time: learning the ropes

Some words of encouragement from Tori.

The day concluded with more food, this time cakes as well as a hot drink, and the gentle conversation of friends.  Without doubt it was a very good day for although it was in some ways set up for the inexperienced to learn under the guidance of the more experienced, there was also a discussion amongst the experienced members over anumber of points and issues that were raised. This was most interesting and stimulating as it opened ones mind up to other perspectives. 

There is a huge thank you for Ben and Tori for hosting the day, for Robert Price giving an insight into stock selection, for Robert Locker and Clive Richardson for their excellent work in the show ring, for Hayley Higginson and Richard Chapman for their demonstrations and for the food (Chief organiser of salads and puds, Jean Simmons: drinks – PJ Simmons) and  general support that combined to produce yet another excellent open day.

2010 EVENTS

Winter Fair at Stafford

There was a good showing of Jacobs and the results were as follows:

1st Richard Chapman

2nd Simon Chell

3rd Jean Simmons

4th John Dixon

Richard Chapman with his pair of wether lambs and the Judge Mr D Allbut of Driffield

The Line Up

Top Four

Ram Assessment Meeting

In the first week in September we held a Ram Assessment evening at Mark and Margie Rushbrook's farm near Bewdley. Our expert was Nick Hart who is the veterinary advisor to the Charollais Sheep Society and conducts most of their ram sale inspections. The more than 25 members who attended were treated to a mix of theory and practical steps to ensure that we have the skills to select and nuture our rams to get the best performance from them.

The thoroughly enjoyable and educational evening was rounded off with an excellent supper provided by Margie and Mark and our thanks are due to them for arranging this event.

Central Region AGM and Open Day, Burcot.

November 7th 2010

The sun shone, though it was a little fresh, as the members squeezed into the carpark at the village hall in Burcot. We were greeted as is customary with a warm welcome and a hot drink. There was a buzz of conversation and members gazed on the wool displays that filled the centre of the hall.

At the appointed time, John Emberton gave a formal welcome and went through the formal business of the AGM. He commented on the two previous regional meetings, both of which were very successful and well attended. Plans are rapidly forming for next year's events.

After the AGM and a short break for refreshments, the whole company moved to John and Jacquelin Emberton's farm, a short walk along the road. There we saw his flock and John explained how they organised their farm and managed the land. It is always so interesting to see how others keep their sheep and in doing so pick up ideas on how to improve ones own husbandry.

                                   A friendly ram enjoys a scratch behind his ear

                                          Members introduced to part of the flock

                                                             The Nutwood Flock

We then returned to the village hall where Jean Simmons and Hayley Higginson, ably assisted by Jacqueline Emberton and PJ, fed everyone from a seemingly bottomless pot of casserole. It was delicious and quite a few (mainly male it has to be said) came back for a second helping. The dessert was equally delectable with apple crumble (walnuts on top!) and custard or an assortment of trifles

Diane Hall spoke of the Wool Cup and encouraged members to join in. Her words were supported with a wonderful array of items.

Anna Milner and Bridget Wilson gave the results of the flock competition and distributed the cups and trophies. Detailed results are here. They were thanked for all their hard work visiting numerous farms and making, in some cases quite difficult judgements because of the high standards.

Mrs Vera Ridout accepting the overall winner cup on behalf of Ridout and Higginson

The results of the Young Handlers were announced:

Champion: Ian Smith  174 points

2nd: Callum Smith  115 points

Best Junior: Caitlin Carpenter 30 points

Caitlin the Junior Handler winner     

Lesley Partridge then talked in depth about fleeces and their preparation and gave a fascinating insight into not just what to do to prepare a fleece but also the reason behind what needs to be done. The detail of display that Lesley brought to the talk was amazing with samples of not only whole fleeces but small samples of different types of wool and hair found on Jacobs and other breeds for comparison as well as a magnifying glass. There were posters that contained masses of information, some just interesting some quite technical. It was evident that a lot of hard work and research had gone into the preparation for this talk - and it showed on the day.

Lesley and some whole fleeces

Getting into the technical background

In addition to Lesley's display, several members brought items to show and inspire the rest of us to get creative and  working in wool.

Felting

A table full of ideas and beautiful craftsmanship

There was one 'living' display. Mrs Nancy Mole came along to the meeting with her spinning wheel. She quietly spun away during the day, extruding a fine filament of (naturally) Jacob wool, while answering questions and enjoying conversations with members.

Mrs Nancy Mole spinning

Gary Whitcombe watching the action. Note the jumper, made by hand from his own wool.

It was a lovely day, a lovely atmosphere of gossip, learning and inspiration set in a wonderful laid back, gentle ambience.  The way such days should be. Full marks to those who organised and ran the event.

Author's apology: There is a limited space for articles such as the above and so if your picture has not been included or detail that you would have liked been omitted, then please accept my apologies. I have tried to show a broad selection to give a taste of the day.

Showing Season - Offer to help

The numbers at the regions shows were much improved this year. We have a lot of friendly experienced members who would be willing to help you if you would like to join in - please do contact any of the committee members.

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Sire: Pentrenant Cassis son of Overdale Bart

Both winners of many championships

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01527 893395

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