South West Region

Welcome to the News page for the South West Region

The region includes the counties of Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Cornwall.

Regional Council Member

Mrs Anna Milner

Matterley Drove Farm,

Horton,

Wimborne,

Dorset

BH21 7HL

Tel: 01258 840373
E-mail: annamilner@waitrose.com

THE SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WEEKEND

We were delighted to welcome members from all over the British Isles to the Society's Annual General Meeting weekend in April, which this year was based around Sherborne in Dorset. Members visited three Jacob flocks and also went to the farm of the late Geoffrey Hyde to see his flock of milking sheep, and his very early flock of Dorset Down sheep. Follwing the AGM itself, the Gala Dinner was held at the Sherborne Hotel attended by eighty six members and friends.

Some pictures from the AGM weekend.

The Knowlton Flock at Horton:-

The Courtenay Flock at Tiverton:-

The Bassett Flock at Chedington:-

The Milking Sheep at Geoffrey Hyde's farm at Wool:-

EVENTS IN 2010

OPEN DAY AT TRAFALGAR FARM ON JULY 11th

The Open Day at the Trafalgar Flock was held near Boscastle on a beautiful day and over fifty members attended. Jean Blacknell, the Society Field Officer, conducted an open forum for all members to appraise some penned sheep and gave sensible advice on how to prioritise the breed standards but to first of all, look for a good sheep. The fleece competition was won by Jeannette Connabear and Geoff Connabear gave a demonstration of fleece rolling.
After a delicious lunch we held our show workshop. Members new to showing were shown what equipment they would need in their show box by Deborah Ruscombe-King, there was a short talk on how to wash your lambs and David Biggs gave a carding out demonstration. There was then a chance to ‘have a go’ with some halter trained sheep and take them out in to the mock show ring; rosettes were awarded to the best handlers by the four Jacob judges present who were judging the handlers and not the sheep! The afternoon ended with fly fishing lessons for anyone who would like them. The lessons were so good and the lake so well stocked that several members went home with some very large fish. Altogether it was a most successful day and we would like to thank Deborah and her son, Justin, for their hospitality.

Jean Blacknell assessing the sheep

The mock show and the judges assessing the handlers

FLOCK ASSESSMENTS

Our Flock Assessments will be held over the weekend of October 8th,9th and 10th when the judges will be Gareth Jones and Betty Palmer. They will travel round the region and visit all the flocks that enter giving advice and encouragement to any newer members who have entered.There are many cups to be won for the best large and small flocks and for the best pen of ewe lambs.

SOUTH WEST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 24TH

This will be held at Payhembury,near Honiton, at the Headley Flock belonging to Janet East. The full programme will be sent out to all members nearer the time.

SHOW RESULTS 2010

Tha Champion at the Royal Cornwall Show was Charlotte Slee's breeding ewe.

Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show

A new trophy has been given for the best Jacob at this show which was judged by Angela Gilbert. The cup was awarded to John and Anna milner's shearling ewwe with david and Mary Biggs' lamb taking the reserve - pictured below.

Devon County Show

The Champion and Reserve Champion at the Devon County Show were both lambs and were shown by David and ary Biggs: the classes were judged by Jackie Lewis

The Champion at the Royal Bath and West Show was a shearling ewe shown by Jerry Strong and Lorna Hendey. The classes were judged by Wyn Harries.

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