South West Region News Archive
News & Events In 2012
Results of One Day Shows in the South West 2012 ...please click this link for results of Totnes, Woolsery, Melplash, Okehampton, Gillingaham & Shaftesbury, Mid Devon and Honiton Shows
2012 AGM for SW Region held at Old Feniton Village Hall, near Honiton. 39 members attended the AGM and we were all very interested to hear a report from member, Diana Willoughby, who had attended the NSA meetings. The Fortescue Cup for a promising young member, was won by Mathew Willcocks and the flock competition results were announced: Large Flock 1st Julian Newth, 2nd Angela Gilbert, Highly Commended Julia Staughton. Small Flock 1st Vicki Hammond, 2nd James Barlow, Highly Commended Sarah Throgmorton. Best Overall Vicki Hammond, Best Novice Flock James Barlow. Highly Commended Bethan Keenor Best Pen of Ewe Lambs 1st Julian Newth, 2nd James Shinner, Highly Commended Chris Slee. Best Ram 1st Julia Staughton, 2nd Vicki Hammond. I would like particularly to thank those members who brought some delicious food, and all those who beavered away in the background washing up and clearing up afterwards. After lunch we had an excellent talk by Val Grainger, who used to run "the Woolly Shephed" She told us how to get the most from our skins and meat, and how to identify the best fleeces. There was also a photo competition as the breed promotion team always need good photos fro the boards. This was won for the second year running by Chris Slee, with Vicki Hammond as runner up.
Above Julian Newth and Vicki Hammond who won the Large & Small Flock Cups in the Flock Competition.
Winning photo by Chris Slee from the AGM photographic competition at the SW AGM
Flock Assessment & Competition September 22/23rd The flock assessment and competition was entered by 12 members in the SW. This year it was particularly relevant as so many shows had been postponed or cancelled. The newer members were especially appreciative of the helpful remarks by the two judges, Dave Tuffney and John Fozzard. The judges were particularly impressed by the wool quality throughout the flocks they visited in the South West. We are enormously grateful to them for coming from such a huge distance and covering nearly 900 miles over the week-end.
Jacob Sale at Sedgemoor 13th September 2012 Catalogue Chris Slee, on behalf of the SW region was very helpful in liaising with Greenslade Taylor Hunt for the Jacob part of the Sale in the SW in conjunction with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Show & Sale. Please see full report separately in Journal. Most members who had entered thought this was definitely a worthwhile exercise in such an excellent and easily accessible venue with good facilities and some reasonable prices for most Jacobs, but hoped there could be a few changes, for instance the timing of the Jacob part of the sale, if this is to be repeated, hopefully as an official sale next year.
Wedding of Pete Boyne from Dawlish (Member 4314) & Amy. A lovely wedding on a beautiful sunny day, the bride and groom appeared outside the church under an arch of shepherd’s crooks, and then Amy braved sitting in a link box on the back of a Massey Ferguson 35, driven by Pete, to get to the reception. The cake of course featured a Jacob sheep in the decoration. We wish them very best wishes and look forward to seeing them showing again next year.
Young Handlers Day 12th August 2012 This was held at Burrow Way, Dalwood, Axminster, EX13 7ES by kind permission of David & Mary Biggs (Member No 3402). We were very fortunate to have their considerable expertise at preparing sheep for show for the benefit of thirteen youngsters from 4- 14 yrs old. Halter trained ewe and ram lambs were provided....please see Facebook link for results of the competition. Here David Biggs with some young volunteer's help is washing a lamb for show
Open Day July 1st 2012. This was held at Judy Bell's Allerbrook flock, and we are most grateful to both Judyand her daughter Cyrena for organising such a good felt making demonstration with Gerda Hatton-Ellis. Over 40 attended the day and some went on to make unique felt pieces. Meanwhile Geoff Connabeer kindly demonstrated hand shearing a sheep, even allowing a young member to have a go. Chris Slee and Pete Boyne kindly showed newer members how to prepare a sheep for show. We all had a good tour of the farm and were entertained by various animals and poultry, including nine baby Tamworth cross Saddleback piglets, Shetland cattle and calves, goats with quituplet kids, hens and chicks, geese, horses, donkeys and of course Jacobs.
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| Gerda Hatton-Ellis demonstrating felt making. | Jean Blacknel, Field Officer, talking about a pen of sheep | |
| Below left: Cyrena Bell taking members on a farm walk | Below Right: Three stock rams |
Jacob Sheep in full flight!
The Main Shows 2012
Royal Cornwall Show 8th June 2012 judged by Helen Baillie. There were some fine sheep brought forward for judging in very wet and blustery conditions. Christopher & Charlotte Slee won both Overall Breed Champion and Female Champion with their ewe and Reserve Breed Champion with their Shearling Ewe. Stephanie Cornelius won Male Champion with her ram, bred by Clive Richardson. The JSS SW stand was kindly set up by the Slees, but had to be partially dismantled in the eary afternoon when the sheep marquee was out of bounds and in danger of being blown down!
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| Charlotte & Chris Slee with their Champion Ewe and Reserve Breed Champion Shearling ewe | |
Helen Baillie judging the ewe lambs
The sheep marquee next day after evacuation
Royal Bath & West Show May 30th 2012 judged by Stephen Dodsworth. John & Anna Milner won Champion won the Breed Champion with their Ewe, and Chris & Charlotte Slee won the Reserve Breed Champion with their Shearling ewe. Congratulations to them all....photos will be added later. The JSS SW Regional Stand won a Bronze Medal in the Agricultural Section. Many thanks to Chris & Charlotte Slee for setting this up. Photo below shows Stephen Dodsworth judging the ewes running free.
Above: Champions (see above) at Royal Bath & West
Devon County Show May 2012 judged by Trish Baker David & Mary Biggs won the Male Champion with their ram lamb and also Female Champion with their ewe. The overall champion was their ewe. Christopher & Charlotte Slee won the Points Cup. Many congratulations to them all.
The JSS SW Region Stand also won the Best Trade Stand at the Devon County Show , mainly thanks to Vicki Hammond putting in a lot of effort and producing some superb boards. Also to Jane Moor for bringing and demonstrating with her spinning wheel and peg rug looms.
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news & Events in 2011
SW AGM 23rd October 2011
Minutes of the Meeting .....click on title
The Fortescue Cup: This was awarded to Young Member, James Barlow from Simonsbath for his dedication to his sheep. Well done James!
James Barlow receiving the Fortescue Cup at the Sowton Village Hall from Angela Gilbert
SW AGM Photographic Competition at the AGM
Well done Chris Slee who won first and second prizes with these really nice images. Roy Tucker's photo was highly commended
1st Prize Photo Competition 2nd Prize
Highly Commended
Interbreed Congratulations: David & Mary Biggs won the Interbreed Championship at Honiton Show on August 4th with their shearling ewe, who had already won Breed Champion at Devon County, Royal Cornwall and Okehampton Show. What an accolade! Many congratulations from all in the South West Region.
Other New Members: A warm welcome is extended to the following new members who have joined the JSS, within our region, since July this year. We hope they will join in some of the activities within the Region and also have a go at showing their sheep in the near future.
Flock & Membership No 4829 Mr D & Mrs EJ Tucker: Kawton Flock from Blackawton, Totnes, Devon
Flock & Membership No 4833 Mr C M & Mrs H J Greenhalf: Chaffecombe Flock, from Copplestone, Crediton , Devon
Flock & Membership No 4834 Mrs C Brooker: Fitzpaine Flock from Cary Fitzpaine, Yeovil, Somerset
Flock & Membership No 4837 Mr B J Young: Swanwick Flock from Swanage , Dorset
For details of the SW Open Days that were held in May and July please scroll down.
NB. FAO All SW members who registered lambs in 2010 in the JSS Flock Book
The Chairman, Gareth Jones writes on May 29th 2011 "As you know this years Flock Book contains a number of errors. As a temporary fix an errata has been included with the books recently despatched but we will need to put the books right.(For those books collected from the AGM I have asked Louise to send on the errata) The correction job is going to be a mini project for someone rather than delay the day to day work of the Office. Can you therefore please ensure members in your regions are aware that the Flock Book will, in due course, be put right."
News Letter November 2011 ....click on this title to download (PDF file)
News Letter June 2011 ....click on this title to download (PDF file)
Breed Promotion: NSA Sheep South West 14th June 2011
The Jacob SW Stand at NSA Sheep SW on June 14th. Two shearling ewes from the nearby Compton flock
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The Simmental Cross herd and the trailer ride round the farm
Thousands attended this event in glorious sunshine. The Jacobs attracted numerous visitors and many new enquiries about membership.
Shows 2012
Monday 7th May 2012 Uffcombe Sheep Show This is held as part of Uffcombe Cuntry Fair, Bridwell Avenue, Near M5 Junction 27.
This show is ideal for those who have never shown before, or just starting with Jacob Sheep. Schedules from Stan Bowden tel 01884841170
http://www.uffculmeshow.co.uk/ relevant classes for Jacobs are Native Pure Breed; Best Pair of Matching Sheep (if entered previous class.) Best Turned out Sheep (if entered previous class.) Best Horned Sheep, Best Group of Three, Wool on the Hoof and a fleece competition. Also a home made item made from wool. You also need public liability insurance to cover to cover third party risk.
For other 2012 show dates and contact details please scroll down
Main Shows in the SW Region
Devon County Show May 2011
Photo shows David Biggs, holding the cup with their shearling ewe (Breed Champion) and Charlotte Slee with her senior ram (Reserve Breed Champion), with judge Angela Gilbert
Royal Bath & West June 1st 2011
Winners at Bath & West Show : Jerry Strong with his ram (Breed Champion) and John & Anna Milner's Shearling ewe, being shown by Mavis Carden (Reserve Breed Champion, and Female Champion). Ron King (Centre) from Wales judged.
Open Days in the SW Region
July 17th 2011 Halsbury & Furzdown Flock Open Day Visit.
Members attending watched Vet Liz giving her Ram Assessment. Here she examines one of the Slee's shearling rams.
Christopher Slee's ewe lambs Jean Blacknell going over points to look for in ewe lambs
On left: Anna Milner presenting the South West Wool Cup for the Best Fleece to Vicky Hammond, and on right: Christopher & Charlotte Slee tying the teddy "jockeys" onto the sheep.
Over the hurdles, Pink winning Just! On right: Red Jockey ready to go
| Uphill this time and red jockey winning! |
The Open Day near Bideford was kindly hosted by members, brother & sister Christopher & Charlotte Slee and their parents Marilyn and John. 50 Members attended, so we split into two groups. One group were taken round Charlotte's flock and the other group were given an interesting talk by their vet Liz, and a practical demonstration on assessing rams, which was extremely useful to most members. Points to look out for in a ram coming into season were looked at, as well as the ram's most importants assets, which were measured using an Eblex tape measure. The shearling ram, one of their seven, came within the correct parameters! The groups then swapped round, the second group seeing Christopher's flock.
Following this, Vicky Hammond was presented with the first prize for her fleece and the South West Wool Cup by Anna Milner. Second was Angela Gilbert, and third Julia Staughton. 9 fleeces were brought forward for judging. Anna remarked on the excellent quality of all the fleeces entered.
After lunch mostly provided by catering friends of Marilyn, with an extra pudding and teas and coffees kindly added by Marilyn, everyone gathered round a pen of ewe lambs as Jean Blacknell spoke on different aspects of what to look for in the Jacob breed, for the benefit of newer members, and a reminder for older members. She then continued with the conformation of Jacobs using the pen of excellent senior rams to demonstrate the qualities to look for.
Sheep Racing followed. The 6 "racing" sheep were penned up one end of the course by Christopher and Charlotte, and then had teddies tied onto their backs using leather strpas, Marion's sister having knitted different colours for the jockeys. Geoffrey Connabeer then sold some raffle tickets, and members chose which sheep they thought would win. Racing was on a fairly long course, downhill one way, over some upturned troughs as jumps, with the going "soft". Sheep were encouraged to move, by their sheepdog. At the end of the course the sheep had to go through a hurdle width finishing line to the feed troughs. A few "jockeys" fell off and those sheep were eliminated! Returning uphill, the sheep with the lighter jockey won. Later on in the barn, the 16 kindly donated raffle prizes were drawn depending on the winning sheep's colours. Christopher and Charlotte had gone to so much trouble training the sheep every day for a week, and setting up bunting, and the course too and we were all very grateful. They then both showed us round their individual flocks, for those that had missed one of them. Many thanks are due to the whole Slee family for putting on such a professional and enjoyable day for members.
May 8th 2011 Juxton Flock Open Day Visit
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Photos show Simon Schwerdt near the Dovecote, Sasha Schwerdt showing us their Red Devon Cows, and the Juxton ewes and lambs in the orchard.
This Open Day was held near Taunton, Somerset, by kind invitation of Simon and Sasha Schwerdt. We were all taken on a fascinating farm walk, seeing the Red Devons, the Jacobs in the Orchard, the doves and the lake and all the building works that have been going on to restore their barns using heat exchange energy source. Sasha had prepared a delicious home grown lunch, and then we had a short talk by Janet East about Breed Promotion. This was followed by a short talk by Sasha about the flowers and herbs she uses in cooking and sells to local restaurants. Regional Committee member, Peter Hunt, then gave an interesting talk about introducing bee-keeping to livestock enterprises and his undoubted bravery encountering and using "the Buckfast bee" in his own business!. Gareth Jones, Chairman of the JSS attended this event.
Recent New Members: We were very glad to see some of these recent new members at our latest Open day.
Mrs CJ Murphy "Pennant" flock No 4789 from Lostwithiel, Cornwall; Messrs CD & SD Braime "Watershead" flock No 4791 from Okehampton, Devon; Bryn and Peter Gorringe "Shutecombe" flock No 4805 from Bere Ferrers, Devon; and Mrs C Dean "Gilbury" flock No 4808 from Lostwithiel, Cornwall;
Congratulations: to Vicky Hammond who won "Highly Commended" for her Wool Cup entry at the AGM in Cumbria.
Breed & Your Flock Promotion: If you can make an A4 advertisement of your flock, this could be added to the folder that goes round the SW larger shows and may help sell your sheep! Don't forget to put down your Flock Number and name, and contact details address tel no etc. Suggest you print it out and put in a plastic sleeve. Please send to Jackie Williams asap.
Photographs: If any member has some up to date sharp photographs for this page, please do send to the e-mail address above, preferably with a caption!. Jeanette Connabeer sent this one in, so we could do now with some close ups! Best size for this page is no larger than 300x 300 or 300 x 200
These nice pictures were sent in recently of ewes and some young lambs....
Twins from the Tooma flock (No 3526) in Cornwall April 17th 2011, and nice head shot May 26th of one of their ram lambs
New arrivals at the Crann Dair flock near Totnes Devon 21st April 2011
2012 Show Dates
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NORTH SOMERSET
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DEVON COUNTY
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Tel: 01392 446000 |
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ROYAL BATH & WEST 30 May- 2 June 2012
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Tel: 01749 8222200 |
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ROYAL CORNWALL
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Tel: 01208 812183 |
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LAUNCESTON
26 July 2012
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Tel: 01566 775483 |
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MID DEVON
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Tel: 01884 821815 |
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YEALMPTON
25 July 2012
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Tel: 0136 473 657
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TOTNES
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Tel: 01803 732813 |
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WOOLSERY
30 July 2012
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Tel: 01409 261288 |
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NORTH DEVON
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Tel: 01769 560205 |
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HONITON
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Tel: 01404 41794 |
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OKEHAMPTON
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Tel: 01837 861322 |
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GILLINGHAM & SHAFTESBURY
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Tel: 01747 823955 |
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MELPLASH
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Tel: 01308 423337 |
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DORCHESTER
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Tel: 01305 264249 |
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