NORTHERN REGION
Regional Contact Member – Emma Chester
The Northern Region had a stand at the NSA North Sheep event hosted by the Peile family at Greystoke Castle Farm, Penrith, Cumbria, a mixed 2,300 acre farm with sheep, beef and a dairy herd. The Peile family used to keep Jacobs many years ago and Mr Peile paid a special visit to the stand to reminisce.
Emma Chester and Rachel Knowles setting up the Jacob Sheep Society stand at North Sheep
Emma Wilson’s ewe and Blue Texel cross lambs at the North Sheep event at Penrith
The Northern Region attended the last NSA North Sheep in 2023 in Northumberland which was a great success and we wanted to make sure we were back, flying the JSS flag. It was also a good opportunity to meet and greet many of our members, especially from the Cumbria area. The stand had sheep from the Wastwater and Escrigg flocks, and Emma Wilson’s pair of cross bred lambs (Jacob dam and blue Texel sire) created much interest which went hand in hand with our competition “Guess the birth date” of the lambs. The stand’s focus was on all parts of the breed; from breeding attributes, to their versatile fleece and flavoursome meat. Massive thanks to Rachel Knowles and Emma Wilson for help setting up, and Charlie Wildridge, Clive Richardson and Emily Maudlsey for assistance on the day. We had a great time talking with everyone who visited, promoting the breed and look forward to the next event in 2027.
Our first breed promotion stand at the Great Yorkshire Show was a great success Thanks to Kay Carpenter and Jean Simmons for their help in setting up the stand and to everyone who helped man the stand over the four days of the show. Northern Region member, Charlie Wildridge, produced a display board of photos for the stand and writes: “I found my inspiration from NSA to create a display board for our first ever breed stand at the Great Yorkshire Show to further educate people on our breed, society and the benefits. I was made aware that the Northern Show and Sale, which is held at CCM Skipton, is to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year and this gave me the idea to focus my display on showcasing the show and sale and celebrate previous winners. I carried out various research to find photographs of the sale over the years, managing to date back to 2008 where Jean Price was awarded the championship alongside Clive Richardson as reserve champion. For many of the photos a society member, who works at CCM auction where the sale is held, helped me search through the archives to find images of previous winners and general showing which I then presented in a timeline in date order. Using the Northern Region social media, I also created a collage of photos that highlights what occurs in the society, prioritising Northern regional activities such as open days/trimming demonstrations and our previous regional show winners at the Great Yorkshire Show 2024, including young handlers. The breed stand was a great success with many members reminiscing over the photos and remembering previous winners.”
Charlie Wildridge’s display board at the Great Yorkshire Show
Georgia Knoiwles, an eleven year old Northern Region member enjoyed showing at the Great Yorkshire Show and wrote: “Our time at the Great Yorkshire Show was incredible. It was amazing to see how many people were interested in the Jacob breed. A member from the Northern Region, created wool bags to use in the garden, to use up the by-product, and they were sold out by the end of the week, showing how versatile the breed is. Overall, it was a great week for the showing, we were so proud of our accomplishments this year and I am sure all the other competitors were too. It was a great experience, this year, to help out on the first Jacob Sheep Society breed stand at the GYS. It was amazing to see how busy it was. It was great to see lots of support around the ring and back at the breed stand, after the showing. Thank you to the judge and to everyone who made it the great week it was.”
Since taking on the Northern RCM role just over a year ago, I would like to welcome our newest members: A.Taylor-Garthwaite, Keithfield flock; E. Ellis, Hutton flock; S. Worlock, Sandwath flock; E & E.Benn-Steele, Whicham flock; C.Abbott & E.Howarth; K. Amesbury; K. Johnson, Gallomire flock; J. Valentine, Ollerton Fold flock; M. Fogg; E. Woodward, J. Newhouse;
G. Sargent and L. Smolinski I look forward to meeting you at various events and welcoming more future members.
Pat and Trevor Black’s champion shearling ewe and John Fozzard’s reserve champion ewe at Driffield Show with the judge, Clive Richardson