Southern Region Spring 26

SOUTHERN REGION

Regional Contact member – Peter Gorringe

  On Sunday 30th November a group of around 20 JSS members from the Southern Region gathered for a flock visit to Lesley and Simon Pope’s lambing barn before the planned AGM in the local pub.

For those of us who had watched Lesley and Simon’s “lambcam” in previous years (rather addictive, and apparently with a worldwide audience) it was rather thrilling to see the real venue. It was even more exciting to taste the freshly baked sausage rolls (their own pork) and cakes to keep us fuelled while we walked around the Pope’s farm, Albans Barnyard. As well as a friendly flock of Jacobs, the Popes introduced us to their rather impressive cows. A broad consensus all round was that we would happily come to the Popes again if the opportunity presented itself.

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We then retired to the pub, but before being allowed to find out the results of the flock competition, we had an interesting talk by a local farmer about organic fly strike prevention. Concerned for the environment and the toxicity of the current chemicals, a team of local farmers had trialled organic methods alongside the more traditional Crovect and Cik. Rather to their own surprise, other than needing to repeat the treatment every month, the results appeared the same. The sprays that they trialled were Oxalis (from Helios.co.uk) and Blowfly Repel (Barrier Hygiene) if you fancy trying it… Most of us left thinking we might consider it.

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And then the main event – the results of the flock competition. We’d all been visited a few months before by Joseph Hughes and Matthew Kehoe from Ireland, who we all agreed had been very thorough and informed about the breed.  The competition had been fiercely competed this year, so despite all the amiable smiles and “we’re only in it for the fun of it” there was tension in the room as the results were announced. In all, the prizes were spread around the room, so most people went home with something, but particular congratulations to John and Ann Heady as the winners of the best small flock category and overall champions. We left clutching silverware and wishing each other well for a successful lambing in 2026.

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Flock Competition Results:

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Best ram lamb:          Best ram:

1^st – Wendy Sharp          1^st Lesley Pope

2^nd – Anne Heady          2^nd – Natalie Ceeney

3^rd – Peter Gorringe          3^rd – Peter Gorringe

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Best homebred ewe lamb      Best group of ewe lambs

1^st – Natalie Ceeney        1^st – Ann Heady

2^nd – Ann Heady          2^nd – Wendy Sharp

3^rd – Wendy Sharp          3^rd – Lesley Pope

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Best homebred shearling ewe      Best large flock

1^st – Ann Heady          1^st – Peter Gorringe

2^nd – Bedales School        2^nd – Bedales School

3^rd – Wendy Sharp          3^rd – Lesley Pope

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Best small flock          Champion flock

1^st – Ann Heady          Ann Heady

2^nd – Wendy Sharp

3^rd – Gilly Cummings

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