Category Archives: Regional Reports

Wales Autumn 2025

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WALES REGION

Regional Contact member – Alison Ross

The show season commenced with the RWAS Spring Festival in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. It was good to see some new members showing their sheep alongside some of our more experienced show goers. Show results are at the back of this Journal. The breed stand proved very popular with the public and we had quite a few enquiries and heard some interesting stories from previous owners. Once again, I would like to thank Joanne Jones and her family for all their hard work in planning, setting up and manning the stand. The stand was runner up in the breed stand competition, well-done Jo.

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On the 8th of June we held an open day in Ceredigion kindly hosted by Denise and Nigel Doney with the Woodleigh and Gwenerin flocks represented. Denise joined the JSS last year and it was wonderful to see her enthusiasm to throw herself in to all things Jacob despite a challenging year for her and Nigel. The Evans family needs no introduction as they are often seen in the winning line up at shows with their Gwenerin flock, Gwenllian has been extremely successful in the young handlers’ classes and gave a demonstration ably assisted by Harri Morris. Our thanks to Gwenerin and also to Angharad and John who just quietly got on with producing extra hurdles and a sheep stand without any fuss or bother. We were treated to a master class in trimming a Jacob sheep by Owain Jenkins with his smart young tup. Owain showed us how this differs from producing a continental show sheep and gave us some useful tips on finishing touches. Many thanks Owain.

After a Bring and Share lunch, Jackie Jones gave us a brief history of her membership of the JSS with the Milldale Flock number 00302. This was followed by a Q&A session, which gave those attending a chance to give their ideas on events they would like to see in Wales. I would like to thank all those who contributed to making this a successful and enjoyable day including all of those who attended, with some travelling from a fair distance away.

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It was decided that there would not be a flock competition this year but any new members who would like their flock assessed by a Jacob judge (for advice and feedback), please let me know so I can add you to my list.

I mentioned at the open day that I would be grateful if someone could lead on the young handlers’ competition, please contact me if you can help.

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At Lampeter Show Wyn and Siwan Harries’ shearling ewe was female champion out of 17 breeds and reserve interbreed champion

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Samantha Matthews with her ram at the Royal Welsh Spring Festival

I am aware that not everyone uses social media, for show dates and upcoming events, please check the JSS website under shows, also the Wales region tag for news and events.

The Wales Show and Sale will be in Raglan on Saturday 20th September, many thanks to Lyndon Trumper.

We will be holding our Christmas meal at the White Hart, Llandeilo, on Saturday 29th November at 12.30 with our Wales AGM beforehand. The White Hart has 12 rooms available for anyone wishing to stay.

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At the Royal Welsh Smallholders Show, James Leonard’s shearling ram was champion and Gwenllian Evans’ shearling ewe reserve. Siwan Harries judged.

South West Autumn 2025

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SOUTH WEST REGION

Regional Contact Member – Richard Fenwick

We have had a busy start to the show season stretching across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. The lack of rain in some parts of the region has created significant challenges. Some members are running short of grazing and the hay yield has been less than half from previous years in some areas. We look forward to the full show calendar that the rest of the year brings.

At the Royal Cornwall Show, Chris Fisher’s ewe was champion and Chris Slee’s shearling ewe reserve. The judge was Kay Carpenter.

Young member, Riley Marsh, is this issue of the Journal’s South West “Meet the Member.” He started his Marsh flock in 2019 when he was given two Jacob lambs for his birthday. He currently has 10 ewes, mainly two-horners, and breeds his own replacements. His first ram was Dalewode Warrior, followed by Dunmor Adam Ant and Hope Alladin, and he currently is using Celtic Ozzy. Riley says what he likes most about keeping Jacob sheep is that they have their own personalities, are good mothers, and they make good crossing ewes too. He likes Jacobs with wide shoulders and frames, wide dark horns and a good white blaze with a “look at me” presence. Riley says his greatest achievement was winning the 4 – 7 years Young Handler class at the Bath & West Show in 2019 with a home-bred ewe lamb.

 

Riley showing one of his lambs

At Devon County Show under judge, Gareth Jones, Chris Fisher’s ewe and ram were champion and reserve

At Liskeard Show Steph Jasper’s ewe was champion, and Bethany |Osborne’s ewe lamb was reserve. Josh Quant judged.

Central Autumn 2025

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CENTRAL REGION

Regional Contact Member – James Cartwright

Firstly, I would like to thank Kay Carpenter and the Central region committee for their hard work in the past few years, continuing the success of the Central region and for helping members to benefit from years of experience in the art of keeping sheep. I step into my tenure as RCM with a deep sense of honour and a small feeling of disbelief, having only kept sheep for a relatively short time of 12 years. My family and I have enjoyed the alert nature of the Jacob and the support from the Society membership along the way. I really believe this breed has it all, from simple lawnmowers on a smallholding, through high quality meat production, extensive opportunities through woollen products, to the in depth and sometimes bewildering opportunity of breeding high quality showing/breeding stock.

Open Day

In May we had the opportunity to visit the Hayepark Flock in Shopshire by the kind invitation of Michelle Chivers and her family. Michelle took great delight in describing the journey that she has been on, as her family takes some early but very successful steps into building a strong pedigree Jacob flock. It was wonderful to see the whole family engaged and passionate about learning the ins and outs of the breed and not to be afraid of just having a go which, I am sure we have all felt before striding into the show ring with the best stock that we have managed to produce in any given year.

The day continued with a trimming demonstration by the eminent Richard Chapman where he showed us the art of preparing a shearling for the show ring to show the individual off to their best. Even better than that, Michelle allowed some of us to “have a go” and to hone our trimming skills and to put into practice the skills that we had just learnt. Michelle’s vet then gave a very in-depth presentation and question and answer session to the group which was absolutely top class. It never ceases to amaze me that there is so much to learn but isn’t that some of the appeal. A hog roast lunch was enjoyed by all, cooked by Michelle’s family, followed by the obligatory set of delicious cakes and puddings. A successful raffle added to the days proceeds, enabling us to return £525 to the Society after the days costs had been allowed for. For the few of us that still had some energy left, we were then treated to a walk amongst the bluebells in Mortimers Forest and fabulous long reaching views to the neighbouring counties.

Showing time

May saw the start of the showing season with the first of the region’s county shows, first off was Shropshire and shortly followed by Staffordshire. In Shropshire, judge, Owain Jenkins, chose for his breed champion, a strong lamb from Salopearl Jacobs and his reserve champion went to another stunning shearling ewe from Millvale Jacobs. Staffordshire saw judge, John Dixon, decide this time on his champion from Millvale Jacobs and reserve champion went to Salopearl Jacobs. A new set of perpetual awards in the region for “best novice” at Staffordshire County show, Hanbury show and the Royal Cheshire show were awarded to the best novice in these respective shows with experience in showing of under three years. Staffordshire’s award went to Grace Leslie of Mole End Jacobs, but looking at the number of rosettes that Grace had managed to accumulate during the show, I think the term novice may not be fitting for her skills and the quality of the sheep that she had turned out. At the Royal Cheshire show, Gillian Lewis with her sheep from the Hillvalley flock took the perpetual award for best novice in this prestigious show. Finally, at the Hanbury show, Michelle Chivers took the well deserved win of the perpetual trophy for best novice with her sheep from the Hayepark flock, presented by Hayley Higginson, who we have to thank for these magnificent awards to recognise new entrants achievements in the show ring.

Tom Lewis’ ewe lamb was champion at Shropshire County Show with Bob and Paula Bramley’s shearling reserve. Owain Jenkins judged.

One of the main events in the showing calendar within the Central region was undoubtedly the Royal Three Counties Show where the huge classes of Jacob sheep gracing the show ring and viewed from the adjacent Jacob breed stand really were a spectacle to behold. Congratulations to all the members showing this year, you all deserve a ribbon in my eyes for doing such a sterling job of showing off our breed to the highest degree. Paula and Bob Bramley from Millvale Jacobs continued with their championship success in Malvern, taking breed champion, which is becoming a bit of a theme for 2025 and utterly deserved.

Bob and Paula Bramley’s Royal Cheshire County Show champion ewe

Not to be outdone outside of the show ring and thanks to Kay and Sean Carpenter, Jean Simmons, Charlotte and Gill Heaven, Michelle Chivers and others, our Jacob sheep breed stand was placed first by the show, with the rosette being gratefully accepted by myself and Lesley Pope (although we both could take very little credit for this achievement), well done team.

Richard Chapman with his second prize ewe at Staffordshire County Show

Date for the diary

This year’s Central region flock competition will be held on the 26/27/28 of September with judges, Gareth and Simon Jones, travelling the region inspecting and scoring the flocks for the converted array of trophies that are up for grabs. Further details will be posted shortly, and I would encourage as many of the membership as possible to “have a go”, there really is very little to lose and the opportunity to have conversations with two very experienced judges, on farm, is an opportunity not to be missed.

Welcome to new members

I would also like to welcome the new members to the Central region, and I hope to meet you soon: Ruth Beaton – Matlock, Simon and Charlotte Chell – Stafford, Gemma Glossop – Ashover, and Nicolas and Abigail Sole – Gloucestershire.

Jobs for the month ahead

Our own Goldstone flock have bounced back well after weaning, despite the dry weather conditions and the challenge in keeping enough grass ahead of the ewes to recover. They have done us proud, again. So, the thoughts of tupping 2025 start to come to mind and this year, for the first time, we are going to try CIDRs to synchronise and hopefully bring lambing forward a little, so that we don’t have the smallest lambs in the ring come show time 2026.

James Cartwright’s group of three at Staffordshire County Show

Gillian Lewis who won the best novice award presented by Hayley Higginson at the Royal Cheshire County Show

Ireland Autumn 2025

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IRELAND REGION REPORT

Regional Contact member – Matthew Kehoe

Balmoral Show kicked off our 2025 show season in Northern Ireland expertly judged by Margie Rushbrooke who tapped forward an impressive shearling ewe, Tullymore Glenda, from J & J Maybin as champion Jacob, with a powerful shearling ram, Termeil Broxi, from David Poston in reserve. These two animals continued their winning streak at both the Ballymena and Lurgan shows in the following weeks under the watchful eye of Derek Brown and Pat Gogan respectively. At Armagh show Matthew Kehoe saw Tullymore Glenda retain the champion title and went on to place an elegant two year old ewe, Kingarrow Layla, from the Colhoun family in reserve. Saintfield show judged by Tom Green saw Tullymore Glenda take home the champion rosette for the Maybin family again. A very smart shearling ram, Hillhead Buster, bred by the Patterson family, took the reserve placing for the Colhoun family’s Kingarrow flock.

The Colhoun family’s shearling ram, male champion at the Northern Ireland National Show at Omagh

The Northern Ireland National held at Omagh was a brilliant gathering of pedigree animals with over a hundred entries from all over Northern Ireland. Jacob Sheep Society Field Officer, Scott Dalrymple, kindly travelled from Scotland to judge the show and awarded the female champion and overall champion Jacob to the Jamieson family’s homebred shearling ewe, Whitecleugh Bonnie. The reserve female and second reserve champion was the second-place shearling ewe, Tullymore Glenda, from J & J Maybin. Male champion and reserve champion Jacob was awarded to Hillhead Buster exhibited by the Colhoun family with the first-place ram lamb, an Eglish bred four horn animal from the Harkin family, taking reserve champion male.

Athlone show was the first outing for many breeders in the south of Ireland where Ady Hamilton tapped forward Matthew Kehoe’s Macamore shearling ewe as champion with the Gogan family’s powerful aged ewe in reserve. The following week at Gorey show judged by Joseph Hughes we saw the Macamore shearling retain the champion title with a smart Gorabeth ram lamb

in reserve. At the Southern Ireland National at Clonmel show we saw a great turnout of over 50 sheep for Paul Colhoun to judge. Female champion and overall champion Jacob was awarded to Macamore Black Beauty, an aged ewe from Matthew Kehoe. Reserve female and the reserve champion was a smart Ballygullen ewe lamb from Kerrie O’Sullivan. Male champion and 2nd reserve champion was a stylish Gorabeth ram lamb from the Fanning family. Reserve champion male was awarded to Harkness Charmander exhibited by Joseph Hughes.

Matthew Kehoe’s ewe was champion at Clonmel under judge, Paul Colhoun. The reserve was ewe lamb from Kerrie O’Sullivan

At the NSA Sheep NI event held in Dungiven we had a fantastic day on the new stand esigned and built by David Poston. Our thanks to Emma Poston for the fantastic flowers and to the Maybin family for sponsoring the bales, fake grass, banners and all the little essentials needed to furnish the stand. Sheep were provided by David Poston, Dabhan Harkin and the Patterson family. The competitions run on the day by the team manning the stand attracted a lot of interest from young and old sheep breeders alike. My thanks to everyone involved on the day and in the lead up to the event – you did a superb job and did our breed society justice. Well done all.

The Jacob Sheep Society stand at the Northern Ireland NSA event

I’ve heard nothing but good reports about the Maybin family’s open day held at the Tullymore flock near Ballymena. A brilliant spread of food, sheep and prizes left everyone in good spirits thanks to the generosity of the Maybin family. James and John raffled one of their homebred ewe lambs to cover their costs with the surplus being used to buy the region some much needed equipment and breed promotion material over the coming weeks. Huge congratulations to Isaac Cooke who won the much sought after ewe lamb which will make a good addition to his growing flock of pedigree Jacobs.

Writing from my desk here in the farm office I sit thinking of some of the fantastic stock that I’ve had the opportunity to view and handle over the last few weeks all over Ireland and the United Kingdom from the Royal Highland at Edinburgh, to the Northern Irish National at Omagh, the Southern Irish National at Clonmel and most recently my trip to the Great Yorkshire. I’ve had a fantastic few weeks meeting with friends, having a laugh and engaging in plenty of stock talk with breeders on both sides of the water. On all of my travels as either a spectator or as an exhibitor I’m greatly encouraged by two things that seem constant across the regions I’ve visited, the young people coming through that are breeding and showing Jacob sheep, helping at shows and volunteering at events as well as the brilliant camaraderie amongst Jacob sheep breeders that is second to none. I think our breed is in safe hands for many years to come if we continue to preserve these attributes at our core as a breed society – it’s certainly something that is in abundance in the Ireland region.

The Harkin family’s reserve male champion at Omagh, a four horned ram lamb

Wales March 2025

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WALES REGION

Regional Contact member – Alison Ross

I am writing this report after a welcome dry spell of weather comes to an end and the first rain of a gathering storm begins. For those of you that have finished lambing, I hope you are pleased with your new crop of lambs. For those who will be lambing well into April, I wish you well.

We had a good turnout for the Christmas lunch and prize giving at Cradoc golf club, sadly low clouds obscured the magnificent views of the central Beacons. The flock competition was well supported with the judges kept busy over two days; our thanks to Jean Simmons and Richard Chapman. I had lovely reports from several members to say how helpful and encouraging they found the experience. I don’t think anyone came away without a ribbon but top spots went to:-

Best large flock and champion flock –  Samantha Matthews, Mashbury.

Best small flock – Gwenllian Evans, Gwenerin.

Best homebred shearling – James Leonard, Grove.

Best Group of ewe lambs – Gwenllian Evans, Gwenerin.

Best homebred ewe lamb – Gwenllian Evans, Gwenerin.

Best ram Samantha Matthews – Mashbury

Best ram lamb – Euan Edmunds, Sable

Young handlers awards:

Senior – Gwenllian Evans

Intermediate – Harri Morris

Junior – Griff Morris

It is encouraging to see the enthusiasm and knowledge of our young handlers in Wales.

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Jackie and Gwyn Jones’ hoggets which weighed an average of 48.5 kilos and made £143 each at Welshpool Market

Plans for events in Wales are in hand with a trimming workshop at Grove Farm on May 10th that is open to all JSS members but numbers will be limited. If there is a demand, a second workshop may be held on May 11th. There will be a small charge to cover costs. My thanks to James and Hannah for hosting this.

The RWAS hold their spring show on 17th and 18th May and there will be a Jacob breed promotion stand. Please come along and support us.

An Open day will be held on June 8th in Ceredigion with two flocks represented. Thank you to Denise Doney and the Evans family.

The Royal Welsh Show dates are 21st-24th July.

The Regional Show and Sale is on Saturday 20th September.

There are plenty of local shows holding Jacob classes throughout our region, please see the website for more information.

Northern March 2025

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NORTHERN REGION

Regional Contact Member – Emma Chester

On Saturday 26th October the Northern Region held its regional AGM hosted by the FettleMead flock, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. The day was attended by 27 Northern members from all counties in the region and included both new and established JSS members. The day’s agenda consisted of refreshments on arrival and a meet and greet, followed by a talk and presentation from Lucinda Bird from the Benridge Woolworks on the potential market for raw Jacob wool fleeces. After lunch there was a walk and talk around the FettleMead flock and overview of the sheep looking at two and four horners sheep, and discussing the importance of supporting four horn breeding. The day finished off with the Northern AGM, questions and any other business.

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Emma introducing her flock at the open day at FettleMead

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Lucinda Bird processing Jacob wool at Benridge Woolworks

Lucinda Bird’s key points and topics:

The talk was about creating a viable business model for Jacob wool. Lucinda has a prosperous market for Jacob wool in saddle flocking and the art of crafting a quality saddle.

There’s also continued growth for the craft market, such as whole fleece rugs and peg loom rug making. We were all treated to seeing some examples of such rugs that have been handmade Lucinda states: “Farmers must be paid above the cost of shearing even if that starts small. Only waste wool should be for gardening or green burning. Therefore wool should either be sold to processors or the risk taken to process your own wool and sell fantastic products from it.” At the end, members spent a huge amount of time chatting and conversing with Lucinda with the many questions they had and further talking points that came up. With many excited with the potential for the versatile fleece our Jacob’s produce. I would like to say an enormous thank you to Lucinda for finding space in her extremely busy schedule to come to visit us all. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and were incredibly impressed with the information and details Lucinda spoke about. Everyone went away feeling inspired and motivated with the future prospects for Jacob wool and recognising the hard work Benridge Woolworks is doing for the raw wool market.

Going on from the topic of wool, FettleMead flock are also super passionate about raising the awareness of Jacob wool and what the fleeces have to offer and it sells most of the fleeces as private sales to spinners, weavers and crafters who appreciate the natural colours and long fibres this raw wool has to offer. Another part of what the flock prides itself on is the fresh meat side of it, rearing lambs for freezer ready lamb boxes in various pack sizes from whole through to smaller taste packs. Everyone who tastes Jacob meat admits how the flavour is leaps and bounds ahead of anything off the shelf they have tried. Jacob lamb is full of flavour with its meaty joints and chops with marbling throughout. When slow cooked it falls of the bone.

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A ewe and lamb from the Beacon View flock in West Yorkshire

Finally, I talked around how sheep from the flock are taken to local and national shows, and have also more recently been entered for regional Show & Sales which I enjoy and feel should be supported. I finished off by talking about how important I feel it is to keep supporting and breeding the four horn Jacob, which are bred in fewer numbers compared to the two horn Jacobs. I am passionate about keeping the four horners relevant and popular. Over the 15 years of the flock we have had a plethora of four horn sires bringing in excellent bloodlines, which has meant other flocks can continue the richness of having new four horned bloodlines. I also love the two horned sheep too, hence why FettleMead is a mixed two and four horns (but slightly weighted towards the four horners).

I would like to take the time to thank all members for attending and supporting the open day. Young member, Georgia Knowles, wrote: “Last year, me and my family attended the national, northern AGM at Emma Chester’s. One thing I found particularly interesting was meeting a lady from Benridge Woolworks and seeing just how special and popular the Jacob wool is. Another interesting fact we learned was that people particularly like Jacob wool to fill the main seat of saddles for horses. But thank you to everyone for all the hard work that went into organising it. Me and my family really enjoyed it.” It was great to host a regional AGM for the Northern members; especially to talk around many topical points that got all thinking ahead, but even more so getting everyone together to have a good catch up. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gifhttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif

I look forward to our next events this year, and already have dates in the diaries for 2025. As a parting note, if anyone would like to contact me about hosting a 2025 spring/early summer or autumn (possibly Northern AGM combined) open day please do not hesitate to get in touch. Many thanks in advance.

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Ewes at Fenton & Fozzard’s Greenacres flock

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Ewes from Jen Hurford’s Studley flock in winter

Scotland March 2025

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SCOTTISH REGION

Regional Contact member – Melanie Harper

As I write this it’s still early February and we’ve had a bit of sleet and snow this morning. Most of my Jacobs have lambed, only waiting on shearling ewes who went to a ram lamb and two old ladies who had a bit of fun with a ram lamb who came through my electric fence and left his mark. It was the last time he did it as he ended up a freezer pack. Ewes have had fantastic colostrum along with vast amounts of milk thanks to the usual mineral buckets, high protein nuts, hay and lots of fresh water. Yes, they are eating me out of house and home but they are rearing their lambs well and I can’t ask for any more. The ewes and lambs run in and out of the shed, and they love to get out in the morning. They are still shut in at night and will do so until the weather eases a bit. As for any show champions let’s wait and see where horns go and whether they break them off. I’ve probably had about a 50/50 split with regards to ewe and ram lambs. My daughter Stephanie’s Ruberslaw flock has given her a good supply of ewe lambs… She only had two last year.

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Young Gordon Connor helping with lambing at the Dun-Mor flock in West Lothian

The sad decision to cancel the National AGM Weekend was not one that was taken lightly, numbers were down and it wasn’t viable to run this. Maybe we need to rethink these weekends and look at a way that maybe we can encourage more people to attend and keep costs down. I’m always at the end of a phone or email if people have suggestions or thoughts. Can I take this opportunity to say thank you to Barbara along with the northern team who had put together a fun weekend. If you ever get the chance jump on a train and head north it is beautiful countryside in a very unspoilt part of Scotland.

The Royal Highland Show, June 19th – 22nd, will be with us before we know it, and it would be great to see a good turnout of Jacobs for our Welsh judge, Siwan Harris. I’m hopeful we will have a similar set up as in previous years with regards to pens and judging ring. We will have our usual after judging get together. The main judging day is on the Thursday, come along and say hello.

I can confirm our National Show will be held at Dalkeith Show on Saturday 12th July. Ady Hamilton from Ireland has kindly accepted the invite to judge, and we are very grateful to him for making the journey over to Scotland. I must thank Scott Brown, chief sheep steward, for his help as he is always at the end of a message and phone call. Many will know Scott as the voice of the RHS sheep rings. We are hoping for some good classes of Jacobs. A little change to the normal structure for the judging wil be that the Jacob championship will be judged in the main area, and Scott Brown will then give a brief explanation about the breed and why everyone should have them their fields. It’s a chance to showcase the breed and that can only be a good thing for us. If anyone needs a schedule or more information regarding the National, please drop me a message or a call and I will try to help.

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A ewe and lamb at Melanie Harper’s Deanburn flock in the Scottish Borders

The Scottish Show and Sale will take place on Friday 1st August at H&H Carlisle and our 2025 judge is Scott Dalrymple, part of the successful Dunmor Team. We have spoken with H&H and given feedback about the 2024 sale, hopefully this will be looked at and actioned. We are still fairly new to selling at Carlisle and teething issues will hopefully get ironed out. The team at H&H are very good and always keen to help which is what we need on sale day. We will continue to work hard to hopefully get venders and buyer the best for them on sale day.

Due to the cancellation of the National AGM, we are all a bit “up in the air” but Scotland are already looking at events to compensate for the loss of the weekend. We are in the early stages of planning but we will get details out as soon as we can, and we hope to incorporate a judges’ seminar/flock visits along with a social night, Watch this space. A flock competition will hopefully go ahead in the autumn, more details to follow.

A feeling that has come from members is one that we need to be encouraging younger people into the Society, they are our future, none of us are getting any younger and we need young people to come along and bring fresh ideas. Please drop me a message if you have any ideas. Many thanks to the Scottish Committee for their continued support.

Southern March 2025

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SOUTHERN REGION

Regional Contact Member – Peter Gorringe

Following on from the success of the Southern Region open day last October (full report elsewhere in this Journal), a lambing day was organised for members recently which proved a great success.

Southern Region member, Natalie Ceeney, writes: “On Sunday 9th Feb, the Southern Region JSS gathered in Peter Gorringe’s Shutecombe Flock lambing shed to discuss lambing tips. Joined by Ellie Van Mer from Plumpton College, and accompanied by the baas of Peter’s ewes we discussed good lambing practice and top tips as the rain poured down outside and the winds howled.

With cake and hot tea to keep us warm we found that even the most experienced amongst us had things to learn. We shared views on what probiotics to use at birthing, iodine techniques, tagging versus spray numbering new born lambs, CIDR versus natural timing of conception, and bedding/disinfectant techniques for the lambing shed. We had extensive debate about when to intervene in a difficult lambing, and even found time to discuss tips on getting sheepskins made, the best walk-in feeders for Jacob lambs, and castration versus leaving ram lambs intact.

Keeping us on our toes, we were then taken out in the rain and mud to see Peter’s stunning two and four horn rams, and were subsequently tested to see if we could tell which ram sired some selected lambs.  After admiring the wonderful lambs, having guessed correctly in most cases, we retreated to the local pub offering a roaring fire, draft ale, roast dinners and steak pies.

Many thanks to Peter, Tom, Frances and family for their hospitality and generosity in hosting a great event.”

Looking ahead, a trimming workshop to help members get ready for the showing season has been arrange by king invitation of Natalie Ceeney on June 8th at her Hallwood flock in Kent. Full details on the Southern Region webpage in due course.

Central March 2025

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CENTRAL REGION

Regional Contact Member – Kay Carpenter

I hope everyone has had, or is having, a successful lambing season this year and you have all been able to breed a future champion. We used fertility inducing CIDRS for the first time here at Lickhill and we were very happy with the result. I’m not sure if this was beginners luck but it has meant a tight lambing pattern, early on in the season and I’d be happy to discuss the pros and cons with members who have any questions.

The first of the January 2025 lambs at the Lickhill flock

Lambing at Terry and Berni Barker’s Saltway flock

Any fans of the ITV series ‘Fletcher’s Family Farm’ would not have failed to see a great episode bestowing the virtues of the Jacob breed and of how they “look good and just get on with it”. The episode covered Kelvin Fletcher and his daughter purchasing a 2021 aged ram, Blackadder Viper, bred by Haworth & Locker and sold by Matt Legge, in order for the family to breed their own replacement ewes. This year’s Worcester sale is confirmed as taking place on Saturday 26th July at McCartneys, Worcester. We take great pleasure in thanking Chris Slee from the South West Region for agreeing to be our judge on the day. I hope everyone can make it there but, if not, we will have Marteye available for online bidders if not.

Blackadder Viper sold at Worcester in 2024 by Matt Legge

Ahead of this showing season the region is the grateful recipient of a set of new awards for the best novice exhibitor, having only started showing in the last few years and who will be nominated by the judge for the award donated by Hayley Higginson of Meadowland flock.

The new novice exhibitor awards donated to the Central Region by Hayley Higginson

The best novice awards will hopefully encourage newcomers to the show ring and currently the awards are being presented at the following shows: Staffordshire County Show, Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society, Hanbury Countryside Show, and the Royal Cheshire County Show. Joining the show circuit is a great way to meet members and learn lots more about the breed. If you would like to find out more about showing contact Kay Carpenter or Hayley Higginson. Also if you would like to sponsor a novice award for your local show please get in touch.

Future Events

The region currently has three events organised to date. The first is a Young Handlers’ Workshop to be held on Sunday 6th April at the Elmley Flock, kindly hosted by Lorna Hendey and Jerry Strong, Pershore, Worcestershire. The day is aimed at Jacob sheep young handlers from all over the UK and Ireland. The whole day is free of charge to any young handlers with an interest in Jacob sheep. The day will include activities such as: putting on halters, showing and standing up sheep, feeding – discussion regards hard food and hay, how to do your own faecal egg counts (FECs), sheep medicines, and a sheep showing competition

Willow Bramley, aged seven, casting her eye over potential 2025 show lambs from the Millvale flock

The second event is a wool workshop to be held here at the Lickhill Flock, Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire and run by Barley Gould from the Southern region who is a very experienced crafter and wool enthusiast and who is responsible for organising our wool cup competition at the AGM each year. This is a workshop aimed at the complete beginner who would like to take home a finished product. This is to be a fun day to learn the basics so you can go on to make your felted projects or say never again, knowing you have given it your best shot. We have two different things to make; a wall hanging or a small bag. There may even be time for both. Due to felting needles, it is unsuitable for the under 12’s. To book your places on either of these days or if you would like further information, please contact Kay Carpenter on 07771 5511445 or email

Some of the Wool Cup entries on 2024

The third event in the region’s calendar is the English National Show 2025 to be held at the Royal Three Counties Show on Saturday 14th June at the Malvern showground. It was a fantastic turnout last year and we aim to impress the public and of course our judge on the day, Mr Scott Dalrymple from the DunMor Flock in Scotland, by having just as much of a super line up again this year. Deadline for entries is 16th April.

The English National Show overall champion 2024, Pard House Dynamo, owned and shown by James Leonard

Please get in touch if you would like to host an event for the central region at your holding. The usual timing for open days is one in the spring and one in the autumn. I’m happy to organise the day but require venues if any are available please.

South West March 2025

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SOUTH WEST REGION

Regional Contact Member – Richard Fenwick

What a great time of year. All the anticipation and hopes for the year, as well as a few disappointments, come to fruition as our flock present Class of ‘25.

A ewe and lambs at Chris Slee’s Halsbury flock in Devon

A new section is being introduced to the South West report in the Journal – “A South West Diary,” giving us an insight into the workings of a cross section of our south west members. This edition’s inaugural contribution comes from Steph Jasper (previously Cornelius) and her Treven flock. Do get in touch if you would like to share a few words about your experiences, interests or general ovine musings.

As a result of a few conversations within the region, I thought it would be interesting to collate some lamb gender numbers from a few flocks, highlighting the enormous variation. There appears to be no seasonal pattern and huge variation, but it does leave one wondering what factors could result in the very thought provoking 107:11 ratio.

Ram lambs Ewe lambs
107 11
7 14
24 10
5 12
13 13
31 16

Lambing at Chris Fisher’s Sparnham flock

A number of members have started shearing their better sheep ready for the South West shows. Please keep supporting the shows, especially those still with Jacob classes. It’s the only way we will keep these classes open. If you haven’t taken sheep to a show before, it’s a very enjoyable, social occasion and if you are unsure about the preparation and process please get in touch. There are lots of members who would be very happy to give you advice.

A South West Diary

by Steph Jasper

Here at the Treven flock, we cut back on stock numbers a while back – which meant early lambing for us in 2025 consisted of a smaller number than usual.  We’ve successfully used CIDRs for a number of years and this year proved no different – our ewes all lambed within a week and with great outcomes. Mainly doubles, two singles, one triplet and one quad. With a 60/40 spilt of ewe lambs and ram lambs. As I’m sure you’d all agree, one of the best qualities a Jacob holds is their natural ability to ‘”just get on with it” –  again, proven with us here when all but one lambed by themselves with no intervention needed.

Young handlers at Steph Jasper’s Treven flock in Cornwall

I’ve always loved how Jacob lambs get up on their feet quickly, and ewes are always attentive, maternal, and milky, a quality that I feel is sometimes lacking in other breeds. With our first batch lambed and attended to, it will soon be time to turn our attention to our next batch, all of which are pure Jacob ewes crossed with a Dutch spotted ram. For us, in the last 2 or 3 years, this has proven a successful cross. We like the Jacob ewe – milky, motherly and easy to keep, crossed with a Dutch spotted ram that’s meaty and stocky. The lambs that they’ve produced have proven to be just so –

Jacob looks (that people still find attractive) and a meaty carcass, resulting in a better finishing lamb and as a bonus they come back with no horns – which proves perfect for our children who are very keen on showing, but not so keen on the horns resulting in the perfect young handlers sheep.

As always, we’ve enjoyed our lambing so far, and now look forward to the next batch of cross lambs and then very soon we’ll be looking back to the pure batch to make a selection for the upcoming shows. Devon County, in the middle of May, isn’t as far away as it once seemed. Happy lambing one and all.

Lambs at the Treven flock in Cornwall