Southern Region

Welcome to the News page for the Southern Region, which includes the counties of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and London.

Regional Board Member

Mr Peter Gorringe

Peter Gorringe

Southern - Peter Gorringe

Email -

Jacob Sheep Society
Southern Region

Open day   19/10/2024

Canterbury Oast Trust

To be held at - :

Canterbury Oast Trust

Highlands Farm

Woodchurch

Ashford

Kent
TN26 3RJ

The Rare Breeds Centre

Canterbury Oast Trust serves over 150 people living with a learning disability across Kent and East Sussex. The rare breed centre is a 100 acre farm in the beautiful countryside in Kent attracting almost 130,000 people each year.

The Rare Breeds Centre is proud to be the only one in Kent, and is approved by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).

There are many interesting traditional rare breed animals. We will be able to see sheep from the common through to the rare breeds and  they have some interesting names! There are  Manx Loaghtan, Wensleydale, Coloured Lincolns, Badger Face, Herdwicks, Portlands and Jacobs.

The farm is run by a committed team comprising staff and volunteers many of whom are adults with learning disabilities who are gaining skills in animal management and customer service. Every time you visit the Rare Breeds Centre not only will you have a great day out but you are supporting the work of COT and enabling the adults we support to live more independent lives.

Open Day schedule

  • 10:00 -10:30 Arrival

  • 11:00 -11:30 walk around the farm

  • 12:00 Judge seminar

  • 12:30 Lunch will be held in Granary restaurant

  • 13:30 AGM Meeting and then Pig racing which will be fun

  • 14:30 - 15:00 Time to say goodbye

Looking forward to seeing everyone and to spending a great day together.

The cost of each Adult is £5.00 by cash on the day. Members order and pay for their lunch at the restaurant.

 

Please confirm via email if you are attending the day.

 

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

 

Peter Gorringe

email: southern@jacobsheepsociety.co.uk

Mobile: 07860877240

 

Southern Nov 2024

SOUTHERN REGION

Regional Contact Member – Peter Gorringe

Once again it has been a busy summer on the farm – lots of hay due to the very wet spring.

Showing in the region has seen the number of exhibitors increase with great attendance at the Kent County Show and a fantastic turnout for the greatly improved Edenbridge and Oxted Show with their new committee. The Jacob sheep entries even had an entire tent to themselves.

The Jacob sheep pens at Edenbnridge & Oxted Show

After the Kent County Show Southern Region member, Wendy Sharp, wrote about her experience at the show: “Only our second time at the Kent Show as exhibitors, and what a weekend it turned out to be. Furnished with a little more knowledge than last year and some keen helpers in the team we headed out with fourteen sheep. The problem was that we had expectations this year, and that usually leads to disappointment, but we were determined to have fun. Jacob judging was in the afternoon this year, so time for breakfast, and more washing and grooming before our turn in the ring. The whole team had a chance to show their favourite sheep on Friday in the breed classes as we had one or more in each class and then six young handlers for Saturday’s classes. We all worked together supporting each other, and helping others in and out of the ring, the camaraderie was amazing. Classes progressed quickly, Adrenalin flowed, with no time to think in between classes and there was strong competition too with a buzz in the sheep lines. Rosettes started to come in, Thirds, seconds and then a first for aged ewe, and then another for shearling ewe, how did that happen ? So we had two in the Jacob championship line up, and then the cherry on the cake, what a surprise, champion with Star, our shearling ewe. Wwho would have thought it. A few tears shed, and hugs exchanged and hands shaken. What a surprise, we were elated. All that work paid off. We had the privilege of being in the parade of champions in the main ring. The children showed their favourite sheep on Saturday, and were becoming more confident, but we have a way to go with some hot completion there, it was a pleasure to watch.
But we couldn’t have done it without our advisors in the Jacob Sheep Society
, with special thanks to the Pope and Gorringe families, and all my other helpers and advisors, it means a lot.”

Wendy Sharp (right) with one of her helpers and the judge, Mike Bundy, at the Kent County Show

By the time you read this we will have had our annual open day at the Rare Breeds Trust Centre in Kent on the 19th October. A full report will be in the spring Journal.

Welcome to our new members in the Southern Region, Mr William Harrison

Miss Sandra Lowe, members no 05984, and I look forward to meeting you at one of our Southern region events.

I am available as you know for any questions regarding the breed and look forward to seeing everyone at future events.

I wish you all a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year with you all ready for lambing in 2025.

Simon Jones’ champion ram and reserve champion ewe at Romsey Show with the judge, Sue Taylor

Southern Aug 2024

SOUTHERN REGION

Regional Contact Member – Peter Gorringe

Well a good year for rain and the grass has grown well and a busy summer for out members.

I would like tow elcome five new members to the Southern Region – Rebecca Homfray, Bedmonton Flock; Mark and Karen Friend, Friend Flock;Charlie Barrett and Georgia Ellis, Froxfield Flock; Chris and Carrie Lampitt; and Nicholas and Emily Fitter, Fitter Flock.

The Southern Region open day, regional AGM and judges’ seminar will take place on October 19th and will be hosted by Hannah Watson at the Canterbury Trust at Woodbridge, Kent, so please support this event.

Wendy Sharp with her champion ewe and Tom Gorringe with his father’s reserve champion ewe lamb at Kent County Show

We attended the Kent County Show which unfortunately did not have the usual beautiful weather but we had a good attendance in the Jacob classes with up to 13 entries in some classes which was lovely to see and a great time was had by all.

At the time of writing Edenbridge and Oxted Show is our next local show and we are hopeful for a good entry.

If you need any advice or help with your flock or the Society please give me a call.

The Gorringe family’s winning group of three at Kent County Show