2008 REPORT
by Peter Burgess

The year started in the usual fashion with the Christmas meal at the March Hare, Broughton Hackett. A very good meal was enjoyed by the diners, which was followed by three presentations. Firstly thanks to Rob and Louise Fitton who travelled down from Lancashire to present the prizes for the 2007 Herd competition. The results are printed in last years Review. A presentation was then made to John Fellows who was about to become an Octogenarian. John is a founder member of the club and has been treasurer for as long as I can remember! A further presentation was made to another founder member, Rob Hewlett, who has stepped down from the manager’s post at Boddington Estates and is now in “semiretirement”. Best wishes to both of these club stalwarts. A bumper raffle rounded off a very enjoyable evening.

Due to the cancellation of our 2007 calf show the AGM was deferred to January and was held along-side a quiz. The AGM was over quickly with all of the club officers being returned. The well attended quiz, with quiz master yours truly, was won by a team from the Midland Club headed by the Martindales. Runners up were a team of Charolais breeders.

The annual dinner was held in early May at the Kings Head Worcester, where the size of the helpings has to be seen to be believed. Following the meal a presentation was made to club members Richard and Jill Wilcox to mark the occasion of their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations to you both. Guest speaker this year was local farmer Alan Grosvenor who kept the diners entertained with his hilarious tales and anecdotes. He is definitely to be recommended.

Kenilworth Show went ahead in early June and was well supported by Simmentals despite some regulars being unable to attend due to BTV restrictions. Winner of the Supreme Championship, for the second year in succession, was Roger Birch, this time with Pasturefields Turbo Tommy.

A farm walk was held in conjunction with the Midland and South West Clubs at the end of August in Lower Boddington, near Daventry. Firstly we visited the 200 cow commercial suckler herd of Bill and Mary Adams at Springfield Farm. Simmental and Angus bulls are used with Simmental X heifers kept for replacements. All other progeny is finished on farm and sold to Waitrose from about 18mths old.

This herd is a tremendous advert for the Simmental suckler cow in a commercial situation. Heifers are calved at two years old and the uniformity of the calves throughout the whole herd,both Simmental and Angus X , are a real testament to the mothering abilities of the Simmental cow. Being an arable farm as well, the winter rations are based on straw which also illustrates the adaptability of the breed. Many thanks to Bill and Mary and also Ed and Jenny Dudley. Ed is head stockman and gave a marvellous commentary as we were shown around the very impressive herd.

From here we went to Tilbrook Farm, also at Lower Boddington to look around the Chairman’s herd! There is no doubt of the main attraction on this visit -—- lunch! Thanks to Sarah for all her hard work in preparing a fabulous meal for the 50 or so people attending.

The herd competition took place in early September. Judges this year were Gethin and Envys Lloyd who after spending three days travelling around our area agreed to return and present the prizes at our calf show. Gethin and Envys also brought with them a special prize which they presented to David Savins of Warwickshire College for all of the work he does in encouraging the young to be involved in the breed. Many thanks to you both for undertaking the task.

The aforementioned calf show was held at the end of September at Cirencester market. The show was very well supported both in numbers of cattle and people. Fittingly the Judge this year was Graham Fishlock, ex herdsman at Boddington Estates, whose idea it was to hold such a show many years ago! The show this year was thrown open to non club members, however we might revert back next year as Male Champion was won by “outsiders” David and Lesley Sapsed! Thanks to Graham and everyone who helped to make the show such a success.

I would just like to finish by thanking the committee and members alike for supporting the club during the past year with special thanks to Secretary Sam Evans for the time and effort she gives the club. Here’s hoping for a restriction free year!

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