2009 REPORT
by Peter Burgess

The Christmas meal again kicked off another year for the Club. Held as usual at The March Hare, Broughton Hackett the diners enjoyed the normal bumper meal, followed by a huge raffle. This event always has a very nice feel to it and is looked forward to by the members.

Our AGM was held in January in the meeting room at The Stoneleigh Park Farm Shop which is situated very close to the Simmental offices on the showground. The AGM was straight forward and so it was on to the quiz. The room was filled to capacity as teams representing South Devon Cattle, Charolais cattle, Blonde Cattle and Texel Sheep joined teams from the Club to exercise their brains, and I’m afraid I have to report it was the Charolais team that emerged victorious at the end of the evening.

May brought with it our Annual dinner held at the Kings Head in Worcester. I’ve never been anywhere that serves bigger meals than this place and it’s a real challenge to clear your plate!

Guest speaker this year was South West club member David Edwards who related tales of his time as a police officer in Bristol and Manchester to a hushed room. This was a sobering insight into inner city life and I would think a complete contrast to his present life as a farmer. Thank you David.

Kenilworth Show again proved fruitful for the Birch family, this time it was Stephanie who came out on top following on from her father’s success of the previous two years.

Another of our local shows, The Royal, was held at Stoneleigh for the last time, but produced best ever results for the breed with a clean sweep of the Inter-breeds including the prestigious Burke Trophy.

Congratulations to Boddington Estates for the major part they played in this fantastic achievement. By the way Jimmy McMillan said to be sure to mention him, so there you are Jim! Moreton-in- Marsh show followed the pattern of many shows this year with the Sterling team producing the Champion and Interbreed Champion with Sterling Viking 2nd.

The herd competition was held in early September. This years judge was renowned British Blue, Beef Shorthorn and Charolais breeder Danny Wyllie from Tamworth, who spent three days inspecting the clubs herds before agreeing to attend our Christmas meal in December to present the prizes. Many thanks to you Danny for judging and agreeing to return for the presentation.

Our Calf show was held at Cirencester Market at the end of September with a very good entry being put before experienced judge David Barker. David judged the cattle and the young handlers in his usual confident and decisive manner despite the ring being very full for several of the classes! Lots of people helped make this a very successful day, thanks to you all including of course Mr. Barker.

Farm Walk at David and Nikky Fields, Burytown Simmentals

A week later and a farm walk by very kind invitation of David and Nickky Fields, Burytown Simmentals. The Clubs members were joined by members of the South West Club on a very bright morning to be shown around this young herd. Credit must be given to David and Nikky for putting together this impressive herd in such a short time and with homebred heifers now coming into the herd it is certainly interesting times. Lunch, like the cattle, was a sight to behold and many thanks must go to David, Nikky and daughter Hannah, for such a splendid morning / afternoon.

As this has been my third year as Chairman it will also be my last and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee and members for their support during my term in office. Secretary Sam Evans, who is also standing down at the AGM, deserves a special mention for helping to make my time as Chairman painless and enjoyable and I would like to thank her on behalf of the Club for all the excellent work she has done in the last four years.

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