2006 REPORT
by Jane Pick

At the time of writing the club is looking forward to the Annual Dinner to be held at the Golden Fleece, Thirsk on the 25th November. The dinner is one of the highlights of the year for the club and is dominated by the presentation of awards competed for throughout the year.

August saw the judging of our biennial Herd Competition. Mrs Margaret Addison did us the honour of judging the 9 herds that entered the competition and has kindly accepted our invitation to join us at the dinner to present the prizes. A special thank you must also go to Chris Addison for ably and efficiently chauffeuring our judge around some very unfamiliar countryside!

The category winners are as follows;
Large Herds;
1st J & G Smith ( Moorside)
2nd J & D Greensit (Goskins)
3rd P & C Goldsbrough (Copper Mill) and D Burkill (Beechtree)

Small Herds:
1st D & J Pick (Scarthingwell)
2nd G Towers (Tidkin)
3rd D & C Lambert (Rainbow)

Best Stock Bull over 3 years
1st A Wise (Swaleside Knightrider)
2nd P & C Goldsbrough (Milnafua Keystone)
3rd J & D Greensit (Hazelden Promise)

Best Young Bull under 3 years (Home bred)
1st D Burkill (Beechtree Simon)
2nd P & C Goldsbrough (Copper Mill Sparrowhawk)
3rd N & A Hunter (Derwentwood Tornado)

Best group of heifers born 2005
1st J & G Smith (Moorside)
2nd J & D Greensit (Goskins)
3rd G Towers (Tidkin)

Best Cow and Calf (born 2006)
1st J & G Smith (Moorside Lorna and Calf)
2nd D & J Pick (Scarthingwell Hannah and Calf)
3rd D Burkill (Beechtree Lilac and Calf)

Judges own award;
D & C Lambert (Rainbow) for Moorside Loretta’s Taffeta.

Overall winner - J & G Smith (Moorside)
Reserve D & J Pick (Scarthingwell)

The Henry Pickering Memorial trophy for the highest placed young member in the junior judging competition at this year’s Royal Show goes to Katie Lambert. The Dalgety show trophy for the herd gaining most points at local shows will be awarded to John and Gill Smith ‘Moorside Herd’.

The beginning of the year saw the passing of a founder member of the North East Simmental Club and one of the original importers of Simmental Cattle, Mr Will Oates (Ravensworth) at the age of 94. He was a true cattleman who will be sadly missed.

In February the club was invited to take part in the Interbreed Quiz at the Fox and Hounds, Langthorpe by kind invitation of the Limousin Club. Our team for the evening was David & Jayne Pick, Brian & Anne Wise and Jim Brindley. We certainly did the club proud coming a very close second to the Charolais Club. As usual it was a very enjoyable social evening.

The club’s AGM was held on Wednesday 15th March with the Society’s Breed Development & Promotions Manager, Fiona Sloan in attendance. The main change for the club was Jim Brindley stepping down as Chairman with David Burkill taking over the reins. Thanks must go to Jim for all his work over the last 2 years.

Carlisle show & sale in April saw NE member Mr Andrews, Holt Farm, Holmfirth take Supreme Championship with his in-calf heifer ‘Holtstead Lydia’ later selling her for 2,000gns.

In May the club held its inaugural sale at Thirsk in conjunction with Thirsk Auction Market. A special thank you must go to Brian and Anne Wise who were instrumental in organising the Sale at such short notice. A packed sale ring saw 100% clearance of stock. The days top price of 1,500gns went to Eastern Club Chairman Jack Wilkins for his 2002 homebred cow ‘Ulceby Nellie’ with her bull calf at foot. The purchaser being North East Club member Mr Leach, Ringstone Royd Farm, Halifax. Thanks to vendors and purchasers alike it turned out to be a very successful sale. See you all next year when the brand new market will be up and running.

The new Market, renamed Thirsk Rural Business Centre, will be the venue for the World Congress visit on 24th June 2008 when members will have the opportunity to display their cattle to the delegates.

In June we were blessed with glorious evening sunshine for our annual pilgrimage to Ripon Racecourse. All those attending took a picnic and it was a really enjoyable, but unfortunately unprofitable evening!

Beechtree Herd Visit and Barbecue

On 25th June the North East and the Eastern club were invited to view David Burkill’s Beechtree Herd of Simmental and Charolais cattle, again we were lucky with the weather and the clubs were treated to a lovely show of cattle. It was very pleasing that the afternoon was well supported by our members. Afterwards there was a ‘bring & share’ BBQ which was enjoyed sat in the garden.

July saw the Junior Judging at the Royal Show. Our team for this year was Robert and Katie Lambert - well done to you both for having a good try. Club member Gill Smith also had a very memorable Royal. She was competing for the first time and not only gained 1st prize with her 2005 homebred heifer ‘Moorside Lorna’s Snowqueen’, but was later awarded Junior Champion - what an achievement!

The Yorkshire show followed the week after the Royal. It was a record attendance at the show and although exhibitors were down from previous years, the quality remained high. Thanks must go to all exhibitors who travelled great distances to the show and to all NE members who supported the show either through showing or providing refreshments for the box. Your help does not go unnoticed.

Perth in October saw two of our Club Officers attain success with their cattle. Chairman David Burkill exhibited his bull ‘Beechtree Simon’. He came 2nd in his class and later sold for 5000gns. Treasurer Caroline Goldsbrough and husband Peter saw their heifers ‘Copper Mill Laura’s Sixpence’ sell for 2600gns and 1800gns respectively. Congratulations, it’s encouraging to see North East Members doing so well up at Perth.

Finally, I would like to thank all Committee and Club Members for their help and support throughout the year and wish everyone a happy and successful year ahead.

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