2005 CLUB REPORT

by Alan Bishop

Club members met at the Farmers Club, Whitehall, in March for our Annual General Meeting.  After the formalities, our guest speaker, Julie Robinson of Roythorne & Co 
 (Agricultural Solicitors), gave us an in-depth talk on the Single Farm Payment scheme and all its pitfalls.  Having filled in all the forms, will we ever receive the money?

A number of club members supported the sale at Bristol, notably the Beeches herd with a consignment of 18 heifers.  Congratulations to them for taking Champion and Reserve Champion awards and achieving good prices for well-presented stock.

As winners of our 2004 Herd competition, Mike and Janet Jones (Beeches) hosted a herd visit for club members in June, followed by an enjoyable spread – our thanks to them for their hospitality.

This year’s competition took place in early August, and our thanks go to Meirion Jones for giving up four days to judge.  We look forward to welcoming him to our annual dinner in November to present the prizes.

Many of our members supported local and county shows, with some notable successes.  Once again we congratulate the Clements family on their success with Darsham Kit Kat with her hat-trick of wins at the Royals.  Congratulations also to the Sapseds for Female Champion at South of England and Interbreed Champion at Bucks County with AWL Starlet 8E, and Rhys Grenham for Interbreed Champion at Kent. 

At the Royal Show Stock judging competition, Jack Hawkins (11 years old) was outright winner of the junior section, and in the team section, Emma and Katie Ogden shared 2nd place.

At the Royal Show Stock judging competition, Jack Hawkins (11 years old) was outright winner of the junior section, and in the team section, Emma and Katie Ogden shared 2nd place.  Congratulations to these young enthusiasts – what an achievement for one family!  Thanks also to Anne Jukes, our team manager.

In September we were joined by the Essex Beef Group on a visit to Forsham Farm, Maidstone, to view Nick Bates’ commercial suckler herd of Simmental x Sussex cattle, which demonstrated our breed’s versatility both as a terminal sire and as a crossing sire for suckler cow production.  Anne Jukes organised Sunday lunch in the local pub for our party of 40 to round off a most enjoyable day.

My thanks go to all who have helped and supported the club over the year, especially to Peter Grenham, who has been our Secretary for some years, and his family who once again kindly hosted a golfing day at their Boars Head course.

I finish my report with the sad news of the death of Albert Clements on 1st October.  A supporter of many breeds of cattle, as well as pigs, Albert loved to share his many show memories with fellow exhibitors, and we will all miss him.  Our condolences go to Mary, Paul and all the family.

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