Welsh Simmental Club Stand at the Winter Fair

2005 REPORT
by Huw Davies

My report starts with the 2004 Welsh Winter Fair, and as always the Simmental stand was looking as good as ever and provided the visiting public with plenty to think about. There were two quality cross bred bulls in one pen provided by Mr Wyn Jenkins, Penwern herd, the other pen consisted of four pedigree young bulls, one provided by Mr Gethin Lloyd, Crugmelyn herd, and one from Mr Aled Davies, Hirwaen herd and two from Meirion and Linda Jones, Dyfed herd and a lot of interest was shown by local farmers.

Following soon after the Winter fair we had our Annual Club dinner which this year was held at the Penybont Inn, Llanfynydd where Angharad Jones, Dyfed herd, was presented with the Society shield sponsored by Meirion and Linda Jones for the best young handler during the show season, a competition held throughout the UK.

Angharad Jones age 15 years Champion Young Handler, Welsh Region 2005.

During the winter we met for our monthly meetings where several interesting topics were discussed, and a chance to catch up with local gossip and Society matters. In March we had our Annual General Meeting, I was elected Chairman and Nadia Gwynne elected as Vice Chairman with other officials being re-elected, Anwen Jones as Secretary and Aled Davies as Treasurer, the Society was represented by Chris Martindale from Council.

One of the most important events on our calendar for the year was the National Beef Event which this year was being held at the Royal Welsh show ground, Builth Wells on June 8th. The Beef Event had not been to Wales for several years and it was important to make it a day to remember. The Club members as always put in a tremendous effort to make it a success. We had a large stand with animals provided that were of outstanding character and quality. The stand was made up of a row of five young bulls, a pen of three cross breed heifers and a mature bull, two of the bulls were provided by Brian and Kitty Raymond, Bennant herd, and two from Gethin Lloyd, Crugmelyn herd and one from Meirion and Linda Jones, Dyfed herd. Next to them was a pen of three cross breed bulling heifers, again from Brian and Kitty Raymond and the other pen was filled by the well known show bull Sundial Lewis from Meirion and Linda Jones, it was a credit to them all for providing the Beef Event with such quality animals that drew the attention of everyone that came past. It was nice to see Mr John Dykes the Society President and other prominent members of the Society supporting the event.

Cattle at the Beef Expo stand 2005 - Builth Wells.

The Club held a competition open to everybody to guess the weight of the three heifers, which was well supported. The winning prize was a £100 Hamper kindly donated by Nat West Bank and was won by the Club Chairman. During the day the Wales Young Farmer’s Club held a stock judging competition open to all age groups; this was sponsored by the National Beef Association and it was good to see the under 18 section being won by the youngest competitor of the day, Rhys Francis, Pistyll herd, from the Welsh Simmental Club and winning on his first attempt at Stock Judging at 9 years old. Rhys received a cheque for £200 and a ticket to the Royal Smithfield Show 2006.

Next on the calendar was the Royal Show of England where again we turn to the young members of the future with the Welsh Team Arwel Jones, Mountainside herd and Angharad Francis, Pistyll herd winning the junior stock judging competition held by the Simmental Society in conjunction with the Belgian Blue and British Blonde Societies. Arwel was placed first and Angharad second for giving the best reasons, Da Iawn. I must congratulate these young members and all young competitors for doing so well and showing such interest in these competitions. Congratulations also to Miss Anwen Jones, Cefngwlad herd for being elected as Secretary of the Simmental Young Members Association; we wish them all the success for the future. Congratulations to Meirion and Linda Jones and family for winning 1st prize and Male Champion at the Royal Show with their bull Sundial Lewis, who went on to win many championships during the show season. Another 1st prize winner at the Royal Show was Wyn Jenkins and Gwyndaf Evans with their in-calf heifer Celtic Noelle; it was the first time they had exhibited at the Royal of England Show. Da Iawn Chi!

The following event was the popular Royal Welsh Show where again the Simmental classes were very well supported and we congratulate everyone who took part and especially a young member Eifion Davies, Gilweis herd, exhibiting for the first time and winning 1st prize in the junior heifer class with Gilweis Pat. Meirion and Linda won the Male Championship and Reserve Overall Championship with Sundial Lewis, and also going on to win the Fitzhugh Trophy for the interbreed pairs with the Overall Champion Darsham Kit Kat. This was an incredible achievement as it was the first time it had been won by the Simmental breed. Other Welsh members gaining 1st prize were Wyn Jenkins and Gwyndaf Evans with their cow Pasturefields Mia. On Tuesday night once again we held a barbeque on the stand where over 80 members attended and enjoyed the evening in a wonderful atmosphere. A new competition held during the show was the young stockperson competition held by the Simmental Young Members Association and sponsored by Meirion and Linda Jones; this was won by Niki Hughes, the daughter of John Hughes, a Welsh bred stockman at Boddington Estates.

After a hectic show season it was nice to relax with a club trip to visit the well known Hockenhull herd of Mr Hugo Arnold and family; we received a warm welcome and brilliant hospitality, a great day was enjoyed by everyone, and the cattle seen certainly lived up to their reputation.

During September we had our Annual herd competition. This year it was judged by Mr Bruce Mckay from Pembrokeshire, entries were good and the judge commented that he had seen good quality cattle of a high standard and the results were as follows:

Large Herd: Nick and Nadia Gywnne
Medium Herd: Brian and Kitty Raymond
Small Herd: John Howell
Best Bull: Meirion and Linda Jones
Best Cow: Nick and Nadia Gwynne
Young Stock: Brian and Kitty Raymond
Progeny Group: Joint 1st: John Howell and Brian and Kitty Raymond
Newcomer: Wyn Jenkins and Gwyndaf Evans
Best Pedigree Calf: Aled Davies
Cross Bred Calf: Wyn Jenkins
Overall Herd winners: Brian and Kitty Raymond
Reserve: John Howell

Congratulations to Brian and Kitty Raymond and all who took part in this competition; also our congratulations to Gethin Lloyd and family for winning the Championship at Ludlow Simmental Show and Sale with their bull Crugmelyn Roger.

This year the society has seen some changes and by now we have all met Fiona Sloan and we would like to wish her well in the future with the Society. We have also had an election of Council, and finally Wales have had recognition and have their own vote and may elect a Welsh member on to Council. Our congratulations to Meirion Jones for being elected on to Council to represent us and to continue his hard work for the Society and its members.

My thanks go to everyone who participated and took part at all events and competitions and those who helped us in promoting the Simmental breed during the year.

Unwaith eto diolch I bawb am eich cyfraniad at y brid a’r gymdeithas ac I bob un sydd wedi helpu yn ystod y flwyddyn.

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