2009 Club Report
by Nadia Gwynne

I start my report with the Welsh Winter Fair 2008. 24,336 people came through the gates on the 1st and 2nd December to enjoy the atmosphere. The Simmental stand looked excellent and was a credit to the Welsh Club members. Fiona Sloan met and greeted visitors to the stand, which was buzzing with activity throughout the two days. On display was a pre 1996 cross bred cow with a whopping bull calf from Robert and Kay Vincent (Collins), and three cracking Simmental cross heifers, from Winford and Joyce Jones (Oakdale). Thank you to both. We had a pat on the back when we won Reserve Best Trade Stand.

Presentation

Our Christmas dinner was next, at the Marina Hotel, Aberystwyth. We had an excellent after dinner speaker who kept his routine clean as there are were plenty of children present. At the Calf Show in December (which we covered in last year’s report) and the Winter Fair, we raised £350, which was presented to the Welsh Air Ambulance during the dinner.

Our AGM in March was also held at the Marina Hotel in Aberystwyth. All officials were re-elected, as follows: Chairman: Nadia Gwynne Vice Chairman: Winford Jones Secretary: Gethin Lloyd Treasurer: Aled Davies.

In April came the Ludlow Show and Sale, where we had success with Chesterman Vinney, winning Supreme Champion and later selling for 3300 guineas. None of our Welsh members exhibited at Carlisle in the spring.

In May the Show season started for some with Cothi Bridge Show. This is a local show which longstanding Club member Brian Raymond (Bennant) helps to organise. The show is very well supported by the Club. Congratulations to Aled Davies who had Supreme Champion with Hirwaun Washy and Brian and Kitty Raymond who had Reserve Champion with Ben-Nant Whitney. Thank you to the Judge, Anthony Davies (Welston). Congratulations also to all other exhibitors.

June saw the National Show in Cornwall, where three of our Welsh Club herds exhibited, and had success. Gethin and Enfys Lloyd won third with their young bull Crugmelyn Wellies and third with their heifer Raceview Willow Nicolette in very strong classes. Aled Davies achieved Fourth, and later Reserve Champion in the Interbreed with Hirwaun Washy and finally our own bull Chestermann Winston had a First Prize, and went on to win Reserve Male Champion. William also won First in the Calf Class. Congratulations to all exhibitors. Thankyou and ‘well done’ to Penny Lally (Chairman) and the Cornish Club for a fantastic show and excellent hospitality - we had a really warm welcome. The stewards looked very impressive in their bowler hats, and we really enjoyed the barbecue - thankyou! The 2010 National Show will be held at the Great Yorkshire - good luck to all involved.

The Aberystwyth show took place on a lovely sunny day. Simmental Club members were out in force and made the most of the gorgeous weather by having a lovely group picnic. Seeing so many members enjoying themselves together made me proud to be part of the Welsh Club. Congratulations to Stuart, Sian, Tom, Edwina, Claire, Nerys and Dave - The Jones (Llwynmelyn herd) who won Supreme Champion with Llwynmelyn Vanilla. Thank you, to the Judge Gethin Lloyd. ‘Well done’ to everyone who exhibited.

The Royal Welsh Show in July began well, with a lovely sunny day for the judging. Unfortunately things didn’t run as smoothly in the marquee, where the caterers failed to show due to ‘swine flu’ - but as usual everyone pulled together to produce the sandwiches and tea for after the judging. Thank you Claire from the office for your culinary efforts in the sandwich department! Welsh Club members had successes, with Red Rosettes going to B and R Jones - Dolwen Vernon; R Jones - Banwy Warrior; B and K Raymond - Ben - Nant Vera. Thank you to the Judge, Peter Grenham (Boarshead). Congratulations to all exhibitors. Well done - without your hard work there would be no show.

Congratulations to Carys Davies for winning the Dyfed Trophy for Best Young Stockperson. The Judge was Fiona Sloan. The award was presented at the barbecue, which looked to be under threat from the rain. Luckily the rain held off and 124 people attended this enjoyable social evening. A cup was also presented belatedly to Wyn Jenkins (Penwern), for winning the trophy for the most points scored during the 2008 Show Season. Thank you to Huw Davies and Merion Jones who cooked the food, and to all members for working hard to make the evening a success. Congratulations to all Welsh members who attended Shows too numerous to mention. Hopefully all successes will be included in the Review. Thankyou to all the Judges who came to Wales - we hope you enjoyed your visit and look forward to welcoming you again in the future.

The Welsh Club would like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Hitchins (Boddington Estates) for the wonderful hospitality, we would also like to thank their hard working professional team of Stockmen, this trip was run in conjunction with the South East Group, Fab Weather, Fab Stock and Fab Food.

September brought our herd visit to Scotland. We began with the Dirnanean Herd. Thank you to the McGowan family for your excellent hospitality and warm welcome and for showing us your superb herd. We then visited the Strathisla Herd of Adrian Ivory, and the Blair Herd. We saw Adrian’s fab handling system, his bulls that were heading for Sterling, and his quality cows. Thank you.

On our way back to the hotel we called in at Perth’s old favourite, ‘The Isle of Sky’ where we had a lovely carvery. Some of us decided to see a bit of the local night life before turning in, and lead by our (now ex) entertainment manager Gerald, we set out walking into town. After enquiring at a local garage, Gerald assured us that ‘town’ was 5 minutes away, but after 20 minutes walking we realised that this was 5 minutes travelling in a very fast car, and not on foot! We eventually crawled into town, and found a hospitable pub, where a good time was had by all. We treated our sore feet to a taxi back to the hotel. We have taken the precaution of sacking Gerald before our next trip away!

Day two of our trip began with a visit to the Innerwick Herd of Dorothy and Leslie Moffat. We saw superb quality cattle to be proud of, and received excellent hospitality, with home cooking second to none. Thankyou for making us feel so welcome. We also visited a quality Commercial Herd, with Dorothy’s neighbour Ross. I have to admit, I was a little frightened on the steep incline to Ross’ land, despite his excellent tractor driving! We moved on to the Woodhall Herd of Hector and Fiona Macaskill - another scarily steep climb to view the cows but well worth it. We then went back to the yard to look at the bulls, followed by some excellent hospitality. We were all impressed with the size and quality of the cattle. Thankyou very much for looking after us so well, and we would love to return the hospitality Thankyou to Gethin for organising such an enjoyable trip – we all had a great time. Looking forward to next year!

The end of September saw our herd competition. Thank you to the Judge, James Kimber (Beanhill) and to Belinda and the children for spending four days judging herds in Wales. Thank you to Delyth, Huw and family (Hirwaun) and Wyn Jenkins (Penwern) for co–hosting the presentation and doing a lovely lunch and subsequent herd visits.

The Stirling Bull Sales in October were in the new market. All went well with a fantastic line up of Welsh Members’ bulls. Congratulations to Aled Davies, for Senior Champion, then Reserve Champion Overall with Hirwaun Washy. Da Iawn Ti! He later sold for 7000 guineas. The Welsh Club wishes United Auctions every success at the new market. The Welsh Club members will be back again in February.

On October 28th we were saddened to hear of the death of one of our past members, Dafydd Tarris, (NewQuay, Ceredigion). The Club Members send their condolences to his family.

In November we held our National Welsh Club Calf Competition, again in conjunction with the British Blues. Entries were up on last year with thirty-two Simmental calves entered. Warm mulled wine, sandwiches and scones, served throughout the day made it another wonderful show. Congratulations to Aled Davies’ Hirwaun Alice – Supreme Champion, and to Aled and Rebecca Evans for Reserve Supreme Champion with Alreb Winkle. Thank you to all Club members for your efforts, in making a fantastic day. A big thank you to Jimmy McMillan, for taking time out to judge. Sorry Kathy couldn’t make it, but look forward to seeing you soon. A big thank you to all our sponsors, especially our main sponsors, Nigel and Delyth Scudamore - Bailey Farm Feeds, for their continued support of the Welsh Simmental Club. The Club would also like to congratulate their daughter, Carian Scudamore, who has had recent success winning the European Junior Show-jumping Championship.

Finally for November, we personally had success at Carlisle with Chestermann Katy, winning Female Champion and Reserve overall, and later selling for 4,000 guineas. Well done to Aneurin and Heulwen Francis for selling Pistyll William for 2,500 guineas.

Our Welsh Young Members had numerous successes. Carys and Gethin Davies and Iwan Jones coming second out of 53 teams at the Royal Highland Show Stockjudging Competition. Angharad Francis won the Duke of Edinburgh Perpetual Trophy for Stockjudging at the Royal in Stoneleigh. She judged beef cattle, sheep and pigs, combined with a two-part questionnaire. Rhys Francis attained the Highest Individual Points in the Duke of Edinburgh, judging sheep. He also went on to win the 16 and under Stockjudging Shield for the second year running. Rhys and Angharad also won Joint Individual Junior section Under 21s Stockjudging competition at the Royal, automatically becoming the top team.

I would like to end my report by thanking all the Welsh Club Members for their help, support and friendship because that is what it is all about. I would like to thank the office staff for all their help, and wish Fiona every success in her future employment. You will be missed by us all. Finally, I would like to wish our members a happy and prosperous new year- Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i’r aelodau’r Clwb Simmental Cymru.

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