2008 REPORT
by Nadia Gwynne

I would like to start my report with a thank you to Aneurian Francis for the last three years as Chairman. I was proud to be elected as the Chairman for the Welsh Simmental Club and look forward to the challenge of promoting the breed.

The Perth bull sales in November were delayed by blue tongue restrictions. Despite this, Welsh Club members, the Jones family sold Banwy T Rex for 8,500 guineas. Carlisle came next with more Welsh club members’ success for the Raymond family with Supreme Champion Ben-nant Trader selling for 2,600 guineas. Congratulations to both families on their success!

The Welsh Winter Fair in December was a very successful two days. Thank you to all club members for their time and effort helping decorate and man the stand. Meirion Jones and Wyn Jenkins kindly loaned their cattle for the stand.

Our Christmas dinner was held in January at the Marine Hotel Aberystwyth. A good day was had by all, so I am told, as we were unable to attend, due to Nick not feeling very well! We look forward to attending this year, and meeting up with you in the New Year.

Our Annual General Meeting was held in March in Aberystwyth. We had another lovely Sunday lunch at the Marine Hotel. I was proud to be elected Chairman, with Winford Jones as Vice Chairman, Gethin Lloyd as Secretary and Aled Davies as Treasurer.

It was decided to have a duck race in order to raise money to sponsor the young members’ accommodation on the World Congress Tour. The Duck Race took place at a later meeting, and with baby Tomos’ help, we raised enough to pay for all the Young members’ accommodation at Preston on this exciting tour.

Welsh Club herd Competition Presentations and BBQ

We were pleased to win Supreme Champion with Chestermann Titan at Carlisle in April. He sold for 3,600 guineas. Both Carlisle trophies are now residing in Wales. Da Iawn Cymru!

The Welsh club joined the World Congress Tour at the Royal Highland Show in June. What a wonderful display of cattle- well worth the long journey. Thank you to the Scottish club for a warm welcome and a very nice lunch. Special thanks to Fiona and Claire for help with tickets and name tags. Congratulations to all exhibitors - you should be proud!

July was a busy month for us in the Welsh Club. With the Royal Welsh Show came a week of scorching hot weather. I think that must have been our summer! At the show we had the opportunity to move our stand to a more prominent position into the Breed Society Lines. I think we all agree that this was a very successful move. Thank you to Claire and all other Club members for your help setting up on Sunday, and manning the stand for the rest of the week. The Judge, Billy Macpherson did an excellent job. Congratulations to Wyn Jenkins with Penwern Rachel taking Supreme Champion. Reserve Champion went to our own Chestermann Varney, who later went on to win the M&S Junior Elite Bull Interbreed Champion. I know the Judge, Billy, and his wife Judy had a good time and we hope to see you both again at the Royal Welsh. Congratulations to Gethin Davies for winning Young Stock Person, also to Rhys Francis for winning the ‘16 and Under’ Questionnaire. The prize was a beautiful crystal bowl, kindly donated by Schering Plough. Thank you to David Meakin from Schering Plough Resflor for sponsoring us. We are all very proud of the Royal Welsh Show. It is a family friendly show, and with attendance figures of over 200,000 it is definitely a show not to be missed.

At the Royal Show in Stoneleigh, Rhys Francis was successful again, with a first in the Under 21’s Young Person Stock Judging. His sister Angharad took second in the Juniors and Arwel Jones was first in the Over 21’s. Angharad also did very well representing Wales in the Young Farmers Stockman of the Year Nationals, achieving reserve place. Well done to you all!

David Donnelly (Atlow Herd) kindly agreed to judge our Herd Competition in August. Well done Brian and Kitty. The results were announced at a barbeque and herd visit to Stuart and Sian Jones (Llwynmelyn Herd). Thank you to the Jones family for their hospitality, A great day was had by all. Thank you also to David and Susan, it really was lovely to see you both.

In September the Welsh Club members all pulled together to help at the Raymond family’s Ben-nant Herd reduction sale. Top prices reached 4,200 guineas for a cow and calf; in calvers to 4,000 guineas; bulling heifers to 3,400 guineas. Well done the Raymond Family.

Our club trip to Northern Ireland took place in September. Thank you again to David Hazelton (Ranfurly Herd) for organising our three day visit. The McIlwaine Family (Corrick Herd), The Forde Family (Mullyknock Herd), The Kelly Family (Ashland Herd), The Shaw Family (Glebefarm Herd), The Wilson Family (Ballinalare Farm Herd) and The Moore Family (Omorga Herd) all took time out to be our hosts. We were all impressed with the high quality of the herds that we saw. We also enjoyed the Irish welcome that we experienced throughout the tour! Thank you all for your wonderful hospitality and friendship. Everyone had a great time-we saw some excellent cattle, well done to you all for your stockmanship. The Welsh Club looks forward to returning your hospitality in the future.

The marriage of club members, Eirian and Siwan Rees took place in October. Congratulations to you both, we all wish you well. Pob lwc i’r dyfodol!

We personally had success at Perth Bull Sales with Chestermann Varney taking Senior Champion and later selling for 8,000 guineas. Nick and I are both still on cloud nine.

A calf show held at Llandovery Mart in December in association with Belgian Blues, was covered by S4C Welsh Television.

We had a very good turnout with 20 Simmental calves entered. A great time was had by all, with plenty of mince pies and warm mulled wine. We would like to thank our Judge, Roger Birch and his wife Anne who joined him for the day. A thank you also goes Nigel and Delyth Scudamore who sponsored the calf show.

A raffle was held, and in conjunction with the money raised at the Welsh Winter Fair a grand total of £330 was raised for the Welsh Air Ambulance. A big thank you goes to all our members for making this a very festive event.

We are only a small club, but what we lack in members we certainly make up for in enthusiasm. We welcome our new members who have joined over the past year. Thanks to all for your contributions - we really appreciate the time and effort you give to the club.

Finally I would like to wish Club Members and Simmental Members a A Happy and Prosperous New Year. Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i’r aelodau’r Clwb Simmental Cymru.

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