Scottish Texel Sheep Breeders Club

Report for Scottish Texel club visit to Humeston farm Maybole by kind permission of the Gilmour Family

7th August 2011

Around 100 or so Scottish club Texel breeders and friends congregated to Maybole on Sunday the 7th of August to visit Humeston farm by kind permission of the Gilmour family.

The weather wasn’t kind to us all but we had soon forgotten about it as we took in the terrific surroundings and the outstanding stock on show. The Gilmour family had gone to a lot of work to pen all their sheep and put up a marquee in the field across from the farm which looked over to the Isle of Arran and the Ailsa Craig, and although the sheep didn’t have the best of days to show themselves off they still managed to look terrific in all groups.

We got a taste of the stock to start with as we had 7 classes of stockjudging. Four Texels, two Suffolk’s and 1 special class of "ducks" which took everyone by surprise, even master Judge Alec Gray!

After the stockjudging the Humeston and Culzean flocks were brought through in their batches for all to see, there was much interest in them all and we could see why the Gilmour’s have been having a lot of success in recent years.

There was especially much interest in the final batch though, the tup lambs for the forthcoming sales were looking very good indeed and we wish the two Johns and their family’s all the very best with them.

After the viewing we then gathered in the marquee for a very welcome afternoon tea and something to eat, kindly provided by the Gilmour’s, which rounded off a terrific flock visit for 2011.

Before the end we announced the stockjudging results which were as follows-

Judged by Alec Gray – LANGSIDE

Open
3rd Archie Clark (264)
2nd Emma Crozier (269)
1st Gordon Murdie (276)

Junior
3rd Nicola Gibb (233)
2nd James Dunlop (243)
1st Caroline Hamilton (250)

The side competition ‘ducks’- class 7, in total five members got this correct, Gordon Gray, Peter Gray, Keith Campbell, Alan Parker and Robert Struthers

Vice chairman Callum Wight proposed a vote of thanks to all especially the Gilmour family for the terrific show they put on, to all who all who helped out and to all who attended, thanks to you all. John Gilmour thanked all his family and friends for helping out as well.

Chairman Kenny had a few intimations, mainly about a proposed young Scottish Texel breeders club which the club would like to get up and running, we are looking for any ideas and volunteers to come forward and let us know what you think or indeed to get involved in? There is much support from the society for a youth group and we would very much like to get something started very soon.

At the tea a collection was made for cancer research which we are told raised the terrific sum of £100.

Kenny thanked all once again before wishing all a successful sale season and safe journey home.