Solway & Tyne Texel Sheep Breeders Club

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2009 Club Report

Club AGM
The New Year opened with the annual AGM held in January at the Auctioneer in Carlisle, where there was a good turnout from local members old and new and also a chance for the members to ask Gordon Gray various questions regarding the Society. The club also asked the new Chief Executive of Harrison & Hetherington, Brian Richardson, to do a short talk about himself and his plans for the Auction Mart going forward. Both talks were very formative and interesting.

Trip to Ireland
Our annual weekend trip this year took us over the water again, this time to Southern Ireland. So as not to make ourselves feel too rushed over the weekend we extended it to 4 days this year, which proved a great success. We saw some fantastic flocks both large and small and the hotels and hospitality were second to none.

Our thanks must go to Jim Walker who helped us organise things, without him the trip would not have been the great success it was. The majority of the hosts managed to join us on the Saturday evening for a meal and drinks, quite a few of us stopped up to the early hours drinking and chatting. The club would like to thank everyone involved in the trip for making the members so welcome.

Flock visit to Hexel and Kelso flocks
In July the club had an enjoyable day in the Borders. We visited Donald McPherson’s Hexel flock in the morning and also saw his herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle before heading on to the next visit to Malcolm Reid’s Kelso flock. We saw some fantastic sheep at both visits and our thanks once again go to both families for their hospitality.

Annan flock visit
A few members on the Ireland trip asked Keith if we could visit his flock for a night visit, we weren’t too sure if he had said yes after having a few drinks and if he would regret it once realising what he had said yes to! There was an excellent turnout on the August evening with members travelling some way. As well as seeing some fantastic sheep we also got the chance to look round the new dairy enterprise, our thanks go to Keith and John and family for the great hospitality.

Agri Expo 2009
This was the third year that Harrison & Hetherington had held this, and yet again this proved to be a good day for the club and society with 10,000 people attending the day. We look forward to seeing you at this event in 2010.

Flock competition
The flock competition this year was judged by Alex Brown from the ‘Stonefieldhill’ flock. Once again our chauffer Harry Woodmass drove him around the countryside, seeing some good flocks, and after making his decision, Alex came back to our AGM in January to present the prizes.

Curling night at Lockerbie
For the second year we decided to have a fun and enjoyable night at Lockerbie Ice Rink curling. For some of us it was just another night at the sport they do a few nights a week in the winter, but the majority of us back from last year were there to try to improve on the previous year. It was nice to see new faces there this year and we are already looking forward to next years evening of fun.

Sales
The first sale, judged by Paul Quick saw the championship go to a gimmer from the Matrix flock. Dumfriesshire breeder David Kerr of Castle Douglas consigned for the first time to the Solway & Tyne Texel breeders club sale with his entry of two gimmers from his Matrix flock, lifted the top accolade of the Supreme Championship trophy in the pre-sale judging, then went onto scoop the top price of the female sale at 8,000gns.The leading price for ram lambs went to The Castlecairn pen from Bruce Renwick of Kelso. Castlecairn Prince was knocked down at 5,000gns. Leading the Shearling ram section at 4,400gns was Douganhill Othello from Douganhill Farms.
Averages:- Shearling gimmers £585.71, Shearling Rams £662.95, Aged Rams £834.75, Ram lambs £656.23.

The second sale, judged by David McKerrow, saw the top price go to Alan Mounsey which sold for 2,600gns. Averages:- Shearling gimmers £387.50, Shearling Rams £460.38, Aged Rams £682.50, Ram lambs £405.74

The in-lamb sale held in December was kindly judged by Ronnie Sym. Top price went to a Claybury gimmer from Claybury Texels knocked down at 1,400gns.
Averages:- Aged Ewes £245.25, Shearling gimmers £431.21, Ewe lambs £288.75.

Thank you to all club members who have helped out over the last year and supported the clubs events and to all committee members for their continued support and help.

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