South Wales Texel Breeders Association /

SOUTH WALES CLUB - ANNUAL DINNER

11th November 2011

The South Wales Texel Club held its annual dinner at the White Hart, Llandeilo on Friday the 11th November 2011.

John Hardwicke (Abercrychan), Club Vice Chairman deputised at short notice due to the absence of Chairman Hywel Davies (Tyrcan) who was recuperating from a back strain. On that theme the thoughts of the club are also with Walt Jones (Divlyn) who dislocated his knee in an ATV accident and is recuperating in Glangwili Hospital. Brysia i wella Walt.

The Guest speaker was Bernard Llewellyn MBE, who was himself due to speak the previous year but had to pull out at short notice due to a bout of gastroenteritis. You have to wonder whether the support the Club has shown over the years at this event for a medical charity, The Welsh Air Ambulance, is any coincidence!

Bernard Llewellyn in full flow

Bernard gave an informative and entertaining talk. He advises the European Commission on behalf of the NFU and started by giving his personal take on CAP reform. He also gave the members a bit of his history as Farmer and Tourism Entrepreneur at Castell Carreg Cennen. Bernard says not everybody will be as fortunate as he was in having a Medieval Castle on his wife’s Farm. To their credit, The Llewellyn’s have invested a lot of money in building a function room in the style of an old oak framed barn and a glass fronted “wood shed”. Licensed for wedding ceremonies, it has a stunning view of the Castle and the Cennen Valley. Bernard is a renowned breeder of Longhorn Cattle having won Breed Champion at all three mainland Royal shows. He also holds the record for the top three sale prices for Longhorn Bulls and was a one time holder of the female price record. Bernard also gave a few anecdotes from his provision of the Longhorns and other animals for period TV Dramas and Films.

Bernard then did the honours of presenting plaques to the flock competition winners. First in the Large flock and Champion overall were Trudy & James Davies (Trujim) 2nd Large flock was Deri John Morgan (Tynewydd) and 3rd was DJJ Watkins & Co (Cwmcerrig).

Bernard hands the Championship plaque to Jim and Trudy Davies (Trujim)

1st in the intermediate flock was Diane Evans (Whitland) 2nd Powell and Marion Jones (Llanthomas) and 3rd Derek Jewell (Dwynant)

1st in the small flock was Irena Lewis (Einon) 2nd were Alfryn & Christie Davies (Ifan Ddu) and 3rd was Alan & Owen Hughes (Vale)

Best gimmers – Tynewydd, 2nd – Trujim, 3rd – Cwmcerrig

Best Stock Ram – Glenside Royal Welsh (Einon), 2nd - Haltcliffe Phoenix (Keith Evans, Scurlage Castle) 3rd – Penparc President (Llanthomas)

It fell to Club Chairman Hywel Davies (Tyrcan) to choose the Club Member of the year. In his absence he provided a citation which was read out by Club Secretary Gareth Griffiths, which had been signed by him and handed to the recipient, Keith Evans (Scurlage Castle). The Chairman’s citation is reproduced below in full. Again Bernard handed Keith the Bowl and a plaque.

The Evans Family, Scurlage Castle, with Keiths Bowl and plaque.

In the raffle and auction almost £500 was raised for our adopted charity, the Air Ambulance. Our thanks must go to those who donated prizes, especially Alfryn “DADs” Davies (Ifan Ddu) and his “box of tricks” including magical golden eggs (don’t ask!) and of course those who bought the auction lots.

A guest from the Isle of Man, Kiri Kermode (Orrisdale) with young club member Tom Evans (Welsh)

The Club now looks forward to its annual in lamb ewe sale at Llandovery in December. Details of our January meeting will be circulated by the Secretary shortly.

Club member of the year - citation

In deciding on whom to give this award to I thought to myself; if I must differentiate between club members and attribute to them relative value, then it would only be fair that I should do so on some logical basis. As far as I am concerned the purpose of this club is to assist its members to sell their sheep to best advantage. In that regard the recipient of the award is not only a regular vendor at club sales (indeed he was the only vendor from the club area at last year's in lamb ewe sale) but crucially he has purchased the majority of his stock rams from club members and at club sales. He attends the ram safari annually and has purchased rams on the strength of what he has seen. That makes the effort of organising the event so much more worthwhile. I have visited his flock many times and it improves every time I see it. Therefore for proving that South Wales Club members can produce stock rams to improve each others flocks I am happy to give this award to Mr Keith Evans, Scurlage Castle.

Hywel Davies
Chaiman South Wales Texel Club.