Club News

Midland & Southern Highland Cattle Club

Midland & Southern Highland Cattle Breeders Club Show

After a two year delay due to Covid the club was delighted to accept an invitation from the Rainey Family to visit their home at Bates Moor Farm near Dereham in Norfolk, so despite it being the weekend of the fuel shortage twenty two members and friends gathered at the farm on Sunday, 26th September 2021 to enjoy their kind hospitality.

Over coffee and biscuits vice-chairman Paul Harris welcomed everybody and introduced a representative of the charity “Nelson’s Journey” the chosen charity for the day who gave a brief insight into the work that they carry out on behalf of children and young people who have suffered bereavement. Latter in the day a raffle raised £507.50 towards this work.

Following coffee a tour began of the farm either on foot or taking a tractor ride. Izzi Rainey spent some time introducing us to her favourite show cattle as well as explaining her cross breeding policy with a Lincoln Red Bull with reference to birth weights etc. In the next field we were able to see a group of Lincoln Reds where most were pure bred but some were crossed with a Highland bull as an experiment.

Paul Harris with Eoin Mhor 5th of Harris & Guy Mumford with Urshula Dorothy 3rd of Yarchester

Guy Mumford & Paul Harris. An excellent lunch was enjoyed with a lavish selection of cakes for dessert in the barn where also on display was a selection of textiles designed and produced by Izzi’s company that she runs with her friend Lara. So not only did we view great cattle but had an opportunity to shop!! We had an excellent day in rural Norfolk and sincere thanks go to the Rainey family and friends for making our first Fold visit since Covid such a great success.

We looked forward to holding our A.G.M. in January 2022 at Ullesthorpe, but as cases of Covid began to rise again it felt safer to hold the meeting on line again this year. It was pleasing to have twenty members taking part and an input from, President Sir. James Paice and Vice President, Ann Chinner. It was with sadness that the meeting was informed of the death of Kathleen SingletonSmith of Dorset in a tragic accident in September 2021.

Unfortunately, a visit to Bates Moor Farm Shop in Shropshire in April had to be cancelled due to the family being taken ill with Covid, however we hope that the visit will take place at a later date.

Moving on into 2022 it is pleasing to see that with the lifting of covid restrictions many of our club members

Robert Tedbury & Champion at Norfolk Show.

have been able to be out and about on the showing circuit again and doing so very successfully for which we offer our sincere congratulations.

Three years after the original invitation was made the Club was finally able to meet at Hanbury to continue their tradition of holding an annual show around the region making it accessible to all members who show their cattle. So it was on a dull, rainy morning that fifteen cattle were presented to Mr.Les Wardle of Stoke -on-Trent to judge.

Results were as follows: BULL ANY AGE 1st Paul Harris Salford Eoin Mhor 5th of Harris 2nd Paul Harris Salford Ernie 1st of Yarchester

1st Paul Harris Salford

COW IN MILK Juiliette 3rd of Harris 2nd Paul Harris Salford Maggie May 3rd of Harris 3rd Rhian Thomas Pencader Gruagach of Caradog

HEIFER BORN AFTER 01/01/2019 1st Annie Perkins Bidford-on-Avon Ellie Dhubh of Thistle 2nd Annie Perkins Bidford-on-Avon Violet of Rose

HEIFER BORN ON OR AFTER 01/01/2020 1st Guy Mumford Brosely Urshula Dorothy 3rd of Yarchester 2nd Annie Perkins Bidford-on-Avon Chiara of Thistle 3rd Rhian Thomas Pencader Boidheach of Hunters 4th Paul Harris Salford Rosie 1st of Harris HEIFER BORN ON OR AFTER 01/01/2021 1st Guy Mumford Brosely Urshula Elenor 4th of Yarchester 2nd Guy Mumford Brosely Urshula Esme 5th of Yarchester 3rd Rhian Thomas Pencader Subhlair of Caradog 4th Barry Cambridge Wendy of Caradog Paul Harris followed up his success by being awarded Native Cattle Interbreed Champion and Beef Interbreed Reserve Champion with Eoin Mhor 5th of Harris. We look forward to meeting in the Autumn and to our A.G.M. on Sunday, 12th March 2023. Secretary- Elizabeth Gwynn –kingsmill@talktalk.net or tel.01989 750233 Chairman-Robert Tedbury-robert.tedbury@btinternet.com Judges Report from the Midland & Southern Club Show

PRESIDENTS CUP (champion on the day) Paul Harris with Eoin Mhor 5th of Harris JIM AYRES CUP (best animal of the opposite sex)

Guy Mumford with Urshula Dorothy 3rd of Yarchester DON JOHNSON CUP FOR PAIRS Guy Mumford from the Yarchester Fold JUNIOR CHAMPION Guy Mumford with Urshula Elenor 4th of Yarchester

It has been my privilege to judge the Midland and Southern club Highland Cattle show held this year at Hanbury Countryside show Worcestershire on Saturday 2nd July 2022.

The Highlanders being the strongest supported class at the show marred only slightly by rain showers sometimes heavy on the day.

This was my seventy- sixth Highland Cattle judging in over thirty years so I should be getting the hang of it.

Overall champion was a black four-year-old bull brought out by Messrs Mumford Yarchester fold and subsequently sent on to represent the breed in the interbreed class.

Reserve a black two-year-old from the same breeder.

I was particularly taken by a brindle two year old heifer entered by Messrs Annie Perkins and family that stood second in a strong class,this heifer is very correct and has real class striking in colour,one to watch out for.

I would like to thank Hanbury Show committee and the Midland and Southern club for their kind hospitality at this event.

Best regards Les Wardle - Judge

North of England Highland Cattle Club

North of England Highland Cattle Breeders Club Show

On the 18th June the NEHCBC held their club show at Rother Valley Country Park.

The farm at RVCP is only 5 minutes from the M1 motorway. 27 entries were present, ranging from yearlings to three year old heifers and yearling and 2 year old bulls.

A Buddy class was held in the morning to welcome and teach new members of which there were several pairs mentored by experienced members.

Robert Wain was invited to judge and he also gave tips and wisdom to the buddies through his judging.

After a lunch of Highland Beef and Pulled Pork, followed by some home baking the judging started with 12 entries in the yearling heifer class.

A heifer from David Booth Scholes Fold took First prize, with Robert Bradleys dun heifer second prize and Alison Whiteheads heifer came third in what the judge described as a strong class. Steve and Sue Sanderson from the Oxcroft Gold won the yearling bull class with a shapely young bull.

Oliver Ives.

Two-year-old heifers were well represented, and Oliver Ives won with his black heifer in another strong class.

Two-year-old Bulls Class was won by David Booths homebred animal by a Balmoral Bull.

Neil Fletcher.

Three-year-old heifers was won by the Harthill Fold ably handled by Neil Fletcher of Neil’s Halters.

The pairs class was well attended and filled the ring with 6 entries, Alison Whitehead won with a nice matching pair.

The championship was won by Oliver Ives black 2 year old heifer and reserve champion was won by the Harthill Fold three year old heifer.

Robert Wain did an excellent job, giving advice and praise where necessary and helping to make. a welcoming atmosphere for newcomers and experienced alike.

Overall the club show was a success with everyone participating and enjoying the craic after so long an absence.

The weather was cool and dry ideal for Highland Cattle and a good start for many for the season ahead.

Thanks must go to the team who helped prepare the venue and the sponsors who made it possible.