News
More money raised for Air Ambulance in 2009
A big thank you to those who collected money for the clubs chosen charity, the Air Ambulance. In total, £1700 was raised at shows throughout the summer (not always in sunny weather may I add!). In addition, £327 was raised at the AGM, thanks to the raffle that was run by Renate Fletcher and Lesley Burnett and the auction of a painting which was generously donated by Brian Cockburn.
The proceeds form the AGM will be split equally between our charity and club events for 2010. This means a grand total of £1864 will be distributed between the five Air Ambulances which cover our club’s district.
Club News Summer 2009
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Sheffield Town and Country Fair 2009
by Laura Phillip
So here we are again on the first bank holiday weekend in May, which only means one thing for us in the north of England, the Sheffield Highland Fling, now renamed the Sheffield Town and Country Fair. This year was a much bigger event spanning over two days and incorporating a great deal more within the show. I myself was on the organising committee, so thanks again to both Claire and Ian Holmes and of course the backbone of the event Peter Fletcher, not only for all your incredibly hard work creating such a wonderful two days but also of course for putting up with me for the last twelve months, which can not have been easy!
This year for the first time we established the show as being a North of England Highland Cattle Breeders Club event and we therefore strived as hard as we could to make it accessible to everyone, our aim was to encourage new people to the breed and to the art of showing, maybe new members to the society or people who had been involved with highlands for a period of time but who had not yet experienced showing, we also attracted people who had yet to purchase any animals but found this to be a great introductory event. We introduced a ‘buddy’ system, allocating those of us more experienced showers, (though I use the term experienced loosely!), to the less experienced and spent the morning creating an environment for them to learn about the breed, show preparation and any other useful hints or tips on handling and showing that we use to get ourselves through a show. This proved to be a huge success and also gave me two helpers to assist getting my cow looking show-worthy. They were then assisted in the ring with an animal that they had prepared themselves and showed it in a specific class with the person, an not the animal being judged, this was very ably done by Angus MacGillivary, in what I am sure was not an easy task. With nearly twenty people entering into the buddy scheme and five children, with their own separate junior class, it was fantastic to see so many people getting involved in the breed we love so much, congratulations to all those who took part and thank you for attending the event.
Both days went on to be a huge success. With sixty cattle present it was an impressive turn-out and the standard was very high. The rest of the classes were judged by the very competent Iain MacKay from the Cnoc-Na-Sith fold on the Isle of Mull, an extremely long way for him to come but we were extremely grateful, and I think after the amount of whiskey he consumed on the Sunday night, (ably assisted though, mentioning no names, hmm hmm by Tom Sample!!), we can safely assume he thoroughly enjoyed himself! Though disappointing it was in terms of the turn-out by members of the public, those who did attend appeared to really enjoy watching the cattle judging and getting involved themselves with both housewives and childrens choice competitions, it really is a fantastic way to spend two days informing the public about our breed and promoting them in any way we can.
The Sunday night was a very enjoyable affair with a formal dinner held at a local hotel where we were joined by many friends and again thrilled to have the presence of our lovely secretary, Hazel. The evening was rounded off with a presentation of stunning silverware purchased for the occasion and really making the Highland Fling an event worth winning. This year I am thrilled to say that this accolade went to Angus MacGillivary with his, in the judges own words, "very correct", home bred yearling Frangag Banarach of An Sidhean, who took home not only the trophy for junior champion but also for overall champion. Reserve Champion was won by my very pleased and very smiley father Robert Phillip with Alice Banag 4th of the wellburn, a showy seven year old who also won the senior championship.
Altogether a very successful event and one of which I am proud to be a part of, other than a small mishap with my wording over the microphone, well Cnoc-Na-Sith is not that easy to say!! The weekend was once again one to be enjoyed by many, and if we have encouraged new members to show and have more of an active role with their animals I can only say well done to all involved, another good year for the Sheffield Highland Fling Town and Country Fair.
2009 Virtual Highland Cattle Show
The site is at www.virtualcattleshow.com
There are three International judges:
Susan Boland from Australia.
Sue is a past President of the Australian Highland cattle Society and breeder of a number of Australian Champions.
Mr Malcolm Moy head stud manager of Pollock Fold, Glasgow Scotland.
Mr Eddie McKay Past President of the American Highland cattle Society.
Entry to the show is free, and any prizes will depend on sponsorship.
Oban Visit
A visit to Anchnacloich, courtesy of Mrs Nelson, is to be held on Saturday 10th October to coincide with the Oban show and sale.
This will involve looking round the fold’s cows; stock bulls and the young stock, which have been developed over the folds 100 years existence. Numbers are needed in advance please for catering.
Please advise via email nehcbc@yahoo.co.uk or by calling Ian: 07947881942
or Claire: 07974073437 if you wish to attend.
Look out for details on the Society website and in the newsletter.
Great Yorkshire Show Sponsors
With prime position on the main avenue on the Red entrance, as well as close proximity to the cattle lines, the join Society and Club markee at the Great Yorkshire Show is well placed for advertising to high volumes of the public. This year the club managed to associate with two locally based companies who work nationally and a well known local fold.
Changing Climates for Air conditioning and electrical engineering – contact 0113 2823344
Greasy Wool for purchasing and trading wool across the country – contact 07977 267655
Weetwood fold a well established pedigree herd of highland cattle based locally to the show with animals currently for sale – proprietor Mrs J. Miller and manager Mrs A Wright 07764789813
Thanks to all our sponsors and please keep these companies in mind should you have need for their services!
Club News Winter 2008/2009
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