Clwb Defaid Dorset Cymru / Welsh Dorset Sheep Club

Club members, family and friends enjoyed an excellent evening of fellowship at the home of our President Ken and Doreen Price on Saturday 30th of August. A sizeable crowd gathered at Mountain Hall, Llandysul to celebrate Ken’s 70th birthday and to indulge in a first class BBQ, Flock visit and stock judging. Members would wish to thank Ken and Doreen most sincerely for their kind invitation to what proved to be a highly enjoyable club activity.

Ken and Doreen being presented with gifts by Sian Downes on behalf of the club.

Welsh Club AGM

Following the club AGM held on the evening 29th of September it was decided to re- elect the following officers: Chairman Rowland Davies, Vice Chairman Geraint Jones, Treasurer Caredig Jones, Secretary Huw Williams. The President for the forthcoming year will be Mr David Mathews.

Rowland provided an extensive Chairman’s report which re enforced to us all the considerable commitment of both Rowland and Geraint to the breed at both Welsh and National level. The club would wish to thank them both for their selfless dedication and hard work on our behalf.

Sian Downes

The future of the Welsh Dorset club looks bright following the triumphs of one of our youngest members. Sian Downes has experienced a very successful showing season by virtue of an ewe lamb purchased at Llandovery sale in 2007 from a batch of seven by Adrian Dufosee. This fine ewe has been a source of considerable enjoyment for Sian and has helped to cultivate a real passion for the breed.

Sian with her Champion Ewe

Club members would also wish to congratulate Sian upon winning the under 16, Ceredigion YFC Public speaking [English language] competition. Sian impressed the judges with her dialogue entitled ‘My Love Affair’ which has been inspired by her enthusiasm for breeding and showing the Poll Dorset. Da iawn [well done] Sian and best wishes for another successful season in 2009!

“My Love Affair” By Sian Downes

Madam, thank you for the kind invitation here this evening to talk about My Love Affair.

What do you know about Dorset? Most people would be forgiven for thinking about the stunning rolling hills, breathtaking countryside, beautiful villages, sandy beaches and a coastline so unequalled that it is has recently received World Heritage Status.

But, for me, the most important thing about Dorset is its natives. No, not the people, they are surely the same as you and I, but the county’s native breed of sheep!

My love affair with the Dorset sheep began at Llangeitho show in late August 2002. Geraint Jones, from Tyngraig, or “Roci” to everyone who knows him, had asked me to help him exhibit his flock of Dorset sheep. I was awarded the first prize in the “Young handlers section” and was ecstatic with the result.

The Dorset breed is recognised for its docility and ability to breed naturally out of season. This means that the Dorset ewe can take the ram at most times of the year and they are ideally suited to lambing three times in two years. The Dorset ewe can provide a regular cash flow for farmers by producing lambs frequently.

Despite originating from the Dorset Downs, the Dorset ewe can easily adapt to different climates. The Dorset ewe also has excellent maternal characteristics and provides ample milk for its offspring. In summary, the Dorset breed is hardy, easy to handle, versatile, profitable and ideal for farming practices in Penuwch!

In June 2007, I persuaded my parents to take me to the 3rd annual show and sale of Dorset Sheep held at Llandovery Market. I was fortunate enough to return home with 17 ewes lambs and 1 ram lamb from the sale.

Now, you must understand that there are many varieties of the Dorset Sheep, including the Dorset Down and the Dorset Horn, but my main love is for the Poll Dorset. The Poll Dorset is the cutest of them all, and in truth they look just like big teddy bears! Their heads are broad and full and are well covered with wool from the brow to the poll. They each have a pair of “side burns” just like Elvis! They have a white face, a pink nose and are truly like pets to me.

I named each one of the original ewe lambs and registered them with the Dorset Sheep Society under my flock name of SianD. Their names all begin with the letter ‘J’, and their lambs, have all been giving names beginning with the letter ‘K’. But unfortunately for my 6 ram lambs, are no longer with us.

Well, I say unfortunately, it is unfortunate for them, but not for me and my purse, as it means that I earned enough money to be able to re-invest in my flock. I sold 6 of my ram lambs in May for slaughter, and they made £84 a piece. Do you see what I mean when I said earlier that Poll Dorsets can provide a regular cash flow for farmers?

My original ram was also purchased at Llandovery, he is the perfect example of a Poll Dorset ram. He has a bold, masculine appearance and a fleece of good quality wool. His name is “Just the Job”!

I am glad to say that he did “do the job” as he provided me with 21 excellent lambs last spring.

This year, I have purchased another ram from a renowned Poll Dorset breeder, Jim Dufosee, who keeps the Black Hill flock in Wiltshire. Naturally, I have called the new ram ‘Jim’. I have also bought 39 additional ewe lambs and 24 ewes. To complete my trio of rams, I have bought a ram from The Dorset Sheep Society’s Chairman, Rowland Davies, Doclettwr, I have named this ram, Ken, and my, he is a handsome specimen, just like Barbie’s Ken!

Just the Job, Jim and Ken were turned out to graze with my 54 ewe lambs and 39 ewes on the 10th of August and so I am eagerly waiting for the New Year and the lambing season.

Now, this summer has been pretty miserable, don’t we all know it, but for me, 4 very special days stand out – not for their good weather, but for the fact that I was showing my Dorset sheep. What an experience! I enjoyed every second of every show, and I’m pleased to say that I even picked up some silver ware.

Llanddewi Brefi show was by far the best. I managed to win the Overall Champion in the Sheep Section with ‘Jen’, one of my original ewes. I was so proud of this achievement! You may have seen my picture in the Cambrian News! But, my winning streak did not end there; I also won a silver cup for the Best Young Handler on my own patch in Llangeitho Show! Who knows – I might reach the Royal Welsh next year?

My flock is very special to me, and I look forward to developing and growing the flock in the future. I am steadily gaining ground in persuading my parents to get rid of their flock of Lleyns in order to keep more Dorsets. I think I’m going the right way – the fact that I was earning £84 for early new season lambs certainly made my dad see the Dorsets in a different light!

My Dorset sheep have taught me to keep accurate animal records and has given me a responsibility of my own. But I just adore my Dorset sheep and I am eagerly looking forward to my second lambing season.

Thank you for listening so attentively to me here this evening. And, remember, if you are looking for a sheep that is adaptable to any climate or altitude, with a fleece that many breeds would like to aspire to, then the Dorset breed is the sheep for you!