Clwb Defaid Dorset Cymru / Welsh Dorset Sheep Club

WELSH CLUB ANNUAL SHOW & SALE

The 5th annual show & sale was held at Llandovery on Saturday, 27th June, 2009, by courtesy of Clee, Tompkinson & Francis auctioneers. This event has now become firmly established in the club calendar and attracted up to almost 300 entries of Dorset sheep. Many thanks once again to our membership from across the border who supported the sale by bringing a fine collection of first rate sheep across the Severn Bridge. Indeed the accolades this year went to the West Country with C & T Clarke winning supreme champion with their fine ram Manorcroft Lenny and Robert Hole achieving reserve champion with a beautiful ewe, Sherborne Kiri. Many congratulations gentlemen!

Picture: MANORCROFT LENNY – C & T Clarke - SUPREME CHAMPION 2009

The continued success of the sale highlights the fact that the Dorset sheep is eliciting growing interest within Wales with purchasers travelling to Llandovery from as far afield as the North Wales coast and the North of England.

As a direct result the club has witnessed a boost in membership following the sale in addition to new purchasers expressing an interest in joining the association nationally.

Picture: SHERBORNE KIRI – R& R HOLE – RESERVE CHAMPION 2009

The top prices are as follows:
Champion: £800
Champion Female: £460
1st prize ewe lamb: £300
Aged Ewes: Up to £170

The Poll Dorset and the Welsh Club received a pleasing level of publicity on National Welsh language television S4C during the Royal Welsh Show

The commentator Mr Andrew ‘Felindre’ spoke at length with regard to the attributes of the Poll Dorset in addition to the lively and pro active nature of the Welsh Club, dedicated to promoting the breed within Wales. Positive comments such as these are of course always gratefully received and help to re enforce that the club strives to embrace a range of activities including visits, BBQ’s and even the opportunity to practice wood working skills as demonstrated earlier this summer at the home of Irwel and Jane, Llwynhowell, Ceredigion! A pleasing number of members gathered to help construct a Dorset breed exhibition stand for the Welsh Sheep event held in North Wales during May.

Picture: Irwel and his chainsaw demonstrating less subtle carpentry skills!

The reality of such gatherings usually of course consist of a minority of skilled ‘workers’ who manage to get the job done assisted by idle spectators proffering advice, eating and drinking the refreshments kindly on offer and enjoying the company of people with shared interests. In this regard the meeting at Llwynhowell was no exception!

With the construction nearing completion it was time to discuss the proposed colour of wood stain. Whilst the wannabe ‘Llewellyn Bowens’ favoured a rather effete ‘Ocean Blue’ the less adventurous traditionalists opted for a more macho shade of mahogany!

Picture: Selecting the sheep to be displayed on the stand

The completed stand did a fine job of promoting the poll Dorset at the Welsh Sheep event and elicited an unforeseen level of interest in the breed. Many thanks to Irwel and Jane for hosting the club at Llwynhowell and congratulations also to Irwel for his excellent work as Judge for 2009 at the Welsh Club annual show and sale at Llandovery.