Where does the time go? 

September and October were busy months for our Young Breeders. Firstly preparing and competing in our qualifier at Market Drayton along with our friends from Stafford and Western clubs which was judged by Clare Swale for the handlers and Isaac Lancaster for the calves who both did a splendid job for us on what turned out to be one of the driest days in our area for weeks.

The team then set sail for Malvern to compete at ABAB and acquitted themselves very well indeed, with Steph. Whittaker taking honourable mention in both the handlers’ section and the calf championship with Firstlook Aftershock Ricki.  As a team they finished 2^nd for Tidy Lines thanks to the family O’Neill and Co., and third overall in the showmanship classes with all of the team getting placed in the top line and then 3^rd in the calf classes which resulted in  3^rd  overall Top Team. We are very proud of all our Young Breeders who are lead by Charlotte Cope who works very hard to include all the HYB section in all activities.

Have you ever heard of a musical trio called THREE MEN IN A BOW TIE? They have been performing for 21 years and include our very own dairy farmer Martin Jones who can make anything from baler twine, at a reasonable price, along with Sally Jones and our man from the BBC Chris Eldon Lee. They performed at our opening winter meeting  to great acclaim with classic comedy and manic monologues. This evening of laughter included a traditional fish and chip supper prepared by the chef at Halls Fine Art restaurant. 

We are looking forward to rearranging Colin Dent’s visit to us as he had  to cancel,  following an incident at home at Bridge End.

 8^th December  was the date for our AGM.

Having completed two years, our Chairman Matt Beeston stood down  and Jane Arrell stepped up to assume the role of Chairman and to be followed by Richard Apperley who was elected as Vice Chairman.  Following the formal part of the meeting we had a talk given by Katie Davidson from mooandbaa who, as the current editor for the Holstein Journal, gave us an insight  into her work and experiences which was very interesting. 

Father Christmas made an early appearance at our Childrens’ party organised by Charlotte Cope and assisted by Jane Arrell and many others who occupied the children with crafts, games and the usual excess of e-numbers which added to the excitement of Santa’s arrival, who possibly had been over indulging in his build up to Christmas, or perhaps his suit had just shrunk in the wash!