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The Derbyshire Gritstone Sheepbreeders Society |
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The Derbyshire Gritstone Sheepbreeders Society |
Due to the increasing costs in running the Society, the members of the Society passed a motion at the 2006 AGM, to increase the annual subscription from £10 to £15 effective from August 2007.
Unfortunately, I have continued to receive subscriptions for 2007, 2008 and 2009 at the previous £10 rate which has given rise to a definite shortfall in the Society's income.
Please could members check their arrangements with their bank to ensure that in future, the new charge of £15.00 is received by myself as the Society's treasurer by October the 1 st at the latest.
Please may I ask members to look at their subscriptions paid in the last 3 years and send a cheque for the amount of any shortfall to me at the address below
Please note that all subscriptions must be received in full by the end of September to enter the Annual Show and Sale in October.
Thank you
Susan Coppack, Treasurer,
5 Bridge Close, Waterfoot, Rossendale, Lancashire , BB4 9SN
Mr Tom Earnshaw
Tom Earnshaw 5 th September 1916 – 17 th August 2009.
Members of the Society were saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Tom Earnshaw who had been been involved with the Gristone Society for over fifty years and had served as President for many of these.
A Celebration of Life was held at St John the Divine Church , Cliviger on Monday 24 th August 2009 and the service included his favourite hymns ‘The King of Love my Shepherd Is' together with ‘Abide with Me'
Tom who leaves two daughters, a grandson and granddaughter and two great grandsons was laid to rest with the wife Margaret.
A moving letter from his Grandson Tom who lives in Australia was read out. Tom shared his Granddads passion for farming and continues his legacy ‘down under'.
Many Gritstone members attended the funeral to say their final goodbyes to Tom and express sympathy to his family. Refreshments were served at the Thornton Arms following the service where fond memories were expressed.
Tom's family would like to thank everyone for their support and kind expressions of sympathy.
Donations were received in memory of Tom for St John the Divine Church Restoration Fund, Cliviger.
Members attending the Annual General Meeting held at the Snake Pass Inn, Bamford, Derbyshire on Wednesday 14th October had the sad task of electing a new President following the death of long-standing President, Mr Tom Earnshaw. Tom had been involved with the Gritstones for over fifty years and his legacy lives on with his Grandson Tom who shared his love of farming and took his passion to the sunnier climes of Australia .
His role was taken over by Mr Brian Crawshaw of Bradley Fold Farm, Whitworth
Brian has been raised with Gritstone Sheep, having loved them from being a youngster and having seventy years experience. Brian will now have his hands full with the leadership of this Society. Brian is also President of the Lonks Society and breeds Shire Horses.
Our Chairman of over thirty years, Mr John Whitworth of Ramsclough Farm, Oswaldtwistle and a member of the society for nearly sixty years, stepped down to make room for a younger generation, Mr Eli Tattersall. Mr Whitworth remains in the capacity of Vice Chairman and of course continues his close links with the society.
All the committee and members thank Mr Whitworth for his long-standing help and we look forward to continuing to accept his help and advice.
Mr Eli Tattersall, formerly of Cutler Lane , Stacksteads, now residing in Darwen has strong links with the society and served many years on the committee and is registrar for the Lancashire area. Mr Tattersall who works for Newbreed UK , an Animal Nutritionalist Company, looks forward to following in Mr Whitworth's footsteps and pushing the Society forward.
Mr Tattersall can be contacted on 07889 072948
Or
Eli.tattersall@newbreeduk.co.uk
As shown in Farmers Guardian
Friday 13 th November 2009
Many congratulations to Stuart and Lisa Heathcote upon the arrival of their baby boy born on 31 st August and named after his grandad Albert Heathcote.
Baby Jack Albert is already testing the farming waters and has his own Derbyshire Gristone ewe lamb called Rose.
I have received a brochure from EBLEX titled ‘A farmer's guide to EID. I assume most members will have received these direct but if that is not the case, please give me a ring and I will be happy to forward a copy.
A busy and successful show with good prices. Click the above link to obtain full winner details together with average and top prices reached.
Please continue to check this link. Showdates will be updated as they are received.
The website is still attracting visitors offering information to prospective customers and keeping members up-to-date. Any important copy letters are posted on the internet, for example a letter outlining our objections to Electronic Identity Tagging that was sent to Mr Benn. Any suggestions toward the website are welcomed and if anyone wants to post information or requests for themselves, please contact the secretary. Please check the News Section for updated information.
Members are being lost to retirement and the poor farming status but new memberships this year have been taken. Please do your best to promote our breed and attract new memberships.
This report which came all the way from sunny Australia, was presented to the October 2009 AGM. Thanks to Nic for taking time out to do this.
A quick overview of the main topics of discussion at the NSA Council meetings are the EID from 2010 onwards and co-responsibility cost sharing.
As you will have seen from the farming press, after long negotiations by the farming organisations, a concession has been allowed for sheep going direct to slaughter from the farm of origin where the choice of electronic tagging or a manual tag will be offered rather than dual tagging. It is anticipated this will be accepted.
Defra in conjunction with livestock marketing authorities are holding a series of roadshows regarding new regulations and the implications of EID for mixed batches of store lambs and breeding sheep.
As regards co-responsibility, Peter Morris our Chief Executive has been extremely active in fighting our corner. He vigorously defending our position and refuted and countered the 20 odd arguments initially put forward by Defra in their consultation document. I was extremely impressed by his grasp of the subject and is implications for us all.
He and NSA are adamant that we should not have to pay for the consequences of a problem over which we have no control. It is heartening to know that NSA are constantly vigilant in monitoring and countering the EEC proposed petty regulations that have no relevance to Great Britain, especially in the matter of transport and welfare of animals.
The EC Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Fischer Boel is stepping down from the post. Front runner for her replacement is Dacian Ciolofl of Romania and we must wait to see how he turns out if elected.
DGSS Members commented that all NSA council meetings are down South and there should be some around the Clitheroe area.
DGSS members could look on the NSA website to find out where their nearest meetings are and regional contacts
Back to TopThe date for this event has now been provisionally set as Saturday 9 th October 2010 . Please note that subscriptions must be fully paid for registration to this event.
Due to financial implications, it was decided that we would try to raise sponsorship for our annual show and if anyone has connections who may be interested in a small sponsorship or indeed, would like to sponsor a category themselves, please advise the secretary so this can be followed up.
As the venue of the AGM alternates between Rossendale and Derbyshire, this year, the 2010 meeting will be held in Rossendale. The provisional date for the meeting has been set as Wednesday the 13 th of October. At present, we are looking to find a new venue in which to hold the AGM. The venue and date will advised to members on the website and/or by post as soon as definite arrangements have been made.
Anyone wishing to voice any matters must put these in writing to the secretary at the above address no later than 31st July 2010
This matter had been raised at last year's Committee Meeting that perhaps future Committee Meetings could always be based in Rossendale as this is where the core of the committee are based. This subject was discussed and a decision made at the Annual General Meeting that all future Committee Meetings would be based at Rossendale. This was voted, passed and seconded by Mr Muffitt who was the only Derbyshire member present. Provisional date Wednesday 26th May 2010. Venue to be confirmed.