NORTHERN IRELAND DORSET HORN & POLL DORSET SHEEP BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION

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Raymond Hill With William & Karen Carson

Raymond Hill & Laura Weir

Raymond Hill & Thomas Wright

N.I. Dorset Club AGM & Prize Distribution

The Northern Ireland Dorset and Polled Dorset Sheep Breeders Club reached a significant milestone last week when their 50^th Annual General Meeting was held. Members gathered in Antrim and were welcomed by outgoing Chairman Mr Richard Currie, who was delighted to be able to report on a remarkable year for N.I. breeders. Thomas Wright’s Ballytaggart Flock won the overall Champion at May Fair in Exeter, the Associations Premier Sale, with a pair of ram lambs and Lamb Bros, Richill Flock won the Best Horned Exhibit. This was then followed up in August when the Downkillybegs Flock, owned by William & Karen Carson were announced as winners of the National Flock competition. This was the first time that a N.I. breeder has claimed this prestigious award and resulted in a flock visit and the national AGM being hosted in County Antrim. The Petty France Award for the best small flock also came to Northern Ireland, to the Oliver Tree flock of Raymond & Julie Hill. On a local level Richard also highlighted two successful pedigree sales, the premier sale in July and the Autumn sale in October and an encouraging turnout in Dorset classes at the various agricultural shows. He remarked how far the club has progressed in its first 50 years and wished the members continued success in the next fifty years!

After thanking the office bearers and committee for their hard work and support, all positions were declared vacant. The new office bearers and committee are:

Raymond Hill (President) Graham Cubitt (Chairman) Ben Lamb (Vice Chairman)

2009 Committee Members 

Chairman – Graham Cubitt

Vice Chairman – Ben Lamb

Secretary/Treasurer William Carson

Breed Promotion – Catherine Maybin

Committee members – Mark Beattie, Samuel Caldwell, Mary Cubitt, Richard Currie, Angus Fleming, Norman Hammond, Raymond Hill, Seamus Mullan, Trevor Knox, Allister McNeill, Sandy Wilson, Thomas Wright.

A special position of President has been created in this 50^th Anniversary Year and George Robson, Burn Road, Doagh has been elected to this post in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the club over many years.

When the evening’s business was completed, new Chairman Graham Cubitt called on Raymond Hill, in his capacity as President of the Dorset Horn & Polled Sheep Breeders Association, to present the prizes. Raymond encouraged all the N.I. Club members to make 2009 a year to remember as the 50^th year is celebrated. He urged all involved to support the special events being planned and to ensure that large numbers of top quality Dorsets were brought out to the classes at the agricultural shows. The silverware was then handed out and special congratulations must go to Thomas Wright, who would almost have needed his trailer to carry home all his trophies!

The prizewinners are as follows:

Samuel Robinson Memorial Cup – T. Wright

Wm Marshall Cup – S Mullan

D.H. & P.D.S.B. Association Cup – T. Wright

Cooper Wellcome Cup – T.Wright

Nutrivet Supplements Cup – G. Henderson

Springwell Trophy – T. Wright

Coleman Feed’s Trophy – T. Wright

Downkillybegs Cup – T. Wright

E. Matthews & Sons Cup – T.Wright

Kane & McPherson Cup – T. Wright

J.E. McFarlane Memorial Cup – A.McConnell

Trevilley Cup – W. & K. Carson

Fane Valley Cup – R. Hill

Eden cup – W. & K. Carson

J.A. McClelland & Sons Cup – L. Weir