Suffolk Sheep Club prizegiving

The event was another opportunity for its members to raise further funds for Multiple Sclerosis - the club’s selected charity for 2012.

Club Chairman Philip Gurney welcomed everyone and gave a special welcome to guests Mr and Mrs James Steele and Mr and Mrs Lesly Liggett who was master judge for the club flock competition held in the days running up to the dinner.

Philip highlighted the events which had taken place over the season and thanked everyone who had played a role in ensuring their success namely the fat lamb competitions, summer shows, the club summer gala show night and charity barbecue which raised over £1,000 for the club’s charity, and the club’s successful show and sales which ensured an action packed season.

These events and the success of many club members at Branch and National level were highlighted by Philip as being good for the club - the highlight being Packie Donnelly’s best flock award in the National Flock competition.

Packie’s Donrho flock also took top honours in the club flock competition with Mr Lesly Liggett, master judge from Omagh, announcing the results at the dinner. Lesly thanked the club for allowing him to judge the event and congratulated all those who took part.

Philip told members that this year had seen a further resurgence in the Suffolk breed and with its many attributes is regaining its rightful place as the number one terminal sire with late season sales still attracting demand and good prices.

Mr James Steele in his remarks praised the club for its work and wished the club well for the future. Special mention was made of the club’s sponsors. Again the Club are indebted to the following - Lamonts Butchers, Thompsons Feeds, Natural Stockcare, Ringsend Animal Health, Glens Farm Supplies, Kilrea Market, McCaughan Animal Health, Northern Bank & Ulster Bank all who have given tremendous support over the year.

Prize winners:

SHOW TEAM OF THE YEAR – Winners of the NAELSSC Shield PACKIE DONNELLY.

RESERVE SHOW TEAM – RC & JC WATSON.

GALA CHARITY SHOW CHAMPION – Winner of the Dick Maybin Memorial Cup D TAYLOR . Reserve PACKIE DONNELLY.

KLREA SHOW & SALE CHAMPION – Winner of the Northern Bank perpetual shield H & D McCAUGHAN.

RESERVE CHAMPION - H & D McCAUGHAN.

ARMOY SHOW & SALE CHAMPION Winner of the Ulster Bank perpetual shield – H & D McCAUGHAN .

RESERVE CHAMPION – J McKAY.

2012 Club Flock Competition – 1st and Champion – Packie Donnelly Donrho,

2nd & Reserve Champion – Geoffrey Douglas Benview. 3rd Philip Gurney Oakbridge.

Ewe lambs – 1st P Donnelly, 2nd Philip Gurney, 3rd Geoffrey Douglas

Flock Ewes – 1st P Donnelly, 2nd Geoffrey Douglas, 3rd Philip Gurney

Stock ram – 1st P Donnelly, 2nd Geoffrey Douglas, 3rd Philip Gurney