NI 2009 AGM
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 50th 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 50th 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 50th 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:
Royal Ulster Show
Samuel Robinson Memorial Cup – T. Wright
Premier Show & Sale
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
Autumn Show & Sale
Kane & McPherson Cup – T. Wright
J.E. McFarlane Memorial Cup – A.McConnell
Flock Competition
Trevilley Cup – W. & K. Carson
Fane Valley Cup – R. Hill
Eden cup – W. & K. Carson
J.A. McClelland & Sons Cup – L. Weir
