Society AGM 2015

Dorset Society AGM 2015, Buxton, Derbyshire

NI Club Members who Travelled to the Society AGM in Buxton

Sam Driver of the Sandylane Flock with his brother Harry and dad Johnnie

On the 6th November 2015 a contingent of Northern Ireland Club members set off from home in the province to head to Buxton in Derbyshire for the 2015 Annual General Meeting. The group, which consisted of the largest number of N I breeders travelling to the Annual meeting, were all intrigued to see first hand the sheep farming operation that was the afternoon viewing and focus of the Saturday after the official business had been completed in the morning meeting. 

This flock viewing was that of the Sandylane flock of Dorset Horns and Poll Dorsets owned by the truly enthusiastic Dorset fan, Sam Driver, but also included was Sam's family's sheep breeding operation which encompassed 5500 breeding ewe flock and were spread over farms in four northern English counties, - Derbyshire, North Yorkshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester. The extent of this family's sheep breeding operation was something that none of our group had come across elsewhere and included in the family's cross breeding programs were the use of Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset rams and first cross Dorset bred ewes.

After the completion of the official business at the morning meeting we all boarded coaches which took us to the first
farm where we viewed 550 Lonk ewes, a truly hardy, native Derbyshire breed (that has been used to improve other
traditional hill breeds). These ewes were the backbone of the Driver's breeding operation and would all be crossed to some of a group of 22 Dorset Horn rams which we saw in the next field. The best 250 Lonk ewes, selected on breed type had been drafted off and would be bred as the pedigree group for ram production and replacement females to continue the merits of the hardiness and durability of the family's Lonk flock for further generations.

The group of Dorset Horn Rams were a sight to behold for all those gathered and it initiated quite a number of questions for Sam and his dad Johnnie but brought right into context the expanse of the operation and the pressures that the tupping season had in store for these rams and the rest of the Sandylane stud group.

Next for viewing was a large group of Dorset Horn X Lonk hoggets which were the result of the first cross technique and had previously lambed in May but were flushed and in real nice breeding form again for the Rams the following week. Next on the viewing list were the Pedigree Sandylane stock Rams and newly purchased ram lambs along with two pens of Sandylane bred ram lambs - 1 of Dorset Horns and 1 of Poll Dorset ram lambs for the shearling market in 2016.

The final coach stop was to a large block of quality grass land in the county of Greater Manchester which had as a
back drop large grand houses owned by the rich and famous and numerous legendary football players.
This stop provided us with the true insight into the pedigree Sandylane flock. The Dorset Horns were separated from the Polls and the ewe lambs, young ewes and older ewes were all viewed separately. This gave a great opportunity to view the direction that Sam is taking his Sandylane flock and Sam was on hand to answer the many questions that came forward from the viewing audience.

As evening approached and daylight hours beat us we all headed back to the warmth and comfort of the coaches and our annual flock viewing was brought to an end as we made our way back through the Peak District to our base at the Palace Hotel in Buxton.

Lonk Ewes on the Driver Family Farm	Viewing the Driver Family's Lonk Ewes
Viewing the Sandylane Flock	A Group of Sandylane Ewe Hoggets