The NI Texel Breeders Club members gathered at Greenmount Agricultural College for their annual AGM recently. Club chairman, Martin Cromie welcomed the turnout of members, friends and guest speaker Noirin McHugh, Research Officer at Teagasc, the meeting sponsors.
Proceedings commenced with Mr Cromie inviting Alistair Sampson Volac to present the trophies to the Volac Show Championship 2018 category winners. Results were as follows:
Ewe Lamb: Andrew Moses
Ram Lamb: Alastair Gault
Aged Ram: Ben Casement
Shearling Ram: Henry Gamble
Aged Ewe: Adrian Liggett
Shearling Ewe: Andre Moses
Ms McHugh then gave those present an informative talk on the on the Irish Sheep Breeding Programme. After a short question and answering session outgoing Club chairman, Mr Cromie got club business underway with the presentation of £3000 with Peter Boyd from money raised at the Open Night to Naomi Breen Diabetes UK-NI.
Ms Breen thanked the Club for their generosity outlining how the proceeds would support the ongoing work of the charity.
Previous minutes were agreed with Mr Cromie announcing the election of longstanding members John Currie and Ian Millar as honorary presidents. Mr Cromie highlighted the Club successes throughout the shows, sales and activities of 2018.
He thanked all the members who took part in the various competitions throughout the year, highlighting the importance of our sponsors in their continued support, without which we would be unable to run these events. Congratulations went to those who took home trophies and he encouraged members to compete in 2019.
As part of his resume of events, congratulations were expressed to those who participated in the RUAS Balmoral, keeping Texels to the fore; to Brian Williamson on achieving the top price for his shearling ram at the Northern Irish National and to Naomi Ardis for taking top price for her ram lamb.
Mr Cromie confirmed the new date moving forward for the Northern Irish National sale would be the last Wednesday in August. Congratulations was also extended to John Foster as overall winner of the Flock Competition and to Alastair Gault as overall winner of the Volac Show Flock.
Mr Cromie paid special thanks to all the committee members, convenors and judges for their hard work and support of the club’s activities. He highlighted that without their hard work, support and commitment the club would not be able to function smoothly.
He proceeded to give special acknowledgement to the commitment and hard work over the last 10 years to Marcus Barton, minutes secretary on his retirement, presenting Marcus with the Chairman’s Trophy.
Mr Cromie then welcomed Mr Henry Gamble as incoming chairman. Mr Gamble thanked Mr Cromie for his efforts over the last two years as chairman.
A detailed report of the year’s accounts was given from treasurer Brian McAllister followed by the election of three new committee members, Nigel Hamill, Andrew Moses and Jonny Bell with the role of vice chairman handed to Frazer Tweed and that of minute’s secretary to Jean McCollam.
The chairman also expressed particular thanks to those who sponsored the Club throughout the year namely, Volac, Fane Valley, Bank of Ireland, Glen Farm Supplies, Farmcare, Farmware Supplies, Holden Agr Ltd, Tullivin Growvire, Smyths Daleside, SH Coleman, Danske, Osmonds and Oldstone Veterinary.
OFFICE HOLDERS 2019
Honorary Presidents: Robbie Mulligan, Banbridge, Ian Millar, Larne and John Currie, Ballymena
Chairman: Henry Gamble, Groomsport
Vice Chair: Frazer Tweed, Ballymena
Secretary: Martin Warnock, Limavady
PRO: Barbara Strawbridge, Coleraine
Minutes Secretary: Jean McCollam, Crumlin
Treasurer; Brian McAllister, Kells
Export Manager:Martin Warnock, Limavady
Society Representative:Alastair Gault, Newtownabbey
Young Members’ Representative: James Wilkinson, Cookstown
Committee Members elected 2019
Nigel Hamill, Antrim
Andrew Moses, Crumlin
Jonny Bell, Rathfriland
Committee Members elected 2018
Robert Calvin, Ballymoney
John Foster, Castlederg
Nigel Ross, Larne
Committee Members elected 2017
Alastair Gault, Newtownabbey
Frazer Tweed, Ballymena
