The early summer weekends have seen regional Texell Clubs getting out and about on Club trips to see other flocks, with the Northern Area Club heading south to Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, while the Shropshire and Borders Club headed into South Wales.
For the Northern Area Club, visits included stops at Paul Philips’ Kimbolton flock, with Club members viewing the flock as it grazed and having a broad discussion on a range of sheep farming topics.
Next up was a visit to current Society chairman, Peter Mitchell and his Avon Vale flock as well as his herd of Boer goats. Once again those visiting were able to see the flock as they grazed, taking time to understand Peter’s system and later enjoy the feast he’d laid on for them.
The third visit of the trip, after a night spent in Gloucester, was to Aubrey and Sue Andrews’ Miserden flock, with members admiring the couple’s Texels, Blue Texels and Badger Face Texelsm with Aubrey providing valuable insight into the breeding in each flock.
And the final visit of the tour was a stop at James Theyer’s Clanfield flock, which coincided with visits by a number of other Clubs too. This provided a welcome opportunity to meet up with fellow breeders from other Clubs.
Once again a great display of sheep was put before the Club and the Club thanks all four flocks for being so welcoming and generous in their hosting.
On their trip to south Wales, the Shropshire and Borders Club stopped off first of all at the Scolton flock of the Reed family where members saw an outstanding display of sheep which were a credit to the family.
Next stop was Euros and Myfanwy Davies & family’s Canllefaes flock at Cardigan, again another impressive large flock on a farm with a number of different enterprises.
Last stop of the day, which was very much ‘a shearling day’ was at Broad Haven to view the Phillips family’s Broomsgrove flock. Here several members got to view the progeny of the rams they had sold in 2024 and really appreciated the time that the family had taken sorting out the different groups of sheep to present yet another impressive flock.
After an evening meal in Haverfordwest, the group headed off on Sunday morning to view three flocks in one. With more of a focus on ram lambs and gimmers the group enjoyed viewing the excellent Aman, Teilo and Cwmcerrig flocks.
It was also a nice opportunity to meet up with the Dyfed Club and the South Wales Club and to take part in the stock judging competition that they had kindly organised. Neil Ellis of the Cressage and Scholars flocks was the triumphant winner, matching three rings with the master judge Dyfed Club Chairman, Keith Thomas.
As the group headed back to Shropshire, the last stop of the day, was Deri Morgan and family’s Tynewydd flock at Llangorse, Brecon. With beautiful weather and stunning views, the Tynewydd flock was just as impressive.
The Club extends its thanks to each and every flock which hosted it over the weekend and the appreciates the time they took to prepare for and host the visits.