Back on one of the hottest days of summer, David Norman of the Kirkhouse flock took on a 1450-mile round trip to judge flocks from Bristol to Truro for the South West region’s flock competition. 

Coming through to take the champion flock title having won the medium sized flock were Ben and Amelia Watts’ Willow flock, based at Ashburton, South Devon. Commenting on the flock, David said: “I was particularly impressed with their group of ewe lambs, some of which will be forward for the Saucy Sale in October.”

Having come through as reserve champion in the medium flock section, William Whiting’s Fursdon flock, based at Liskeard, Cornwall, really caught David’s eye to take reserve overall. “This is a young breeder with great passion for Charollais and certainly one to watch in the future. A relatively new flock, showcasing many purchased sheep, he’s certainly got a good eye buying sheep of a similar type, so it won’t be long before he’s making the headlines outside of the South-West.” 

Winning the large flock section was Tom Newth of the Prestleigh flock at Shepton Mallet, Somerset. “Again, a flock showcasing a strong stamp of quality throughout, Tom had some strong ewes with good skins, I was particularly impressed with the legs and feet in these ewes.” 

The small section of the flock competition was won by John Barker and his Oakdene flock. Based at Wellington, Somerset, David felt that while particularly not the biggest flock within this section, the females were clean, balanced and farmed with a strong commercial focus in mind.  

The South-West region would like to thank David for his time spent travelling the length and breadth of the region and for undertaking the large task at hand with great professionalism.  

RESULTS

Overall champion flock: Ben and Amelia Watts, Willow 

Reserve champion flock: William Whiting, Fursdon 

Champion large flock: Tom Newth, Prestleigh 

Reserve champion large flock: Roy Endacott, Meadow Rise 

Champion medium flock: Ben and Amelia Watts, Willow 

Reserve champion medium flock: William Whiting, Fursdon 

Champion small flock: John Barker, Oakdene 

Reserve champion small flock: Patrick Tully, Bincombe 

                                    Large                           Medium                      Small

Ewes 

1^st                                Prestleigh                    Willow                         Bincombe                    

2^nd                               Woodspring                Fursdon                       Woodhayes

3^rd                                Meadow Rise              Heatham                     Oakdene 

Shearling ewes 

1^st                                Meadow Rise              Fursdon                       Oakdene  

2^nd                               Prestleigh                    Willow                         Bincombe

3^rd                                Woodspring                Abbascombe               Woodhayes

Ewe lambs

1^st                                Prestleigh                    Willow                         Oakdene 

2^nd                               Meadow Rise              Fursdon                       Bincombe

3^rd                                Woodspring                Abbascombe               Woodhayes

Stock ram 

1^st                                Meadow Rise              Fursdon                       Woodhayes 

2^nd                               Woodspring                Abbascombe               Bincombe

3^rd                                Portway                      Heatham                     Oakdene 

Junior stock ram 

1^st                                Prestleigh                    Elsridge                       Bincombe

2^nd                               Woodspring                Heatham                     Oakdene 

3^rd                                Meadow Rise              Abbascombe               Hole Brook