All Change at Suffolk Sheep Society AGM
05/03/08

It was all change at the Suffolk Sheep Society annual meeting, held in Derbyshire. More than 80 members heard that commercial director, Robyn Hulme, has resigned from his post of the past four years, due to farming and family commitments.

Charles Harding, the Suffolk Society’s new President, centre, with Mrs Jan Harding and Stephen Cobbald, who retires as President to take up the role of chairman.

“Robyn, took up the role of commercial director following a two year stint as chairman and in the wake of foot and mouth. He said: “I believe the SSS has made massive advances in recent years concentrating all its energies on ensuring that its members are in a position to meet the needs of their commercial customers.

“The days of a breed society merely offering pedigrees and registrations are well and truly over and I believe that the Suffolks are at the forefront of a new era for breed societies where genetic improvement of members stock will become the main driver. The society’s championing of performance recording, gene-marker technology and commercial attributes of the sheep produced by their members will ensure that the Suffolk breed continues to have a long and successful future.”

The meeting, last Thursday (28.2.08) also saw Jim Fleming step down after four years in the chair. He is to be replaced by Stephen Cobbald, from the breed’s home county, who was retiring as President of the Society.

Charles Harding, of the Bentley flock, Warwickshire takes the role of President, with Arthur O’Keeffe, of County Cork, Eire stepping in as president elect.
Three new council members were elected namely: Michael Weaver - vice chairman; (West Midlands and Monmouthshire); Ron Greig, (North Scotland) Matt Legge (South East).

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