BUMPER www.gospbc.co.uk ISSUE Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig Breeders’ Club
Traditionally Farmed Gloucestershire Old Spots Pork SpotSpot PressPress
Patron: HRH The Princess Royal
Volume 25 No.1 Spring 2015 Inside this issue: Club News– AGM Info 222-2---3333
Piggy News 444-4---5555
Beware The Boar 666
2015 BPA Breed Survey 777
Two shows at either end of 888-8---9999 season to try………………..
The Joy of Pig Showing Pt1 101010-10 ---11111111
Pig Breeders Do It Better 121212
Showing By George Styles 131313
Don’t fancy Showing look at 141414 an alternative
GOS Young Handlers 151515
Paul Chapman’s very apt picture of a 1998 pig class shows nothing has changed over Regional Focus East of 16 –––20–202020 the years. Note the stubborn GOS. If anybody knows who the people are in the ring Spot England Press would be very interested to know. It was received as a Birthday card by one of our 212121 members. Pork To Fork & Merchandise
Spring Headlines Tea break Time 222222-22 ---23232323
2015 is a special year for the GOSPBC as we Ed’s note & Contacts 242424 celebrates its twenty fifth birthday. The club through the website and Spot Press hopes to provide some- thing of interest for every member. So in this issue read about members in the East of England, consider Don’t forget to put the date of the risks your boar presents, do the word search at the AGMAGM————SundaySunday 26th April tea-break time, try our recipe and read all the club 2015 in your diary, we’re in latest news. There is lots of information to help you Gloucestershire this year, promote your pigs and the GOS breed; whether details inside. We really you choose to show or not its is up to you. Inside would like a good turn out your Spot Press is a sheet of show dates even if you for our 25th year so we look don’t want to show please go along and support forward to seeing you there those that do, say hello and enjoy the spectacle that is pig showing.
Celebrating 25 years
19901990————20152015 Page 2 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 Club News 2015 GOSPBC AGM & Members’ Day Sunday 26th April 2015 At Standish Park Farm, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3DG By kind invitation of Mr & Mrs Jonathan Crump At 11.30am Provisonal Agenda
Apologies
Minutes of the 2014 AGM
Matters Arising
Annual Report
Accounts to October 2014
Election of Officers
Election of Hon Auditor
Amendment to wording of constitution It2.b.ii to remove phrase “and to encourage cyclical breeding”
Any other business
Marlene Renshaw Acting Club Secretary
Being the clubs’ 25th anniversary year it was only right that this years AGM be held in the breed’s home county so we are going to gather at the kind invitation of Jonathan & Annabelle Crump at Stonehouse, nr Stroud, Glos. We look forward to meeting a great many of you there. The Crumps are well known in cheese circles for their fabulous Single and Double Gloucester cheeses which have won a good number of awards over the years. We’ll meet at the village hall in Standish village for tea/coffee at 11am and the AGM will take place at 11.30 prompt. This will be followed by a light lunch and Eric Freeman will give a talk on rare breed livestock keeping and show his latest DVD and then it’s off up the road for a tour of the farm with maybe a cheese sample or two.
The cost of the day is £5.00 for adults and £3.00 for children 14yrs and under which will be collected on the day.
Please phone 01507533209 or email [email protected] if you are coming so we can pass numbers onto Jonathan & Annabelle for catering and seating etc.
The post code is GL10 3DG for sat nav and you are looking from the North for the B4008 off Junction 12 of the M5 or from the south follow the A419 off Junction 13 off the M5 watching for signs for Stonehouse and the B4008. The AA classic route planner is a good resource to use.
There are a number of places to stay overnight in the area if you prefer not to make the trip all in one day including Travelodge and Holiday Express Inn as well as B&B’s and caravan sites.
Photographs
Above right Jonathan with his cheeses and right walking his GOS pig!
INFO NEARER THE DATE WILL BE EMAILED PLEASE CHECK YOUR JUNK EMAIL AND MAKE CERTAIN [email protected] and [email protected] ARE ON YOUR SAFE CONTACTS LIST OR YOU MIGHT MISS OUT ON IMPORTANT CLUB NEWS Page 3 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 Club News GOSPBC Annual Report 2014-15
2014/15 has been a year of change for the GOSPBC Ri chard Lutwyche resigned as club secretary after a second term in the role a nd members of the committee took on new roles. Marlene Renshaw became Acting Se cretary, Helen Lightfoot remained as Treasurer with additional responsibilit y for membership, Andrew Robinson for pedigree queries, Judith Sims continue d to co-ordinate with shows and Guy Kiddy lending his considerable experience t ook on husbandry and live- stock queries. It was decided that the club would n o longer operate its on-line shop or pursue merchandising in line with similar o rganisations to itself. Spot Press took on a new editor with Mandy Garbutt at the helm and committee reiterated that four issues a year must be produced . WebsiteWebsite—Robin Wilson resigned as webmaster in Octob er 2014, the site is currently moderated by Mandy Garbutt with back-up f rom other committee mem- bers and the assistance of an out sourced IT specia list. Forum use is limited to but a few dozen members but the sales and wanted pa ges remain well used. MembershipMembership– Remains steady at just over 230 with ni ne new members since Xmas 2014 but efforts must be made to increase numb ers so the club is putting in place measures to encourage new entrants with a new breed leaflet, participation in livestock events, advertising in s mallholding and farming publi- cations and encouraging members to venture into the show ring to promote the breed. We also need existing members to encourage a nyone buying pigs from them to join the club. Breed StatusStatus—The continuing economic climate has fu rther reduced numbers of pedigree GOS breeders across the UK and latest BPA survey figures show a loss of 117 breeders. The GOS has however managed to mai ntain its numbers with breeding and fattening stock remaining in good dema nd. Although the breed shows over 1400 sows at present we must not forget that over 800 of these are in just two herds so it is still vital that the rem aining breeders encourage as many new GOS keepers/breeders as possible and keep only the best stock for breeding and cull specimens that do not make the gr a d e . GOS WinnersWinners— HRH Princess Anne once again visited t he GOS at the Great York- shire Show spending time chatting to members Brian Kelly & Lorraine Whitley. Pebblesford Primrose 612 from the Lightfoot’s herd was made GOS Champion of Champions at Royal Three Counties with Ampneyknowle Princess Freda 33 pick- ing up Interbreed Champion at the same show. A trul y remarkable achievement given the modern breed competition. Sarah Whitley’ s Birchfield Bluebell 402 won the Northern Championship and Mike Smith’s Coss combe Princess 4 scooped the Southern Prize. Congratulations to all of them. David Overton was recognised by the club with an aw ard for his long service and dedication to the GOS breed at the GYS and Guy Kidd y was named pedigree breeder of the year at the inaugural National Pig A w a r d s . The GOSPBC is unique; no other pig club achieves mo re on behalf of its mem- bers or is so active in promoting the breed. A volu ntary team of dedicated committee members work hard behind the scenes to en sure the club supports its members at every opportunity and welcomes members i nput. We look forward to celebrating our silver anniversary and hope to catc h up with a good many of you during the coming year. GOSPBC Committee 2015 Accounts will be available at the AGM and published in Spot Press May issue. Piggy News P4 Vol 25 No 1 National Young Show Stars Challenge Taking place over two days at Three Counties Showgr ound April 1st & 2nd the National Young Stars Challenge is devised to further the skills of young stock enthus iasts and to enable them to display their abilities in a rang e of pig keeping and presentation skills. Sponsored by the c lub Sarah Whitley, Ella Kirtley and Oliver Lightfoot wi ll be representing the GOS breed and club. Among the chal lenges they face are stock judging, show preparation, prom otion of their sponsor, pig handling and show ring etiquette as well as a public interview. The club wishes them every s u c c e s s .
The Farm Shop & Deli Show will be held at the NEC Birmingham on Superior Tattooing Equipment 20th—22nd April 2015. For more details www.farmanddelishow.co.uk You should only need to buy one tattooing kit in your lifetime so make sure it’s good quality. You Charcuterie School Opens in London will find cheaper equipment but one of the things that exercises established breeders is the poor Charcuterers Cannon & Cannon are set to run courses in charcuterie for quality of many tattoos in pig’s ears that become illegible in a short space of time. retailers and consumers at their purpose build facility in the capi- tal’s Borough Market. Classes start in February ‘15. For more informa- tion visit www.cannonandcannon.com/meatschool
New Award for Ludlow Food Centre
The Ludlow Food Centre on the Earl of Plymouth estate in Shropshire Nos. in sets 0—9 has added another title to its list of accolades: the Midlands’ Best Deli 1 set will do nos 1-10 or Farm Shop as awarded by The BBC Good Food Show. It was dscribed 2 sets 11-110 as “the ultimate food destination in the Midlands” by a judging panel of 3 sets 111-1110 experts from the BBC Good Food magazine. They were impressed with 4 sets 1111-9999 the centre’s focus on locally produced food, appreciating seasonality Part of the problem is and sourcing all their meat from the estate on which the farm shop lies. technique but the The Earl of Plymouth estates has the second largest herd of Gloucester- biggest failing is the equipment available shire Old Spots in the country numbering some 75 sows. We hope to in the UK which is hear more about the herd when the SP regional focus goes to the West why the Club have Midlands in a future issue. been instrumental in importing from Can- ada special pliers that take 14mm high characters which are chisel point instead of needle point. Such numbers carry more ink through the pig’s ear which, coupled with the larger size, means that there’s a much better chance of the ear number being legible throughout the pig’s life. Remember these are not only suitable for GOS but Large White, Tamworth, Middle White, Welsh, British Lop, Oxford Sandy & Black, Pietrain, Landrace etc.
Pliers £72.95 - Numbers £42.95/set + £4.50p&p
For details on how to order Tel 01285 860229
AVAILABLE FROM STOCK
Welsh Winter Fair Congratulations to Mike & Jane Smith who triumphed in the pedigree sausage class of forty entries coming out top of the pile with their Old English Sausage produced from the Cosscoombe herd of GOS in Somerset. The Smiths have also been taking part in sending a shipment of pigs to Northern Ireland alongside GOS from the Kilcot herd and we hope to hear more about this in a future issue of Spot Press. Piggy News P5 Vol 25 No 1
Club Shop & MerchandisingMerchandising————GOSPBCGOSPBC Committee 2015
The on-line shop was closed in November 2014 after operational difficulties. It was the intention of the club to re-open this Spring but after protracted and heated debate the decision for it to remain closed was taken. The shop did not generate sufficient income and was not widely enough used to operate cost effectively. It was felt club funds could be put to better use as new stock would cost a considerable sum and was ‘dead’ money until it was sold. The club does not operate as a commercial venture and it was felt that members would appreciate prudent measures at this time. Other bodies similar to ourselves including the RBST are moving away from merchandising for similar reasons. There is still some merchandise which will be made available at the AGM and through Spot Press.
National Pig Awards 2014
Awarded after Xmas Spot Press went to the printers the National Pig Awards organised in association with the NPA and BPEX, aim to recognise and reward best practice in British pig production and are the only awards exclusively for the British Pig industry. In one of the specialist catergories; pedigree pig breeder two of our very own club members vied for the award. Guy Kiddy and Sally Lugg had both of their herds under the spotlight. The first round of judging took place using the entries submitted (online or in paper format) and consisted of an exclusive board of judges.. From this a shortlist was agreed upon and farm visits were arranged to decide the win- ners. All finalists were invited to attend the awards ceremony at the Royal garden Hotel in London where the winners were announced. The honours went to Guy Kiddy (M J Kiddy & Son). Guy was asked by the awards inter- viewer how he felt about winning the award and he replied “Really pleased but its just not about me…...its for the whole family, it’s a family enterprise” Asked what it meant to him he said “Its fantastic, my whole life is pedigree pigs and I go all over the world promoting the pigs so this is a real accolade.” Congratulations from all at GOSPBC. Dates for your Diary
The BPA Show & Sale will be held on Saturday 25th April 2015 at Chelford Market. Details & entry forms will be available shortly on the BPA website and you can visit the website of the auctioneers www.wrightmarshall.co.uk
Great planning by both organisations sees the RBST 12th Spring Rare Breeds Sale take place the same day (25/04/15) at York Auction Centre. Details from www.ylc.co.uk/rare-breeds Tel 01904489731
Members Event on 9th August to celebrate the 25th Anniversary by kind invitation of Teresa Cook at Snape Suffolk. More details in May’s issue of Spot Press.
Early warning for the joint BPA/RBST National Show & Sale at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire on 11th & 12th Septem- ber 2015. Details www.meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk Tel 01664562971
British Pork Remains King of the Pork in our Supermarkets.
Despite the glut of cheap pork in continental cold stores, supermarkets are keeping to their Horsegate promises to source British. The latest Porkwatch survey shows Aldi, Budgens, the Co-op, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose are all maintaining 100 percent British pork on their shelves. Lidl and Tesco have slipped, but overall the percentage of British pork in supermarkets has held at 83 per- cent — which is slightly more than two months ago.
It's a remarkable achievement at a time when the continental pork glut, caused by Russia's two trade bans, has created a 36p-a-kilo gap between British and European Union prices.
(Source NPA Website) Page 6 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 From the Club’s Forum— A cautionary Tale—Beware The Boar Member John Cooper (Bodger) posted the following “You may recall that few months ago I borrowed a 12 month old Welsh boar to run with my two GOS gilts. About a month ago, he went from here to another farm. This guy wanted to borrow him because his own Welsh boar was way too big for his own gilts. This morning, I’ve heard that the farmer, who was a strapping bloke had been attacked by a boar and that his leg had almost been severed. This happened last week and they still don’t know if they’re going to be able to save it. I’m presuming that it was his own older boar that attacked him but I don’t know for sure. The young boar that I had here was very quiet and well behaved but that obviously isn’t a guarantee. The poor chap is an experienced pig keeper, while I on the other hand know next to nothing. I told Karen (my wife) about the incident and the first thing that she said was that she didn’t want me to have a boar here. Maybe I should brush up on my glass tube technique? I haven’t been at all nervous around the boars that we’ve had on our holding over the years but its certainly given me room for thought..
It solicited several replies: Liz Nickson posted “ Boars need to be respected at all times no matter how safe and gentle you think they are. We had one a few years ago that we had had since he was a weaner. He had always been a joy to han- dle and rolled over to have a tummy tickled as soon as he saw you. However one day a gate was open that should- n’t have been and my husband was on the yard with a sow in season. The boar pushed him out of the way. Didn’t knock him over but caught him with his tusks. Resulted in bad leg injury and several days in hospital. Luckily all healed up okay but outcome could have been very different. It was one of those things that shouldn’t have hap- pened but did. Hadn’t worried about removing tusks until then!
Mandyandy Garbutt added “We have two boars here and it is very evident that if one smells the other on me I have to be fast on my feet as they come at you with dangerous intent. We never keep grown boars near each other and keep well out of the way while serving of sows is in progress. I too have had deep tusk wounds and we trim tusks back with dehorning wire. Boars must be treated with respect and never trusted, always carry something to have between you and it. I have used a bucket with good results on a charging boar as when their face is covered their inclination is to back off giving you time to escape. Thanks for sharing your tale.
Anne Nicholls posted “Mr Kiddy a decade or so ago at the Royal Show had first hand experience of the dangers of showing boars when his leg was badly damaged. Those of us who witnessed the damage that resulted were suitably sobered, it happened in an instant and appeared to be caused by the board he was using not being thor- oughly cleaned between boar classes. l’m sure any trace of boar on clothing would have a similar effect and needs to be considered when around males. Over the years l have seen and indeed been in some very near misses in the ring with all classes of pigs and some of the most dangerous classes are young handlers when things can go very wrong if there are not sufficent handlers with boards in the ring ready for trouble. lt is very easy too to take January boars showing whose hormones have not kicked in at home to find a chomping monster far quicker than you who will whip round on a sixpence and take you off guard. Personally when showing boars l am of the opinion that the person on the board should concentrate on looking for dangers , blocking any incoming boars and advising the handler if a change of direction is called for. lnexperienced pig show-ers would be advised to observe the professionals and be really sure of themselves before entering boars. (Under 16’s are no longer allowed to show boars ar BPA shows.)
In 2006 Maisie Payne a club member in Coventry had a visit to A&E following an attack by a previously placid sow who took offence when Maisie recovered one of the sows piglets from outside the pen back to its mother, its squeals alarmed the sow who rounded on Maisie attack- ing her very badly and only stopped the attack when Maisie played dead. Maisie was severely bruised on all her torso and had deep puncture wounds on her ankles and calves which took several weeks to heal. The sow had never shown any previous aggression previously so it pays to be aware at all times. Right The KnaggsKnaggs team showing their boar.
This is a timely reminder to us all to not be complacent in our dealing with any of our stock whether they be boars, young stock or sows with litters, they can be very dangerous. Always have a clear escape route, use a board and stick, if a pig shows aggression back off to a safe distance. If you have more than one boar even youngsters be aware that even the slightest scent of another can stir them up.. BE SAFE. Page 7 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 2015 BPA Breed Survey
As you can see from the figures above the breed remains in relative good health however given that just over 700 sows and 77 sows reside in just two herds respectively we cannot be complacent. Lines that are looking particularly low when these herds are removed from the figures are the Gerald line in the boars and in the sows Dahlia, Princess Ann, Star and Muriel could all do with some help. The Princess, Star Antoinette and Ellen line figures are also over inflated as these are kept in very large numbers in the 700 sow herd in Yorkshire.
BPA registered breeders numbers remain steady at 248. Of those 248; 91 are club members so we still have some way to go to convince them to join our ranks and the club is putting in place measures to encourage these breeders to join/back into the club.
Photograph and analysis Mandy Garbutt Page 8 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1
Let’s make 2015 a Special Year
As the GOSPBC celebrates it’s 25th anniversary numbers of GOS top 1400 sows but we cannot be complacent given over 800 reside in just two herds. The breed still needs our help to stay at the top of the breed league table and this can only be done by GOS breeders and keepers getting out there and promoting them. So now is the time for you to throw your hat into the show ring. The GOS breed needs better representation at all the shows around the country espe- cially when breeds lesser in number than ours are filling the show rings and winning the honours! This year there will be special anniversary rosettes to be won and there are more pig classes being held around the country than ever before. We have enclosed for you a list of shows so there is bound to be one near you, if you don’t fancy traditional showing have a read of page 10 about exhibiting your pigs. There is more information on the club website under the Shows tab.
An early Show to try—Surrey County Show
In the Autumn issue of Spot Press we gave a very short report on the Surrey show. On the website forum we were taken to task over it by member Anne Nicholls who wrote “Although your report on my very local show was factually correct sadly it does not reflect the strength of enthusiasm and quality and spirit of the show that l actually experienced and is hardly encouraging to any potential new entries” and continued further “Further to your report in Spot Press. Amanda (Philips judging) did a splendid job as might be expected by a breeder of near perfect pigs. She was faced with really big mixed classes in the sort of weather that often occurs on a Bank Holiday Monday and sometimes results in the” Slurry” County Show! lt is the first show of the season for us Southerners, to catch up with everybody after the winter and l think Clare and Robin (Wilson Oaklands Pigs) would agree the opportunity to see the King’s Troop in action,( twice!) was just the icing on the cake. Really good show ,thank you Richard (Lutwyche) for your continuing service to keep the pig classes growing. As to team, l only took a July gilt, no shame in 6th, in June she took the GOS ch. at the South of England and the Wilson’s mixed team actually did very well.”
Surrey Show 2014—Despite the wet weather, thousands of visitors enjoyed a spectacular line up of entertainment and top class competition, the main highlight being The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery - The Troop’s Musical Drive is one of the most exciting and spectacular displays of horsemanship in the world, and most of it was carried out at the gallop! The renowned scissors movement, where Gun teams cross at the centre of the arena with no visible gap between them had the crowds cheering. A real success and it is hoped that they will return to a future show
.
The show combines top class entertainment, award winning livestock and horses, local foods and crafts, floristry, countryside and farming displays and brings the best of the countryside to the heart of the town. It's a great day out for the whole family, with the opportunity to see firsthand the many aspects of country life and farming.
This years show is on Bank Holiday Monday 25th May 2015. Pig class entries open on January 31st 2015 and close on April 17th 2015. More details can be found at http://www.surreycountyshow.co.uk/surrey://www.surreycountyshow.co.uk/surrey----countycountycounty----showshow
We look forward to Anne’s report of the 2015 Surrey show in the show round up in September, don’t forget the photos! Page 9 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 A late show to try - Westmoreland Show
The next Show will be held on Thursday 10th of SeptemberSeptember 2015 at Lane Farm, Crooklands, Kendal, Cumbria LA7 7NH just off the M6. The Westmorland County Show is one of the largest one day Shows in the Country and certainly one of the oldest, given that the Society was founded in 1799 and is still going from strength to strength 215 Shows later. The Westmorland County Show held on the second Thursday in September each year; attracts over 29,000 people. It prides itself on being a major livestock Show, with its heart firmly in agricuture. Sections include cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, heavy horses, alpacas, dogs and poultry, as well as marquees for The Women's Institute, Learning for Life, Crafts from Cumbria, local produce Food Hall, Rural Crafts and over 350 trade stands. Not forgetting the very popular Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling. A colourful event, with many competitors competing in traditional costumes. Pig classes have their own dedicated marquee and show ring and classes are held under the rules and general conditions of the BPA. When there are sufficient entries classes are split by breed. Pig exhibitors from as far North as Perthshire and as far south as Staffordshire take part. There are breed rosettes to be won and it is a qualifying round for the GOSPBC Northern Championships Final at the following year’s GYS. Entries can be made online. For more information http://www.westmorlandshow.co.http://www.westmorlandshow.co.ukuk
Westmorland is proud to boast the largest local products Food Hall in the North West, and probably in the Country, entirely supported by local producers promoting their own products, with special demonstrators and Ce- lebrity Chefs. The Westmorland County Show is Cumbria’s premiere “shop window” for a “taste, try and buy” experience in a convivial and relaxing atmosphere. The Show is a centre of excellence and a great place for people to meet and discuss current and future rural issues: bringing together people from all walks of life to meet, socialise and talk. All the above combined with ongoing arena events in a number of locations ensures lots to see and do. Don’t forget to pack a brolly (just in case), and you’ll be guaranteed a great day out. Make a Day of It!
Look forward to seeing you there.
Photos Westmorland 2014
emember that one of your Member benefits is automatic Public Liability Insurance covering your pigs while at a show in the UK. Some shows insist that you show proof of such insurance in which case R you can request a copy of the document from the Club (£5 admin charge). Otherwise, it’s one thing less to worry about and if you go for your own cover from the likes of NFU Mutual, expect to pay a premium r unning into hundreds of pounds! Page 10 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1
The Joy of Pig Showing! By Harold I. Moss ( a showman for 20 years)(Part 1) As Christmas becomes a distant memory, normality resumes with a thud. It is 11’ o’clock on a freezing January evening when most sensible people are in bed, that the first farrowing of the year takes place. Knowing the length of time that can elapse between births, the mind can drift away gently to those balmy summer days at the County Shows when these offspring will obediently be walk- ing round the ring with their proud owners in attendance...Well! That is enough of the dream, what about the reality.
Showing can tend to produce three distinct groups of people, those who love it, those who hate it but agree to help their partners and those who love to hate it! It is important to realise from the outset that there is NO one way to prepare the animals for the show and there are many variations on a theme.
Selection of stockstock————For the first time show person looking at a show catalogue there is bewildering number of classes, but I would un hesitatingly say that the beginner should go for the January gilt class every time. (This is a pig born on or after January 1 st of that same year) A weaner gilt 12 weeks old could be purchased at the end of March but for showing DO go to a breeder who also shows, ( the G.O.S.P.B.C. can provide a list of names)
Why choose January?
They flesh naturally. They can be trained from an early age and although nippy on their feet, they are not as stubborn as older pigs. The coat and skin condition is still excellent. The level of the stockmanship required is not so high!!
FeedingFeeding————It is important that the pig is up to size for its class for “a good big un will beat a good little un.” With stock up to in pig stage the recommended ration should be fed with the additional half a pound a day to produce a firm fleshed animal with just a hint of fat. ( A parallel to a Bathing Beauty Competition!!) Over indulgence can almost be forgiven but skinny pigs are definitely out.
TrainingTraining————Perhaps the single biggest reason for people not showing is the question ”Will it behave?” Well they don’t always and for those of us who have had children, they don’t always do either. But there is no doubt that the level of enjoyment at a show is directly linked to the effort put into training.
Pigs have an incredible sense of smell so are naturally wary when moving, coupled with Gloucester’s lop ears and reticent nature it is important to get them moving about as possible. Open the pen door and let them walk outside on a daily basis if time permits but certainly do it regularly. About 6-8 weeks before the show training with a board and stick can begin. The pig handler stands on the left side of the pig with the board in the left hand and the walking stick used to guide the animal is in the right hand. There are two extremes of approach to guiding the pigs with varying combinations in-between. There is the ‘close control’ in which the han- dler holds the pig closely with the stick and board and the more ‘laid back’ technique where the pig is gently patted on the rear and the show person walks nearer the back of the pig with a relaxed air. The former method is perhaps more suitable for the younger pig but not required for matronly older sows. The varying techniques also tend to differ depending on the show persons age, the more youthful of the group being more capable of gadding round the ring in a bent position than the mature membership with sciatica!!
It is important that the pigs are walked regularly to build up muscle tone, for on show day they could be required to walk in the ring for quite some time, especially with lingering judges and they (the pigs), do get tired and fed up and in some cases go on strike and grumble loudly!
Washing and Show PreparationPreparation————At the same time as exercising, the pig can be having its coat and skin prepared, a bit like the ladies of the house, a good shampoo, a good quality oil to improve the skin. and a nice brush up at the end! On a more serious note, it is important to start preparations early. Firstly obtain a large bottle of sunflower oil and GENTLY rub this into the skin all over. This will then start to soften any flaky skin. DO NOT even think of trying to remove any blemishes at this stage. Leave this oil on for about ten days, making sure that the back is kept moist with oil. At the end of this time put the pig into an empty pen to shampoo it. I have known breeders use carbolic soap, Vosene, Fairy Liquid and pure soap flakes. But do remember that a pigs’ skin is very tender. The best preparation that I have used is Johnsons Baby Shampoo but be careful, animals can be allergic to chemicals and can come out in spots and blotches, if this happens try something else. That is why it is important to start washing early to avoid this problem. Page 11 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 Cont….d
When washing the pig do use warm water and once the back is well lathered, take a soft brush and gently remove some of the dead scaly skin. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and then use an old towel to dry off the surplus water. Put the pig back into a clean dry pen with clean bedding and shake on some wood flour and brush this out. You may need to repeat this process until the pig is up to show standard. NOTE, do not apply wood flour in a dirty pen as they do have a habit of trying to remove it.
Loading and unloading.unloading.————Do you have a hernia? Sciatica? High blood pressure? Prone to using bad language or providing alternative amuse- ment for the spectators at Agricultural Shows, then you can safely say that you have loaded or unloaded live stock! THIS NEED NOT BE THE CASE Pigs can be trained to go quite happily into a trailer providing the incentive is there.
About 3 or 4 weeks before the show, start to feed the pigs in the trailer, this gets them used to leaving the pen and entering the trailer. Feeding pig nuts prevents staining the face and they are easier to put on the floor of the trailer. Some pigs find the clatter of mounting the trailer ramp off putting, so I put down an old fire side rug for them to walk up. This was much admired by my show colleagues with some cheeky comments
With more people now showing, loading and unloading has improved tremendously and it is now uncommon to see 3or 4 burly men at the back of an old sow which could lead the observer to stretch the limits of the imagination!!
In summary you cannot over train your pig and when it is well done it makes showing look easy but if you don’t, then the whole day and be ruined by anxiety and trepidation.
To the Show!
Wherever possible, livestock should be moved early in the morning or in the cool of the evening. Obviously for one day shows, it is early morning but for 2 or 3 day County Shows, most stock tends to be taken the night before. It is always beneficial to allow the pigs to rest prior to a day showing and on the day the exhibitor doesn’t have the problems associated with unloading and parking. At the show you will meet many more like minded people who are willing to show you the ropes. Do not arrive too late, otherwise help to unload will not be on hand as the exhibitors retire rather early for a wide variety of night caps, some containing alcohol..!!
The Morning of the Show
An exciting time with lots of atmosphere. Pigs washed and fed early, alarmingly the owners have spruced up and look ‘different’. There is an eager anticipation. At the Royal Lancashire it was always the case of taking a guess as to when the downpour would arrive and it was usually Sunday!
Judging usually begins between 9.00am and 10.00am and it is here that the exhibitors sartorial elegance can be given full rein. The obligatory dress is white coat, G.O.S.P.B.C. tie, shoes with a good tread or wellies in a monsoon and a natty line in white headgear if the sun shines. The coat can be nylon or cotton the later tend to look and stay whiter over the years. When you enter the ring take your time. The judge will usually stand in the centre of the ring, so it makes sense to proceed in a clockwise direction. Never stand between the pig and the judge, walk at a gentle pace and try to keep in the judge’s eye. If the pig goes through the judges legs you are too close! Eventually the judge will make a decision and rosettes will be awarded.
As Rudyard Kipling wrote “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat the two imposters just the same...... you’ll be a man, my son” ( from the poem ‘If’) So whatever the result, treat success with humility and failure with good grace and magnanimity, remember, the people who are usually the greatest critics are those not even in the showing. This article has been written in the hope that it will perhaps encourage more people to have a go. Above all....enjoy it!!! I look forward to seeing you at the show.
Illustrations by Suzanne Moss Part 2 will be in May’s Issue P12 Vol 25 No 1
Pig Keepers Do It Better Pictures Beech/Garbutt Peter Hall is a member of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies of the United Kingdom and this article appears courtesy of the Morning Western News from July 2014 . Pig farmers are much more concerned about their public image than are sheep farmers: Official! That’s a bland and very general statement and, of course, inapplicable in very many instances; but certainly the case, if my experiences at the 2014 Royal Bath & West of England Show were anything to go by. I was acting as judge in the “presentation” classes, both in the pig shed and the sheep lines. There the contrast between the approach of pig farmers and sheep farmers, in general terms, was quite striking. Because “presentation” in showing parlance means a whole range of criteria – and not just how the livestock are pre- pared. General neatness of the pens and cleanliness of the stock are important factors, naturally, but much consideration should be given to the “educational content” of the display, targeted at the general public, and exhibitors were invited to regard their pens as a flock (or herd), display as a whole. And that was where the pig people won hands down, with any number of explanatory boards containing a whole wealth of information and pictures – even some witticisms and doggerel – while the sheep producers were much more tardy in telling the story about their products. There were naturally some notable exceptions, sheep-showers keen to tell the tale and be as informative as possible, with some displays aimed directly at a younger audience, and examples of fleece and wool and a determined effort made to explain as much as possible to an increasingly urban audience. This determination, I felt, was doing a great service to farming and the countryside . . . spreading the message, enlightening the ignorant and, very often, doing it in a fun way without being condescending. It’s something the Royal Bath & West does very well indeed, given its location with an enormous city-based catchment from the Bristol and Bath conurbation. As the nation becomes ever-more urban and we move yet further away from generations that understood keeping fowls in the back yard, and a communal pig or two, it is surely paramount to explain what farming and food production is all about. That, after all, is why we have Open Farm Sunday – and various schools initiatives taking children onto farms. Now we’re into the season of the more localised one-day regional shows, with the big three county shows of the West country behind us. Each of the big three is always very individual, with its own special appeal, attractions – and problems. The tragedy of the 2014 Devon County was obvious (being abandoned because of water-logged car parks after two of the three days). It was a brave decision to make, but the right one in the circumstances. Anyone at close hand could see the anguish on the faces of the senior officials in- volved in the fateful and expensive cancellation. And it was a calumny for some commentators to lambaste individual officials – as they did, and in doing so simply displaying their own ignorance. My heart went out to the many hundreds of stallholders who faced financial loss as a consequence. A land-agent friend told me that not only was he finding the pitch fees expensive, but then the first two days at Westpoint proved disappointing in attendance, and the Saturday, when he was expecting to do real business, was a non starter. The Royal Bath & West has its own issues, too, I was told by a concerned steward. And that’s all about the general direction of this great event. The dog show and the flower marquee have already disappeared, to the considerable chagrin of local potential exhibitors. And now, said the steward, the future of some of the livestock sectors was under scrutiny. Which is a pity, as the Shepton Mallet permanent venue is such a wonderful showcase for matters agricultural to people who would not normally get within half-a-mile of a cow. The fact that these days many livestock exhibitors take their animals away before the last day of the show – the Saturday – suggests there may be a good case for reducing the number of its days from four to three, like the Devon County and Royal Cornwall. So far as the one-day shows are concerned, they serve as a wonderful cornuco- pia of local rural life, all of them very considerable events in the annual calendar. We are so fortunate in the Westcountry having so many, representing agricultural and ancillary interests, and in the Honiton and Stithians events we have the larg- est and second-largest one-day shows in England. he efforts of the organisers deserve the continuing support of all of us. P13 Vol 25 No 1 From Spot Press Issue 1991
Page 14 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 Promoting GOS & your herd (an alternative to showing) Whilst it would be great for all our members to have a go at showing their pigs it isn’t for everyone.. So if you don’t want to show how can you get your herd known and promote the GOS breed? The answer is exhibiting. We have exhibited at small- holder shows, RHS gardens, local shows, and Open Farm Sunday’s. It a good way to let people see your pigs and promote your herd and the breed.
This is our experience and you can use it for guidance. We were either approached by the events or we contacted the shows and offered to put on a small display of young pigs. Weaners or pigs up to about 16wks are ideal. We contacted our local DEFRA office for advice and they told us so long as the pigs never left the trailer it was considered as “going for a ride out” and no AML’s would be required so we always exhibit the pigs (three is a good number) in the trailer with the back door dropped onto a couple of bales and the gates opened with a hurdle tied securely across to provide a display area. (see pics) Wonky & Doug both slept thro’ most of the time!
We have a display board to the side and a number of leaflets available for people to see which tell them about GOS pigs and our herd. The board is made of a sheet of ply cut into two pieces and hinged together and with knotted end ropes through two drilled holes to stop it doing the splits. Oh and don’t forget your deckchair!
In this picture you can see another trailer next to us this had rare breed sheep in it exhibited the same way!
AT some of the shows they will provide you with a pen but that WILL mean you need to do an AML2 as your pigs will leave their trailer. If they do offer you a pen make sure its very secure, sheep pens are generally not strong enough and we have take additional pieces of scaffold poles and rope/cable ties for strengthening weak pens!
So there you are get contacting your Sit & talk local shows and suggest they have a piggy all day piggy display. A sow & litter are always popular. The public get very few chances to see real pigs so why not show them yours.
If you have any problems or need any further advice please get in touch.
Delia gets a nose scratch from an adoring fanfan. [email protected] Page 15 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 Young Handlers As we grown-ups are not getting any younger we need to look at bringing the next generation of GOS pig keepers into the fold. The BPA runs a Junior pig club (www.bpajuniorpigclwww.bpajuniorpigclub.co.ukub.co.uk ) which encourages new entrants into the pig world and showing pigs is a good way for youngsters to get involved. They learn how to handle the pigs, stockmanship and social skills. Children as young as three years old are already out in the ring and there are a number of older children coming up through the age groups. Photos ( L to R) Oliver Kirtley age 3 with his Aunt Sarah Whitley & Alfie Holding age 3 with his pig Peggy Spot
Our Niece Anya (below left) started at 8 with a January gilt before that she just wasn’t physically strong enough. Its all about building a relationship up with the pig and just putting in the time practising. In these pictures you can see her with Clover, we later shortened the stick to make it a better fit for her and we made her a smaller board out of lightweight ply. White coats are easily available on e-bay , we googled ‘childrens lab coats’.
Children must NEVER show boars and a competent adult should be nearby , most judges will allow the adults into the ring especially with the very young. As children get older they become more adept at showing sometimes as good if not better than some of the adults!
The GOS has several young stars coming through. (LL to R) Alfie Dallaway, Connie Dallaway & Niall Kelly
The Great Yorkshire Show especially puts a lot of effort into displaying young handlers, Tom Alty usually commentates and encourages the children, they swap pigs and there are games and obstacle courses. Tallulah Lascelles age 7 made her debut at the Great Yorkshire Show and came away with a rosette much to her delight. (Photo below Left )
Royal Three Counties is also another good show for youngsters, Photo right shows Ella Kirtley negotiating her pig across the obstacle course bridge at RTC
So come on young GOS keepers lets hope to see some of you this year. BPA Junior pig club can be emailed at
Photgraphs
Mandy Garbutt, & Mark Dallaway
STOP PRESSPRESS———— RYEDALE SHOW IN NORTH YORKSHIRE IS HAVING YOUNG PIPIGG HANDLERS CLASS FOR THE FIRST TIME JULY 28TH 2015
Page 16 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1
Regional FocusFocus————EastEast of England Historically pigs have played an important part of the economy of the eastern counties of England. Between them they provide a considerable amount of home- produced pork and bacon. Ham and bacon curing is a traditional East Anglian industry. Suffolk sweet cured hams are renowned but becoming rarer. They take nearly ten weeks to cure— a month soaking in brine, then several weeks in a sweet pickling solution of sugars, salt and saltpetre, during which they have to be turned every day. Then they are smoked over an apple-wood and oak fire to develop their characteristic black skins. The results are handsome to look at and taste marvellous. (See photo right) Another traditional pork dish from the region is the oddly named Huntingdon Fidget Pie which makes use of the regions other prolific crops of apples and onions along with bacon. (See recipe page) A curious custom involving bacon has taken place in the Essex town of Great Dunmow every third year on Whit Monday since the 13th century. At the Dunmow Flitch Trilal, a flitch or side of bacon is given to a local married couple who can prove, to the satisfaction of the jury, that they have not quarrelled or wished they were not married for the whole of the preceding year! The Flitch is carried through the town and the chosen couple are hoisted high in the seat following the flitch and paraded around before being presented with the flitch by the town mayor. There will be a trial in 2015. As of March 2014 the following GOS numbers were in the East of England Counties. SOWS x 123 BOARS x 41 PATRICK 10
GERALD 5 DAHLIA 1 SAMBO 9 PRIMROSE 4 RUFUS 17 MURIEL 4 JOSEPHINE 5 The club has 23 members in the East of England region counties of Norfolk, COUNTESS 2 Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Well known DOLLY 9 herds in the area include Alsa herd in Essex, Balsham herd in Bedfordshire, BLUEBELL 15 Bramblebees in Cambridgeshire, The Millfields herd and Oakhouse herds in STAR 2 Suffolk and the Broccwood in Norfolk. FREDA 7 The area has several shows which have pig classes The Suffolk and South P ANN 2 Suffolk shows both in May along P MARY 22 with Essex Young Farmers show, P JOAN 16 The Royal Norfolk in July and ANTOINETTE 11 Wayland in August. ELLEN 6 PRINCESS 17 Photo Right Christina Cullington puts Broccwood Princess through her paces at the Royal Norfolk Show 2014. Notable agricultural colleges in the area include Shuttle- worth College in Bedfordshire and Writtle College in Essex. Writtle college has an 84 strong sow unit and is one of the leading colleges in the training of new entries into the live- stock industry. A party to celebrate the club’s 25th anniversary will be held this year in Suffolk at the kind invitation of Teresa Cook owner of the Millfield’s herd on 9th August, more details in May’s issue. Page 17 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1
REGIONAL FOCUS EAST OF ENGLAND
The Hundred Acre Herd, Suffolk
Stuart and Jemma Dolan are two of the club’s newest members based in Suffolk at Stowmarket. This is what Stuart told us about his GOS experience thus far and he kindly shares some his new keeper tips ………….
“We are a small family who live in the centre of a town with nowhere near enough land to keep any kind of livestock let alone pigs!! However in June/July last year that changed and due to a land share scheme we managed to achieve our dream. For me there was never any decision to make – we were going to keep pigs!
So we ordered the pigs but unfortunately had to wait until September be- fore getting three girls. Our intention is to use two for meat and keep one to breed from. We decided that we would go to pick the pigs up in our estate car! My first tip – don’t ever do that you will never get rid of the smell and you will be scrubbing your boot for weeks!! But we got them home to a nicely overgrown pen that we figured would keep them amused for a while. I was in complete awe of how quickly they managed to clear the area of weeds and any type of vegetation!
We decided that we wanted to go down the rare breed route so as to bolster numbers and ensure that the breed was protected moving forward. Once this was decided we knew that we were going for the Gloucester Old Spot because of the quality of the meat but frankly because they are a great looking breed! My short term aim for keeping pigs is to learn the trade, I want to learn all of their traits and how to get the best quality of meat and the happiest pigs so that longer term we can start selling the meat to compliment our local vegetable box scheme.
That said I will struggle immensely taking the girls to slaughter, they are intelligent and extremely endearing animals to whom I have grown very attached! I have tried to resist naming them but one has crept through! Our aim is to have our own breed- ing herd to as to bolster the num- bers of GOS.
Stuart & his girls have group hug!
Cont....d over page Page 18 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 REGIONAL FOCUSFOCUS————EASTEAST OF ENGLAND
Cont..d “Now I am not an expert and am a long way off but I can offer a few tips as someone who has gone from zero to now owning 7 pigs with another 3 coming in February!
Tip one invest in a good pair of wellies and overalls believe me it doesn’t matter how dry the land is when you first get your pigs they will make it into a bog! I have lost count the amount of times I have ended up calf deep in mud and god knows what else, you will get covered in muck no matter how careful you are!
Tip two – make sure the feeders and drinkers are at the edge of the pen that way you won’t have to traipse through the muddy boggy pen all the time!
Tip three – arguably one of the most crucial is to have a sense of humour without one you won’t enjoy your pigs, they will test you, they will es- cape from you, they will try to gang up on you (especially if you’ve got food) if you are not able to laugh about it and enjoy it then keeping pigs will be short lived for you. To make my point after collecting our piglets we managed to get them home without a glitch, we parked up next to the sty and decided to lift them from the car into the sty – a simple process you would think……………. 2 and a half hours later in complete darkness we finally caught the escapees believe me the sense of humour was integral, that and the bottle of Prosecco!!
Finally in their new ark!
Finally and arguably most importantly do your research, visit local keepers ask questions about the breed, make sure you can give them the commitment and dedication they deserve and they will reward you for it! “
All photographs Stuart Dolan
Old Piggy Pics. Do you have any old farming pictures with pigs on them. We’d love to see them and hear the back story that accompanies them.
Left you can see a picture from Simon Beech of his paternal grand- father tending to his pigs probably during the war years.
Right is picture of Mandy Garbutt’s dad with his pig Sinnington Beauty taken in the early 1950’s.
Send yours to
[email protected] Page 19 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 Regional Focus East of England The Oakhouse Herd, Suffolk by Georgina Woolf My husband had always kept a group of pigs to fatten during the summer holidays as he was growing up and when I moved to Suffolk we decided to start doing this again. We decided that we would keep a tradi- tional breed and liked the look of the old spots so we sourced some weaners and fattened them on a cereal based diet using the grain grown on the farm (the same recipe that we still use) and selling halves to friends and some of my husband’s previous customers. We did this a few times but found that we were travelling quite a distance to get weaners, so decided that we would keep a couple of gilts and a boar for breeding; the first pigs in the Orwell herd. Betty and Doris were our first GOS sows but everything was not plain sailing. Betty farrowed first and all was well but Doris’ piglets failed to appear. The vet decided to intervene but unfortunately Doris ended up with blood poisoning and so had to be destroyed losing all the piglets as well. Although this was not the start to breeding pigs we would have wanted, it did mean that we experienced things not running smoothly early on and learnt how to deal with it. It was at this point that we decided to buy a pedigree in pig sow from an experienced breeder to form the foundation of our herd. Mildred (Exfold Josephine 257) duly arrived and October 2005 saw the arrival of her 9 piglets. We ended up keeping four of these piglets to increase the herd. Descendants of Mildred are still in our herd today. We now have 17 sows and 2 boars. We keep Josephine, Princess, Princess Ann, Princess Freda, Ellen, Princess Mary and Star female lines and our boars are Gerald and Rufus. Our focus has always been on keeping our pigs to high welfare standards. Thinking we would achieve this aim, all the pigs used to be kept outside except for farrowing sows who were brought in and stayed in the yard with their piglets for 4 weeks. Our land has proved a bit heavy for outdoor pigs. We found that in the winter the growers were too slow growing as they were always wet, cold and up to their middles in mud. Last January, we took the decision to fatten the growers in sheds with outside yards and now only keep the dry sows and boars outside. This has proved much nicer for the pigs, improved our fattening rates and is certainly much nicer for the humans who are looking after them, as we don’t have to wade about up to our welly tops in mud! As part of our focus on high welfare and performance stan- dards, on the advice of our vet, we vaccinate all of our piglets against a number of common pig ailments. We have three main outlets for the pigs that we breed. We sell some at 8 weeks to people who want to fatten them. Secondly we sell some pigs to local butchers and thirdly we have some of the pigs butchered and the meat is returned to the farm where we sell directly to the public. There have been many funny moments during the years. One that sticks in my mind is when my mother-in-law received a phone call to say that it was believed one of the pigs had escaped and had crossed a main road and had been seen on the other side of the road. We set out with the trailer in search of Matilda debating whether we should call the police to tell them that she had escaped. After a while we located her (she had not crossed a main road) making her way across one of our arable fields completely lost. The field was covered in snow and she was quite a sight. We managed to catch her again and put her in a shed in the farmyard as this was not the first time Matilda had escaped. Needless to say the decision was made that she had to go, as we could not risk her escaping again and she never man- aged to understand the electric fence. Pig keeping is enjoyable but it is also a lot of hard work and is not for the faint hearted. If you are thinking about keeping pigs then always do your research and get in touch with other pig keepers before you start so you know what you are letting yourself in for.
Photographs Georgona & Ben Woolf Page 20 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 REGIONAL FOCUS EAST OF ENGLAND
The Alsa Herd, Essex.
Carol Knights was club secretary and editor of Spot Press 2002—2002 ———20072007 and a pig keeper of many years standing so we took the chance to catch up with her recently and this is what she told us......
“ Here at Alsa Farm in north west Essex near Stansted Airport, we have been keeping and breeding pedigree pigs for 23 years and we’ve enjoyed every minute of it! Peter, my husband, wasn’t too keen to begin with, but when we cooked and ate our first home grown Gloucesters he had to agree that they produce the most succulent and tasty pork EVEREVER. We have tried Middle Whites, Berkshires, Large Blacks and Tamworths but now we only keep Gloucesters – the meat is so much better.
When we first started, we kept them all outside in electric fenced pens with home -made arks for shelter, but it soon became apparent that in order to manage them properly, especially at farrowing time, it would be necessary to have some indoor accommodation too. So we built the first pig unit in 2001, it is big enough to house six sows in airy pens with straw bedded and insulated sleeping/farrowing areas. We included a boar pen at this time for added security and ease of control. We have gone on to build four more farrowing pens and an extra boar pen which is just about enough to cope with our herd of fifteen sows. The sows all live outside after weaning and service and are brought in again one week before farrowing to give them time to nest and settle. They are all vaccinated to protect them and their litters against Erysipelas.
We have done a fair bit of showing too, the photo shows my Alsa Princess with her January 2015 litter, she was the Supreme Champion at the Suffolk Show for me in 2012. We have taken two years off showing to build our new home at the farm but now it’s finished, so we’ll be back this year.
I have always supported pedigree pig breeding , it is important that we resist the temptation to cross breed and try to maintain good pure -bred stock.
On a lighter note I so enjoy meeting our many customers; from the summer people who turn up to collect their piglets wearing summer dresses and open toed sandals ( I usually lend wellies ); to the winter hardies who obviously know a thing or two. A chat over a cup of tea and cake can bring some surprising revelations.
I welcome visitors so if you are in my area please call 07768 368053 or e mail [email protected] I would be pleased to see you.”
PPPeter & Carol above giving chase to a January! An Alsa sow doing what pigs do naturally! Page 21 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 Pork to Fork
GOS CENTENARY BONE CHINA MUGS
A chance to own a centenary mug. Available individually or as a set of six.
A centenary only comes along once in a lifetime so why not buy something to become a family heirloom. This was a limited edition of 500.
Members price £3.50 each or set of 6 £18.00
CLUB BADGES POLYESTER CLUB TIES
Note Fidget pie is also be found in other regions!! Order now and be See forum for more recipes among the smart set at the shows Members’ Price: £12.75 each
smart pin backed badge to identify you as a club member. Can be worn on any garment.
Members price £3.00 each
Post your order to Fowgill Farm, Ingleby Arncliffe, Northallerton, North Yorks DL6 3JU along with a cheque made payable to GOSPBC. Or email spotpress2014@hotmail with your order. Allow £1 postage for single items and an additional 30p per extra item . Mugs (6) carry a carriage charge of £7 for 48hr delivery. Page 22 Spot Press Vol.25 No.1 Tea Break Time
Welcome New Members ∗ Guy Thomas—Kent ∗ Gareth Jones—Surrey ∗ Tom Armstrong—Derbyshire ∗ Michael Loughlin—Staffs ∗ Messrs Ross-Thomas—Devon ∗ Messrs Pateman-Jones-Devon ∗ Nathan Nobbs—Suffolk ∗ Julie Smith-N Yorkshire ∗ Natalie Bartholomew– W Yorks ∗ James Bowker—N Yorks Spring Blossom at Fowgill 2014
Ode-to-a-pedigree-pig-breeder
On hearing that we had given up keeping pigs, this poem written by Walter Craven, Hartington Herd of Large Black Pigs, Derbyshire was sent to us by Bob Ball and his wife Elizabeth, they emigrated to Australia late in life to be with their daughter and suffered the tragedy of being flooded out in the tremendous storms of a few years ago. Bob passed away in his 90’s having survived Betty by a few years. He was a great character and showed the Aintcliffe Herd of Middle Whites and Saddlebacks at all the major shows with much success.
I must go down to the herd again, the only herd for me And all I ask is a tub o’ grub and a stick to stir it wi’, To the gilts grunt and the boar’s bark and the old sows sighing And the young boar’s call to his comrades-all in the dark-mud-lying.
I must go back to the herd again, When the summer shows begin, To take the pick of the herd there, for someone has to win. To the white coats in the judging ring and the canvas all a flapping, The grass smell and the boar smell and the pig-bats slapping. Sometimes I just can’t be bothered!
I must go back to the herd again but the field is empty now, The huts are gone and the fences down and never a boar or sow , Just the remains of the red rosettes marauding moths have crumbled, Some odds and ends and a rusty pan, in the show-box all tumbled . (With apologies to Sea Fever by John Masefield)
With thanks to Harold Moss for sharing this lovely poem. Spot Press Page 23 Tea Break Time
D I N G I P E L T T I L S F N
E Y I N A M E D T H E P I I R
G S H U F F A N D P U F F C E
L A C I T C A R P F E I H F L
E N N R F I D D L R E I R A D
B O I L I N G P O T M N F D D
P R H E A C T I C N A W L L I
A N C O M D E F E A T W O L F
T H Y E R T A Y U T A H W L O
R C N A E L E L E R D L D T B
H E N P I S G L T S M B A R O
B R I C K S U S W O N Y B Z W
H I H A R D W O R K I N G T Y
E Y C A N D B A H S K C I T S
L A C S U O L O V I R F B K Y
This issues word search is based on the ‘Three little Pigs’ Fairytale. WIth thanks to Harold Moss for setting it.
The words to find: BIG BAD WOLF HARD WORKING BLOW HOUSE BOILING POT HUFF AND PUFF
BRICKS LAZY CHIMNEY LET ME IN CHINNY CHIN CHIN LITTLE PIG DEFEAT WOLF MORAL
FIDDLER PRACTICAL FIFER STICKS FRIVOLOUS STRAW (Not as easy as you think—Ed!)
Laughter Lines Q: What do you call a pig thief? A: A hamburglar. Q: How do pigs write top secret messages? A: With invisible oink! Q: What do you get when you play Tug-of-War with a pig? A: Pulled-Pork Q: What is a pig's favorite color? A: Mahogany! Q: Who is the smartest pig in the world? A: Ein- swine Q: How do you take a sick pig to the hospital? A: In an hambulance!
Ed’s Note
______
Will Spring ever be here I ask myself as I battle flurries of snow this March afternoon well hopefully it will be here soon and this issue of Spot Press looks forward to it and the coming year. It will soon be AGM time and this is your chance to share your thoughts and suggestions with the rest of the club and we look forward to seeing Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig and hearing from you. Breeders’ Club The next issue of Spot Press (end of May) is going to be our anniversary special , we For correspondence via Royal hope to catch up with some of the founding members and the regional focus will be Mail please contact committee on Wales. member for address details At Fowgill our ‘Januaries’ from Twinkle finally arrived albeit last week in February but all doing well and Contact details are on this page fingers are crossed that they grow on well for the coming show season. We hope that Clover will give us some more piglets around Easter. Our big job over the next few weeks is to get the outside paddocks harrowed and reseeded weather permitting. We’re on the web— Don’t forget to tell us how you’re getting on we love stories from the GOS empire and especially your photographs. Still getting to grips www.gospbc.co.uk with editing SP so excuse a few wonky pages!!
Oink! Oink! Mandy Garbutt & all at Fowgill x
Club Contacts • -President—Judith Sims (Somerset) tel 07803290577 e-mail: [email protected] (Shows & Rosette Enquiries) • Chairman—Andrew Robinson (Derbyshire) tel 01283 815635 e-mail: [email protected] (Pedigree Enquiries) • Treasurer—Helen Lightfoot (Glos) tel 01452 700510 e-mail: [email protected] (Membership Enquiries) • Committee—Mandy Garbutt (North Yorkshire) tel 01609 882773 e-mail: [email protected] (Spot Press Enquiries) • Committee—Richard Lutwyche (Glos) tel 01285 860229 • Committee—Marlene Renshaw (Lincs) tel 01507 533209 e-mail: [email protected] (Acting Secretary General Enqs) • Committee—Jonathan Crump (Glos) tel 01453 821486 e-mail: [email protected]
Little Orchards • Committee—John Lightfoot (Glos) tel 01452 700510 e-mail: [email protected] Pigs snug as bugs • Committee—Guy Kiddy (Beds) tel 01767 650884 Photo Holly Smith e-mail: [email protected] (Husbandry & Livestock Enquiries) • Committee– Viki Mills (Devon) tel: 01363 82465 • e-mail: vikkimillsgmail.com SPOT PRESS • Committee: Dave Overton (Surrey) tel 01306 627201 Put together by Mandy Garbutt with e-mail: [email protected] help from Messrs Beech, Crump, Dalloway, • Committee: Oliver Whiteley(N Yorks) e-mail: [email protected] Dolan, Knights, Moss, Smith, & Woolf • Committee: Sarah Whitley(N Yorks) e-mail: [email protected] Initial contact is preferred by ee----mailmail but if you do need to telephone please do so aatt a reasonable hour Printed by Teesprint, Middlesbrough Thank you Copyright GOSPBC 2015 EEE-E---mailmail [email protected]