CENTRAL REGION
Regional Contact Member – Kay Carpenter
I hope everyone has had, or is having, a successful lambing season this year and you have all been able to breed a future champion. We used fertility inducing CIDRS for the first time here at Lickhill and we were very happy with the result. I’m not sure if this was beginners luck but it has meant a tight lambing pattern, early on in the season and I’d be happy to discuss the pros and cons with members who have any questions.
The first of the January 2025 lambs at the Lickhill flock
Lambing at Terry and Berni Barker’s Saltway flock
Any fans of the ITV series ‘Fletcher’s Family Farm’ would not have failed to see a great episode bestowing the virtues of the Jacob breed and of how they “look good and just get on with it”. The episode covered Kelvin Fletcher and his daughter purchasing a 2021 aged ram, Blackadder Viper, bred by Haworth & Locker and sold by Matt Legge, in order for the family to breed their own replacement ewes. This year’s Worcester sale is confirmed as taking place on Saturday 26th July at McCartneys, Worcester. We take great pleasure in thanking Chris Slee from the South West Region for agreeing to be our judge on the day. I hope everyone can make it there but, if not, we will have Marteye available for online bidders if not.
Blackadder Viper sold at Worcester in 2024 by Matt Legge
Ahead of this showing season the region is the grateful recipient of a set of new awards for the best novice exhibitor, having only started showing in the last few years and who will be nominated by the judge for the award donated by Hayley Higginson of Meadowland flock.
The new novice exhibitor awards donated to the Central Region by Hayley Higginson
The best novice awards will hopefully encourage newcomers to the show ring and currently the awards are being presented at the following shows: Staffordshire County Show, Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society, Hanbury Countryside Show, and the Royal Cheshire County Show. Joining the show circuit is a great way to meet members and learn lots more about the breed. If you would like to find out more about showing contact Kay Carpenter or Hayley Higginson. Also if you would like to sponsor a novice award for your local show please get in touch.
Future Events
The region currently has three events organised to date. The first is a Young Handlers’ Workshop to be held on Sunday 6th April at the Elmley Flock, kindly hosted by Lorna Hendey and Jerry Strong, Pershore, Worcestershire. The day is aimed at Jacob sheep young handlers from all over the UK and Ireland. The whole day is free of charge to any young handlers with an interest in Jacob sheep. The day will include activities such as: putting on halters, showing and standing up sheep, feeding – discussion regards hard food and hay, how to do your own faecal egg counts (FECs), sheep medicines, and a sheep showing competition
Willow Bramley, aged seven, casting her eye over potential 2025 show lambs from the Millvale flock
The second event is a wool workshop to be held here at the Lickhill Flock, Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire and run by Barley Gould from the Southern region who is a very experienced crafter and wool enthusiast and who is responsible for organising our wool cup competition at the AGM each year. This is a workshop aimed at the complete beginner who would like to take home a finished product. This is to be a fun day to learn the basics so you can go on to make your felted projects or say never again, knowing you have given it your best shot. We have two different things to make; a wall hanging or a small bag. There may even be time for both. Due to felting needles, it is unsuitable for the under 12’s. To book your places on either of these days or if you would like further information, please contact Kay Carpenter on 07771 5511445 or email
Some of the Wool Cup entries on 2024
The third event in the region’s calendar is the English National Show 2025 to be held at the Royal Three Counties Show on Saturday 14th June at the Malvern showground. It was a fantastic turnout last year and we aim to impress the public and of course our judge on the day, Mr Scott Dalrymple from the DunMor Flock in Scotland, by having just as much of a super line up again this year. Deadline for entries is 16th April.
The English National Show overall champion 2024, Pard House Dynamo, owned and shown by James Leonard
Please get in touch if you would like to host an event for the central region at your holding. The usual timing for open days is one in the spring and one in the autumn. I’m happy to organise the day but require venues if any are available please.