Final Call for Flock Photos for the upcoming 2020 Flock Book. The Flock Book is about to go to print and with no shows in 2020, it was agreed that Flocks can include an image alongside their listings in the flock book should they so wish. 

If you have yet to send in an image, they MUST be with the Secretary by Saturday 15th May 2021 at the very latest. Please send as JPEG to admin@clunforestsheep.org.uk
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Rare Breeds Survival Trust says its new RBST Watchlist, published today in a fresh format, reflects growing recognition among farmers and smallholders of the commercial potential and environmental importance of the UK’s rare breeds of livestock and equines.


RBST works across the UK to save and safeguard the future of rare and native livestock and equine breeds, and its Watchlist is the annual situation report for these breeds. The outlook for many of the UK’s rare native breeds has remained broadly unchanged, thanks to continuing interest from new breeders, the commitment of dedicated Breed Societies, conservation programmes at the 25 RBST-accredited farm parks, and generous public support for RBST’s work.


The way the RBST Watchlist is produced has also been updated this year to give a more holistic view of each breed’s outlook, reflecting robust measures of the genetic diversity within each breed, not just the numbers of breeding females registered as previously used. The new Watchlist is also presented in a simpler style to clearly show Priority and At Risk breeds, and can be found at www.rbst.org.uk.

The market place has been updated 28/3/2021

Mike Eckley, Court-LLacca Flock, was recently able to acquire this unique historical piece of Clun Forest Sheep Breeders Society memorabilia dating back 90 years. It is a medal given in 1932 at the 8th Annual Society Show & Sale to the winner of the ‘Founders Cup’.
The Society was founded in 1925 by various breeders and one of these and the original secretary was Mr. H.J.Marsh of Bedstone, Bucknell, Shropshire. The Bedstone flock was one of the most famous flock in the 1920’s & 30’s winning many prizes until it was sold up in 1936. In 1930, Mr Marsh gave the ‘Founders Cup’ to encourage the entry of females at the Annual Show & Sale at Craven Arms each September. The Cup was a Challenge Cup and was won outright in the mid 1930’s but there is no picture of it and it’s believed (having contacted the family) to have been sold off probably for melting down as it likely to have been solid silver.
It was only by chance that Mike came across this medal online and was able to buy what he believes to be the oldest surviving prize given at the society sale. This medal is dated 1932 and is also solid silver and it will now be preserved. Mike has attached a picture of the medal and an extract from the 1930 Show & Sale when the Founders Cup was first presented for you interest

ROADMAP BOOST FOR GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW Plans are underway for the Great Yorkshire Show to be held this year following the announcement of the Government’s roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions. Registered charity the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), which organises England’s premier showcase of farming, food and the countryside, can confirm that it is planning for the Great Yorkshire Show to be held on Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th July. The celebration at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate remains subject to restrictions being lifted as set out by the Government last week. The announcement has raised hopes that large events may be able to resume from 21st June. Any resumption of large events returning remains subject to the country’s ongoing progress in tackling the virus and the success of a series of pilot events planned by the Government this spring. Charles Mills, Honorary Show Director of the Great Yorkshire Show said: “Following the publication of the Government’s roadmap we are pleased to confirm that we are planning to hold the Great Yorkshire Show on 13-15 July 2021. “This will of course have to be reviewed regularly and is based on the assumption that the whole country successfully moves from the current lockdown to step 4 in the Government’s roadmap on the 21st June. “We will only go ahead with the Show if we can do so safely for all concerned.” YAS is exploring what the show programme can safely include and further details about the 162nd Great Yorkshire Show, including ticket sales, will be announced on the Show’s website, on social media and via the media in due course. 

Our flock competition, due to be held during the autumn of 2021, may still be subject to the vagaries of the Covid situation. Held every four years, it is an opportunity for everyone to participate, no matter how many sheep you have or where you’re located on the British mainland. The entry form can be found on the Flock Competition page here ​

​AGM 2020 - Saturday 12th December via Zoom. Sadly, our AGM for 2020 will not be our usual get together due to the current restrictions and it has now been rescheduled as a Zoom meeting for Saturday 12th December 2020 at 7.00pm. We welcome you all, as the more who attend, the wider the representation of views and suggestions to take the Society forward.

Could members wishing to attend on zoom please contact Steph (admin@clunforestsheep.org.uk) so that she can send out the relevant information and password beforehand.

This is also the time when nominations for council are considered. The position of Vice Chair is currently vacant and we’re actively seeking new members to join the Council. Meetings are held approximately four times per year and at the moment are being conducted online.

The 2020 Flock Registrations are now due and forms can be found here 

Please note that late registrations will incur a surcharge of 50% on returns received after the deadline of 31st December 2020. i.e. Male registrations £22.50 each and females £6 each. Registrations received after the 31st January 2021 will not be included in the flock book and will still incur the surcharge.