Summer 2012 News Letter - RBST Devon

DEVON ARK
AUTUMN 2012
DEVON COUNTY SHOW May 2012
These gorgeous GOS piglets and their mum
were loaned to us by the Uglow family
Judging Hillary Hanson’s Manx ewe, shown by Susanna
(rather different from showing her chickens!)
(All photos © Howard J. Payton)

Adam Henson judging mixed breeds
Adam Henson looking happy at Devon County 2012

RBST DEVON CONTACT DETAILS
Chairman: Peter Hayford, Bearscombe Farm, Diptford, Totnes TQ9 7JY
01548 821212
Treasurer: Nikki Morgan, Butlers Lodge, Dry Lane, Christow, Exeter EX6 7PE
01647 253130, nikki@nikkimorgan.co.uk
Secretary, Newsletter Editor: Liffy Robinson, Oldaway House, West Alvington,
Kingsbridge, TQ7 3BQ. 01548 560342, liffy.east-robinson@virgin.net
Asst. Secretary: Hillary Hanson, Sheldon Centre, Dunsford, Exeter, EX6 7LE
01647 253903, hillary@sheldon.uk.com
Web Site: Richard Barker, Fowlescombe Farm, Ugborough, Ivybridge PL21 0HW
01548 821000, richard@fowlescombe.co.uk
Merchandise Officers: Chris Paterson-Deacon, Moorwater, Ashreigney,
Chulmleigh EX18 7NJ, 01769 520300, chris.deacon@live.co.uk
Barbara Barker, Fowlescombe Farm, Ugborough, Ivybridge PL21 0HW
01548 821000, barbara@fowlescombe.co.uk
Committee: Barbara Barker, Fowlescombe Farm, Ugborough, Ivybridge PL21 0HW
01548 821000, barbara@fowlescombe.co.uk
Roger and Wendy Guillebaud: 01647 24331, jrguillebaud@gmail.com
John Mills: 01805 804494
Susanna Repik: 01626 337473, repik@btinternet.com
Mark Robinson: 01548 560342 (and fax), liffy.east-robinson@virgin.net
Pip Shail: 01803 864089, pipshail@onetel.com
Sam Tallowin: 01647 252483 (and fax), samtallowin@talktalk.net
Trust: RBST, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warcs, CV8 2LGTel: 024 7669 6551
Fax: 024 7669 6706. Email: enquiries@rbst.org.uk web site: www.rbst.org.uk
The Devon Ark is produced by RBST Devon. Contributors are free to
express their own views, which are not necessarily those of the RBST.
Membership of RBST Devon costs £6.00 per household per year,
payable in January.
RBST Devon exists to further the work of the Trust.
Copy for the Devon Ark - (including advertisements—cost £2.00 per
issue) for the next issue to be sent to the Editor by
1st January 2013
RBST Devon web site: www.devon.rbst.org.uk
It seems to me that most times I start these notes with a
comment about the unusual weather we have been having, but
this time it has been even more extreme than normal. The wet
weekend of a month or so ago washed away our duck pens and
filled the pond with gravel and rocks so there is very little pool
space left for them to swim in.
Most of the birds, waterfowl and chickens seem to adapt quite
well, but it has not been good not being able to get the young
birds out on grass for fear of them getting soaked.
By the time you read this we shall have attended Totnes, Honiton
and Kingsbridge shows, all within the space of six days, so several
people will have worked hard to keep the RBST before the public
eye. I am sure we will enjoy the joint farm visit with Cornwall
RBST to Malcolm Thompson’s farm at Gunnislake to see his
collection of rare and interesting animals and birds and also to
socialise with our Cornish neighbours. The plan is for people who
go to bake a cake or some other delicious tea-time food, so I
think it would be a good idea for people to speak to me before
the day to make sure we don’t all turn up with sausage rolls or
barbecued squirrel joints!
Full details about the visit are on page 3.
I hope you enjoy what’s left of the summer and have success with
all your showing and breeding activities.
Peter
9 2
Chairman’s Chat
August 2012

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
We are planning some good things for the autumn and winter:
Trip to LUNDY ISLAND
We thought this would be a lovely thing to do and would be within easy reach
for members who live further north in Devon.
Date: Tuesday 11th September.
Time: Ilfracombe Pier at 9.00am for a 10.00am sailing. The trip takes around
2 hours and passengers have to be ready for boarding at least 45 minutes
before sailing.
Cost: Adult day return £34.50, Child day return £18.00: discounts are
available for Seniors and National Trust members. There is adjacent parking
for about £3.00 for the day.
MS Oldenburg has comfortable saloons, a buffet, bar, toilets, shop and an
information centre.
We have four hours on the Island with the return trip being at 4.00pm, so
back in Ilfracombe at about 6.00pm.
No Dogs allowed on the island (except assistance dogs).
Contact: Nikki Morgan to book your place: her details on page 9.
http://www.lundyisland.co.uk/sailing.htm will give you more
information if you need it, or ring Nikki.
FARM VISIT— Joint venture with RBST CORNWALL
Date: Saturday 29th September,
Time: 2.00pm
Place: Solomon’s Farm, Latchley, Gunnislake, PL18 9AX 01822 834474
Food: to be provided by us. We will have our farm walk, taking about two
hours, then gather for tea in the garden at about 4 o’clock.
Contact: Peter Hayford: details on page 9.
Our host, Malcolm Thompson, has a wide assortment of animals including
sheep, miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, rare breeds of poultry and turkeys,
and it will be a very interesting and enjoyable visit. Several members of RBST
Cornwall have said they would like to join us, so do come and meet our fellow
rarities from across the Tamar.
Latchley is just north of Gunnislake on the A390 Tavistock to Liskeard road,
so easily accessible from both Devon and Cornwall. There will be directional
signs on the lanes nearer to the farm.
ADVERTISEMENTS
Hatching Eggs, Chicks and Growers
I keep several breeds of rare and traditional Poultry,
Waterfowl and Turkeys
I usually have contacts for any breeds I do not have here at
Bearscombe and am happy to give any help I can
with traditional Poultry.
I also undertake custom hatching
Peter Hayford
Bearscombe Farm, Diptford, Totnes TQ9 7JY
01548 821212
Breeding stock for Sale
Richard and I started with 10 Manx ewes and now have over 200 Manx
Loaghtan and Hebridean sheep. We supply pedigree starter flocks in the
South West, or you can have non-pedigree ones if you want pets or to eat
them at the end of a season. We also sell rugs, sheepskins, fleeces and wool
and can arrange for you to buy some of our lamb/hogget meat.
Ring Barbara at Fowlescombe on 01548 821000
SIGN OF THE OWL BIRDS
The Nook, Ivybridge
PL21 0PF
01364 72132
Suppliers of pure bred rare Poultry
and Waterfowl
and an extensive range of Housing for birds,
rabbits, guinea pigs and other pets
Call in or telephone for more details
3 8

REPORT FROM MID DEVON SHOW by John Mills
Unlike many of the local shows being postponed or ,worse still, cancelled we
went ahead as planned.
The stand looked good and the weather was pleasing. A few members
managed to sell merchandise with Chris Stacey’s skins and fleeces doing well,
as did Cat’s memo boards.
Much interest was created by the stars of the show: the animals. With many
thanks to the owners of the Belted Galloway cattle, White faced Dartmoor
sheep and Exmoor mare and foal, Golden Guernsey goats and a huge variety
of poultry.
Guess the Weight raised £83: £16.60 to the joint winners and £66.40 to group
funds. Nikki went one better and bought the Golden Guernsey kid, whose
weight came in at 5kg.
A warm welcome to four new members to the group—Philippa Buxton,
Roy Tucker and Mr. and Mrs. M.C. Ridewood.
A big thank you to all who helped, and see you next year.
++++++++++++++++++
Letter from David Leafe, RBST General Manager (since retired)
This letter was in response to the £1250 we were able to send to HQ after all
our efforts last year. So thank you to you all.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
SUMMER SHOWS
(Please note new dates)
TOTNES: Sunday August 26th
HONITON: Thursday 30th August
KINGSBRIDGE: Saturday 1st September
Please let Mark, Liffy or Peter know if you would like to help
on any of our stands.
Contact Chris Paterson-Deacon or Barbara Barker know if you have
your own merchandise to sell on a stand.
(all contact details on Page 9)
Rare Breed Show and Sale
Show and Sale of Rare Breeds on 13th September at Sedgemoor Auction
Centre, North Petherton, Bridgwater: junction 24, just off the M5 behind
Robert Wiseman Dairies.
Cattle, sheep Poultry, Pigs, RBST supported, entries now closed but
catalogues from Auctioneers: Greenslade Taylor Hunt: 01278 410278
To: Nikki Morgan, dated 9th February 2012
Dear Nikki,
Thank you for sending in the accounts for 2011. The Trustees are very
appreciative of the hard work the Devon Group has put in to supporting
RBST’s conservation work..
The Trustees are very aware that many charities are facing difficult
times and so are grateful for the help of Group’s members. Please
would you pass on the Trustees’ thanks to the Group.
Good luck with your activities 2012.
CHRISTMAS DINNER
Date: Thursday, 6th December
Place: The Dolphin Hotel, Dolphin Square, Station Road,
Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9AL
Time: 7.30 for 8.00pm
Cost: approx. £17.50 pp
Ring: Sam Tallowin to book and for menu.
Signed by David Leafe.
7 4

Shetland Cattle: A breed from the past with a place in the future.
by Dodie Huxter
This is a truly ancient breed descended from Bronze Age cattle which dwelt alongside Shetlanders and wintered within their very own houses. These ancient
animals adapted and developed to cope with climatic and social changes without jeopardising their environment. They are well suited to grazing on rough, and
often wet ground (should do well this year!) in poor conditions. Milk trials and beef trials have indicated the advantages of the Shetland cow as a native breed
which offers all the potential benefits of a low maintenance suckler cow with the real advantages of modern commercial types. It is the ideal smallholder's cow
and is easily hand milked.
Five Shetland cattle arrived at Welland Down farm in May 2008 to join our herd of 45 Red Ruby Devon cattle which had been with us since 1999. I had been
well aware of Shetland cattle for many years through my membership of the Shetland Sheep Society dating from1992 and my visits to the RBST Show and Sale
at Stoneleigh. Friends and acquaintances sparked an interest in the breed, both cattle and sheep and this was deepened on my first visit to Shetland in 1998 when
I fell in love with the cattle running on Burland croft, the home of Tommy and Mary Isbister. Other friends and breeders on the Island have all contributed in their
own way to my great love affair with the Shetland "Kye", Shetland Sheep and, indeed, with all things Shetland. (Ponies, geese and ducks!)
The five cattle which arrived here were from the dispersal sale of the Hengae herd based at Beaworthy in Devon: two cows, Collafirth Jolene (in calf to Hengae
Faultless) and St Trinians Cloudy, both with bull calves (five and four months respectively) at foot, and Hengae Faithless, a heifer of 22 months. We were advised
by the Breed Society and the RBST not to keep the bull calves entire so they were surgically castrated and reared on to be sold later when fit through our Farmers'
Market outlets. A PD test indicated that Jolene was not in calf so we consulted with Mary Holloway and followed Lawrence Alderson's document on the breeding
of bulls on the AI list. We could not contemplate running a Shetland bull since we were already running Red Ruby Devon bulls with our herd. Jolene and Cloudy
proved very easy to AI but it was such a problem for Hengae Faithless that in the end we had to run her with the Red Ruby bull. I had no wish to do any crossbreeding
but this was a last attempt! To date we have used semen from Ash Dougall, Cova Carl, Stanemore Odin and St Trinians Laurie. All our animals are black
and white but there are other colours - red, grey, blue and dun. I like the more traditional Shetland, lighter boned and milky. Temperament is also important to
me and all my animals are good-tempered and placid.
Cloudy had been a show cow so is easy to handle, halter trained and has also been hand milked. My great love of the self sufficiency ethos led me to hope
that I would be hand milking at some stage This was planned for two years ago but calving late Christmas Eve and every pipe in the barn frozen I decided to take
the multiple suckling route! Two young AA cross calves available on the next door farm allowed my enthusiasm for multiple suckling to get the better of me!
After marketing two male calves as meat we decided that there was a place for Shetland beef on our list of market products. Fine grained and a great depth of
flavour it went down well with our customers, but they did find it difficult to place Shetland beef ahead of Red Ruby Devon!! (too lean, even for our butcher!) but
we just love it!
Shetland cattle appealed to me because of their ancient origins, their appearance, their size, their temperament, their hardiness and independence and their
ease of management. Their position as one of Britain's rarest native cattle breeds is challenging, but greatly rewarding and quite simply great to have around!
5 6