2023 Limousin Annual Journal

In 1992, Norman and his great
friend, the late Dougie Edgar,
of the Shire herd, went to the
National Sale, at Lanaud, in France,
and bought the champion bull
on the day, Filip, in a 50-50 split.
Filip was used successfully in the
Normande herd and proudly
shown at the Royal Highland Show
in 1994 where he was Limousin
champion, overall beef inter-breed
winner, securing the coveted
Queen’s Cup for most outstanding
beef animal at the show.
Norman was a natural leader.
During the 1970s he was chairman
of the Lanark Discussion Society,
and held the post of chairman of
Lanarkshire NFU for three years. He
also served on the council of the
British Limousin Cattle Society for
11 years.
As a much admired breeder and
tireless promoter of the Limousin
breed, he had the honour of
being appointed chairman of the
society for three years from 1992-
1995. Given his vast experience
and knowledge of the breed, he
was also asked to judge all over
the world, including the French
National Show, the Sydney Royal
Show, in Australia, and the Brazil
National Show, twice. He was also
honoured to have judged all Royal
shows in the UK.
Norman was a very well-respected
breeder and as one of the first
farmers to bring Limousin cattle to
Britain, he was totally committed
to the breed’s UK development
with a breeding policy that always
tried to be a step ahead – which
rarely failed.
In 2022, his legacy to the breed
was recognised when he was
inducted into the British Limousin
Cattle Society’s ‘Hall of Fame’
for his services to the breed, a
huge honour for him, which he
accepted with great pride.
Eric Gethin
Glyn Vaughan shares his memories of Eric
Gethin of the Camlas Herd
The well-known, Welsh Limousin breeder Eric Gethin, of the
Camlas Herd, passed away on April 8 th 2022. Eric was a familiar
face at Limousin events, such as Carlisle sales and the Royal
Welsh Show. He was a keen-eyed, straight-talking judge who
judged many shows and sales over a long period; the highlight
being the Carlisle Bull Sale of February 2015.
The Camlas Herd was established by Eric and his wife Joyce in
1984 with the purchase of three females from Dieter Jobst of
the Hampton Herd; one of the first breeders to import Limousin
cattle to the UK. Hampton Utmost, Vivien and Teresa were the
sole foundation cows of the Camlas Herd and their progeny
went on to win prestigious prizes and influence many other
herds.
Eric and Joyce were successful and enthusiastic show
exhibitors from 1985 onwards, including at the Cheshire,
Montgomeryshire, Royal Welsh and Royal English Shows. Their
cow, Camlas Brandy, was Reserve Overall Champion at the Royal
Welsh Show in 1992. They also had considerable success with
bull sales, including the sale of Camlas Iori to John Logan of the
Homebyres Herd. The Camlas Herd was established using solely
AI bulls until the foot and mouth epidemic forced them to
purchase a stock bull.
Eric’s presence is sorely missed at Limousin events: He was the
life and soul of the party. He knew everyone and had something
to say to everyone, usually accompanied by a joke or a ribbing
comment! He was an excellent judge of both cattle and
people and built a strong reputation as a discerning breeder.
He was hardworking but always ready to help others. Eric
was a great friend to many Limousin breeders, most of whom
have memorable, humorous anecdotes from time spent in his
company, at shows or on Limousin trips. Shows and sales will
never be quite the same without him.
OBITUARIES
www.limousin.co.uk
ANNUAL JOURNAL 2023 | 75