New chairman of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders' Association is pedigree Swale, Herdwick and Berrichon Du Cher breeder, Will Cockbain, Rakefoot, Keswick, who takes over from Alan Alderson, who held the position for almost 20 years.

Mr Alderson from Barras Farm, Kirkby Stephen, led the association through several difficulties affecting the entire sheep industry to include of testing for scrapie and foot-and-mouth in 2001, which took out several of the top flocks. He will nevertheless continue to farm in his own right at Barras.

John Stephenson, Barnley View, Town Head, Eggleston, continues as breed secretary.