The Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders’ Association's, Scottish Club pulled out all the stops in the organisation of the association's first National agm north of the Border, attended by more than 100 members.

The event, based around Edinburgh included several flock visits and was opened with some healthy news with membership up by more than 20% on the year. In all, the association had welcomed 64 new members over the year and now boasts 313 flocks, with 202 registered stock rams, 1998 ewe lamb registrations and birth notifications of in excess of 4000.

However, to increase registrations further requires education and promotion according to Kevin McCarthy, chairman of the marketing committee.

Accepting that the breed is not seen as one of the most fashionable, Mr McCarthy said the association should concentrate more on promoting the breed's ability to finish quickly off grass with grades of U3L and R3L easily achievable and 20 days earlier than those of other cross-bred lambs.

"We have the product, we just need to promote the breed with testimonials from the large commercial farms achieving better margins and technical efficiency using the Hampshire Down, so we can educate and convince the end-user of the benefits of the breed," said Mr McCarthy.

Adding to the success of the event was the fact that Grant Brand's East Fortune flock from North Berwick, not only won several of the lead flock awards but also the overall UK flock competition.

LEADINGawards:

Champion flock – R Brand and Son, East Fortune; reserve – Allen and Victoria McFadden, Ashley. Best stock ram – 1, Jonathan Barnard and Justine McPherson, Stourbridge; 2, East Fortune. Breeding ewes – 1, East Fortune; 2, Ashley. Senior ewes – 1, East Fortune; 2, Ashley. Gimmers – 1, Ashley; 2, Tony McGrath, Clogherny. Ewe lambs – 1, East Fortune; 2, KP and AE McCarthy, Ballycreely. Ram lambs – 1, East Fortune; 2, Stourbridge. Scottish flock – 1, East Fortune; 2, John and Helen Harrison, Croftheads. Irish flock – Ashley; 2, JA and J Fletcher, Loughan Moss. Cornish flock – 1, Nick Holley, Calenick. Large flock – 1, Stourbridge; 2, Ballycreely; 3, Peter Lawson, Glenbrook. Medium flock – East Fortune; 2, Loughan Moss; 3, Harlcrow and Ritchie, Parkstock. Small flock – 1, Ashley; 2, Mrs E Robinson and daughters, Ballyvester; 3, Hazel Hindmarch, Fellrose. Small flock south – 1, Alison James, Castlepill; 2, Karen Hames, Rennisons; 3, Jamie Brewere, Beau. Small flock north – 1, Ashley; 2, Ballyvester; 3, Fellrose. Novice flock – 1, Castlepill; 2, Rennisons; 3, Beau. Junior flock – 1, Stephen Short, Highcliffe; 2, Louie Van Geffen, Raisdale; 3, Harriet Heap, Tavernbank.

Show points – Large flocks – 1, Stourbridge; 2 Jon Craig, Lumb; 3, James Dickson, Jamrin. Small flocks – 1, Glen Tucker, Beechtree; 2, Fellrose; 3, Richard Adrian Rundle, Treworthal.