Craig Ridley, of the noted Haltcliffe herd, based at Hesket Newmarket, has been appointed honorary president of the British Limousin Cattle Society.
Craig’s election to the post was confirmed at the society’s annual meeting and will see him serve the customary two-year term. He took over the position from Jim Scott, who stepped down.
With a wealth of experience in Limousin cattle dating back to 1979, and many high profile bulls bred under the Haltcliffe name, Craig farms in partnership with his wife Sheila and parents Matt and Margaret. The herd numbers 80 cows.
Craig said: “I am proud and honoured to have been asked to be president and will do all I can to help the breed and the society’s members.”
The annual meeting also saw Wiltshire Limousin breeder Harry Parker, Home Farm, Stourton, Warminster, elected chairman of the BLCS. He joined the society’s council of management as representative of the South West region in 2012.
Harry, together with his wife Jane and five daughters, have lived on the Stourhead Estate located on the edge of Salisbury Plain for more than 40 years.
The enterprise comprises 750 acres, 250 of which is permanent pasture managed under the Higher-Level Stewardship scheme, with the remaining 500 down to arable farmed under the conservation agriculture practice more commonly known as “no till”.
Harry and his daughter Verity run the Stourhead herd of pedigree Limousins numbering 50 breeding females, together with a small flock of registered Exmoor Horn sheep.
Jonathan Watson, who runs the Tweeddale herd at Bowsden Moor, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, is the new vice-chairman.
Glyn Vaughan, Dolcorsllwyn, Machynlleth, Powys, joins the executive committee for the first time. The executive now comprises Harry Parker (chairman), Jonathan Watson (vice-chairman), Karl Suddes (treasurer), Brian Lear (executive member) and Glyn Vaughan (executive member).
New additions to the BLCS council of management are: Scottish representative Andrew Gammie, of the Westpit herd, Aberdeenshire; North West representative Alan Myerscough, of the Tallyrock herd, based near Ulverston; and Bill Ferguson, South East representative, Scarletts Farm, Headley, Berkshire.
