Despite good weather the crowds did not turn out in any great numbers for this year’s Shrewsbury Show . The World Cup and Wimbledon matches on the Saturday no doubt kept them away, but there were more people there on the Sunday. Although it was a smaller show, due to it being a remake of the old West Midlands Show, the local feedback from radio stations was that it had come back to being more of an agricultural show. The BBC Countryfile team filmed at the show on the Sunday.
 
The llamas were, as always, very well received and the parades that they did in the countryside arena on both days were met with great enthusiasm from the public who were happy to hear lots of facts and funnies from our great commentator Barry. For a change, instead of a llama winning a rosette, the British Llama Society stand won a second prize in the best stand competition.
Well Done!

With thanks to Michele, Russell, Kingsley, David, Yvonne and Rob, for gamely manning the stands, and to their llamas who had to put up with the hot weather!

L:R: Michele, Yvonne, Llama, Russell.
  (Is the llama saying “Where is my rosette then?”)

Jane Brown

SOCIETY SOCIAL AT CATANGER LLAMAS.

Members gathered at the farm of Mary and David Pryse on Sunday the 8 August. Mary and David run a llama breeding and trekking business and have recently moved into a new eco-friendly house on their llama farm which also has a new visitor centre.

About 30 members were present and after a meet and greet coffee, tea and pastries, Mary
invited us each to take one of her Llamas which were already haltered, for a walk of approx. an hour, around the farm.

Mary and David have created a woodland walk within their Farm which circuits the paddocks of Llamas. We inspected the babies and needless to say, in spite of the fact that we were all hardened llama owners, the babies caused the usual human reflex in us to make all the ooos and aahh noises.

Following the walk, we sat in the wonderful sunshine and enjoyed our picnics exchanging banter and llama chit chat and experiences. This also gave us an opportunity to observe the antics of one of Mary’s females who would regularly leave her young cria and hop lightly over various fences to visit with the stud male of her choice. After doing we know not what she would hop just as easily back across the fences to her babe!

Soon after lunch we were joined by Mary and David’s regular Vet Alex who held a question and answer session. We all had the opportunity to cross examine Alex about llama health and welfare, vaccinations and general practice and maintenance of pasture. He gave very clear and informative answers.

Afterwards we went to visit the llamas with cria at foot and Mary discussed with us what to look for in a pregnant llama to assess how soon a cria is likely to be delivered as well as many other aspects of llama breeding and rearing.

The event was blessed with perfect weather and this combined with the sight of so many healthy llamas, from young week old crias to retired veterans in the beautiful surroundings that Mary and David have created made for a perfect day.

Thank you Mary and David!

Calling all members - email your best, most favourite and most cute photos of your camelids to the website administrator/registrar

Did you know that you can register your Llama/Guanco/Vicuna/Camel with the British Llama Society even if you are not a member?

The Society is keen to ensure that these camelids are registered so that we can respond with accuracy to enquiries received from Defra from time to time.
The registration fee is £5 per animal if the parents are already registered, £7.50 if one parent is registered and £10 if neither parent is registered.
If you also join the Society for the fee of only £25 per year, you will receive a certificate of registration also.
Contact the Registrar for further information at registrar@britishllamasociey.org

Interesting press release concerning the recently completed Genome project

Sunday 26th September 2010.
 
A chance for members to meet and enjoy trekking their Llamas in wonderful north Nottinghamshire countryside.
Meet at 2pm at; Vale View, Manor House Court , Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts. NG17 8LH.  This is 4 miles from Junction 28 of the M1.
 
We will trek for about 2 hours (3.25 miles), before returning to the house for Tea, Sandwiches, Cake and the all important Llama chat!  A collection will be made for Macmillan Cancer Support.
 
The starting location is not easy to find, and parking will need to be organised beforehand.  Therefore anyone intending to come should advise me, so I can send directions and make arrangements when I have an idea of numbers. Also could you advise if you have straw/shavings in your trailer as we are in a residential area and want to avoid making a mess.  Parking will be allocated in a suitable area for those that have.
 
If anyone would like to come without animals, and borrow a llama please let me know, as I might be able to arrange this.
 
Stout shoes and nettle-proof trousers are recommended, as we will be going through a wooded area.
 
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the day.
 
Brian Haughton
East Midlands Co-ordinator
Tel: 0775 220 6481
haughton_brian@hotmail.com

The Society will be holding its annual show as part of the Royal County of Berkshire Show at the Newbury Showground on the 18th and 19th September. The show is one of the biggest agricultural shows with a huge range of attractions for all the family - Members refer to Forum under "Notices & General Information" for application details and further information.

Calling members and their families and friends -
Check the calendar for
 
Sunday July 25th,  Kevin and Vicki Woodward invite you to join them at Bideford in North Devon
and Sunday August 22nd , Jennifer Letheren is organising a Llamagility event for us at her field at
Bridport near Salway Ash.

See the calendar for further details.

A GREAT DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY WITH

Joseph's Amazing Camels –
WILD CAMEL PROTECTION FOUNDATION
WHERE: The Old Farmhouse, White House Farm,
Idlicote, Nr. Shipton-on- Stour, CV36 5DN
Directions from London M40 j11 thru Banbury following signs for Wroxton.  Thru Wroxton follow this road (A422 ) until Pillerton  Priors.  At the end of the village turn left for Halford.  Turn left  when you reach the main road straight thru the roundabout and left at  the crossroads in the centre of Halford.  Thru Halford and follow the  road for 2 miles signed Idlicote.  Down a hill, over a bridge, up a  hill on the brow are 9 big trees on right hand side and after last  tree is a track on the right marked White House Farm.  1/2 mile down  there and you have arrived.  From the North M6, M42, M40 to j15.  Follow signs for Stow A429 to Halford and then route as above.
WHEN: Sunday 27 June 2010
TIME: 12.00 pm - 6.00pm
After last year’s success the only camel racing business in the UK is putting on a spectacular display to raise money once again for the Wild Camel Protection Foundation(www.wildcamels.com) the only Camel Foundation in the world protecting and conserving the wild Bactrian camel in the wild in China and Mongolia.
This year there will be a Camel Polo Match as well.
So bring the whole family for a fascinating day out. Give YOUR children a ride on a camel.
Six well mannered and professionally trained Bactrian camels with Jockeys, all experienced riders. Jockeys and handlers are attired in Arab style, the camels in their magnificent racing colours.


Events
Belly Dancing 12.00pm - 2.00 pm
Camel Polo Match - 3.00pm Joseph’s Amazing Camel team v WCPF team Camel Racing - 4.00pm
Pig Racing - 4.00 pm
Camel Riding - 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Bowling at Skittles, Coconut Shy, and Smashing plates for a prize
Pin the tail on a camel Bar and food and ice-creams

Car Park Fee - £5.00
ALL FUNDS RAISED ON THE DAY GO TO THE
WILD CAMEL PROTECTION FOUNDATION
WWW.WILDCAMELS.COM

John Hare FRGS
Founder
Wild Camel Protection Foundation