A Message from the Chairman
Uploaded August 2004

Another New Year has come and gone and here we are with a quarter of 2004 already water under the bridge. By the time this newsletter drops through your letter box, its probable that a few January litters will have already been weaned, and the initial selection for breeding taken place. On the subject of litters, having just received the birth notifications and registration figures from the BPA, it is gratifying to see a very satisfactory increase for 2003 (172 litters born and 186 registrations) over 2002, (146 litters and 138 registered). Although an improvement was to be expected, as things gradually return to normality, it is very reassuring when this proves to be the case. The number of members who registered animals increased from 58 to 61 and it is interesting to note, that of the 40 or so new BPA members, 7 are planning to breed Berkshires.

This year , the club enjoyed the hospitality of David and Carole in providing a venue for the Club AGM. We probably had the best turnout for quite a number of years, very gratifying, as the nature of our organisation leads to a membership scattered the length and breadth of the land. Among matters discussed, the BPBC will be "hosting" the stockmans meal at Hatfield Show. This entails subsidising the shortfall on the return from ticket sales towards the cost of the meal. On the plus side the host club has exclusive rights to organise a raffle for club funds. We have already had some offers of prizes, but additional prizes are needed, anything from a bar of carbolic soap to a weeks holiday in some ones Caribbean villa would be welcome. The minutes of the meeting are included in this issue. At this point I would like to give a special vote of thanks to David and Carole for providing an ideal venue for the meeting but most of all for the excellent lunch prepared for us. A very satisfactory day.

On to show matters, the Royal are putting on an exhibit of "outdoor small scale pig keeping" at this years show and require a sow and litter, piglets around 3 weeks old at the time of the show. Transport costs will be paid for and staff will provided by the RASE to look after the sow & litter at the show. Any offers please let Viki or Marcus know.

Regarding POY, a new sponsor has been found for this competition in Cranbourne Foods. The event also takes on a new format. Whereas previously only one boar and one gilt would qualify from each approved show, in future there will be a gilt and boar representing both traditional and modern breeds from each show. Thus there will be four qualifiers from each show instead of two. Otherwise there is no change in that there will be champion and reserve male and female, plus champion and reserve overall in the heats and in the final. It is important that any one entering a heat at a qualifying show, will be prepared, should they win, to take their pig to the final at the Great Yorkshire Show. The new format should lead to a final with a greater representation of more breeds and will address a feeling among some traditional breeders, that this competition has been dominated by the modern breeds. Also this year the Gt Yorkshire have reduced their entry fees and increased prize money and moved back the close of entry date, in order to encourage breeders to enter the pig classes. Plus as in previous years the society does subsidise travelling to all qualifiers bringing pigs to the final.

For the Berkshire classes at this years show we have been fortunate in obtaining the services of a New Zealand judge. Peter Le Bas, a very well known Berkshire pig breeder and judge, from Taranaki in the North Island. I have stayed with Peter on a couple of occasions, and rest assured, he has some very nice Berkies, much closer to the traditional English than the US version of the breed. So I would like to see as many breeders as possible make the effort to visit "Gods own County", and let Peter earn his supper!


John Mason