Introduction and Contents
Uploaded December 2008

From the Chairman and Editor
This newsletter is very much a "show" issue as, thanks to the sterling efforts of Sue Fildes, we have a coulour round up of this year's Berkshire breed champions. I am also indebted to Jo Wykes-Sneyd for providing a detailed account and full results from the Autumn Show at Peterborough.

BPA Bloodline Survey
You should have received printouts from the BPA in order for you to complete this year's Berkshire Bloodline Survey. We hope, by the time you read this, that you have already done yours, either online or by returning the completed forms to the BPA. I understand there was some confusion over long lists of birth notified pigs. It is probably simplest to delete these (and pigs that later turn up to be registered can be resurrected! - such is the wonder of computers). We are mainly concerned with having an accurate list of live registered pigs. I am the Surveyor for the Berkshire breed and sincerely hope that I won't have too many people to chase this year.

Berkshire Club AGM 2009
This will be held on Sunday 5th April 2009 at Christine Coe's Warwickshire farm. Full details and an agenda will be sent with the next newsletter but please put the date in your diary now.

Subscriptions
Subs are due on 1st of January and renewal forms are enclosed with the newsletter. Tracey Bretherton, our membership secretary, would very much appreciate your help in renewing promptly.

Waitrose
I am pleased to report that there has now been a further meeting between Marcus Bates for the BPA, Richard Clarke CEO of RBST and the BQP (Andrew Saunders). I understand that the situation regarding breed support is encouraging, and Chris Coe and I look forward to updating breeders as soon as we ourselves get more details.

Viki Mills, Editor
01363 82465
07843 301903
vikimills@googlemail.com