Past Shows and Other Events
Shows and events in 2016
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The Wayland Show - Sunday 7th August 2016
The club was invited this year to attend the Wayland Show at Watton. The Wayland Show is probably the longest established, traditional style country show in Norfolk.
Although the date clashed with the Norfolk Smallholder Training Group Show at Sheringham Park, it was felt that it would be good for the club to establish a relationship with Wayland, which could possibly develop into a full club show in the future. It was decided that there were sufficient willing club members to split up and be represented at both shows.
Sarah and I, together with Richard, attended two Wayland Show committee meetings when it was very obvious that they were pleased to have the club’s involvement with the show. A brief club history and description of our activities, with photographs, was provided for the show’s website and to use in their publicity.
The club was represented on the day by Stella, Toby, Chloe, Finn, Sarah and myself. The goats were provided by Sarah, Richard and Zoë. Richard and Zoë were at the Smallholder Show at Sheringham but kindly allowed their goats to be taken along to Wayland.
The format for the day was as we do at the Norfolk Spring Fling, with the accent on education and enabling children to get close up and interact with the goats, and for adults considering having goats to ask questions and see the different breeds.
A small enclosed ‘arena’ was set up and children allowed in to handle the goats and to groom them. Finn did a hoof trimming demonstration, and Sarah a milking demonstration. Children were invited to have a go at milking and by fortune, the EDP photographer turned up at a very opportune moment, so some of you may have seen his photographs of the children milking.
Sarah took along her wether ‘Little Man’ who she has trained to pull a cart. He was quite an attraction and at the show committee’s request, he did a tour of the showground, and many photographs were taken.
The educational display was set up in the gazebo. This was mostly manned by Toby and Stella, with others on hand when not doing things with the goats.
The weather was good and very hot at times. There was a brisk wind across the very open site which meant that a lot of time was spent holding down the gazebo! This became too onerous after a while and it was decided to take the gazebo down and just leave the tables uncovered.
Although there were no goat trophies to present, we were invited to join in the grand parade and six goats were taken into the main ring. The show president in his speech thanked the club for taking part and putting on such a good display. He commented that this was the first time the club had taken part, but hoped that our involvement would continue in future years.
All in all the day was a great success, the only downside being the struggle with the gazebo in the blustery conditions. If our involvement is to continue in future years our opinion was that a marquee would be a must. Perhaps this could be discussed by the show committee, but possibly we would need to find a sponsor/s to cover the cost.
Best wishes to you all
Graham Craske
Male & Youngstock Goat Show
Toby Mitchel has just received the following message and would like to share it with everyone:
Good afternoon, Toby,
I’m webmaster for the Friends of Gressenhall website http://friendsofgressenhall.weebly.com and when I was visiting the Workhouse and Farm yesterday, I took several photos of your Male & Youngstock Goat Show, which you may like to see. You’ll find them at Friends of Gressenhall blog. I’ve also included a link to your official website and it would be greatly appreciated if you could add a link to the Friends of Gressenhall website. http://friendsofgressenhall.weebly.com. Many thanks.
I hope you like the photos.
Regards,
Ashley Gray, webmaster
Norfolk Spring Fling Report 2016
The Norwich and District Goat Club once again exhibited at the Spring Fling on Tuesday 5th April 2016 at the Royal Norfolk Show Ground. This is an event that attracted more than 5000 visitors with over 70 interactive stands and exhibits aimed at children 4-11 years old.
The aim of our stand was to make people understand where their food comes from, what is local to them & what is around them in the countryside. Therefore our displays included those about goats, the different breeds and all aspects of goat keeping. The very informative ‘Did you know’ facts such as ‘There are 88,000 goats in the UK’, were hung around the marquee for all to read. These helped explain that goats not only give us milk, meat, wool and leather, but that the milk can be made into cheese, butter and yoghurt and other products such as soap and hand cream. Both the soap and hand cream proved to be a great ‘hit with the public.
This year we were able to expand our area into a marquee which incorporated 3 separate sheep pens for the 13 kids (thus enabling children to see and touch the goats freely), and several pens which held goatlings, nannies and wethers. The kids were bottle fed by children throughout the day. We made sure that instructiveness was the key to learning and remembering ones experiences. The colouring table was constantly in use by everyone and used as a resting place for parents whilst their children cuddled the goats.
Outside in the ring, we gave a milking demonstration, hoof trimming and foot care, a grooming demonstrations in which the children were allowed to join in. Luckily the weather was good and the rain kept away.
Our team of Alan, Richard, Toby, Sheila, Graham, Sarah, Chloe, Callum, Jo-anne, Hazel and her grandson, Christine, Maggie, Finn, Sally and Zoë chatted to the public all day. Together their knowledge of goat keeping proved invaluable. We even made £75 selling goat shaped biscuits.
Zoë Mitchell.
Shows and events in 2015
Spring Fling 2015 Report
The Norwich & District Goat Club exhibited at the Spring Fling on 31st March at the Royal Norfolk Show Ground. This is an event attracting more than 5000 visitors each year. This year featured more than 70 interactive stands and exhibits with activities aimed at children aged 4-14 years.
The aim was to make sure people understood where their food comes from, what is local to them and what is around them in the countryside.
Therefore our displays included:- learning all about goats and all aspects of goat keeping including the different breeds.
What a goat gives us and not just love & cuddles; but milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, meat, leather, wool, goats milk and hand cream.
Our displays also included who is who in the goat club and information regarding our Shows and forthcoming events.
We made sure that interactiveness was the key to teaching children and remembering their experiences. Therefore Sally Wilman’s kids and Richard Hulbert’s kids and nanny proved to be a big hit. The children were allowed to hold the kids, feed them and groom them.
Our team or Alan, Richard, Toby, Sheila, Graham, Sarah, Chloe & Zoe chatted to the public all day & together their knowledge of goats proved invaluable. We may have even have persuaded some new goat keepers to invest in a goat or 3 and join our club.
The colouring table was in constant use by both parents and their siblings.
We even sold goat shaped biscuits to help swell club funds.
Sam Joyce, RNAA education Co-ordinator & Juliette Tompkins, livestock Co-ordinator were very impressed by our efforts and are looking forward to our extended input next year.
Zoe Mitchell
Some photographs
Shows and events in 2014
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A selection of photographs from the past year.
Shows and events in 2013
Cream Teas Fundraiser - Saturday July 27th 2013
The weather forecast wasn't looking too promising for the cream teas event so we arranged the furniture inside to accommodate as many as possible, luckily this contingency plan wasn't needed as the weather held. The garden was full of happy people and children who loved the play equipment, feeding and walking the kids. It seems that there could be several budding goat keepers out there if we can keep them interested into adulthood. We also met old friends, enjoyed good food, sold some goats, good day all round. We raised £303 for the club and the challenge is on to see if we can improve on this sum next year. Thank you to family and friends, old and new, who made this such a nice event.
Hazel and Tim
Tendring Hundred Show - July 2013
Tendring Hundred Show - July
Phew, what a scorcher! This year the weather was absolutely lovely and the sun shone on the show all day, unlike last year when the mud and rain were just as plentiful!!
Unfortunately the Kent County Show clashed with the Tendring Hundred this year, so hopefully it wont in 2014 as they have a back to back show. Tendring Hundred is the only one day show in the area with a milking competition.
There were perhaps fewer exhibitors than would have been liked but those that took part enjoyed their time at the show, with our grateful thanks to our judge for the day, Margaret Hardman, who not only spent time with the individuals and their goats during the judging, she specifically came back later to talk to goat keepers, her advice was invaluable.
Well done to the participants and thank you to those who gave their time to help. Shows cannot take place without volunteers as well as exhibitors of course.
2013 Norfolk Show Report
This year 21 adult goats were entered for the show classes and milking competition which went very well. Our thanks go to David Brace who was the judge and his many knowledgeable comments were much appreciated by all. The programme of events was expanded to include informative displays in the ring on both days. These included points of the various goat breeds, how to groom your goat, how to trim hooves and how to present a goat for showing in the ring with members of the public able to try their skills. Many thanks to Roland Randall and Stella Metford-Sewell for their commentary skills and knowledge. Inside the marquee informative displays were erected and an information stand was continually manned. There was an excellent response from the public with lots of questions and queries on the day. The children were able to lead kids round the show ring on several occasions which proved to be very popular with both parents and children and no doubt our kids will feature in many a family album!
Thank you to all exhibitors and helpers at the show as the support made a vast difference to the effectiveness of the event and any feedback on what you would like to see at the 2014 Royal Norfolk Show will be gratefully received.
Norfolk Show Get Your Goat Free Quiz Answers
Congratulations to the winner: Jessica Baldwin
Club Show at Gressenhall - 2nd June 2013
The weather was very kind and although the sun couldn't decide if it was in or out we had a lovely time. Members of the public came down to look at the goats and were able to take part in a children's lucky dip, tombola and raffle. Thank you to the organisers of this and the show and those who helped to make this a successful event, especially the goats and their owners.
SUFFOLK COUNTY SHOW and EAST ANGLIAN SUMMER SHOW - 28 - 30th May 2013
It was rather damper and colder than you would like when showing, however, this back to back show gave another opportunity to show how much milk your Nanny could give and a lot of interest was shown at the weights yielded, so we now wait for the butter fat and protein percentage details to be returned. For those of you who have never attended the show, I would thoroughly recommend it.
HADLEIGH SHOW - 18th May 2013
A lovely friendly event which ran smoothly cumulating in a parade around the grand ring for us proud owners to show off our goats and the lucky few to receive cups for their success. This event was completely free to enter and gave some necessary pointers and practice for the goats, especially the kids. Why not consider entering next year? 17th May 2014 for your diary.
GAME and SPRING DAIRY - 26th - 28th April 2013
This back to back event held at the Royal Norfolk Showground was a great success. Special thanks to Mr M Ackroyd (Game Dairy Show Judge) and Mr R Wiffen, (Spring Dairy Show Judge) and also to all the stewards, helpers and exhibitors who helped to make it all work. A huge thank you goes out to those who helped with this event in any way. Diane would like to extend her grateful thanks to those who helped her as she was suffering from a sciatic nerve problem all weekend.
SPRING FLING - 10th April 2013
This well organised event was a great success with the goat area constantly surrounded by both adults and children. Some of them had queued for up to an hour to have a turn in the ring to hold the kids on their laps and for a lucky few the chance to feed the kids their bottles. Many more people tried goats' milk and goats' cheese. There was a table with literature and a lap top rigged up to give information. Particularly special was the table set up for colouring in of goat pictures. Also present was an adult milker which was very popular as children could compare sizes to the kids, groom and ask questions. A huge thanks to all who contributed in any way.
Shows and events in 2012
SPRING FLING - April 2012
SOUP and SANDWICHES - March 2012.
CLUB SHOW at GRESSENHALL - June 10th 2012.
Click here for a roundup of results.
2012 Royal Norfolk Show
Shows and events in 2011
2011 Royal Norfolk Show
OPEN AFTERNOON with JEAN CUNNINGTON and THE JACMAR GOATS - October 2011.
WILDLIFE GARDEN with DR.JO PARMENTER PHD BSC(HONS) CENV MIEEN MIEMA - October 2011.
Click here to see Jo's Ten Tips Towards a Wildlife Garden.
Shows and events in 2010
2010 Royal Norfolk Show
2010 August Show
More information will be added as it becomes available.