The British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) Social Weekend held in and around Harrogate 25th-27th October 2013 proved an enjoyable mix of cattle and entertainment with plenty of socialising and relaxation thrown in for good measure.
With 60 breeders attending the weekend as a whole and with 400 at the Farm Walk and 120 at Saturday’s Gala Dinner, this was the first event of its kind held by the Society. With the first-class dining, accommodation and leisure facilities of Harrogate’s Majestic Hotel at its core, 60 guests enjoyed a mixture of drinks receptions, gala dinners and including a Farm Walk at the nearby Tomschoice Herd of James & Sarah Cooper.
Commenting, BLCS Development Manager, Richard Saunders said: “We have been delighted with the very positive feedback received so far and look forward to running another event of this kind in the future. It brought together a great mix of new and established breeders who were joined by the wider farming public comprising auctioneers, sponsors, press and commercial farmers.”
On the Friday, guests attended the President’s Drinks Reception, hosted by BLCS Honorary President, Michael Priestley, followed by an informal dinner. During coffee, BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr compered a “Question Time” session with a panel comprising Jim Bloom (Scorboro Herd), John Weatherill (Millington Herd) and Guy Green (Greensons Herd) who ably handled both serious and amusing questions with a light touch.
Saturday brought a coach ride out to James & Sarah Coopers’ Tomschoice Herd, Hill Top Farm, Dacre where 400 visitors were treated to a full and varied programme. This included stockjudging, rodeo bull, laser clay pigeon shooting, vintage tractors, farming artefacts and sponsors’ tradestands. A Limousin steak pie lunch was washed down by beer from the Theakstons bar.
120 guests gathered for the Gala Dinner on the Saturday which included a welcome by BLCS Chairman, Peter Kirton. After-dinner speaker, Ernie Coe, kept everyone amused and the night was rounded off with a disco.
