Open Day at Duffryn farm 26th September 1pm to 6pm

[Saffy]

Come for a walk around, see our Dexters and Herdwick sheep, have a cuppa and a chat about the animals, we are looking forward to meeting you!

Most of my cows are of Woodmagic breeding, they will be fitted with numbered neck straps to make it easy for you to know which one you are looking at.

There are two stock bulls Woodmagic Hedgehog 4th who is currently on AI and Duffryn Bevis just over a year old and out with his first ladies.

This is a photograph of the oldest cow Woodmagic Petrel on the day I bought her at Bunksland leading The Woodmagic Herd down through the woods and across the stream, she is over 17 years old now and still looks wonderful....well OK I may have stable goggles on you will have to come and see for yourself!



For a bit of added interest I have a small flock of Cumbrian sourced Herdwick sheep and as a judge for the breed I am able talk fairly knowledgeably if anyone would like to look at them whilst they are here. My stock originated from top prize winning flocks.

Speakers are being arranged and will talk briefly on several subjects, I will add a post about this in a day or so.

There will be a small display of photographs in the house of Woodmagic cattle taken at Bunksland back when Beryl Rutherford was there.

Tea/coffee, cake and biscuits will be available between speakers to give a chance for discussion and questions!

For a bit of added interest I have a small flock of Cumbrian sourced Herdwick sheep and as a judge for the breed I am able talk fairly knowledgeably if anyone would like to look at them whilst they are here. My stock come from top prize winning flocks.

I am arranging some food and entertainment for the evening, which will probably consist of a local folk duo, dexter burgers, dexter sausages and some herdwick lamb or mutton.....

It would be most helpful to have an idea of numbers so if possible let me know if you are coming. Either by phone or email. The farm is on the B4233 between Abergavenny and Monmouth, NP78SF for the Sat Nav!

spduffryn@aol.co.uk 01600780560

Stephanie Powell

Duffryn Farm

Llanvapley

Abergavenny

Monmouthshire

Wales

[Mark Bowles]

Hi Stephanie, what a wonderful idea this is, evening entertainment too!! As I have said in a pm to you, I am showing at Southwell that day, its the last show of the year with dexter classes. If it was not for that we would have been there. Have a great day.
Mark

[Saffy]

Speakers

Duncan Macintyre has kindly agreed to come all the way from The Isle Of Bute to give a short talk on Herd Health.

Veronica Schofield from The North Of England will be telling us a bit about the late Beryl Rutherford and her famous Woodmagic Herd.

And I have persuaded Mike Sinnott to come out of his cave in the welsh hills and speak. He will speak about Dexters "facts and fiction".

These will all be short 10 to 15 minute talks, each followed by a tea/coffee break, so that anyone wanting to know more can ask the speaker a question and we can perhaps have a little discussion about what we have learned.

[Saffy]

A bit more news for the Open Day!

I am delighted to say that Robert Hughes a local professional photographer who specialises in rural black and white photography is going to come along, later in the afternoon to record the day with his camera.

He recently did a brilliant record of our local stock market - Abergavenny before it closed and made it into a Photo Book...it is excellent.

http://www.roberthughesphotographer.co.uk/

I should know what the evening entertainment will be in a couple of days and will post that below, I am just waiting for conformation.

Stephanie

[Saffy]

Entertainment!

We have a harpist arriving later in the evening, she will play from about 6pm.

Another musical act are yet to confirm....I will post again when they do.

The first speaker will probably start at around 4.30.

So bring a bottle of your favourite tipple to keep you going!

Apart from tea, coffee and cake, there will be plenty of alcoholic punch, Dexter burgers and Dexter sausages, salads and a joint of Herdwick lamb...I won't let you starve!!!

Stephanie

[monica a waltho]

Sounds like a great day hope weather is kind sorry I cant come

[Saffy]

More Entertainment!

I am delighted to say that Phil and Kath, who play and sing lovely Irish music...guitar and whistle, have now confirmed that they will entertain us! So we have a full evening.

Now I quite understand that some folks won't really know until that morning whether they can come or not, it was just an idea of numbers I was after - partly to have an idea how much food to put on and partly to decide whether or not to put on some entertainment!!!! But if you can come please do, it would be lovely to see you!

If you are lost try my number and hopefully some kind soul will come and find you....

Feel free to ring me or email at any time and ask how to get here or if you are looking for a B+B I will try my best to point you in the right direction.

Thanks Mark and Monica for your kind words.....good luck at the show Mark.

Stephanie

[Saffy]

Robert Hughes is unable to come and take photographs on Saturday but every cloud has a silver lining only this cloud happens to have two silver linings!!!

I contacted the local camera club and they did a quick email which resulted in two offers of excellent photographers for us - Richard Arthur, click this link to see some of his work which includes fabulous pics of wildlife and the countryside.

http://www.rikart.co.uk/

And also Dennis Eldridge, another excellent local photographer.

Stephanie

[LISA]

Hello Stephanie,
Unfortunately I am unable to attend your open day, it sounds as though you have planned a wonderful event (careful you could be earmarked for a future AGM hosting!). Hope you all have a great day with all things Dexter - weather forecast is good this weekend as well!
Best Wishes Lisa Bell

[Duncan MacIntyre]

Well sorry that some other well known and not so well known faces cannot go, but I am just about to set off for the 1pm ferry to get to Duffryn for this time tomorrow, it looks like a very good day out to me, look forward to seeing everyone and of course the cattle.

[Saffy]

Awww Lisa! I was really hoping you would come!

Duncan I shall have the kettle on ready...I have a cake cooking as I type. The numbers went on yesterday morning and 3 got them off in the night, so we will "adjust" them tomorrow morning! That is the numbers not the cows...honest.

I am getting quite excited as I am told there will be Dexter owners here from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland - wow!!!

Stephanie

[Saffy]

I've had a couple of calls this evening asking if it is too late to say that people are coming to the Open Day tomorrow. Its not a problem at all! I was trying originally to get an idea of interest before arranging entertainment for the evening.

If you find you have time to come tomorrow, I would be absolutely delighted to see you.

Stephanie

[Rob R]

Hope the weather stays fine for a sucessful day!

[Saffy]

Thanks Rob...but you aren't coming....and its only just down the road

[Rob R]

We're doing our third cut silage - I don't think I'd be very popular if I set off now...