News & stories from around Northampton:

2012:

Winter news

Happy New Year from all at the N&DPC:

The Schedule & entry form for the Spring Show is now available on the showing page, I hope to update the pages with a few more pictures kindly sent in by members from the last few shows. Meanwhile, we wish you all the best for a good year Hatching, Rearing and Showing and above all hope to see you at our 2012 events.

2011:

Spring/Summer

Note from the new Chairman:

I was conscious, having attended the Egg Show on Saturday 21st May 2011, that many members did not know who I was or why John had asked me to be Chairman and that perhaps I had popped out of a black hole somewhere! Many people asked me what birds I kept, and wanted to know a little of my background in poultry, so I thought a little biographical note about your new Chair”person” might be helpful.

I kept bantams as a child which originally probably sparked the interest. I attended agricultural college and specialised in studying poultry and sheep, and then 30 years ago when I had some space of my own I started to keep Welsummers and subsequently started showing eggs. At a Rare Breeds Survival Trust Show & Sale about 20 years ago I spotted Scots Dumpy chickens and was hooked. Since then I have kept Scots Dumpies, been Secretary of the Scots Dumpy Club for 15 years, and have continued to show them regularly all over the country. I also keep Silkies, Salmon Faverolles, Sebastopol Geese, Indian Runner Ducks and Crollwitzer Turkeys. Three years ago I became a member of The Council of the PCGB and took on the role of Press and Public Relations Officer. I was instrumental in getting the show moved to its new venue within Stoneleigh Park and organised the first Social event on the Saturday evening – now a regular feature! My main role has been to find sponsors for the show, introduce a range of merchandise and to make sure that our members get value for money, as well as raising the profile of the Poultry Club within the UK.

Outside of poultry I work as PA to the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, run a B & B, breed Bouvier des Flandres dogs and Appaloosa horses and compete in dressage (badly!).

I hope I can be a good Chairman to the Northampton & District Poultry Club, but I know that Wilf is a hard act to follow. Luckily he is there as President so I am sure will keep me on my toes if I put a foot wrong. I hope to meet many of you over the coming months and I am extremely lucky to have Tim, John, Elaine and the rest of the Committee to steer me in the right direction.

From the Club Secretary:

I hope this note finds you all well and having hatched a good strong selection of chicks to pick your winners from for next seasons shows.
We have some exciting events organised for this coming year and I hope we can attract a good turn out of members and friends to all of them.
We have a new look committee this year and the club has more members than ever.

The first event is our annual Egg Show, which will be held on the 21st of May at 7.00pm at the Old School Hall, Crick. We will have a special guest judge in Mr Mike Hatcher and of course everyone else will judge too! Please find notes on showing eggs and also the classification for the show on the showing page. If you would like to enter before the show please do, as this will hopefully make the entry on the evening a little smoother and easier to organise.

Please send your entries to the secretary with the correct entry fees of 30 pence per plate. If you haven’t entered before hand don’t worry just bring some eggs along and enter them on the evening. There will be refreshments available on the evening and there will be a charge of £2 per person. The Champion and Reserve Champion eggs will receive prizes and there may be some surprises on the evening. So do please come along and support the club and also have an enjoyable and social evening.
If you are coming to the Egg Show please give me a call and tell me how many of you are coming so that we can organise the catering on 01933 624293.

Our second event is our annual BBQ to be held at Pear Tree Farm, Astcote, NN12 8NW by kind invitation of Chris and Barry, on the 30th of July.
The evening will start at 7.00pm please bring something to drink and a chair. The cost will be £5.00 per person, once again contact me for tickets, 01933 624293.

Our Autumn Show will be on the 23rd of October at Marrowell Farm,West Haddon. We are organising some very well known judges and hope to have a very good turn out this year.

Best wishes

John Messenger

2009:

January:

Northampton Poultry Club & W.I. members knitting for ex-battery hens
( opens in new window - copyright of image belongs to Northampton & Chronicle )

2008:

October:

Northampton Poultry Club Show.
( opens in new window - copyright of image belongs to Northampton & Chronicle )

Any stories or tales of interest relating to keeping poultry in the region?, Then please contact the club.