Hi folks,

The summer is well under way now over half of the year gone, it is frightening how quickly the time goes. You will no doubt have noticed the amount of publicity that the Berkshires have received from being sponsored by the P.G Wodehouse Society and they are continuing to sponsor the prize money for the Champion of Champions for the next Five years, which is brilliant for the club and the breed.

I have now added a new addition to the four-legged section in the shape of a chocolate Labrador puppy called Jessie, who has been an instant hit with everyone she meets. She is doing the shows with us and will be available for cuddles at St Mellons and Hatfield. She has become very good at egg hunting as my chickens have decided that they are better as free range (they kept eating all their eggs even when we loaded them with mustard and curry powder). I will be breeding from her when she is old enough so if you always wanted a chocolate Labrador keep us in mind.

The Royal once again showed the pig world that Berkshires are a force to be reckoned with, I only hope that we don't end up like some breeds where quantity rather than quality is what is produced as they get more and more popular does it mean that the quality will be ignored as people just strive to produce meat pigs?

Although I keep asking for articles for the newsletter I still only have one or two regular contributors, so come on write and tell me how you keep your pigs, how did you start any tips you might have or things you did in desperation only to find they work!

I must congratulate Chris and Kev who took their qualifier up to Yorkshire for the Pig of The Year Final and came home as Reserve Male Champion, which out 22 starters is no mean feat.

The weather here is not too bad, having had e-mail from Peter le Bas in New Zealand where at the moment it is raining most of the time. Strange to think that their winter is our summer. Most of our pigs are out now except for the show stuff, my geese finally managed to hatch just two out of the ten eggs she sat but I suppose that was something.

A member has asked a question about advertising other breeds of pigs that you might keep on the Berkshire site. I have discussed this with John and we both feel that it would be ok for members only who maybe run different breeds for a fee of £10 per year to do so payable to the club care of Chris Coe please.

Please don't forget to add up your points for the Gillhouse Trophy at the end of the season and send them to David Webb.

Tim Harris is still interested in litters born through the summer for possible export get in touch with him if you are interested on 01737 822249.

Also Jo has asked me to mention that there is a search engine on the site now. Click here to use it.

All the best,

Sharon Barnfield, Editor

PS: CLUB SUBS ARE SOON DUE. PLEASE PAY WITHOUT JO HAVING TO CHASE YOU FOR THEM! ALTERNATIVELY CLICK HERE TO TAKE OUT A DIRECT DEBIT - IT MAKES IT EASIER! PLEASE COMPLETE THE RELEVANT PART OF THE MEMBERSHIP FORM.