Champion of Champions Final
Uploaded January 2006

This was the fourth year of The Berkshire Pig Breeders Club Champion of Champions Final at Newbury Show where the Champion and Runner -up were to be chosen from the Breed Champions from Shows around the country and presented with the Jo Clarke Memorial Trophy and Welwick Salver respectively together with the other prizes listed above.

The Jo Clarke trophy is presented by our Club in memory of Jo Clarke who died in 1999 and who had worked tirelessly for the Berkshire breed and the Club,the Welwick Salver given to the Club by our Chairman the late John Mason.

This year the competition was sponsored by The P.G. Wodehouse Society who were extremely concerned by a newspaper report of declining numbers of Berkshire pigs especially as the Empress of Blandings (a Berkshire Sow) was one of P.G. Wodehouse's principal characters.

Again we assembled a superb collection of Breed Champions (and some runners -up were the Champion had already qualified) from the various shows for our judge Mr Brian Eeles, himself a well respected Berkshire breeder and showperson, from County Durham to choose from.

There were in number and they looked a picture in front of a large crowd interested in their native county breed.

The were originally from the Qualifying Shows but for reasons of farrowing, sales etc. the potential number was inevitably reduced to what was in itself a magnificent response from our Breeders and all were immaculately turned out, a real credit to their owners and to the Breed. N.B.Alist of all Qualifiers and the list of those present on the day will be published.

Our judge, who later admitted it was a very difficult job as he had seen a number of pigs which particularly caught his eye, was impressed both with the number and quality of the exhibits. He took time to examine each and every pig more than once before he was able to make his final choices.

At the same time Lewis Barnfield gave a detailed commentary to the public throughout the judging explaining whose pigs were in the ring and the judging process that was going on which is much appreciated by spectator and showperson alike.

Finally Brian selected as our Berkshire breed Champion of Champions:
Kilcot Royal Lustre 11 owned by Sharon Barn field.

and the Runner -up:
Jobes Major Royal Sapphire 30 owned by Christine Coe and Kevin Major

Sarah Martin, Jo Clarke,s daughter, then made the presentations of the Trophy and prizes and Hilary Bruce on behalf of the P.O. Wodehouse Society placed the sash on the Champion.

Congratulations to Sharon, who had no fewer than pigs in the ring, and to Christine and Kevin who again had an excellent Show year.

Congratulations are also due toJo, Sue, Andrew, David, Ian, Vic, Chris and Viki whose pigs also qualified at a number of different shows and whose contributions helped to make this such a success.

Of course none of this would have been possible without the behind the scenes hard work of the Newbury team in particular Mick Crockford the Chief Pig Steward who, as always, did all he possibly could to make the Show and our Final a success and a memorable one and his Stewards who were always on hand and extremely efficient.

We are also indebted to the Newbury Agricultural Society and lan Wilson for allowing us to use the Showground and for their assistance.

Thank you once again to the P.O. Wodehouse Society for their concern and Sponsorship for this and further years.

In conclusion Irepeat this every year but it really was another truly memorable occasion and a fitting tribute to Jo Clarke, her hard work and dedication to our Breed and Club.

David Webb
Hon. Secretary.