The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Rosemary on May 05, 2011, 08:43:32 am
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Well, should we?
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Would be interesting, but being on a Games committee it's an incredible amout of work to organise these sort of things.
Fi :-\
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determination and refusing to take no as an answer works well :wave:
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Would be interesting, but being on a Games committee it's an incredible amout of work to organise these sort of things.
Fi :-\
Is that a yes?
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determination and refusing to take no as an answer works well :wave:
Is that a yes too?
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Depends where you have it in Scotland and some of us southern softies might venture across Hadrians wall......
Mandy :pig: :)
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well mandy how far north will you travel(just as an indication) :wave:
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Watching this one with interest ;) ;D
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best i could do is Dumfries, Moffat in west or Galashiels, Jedburgh, Selkirk in East. They'd all be just under 3hrs (approx 120 miles) away from us (we're near Thirsk in North Yorkshire) so doable in a day based on classes starting 10 or 11ish. Getting across to the west is the pain in the bum for us as the A66 is a bar steward of a road, the day its completely dual carriagewayed will be a blessing to all.
Newark is the furtherest South we go at present and thats about two and half hours but all lovely A1 all the way especially now its had its roundabouts seen to. ;D
So there you go.
Mandy :pig:
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o dear the lovely 3 lane M74 is the best and quitest bit of road i always thought the A66 was brilliant until you come to the roundabouts at the M6
can we not persuade you to venture north a bit more :wave: :wave:
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Just stay away from the M8 or A/M80 - at least until the "improvements" are finished. Sometimes used to take me nearly 3 hours to get to work (44 miles) from here. I shudder to remember ... ::)
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I think it sounds like a GREAT IDEA ;D ;D ;D
Perhaps it's something that could be jointly run/arranged by CSSA/SPKA and the southern RBST group ? Maybe's Palacerigg or Lanark market area would be a couple of potential showgrounds (I've got to go and talk to the lovely people at Lanark about other things anyway's, so would be as well to add it to the list lol!)
Rosemary, that IS a yes ;)
Karen x :wave:
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Watching this one with interest ;) ;D
Don't watch with interest - throw your hat in the ring! What the Welsh can do, surely we can do?
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I've never been to Lanark Market. What's it like?
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it is modern for a start what else can i say :wave: :farmer: :wave:
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Watching this one with interest ;) ;D
Don't watch with interest - throw your hat in the ring! What the Welsh can do, surely we can do?
??? are you referring to The Land of My Father(s) or am I included in the "we" now Rosemary ;D
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I've never been to Lanark Market. What's it like?
By the power of the interweb, I've just seen it. Looks pretty good, accessible, parking, event facilities. ;)
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??? are you referring to The Land of My Father(s) or am I included in the "we" now Rosemary ;D
[/quote]
Dan's from Sussex and I count him as an honorary Scot. At least the Welsh are fellow Celts - so you're in with "we" ;D
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I've never been to Lanark Market. What's it like?
It's got massive amounts of concreted car parking, a huge hall full of penning and just across the road is the old racecourse - a huge big flat grassed area. They've held big events there before and it's fairly easy to get to and find from the motorways.
Here's a photo of the market http://www.lawrie-and-symington.com/ (http://www.lawrie-and-symington.com/) and if you 'google earth' it, you can see the racecourse too ;)
I think it would be a really good venue ;)
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Lanark market is great, lots of space, parking, restaurant, field opposite - check google street maps for ML11 9AX http://maps.google.co.uk/ (http://maps.google.co.uk/)
Click on the orange man and pull across onto the map to see the building. No idea what they charge though. I'm often there for dog shows - an hour from me - about 2 and a bit quarter hours from you Rosemary.
It's a yes from me - happy to help with organisation, paperwork etc I have a friend who deals with the RHS entries so can get advice from him.
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annie your needing to have a word with your friend about pig classes :farmer: :wave: :farmer: :pig: :wave:
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Sounds like this post title should be changed to "Smallholder show for Scotland - we are organising one" ;)
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congratulations beewyched on taking on the huge task of organising :o :wave:
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Sounds like Lanark it is :) I think it would need a proper committee etc to get off the ground and advice from someone who's done it before. Could it be done by 2012? Would it include gardening stalls too? How would we do it - classes plus stalls selling things? What else? Demonsterations as Fred Dibnah would say? For anyone volunteering it will require massive commitment - so I won't be volunteering, just supporting :(. Committee members would presumably need to be paid for such a massive input, or would it run entirely on volunteers and enthusiasm? The enthusiasm bit can tend to run out when the work becomes too much. Overall I'm all for it :) :)
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it would need to be on a voluntary bassis charges and renumeration would escalate to the point of not bothering
just my view :wave:
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:o Oooower - is this the "price" for being an "honourary Scot"? ::)
Ok - happy to help out - Dydw I ddim yn ... I'm not offering to do ALL the organising though Lillian/Robert ::) ;D ;D ;D
Juliet :wave: always good to have folks playing the "devil's advocate" role ;)
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I agree a committee is the first priority
Voluntary basis is fine for the first year, but if it is a success - breaks even or makes a profit, then the organisers should have an honorarium, or at least expenses paid. I'm happy to help on that side.
Lilian/Robert - what is the problem with the pig classes at RHS please. I'll contact David for you if you like? I can also ask him about organisation of paperwork in general.
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annie will pm you about RHS :wave:
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come closer to aberdeenshire..please..ur miles away from us... :wave:
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I think that's gonna be the problem - trying to get a decent venue that's accessible to the most folks ??? I'm middle for diddle here, so will have to travel either way.
Something for the Committee to consider Julie ;)
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I'm definately up for helping/actively working on it (in between everything else lol!) I think a lot of it will cross over between other groups that I'm involved in/going to be involved in anyway - so it kinda makes sense ;)
I've spoken with Lanark market and it's a very definate possibility - they have all the facilities (toilets/catering/market traders licence/liquor licence ;)) hire rates are quite reasonable - lets get a sit dowm meeting organised soon and form a plan ;D
All those in favour, say "Aye"
Karen x
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Aye ;D
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come closer to aberdeenshire..please..ur miles away from us... :wave:
Where? It has to be near the main centres of population, I'm afraid, of we won't get the footfall.
Just had a quick look at Stirling Show's website - very nice. They've got poultry this year - that's a first. Anyway, the Show is run by Stirling Agricultural Society, which has a committee, Directors, members (you have to be a member to exhibit except in the Unaffiliated Light Horse classes). Would there need to be a Scottish Smallholders' Show Society? I rather think so, for legal reasons, insurance and so on.
Lanark looks like a good venue (sorry those north and south). Date? Maybe late in the year - a) don't want to clash with other major shows, b) smallholders don't really have a harvest to bring in c) catch the early Christmas present market ::) - September ish?
There must be other organisations we shoudl be speaking to - Scottish Goatkeepers, Scottish Poultry Club, Scottish Pig Keepers Association ;D, RBST.
Should we try and get articles in "Country Smallholding" and "Smallholder"?
God, Dan's going to kill me ;D I'm relying on all you folk to stick up for me.
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stirling show had poultry last year we were sitted next to the tent they were going to have pig classes this year BUT the horsie wifie complained about the pigs upsetting there cuddies eh will be making an effort to rectify this objection :o :o :wave:
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ok, now I'm being a bit :dunce: - why would the pigs upset them ???
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ok, now I'm being a bit :dunce: - why would the pigs upset them ???
I believe, going way back into the depths of history, that wild boar predated on wild horses & ponies and it's an inbuilt thing in the genes. That said - I know plenty of horses who get on fine with pigs and a few livery yards who have resident 'pet' pigs - so it's not every horse. Just the same ones that would get spooked by a strong wind or russling trees ;)
Rosemary - I mentioned late summer/autumn time to the lady at Lanark, it was fine.
Sunday's tend to be really heavily booked, but Saturday's shouldn't be a problem.
I'll email you ;)
Karen x
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Ah! I see ::)
But surely in a Show environment the pig area could be away from the horse area - to keep everyone happy ???
That said, the horses in the field next to our piggies seem to think they are there for their amusement - they stand peering through the hedge at them - when Jerry decided to break-out last month (lifted the old stock fencing down the side we didn't run the electric tape ::)) & get in with them they were grazing side-by-side with each other (sweet ;) ). But then, they are huge horses XThoroughbreds I think, so a little Kune wouldn't seem a threat to them ;D
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Very interesting; but the North of Scotland does get a bit sidelined and Aberdeenshire / Black Isle / Inverness must be prime small-holding country; its certainly very rich in studs and horse breeding and I think this is the same sort of edge-of-agriculture activity. Then there's the crofting tradition right across the Highlands. Can a show in Lanark really be said to represent Scottish smallholding? It rules out participation by anyone with animals in the top half of the country. Wouldn't it be better to go for a couple of smaller events rather than one big event that ignores the north? For example a big stallion show in Scotland has never been really successful; but a few years ago there were a series of smaller shows developed by the same organiser and covered by one programme that were staged up and down the country and these were bursting at the seams.
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I am up for helping in any way that I can. Think Lanark would be an excellent venue to get started but one option would be to have a show that moves around the country on an annual basis i.e. Lanark, Stirling, Aberdeen & Inverness if suitable venues are available.
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Think Lanark would be an excellent venue to get started but one option would be to have a show that moves around the country on an annual basis i.e. Lanark, Stirling, Aberdeen & Inverness if suitable venues are available.
Now that seems a good idea - just what the Royal Highland used to do before it settled at Ingliston. What about Lanark and Thainstone AC, at Inverurie?
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Yeah, a 'portable' show that goes to a new area every year would be a very good idea. That way it covers the whole of Scotland and reaches everyone. We would definately need plenty of local support for that though - to find the people who'd want to exhibit/have stalls and also to find the best places for advertising locally etc.
Lanark is my home turf, I know it pretty well and have plenty of connections - providing there are others spotted around the country who're prepared to do a bit of groundwork there's no reason why it couldn't/wouldn't work though.
Do we need to organise a meeting to discuss this sometime ? or will we do it all 'virtually' ?
If everyone who's interested could pm me your email address or email me with Smallholding show as the subject (my email is [email protected] ) and let me know roughly where in the country you are we can start to get organised.
He he he - Bruce is going to kill me too ;D ;D ;D
Karen :wave:
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He he he - Bruce is going to kill me too ;D ;D ;D
Karen :wave:
You know your gonna have to pay ;) ;D ;D ;D
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Remember committees don't always have to live close to each other! I have tried time and again to persuade our present Brittany Club Secretary that we can hold online meetings via a chat room, he is totally against it - just a technophobe to be honest - but us lot aren't!
Dan could help set that part of it up. (My son could too, if he's busy, but I'm sure we have other techie folk on here too)
Rosemary - do we need a new associations? What's wrong with Central Scotland Smallholders taking this on in name - we have a basic committee structure already and we could add other folks in from across the country to be a sub (show) committee - we are about to take out PL insurance anyway and this could maybe be extended to cover such an event?
Show venues in different areas would also work with an online committee as those committee members in each area could take the lead for the show nearest them.
I'm getting excited now - and no-one can kill me!
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Sounds like a plan to me Annie ;) ;D ;D ;D
Put my name down as part of the sub-committee (if no-one minds ?)
I would think that most places (especially the like of Lanark) would have their own PL insurance anyway - but it wouldn't hurt to have extra.
And if Dan the man ;D ;) could organise a vitrual meeting space we can schedule a meeting to dicuss things at a set time.
But for the moment - suggestions of the kind of thing's you'd like to see would be a good starting point ;) My thinking is:
Housing suppliers - poultry houses, pig arcs etc
Feed suppliers
local producers (of animals and food products)
local community groups - thinking Clyde Vally Orchards, Bee Keepers clubs etc
garden stuff - nurseries, garden centres etc
local craftspeople
stock on show/for sale
demos - working dogs, shearing etc
c'mon, give us more ideas ;D ;D ;D
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Karen - ::) SPKA / RBST stands or will everyone be too busy with their stock ;) ;D ? SSPCA etc
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The OH has just quipped - what about the folk who supply tractors & mini-farm equipment geared towards smallholders - could get them to do displays etc as well as having a stand
ALSO
the realm of SPONSORSHIP ;)
Oh dear, think we could end-up taking over TAS with this - Annie's idea of an organised online thing sounds good. Is membership of CSSA needed before being on the sub-committee?
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The OH has just quipped - what about the folk who supply tractors & mini-farm equipment geared towards smallholders - could get them to do displays etc as well as having a stand
ALSO
the realm of SPONSORSHIP ;)
Oh dear, think we could end-up taking over TAS with this - Annie's idea of an organised online thing sounds good. Is membership of CSSA needed before being on the sub-committee?
I think it would have to be (that's me with my Treasurers hat on) but from 30th June the fees are reduced to £5 per person. Anyone got other thoughts? Certainly would have to be put to the Committee first anyway.
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See you about that on 1st July then Annie ;) Are you ready for SKA - we've not started trimming the boys yet & one of them's not been done for a couple of months (looks a bit like the W****bix advert at the mo :D ) this shingles seems to have really sapped my energy this time :(
btw, I love your ticker thing - very cute ;D
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Don't need to do much for shows - trim ears a bit, trim bums, hocks and front feet. Quick dip in the river and we're off. Just taking two as our judge has given Freckles a CC already and Bobby all over the place with gangly teenager legs. But have friends coming to stay over that weekend so need to finish decorating the room they'll be in, move the bed through, then clean the house - and can't be bothered!
I should have said that rate is for the half year to 31/12, but it's £10 for full year (from 1/1/12)
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Will try & look out for you there Annie :wave:
Decorating AND cleaning - or dear, we've been saying for weeks "when it rains, we'll get round to the cleaning". Well it's not happened today (the cleaning) just not got the energy (or the inclination) supposed to be having family visitors end of next month so will get the pitch fork out then ;)
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RBST stand - check ;D
SPKA stand - check ;D
SSPCA etc - will look into ;D
Mini farming equipment - check ;D
Sponsorship - way ahead of you on that one ;) But the more the merrier ;D
But lets wait til the lovely people on the CSSA committee decide if we can be part of their gang before we go rushing ahead - it'll be 2012 for the first one I think, so we've plenty of time to get organised ;) :wave:
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"Aye"
Scottish Goatkeepers Federation committee member over here :wave:
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I'm wondering now if a completely new organisation should be set up - purely to run the show, with membership of that afforded to all associations in Scotland that pertain to smallholding - such as beekeepers, goatkeepers, pigkeepers, sheepkeepers etc etc - and also any breeders associations. Each association would provide one(or more) committee member(s) and be responsible for arranging stalls/suggesting show classes which related to their particular discipline; with a finance/administration (maybe taken from the treasurers/secretaries of the other groups plus CSSA) unit as well which would be responsible for raising funds/sending out entry forms/taking in monies/paying expenses etc.
Thoughts?
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Part of me likes the thought of a completely seperate group BUT at the same time it would be easier (from an organisational point of view) to have it as part of the CSSA.
Depends what everyone else thinks really - I'm happy either way ;D
Karen :wave:
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Belatedly spotting this, confirm this north-of-hadrians-wall but south-of-the-border honorary smallholder will definitely attend - calvings, tup sales, hay-making, etc, permitting...
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Oh let's hope we're not still haymaking in September ;D ;D
Annie - sheep keepers don't really have an association in Scotland - each breed has it's own breed society which is GB wide, but no single entity to send a single representative
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How about energy-related stuff like off-grid electricity, biomass burners, etc.? And water management; water saving, drainage, and so on?
Hedges and fences; maybe someone could talk about hedge-laying or different sorts of hedge management?
Oatridge college? (Have I got the name right?) They have lots of interesting farm related courses; I'm going on a chainsaw course with them in August.
Would SAC be prepared to have a stand, particularly with regard to things like the regulations for pigs and poultry and food production, to show that as officials they're not ogres.
Also soil fertility; how to test it; how to improve it. Maybe the no-till people would have someone up here who could demonstrate their theories.
Forestry Commission! That seems a bit irrelevant but they are playing a big part in the Orchard projects here because orchards don't fit any existing niche. Mike Strachan in Perth comes up with some interesting stuff. He is so enthusiastic; the only adult to have willingly waded through my hillside spiny plum-sucker thicket.
Cairn O' Mohr wines; they are pretty dynamic; developing elder cultivars for elderflower champagne, making cider, holding wacky races...
If the SSPCA have a stand I shall feel obliged to visit it and interrogate them about their grotesque performance at that stud closure up in Aberdeenshire last year, (Tullynessie? something like that?) as detailed on the Horse and Hound forum. But I doubt they'll want to come unless they get free entry.
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Great ideas folks ;D ;D ;D
Especially like the idea of eco warriors and hedge laying demo's.
Once we get a layout plan of the space available we'll need to sit down and figure out how many stands we can fit in then look at everything we would want to have there.
What other venue's would folks suggest - Thainstone was mentioned, can you give me any more and I'll make contact and enquiries for the future ;)
Thanks,
Karen :wave:
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Just got this from a friend in the 'know' - any comments?
Pigs would probably be a huge no-no because of the health implications. Most shows take pigs straight from shows to the abbatoir because of cross contamination of disease. If they don't, they risk all sorts of things taking them home. What you might find, also, is that some people won't bring other stock if there will be pigs there.
Poultry is pretty easy however you will need a marquee/building and cages.
Cattle don't need stalls, just posts and rails for tethering them.
Goats will need pens, as will sheep, however you can "borrow" them from places ... !
Entry forms can be standardised however you'll need some sort of database to record everything for generating your catalogue etc. Rosettes/prize cards of course and then most agri people expect some prize money too. You will need to use the holding number of whichever venue you decide to use for your cattle passports, however you can get around doing sheep and goat ones as you are not the keeper of the animals, if people bring them and pen them themselves (wee loophole).
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sorry doganjo but you friend is so far out on this he /she is on another planet
if this is the RHS entries guy that said this we have an uphill struggle here :o :o
MR PIG YOUR COMMENTS AND INPUT ARE DESPERATLY NEEDED ON THIS ONE :wave:
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DoganJo
Pigs go to loads of shows here in the south, yes some people are shitty about pigs but most shows get away with it by penning pigs completely away from other livestock. Generally all show pigs come from isolation units (very easy to get one speak to your local vet) Do not let other peoples predjudices stop you from having pigs. It discrimination in the animal world. Pigs get the blame for anything untoward in the livestock world and people can just **** off . >:( >:( >:(
Sorry rant over.
Mandy :pig:
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DOGANJO I AM SITTING RAGING AT YOUR QUOTE >:( >:(
PRINTING TOSH LIKE THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE BOTHERED TRYING TO GET PIGS BACK TO SCOTTISH SHOWS THE TIME EXPENCE AND BLOODY HARD EFFORT OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS HAS BEEN NEGATED IN ONE FELL SWOPE BY YOUR FRIEND WHO MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE FLAT EARTH SOCIETY ???
ANYBODY WITH A MODICUME OF SENCE WOULD SEE THAT CATTLE TIED UP TO A FENCE HAVE MORE CHANCE OF TAKING HOME DISEASE THAN PIGS KEEPT SEPERATE AND NOT TOUCHING >:(
THE STUPIDITY OF YOUR FRIEND IS ASSTOUNDING AND LITTLE WONDER WE CANNOT GET PIG CLASSES BACK TO THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
AND WITHOUT PIGS THERE IT CANNOT HAVE THIS SPURRIOUS CLAIM TO FAME
STUPID STUPID PEOPLE LIONS LED BY DONKEYS DOGANJO COULD YOU PASS MY COMMENTS ON TO YOUR FRIEND (IF HE WILL COME OUT FROM HIS CORNER) :pig: :'( :'( :'( :pig: :wave:
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Lillian/Robert - i second your rant above. The guy is obviously a pig hater, remember this year is the 10th anniversary of the foot and mouth outbreak and it was allegedly started by pigs, maybe he got wiped out, who knows. ::) ???
My pigs are in isolation at present as we're going to Newark on 13th as they have to be in 20 days before the first show, they'll remain in the unit for all the show season and 20 days after the end of it.
Most people who show do this.
best Mandy :pig:
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Mandy the isolation rules must be different in england to Scotland you can have them in isolation for 6 days providing you have applied for the isolation unit with paperwork from defra to tie in with your isolation unit subject to random checks from defra :wave:
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theres stacks of smallholders and crofts up over this side. what bout Turriff showground? they hold the biggest 2 day show in scotland (apparently). im sure people from the north scotland wud venture down to turriff, as they do come to thainstone.
we got 16 ponies and only 1 hates pigs with a passion, are ponies going too?
how about a class supporting scottish natives and british rare breeds? can we include chickens and rabbits too? theres a local rabbit club here who im sure will be interested.
Offer sponsorship per class, we might be interested in that.
i know a man that does hedge laying demos but hes up this way.
is it this year then??
:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave:
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also have you thought about 'Young Handlers'. Its always a big draw at the shows we go to.
Pics of my niece Anya.
Penistone
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb220/fowgillfarm/P9110429.jpg (http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb220/fowgillfarm/P9110429.jpg)
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb220/fowgillfarm/P9110433.jpg (http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb220/fowgillfarm/P9110433.jpg)
Tockwith
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb220/fowgillfarm/P8070396.jpg (http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb220/fowgillfarm/P8070396.jpg)
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb220/fowgillfarm/P8070401.jpg (http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb220/fowgillfarm/P8070401.jpg)
Jus some tasters.
HTh
mandy :pig:
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princess
just to clarify the shows up north
turrif have been contacted NO ROOM :o
perth have been contacted NO ROOM having seen there showground i would accept this :)
black isle have been contacted NO ROOM :'( WE HAD HEARD THIS IS A VERY GOOD SHOW) :wave:
a well with determination and a positive outlook we just might manage to succeed :wave:
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yes mandy ahead of you there young handler old handler new handler :wave:
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Hey, don't shoot the messenger! David is only saying what he has been told. He isn't a smallholder - never has been. He is not a pig hater, he loves all animals. He has owned horses and dogs, that's all. And to be honest a belligerent attitude will get none of us anywhere.
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Just got this from a friend in the 'know' - any comments?
Pigs would probably be a huge no-no because of the health implications. Most shows take pigs straight from shows to the abbatoir because of cross contamination of disease. If they don't, they risk all sorts of things taking them home. What you might find, also, is that some people won't bring other stock if there will be pigs there.
Okay, so I'm just as outraged as Mandy & Lillian >:(
BUT I can see the BIG picture and will try to be the voice of reason.
There is a lot of piggy prejudice up here in Scotland. When we spoke to Lesmahagow Farmers Society their initial reaction was also "oh no, we can't have pigs. Dirty, smelly animals and they'll upset the horses" ::)
But it comes from a lack of understanding - that is why the SPKA formed. To promote pigs in Scotland and encourage shows to consider having pigs on their schedules ;)
Now, we're only going to achieve that by remaining calm (Lillian !) taking a deep breath and explaining the in's and outs. Such as keeping them seperate from other stock, no nose to nose contact in penning area, disinfectant foot baths on the entrance/exit to the penning area, housing the pens in a marquee well away from the horses to minimise any chance of upsetting the horses (but we all know that some horses can spook at their own shadow ::)) shouting, raging and generally making a t*t of ourselves isn't going to win us any support from people who are very much 'on the fence' :-\
If you were unsure about something and the person in charge if it didn't seem calm, reasonable and considered in their approach, would you really be interested in getting involved ? *stern stare* ;)
I know how much time, effort & money you've put into it Lillian/Robert - but we NEED to stay calm and BE NICE if we're going to succeed :o ;D
Hopefully, after Lesmahagow people will start to realise that it IS possible to have pigs there without upsetting the whole rest of the show and we can continue to go from strength to strength - meeting new people and making new friends along the way (not having enemies and everyone hating us !) ;) ;D
As the article in the Scottish Farmer says (available soon to view on our website http://scottishpigs.co.uk (http://scottishpigs.co.uk) ) "GIVE PIGS A CHANCE" ;) :love: :pig: :love:
Karen :-* :wave:
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theres stacks of smallholders and crofts up over this side. what bout Turriff showground? they hold the biggest 2 day show in scotland (apparently). im sure people from the north scotland wud venture down to turriff, as they do come to thainstone.
we got 16 ponies and only 1 hates pigs with a passion, are ponies going too?
how about a class supporting scottish natives and british rare breeds? can we include chickens and rabbits too? theres a local rabbit club here who im sure will be interested.
Offer sponsorship per class, we might be interested in that.
i know a man that does hedge laying demos but hes up this way.
is it this year then??
:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave:
Ah, back onto the original subject of the thread ;) ;D
It's not going to be this year PP, but all your comments are noted and will be added to the (ever growing) list ;) ;D ;D ;D
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theres stacks of smallholders and crofts up over this side. what bout Turriff showground? they hold the biggest 2 day show in scotland (apparently). im sure people from the north scotland wud venture down to turriff, as they do come to thainstone.
we got 16 ponies and only 1 hates pigs with a passion, are ponies going too?
how about a class supporting scottish natives and british rare breeds? can we include chickens and rabbits too? theres a local rabbit club here who im sure will be interested.
Offer sponsorship per class, we might be interested in that.
i know a man that does hedge laying demos but hes up this way.
is it this year then??
:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave:
Ah, back onto the original subject of the thread ;) ;D
It's not going to be this year PP, but all your comments are noted and will be added to the (ever growing) list ;) ;D ;D ;D
And if the 2013 show can be held at Thainstone (that being the only place that might be large enough from what Lilian has said) then these could be included as they'd be closer.
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this is something that the organisers will have to deal with first
do you have a stand allone show or tag on the back of some other show :wave:
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Damn, just did a long post and lost it.
Anyway, my view is that we should have a seperate organisation - Scottish Smallholders' Show Society, for argument's sake - with its own constitution, membership and committee with the sole function of organising the show. Individuals and organisations could join for a small fee - membership would give indivuduals either free or reduced price entry to exhibit and member organisations would get reduced stand rate.
We need to walk before we run - a good small event will be much easier to build on than a badly organised large one. So lots of great ideas for the show, but we might not be able to do them all this year (2012). I found at CSSA that lots of folk had lots of ideas, then wouldn't meet your eye when you were looking for someone to actually DO the work ::)
Would Perth be a good venue for the whole of Scotland or would it satisfy no-one except those in Perth (or Carnoustie ;D)? It doesn't have a mart anymore but there is the racecourse - although I've never been so don't knwo what it's like. Or should we go for Lanark for 2012 and look at a northern venue for 2013?
OK, so how do we take this forward? I suggest a meeting in Perth or Stirling for individuals and organisations interested in getting the show off the ground. Publicity via TAS, Country Smallholding and Smallholder and maybe Scottish Farmer and Facebook? At the meeting, we can get the Society set up, elect at least an interim Committee and get going formally.
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rosemary i am happy it is not just me that losses posts :wave:
all good input until the Scottish farmer you will get your coverage if you pay that is money out before you have started :wave:
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Sounds great to me - either Perth or Stirling is fine. I'll be there. And I can look you straight in the eye - if I have my high heels on ;) ;D
When we have our first meeting we can set up a kitty to cover any initial advertising of the intention to set up the Organisation. That way no-one is out of pocket for longer than say a few weeks. I'm happy to fund up to about £20 to start this off, if anyone else wants to put their money where their mouths are. ;)
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Happy to meet up at any suggested venue. Shall we get a date and location organised? Could we go to the Mayfield in Stirling one evening in June?
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I can do Stirling (now I know where the Mayfield centre is ;)) :D
June is good - weekday evening (pref not Tuesdays) would be great ;)
I'm not sure if I can contribute much cash (but once I get the Reiki practice up & running that might change ;) :))
But I CAN & WILL do hard work quite gladly (especially if there's a lot of on-line communication/advertising and talking involved - I'm good at that ! ;) :D ;D ::))
I'll get started on a facebook page now to attract folks - Scottish Smallholders Show Society it is :) (try saying that without your teeth in ;) ;D)
Anyone want to have a go at designing a logo ? Or make your suggestions and I'll get my pencils & paper out ;) (Then get a more competant person than me to turn it into a high res. 'proper' logo) ;D
Oooooo - it's exciting !
Karen x
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america has the 4H scotland has the 4S a bit less of a mouthfull :farmer: :wave: :farmer:
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Alrighty then ;D
We've got facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Smallholders-Show-Society/209077732446418?ref=ts (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Smallholders-Show-Society/209077732446418?ref=ts)
and a start on a website http://scottishsmallholders.webs.com/ (http://scottishsmallholders.webs.com/)
Hope this is okay ? Tried for ssss.webs.com as a site address - not available :(
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I can do Stirling (now I know where the Mayfield centre is ;)) :D
June is good - weekday evening (pref not Tuesdays) would be great ;)
I'm not sure if I can contribute much cash (but once I get the Reiki practice up & running that might change ;) :))
But I CAN & WILL do hard work quite gladly (especially if there's a lot of on-line communication/advertising and talking involved - I'm good at that ! ;) :D ;D ::))
I'll get started on a facebook page now to attract folks - Scottish Smallholders Show Society it is :) (try saying that without your teeth in ;) ;D)
Anyone want to have a go at designing a logo ? Or make your suggestions and I'll get my pencils & paper out ;) (Then get a more competent person than me to turn it into a high res. 'proper' logo) ;D
Oooooo - it's exciting !
Karen x
How about a twist on the SNP logo - a historic day for Scotland in more ways than one! ;D ;D Yee ha!
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Alrighty then ;D
We've got facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Smallholders-Show-Society/209077732446418?ref=ts (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottish-Smallholders-Show-Society/209077732446418?ref=ts)
and a start on a website http://scottishsmallholders.webs.com/ (http://scottishsmallholders.webs.com/)
Hope this is okay ? Tried for ssss.webs.com as a site address - not available :(
Tried weebly?
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I'm a bit of a technophobe, really ! I'm quite used to webs set-up and can zip through the whole process quite quickly. It would probably take me ages to figure it all out on a new system (I'm basically lazy ;)) Okay - I've just shamed myself into checking it to prove I'm not lazy ::) It's not available there either :( So webs it is.
http://scottishsmallholders.webs.com (http://scottishsmallholders.webs.com)
When you say "SNP with a twist" what do you mean exactly ???
What image represents smallholders ? A spade ? Bucket ? Mucky boots ? Animals ?
We need something that's not too heavy on the detail - you know, quite bold & simple I think (but that's just me ;)) and something Scottish (got the flag for the SPKA) what about a thistle incorperated somehow ?
Input please ;D
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Suggestions to play about with.
Maybe with an animal looking round from behind or through the middle?
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all very well the momentus victory :bouquet: but politics should not come into it :farmer: we will see if your man gets the trains stopped :wave:
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I've got to admit I'm wary of making it look like a political symbol :-[
I don't feel that's really appropriate as some people may have different political views and feel strongly about our logo. I think since it's a Scottish Smallholder group the logo should reflect that, and only that.
I'm wondering if a thistle would work, but with the leaves made out of tools and boots and animal outlines ? Does that make sense ? I'll have a doodle once the kids are in bed and I can get peace without being begged for all my pens, paper, rulers, etc etc etc ;) ;D
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Yes, I would agree for it to be non-political - I was just throwing some suggestions in. I thought a map of some sort would be good, but I like the thistle made of tools idea
Just spoke to my ride on mower chappie - http://www.livgm.co.uk/ (http://www.livgm.co.uk/) Les would be interested in taking a stand at the show, we have to keep him informed and if we want any promotional material meantime he can email it.
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I've spoken to the editor at Country Smallholding and he's happy to run a news item if we get 250 words to him by 17th May. Likewise " Smallholder" magazine will take a news item and possibly coverage / promotion of the show itself.
Should we leave the meeting until a couple of weeks after magazines publication in mid June? Not much point of saying there is going to be a meeting, after it's taken place ;D
We might struggle to get Mayfield as we're not yet an organisation - a hotel might be better?
And should we contact some organisations and invite them directly? I thought RBST Caledonian, Scottish Goatkeepers, Poultry Club of Great Britain (no Scottish equivalent as far as I can see), Scottish Pig Keepers Association, Scottish Beekeepers but who else? I can speak to Shetland Cattle Breeders' Association and Ryeland Flock Book Society, but they are personal contacts. Anyone else make suggestions?
I'm happy to get a venue and send out letters / emails of invitation.
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How abouta saltire with an S in each quadrant or is that too naff ;D
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good :wave:
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How abouta saltire with an S in each quadrant or is that too naff ;D
How about a saltire with animals in each quadrant?
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How about a saltire with animals in each quadrant?
Silhouettes maybe?
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Wow - things have really moved along on here since last night ;D
I'm more than happy to attend meetings AND roll my sleeves up ;)
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How about a saltire with animals in each quadrant?
Silhouettes maybe?
Yes, simple as Karen said. Too many types to have one per quadrant, maybe poultry pecking on the ground in front of something bigger, say pigs, for the top one? Then multi-horned sheep (this is Scotland after all) in front of a Shetland cow for the bottom one, goats to one side, horses to the other. What have I missed?
SSSS might be confusing - SSS already stands for Shetland Sheep Soc and Soay Sheep Soc, so maybe the whole words printed beneath?
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Okay, this is what I've come up with initially - I know it needs a LOT of work ;) Give me a bit more time (and a chunkier pen) and I'll try and improve it a bit.
I think smallholding is way too diverse to have just 4 images to represent it - can you imagine the riots from everyone if their particular 'thing' didn't feature ? Although saying that, even this doesn't contain all of them ::)
What do you think ? (Assuming it shows up clearly, I've never got the hang of getting the image size just right on here lol!)
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your going to burn yourself out bruce will need to pamper you ;) :wave:
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Me ? Never ?
Plenty of time for rest when I'm dead ;) ;D
And Bruce is a good, good man (though I do get more done when he's working :D) and he can see the long term good, so as long as his dinner's on the table and I'm happy he's okay with it ;D
Karen x
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Sorry, Karen, but I think that's awful busy for a logo. Aren't they usually fairly simple things? I'm not at all artistic so can't help on the design.
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I agree with Annie - it needs to be easy to replicate of mechandise. ;D Maybe no direct smallholding images, then no-one's offended.
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Just seen this, happy to help out too
How about a demo from the working horse man that sells all the gear to use horsepower instead of tractor.
Could put some cash in too if required
Mandy
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Just seen this, happy to help out too
How about a demo from the working horse man that sells all the gear to use horsepower instead of tractor.
Could put some cash in too if required
Mandy
This is the man I've been looking for! Where do I find him? And yes, I think that's exactly the sort of thing we'd be looking for. Thanks Mandy. Can you either put details on here or PM me?
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How about a demo from the working horse man that sells all the gear to use horsepower instead of tractor.
Mandy
This is the man I've been looking for! Where do I find him? And yes, I think that's exactly the sort of thing we'd be looking for. Thanks Mandy. Can you either put details on here or PM me?
Me too please!
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Would Mayfield not allow and inaugural meeting for a new organisation? Especially if CSSA booked it?
Just had more thoughts - about stands - paying ones and maybe also charities like RDA? They usually have things to sell and sometimes tombolas which brings in the kids and parents.
We need lots of costing - so we can work out charges fro stands , and entry fees etc.
And we need advice on show layout and floor areas allocated to different types of stands. Which stands or animals need to be indoors and what can be outside, bearing in mind September weather can be beautiful or terrible.
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Comments on the logo taken on-board ;) I'll have another go tonight once the kids are sleeping.
I'm waiting for the layout plans to arrive from Lanark (snail mail ::)) and once we've got them we can figure out how many stands, costings for each etc etc etc
I think, if we're looking at September as a date (and it is usually quieter then in the smallholder world ;)) we'd be best to plan for holding it completely inside. This way we'll not be at the mercy of the weather ;) It IS Scotland, it IS September and who knows what the weather will be doing ? at least if it's all under cover we don't have to worry about rain/hail/snow affecting visitor numbers ;) ;D
Karen :wave:
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I think I've only seen part of KL & S then - it doesn't seem big enough inside for lots of stands and animal pens as well as show rings. Will look froward to seeing their floor area - might be on website - will have a look after taking dogs out. TTFN
I can't go but I think someone told me they have a car boot sale tomorrow if anyone fancies a nosey
Couldn't resist a quick look at teh website - it's HUGE!!!!
I haven't even seen a 10th of it at dog shows!
http://www.lawrie-and-symington.com/events-lanark/ (http://www.lawrie-and-symington.com/events-lanark/)
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at lanark you only have the area whare the hens are sold (as open space) under cover then the front bit whare the cafe is it would need to be tents
if you are hell bent on lanark as the first venue go to the vintage event there also in september to get an idea about layout
yes they have pens BUT IT IS A CATTLE/SHEEP MART
sept also clashes with westmoorland and why september :wave:
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September was just put up by me to shoot down. We have to start with something. I thought it would miss most of the already established agricultural shows, although the Rare breed sale is at Carlisle on the 17th this year and we want to miss that clash, I think. September 2012 also give us more time to get organised than, say, May 2012.
Lanark was suggested by Karen, presumably because she knows it. I've never been although I will get down to see it soon - I can't get an idea of size from a plan really. It's quite central and accessible and the exterior looks new, so hopefully the lavvies are in good condition (high up my personal priority list). The cost isn't exorbitant, they will have in-house expertise that we can tap in to, they probably have insurance and we wouldn't need so much equipment etc than if we started with a bare field.
But if you have better suggestions, let's hear them. :)
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I've setup a dedicated private board for those who have contributed to this thread so far - you can access it from the forum home page.
If anyone else wants to access the dedicated board please just reply below and I'll add you to the group
I'm not going to lock this thread, but suggest that all discussion about the details are moved to threads on the dedicated board.
And if anyone just wants to comment on the general idea please carry on here. :)
Thanks,
Dan. :farmer:
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Dan can you add me please. Ta.
Simon
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Dan can you add me please. Ta.
Simon
No problem, done now.
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Not a Scot, but I think your enthusiasm is admirable.
Just one thought, and an important one that no-one has mentioned yet - INSURANCE.
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Not a Scot, but I think your enthusiasm is admirable.
Just one thought, and an important one that no-one has mentioned yet - INSURANCE.
Ah, but we have ;) Well, to be precise Doganjo (accountant and experienced committee member ;)) did. We're looking into it, and hoping that the PL insurance the market has to cover events will be suitable.
Thank you for your comments VSS :) Are you too far South to become an honourary Scot ? ;) ;D
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Eventually found the site on the working horse machinery it's www.carthorsemachinery.com (http://www.carthorsemachinery.com)
Mandy
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Thank you for your comments VSS :) Are you too far South to become an honourary Scot ? ;) ;D
Probably - North West Wales is a long way from Scotland. I can't really even claim the celtic connection as I am and English incomer ::)
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What an excellent thread!
Just to add a few thoughts:
Magazines such as
home farmer,
Grow your own,
kitchen garden,
grow it,
might also be worth contacting?
Other groups such as
Scottish Crofting federation
Crofters commission?
Local horticultural groups in areas where the particular show will be held?
As for location I think anywhere in Scotland would be a good start ;)
Even from Skye it would be closer than the trek to Wales the wife and I are making this year.
Please may I be added to the Allowed list for the new forum group for this idea also?
Sorry I cannot be of any great help at the moment as, currently, I am still a telecomms engineer plying my trade hither and thither. But I will watch how it goes, there may be something my skills can be used for.
Very best Wishes
SSkye
Currently sweltering in 28 degs C in Rhineland !
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Probably - North West Wales is a long way from Scotland. I can't really even claim the celtic connection as I am and English incomer
I've emailed you seperately about the show ;D
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Thank you for your comments VSS :) Are you too far South to become an honourary Scot ? ;) ;D
Probably - North West Wales is a long way from Scotland. I can't really even claim the celtic connection as I am and English incomer ::)
But you could plan your 2012 holidays now, couldn't you? ;D
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But you could plan your 2012 holidays now, couldn't you? ;D
I am afraid that our annual holiday extends to two days a year and that is spent at the Welsh Smallholder Festival.
I have got to come up to Scotland next year, but that is in April I'm afraid.
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Could I be added - I'm North East but could get involved in the future ones - thanks
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Could I be added - I'm North East but could get involved in the future ones - thanks
Done now.