A NORTHUMBERLAND farmer has been elected as vice-chairman of the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS).

Jonathan Watson, who runs the Tweeddale prefix at Bowsden Moor, Berwick-upon-Tweed, was elected at the society's annual meeting on October 1.

Craig Ridley, of the noted Haltcliffe prefix, Hesket New Market, Cumbria, was appointed as the society’s honorary president for the customary two-year term. He takes over the position from Jim Scott who stepped down at the AGM.

With a wealth of experience in Limousins dating back to 1979, and with many high-profile bulls to their name, Craig farms in partnership with his wife, Sheila, and parents, Matt and Margaret. The herd presently numbers 80 cows.

Craig said: “I am proud and honoured to have been asked to be president and will do all I can to help the breed and its members.”

Wiltshire Limousin breeder Harry Parker of Home Farm, Stourton, Warminster, is the new chairman of the BLCS. He joined the society's Council of Management as representative of the South West region in 2012.

Harry, together with his wife Jane and five daughters, has lived on the Stourhead Estate located on the edge of Salisbury Plain for more than 40 years. The farming enterprise comprises 750 acres – 250 of which is permanent pasture managed under the Higher-Level Stewardship scheme, with the remaining 500 down to arable farmed under the Conservation Agriculture practice more commonly known as No Till.

Harry and his daughter, Verity, run the Stourhead Herd of pedigree Limousins numbering 50 breeding females, together with a small flock of registered Exmoor Horn sheep.

Harry Parker said: “I am honoured and privileged to have been elected chairman of the BLCS and am very much committed to moving the society forward by making sure honesty, integrity and transparency are the driving forces behind all future council decisions.”

New additions to the BLCS Council of Management include Scottish representative, Andrew Gammie, of the Westpit Herd, Drumforber, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, and North West representative, Alan Myerscough, of the Tallyrock Herd, based near Ulverston, Cumbria.