THE North of England Mule Sheep Association has announced the appointment of a new breed secretary.

Linda Allan will be working alongside current, long-serving NEMSA secretary Marion Hope to ensure a smooth transition ahead of the official handover in August.

Linda farms in and around the Lune Valley, South Cumbria, at Beck House Farm, Killington, north of Kirkby Lonsdale.

She started painting at school and later studied design at university. Linda now uses video and photography as part of everyday life, producing original paintings, art prints and Christmas cards, as well as running a photography business specialising in sheep-related DVDs.

“I have been among North of England Mules all my life and totally believe in the product”, said Linda.”The NEMSA Mule continues to be the top of her job at every level, from lambing as a hogg to rearing those early Spring lambs as an older ewe.

“I look forward to meeting old and new friends and colleagues as I take the reins.”

Marion has served a secretary for 14 years. She said: “I have been all over the country to shows and have thoroughly enjoyed representing NEMSA on our show stand.

“I’ve met some truly wonderful and interesting people from so many diverse farming communities, among them our legions of breeders and users the length and breadth of the country.

“I know I leave both breed and association in fine heart, confident that NEMSA remains in extremely capable hands.”

NEMSA’s national chairman Chris Harrison, who farms near Alston, looks forward to welcoming Marion’s successor.