Taste of success as Baschurch farm scoops awards

A family from Shropshire have tasted success at Europe's largest single display of Hereford cattle.

The Timmis family, who run Moor Farm Shop in Baschurch, won a host of awards at the Hereford Cattle Society's annual Christmas calf show at Shrewsbury Livestock Market. They claimed the reserve supreme champion and male champion with their 12-month-old Shraden One Henson.

They also took first prize in the commercial heifer or steer category.

Elaine Timmis triumphed in the young handler class after gaining a first place in the 17-26 age group. Her mother Hazel Timmis came second in the stockman's handling class.

The family said they were delighted with their success in the show and are proud to have a herd dating back to 1919.

Mrs Timmis said: "We are all absolutely delighted with our recent successes.

"We took 10 calves to the show and were thrilled to come away with the reserve supreme champion and five other firsts.

"Our herd dates back to 1919 and we have been breeding Hereford cattle since 1981. We are dedicated to delivering the finest quality meat to our customers."

This year's show, this month, featured 110 calves and had an international feel with several Danish Hereford breeders attending the show in support of judge, Anders Mortensen.

He has the oldest herd in Denmark which was established in 1966. Breeders from the Republic of Ireland also took part in the show.

The Timmis family have been farming in Baschurch for three generations and until 2006 were actually based in the centre of the village.

In 2006 they moved the farmhouse and farm buildings to the edge of the village where they say access is much better and their buildings have been tailor-made for modern farming.