RBST Devon                

The inaugural meeting was held in 1982 at Parke Rare Breeds Farm, Bovey Tracey, when Geoffrey Cloke, a Council member, came to talk and drum up enthusiasm. This focus and publicity brought together a number of supporters. A committee was formed and the Support Group became a reality. At the first Committee meeting, Tim Ash took the chair. Jo Everett, who with her husband Rupert bred GOS, became the first secretary. Sadly for the group, they soon moved out of the area. Dave Benton nobly became the founder Treasurer, a job which is usually unwanted by everyone.

Other founder Committee members included Julian Greatorex and Gethin Rees. In the next year or two, the Committee included; Noel Tallowin; Hugh And Margaret Prior; Kate Templeton; Robin Phillips; Ronald and Anne Rolls. When the Everetts moved away, Anna Klinkenberg took over for a stint as secretary, closely followed by Margaret Prior. Margaret stayed, with Hugh taking over when Dave gave up as Treasurer, for the remainder of the early years. They bore the brunt of the work in setting up and running the group's sales. They had been inveigled into Manx sheep, and the group, by Noel Tallowin, a great enthusiast. Noel actually died suddenly, while they were dipping their sheep, and was greatly missed.

The first sale was at Newton Abbot Market, but Headquarters were not happy about the commercial connection. A leap of faith was made, and the sale was moved to the old County Showground at Whipton. This was a good, central venue, with easy parking; the trade off was having to build each and every pen. At the end of the set-up day, tired gangs took fish and chips home, before preparing their own stock. These days were not helped by occasional overnight vendors complaining on their arrival, that pens were not entirely organised. The definition of 'Rare Breeds' was a little more relaxed then, in the interest of creating trade, and one unfortunate vendor was last seen trying to get an ornamental pheasant down from the roof- space. Fortunately, the good times are the ones best remembered; after the sale, or 'taking the stand' to local shows, the party often repaired to a local pub for supper. The early 'mobile stand' was Hugh and Margaret's trailer tent, which was also used for residential accommodation at the County Show. Old but watertight, it required Hugh's special knack to raise the roof, but gave sterling service at many shown.

On one occasion, the Mid-Devon show met very unfavourable weather. The car pulling the trailer, just made it onto the ground, but needed a gang of pushers to get off; once it reached the road, blue smoke was noticed, where blue smoke shouldn't have been. The car had burnt out its clutch. The return journey to Clyst Hydon to drop off the trailer, (for next day's Honiton) and then to Bovey Tracey, via another stop-off in Exeter, took place with bated breath and in second gear.

Happy days! Visits were organised which specialised in a particular breed. I.e. To the Mansells on Exmoor, to see their stud of ponies; a Belted welsh cattle day at the Parke's; a Shetland sheep day at Dave and Pat Regardsoe's, (before Shetlands became a victim of their own success, .and no longer qualified as 'rare'.) At these gatherings a breed authority would share his or her knowledge, ram inspection might be included (And on the Shetland days, roast lamb from the breed and crosses was tasted and compared.) We had a Good day at John Lightbown's Bradfield House, where he had Gloucester cattle, Soay sheep and interesting crosses. (He was also instrumental in introducing the Dutch Schwartzbles sheep. Literally 'Black-blaze', and apologies spelling) In time group members were able to produce an impressive array of breeds for our display stand. From the first, the Uglows were unfailingly supportive in lending their pigs, and we also had help from Anne Petch. There is no doubt that a litter of pigs or a Heavy horse have, for visitors, the greatest pulling power.

In addition to agricultural shows, the stand, in various forms, went to Craft days, Sheep Days, Vintage car rallies, School fetes. All was grist to the mill of drumming up interest for Britain's traditional breeds. Visitors came from all areas. One London member, with no chance of keeping the animals themselves, visited us and asked for wool. She just needed tufts, to add to the collection she was making of wool from each breed in the British Isles! It is great to meet, and help, people with such enthusiasm. When the County Showground closed, the sale moved to Hatherleigh, another excellent venue; then back to Newton Abbot, where Rendells did all they could to accommodate Headquarters' requirements. Finally, to Exeter Livestock Centre, which was the Group's last sale.

Robin Phillips remembers the fiasco of 'The Ambulance'. This was a decrepit vehicle, a 'bargain', purchased with a view to having all the show stuff genuinely mobile, without the need for loading and unloading each time. Initially taken to a garage for MOT, (we were joking, of course!) it proved to need so much work as to be almost beyond our means. Further, the garage wanted £25 to tow it to our storage site! Next thing was thing was that HQ Instead of applauding our enthusiasm, virtually ruled out the vehicle as incapable of maintaining the high standards of the Trust. They may have a point, but the outcome was selling it at a loss to a prospective Hippie. Anyway, some members having travelled about a hundred miles to an area meeting, then standing freezing for some two hours in a drafty barn, while being told to make sure their necks and teeth were clean when representing the Trust, and that they didn't need a shave, were becoming a little disenchanted with the Trust!

E. & O.E. Please feel free to add, subtract or alter in any way. It is impossible to remember every body. Dave Brenton and Robin Phillips have both helped with scratching the grey matter!

Further input to Richard Barker to add to the web site