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NSA North Sheep
This year the NSA sheep event headed back north to West Nubbock Farm near Hexham. One heavy rain shower early on didn’t dampen the spirits of the thousands that took time off from their busy schedules to attend the event.
There was a friendly buzz about the place and once again the FarmSkills stand and its plethora of green t-shirt clad helpers took full advantage of the situation, with a lambing simulator challenge, tying a halter out of a single piece of rope and of course the now infamous FarmSkills juggler, we had people literally swarming around us vying to win one of the vibrant green t-shirts and to find out more about the courses on offer.
Thanks goes to Lizzie Simmons (FarmSkills) for helping set up the stand the day before. On the day we were joined by Sophie Throup (FarmSkills), Iain Richards (XLVets), Jonathan Stockton (Kingsway), Claire Davies, Lee-Anne Oliver, Douglas Palmer & Roger Scott (Scott Mitchell), Jenny Hull (Alnorthumbria), Martin Peat (Castle), Kevin Beattie & Andrew Reid (Capontree) and Judith Lee (Westmorland) who came along throughout the day to help. Neil Laing (Clyde) came to show his support and Pauline Graham from Capontree popped by to say hello.
Many of our helpers managed to catch up with clients who had come for a day out which always goes down well and there was much interest in both FarmSkills and XLVets in general which kept us very busy for the entire day. We all agreed that the venue was great and so was the turnout and once again we received very positive feedback from all those who visited the stand, learnt a new skill and left inspired, eager to participate in a FarmSkills workshop near them. 3 American veterinary students were also fascinated by our XLVets and FarmSkills concept which meant we even got a chance to promote vet EMS so watch out for them next year!
Another long and exhausting day but a very productive one once again. See you at the Dairy Event!
Nottingham University Careers Day, Wednesday 9th March 2011
Nottingham careers day was a great event, providing an important opportunity to present the XLVet member practices as a good place to work to the Nottingham students. Special thanks to Steve Glanvill (Hook Norton) for joining the “Quiz the boss” session and presenting on the realties of practice life: to Lois Cowie (Allen and Partners) and Emily Robinson (Scarsdale) for representing the group so well on the young graduate question and answer session and to Chris Parker (Scarsdale),Jane King (Westmorland) and Mike Clark (Minster) for working hard on the stand talking to the students and to Steve Smith (PAWS) who was busy lecturing to the second years all morning.
 
National Cattle Mobility Event
The National Cattle Mobility Event at Cirencester on Wednesday 6th April 2011 and XLVets was represented by Drove Veterinary Practice and Tyndale Farm Veterinary Practice. Thanks go to Chris Hayes and Russell Fuller, Tyndale and Chris Price, Janet Blikmans, Mel Speechley and Ann Chambers, Drove for helping out on the day.
 
Beef Expo 26th May 2011
This Year Beef Expo was held at Newark showground in Nottinghamshire. With a willing team of helpers consisting of Sophie Throup from FarmSkills, Andrew Curwen, Alyson Staines and Iain Richards from XLVets, Sarah Hughs from Scarsdale, Mike Thorne from Rutland, Hollie Dale and Helen Worth from Wright and Morten and a brightly coloured juggler; they set to work with bright green t-shirts and bucket loads of enthusiasm to attract the crowds.
Visitors were encouraged to participate in mini-challenges, to learn a new skill and be given the opportunity to win a FarmSkills t-shirt; learning to make a halter out of a piece of rope went down well along with the art of juggling, all participants leaving the stand with a new found skill, a green FarmSkills t-shirt, XLVets pen, literature and the anticipation of attending a workshop in their area in the not too distant future.
Helpers on the stand commented that enquires for future courses and workshops came from across the UK, and feedback from past attendees was very positive ensuring that the future of FarmSkills is set to grow and grow.
 
 
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