THE National Sheep Association's Northern region held its annual meeting at The George Hotel, Piercebridge.

Malcolm Corbett of Dyke Head, Rochester, near Otterburn, was elected chairman. He produces lamb and beef on his farm, which is between 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level in the Northumberland National Park. He is a former chairman of Northumberland NFU.

Vice-chairman is Carl Stephenson from Pikestone, Woodland, near Bishop Auckland. He farms cattle and sheep in Teesdale and is chairman of the Northern Uplands Sheep Strategy. He is also a former chairman of the North of England Mule Sheep Association.

Eddie Eastham, of Naddle Farm, Brampton, near Penrith, was elected the treasurer and takes over from Tom Bowman of Penrith, the retiring treasurer.

The T I Allinson Memorial Award, presented by NSA Northern Region for lifetime achievement, was awarded to Matthew (Potter) Wood from Bardon Mill, Northumberland.

An expertise in sheep dressing and show presentation, which he passed on to young shepherds; a gift and knowledge in selecting stock rams, for use in various flocks; and his work promoting Blue-faced Leicester and Blackface sheep made him the worthy winner.

Following the agm, Frank Johnson from the Moredun Research Institute and Chris Lloyd, project manager for the Eblex better returns programme, addressed more than 100 farmers and producers.