Julie Sedgewick, who has led the northern region of the National Sheep Association (NSA) for 25 years, has stepped down from her role as Manager. The end of her stay in office was marked by the NSA at the Northern Region AGM, when the association presented her with a beautifully engraved glass tablet in thanks for the work she has done promoting the Association and the industry.

L-R - Hans Porksen, John Bell, Malcolm Corbett, Carl Stephenson, Julie Sedgewick, John Geldard, Greg Dalton, John Reed, Adam Watson, Geoff Lawn

In addition at the Northern Region AGM Julie was presented with the T I Allinson Memorial Award which is awarded to a person for lifetime achievement to the northern sheep industry. The award was presented by Greg Dalton current Chairman of NSA Northern Region.

Julie took on the role of NSA Northern Region Secretary in 1989 when her son Tim was only four months old. Her first NSA North Sheep event was held in 1990 at East Fourstones, Hexham, followed by a further 12 successful NSA North Sheep events around the region.

Greg Dalton, NSA Northern Region Chairman, said:
“For many years Julie has been a stalwart for the northern region, the sheep industry and the North Sheep event. Julie works incredibly hard and she just gets it done. Everything we do now, and have done from the very beginning has evolved as a result of Julie’s hard work, culminating with last year’s fantastic record breaking event held at Millstone Moor Farm, near Cockermouth. She will be such a huge miss, which may make it difficult to follow in her footsteps! Anyone who has worked for her would say the same thing.”

Julie is sad to be going, but feels the time has come for her to stand down and let someone else contribute their ideas. She says:
“I think one of our greatest achievements in the many years I have been working for the NSA in the north of England has been raising the profile of our specialist sheep events, run by the NSA for sheep farmers, sheep breed societies and the trade. They were originally initiated to promote the newly formed sheep breed societies that were being formed in the UK in the 80’s and 90’s. There was usually a farm tour, with perhaps 500 local farmers attending; now they are key occasions attended by thousands of people from across the UK.”

If Julie is responsible for the appearance of NSA North Sheep and NSA Scotsheep in the sheep farmer’s diary, she also made her mark on the National Sheep Event, held in Malvern. The NSA and Julie took it over from the Royal Agricultural Society of England and turned it into a profit-making event.

Julie has always been committed to bringing young people into the industry. She was responsible for the re-introduction of the Young Shepherd of the Year finals, which now take place at the Sheep Event in Malvern every two years. Choosing their candidates from heats held at all of the NSA regional events, she adds:
“I have always believed that young sheep farmers should get involved in the running and planning of the specialist sheep events, it is really important that they do so to ensure the future survival of these events.”

The NSA represents the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK. It is funded by its membership of sheep farmers, and its activities involve it in every aspect of the sheep industry. It encourages enthusiasm, knowledge and best practice – and wants those not keeping sheep to be made increasingly aware of the contribution sheep make to society, and of the core aspects of the sector.

As the National Sheep Breeders Association it was founded in 1892 as a forum for progressive breeders, and to provide a strong and common voice for the industry. Its title changed to its present form in 1969 to reflect the more comprehensive work of the organisation and its representation of both pedigree and non-pedigree producers in all aspects of the sheep sector.

NSA Northern Region is one of the largest in England, taking in the counties of Cumbria, Co. Durham, Humberside, Lancashire, Northumberland, north and west Yorkshire and the Isle of Man. NSA North Sheep is held every other year and offers free entry to NSA members.

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