Norton Show 8th August 2009

Please note that our branch will be supporting the Norton Ploughing Association Annual Show to be held on Saturday 8th August at Oaks Park off Bocham Parkway, Norton, South Sheffield.


The show is open to the public from 9.00 am so help would be appreciated from 8.00 am.

Contact Dave Longden, 01246-410361 or 0776 8445473

SYDSWA Branch Meeting 21st Jult 2009

In a change from the scehduled Branch programme of events this meeting will now take place at the Cock Inn, Birdwell and not Sheffield as previously advertised.

DRY STONE WALLING COMPETITION 1st August 2009

ATTENTION ALL DRY STONE WALLING ENTHUSIASTS

If you’ve ever fancied competing against other dry stone wallers, then now’s your chance!

The Yorkshire Open Dry Stone Walling Championship


……Is moving to a new location, and it’s tipped to be better than ever!!



Organised by the West & South Yorkshire branches of the Dry Stone
Walling Association, it is taking place at the Emley Show in Huddersfield,
on Saturday 1st August 2009, YORKSHIRE DAY.


Due to the recent relocation of the showground, it has enabled the
Open Walling Championship to take place at this new location, for the first time in the competition’s history.


As well as trophies, their will be over £600 in prize money and entries will be classed as Professionals, Amateurs, Novices, Schools or Young Farmers.


This competition has been supported in the past by wallers from as far afield as the Cotswolds, Wales and Southern Scotland and once again we
are hopeful for a good entry.





Further details are available from our Competition Organiser:



Paul Webley: (01484) 845219. or email: paul.webley@btinternet.com

or

Paul Webley: (01484)845219 / (07831)199451.

First Aid Course 4th July 2009

Any branch member interested in taking a one day first aid course should contact John Alston on 0114 288 5178 or postmaster@jalston.plus.com.

SYDSWA Program of Events for 2009

Branch Events Program

DSWA/Lantra Examination dates:

• 17 May 2009 Hoylandswaine, Barnsley
• 18 July 2009 Whirlow Hall Farm, Sheffield
• 24 October 2009 Hoylandswaine, Barnsley

Exam Coordinator will be Alan Devonport.


Basic Training Courses

• 18-19 April 2009 Hoylandswaine, Barnsley
• 27-28 June 2009 Whirlow Hall Farm, Sheffield
• 10-11 October 2009 Hoylandswaine, Barnsley

Course bookings Gary Helliwell


Hedgelaying Training Courses:

• 28 March 2009 New Mill, Huddersfield
• 29 March 2009 New Mill, Huddersfield

Course bookings Alan Devonport


Branch Practice Days:

• 18 April 2009 Hoylandswaine, Barnsley
• 19 April 2009 Hoylandswaine, Barnsley
• 17 May 2009 Hoylandswaine, Barnsley
• 27 June 2009 Whirlow Hall Farm, Sheffield
• 28 June 2009 Whirlow Hall Farm, Sheffield
• 10 October 2009 Hoylandswaine, Barnsley
• 11 October 2009 Hoylandswaine, Barnsley
• 21 November 2009 Whirlow Hall Farm, Sheffield

Practice days will commence at 09:30.





Shows/events at which the Branch will be represented at during 2009:

• Castleton Project with Derbyshire Branch 11th April 2009 MB
• Birdwell 25th April 2009 AD/GH
• Great Yorkshire Show July 2009
• Broomhead 12th July 2009 JA
• Emley Competition with W/Yorks Branch 1st August 2009 AD
• Norton 8th August 2009 JL
• Penistone 12th September 2009 AD
• Whirlow Hall Farm Fair September 2009
• National AGM in South Wales 21 – 22 November 2009


Branch Meetings 2009

• Tues Mar 17th Porter Brook, Sheffield
• Tues Apr 21st Cock Inn, Birdwell, Barnsley
• Tues May 19th Cock Inn, Birdwell, Barnsley
• Tues June 16th Cock Inn, Birdwell, Barnsley
• Tues July 21st Sheffield - venue TBA
• Tues Aug 18th Cock Inn, Birdwell, Barnsley
• Tues Sept 15th Cock Inn, Birdwell, Barnsley
• Tues Oct 20th Cock Inn, Birdwell, Barnsley
• Tues Nov 17th Sheffield - venue TBA


To Be Confirmed AGM and Christmas meeting and social

South Yorkshire Branch Meeting 18th Nov 2008

This meeting will take place at the Cock Inn, Birdwell and not at the Porter Brook, Sheffield due to a function going on at the Porter Brook.

The meeting will commence at 20:00. Members and non members are very welcome to attend.

The Chairmans Annual Report - delivered at the Branch AGM 21 October 2008

Chairman’s Annual Report 21st October 2008

It has again been a very busy year for the branch, firstly with monthly meetings and the branch A.G.M. being held at the Cock Inn in Barnsley, as well as the Psalter and Porter Brook in Sheffield. With well in excess of a hundred attendees over the year, it is continuing to be a great success. I feel at this point that we must thank all of the staff, as nothing has ever seemed to be too much trouble.

Once again, the enthusiasm of the committee has not only contributed to a sound basis for us as a whole, but has also helped push forward our branch’s opinions. With regards to our branch involvement at a national level, I feel that we have made huge progress.

In November 2007, we successfully hosted the National AGM and Members Weekend at Wentworth Castle. The majority of the feedback that we received showed that it was considered one the best that had ever taken place. The election that took place here resulted in three members of our branch succeeding to positions within the National Management Committee, these being Branch Representative, Elected Member and National Deputy Chairman.

We also now have a representation on the National Officer’s sub-committee, the sub-committee looking at the Five Year Plan for the association, and three of our branch members are active within the newly formed Membership Team.

To try and support an initiative for branches to help raise funds for the national association, we also organised a 40^th Anniversary Clothing range, with all of the profits been donated to the national body’s funds.

We have had mixed success with our demonstrations, where shows at Birdwell, Emley with the West Yorkshire Branch, Norton, Broomhead, and Penistone went ahead without any problems. However, Whirlow Hall Farm Fair did not due to the date being changed without our knowledge.

A further problem that we seem to have had is with regards to training. A major drop in training attendees could be partially due to free courses, which have been provided within our area by organisations such as the Wentworth Castle Trust. Although we have had some members arising from this training, I feel that a way forward with this would be to try and forge a partnership with these bodies. In addition, I feel that not being able to offer membership with our training course fees is something that we should investigate once again.

Since our last branch AGM we have hosted three certification days, two of which were at our new Hoylandswaine centre, with a third taking place this coming weekend on 25^th October 2008. It was also used this year in the making of the new Dry Stone Walling DVD produced by Kirklees Council and the West Yorkshire Branch.

The Examination Centre at Hoylandswaine continues to progress and evolve, where we are now capable of potentially holding several Master Craftsman, four Level 3 Advanced, six Level 2 Intermediate and well over a dozen Level 1 Initial timed examinations at the same time.

I for one am confident that in future, it may become one of the biggest examination centres in the country, and as part of our expansion plans, we also now have the use of on-site classroom facilities with electricity and a site portaloo.

Whilst I feel the focus for the coming year should be on training, I also feel that a new project would be beneficial, and the suggestion I have could be the creation of a social area with a barbecue and seating for example at Hoylandswaine. I also think that more of our membership should be encouraged to take part in our demonstrations, as this has been shown to help prepare them for potential examinations. Lastly, I feel that we should further ‘source out’ more of the roles and responsibilities of the branch secretary, examples for creation could be Publicity Officer, Shop Coordinator, etc.

At this point I feel that a special thanks must go to a National Elected Member as well as our Branch Secretary Les Young, who is sadly stepping down from both these roles. Being the former Branch Secretary of West Yorkshire, I for one realise the tremendous efforts that Les shown to these roles. Newer members may not be aware, but his knowledge, contacts and personal drive, has resulted in the creation of our blogsite, the setting up of both our Branch and 40^th anniversary clothing range, as well as coordinating the sponsorship for the National AGM.

He also persuaded the Y.T.V. presenter Ian Clayton to be our after dinner speaker, and secured a heavily discounted booking for the O.F.B soul band.

Les all I can say is that you are going to be one hell of an act to try and follow, and I hope that you will still be able to help our branch where possible.

To conclude, throughout the last year we have worked well as a team. I feel that the efforts and enthusiasm of our branch officers, committee members and also some of our newer members that have got involved in various events, have helped to improve the profile of our branch. No activities take place without someone helping to organise them, and they cannot run without members, giving what time they have to help.

I would like to end once again by thanking everyone and more importantly, their partners, for allowing them to become an officer, committee or branch member, and for their valuable contribution to this year’s programme, and feel confident that we will continue to build on our success.

Alan Devonport (South Yorkshire Branch Chairman)

Branch Meeting 19th August 2008

Dear Members

The meeting will take place at the Porter Brook on Eccleshall Road, Sheffield at 20:00hrs and not as previously stated the Psalter.