British
White Travels
From Avalon
Farm
Greetings
I have just returned to Avalon Farm from
the AGM recently held at Gliffaes in Crickhowell, Powys, Wales UK. I left
Fargo ND at 3 PM on the 14th of October and departed Minneapolis at 8:30 PM that
same day for London's Gatwick airport where Mrs. Angela Hamilton had arranged
for Mr. Leslie Cook of the BWCS to collect me and deliver me to Wales for the
AGM. Angela had arranged that Leslie would have a sign with my name and I
added that I would wear a Kelly green hat with a BW cow and Avalon British
emblazoned on the front. Leslie and I met at the prearranged point though
we had not spoken directly and he, in fact, had never been to the airport.
He extended his hand in welcome and with that act a new chapter of proactive
cooperation between organizations may have been formed.
We searched the "car park"
(parking lot) for Mr. Cook's car and soon were on our way to Wales. With
no enroute stops it took almost 4 hours to complete the 3 hour ride due to the
fact we got along so famously that we missed a turn and did extra touring of
Wales. We arrived at the Gliffaes Hotel at about 4:10 pm for the 4:30
executive board meeting presided over by Mr. Henry Cator of Woodbastwick Farms
(Rotac Farms). Inasmuch as the executive board had a sensitive and
unfortunate issue to deal with, I elected to decline their gracious offer of
attending the executive board meeting. By 5:45 pm they had done their duty
and repaired to the hotel for a brief rest before the AGM at 6:30. I had
been allowed the privilege of staying in the
room arranged for Mr. John Cator of Woodbastwick who was too ill to travel.
I spent my 90 free minutes photographing the beautiful grounds of the Gliffaes,
a property so unique and beautiful that I look forward to going there with
Alison to take in the natural beauty of the location.
The conduct of the AGM closely paralleled
the recent BWCAA event in Guthrie. Mr. Henry Cator presided over a packed
meeting room and later on awards were presented to Mr. Leslie Cook and Mr. Henry
Cator for the best animals forwarded during 1999. Mr. Cator in turn awarded his
trophy to Mrs. Angela Hamilton (secretary) in deference to her contributions not
only to the society but also to the Woodbastwick Herd. Minutes of
the executive meeting were approved and the AGM was adjourned in favor of the
Dinner to be served following.
Following the fine dinner featuring beef (though not BW) an auction of promises was conducted with allowed much merriment and generous financial support of the BWCS. After 20 lots of UK promises Mr. Henry Cator allowed that the American observer had three "Avalon British caps to sell. Not to correct Mr. Henry Cator but American observer McConnell asked that he be allowed to give a cap to both Angela Hamilton's for their assistance in arranging his attending the event. Next Field McConnell mentioned that the third cap was to go to Mr. Leslie Cook for his kindness and generosity in collecting Field at London and delivering him to Wales but in deference to the elder Mr. Cator's medical condition Field would prefer the cap went to Mr. John Cator as a show of support and concern from breeders across the Atlantic who were aware of his medical challenges being faced by the elder Mr. Cator of Woodbastwick. Mr. Henry Cator allowed the change of format and in return donated 50 pounds sterling for the third cap which was to go to his father. The auction now being properly concluded the members now disbursed throughout the Gliffaes to reacquaint, introduce, and visit.
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Les Cooke, Field McConnell & Steve Richardson |
A quick bit of lunch and Leslie and Field
were off to the airport some three hours off. Enroute it was decided they
should go to where Anna (Leslie's wife ) and daughter Sarah Cook had competed
and placed in a Hereford show with Sarah winning an award in showmanship in
addition to both their animals placing. After Mrs. Anna Cook was kind to
drop Field off at the airport whereupon both parties continued their journeys
home.
While in England. I
joined the BWCS and promised to attend all future AGMs.
Sincerely,
Field McConnell