I am Helen Driver. The President of the Society and the judge for the Championship line-up at May Fair 2025.
I come from a deep farming background in Derbyshire. My brother still farms the family farm, I left school and had 12 months working at home. I then attended Agricultural College for a year before returning home to the family farm. I got married in 1987 and moved 5 miles away to Sandy Lane. Here was my first contact with Dorsets, where Horned Dorset Rams have been on the farm since 1949 for crossing.
It was my son Sam, who established the Sandy Lane Flock from an early age that got me in to Dorsets, Family holidays were taken in Dorset to view sheep. Our first May Fair we attended was at Bristol after the Foot & Mouth outbreak. From then on, we made our way to Exeter. One year, when my husband could not attend. Sam and I even went on the train with Sam's sister & brother. We actually made it in time for 10 am, for selling in the sheep pens!
I bought my first Dorset pen of sheep in 2007 from the Deverill Flock. These ewes had a lot of lambs and were good workers. A few years later, a pen from the Blackhill Flock and one from the dispersal of the Rossiz Flock set my flock off. These became my core and I have added individual females along the way. I run my ewes with Sam's, so they come under the Sandy Lane Flock. I have no credit for Sam's success. This is solely down to him. I am lucky to have the opportunity to use good stock rams available within the Sandy Lane Flock.
When I achieved enough ewes in my own right. I used Bennachie Crianlarich for many years. He put a good stamp on his females with them looking like peas in a pod. This year, I am using Hydes Gaucho. I like his presence and uprightness.
My greatest achievement in the breed is of, course, being President of the Society with that comes the judging at May Fair. I am excited but equally nervous about the situation. My two days at Exeter are my highlight. I am lucky to sometimes have my birthday at one of the days (not this year), like I know other members do. It is a perfect birthday celebration.
May Fair is made with all the friends we get the chance to meet up with. Away from Dorsets, I have a very keen interest in Snooker. I am a very proud Mum to three children and I have two wonderful Grandchildren. I wish all exhibitors a very successful show and one all, a good sale.
See you in a few weeks
Helen Driver.