LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
On the 8th September prior to the Sale for the
Century at Beeston Auction Mart, Ken Procter
our Society President presented the Lifetime
Achievement Award to Mr Bryan Huxley.
Bryan was an only child but had an intense interest in cows
and people from an early age. His chief motivator regarding
registered Friesians 50 years ago was Dick Gladstone from
the Holmside herd at Foulshaw in the south Lakes. They met
when Bryan travelled north in search of pedigree Friesians
to replace his herd which was lost to Foot and Mouth in the
60’s.
Dick recognised his keen interest and even sharper brain
and helped Bryan to select some good stock from all around
the Cumbria and adjoining counties.
Meeting and travelling with Dick to various sales and herds
he made good friends with people such as George Robinson
at Farelton and Henry Bell at Holmland who contributed to his developing knowledge of the breed.
Taking all this advice on board and developing his own ideas he developed the EMRAL herd in Shropshire with the
love of his life Margaret. Together they had 3 daughters Samantha, Ruth and Elizabeth who are a credit to them.
As well as breeding great cows, Bryan is a devout Christian and is very involved with his local church which plays a
huge part in the way he leads his life. His mantra to life is to ‘treat everyone in the way you would wish them to treat
you and look for the good in everyone’. This then leads us to his choral interest in being involved in running and
organising training and performing events with the Maelor Choral Society.
Before he dispersed the Emral herd in 1996, he was held in high regard for the quality of cattle he bred and offered to
the market. Bryan held the record for the highest priced cows sold through Shrewsbury Auction for many years which
reflects the reputation he had for producing such good sound stock. Bryan sold Emral Jackie for the top price at his
dispersal to Hefyn Wilson at Tregibby Holsteins in South Wales who had great success showing this outstanding cow at
several major events.
Bryan is hugely respected by every one who meets him. His charm, knowledge, humour and geniality means that
everyone he meets becomes his friend. His involvement with the Shropshire club goes back 50 years. He was elected
chairman at the age of 25 and has continually been involved with all activities including the last 12 years as our
secretary and treasurer.
During this time Bryan has been the back bone of the club along with his beloved wife Margaret, who very tragically
was killed in a car crash which also left Bryan very badly injured in hospital for several months. People from far and
wide when hearing this tragic news contacted several club members to keep in touch with Bryan’s progress. This is a
mark of the affect that this very humble man has on everyone he meets.
Despite his very serious injuries Bryan soon asked for his paper work regarding the club activities to be brought in to
hospital so that he could continue his planning our various events.
If you look at our events throughout the whole year, I doubt than any other club arranges so many events for its
members as the Shropshire club. Bryan arranges monthly meetings with speakers from October to April, then we start
stock judging with events spread over 3 evenings on various farms in the area. These are followed by at least 2 local
visits to farms and lately we have had visits to local racing stables for some variety.
Our annual day trip by coach organised by Bryan has always proved successful with all details covered and allowed
for. He also arranges our club marquee at West Mid Show and coordinates our catering and hospitality at the show as
well as our stock judging competition at the same event. The annual calf show and eventual competing of our young
breeders at the National calf show is also promoted and supported by Bryan and his assistants.
If all this was not enough he also arranges our annual Dinner Dance in January at which we present the trophies to
our winners of the Herd Competitions – another feature organised by Bryan.
Because of the very high regard that Bryan is held, the committee arranged a surprise lunch party for him which was
attended by 160 members and friends. This was held at Richard and Wendy Roberts farm, home of the Lydbrook herd at
Telford.
The Shropshire club is very dynamic and diverse mostly down to one guy who has steered, cajoled and persuaded
everyone to come and join us, get involved and have some fun and most of all, make good friends for life. In short I
feel that as an ambassador for the breed Mr Bryan Huxley has shown to be one of the best. His honesty, enthusiasm,
knowledge, convivial manner and continued work to encourage and involve as many people as possible within the club
is to be admired.
Frank Dixon
Secretary, Shropshire Holstein Club.
THE JOURNAL DECEMBER 2009 5
News.indd 5 11/11/2009 17:58:55
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