JULIE Sedgewick has retired as manager of the National Sheep Association's (NSA's) northern region after 25 years.

The occasion was marked at the branch annual meeting when she was presented with an engraved glass tablet in recognition of her work in promoting the association and industry as a whole.

Greg Dalton, regional chairman, also presented her with the T I Allinson memorial award which is given for a person's lifetime achievement to the northern sheep industry.

Mrs Sedgewick took on the role of regional secretary in 1989. 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.

Mr Dalton said: "For many years Julie has been a stalwart for the northern region, the sheep industry and the North Sheep event. She works incredibly hard and 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 at Millstone Moor Farm, near Cockermouth.

"She will be such a huge miss, which may make it difficult to follow in her footsteps!"

Mrs Sedgewick, who farms with her husband, Gordon, at Aycliffe and Bishop Auckland, was sad to be going, but feels the time has come for her to stand down and let someone else contribute their ideas.

She said: "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, breed societies and the trade."

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 in Malvern. She and the NSA took it over from the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), turning it into a profit-making event.

Committed to bringing young people into the industry, she re-introduced the national Young Shepherd of the Year finals.