Long serving NSA Manager thanked as he steps down from regional office

The National Sheep Association (NSA) Eastern Region has expressed its sincere thanks to well known and respected Norfolk sheep farmer Jonathan Barber who has stepped down after thirty years as Regional Manager for the NSA region.

Alongside his wife Carroll who has supported the regional role, Jonathan was presented with a painting of a Norfolk sheep farming scene by NSA Chairman and NSA Eastern Region Chairman Dan Phipps on Thursday evening at the region’s Annual Manager’s Meeting (ARMM).

Jonathan has led activity in the region organising many meetings, farm visits, several successful NSA Eastern Region Winter Fayres and for many years the popular NSA Eastern Region Ram Sales at Rugby and Melton Mowbray Markets. As well as his regional work Jonathan also held the position of NSA National Chairman from 2009 to 2012.

Engaging attendees at the evening with memories from Jonathan’s thirty years with the region Dan Phipps said: “Under Jonathan’s watchful eye NSA Eastern Region has become an example of how committees can be run and self-sustaining.

“During his time with NSA Jonathan has done much for the Association as a whole and indeed the UK sheep industry. It has been a great pleasure to work alongside him for so many years. Jonathan and Carrol leave the region in great health and in a strong financial position to continue to serve sheep farmers into the future.”

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker comments: “Jonathan and Carroll have supported NSA Eastern Region in so many ways and organised lots of interesting activities for members, integrating brilliantly with NSA as a national organisation. No one is irreplaceable (if they were then the world would be in more of a muddle even than it is today) but their shoes will be difficult to fill and NSA will be long in their debt for all they’ve done.”

At the meeting Jonathan expressed his pleasure in working in the role for so many years and thanked the many ‘wonderful’ people he had been lucky to work alongside, he welcomed newly appointed Josh Brock, who takes on the role from now, jokingly wishing him the very best of luck for his thirty years in the role.

Josh joins NSA with several years’ experience working within the sheep sector as a shepherd and is currently working as an Agri-Business Consultant for ADAS. Josh has also recently completed his master’s degree from Harper Adams in Agricultural Science and Production Systems.

Dan Phipps concludes: “We are so pleased to welcome Josh into the Regional Manager position and are confident he will take on the work of Jonathan very ably.”

Also at the ARMM NSA members and others joining heard from speakers Simon Wearmouth of Brown and Co who spoke about future farming support schemes, and Katie James, NSA Communications Manager who updated attendees on NSA Head Office activity and the Association’s successful NSA Next Generation programme.