PENRITH: Thursday 8th October. Swaledale & Other Hill Bred Ewes. Penrith & District Farmers’ Mart LLP held their Annual Show & Sale of 5,306 Uncrossed & Crossed Swaledale, Herdwick & Cheviot Ewes, Shearlings and Gimmer Lambs. A top class show entry of draft Swaledale Ewes, Shearlings & Gimmer Lambs drew much praise from the judges Mr K Ireland, Stock Howe Hall, Mr J Thompson, East Unthank and referee Mr H Little, Bank End Mill.  The show was kindly sponsored by The Lake District National Park, Allflex (Livestock Identification) & Marts the Hearts.

Champion Honours were awarded to Messrs E J & R J Wear, Howe Green with their exceptional pen of first placed Swaledale ewes, these ewes later sold for £340 per head to judge Mr K Ireland, Stock Howe Hall.

Incorporated in this sale were two consignments of stock sheep, firstly was a flock dispersal from Mr RL Richardson, Fieldgate, Bampton.  This was followed by a flock reduction on behalf of Mr S Harrison, Aimsaugh, Alston.

Show Results:

Class 1   Pair of Swaledale Ewes

1st          Messrs Folder, Wesco - realising £205

2nd        Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe - realising £240

Class 2   Pen of 10 Swaledale Gimmers

1st          Messrs G A & D E Thompson, Howburn - realising £90

2nd          Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe - realising £82

3rd         Mr GL Hutton, Setmabanning - realising £85

Class 3   Pen of 10 Swaledale Shearling

1st          Messrs Lightfoot, Gillside - realising £215

2nd        Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe - realising £132

3rd         JB & CL Little, Eden Park - realising £140

Class 4   Pen of 10 Swaledale Ewes

1st          Messrs E J & R J Wear, Howe Green - realising £340

2nd        Messrs Lightfoot, Gillside - realising £260

3rd         Messrs Folder, Wesco - realising £255

Leading Swaledale Flock Averages

M/s Lighfoot, Gillside £162

M/s Wear, Howe Green £148

Haltcliffe - £145

M/s Folder, Wesco £133

T Nattrass, Kentmere £124

M/s Brass, Low Row £123

M/s Wilson, Undercragg £116

R & A Taylforth, Side Farm £115

Dalehead £110

M/s Wilson, High Beckside £102

Leading Prices - Shearlings: Swaledale (Av £114.63) £215, £180, £155, £135, £130 (2) Gillside; £165, £140, £135 Eden Park; £135 Shap Abbey; £135 Well House; £132 Lonning Head; £132 Low Row; £130 Shap Abbey. Herdwick (Av £70.84)- £80 Anns Cottage; £72 (2) The Warren. Ewes: Swaledale (Av £105.39) - £340, £180, £175, £152, £150 Howe Green; £260, £240, £200 Lonning Head; £260, £230, £190, £170, £152, £150, £140 (4) Gillside; £255, £205 £140 Wesco; £165 Low Row; £150 Howtown Hotel; £145 Dalehead. Cheviot (Av £81.53) £122, £110, £90 Shap Abbey; £84 Dalemain; £84, £80 (2) Field Gate. Herdwick (Av £67.82) £85, £78 Anns Cottage; £68 Howtown Hotel. Gimmer Lambs: Swaledale £90, £80, £75 Howburn; £86 Sleddale Hall; £85 (2), £78, £71 Shap Abbey; £85, £80, £75 Setmabanning; £82 Lonning Head; £75 Ulcatrow; £72 Undercragg; £70 Low Mill; £70 Branthwaite; £70 High Row Farm. Herdwick £80, £58 (2) Noran Bank; £58 Hollins; £58 Anns Cottage.