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10/09/06
Loading twenty pedigree Texel rams and heading south to the
NSA Wales and Borders Ram Sale for the last time is Scottish
Borders farmer and renowned sheep and horse judge, Charles Scott.
Mr Scott, a former amateur jockey, and his wife, Betty, have
been making the fourteen hour round trip since the early days
of the ram sale at Builth Wells.
Renowned sheep and horse judge, Charles Scott
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But now the couple have decided to downsize and are selling off
their East Middle flock which they built up over the last thirty
years and which peaked at 460 breeding ewes. The thoroughbred horses
are also going. Instead they will be keeping Zwartbles at the thirteen
acres they'll be retaining around their home in Hawick, 44 miles
east of Carlisle and 'in the heart of the Scottish Borders'.
"Our main sale is Kelso of course", says Charles, who
is a well respected Texel judge. "But we do enjoy coming
to Builth and we’ve been coming to the early sale since it
started seventeen years ago. We were coming to the main sale years
before that. We enjoy the atmosphere and the warm welcome on the
Sunday after we make that long journey down.
"I'm past retirement age and keeping well, but I want to stay
that way! So I'm cutting back, but keeping some sheep so that I
have a reason to go out in the morning.
"I bought my first Zwartbles back in October 2002. I think
they've got a job to do in this country. They're good crossing
sheep as well as being very sociable. It's nice to see them walking
around"
And Mr Scott is continuing with the Zwartbles the success he's
enjoyed with the Texels. A former Texel judge at all the Royal
shows and a consistent championship winner, he was delighted when
his home bred gimmer won the first ever Zwartble shearling ewe
class at the Royal this year.
He's also a great believer in recording. He says it's a lot of
work but the benefits of the MLC and Signet recording over the
last thirty years have been tremendous.
A man of many talents, he's particularly proud of his achievement
in winning the Foxhunters Chase at Aintree in 1959. The horse Merryman
2nd, trained by Neville Crump, went on to win the Grand National
the following year.
"My father used to train racehorses and I rode for him as
an amateur jockey", he added. "We had some considerable
success. And I did win the race on Merryman 2nd the first time
he saw the fences at Aintree".
Mr Scott has judged many times on mainland Britain, including the
champion of champions at the Royal Welsh in 2000 when he had 30
different breeds in front of him. He has also judged horses four
times at the Royal Dublin Show and sheep once, and has judged at
the Balmoral.
Charles Scott is grateful for the help and support he's had, not
just from his wife Betty, but also from his right hand man, Bruce
Elliot. Bruce was born on the farm and will stay in his farm cottage
for as long as he wishes.
The NSA Wales and Borders Ram Sale will be held at the Royal Welsh
Showground on Monday September 18.
 Record price for day of strong trading at
Builth NSA Ram Sale
Opening Skipton NEMSA mule gimmers show
Beltex-cross ‘trialists’ prove
champion material
Ryeland Downs supreme at Skipton rare and native breeds event
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