Records Smashed at Skipton Charity Sheep Show and Sale
2009-12-21

Records were broken all round at the third annual charity show and sale of Mule wether lambs organised by Addingham & District Sheep Breeders’ Association in aid of Sue Ryder Care – Manorlands Hospice at Oxenhope.

Robin Booth is pictured with the
Skipton charity show champion.

Staged at Skipton Auction Mart (Wed, Dec 16), a record number of 40 Mule wether and assorted other breed lambs were donated by both association members and local farmers, their generosity echoed at the ringside when a record £5,391 was realised - £2,000 more than last year’s charity fund-raiser.

Robin Booth, of WA & A Booth, Old Hall Cottage, Feizor, Austwick, exhibited the show champion, chosen by judge Les Thackray, of Mickley, Ripon, who then headed round one of bidding in the sales ring at a heady £880, immediately casting back the victor for resale.

In round two, there was again brisk bidding for the title winner, on which the hammer eventually fell for £420 to James Bracewell, of Bent House Farm, Cliviger, Burnley.

It meant the champion netted a total of £1,300 for the charity kitty, the munificence of the principals clearly illustrated by the fact that a Mule wether lamb - the hardy, versatile breed long favoured by sheep farmers on northern fells and moors - would normally sell at around £70 a head at current prices.

There were similar bidding patterns throughout the sale, notably for the reserve champion from last year’s victor Joe Throup, of Berwick Intake Farm, Draughton, which was “sold” several times by auctioneer Ted Odgen to itself realise around £1,000.

Anabelle Sugden, of Dobfield Farm, Laycock, who was the end buyer of the 2008 victor, donated a lamb carcass prepared free of charge by Skipton-based Stanforth Butchers, with other gestures of goodwill helping to boost total proceeds.

The show champion again received a trophy presented by event sponsor Chris Pearson, of Pearson Farm Supplies, West Marton, with Fort Dodge Animal Health, represented by Jonathan Reay, also sponsoring this year.

Addingham & District Sheep Breeders’ Association chairman John Mawson thanked all who had contributed to the overwhelming success of the 2009 event. He said: “It set a new fund-raising record by a big, big margin, again clearly illustrating the big-heartedness of the regional agricultural community when it comes to supporting worthy causes. We can’t thank them enough.”

Manorlands Hospice fundraiser Chris Normington said: “Every year, Manorlands provides care for over 560 people with end-of-life and long-term conditions. We are very grateful for the tremendous support and generosity Addingham Sheep Breeders, Pearson Farm Supplies, Craven Cattle Marts and the farming communities have shown us."

Swires Maintain Craven Dairy Auction Championship Stronghold
The Pies Have It for Manorlands
Keighleys Dominate Again at Skipton Winter Texel Highlight