Weardale
By branch chairman Stephen Collingwood
As I write my first report on a cold wet January night, I can’t help thinking back to that nice spring, when we had grass to turn the ewes and lambs onto. There was grass aplenty throughout summer and lambs were on good form going in to the sales.
Hexham and Northern Marts held their Annual Sale of the Traditional “Tow Law” Mule Gimmer Lambs on behalf of the Weardale Branch of NEMSA with a catalogue of 5,810. Our judges for the prize show were David and Michelle Buck, Quarry Grange, who expertly judged and had eight outstanding pens to pick their champion ten lambs.
Our sale season started with the ‘Tow Law’ Sale at Hexham Auction Mart. A similar trade to last year with
more lambs forward, running lambs were easier to sell. Sale average £83.23
Show Results
Pens of 10
1st GW Robinson Perpetual Rose Bowl - WM Reed & Sons, Lands Farm
2nd J Lee & Sons, Agars Hill
3rd R&MJ Lee, Harwood Shield
4th A Collingwood & Sons, Ambling Gate
Runs of 100
1st and The William Reed Perpetual Trophy - WJ Scott Ltd, Low Leam
2nd WM Reed & Sons
3rd R&MJ Lee
The following day was our sale at St Johns Chapel. Again an increased entry met a similar trade on the year averaging £81.15.
Pens of 10
1st WM Reed & Sons
2nd C Hodgson, Hill House
3rd M&B Coulthard, Bridge End
4th JM Robinson, Lin Riggs
Runs of 100
1st & Lee Jameson Memorial Trophy - C Hodgson
2nd M&B Coulthard
3rd Crooks Altar Farming
We would like to thank our judges, Julie Brough, Geoff Carrick and John Bell (Tow Law Sale) and Sarah Brockbank, Edwin Holliday,
Philip and Anthony Walker (St Johns Chapel) for their time and expert opinion. Also thanks to Hexham Auction Mart and Barnard Castle Auction Mart Auctioneers and Staff for their continued hard work and support of our sales.
Congratulations must go to John and Barbara Reed and Family, Lands Farm for producing the winning lambs at both
centres and also the ‘Alston Moor Day’ at Lazonby.
I would like to wish you all a Happy Lambing and hope the weather, and Brexit, are kind.
Stephen Collingwood