CCM Skipton Addingham Sheep Breeders sale nets almost £4,500

A total of 27 lambs, again predominantly North of England Mule wethers, were generously donated for sale by regional farmers, their show class co-judged by Bewerley’s Trevor Stoney and Neil Allan, of Killington, Carnforth.

The duo awarded the championship to a Mule wether from North Craven father and son, David and Robin Booth, of Feizor. The victor is by their prolific Smearsett J30 Bluefaced Leicester tup, now used successfully across seven breeding seasons, still going strong, a multiple producer of prize winners and responsible for several in the Booth pen that clinched the 20s title at Skipton’s high profile opening North of England Mule Sheep Association (NEMSA) gimmer lamb show and sale in September.

Out of a home-bred Swaledale ewe, the title winner netted a spectacular £1,410 in total after being sold and returned to the ring several times by big-hearted bidders at the ringside, who were more than happy to dig deep in support of such a worthwhile cause. Bear in mind that the same day’s overall Mule selling average was £66.74 and the scale of their extraordinary generosity becomes even more amazing.

The champion, recipient of the PFS Shield, first sold to John and Pauline Turner, of Draughton – they traditionally open the bidding – then, in turn, to Simon Spensley, of Gargrave, co-judge Joe Stoney, regular livestock buyer Andrew Atkinson, of Kettlesing, NFU Mutual’s Skipton office, Johnny Carr, of Addingham, and finally to CCM Auctions, the majority again repeat bidders from previous years.

The lamb will now be over-wintered until the New Year, when it will once more go under the hammer at a Monday primestock sale at Skipton, with proceeds again going to Manorlands.

Back in show, standing runners-up were past champions, the Walker family – Patrick and Janet, and their son Thomas - from Fold Farm, Appletreewick, their lamb making £120, while another former title winner Chris Ryder, who farms with wife Christine at Scaife Hall Farm, Blubberhouses, finished third, their lamb away at £110, fourth prize falling to Roy Nelson, of Lainger House Farm, Bordley, his charge also making £120.

Other lambs were kindly donated by JW Stockdale, D Gray, JC&N Throup, R Mawson, JA&C Throup, KM&L Throup, T&C Robinson, R Carr, JC Walker, N Houseman, JK Wilson, Ellis Bros, GM&A Lawn, R Appleton, J Percival, R&N Carlisle, F&D Throup, Ashfield Farms, M Ryder & Son and J Addyman,

Both Addingham & District Sheep Breeders and CCM Auctions, which again waved its commission on charity lamb sales, expressed their wholehearted gratitude to all who both donated and purchased lambs.

Over the years, the seasonal showcase has raised close on £60,000 for Sue Ryder Manorlands.

In addition, Manorlands, along with national farming charity, the Addington Fund, and Brooklands Community Special School in Skipton, also share in a further windfall of £4,400 raised at charity auctions staged alongside the mart’s 25th annual Christmas primestock shows last month

Adam Brunskill, Manorlands’ Craven area fundraiser, himself a former member of Worth Valley Young Farmers Club whose grandparents were farmers, commented: “A big thank you to Addingham Sheep Breeders and Craven Cattle Marts for again raising a fantastic amount at their annual Christmas show.

“This will help us to continue to be there for local families when it matters and provide our compassionate palliative care and bereavement support in our hospice and in the community. The support Manorlands Hospice receives from the farming community is incredible and both Addingham Sheep Breeders and Craven Cattle Marts epitomise that support perfectly every December. Thank you to everyone who attended and made the show another resounding success.”

The charity showcase formed part of Skipton’s fortnightly Wednesday sheep sale, sponsored by Top Tags Animal ID and Natalie Crisp Sheep Shearing, when 2,052 head forward sold to an overall average of £70.30.