Penrith and District Farmers’ Mart held the annual show and sale of 6130 crossed and un-crossed Swaledale, Herdwick and Cheviot ewes, shearlings and ewe lambs. The Swaledale classes were judged by A Brown, Asby Hall alongside B Harvey, Waxham Hall and referee J Tully, Burncroft, with eight pairs of Herdwick females forward for judge S Jackson, Nook Farm, to view.

With a large entry of sheep, buyers were in excess and an increased sale average of £12 was achieved on the corresponding year.

Topping the day's sale at £550 was a pair of three-crop Swaledale ewes from Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe, which was knocked down to Mr Conway, Co Tyrone.

The champion rosette went to Messrs EJ and RJ Weir, Howe Green – for the fifth year running – for a pen of two-crop ewes, which later realised £380 per head, to Messrs Blakey, Harrogate.

A run of two-crop North Country Cheviot ewes from R Weir, Chapel Farm, topped the breed sale at £136 per head, selling to Mr Nicholls, North Devon, averaging at £127.60.

The introduction of a new class for best pair of Herdwick ewes had a large entry, with the championship title being awarded to AD and T Harrison, Brotherilkeld Farm, Holmrook, for a pair of two-crop ewes, which later sold for £450 each, selling to undisclosed buyers.

LEADING awards

Pair of Swaledale ewes (Judge: A Brown, B Harvey). 1, Messrs Folder, Wesco; 2, Messrs Haltcliffe; 3, WH Raine, Ravenwood Cottage.

Pen of 10 Swaledale ewe lambs (Judge: A Brown, B Harvey). 1, Messrs WD and B Thompson, East Unthank; 2, Messrs Haltcliffe; 3, Messrs TW and JR Rebanks, Racy Ghyll Farm.

Pen of 10 Swaledale shearlings (Judge: A Brown, B Harvey). 1, Messrs Lightfoot, Gillside; 2, Messrs JB and CJ Little, Pewter Close; 3, Messrs TW and JR Rebanks, Racy Ghyll Farm.

Pen of 10 Swaledale ewes (Judge: A Brown, B Harvey). 1, Messrs EJ and RJ Wear, Howe Green; 2, Messrs Lightfoot, Gillside; 3, Messrs Folder, Wesco.

Pair of Herdwick females (Judge: S Jackson). 1, Messrs AD and T Harrison, Brotherilkeld Farm; 2, Bland, West Head Farm; 3, Messrs CA and JR Brown, Deepdale Hall.

LEADING prices

Shearlings – Swale – £200, £115, £105, £100 (x2) Gillside; £112, £105 Pewter Close; £112 Crosby Hall; £100 High Row Farm. Herd – £140 Brotherilkeld Farm; £70 (x2) Anns Cottage; £66, £62 Gillside; £65 Deepdale Hall; £59 Burns Farm; £55 Hesket Demain; £55 Douthwaite Head. Chev – £90 (x2) Greenbank Farm.

Ewes – Swale – £550, £200 Haltcliffe; £380, £160, £120, £112, £110, £105 Howe Green; £300, £172, £150, £130 (x2), £120, £102, £100 Gillside; £220, £145 (x2), £140, £120, £110, £100 Wesco; £165, £120, £111, £110 Low Row; £140, £135 (x2), £122, £120, £100 Ravenwood Cottage; £130, £127, £105 Side Farm (Talyforth); £122, £112, £110 (x3), £100 Dale Head; £121, £110 (x2) Undercragg; £120, £110, £108 Setmabanning; £116, £114, £112 Kentmere. Herd – £450 Brotherilkeld; £87, £64, £60, £56, £54 West Head Farm; £72 Racy Ghyll Farm; £68 Deepdale Hall; £66 (x2) Anns Cottage; £64, £57 Low Abbey; £54 Burns Farm; £54 Douthwaite Head. Chev – £136, £122 Chapel Farm (Weir).

Ewe lambs – Swale – £66, £56, £54 East Unthank; £58, £48 Douthwaite Head; £58 Racy Ghyll Farm; £54 Haltcliffe; £53, £48 Highbeckside; £50, £47 Setmabanning; £50, £46 Undercragg; £50 Hedwynds; £46 Douthwaite Head; £45 (x2) Howburn. Herd – £58 Ulcatrow; £45 Anns Cottage. Chev – £44 Dalemain.