Pedigree Texels from Alan and Lorna Jackson’s Rugley retiral consignment provided the top prices at a joint flock sale at Carlisle, which included a reduction of RM and EA Payne’s Sheffield-based Handbank unit.

Trade peaked at 4200gns for a gimmer by Allanfauld Archduke, bred from a ewe by Beeford Warrior. She sold carrying a pair of lambs to Mullan Chancellor, to Esmor Evans, Mold, Clwyd.

John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso, purchased the next two highest prices lots from Rugley at 2200gns and 2000gns. Dearest was a Rugley Best Ever daughter, out of a Roxburgh Shot Gun Willie sired-dam, that also carrying a pair to Mullan Chancellor.

The second, by the same sire but out of a Hightecs Yorick sired-dam, sold due with a pair to Corriecravie Benchmark.

Alasdair Beaton who owns the Wester Crosshill flock at Slamannan, Falkirk, was another to get in on the action, buying two from Rugley at 1800gns and 1600gns. The former, a gimmer by Best Ever and bred from a ewe by Rugley Von Urs, again sold carrying twins to Benchmark.

The 1600gns gimmer, by the same sire but out of a Hightecs Yorick sired-dam, changed hands due with a pair to Mullan Chancellor.

Top price for the Handbank flock was 550gns paid for a Cambwell Arnie daughter, out of a Stonebridge Stevie’s Wonder sired-dam. Served to Stonebridge Charlie, she headed home with Messrs Mosley, Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

averages: Rugley – 72 gimmers, £875.73; three aged ewes, £682.50. Handbank – 10 gimmers, £456.75; nine ewe lambs, £207.66.